Job Search Boot Camp for Graduating College Seniors

November 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Giving Yourself the Competitive Edge in Today’s Challenging Job Market

Do you have an Emerging Professional (the term we prefer over Fresh Grad) in your family or network who is about to face the challenge of capturing a new job?

  • Do they know exactly what they want to do next?
  • Can they articulate their “value proposition” – the answer to the question “why hire me”?
  • Do they understand who to talk with and what to say to connect with 80% of the jobs that are unpublished?

For the last five years Dise & Company has presented our Job Search Boot Camp (a $3,500 value) for college students as a FREE service to family members and friends of our friends and clients. The Boot Camp is open to students who have graduated or will be graduating as well as those who will be pursuing internship opportunities or just want to learn about the job search process.

The next Dise & Company Job Search Boot Camp is Tuesday December 29th at our offices in Shaker Heights.

Please feel free to forward this link, which provides details of the day, to any Emerging Professional you feel would benefit from knowing about The Job Search Boot Camp.

Questions: Call Greg Reynolds at (216) 224-7434.  Book your reservation right now, or email Greg at greynolds@diseco.com with Job Search Boot Camp in the subject line.

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Hiring trends Tagged With: ,

You are your own product manager – for YOU 2.0

October 6, 2009 By 1 Comment

Career management is not just a nicety—it’s a necessity

By Greg Reynolds

“I never saw it coming.” That’s what many executives and managers say after they’ve lost their job. “How did it happen?”—“Well one day they called me into the front office and told me I didn’t want to work there anymore.”  And now they’re just another statistic. One of the current 15.1 million people  in the United States who are unemployed. 

 Just another casualty in the job market

Losing a job is incredibly stressful: you have to spend your savings to pay for your living expenses, your self-esteem takes one on the chin, and many people feel depressed and powerless to take control of their lives…, making it even harder to concentrate, to be on your game, and to find the job that’s perfect for you.

It’s a wonder then, why don’t more people take proactive steps to safeguard themselves from losing their job in the first place? Many managers and executives simply don’t understand the importance of a local network of professional contacts. They think they are too busy to acquire new skills, or to attend workshops by local professional associations.

They didn’t have the time, they didn’t take the time, they felt guilty when they did take the time, and now they’re right-sized, downsized or restructured out of their organization. And without a network of professional contacts, they have to start from square one building their reputation.

Start thinking of your career growth and development like a product manager. You are the product. What are you going to do to enhance yourself so that you are “in-demand?”

Whether you are between jobs,  or feeling secure in your current position, managing your career growth and development like a product manager is going to be like an insurance policy against job loss, and to catapult yourself to the next level of your profession.

Here are some simple strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve:

1. Build your personal brand

  “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you…, and more importantly, and what they think about you.”

 Creating and maintaining a personal brand, and working continually to promote it, are vital to your career growth.

What makes you unique? What makes you stand out?  How do you position yourself as the “go-to expert” in your field? Is this reflected in your resume, your business cards, your online profiles?

Wherever you are professionally, think big and make yourself visible. Make sure to build your profile internally and externally by highlighting your skills in presentations or workshops, writing for publications, and volunteering for committees or panel discussions at a trade conference.

Start small and build from there.

Make sure your message is consistent. Remember that everything you do or choose not to do contributes to your personal brand, from the way you speak to someone on the phone, to the way you conduct yourself at meetings, or how you compose your emails.

And don’t forget that the way you do things is often as important as what you do. Do you speak concisely? Do you command attention? Do you look the part? 

2. Acquire relevant new knowledge and skills

Life-long learning is essential to growth and empowerment.

To stay relevant, professional development is, or should be, an essential component of your career growth and plan: “Professional networking events, trade association meetings and professional development seminars, updates and briefings are not niceties, they are career necessities”. 

Start attending regularly. Is there a class at a community college that can help you strengthen your skills?  Enroll in the class.  To remain proficient in your professional, improve or strengthen your work performance you constantly need new skills and knowledge – now and in the future.  

3. Build your network and expand your horizons

Networking is not only for those actively seeking employment.

You can use networking to meet new customers and prospects, to conduct market research and gather market intelligence, and discover the skills that will be most valuable to your employer or your clients.

By networking you can: 

  • Raise your profile by becoming an established and regular networking member of a group, getting your face and the business known, 
  • Meet new people and build mutually beneficial business relationships, and 
  • Expand your opportunities meeting new business contacts with potential customers, suppliers, and business partners.

