You Know More Than You Think

If You Have No Experience....

For those of you without experience, one may think that you have nothing to offer hiring managers. However, the opposite is true!!!

Where & How To Locate Your Past Experience....

Think of the industries you have worked in the past. Experience you gain working in your industry gives you in-depth experience and a shorter learning curve compared to someone without prior knowledge or experience in that field. Use the knowledge you have to apply for an opportunity in the industry that can use your expertise. The following are examples of where to start your job search. These are examples are not set in stone. You have intangible skills that can cross over into any other industry.

Position:
Medical Assistant


What Do You Know?
Medical terminology and the how to translate (in laymen terms) how a medical procedure, error, or illness effects a client and the potential opportunities to build a case

Where to apply:
Hospitals
Law Firms with a Malpractice specialty
Law Firms with a Personal-Injury specialty
Public interest groups


Next Position:
Nursing Home Assistant


What Do You Know?
Proper elder care and nursing home procedure

Where to apply:
Larger nursing home companies
Assisted living retirement communities
Law Firms with an elder care specialty


Next Position:
Phone company employee

What Do You Know?
Proper telecommunications procedure and violations of regulatory compliance

Where to apply:
Local phone companies
Public interest organizations

Position:
Tax Preparer


What Do You Know?
Government procedure for taxation and penalties for improper tax filings, in addition, to shades of interpretation for filing purposes

Where to apply:
Law Firms with taxation specialty
Public interest organizations

See! The "What Do You Know" section lists your knowledge in terminology that anyone could understand without a lot of jargon. This is one of the keys to finding a job if you have no experience in a field! When something is simplified in a way that anyone can understand your impact, it increases the chance of you finding a job!

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! Feel free to share your comments below.

Grabbing The Attention of Hiring Managers - The Testimonial

Switch roles with the hiring manager for one moment. Wading through hundreds of resumes with job experiences all looking the same

• Company name


• Job duties: maintained calendar, Answered phones, etc.


• Objectives not centered on the company -- To find a (insert job title) job that will challenge me and allow me to use my skills effectively.


• Resumes that are difficult to follow due to all experience with each respective company written in paragraph form and resembling a novel instead of a resume.

In addition: These resumes add to the hiring manager’s concerns and questions of competence and credibility.

How Can You Grab The Attention Of The Hiring Manager?

How can you as a job seeker grab the attention of the hiring manager and ease some of their concerns about your credibility? At this stage, the answer does not lie in references provided with your resume. The answer lies in a unique approach that companies have utilized for years – testimonials.

Testimonials:

Testimonials help add credibility by providing evidence that your product (that means you) works. Start thinking of yourself as a business and the work produced as the product. The satisfied “customers” are your managers, co-workers, professors, and classmates. How have you helped improve your “customers” lives? Did you take initiative on a project and help complete it ahead of deadline? Have you been complemented on your contribution on a group project for class? Have found yourself in the situation of training new hires and the person learned the new material faster with you in comparison to being trained by someone else?

Contact previous employers, classmates, and professors. Ask if they would e-mail a statement to you praising you for your accomplishments in areas such as work ethic, reliability, multitasking, document preparation, interpersonal skills, working well under pressure, strong communication skills and customer service. Ask them to keep it specific but vague. Avoid use of industry jargon (unless is it the industry you will be working in).

Example:

Here is an example highlighting strong work ethic from a restaurant manager:

“I will never forget the time Jane worked several hours after the restaurant closed to make sure we had everything we needed to open early the next day.” “It was short notice and she had important plans that evening, but she canceled them to make sure we had everything we needed”
--John H. Manger, Steak Restaurant – Chicago, IL

The more people that you can show are satisfied in areas hiring managers find valuable, the less reluctant hiring managers will be to consider giving your product/you a try!!

Thanks for taking time to read this article. Please post your comments below.

Unleash the potential in yourself…..

Are You Looking To Be Freed?
How many of you have seen an animal chomping at the bit to be free? If you have visited a zoo, you can always tell the ones that know intuitively that this is not the correct habitat or place for them to be. When one thinks about it, the life of an animal in the zoo is not so bad. They receive food and shelter and all they have to do is look “cute and healthy” when people come to their part of the exhibit. So why are there still animals keenly aware that this place is not where they are supposed to be? They have the innate sense that there is more to life outside of the cage that they are in?

Are You "Chomping At The Bit"?
Where are you in your job search? Are you “chomping at the bit” to be free? Even though you are paid to look “cute, healthy, and busy” with your assigned duties do you have a sense that you still do not belong in that place. Your intuition may be right!!!

