Career Coach Bettina Seidman Tells How to Organize Your Job Search

Summary:
During eSight's May 24, 2007, Phone Conference, career management coach Bettina Seidman outlines which job search techniques are most productive in finding the job that's right for you.

Marie asked: "I'm a nurse by training and have been searching for a job, but no hospital so far has given me a chance because I'm told I'd be too slow for the job. What do I do?"

Bettina's reply: "Even though it may feel futile at times, approach your job search in a positive way. There is a shortage of nurses in your area. Make sure you educate yourself about how to conduct a job search effectively. Use your network efficiently. Spell out specifically how you can do the job and develop a good answer to the perception that you may be too slow for the job. Develop a cover letter and resume and do a mailing to all the hospitals in your area, asking for a job interview. Don't wait for job postings."

That's kind of advice eSight members picked up during eSight's May 24, 2007, Phone Conference with Bettina Seidman about "Organizing Your Job Search Campaign."

Bettina is a well-known career management coach who has a private practice in Manhattan. She founded SEIDBET Associates in 1990 after a 20-year career in human resources management.

Bettina provides career counseling and professional coaching services to individuals and organizations in the corporate and non-profit sectors. She works with her clients as a thinking partner, providing career and job-transition counseling services such as assessment, goal setting, networking tactics, resume development, and interviewing and negotiating strategies.

During the phone conference with eSight members, Bettina described four job search techniques (two high yielding and two low yielding in terms of showing results) and then spent a half hour answering questions from those who joined the free learning opportunity.

Responding to online job postings and contacting executive search firms (headhunters) are not an effective use of a job seeker's time, she said. Targeting and networking, however, can prove to be highly successful if they are carried out in a persistent and consistent manner.

Bettina called networking one of the most effective job search techniques, which, if followed faithfully, will yield leads to jobs which are right for you.

In her networking scenario, the first step is to develop what she calls an "A" contact list of decision makers who already know you. "Call them," she said, "and ask who they know in your targeted field. Don't ask for a job. That's a turnoff. It puts pressure on them."

Instead of asking for a job, Bettina urged, ask about information and the network they have. To do that effectively, she recommended developing an informal script which tells what type of work you want to do.

"Don't expect them to have contact information readily available," she cautioned. "Instead, tell them you'll call back in three or four days for this information: name, title, address, office phone and e-mail. Since these are business contacts, don't ask for cell phone numbers."

The information you collect by calling your "A" contact list, Bettina explained, becomes your "B" contact list - people you don't know but want to meet in person.

That requires a second script you need to write - a pitch about two minutes long which describes your career goal, experience, skills, accomplishments and education. Put your pitch into a conversational style so you can also use it during your job interviews as well as your networking meetings.

Develop a list of questions to ask during your networking or informational meetings with the contacts on your "B" list.

"Don't ask for a job," cautions Bettina. "Instead ask: What do you do? What advice do you have? How did you do this or that? What did you learn?"

Using that technique, job leads will come your way, she maintains.

According to Bettina, executive search firms, on the other hand, yield low job search results for most people. Such firms usually concentrate on jobs with salaries $150,000 and above. Those in that job bracket, Bettina noted, can send a template letter to 10 to 20 firms and follow up in a couple of weeks as part of their job search campaigns.

She said job hunters need to realize that they are not the clients of executive search firms. "They work on commission for companies," she pointed out. "You are not the client. Be careful what you tell them."

There is no online directory for executive search firms, but "Candidate Directory of Executive Search Firms" is available in print.

During the Q&A session, Tammy, one of the eSight members who attended the phone conference, gave Bettina an opportunity to illustrate the drawbacks in responding to online job postings.

Tammy asked: "I'm searching nation-wide for a job. How can make my resume stand out from others?"

Bettina's reply: "Submitting resumes online in response to job postings without a targeted approach is the worst way to search for a job."

She recommended spending no more than two hours a week in searching and responding to job postings. For those who do, the "Widdel Guide Employment Sites" may prove helpful, she said. Use that guide to write customize letters, she advised, bulleting the skills sought in postings. Then follow up in five days.

For Tammy, Bettina offered what she believes is a better option: "Target companies you're interested in with a resume and cover letter and envelope on matching white bond paper. Include a summary of your skills instead of an 'objective.' Never include, 'references upon request' because references are the last step in obtaining a job."

During the Q&A period, Bettina also addressed this spattering of specific concerns from other participants:

Scott asked: "What do you do when a job description says a valid driver's license is required and you happen to be blind?"

Bettina's reply: "Use humor, if you're comfortable using humor, to get around the issue. Then say, 'Here's what I can do; I'm applying for the job because I can carry out its core functions very effectively."

Vladimir asked: "When should I mention that I'm blind while applying for a job?"

Bettina's reply: "Everyone's special, and disability is just another characteristic which differentiates you from someone else. Being upfront is fine, but I wouldn't mention it before the interview. It's a matter of style and what you're comfortable with. I wouldn't mention my disability if it did not pertain to the job."

Scott asked: "I'm starting my own business? How do I set up a web site? How can I learn how to market myself?"

Bettina's reply: "To start your own small business, you need two things to succeed: skill in your particular field and knowledge about to run a business. Find a college student (preferably a graduate student) who can work with you in developing your web site. To do that, you to develop a precise verbal presentation about what you want to accomplish with your web site. If you lack marketing skills, hire a marketing consultant by the project or the hour."

eSight members who have further questions for Bettina about planning and carrying out their job marketing plans can send their queries to MemberServices@eSight.org

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