To avoid being a statistic, you need to be proactive and take control… work every day on becoming distinguished in your career

Savvy professionals view their own career growth and development like a product manager… “what do you need to do every day to stay competitive and ahead of the curve so you stay relevant?”

Networking activities and professional development functions as excellent opportunities to hone their professional skills and expand their professional network, which will increase their value to the organization and help them grow in their career, which is a safeguard against a job loss. 

Time is of the essence. Tomorrow it might be too late. Start working on your personal brand, acquire some new skills, and get serious about networking today.

You are your own product manager – for YOU 2.0

Greg Reynolds is the Director of Client Development for Dise & Company. You can contact Greg directly at the Pro People Page on Diseco.com.

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Managing Change Tagged With: ,

Top 10 Job Search Mistakes (and how to avoid them)

September 6, 2009 By 8 Comments

By Mark Gonska

Finding a job in a recession is not easy.  Even in good times, a successful job search requires time, patience, and creativity.  These days, hiring managers and executives are choosier than ever and looking for reasons to screen people out, i.e., they are looking for reasons not to hire you.  However, if you’re able to avoid the most common job search mistakes, you can still land your perfect job, even in this tough market. 

Here are the 10 most common job search mistakes, and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Thinking it’s all about YOU.  Few people outside your family are concerned that you don’t have a job. Employers want to know what you can do for them.  What’s in it for the employer if they hire you?

The job search is about YOUR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER – your prospective employer’s needs, their problems, their issues.  Not yours. What’s keeping THEM up at night?  What’s waking THEM up too early in the morning?  THEIR problems and issues are the only reason or justification to hire YOU.  If you don’t know what these issues are, you could find out by asking some people in your target industry, by reading trade magazines, or by connecting with a relevant professional association.  

2. Living in the past. Yesterday is in the past. Today is a new day, and the time for action is now.

Many who are guilty of this mistake are living in the past in thought, word, and deed.  They don’t just think old, look old and sound old—they are continually asking themselves “why did this happen to me?”  They talk exclusively about how things “used to be” in the good ol’ days.  Instead you should: 

  • Update your attitude – Give yourself a “check-up from the neck up”.  Get excited about your future.  Go to the library and check out some motivational CDs that you listen to in your car between appointments.  This will help you get motivated, and when you speak to people you’ll sound like you are WORTH a Million bucks.
  • Update your appearance – try a new hair cut or a new hair style.  Treat yourself and get a pedicure, manicure or massage.

 

3. Defining yourself based on your old job. Your old job does not define you. Many of the old jobs are gone, and “they ain’t comin’ back”.

Unless your last job was your perfect job, you need to redefine yourself based on your skills and desires inventory, and what you’d really like to do now and in the future.  When you find and capture your perfect job—the job you can’t live without—everybody wins.  Maybe it’s time to update your skills along with your resume.  In the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century, you should be constantly investing in yourself, acquiring new skills and learning new things.

 4.  Being undecided. It’s your life and your future. How long can you be undecided?

Your career, depending on your timeline to retirement, represents thousands of hours, and hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Either all your dreams fulfilled or a shipwreck on the shoals of life. If you are not really sure what to do next, you need to do some real soul-searching.  Being reactive and answering ads in the newspaper or responding to job opportunities on the job boards that “seem interesting” will get you nowhere fast. Instead you need to:

  • Take responsibility for your job search and your life – What makes you unique?  What is it that you can do that few other people can do?  This is where you will find your next big opportunity.
  • Be decisive and take action – at least identify what you think you MIGHT want to do and pursue it. Start moving in that direction. Talk to people about it.  It may open the door to discovering your real calling.
  • Identify 10 people who are doing your target job RIGHT NOW – call them up, tell them you’re evaluating career options, and ask them if you could buy them a cup of coffee.  When you meet them, come prepared and ask them good questions that will help you gain a better understanding of their problems, putting yourself in a better position to solve them.

 5. Procrastinating. Your job search is a full-time job, and you should treat it as such.

 You need to plan your work and work your plan.  Plan your time in advance.  Who are the most important people you hope to connect with tomorrow?

  • Create a ‘Job Search Success Calendar’ with nothing else on it except your job search efforts.
  •  Decide in advance how long you will spend on doing “research” on the Internet… how long you will take on other tasks.  Write down your estimate and compare your actual results.  Know what your time is worth and treat it that way!
  • Do the most important things and most difficult things first.  Even if you get a “NO” Rejection often paves the road to success.