If you are “chomping at the bit” to be “free”, take a step back and find out why you feel the way that you feel. For those individuals that are currently working and want to stay with your current employer, find a way to incorporate new tasks that you enjoy. Develop a reputation for success in that area. Tell others about your accomplishments. Market yourself as the best person for the tasks that you love to perform. Soon, people will notice and soon, you will find yourself doing less of the job tasks that you didn’t care for and more of the job duties that you enjoy!!

If you are “chomping at the bit” to be free of your current employer, remember it will take work!!! Not working as a (insert job title here), but would like to become one? Start learning what hiring managers are looking for by speaking with them directly or reading about what their concerns are.

Suggested Steps...
For example, if you are looking to work as a paralegal, then a suggested first step would be to log on to www.law.com or pick 5 companies that you would like to work for and schedule an informational interview with the head of the legal department. If you are a student or recent graduate use that to your advantage by asking as many questions about the field and what hiring managers are looking for (if you are not, that’s fine too). Remember keep it short (about 20 min or so) unless the person that you are interviewing would like to take longer. Keep in touch with the person you interviewed by calling periodically and/or asking for their feedback on subjects that are featured on www.law.com (or an industry specific website) or any industry knowledge you come across.

Soon, others will see your potential and help you in your path and journey to unleash it!!!

Good luck and unleash your potential!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Feel free to share your experiences and your comments below.

6 Ways To Bring in Interviews

Despite all of your hopes and prayers, phone calls asking you to come in for an interview will not magically appear out of thin air. You have got to get out there and hustle. The days of “point and click your way to a job” are gone.

Well, I’ve found the perfect solution. Close your eyes and cozy up to your computer monitor. Utilizing top-secret computer coding that I have developed in my secret lab located under my desk, I will now transmit to your brain the names of all of the companies in your area that are ready to interview you.

Well, OK, maybe not. **smile**

But for the record I have been thinking really hard on how to develop the technology on how to do this. (I’m only one brain cell away, I swear). Really, the key to an effective job search is for you to help yourself and I am going to offer tips to you on how to accomplish this. So, what I am offering you is way better!!



Spiffy Up Your Image:
Voice mail may not be in your job search plans, but if hiring managers call and your child answers the phone you bet your bottom dollar they will not call back. Nothing against children answering the phone or “cousin Clay” that loves to make callers laugh by pretending you are not home, but this is not the time. You want to project a professional image. Make sure your voice mail message sounds professional. No music in the background. No strange noises.

Target Your Energies:
Attend local professional association meetings. Try conducting a Google search on professional organizations in your area. Make it a point to attend at least one meeting per month. Stick with the same group instead of canvassing several. This conserves energy and more people get a chance to know you personally and help refer you to open positions.

Make the Most Out Of Job Fairs:
Don’t just stand in line at a job fair. Walk around. Listen to what other candidates are saying before you get in line. Grab a bottled water and give it to the recruiter as you walk around the job fair with the reason “I’m sure it is hard standing here all day talking – here is some water.” Smile, introduce yourself, and walk away. Within the hour, come back to the booth, stand in line and then speak to the recruiter. You will be more memorable.

Follow Up!!
Never collect a card and not follow up within 2 days. Most people never do this. You will be remembered. Try to send additional “helpful emails” in the form of articles and book recommendations.

Cross Promote other People:
You are seeking a position, but the person you met at the networking session is seeking an IT person or contract person. Don’t give up. Tell the person that if you run across someone that sounds like they might be a good fit, would it be OK to contact them. When you happen to run into someone, drop your old contact a line and see if the position they spoke of is still open. Even if it isn’t, you are remembered as “the one that tried to help.” You will be remembered by the hiring manager and will be called when something pops up for you!!!

Pick Up The Phone:
When all else fails, call the local companies in your area after faxing or mailing your resume to conduct an informational interview. Come to their door and learn their needs!!!

Thank you for taking time to read this post. Feel free to give your feedback and comments below.

Not Enough Experience…. How to Gain Experience....

Not Enough Experience….
It is the classic dilemma for any career changer. Employers want job experience, but have never worked in the capacity they are hiring for. What is a job seeker to do? Offer these options the next time a prospective employer says “you don’t have enough experience”.

1. Offer to work on a contract basis (you would fill out an I-9 form and pay taxes)



2. Offer to work on a part time basis (you gain experience and can see if this opportunity is a good fit” for you and the employer)



3. Offer to work full time (you gain experience, are compensated, and receive benefits)



4. Volunteer for a local non-profit agency, court house, law office, or corporate legal department

Now you have 4 new ways to gain experience to get your “foot in the door”!!!

Thank you for taking time to read this blog posting. Feel free to try these tips and post your success or questions below!

