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In this season of the year, we are often reminded of children, sitting on Santa Claus' (or Father Christmas') lap asking for things. We are amused by this, for it shows a child's greed and a lack of finesse on their part. We enjoy seeing these attributes laid naked for what they are.
There are a couple of other places where one can see these same attributes, however, that are quite surprising and show us such tactics are not limited to the infant mind.
One of these areas encompasses the responses we receive to advertisements for open positions. Our company has been recently running such an advert on a large, national electronic job posting site. We have clearly delineated the requirements we are seeking, yet we have been bombarded with responses clearly outside the requirements. I have read them all; in fact, some of them I would like to respond to, yet the respondent has not given me one clue they know anything about the expertise for which we are seeking. Aggressive, yes; but, sadly, no demonstrable expertise has been shown whatsoever. It is like the little child--gimmee, gimmee, gimmee.
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In another venue, I have also noticed this infantile approach. And in this venue it is surprising, for the venue is LinkedIn and the participants are allegedly seasoned professionals.
On LinkedIn, I have had people beg me to help them find a job. Often these are tragic cases of young people with great educations in corners of the world where there are no jobs. In a couple of cases, I have helped them where I can. I have not received many thanks from them, but that's OK, I wasn't in it for that, and, perhaps later in their careers they will think about what was done for them and pass it on to a yet younger generation.
The ones that really amaze me, though, are the middle career professionals seeking a new opportunity. They literally get in my face, pushing their resume at me. I appreciate their fear at being out of work and even have sympathy for their employment condition. This, however, is not the way to get anyone's attention, at least not the attention of anyone that can help them.
Most of the time, I could not help them, even if they created a rational approach to me. Making an irrational approach, that is acting is if they were the first person who was ever out of work, doesn't even get them to the point I will give them attention. Why? They have not demonstrated the least amount of professional acumen. The newly minted graduates in some far corner of the world can be forgiven if they don't know how to go about finding employment. A middle aged professional who has spent twenty years in this industry cannot.
So, where should you start? After you have carefully crafted your resume, consider your approach to anyone you are looking to help you find a new position. You'll need several approaches. Some will be approaches positioned for employers. Others will be approaches directed at second tier supporters and such--that would be people like me. In each and every approach, you have to start out with something that indicates what's in it for the person who helps you get that job.
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And, no, at least in my case, I am not looking for money from you. In fact, I don't know what I am looking for from you--maybe it is as simple as, "thanks in advance for any help you can give me, Jim." What I can tell you, particularly if I have not ever met you or heard of you before, that sticking your resume in my face will get you nowhere.
So, it is the season when layoffs abound. And, if you are in the industry and ask me politely, I'll stick to my standard offer I have been doing for over ten years and help you edit your resume, once you have it started.
But don't just shove it in my face and try to make your need for a job my problem. Ask politely!
What lines do you think you could use to persuade a stranger to help you find a job? Take our quiz here this week.
For safety this week, tying your personal safety and attendance record into your resume just may be the thing that gives you an edge.
Be safe and we will talk next week.
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