 6. Finding a convenient excuse. Einstein was thought to be mentally challenged.  Sandra Day O’Connor was home-schooled. Abe Lincoln lost more races than he won. 

Are you too old? Too short? Too female?  If you give up before you’ve even started, you don’t stand a chance.  Acknowledge your shortcoming and decide you can overcome it.  Turn that blemish into a beauty mark.  You can do it.  You have no excuse that someone else hasn’t already overcome.  If someone hasn’t, you can be a pioneer!

7. Spending all day on your computer.  Spending your day on Linked-in and Facebook is an ineffective form of networking.  Nothing replaces the real thing.  Avoiding all human contact and building a relationship with a new web portal each day won’t help you get any closer to a paycheck.  Instead you should: 

  • Seek out opportunities to hone your networking, interviewing and sales skills,
  • Plan one or two major job-seeking activity out of the house each day, Engage others in conversation where you’re asking them questions about them and learning more about what they do.  Remember this is not about you, and
  • Make a list of 10 people you could talk with each day.

 8.  Being a wallflower.  Employers do not need people to punch in and collect paychecks.  They’re looking for leadership. Employers want people who can manage themselves and others, and people who will make things happen without being told exactly what to do.  Even if there is a hiring freeze, most people are interested in talking with an experienced professional who understand s and brings workable solutions to their biggest problems, i.e.  top line revenues or cutting costs.  With this in mind you need to be prepared to show:

  • How you are going to add value?  Show how you’ll pay for yourself and provide a return on investment to the company.
  • Many employers do not realize that doing nothing can be their most expensive option.  Help them calculate the cost of NOT HIRING YOU.
  • Be a business person, not a job seeker.

 9.  Failing to take care of yourself.  People who exercise are more relaxed and confident, and it shows.  You need to take care of the physical you to look and feel your best.

  • Go for a daily walk in the early morning or at your lunch hour.  
  • Ride a bike on the towpath or in the MetroParks on the weekend.
  • Join a gym or a yoga studio, and work out at least 3 times a week.
  • Take an exercise class at your local YMCA or community center.

 10.   Not networking enough.  Networking is the fast track to a new job.  Statistics show that 4 out of every 5 jobs are found through networking.  Disregard the want ads and focus exclusively on building your network.  Try to have conversations with as many people as you possibly can.  And you should:

  • Be prepared – Business cards, resume, and elevator speech.
  • Set goals — each day you should talk to 10 new people on the phone, and set one new in-person appointment. The interviews will follow.
  • Evaluate the results – take a look back and see how you did. What can you do better next week?

Finally, the biggest and most common job search mistake of all is not asking for help.  Everyone needs a helping hand every now and then. Asking for help can be a courageous act – and you shouldn’t view it as a weakness.  There are times when you just don’t have the expertise, such as doing a skills and desires inventory, doing a career assessment, or updating your resume.  If you let your pride get in the way and refuse to ask for help, you may just lose the opportunity you were seeking.  Asking for assistance is sensible, and will help you overcome obstacles in your career search.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  You may even recognize other areas of your life where an expert’s help will save you time, money, effort and energy.  Making your life easier by asking for and using well-informed experts is a smart thing to do.

Times are tough.  Jobs are harder to come by.  But, by avoiding common job search mistakes, you will be closer to finding the job you really want.

Mark Gonska is Executive Vice President of Career Transition Services for Dise & Company. You can contact Mark directly at the People Page on Diseco.com

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without Tagged With: ,

Job Search Boot Camp for Graduating College Seniors

May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

How to give yourself a competitive edge in today’s challenging job market

We talk to parents of college students every day who express concerns about their children’s prospects for finding employment when they graduate. “My son doesn’t know where to start.”  “My daughter won’t listen to anything I have to say about finding a job.”  Does this sound familiar? 

There is good news!  We have developed a powerful program, the Dise & Company Job Search Boot Camp to help Emerging Professionals attack the job search process with confidence.  Designed and facilitated by Mark Gonska, a nationally recognized job search expert, the Job Search Boot Camp is valued at $3,500.  However, we offer it FREE to children of friends in our immediate and extended network.

The Job Search Boot Camp helps Emerging Professionals (recent graduates or those who will be graduating in December) set themselves apart from their competition in the job market.  Students who will be seeking internships or co-op opportunities are also welcome.