Getting Your Foot in the Door - Let’s Do Lunch!!!

Often, it is hard to break into a new field if you are unfamiliar with the “players” so to speak. Interviews are often intimidating to budding paralegals because of the lack of familiarity with the interviewer and the industry. However, by being proactive in your job search, you will increase your chances of securing employment. Start by being aggressive in learning about the problems your potential hiring managers’ face – offer to take them to lunch!!!

Step One
Pick 3 companies and/or law firms that you want to work for quite badly

Step Two
Call each company to learn the name of the hiring partner/senior paralegal

Step Three
Purchase a small set of plastic forks and knives from your local store along with medium sized envelopes and postage stamps.

Step Four
Using Microsoft Word, select “File”, “Page Setup”, and select “Landscape” to turn the document horizontally. Centering your font, type “LET’S GO TO LUNCH” in big letters, following with an explanation that you would like to learn more about the industry and would like a chance to “pick their brain” over a good meal (include your contact information).

Step Five
Tape a fork and knife on either side of the paper, stuff it in an envelope with the address of your targeted hiring manager.

Don’t forget to follow up one week after sending your mailer for feedback and lunch dates. During the lunch date, do not ask for a job, but gather information about the industry, its challenges, and recommendations on how to gain experience

Thank you for reading this blog post and feel free to try this information and give your feedback!

The Relationship between Job Search Success and Fear…

Regardless of your natural state of mind: From self confident to self doubtful, your fears can undermine your job search. Listed below are the proverbial “confidence traps” waiting to undermine your job search success. Regardless of your confidence meter, I’m certain you will recognize one of the items listed below.

• Every decision made is made only after learning the thoughts and opinions of others. It is fine to take everyone’s opinion into account, but not following your own opinion can be costly.


• Listening to the internal and external naysayer


• Assuming that if you don't get the job, the hiring manager didn't like you


• Blaming your lack of job search success on any of the following: You are not talkative enough, outgoing enough, friendly enough, smart enough, old enough, young enough, educated enough, or attractive enough.


• Avoid implementing new job search ideas because the ones in the past may not have worked


• Constantly beating yourself over the head as you recount all your “goof-ups” each day. The only crime in job searching is not learning from your mistakes so that you don’t repeat them.

Well meaning friends will tell you that your job search is failing because of lack of experience and to a certain extent they are right. However, I assert that lack of experience or shall I say not showing the hiring manager that you have enough experience can be traced, in part, to a lack of confidence. As a motivator and a career advisor I see first hand the affect that confidence has on an individual's success. By and large confidence grows from each small success that an individual takes towards reaching a goal. That is why I ask you to focus on one goal at a time with your resume creation! Once you showcase the accomplishments that relate to the duties of a paralegal on your resume, your biggest goal is accomplished. When you know where you're going, you're going to gather the tools and information you need to reach your destination.

Now it is Your Turn - Prepare to overcome your fear

• Make a list of your personal confidence killers. Be as honest as possible.


• Now make a list of ways that preparation can help you overcome your confidence killer.


• Take the steps you outlined in section 2 above and write out solutions to your confidence killers.
  

Your Mindset..

1. Think of someone you know that is positive and self confident. Write down the characteristics this person displays that give you the reason for your impression. Make a mental “note” to mirror that person’s actions daily. This way, it will come off “naturally” in the interview.


2. Everyone needs someone to keep the momentum going. Join your local paralegal organization/professional membership organization, attend the meetings, and listen. Soon you will find someone that you admire. Tell the person that you admire and respect them and ask if he/she would mind if you kept in contact to “compare notes” on your findings in the industry. Viola!! You just found yourself a mentor. Everyone needs one!!


3. This part will be hard at first, but release the 'naysayers' from your circle of friends and contacts. If it is a family member (you can’t disown them) that is a source of the negativity, just change the subject every time your family member starts to speak negatively. Thank them for sharing their opinion, and change the subject.


4. Become self-aware of your own thoughts. If you find yourself putting yourself down, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!! You do have something to offer employers. Your knowledge if valuable – you are valuable!!!


5. Look the part. All actors prepare for their role by studying the person they wish to play. They study the way they speak, the way they dress, and even where they eat!!! Mastering and emulating these things doesn’t make you into a fake, it is just sound business advice and putting your best foot forward.


6. Give yourself a “high five” (looks great when done facing a mirror). Complement yourself every time you master a success. “High five” yourself every time you meet a goal, no matter how small. This makes your confidence makeover more fun and lifts your spirits. This brings you closer to success.

Thank you for taking time to read this posting. Feel free to post questions or comments below!