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| Ask the coach
jobpostings interview
Jan 01,2009
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Bradley Foster has over 25 years of experience consulting and career coaching, and is the author of Deep Coaching: A Guide to Self Directed Living (available at www.lulu.com). For more information on coaching visit www.giantstepscoaching.com. To submit questions for this column email coach@jobpostings.ca.
Dear Coach,
I’ve only had part-time jobs. When I graduate I will be looking for a real job. How do I get a great job and what do I need to know to get one?
– Narvik, Edmonton
Hi Narvik,
Strategy is paramount so this is a great question to ask. Some people believe if they blanket employers with résumés, they are bound to get a job. Sadly, these résumés usually end up in the shredder. In other words, unless sending out resumes is more of a hobby for you, it’s a poor job search strategy. Most career coaches will tell you there are nine ingredients to a successful job search strategy:
1) Network.
2) Target companies.
3) Track where you send your résumé.
4) Follow up.
5) Nurture your relationships and know how strong your relationships are.
6) Prepare and rehearse several elevator pitches.
7) Prepare for your next job search. Keep networking even after you land a job.
8) Customize your letters and résumés for each job.
9) Keep track of everything.
Take some time to get organized, know who has what version of your résumé and cover letter, follow up with a note thanking the HR person for the interview and use your network to find the hidden jobs. Stick with this strategy and you will be rewarded. Good luck!
Dear Coach,
I've been sending out my CV for three months now and still haven't even gotten a phone call back. What am I doing wrong? What should I be doing?
– Patel, Sherbrooke
Hey Patel,
The bad news is once a job is posted, it is often too late. Even if the job is available, your CV may be competing with as many as 600 résumés for the same position. Sending out your CV and hoping someone will read it is not an optimal job search strategy as you have already discovered. Visit the topic above for a more successful strategy.
You see, the problem is when a company is looking to fill a position, employees who are looking out for people in their network tip them off. Often they have a résumé on the desk before the job ad has been written. Many times the company is pretty sure who they are going to hire but has a policy of advertising positions to ensure fairness. Let everyone in your network know what kind of position you are looking for and see what happens.
Oh, and if you are sending out the same CV for every job you apply for, pay particular attention to point eight in my previous answer. Your CV should be slanted to address the requirements of the job posted, not a general listing of your qualifications. You have to appear to be a good match for the job or you won’t cut mustard. Good luck in your search Patel!
Dear Coach,
I'm in a co-op job and my boss is always asking me out for drinks after work. So far I have been able to come up with excuses for him, but I'm feeling pretty uncomfortable. Apparently he’s done this to other female co-op students. What should I do?
– Tracey, Vancouver
Dear Tracey,
Your boss is not only putting you in a very uncomfortable position, he is behaving unethically. It’s unethical because he is leveraging the power imbalance between you to get you to go out for drinks and what ever else s/he has in mind. I would do two things:
First, talk to the coordinator of your co-op program. S/he should be told about your boss’s behaviour and either cut him off from the program or avoid sending young women that he will hit on. Your coordinator might also have some good suggestions for you or be able to remind the boss of correct conduct with co-op placements.
Secondly, I would address your boss directly. Tell him in no uncertain terms that you do not feel comfortable mixing business and pleasure with him and that it’s nothing personal. If you have trouble doing this in person, you can send him an email. If he intended the invitation as a friendly gesture, he will probably relent. If he persists, keep a log of his advances in case it becomes harassment.
Good luck with this Tracey. I know you may have your eye on getting a job with the company after the co-op ends and that you do not want to put that at risk, but ask yourself, do you really want to work for a boss like this?
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