Here are samples of comments from past Job Search Boot Camp participants:

  • “I drove home from the seminar feeling really excited to continue an active job hunt (now that I’m armed with the necessary tools!)”
  • “I’m sure others would agree that our session was extremely valuable, informative and insightful.”
  • “I certainly walked away with a better understanding of what I need to focus on in my job search and what I can do to be more effective.”

Details for the next Boot Camp, which will be held at the Dise & Company offices on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, are attached.

Please feel free to forward them to those you believe might benefit from knowing about the program.  Interested students (or their parents!) should contact Greg Reynolds at greynolds@diseco.com or at 216-752-1700 ext 110 to reserve a place at the Boot Camp. Or you can book it online.

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Hiring trends Tagged With: ,

Providing a real value for the reluctant and the doubtful

February 24, 2009 By 1 Comment

How Dise & Company helped an already qualified job-seeker see the benefits of outplacement services and find a better job faster

Candidate Profile: VP Sales & Marketing, Early-Stage Technology Company

Originally from the New York City area, I had worked in the medical device industry my whole career, which took me from New York to Chicago, to Boulder, and eventually to Toronto—where I was a General Manager with P&L responsibilities, and oversaw sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution for a $35 million division of a multinational corporation. That position then led me to an executive role at the Cleveland headquarters for this corporation.

It came as a shock when my position was eliminated.  Still somewhat bewildered, I met with Dise & Company to discuss the benefits of their outplacement services. I have to admit that I was reluctant, and I needed convincing about how they could help me, because I had been unemployed before, and I honestly thought I knew the drill about finding a new position.

Dise & Company offered me much more than a pat on the back and a resume service. They put me through a very rigorous process that helped me:

  1. Define the job that was perfect for me
  2. Create a target list of companies
  3. Repackage myself
  4. Make the most productive use of networking meetings
  5. Use and expand my network
  6. Stand out in interviews

In short, with Dise & Company’s guidance and assistance, which I never could have done on my own, I was able to re-package myself, and in relatively short order turn a meeting over a cup of coffee into a truly productive networking meeting, where I was receiving concrete suggestions, expanding my network, and making it easy for people to help me.

The end result, I found a position much faster than I ever could have found one on my own.

Several years later, after discovering that I was being laid off from another firm, through no fault of my own, I discovered that they had included outplacement as a benefit, but it was with another firm. So I asked if they would let me use Dise & Company instead—and they did.

So I went through the Dise & Company Outplacement process again, only this time focusing on finding a position with a smaller company, and I landed on my feet in a relatively short period of time. It is my honest opinion that every time I have had to go through this process, it has made me more effective at what I do.  I guess it depends a lot on your attitude, but I see that in retrospect they’ve helped me make a step up each time—turning the unpleasant experience of losing a position into an opportunity for personal and professional improvement.

Takeaways:

  • If you’re offered outplacement service, take advantage of it—you’ll become better at what you do as a result.
  • No matter how much you think you know—it’s always good to have a helping hand.
  • Sometimes you can re-negotiate your severance package to include outplacement services—you don’t know if you don’t ask.
Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Hiring trends Tagged With: ,

Keep it upbeat during the downturn

January 14, 2009 By 5 Comments

Helping others understand how your presence could benefit them is still the best way to find the position you’re seeking

By Greg Reynolds

Finding your perfect job is not easy—even in the best of times.

When there is a downturn like the one we’re going through right now, it’s even tougher. But it’s not impossible. It’s easy to get caught up in the gloom and doom—and to get discouraged. 

My advice is “Keep it upbeat.”

There are jobs out there. The average amount of time for the job search has increased slightly. But the candidates we coach are landing the positions they are seeking. Now—more than ever—it’s crucial to keep a positive outlook and maintain an upbeat attitude, and to keep your eye on the prize. 

Fully 80% of jobs are captured through conversations and through networking.

So every day, you should be on the phone or attending events where you get to meet new people, rekindle old acquaintances, and remind the people you know that you’re looking for a position.

Be prepared

Remember, people are naturally willing to help. But they can’t help you unless you help them help you. If the old Woody Allen adage holds true that 80% of success is showing up. The other 20% is being prepared. And if you can’t answer the question: “What do you do?” or “What kind of job are you looking for?” in 30 seconds or less, or you are stumbling over your words, then you are not prepared.

If you’re not prepared you’re not making it easy for other people to help you. This puts too much pressure on them, and makes your request for assistance more of a chore than a favor.

And that will lead you nowhere.

When you’re prepared, you make it easy for others, and it’s a simple matter of doing you a favor.

