Job Search Questions
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: What is it that the job market have against people over 50 [...]
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This is really special. Back in 2001 I bought a book – and it’s now leading to YOU getting something totally free. And it’s awesome.
Here’s the story: I had that desperate feeling in my job. I just couldn’t go on. I was doing well. Big clients. Good money. But man, I just felt that there was nothing in the job for me. Funny how money only goes so far to make one happy. I was working right next door to Cavendish Square shopping mall and lunch times I used to pop into Exclusive books. And one day I saw and immediately bought a book, “The Work We Were Born to Do – Find the Work You Love, Love the Work You Do” by Nick Williams. I devoured it. And the book with its inspirational quotes, ideas and guidance played a big part in helping me mould a career/job/business for myself that really is more than I’d ever hoped (not without its challenges – but that’s life!)
Now, you may know Nick Williams. He’s been to South Africa many times. He’s appeared on 3 Talk with Noleen and Carte Blanche on MNet. He runs seminars and promotes his books here. And he has a new course that he’s offering free to you. But note – it’s not for you if you love your job and you aren’t at all interested in working for yourself one day.
Sign up for it here – [please note, as with everything where writers touch on matters where they speak of the "universe", "spirit" etc and the "purpose of life" I encourage you to look at the principles behind what's being said, instead of taking it as religious or spiritual truth.]
Are You Sabotaging Your Self? [August 15 e-Column]
So a few weeks ago a truck rolled up and dumped 1000 pieces of firewood in one of our barns. Nice. Fires on cold nights here in Grabouw? Not quite: the wood was wet. Not damp. Wet, from the core, out. And even with firelighters, paraffin, etc it’s tough job to get a fire going. Olive comments rudely on how my rear sticks up in the air while I try to keep some flames going on.
So what’s the job hunting lesson? This: make sure you’re not sabotaging your job hunting flame with ‘wet wood’ – like a poor CV or covering letter or poor answers in an interview.
Now I’m going to give your a formula from Frank Kern and John Carlton – one of the worlds most respected advertising copywriters – to use when you write your CV and cover letter or even in interviews. This formula is really going to ‘spark’ the way you think about how you market/sell your skills in the job market.
Tell people:
1 Here’s what I got.
What are the 3 things you have (you do have more, I’m sure, but keep it simple) that should make an employer sit up and take notice? It could be a qualification, experience, some knowledge, a special ability, even an attitude … (It may not be “earth shattering” – don’t worry about that.)
2 Here’s what it’ll do for you.
You convert your skills, knowledge, qualifications into what for your employer? How are they better off with you around?
Ok, so at your next coffee break, take out a pad and brainstorm a little around those questions. See what you come up with. keep it short and punchy. Then enter them in a comment below or mail them to me – I’m going to follow up on this next week.
Personal note: Got a nice call at around 8:30 last night from a client – we rushed his CV through a few weeks ago – he was calling to say he didn’t get the job we were targeting. He got the next job up the ladder – higher than expected. He has no qualifications. Just great experience. Who says there isn’t hope for you!?
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Have you enjoyed this article? If so please do 2 things: 1) Share it – click the ‘green thingy’ button below and you’ll easily be able to send it to friends via email or even Facebook; 2) And join the exclusive Career&Success community – the place for info, ideas, support and a network of friends to give you the spark you may be lacking right now. www.CareerAndSuccess.info
What’s the Purpose of Your CV? Actually?
Is your CV an exhaustive reference of all your work and professional (and even sometimes personal) history? What’s your CVs mission? How much detail is enough? Here are 2 powerful clarifying insights. Read more
Are You Making This CV Mistake?
CV mistakes come in all sorts of flavours. Some CV issues are critical though. And anything to do with your CV achievements section has got to be labeled as “critical”. Here are some valuable insights from Caroline Potter (ResuMAYDAY). And I’ve added my comments too. Read more
Recruiting Agencies & HR: Hoy! Listen Up Here.
We is here wif “Joe” He be one job hunting brover. An’ he be tellin recruiting agencies to “lissen up.”
Ok, so maybe you didn’t get the whole “Ali G” intro. So here’s the boring version: I asked for some feedback regarding my services from my mailing list. One reader wrote back with the following about HR and recruitment/employment agents – do you agree, disagree?
1)I enjoyed the interview and CV tips.
2) The problem in your industry (job market/recruiting/HR) is that we are dependant on 3rd grade “headhunting” cowboys. If they don’t place you within 5 tries, or within two weeks, you are on the rack. (CV in the database) They only want to make a quick buck, doesn’t matter how they screw up your career path. They re-write the CV’s in their own crippled “standard” format. (I suppose that is the quickest way that they can then scan through it afterwards). They have first hand contact with potential employers, and they place the adverts. My impression is that companies prefer that agents do the screening of CV’s.
3) The companies itself get so many applications, that they never open all of the mails (CV’s).
4) The quality of the HR people are also questionable. We are in the hands of idiots.
Send your feedback to gerard@jobsearching.co.za
[Just a thought here from me – I actually totally understand why agencies do some of the things mentioned above. So I think the more interesting question is … “This is the way it is (for whatever reason), how am I going to deal with it? – so that my career path doesn’t get screwed up.”
What do you think? “Respek”
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Have you enjoyed this article? If so please do 2 things: 1) Share it – click the ‘green thingy’ button below and you’ll easily be able to send it to friends via email or even Facebook; 2) And join the exclusive Career&Success community – the place for info, ideas, support and a network of friends to give you the spark you may be lacking right now. www.CareerAndSuccess.info
Welcome!
Hi - I'm Gerard le Roux - CV writer & guerrilla job search coach. You may have seen me quoted in newspapers or heard me on radio. I'm here to help job hunters. Enjoy your visit.