Make your benefit understandable

What are the benefits everyone understands? Saving money. Making money. Saving time. Making someone’s life easier.

When you’re crafting or revising your elevator speech, do not forget to tell the person that you’re speaking with how you can benefit an employer. Make it understandable.  It’s what is going to make people remember you. And it’s what will get others to refer you to prospective employers, and possibly your next employer to you.

When you’re talking to people on the phone and daisy-chaining your way to the person who will eventually help you find your job, practice your big benefit.

Paint a picture. Illustrate how you can do good for them.  Help them envision how your presence could be a service to them. That makes it easy to then explain it to others.

The person you’re speaking to has to make that mental connection. They have to see how you will benefit them or one of their associates, or else they’ll simply tell you “I’m sorry no-one really comes to mind right now. If I can think of anyone who can help, I’ll let you know”.

And that’s not going to help you get where you need to go.

If you’re going to make real progress in your job search, when you introduce yourself, present the benefit. When you’re telling a story about one of your accomplishment, present the benefit. When you ask for a referral, frame the request as a benefit.

Finally, don’t fall prey to the old fear that you don’t want to call someone because you’re afraid to bother him or her. People are naturally willing to help. And there’s no reason to be embarrassed about being in between positions. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by this downturn.

One thing is for sure. If you don’t make the calls, and if you don’t network, you will never know.

Greg Reynolds is the Director of Client Development for Dise & Company. You can contact Greg directly at the Pro People Page on Diseco.com.

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Managing Change Tagged With: ,

Ralph Dise on WCPN "The Sound of Ideas"

December 22, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The Revolving Door of Work: What to Do If You’re Headed Out and How to Get Back In

The job market these days may best be described as a revolving door… and you know those revolving doors – you can get squished if you’re not careful.

As the revolving door of employment turns, you’re either going out or coming in. Lots of people are rewriting their resumes and polishing their interview skills. What should you do as layoffs loom? And how do you jump back into the job market at 35, 55, or 75?

How to get through the revolving door of work…

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without, Hiring trends, Managing Change Tagged With:

Network your way to work

November 8, 2008 By 4 Comments

How you can polish your networking skills to land a position in a down market

By Greg Reynolds

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking.

The importance of networking, which is a crucial component of any job search, increases exponentially in a down market, because there are fewer opportunities and more candidates competing for positions.

If you are looking for a position, remember many of the people you’ll be networking with will not know of an immediate job opportunity, but they may know someone who does.

So your job is to create a favorable and lasting impression on as many people as possible, until you daisy chain your way into enough interviews where you’re back in the driver’s seat, and you have some options, and find the job you can’t live without. 

Remember you create your own luck: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

The number of opportunities you’ll uncover correspond directly to the number of networking events and calls you make. The more events and the more calls, the more opportunities you’ll find. Most importantly don’t forget to follow up with a note, an email, or even a phone call to leave a lasting impression on the people who could open the doorway to your next position.

Here are some things more things to can do to enhance your preparation, actions, and follow-up, and network your way into a new position faster.

1. Be prepared

 Create “Interim” Business Cards:  Nothing answers the question:  “Who are you? What do you do?” better than a business card.  VistaPrint offers Free Business Cards, or you can order 500 cards for $11.99 plus shipping. Include your name, a title that the job you’re looking for, and your contact information. Make sure to include your personal email address that looks professional.  If you don’t have an email address, sign up for a Gmail or Yahoo account and use your full name or a variation of your full name.

Practice your elevator pitch:  When you’re networking, you should plan to spend the majority of your time focused on others, and learning more about what they do. But you need to be prepared when someone asks you “What do you do?” Your response should be well-rehearsed, and let them know you’re in between positions, and looking for new opportunities.

Have your resume available (if needed):  At a networking event you might actually run into someone who could hire you. You should have some resumes in a folder if needed. But resumes should be given out only to those who ask. Don’t be tempted to start handing out resumes because then you can look desperate. You want to look prepared not desperate.  

2. Move into action

Attend as many events as you can:  Seek out many different types of social functions.  Social events are a great way to network with people who are not always connected in your business circle: Holiday Parties, Church Functions, Non-Profit Fundraisers (if you can’t afford to give money—offer your time),   Professional associations (Not a member?  Ask to attend as a guest),  Job fairs, Job Search Support Groups, and more.  Remember you never know who you will meet and where.  Did a neighbor invite you to join him at the annual non-profit fundraiser he attends?  Go.  Because you never know who he might introduce you to that is looking to hire or knows someone who is looking to hire somebody exactly like you.

Make a game of listening: Remember, if you’re going to engage others. It’s not about you. It’s about them. Ask questions: “So what do YOU do?” “Where do YOU come from?” “How did YOU get started doing that?” It only takes a few questions to get the ball rolling. People love people who are good listeners.  Your objective should be for people to say: “Wow, I’ve really enjoyed speaking with you—so what is it that YOU do?” And that’s your chance to give your elevator pitch. 

Bring your gear and your goals:  Business cards should be exchanged with everyone.  See how many business cards you can collect.  Make a game of it. Make sure you can answer who you are trying to meet and what is your desired goal or outcome.  Do you want to walk out of the event with 10 new contacts?  Make sure you talk to twice that many people.  It will increase your potential outcome for achieving your goal. 

3. Follow up

Don’t forget to say “thanks”:  Send a thank you note, and email or a follow-up phone call after meeting someone who could help you. Thank them personally every time you connect with one of their referrals.  It keeps you top of mind.  Schedule contact on a regular basis to keep them updated on your search, and keep them involved until you have found the job you’re looking for.

Make the best use of your time:  And be cognizant of other people’s time. When you’re making follow-up phone calls, instead of requesting an informational meeting (which could take away time from you finding your next position), be honest and tell them you’re on a mission to find the job you can’t live without. Give a short description of yourself, i.e., your 30-second elevator speech with a big benefit statement, and say “Do you know of anyone who could benefit from hiring someone like this?” If you end the call with two or three (even one) more new contact , you’re that much closer to landing a new position.

Use Social Networking to your advantage: Create an account on Linked-in and Facebook, and request the people you’re speaking with link back to you. In your profile, simply put “Looking for a new position as <your title>”.  That way people will now you’re in the market, and when they link to you, it may occur to them that they know someone in their network who could help, and introduce you on the spot.

Networking, especially in a down market, can produce positive results if you’re prepared, you’re active, and you follow up effectively.

If you follow these three simple guidelines, you will be well on your way to landing a new position before you know it.  You may even surprise yourself at how much fun the process can be, and the new friends and connections you’ll make who could help you for the rest of your life.

Greg Reynolds is the Director of Client Development for Dise & Company. You can contact Greg directly at the Pro People Page on Diseco.com.

Filed Under: Finding-the-job-you-can't-live-without Tagged With: ,

Are you "over-qualified" or just too old?

July 2, 2008 By 1 Comment

Often, “over-qualified” is code for something else.

 

By Mark Gonska

 

“You’ve got very impressive credentials, and your experience is wide-ranging, but…” the hiring manager says: “We really think you’re overqualified.”

 

If you hear the words “over-qualified”, your job is to figure out what that something else is…, and overcome it just like you would any other objection.

 

Being old, or seeming old, has less to do with your physical age than it does with your attitude, outlook, and ability to articulate and add value. If you were invited to the initial interview, apparently you had all the skills to meet their job specifications, so what happened?

 

If you’ve gotten the “we love you, but you’re over-qualified” could it mean you are “too old”, “you wouldn’t fit in”, “you’re too expensive”, or “I know you’re going to leave us when that better opportunity comes along”?

 

While many people may not be candid about the real reasons they don’t want to hire you, you may be able to do some savvy detective work.

 

ASK!  “Is the reason you’re saying that I’m over-qualified because you think you can’t afford me?”  You could respond, “let’s calculate what it costs each week you DON’T hire me.”  Use your numbers and let’s write it down.  (This is the basis of a cost vs. benefit approach.)

 

 Approach every interview with the answer to the question: 

 

“Why should I hire YOU?”

 

If you’re older, specifically you should be prepared to present: 

 

  1. How does your potential contribution/value compare to a 25 year old??  How about two (2) 25 year olds?
  2. Name three (3) specific benefits you can bring to the target employer
  3. Name three (3) specific reasons why you are worth the money and benefits the target employer will pay you.

Bottom line, older workers must show they’re with it and worth it.  Those who can articulate and calculate their value have a better shot of landing a great job.

 

Aim to solve bigger problems! Make sure you stack the odds are in your favor by figuring out what you need to do to connect with the hiring manager, and show them you’re still young in terms of attitude.

 

 

Or, if you’re too old, just disregard this.

 

Mark Gonska is Executive Vice President of Career Transition Services for Dise & Company. You can contact Mark directly at the People Page on Diseco.com

 

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