What Employers Are Looking For In You

One of the most dramatic changes in the 21st Century job market is in the way employers consider you when they first lay eyes on you.

For example, if you think that it’s your resume that will get you a job, you’re in for a long, LONG job search! vacancy

Or if you’re intent on proving yourself based on your work history . . . what you used to do for someone else . . . get ready for disappointment and rejection.

And if your confidence is based on your ability to passively answer all the questions an interviewer throws at you, you already lost.

Today’s employers are looking for people with energy. And they pick up on your energy before they even formally meet you. Do you exhibit the energy employers are looking for? employee

Energetic people exude vigor, enthusiasm and drive. They want and need to be active. Employers can sense this quality in a person almost as soon as they enter the room. They have a spring in their step and a drive that puts a sparkle in their eyes.

All this occurs even before you open your mouth. We know from experience that an employer or interviewer will make a go/no-go decision about you in a matter of seconds all based on the sense of energy you communicate when they first lay eyes on you.

So, if you are not this type of person, it would be wise to practice how to look and act energetically so that you can make a good first impression. It really makes a big difference because job opportunities are literally won or lost depending on how you enter a room.

Being aware of employers’ expectations is critical to your job search success. The old-fashioned job hunting techniques focused all the attention on YOU . . . your work history, your past accomplishments, your academic and other credentials, your qualifications, your objectives.
But all that’s changed. Today employers expect you to know what THEIR needs are and how you can fill them going forward. Displaying energy is the first step. job vacancy indonesia

It's Essential For Your Success

Through my own two major career changes, and after coaching many people through successful career change, I have determined six useful strategies for navigating this life passage with skill, perspective, humor, a sense of adventure, and a great outcome. job vacancy indonesia

First of all, know up front that few people feel skilled at figuring out a new career or finding that next job. Most people find the task daunting. If you are someone who is used to feeling on top of your game, be willing to be out of your comfort zone on this one – chances are, this is not your game. And if you are usually a not-too-confident person, know that in this context, you are not alone in feeling unsure or yourself. vacancy

These strategies can help.

1. Know this: IT’S NOT A LINEAR PROCESS!
2. Network, Network, Network!
3. Be Generous With Self Acknowledgement and Self-Care
4. Choose Expansive vs Limiting Beliefs
5. Build and Use Support Systems
6. Stay on the Plus Side

Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

1. Know this: IT’S NOT A LINEAR PROCESS!

You will experience less frustration and waste less time if you accept this and don’t try to use your left brain to figure out the whole thing in advance. Allow for surprises, serendipitous connections, and intuitive hits.

Be very clear on your intention, stay in action, and listen to the feedback. By “listen to the feedback” I mean observe your results. Notice what’s working and what isn’t. Keep doing what’s working. Stop doing what’s not working and get some help with it – try to figure out WHY it’s not working, and fix it if it’s fixable. Stay in action!

Did you ever play the board game Clue? Remember the secret passage from the Kitchen to the Ballroom? In a career process, you never know when or where you will find a secret passage!

2. Network, Network, Network!

Let everyone know what you are up to, and let them know how they can help you. I mean everyone. Not just your closest friends and your siblings, everyone! That means the people you run into, your neighbors, your hairdresser, your colleagues, your doctor, dentist, accountant, attorney, the folks who service your car, and so forth.

Have you ever been able to be helpful to someone who wanted to make a connection of some sort? Have you, for example, ever been able to give someone the name of a great housepainter (electrician, accountant, chiropractor) when they asked? It’s an easy and delightful thing to do for another person. Let the people in your life have that opportunity with you. Let them know how they can help you. Is there a company or an industry you wish you knew somebody in so you could talk to them? Ask around.

During my own career exploration that eventually led me to coaching, there was a point at which I wanted to deliver some corporate training on issues pertaining to personal and organizational change. Although I knocked directly on corporate doors, my breakthrough opportunity came from a student in one of the music classes I was teaching at the time. She asked me to do a training for her staffs on “Managing Change.” She knew of my interest because I had told the class what I was up to.

Of course, if your exploration needs to be confidential, you will need to be more discrete in the way that you do it. Do your networking quietly, but do your networking.

3. Be Generous With Self Acknowledgement and Self-Care

Two kinds of self acknowledgement are required during a career change.

First, you must regularly acknowledge yourself for the hard work you are doing.

There is a 4-part cycle that your work is part of: 1. set a goal, 2. do the work, 3. meet the goal, and 4. acknowledge and celebrate. The fourth part is equivalent to a paycheck and a boss saying to you, “Good job. I appreciate the work you’re doing!” Your self acknowledgement can be simple and sweet.

The second kind of self-acknowledgement involves your getting very clear on as many of your skills and gifts as you can and taking full ownership of them. You really need to be in full command of what it is you have to offer “out there” in the marketplace. Many people have a hard time “owning” and claiming their expertise, but it’s really essential that you know who you are and what you have to offer – not inflated, not deflated, but accurate.

In addition, extreme self care is called for, above and beyond the usual level. Career change is hard work which can be very depleting. You need to keep yourself nourished – do more of the things that fuel you. And you need to be sure that there are no places where energy is leaking – you need all your energy for this work.

4. Choose Expansive vs Limiting Beliefs

We love to be right. We love to see our beliefs proven true. Those of us who think that people are basically good tend to see the world through that filter. Take a good hard look at the beliefs that are your filter, particularly where they pertain to work, money and opportunity. Do you believe that people “like you” (your gender, age, level of experience) don’t have a chance in the job market? If so, then you will not have a chance because you will not see the opportunities out there for you. Does part of you believe that having money is not a good thing? If so, then you will manifest that ambivalence by not attracting more of it than you already have.

5. Build and Use Support Systems

Do not do this alone. Hire a coach, join or form a group, find a success buddy, create a structured arrangement with a friend. Here are the important elements you want in your support structure: you want people who believe in you and in your quest; you want something structured, so that there is a routine to the support.

In a structured arrangement with a friend for example, you could set it up so each of you gets a 5-minute check-in to report on what you have accomplished since the last time you spoke. And you need to end by getting clear on what your next steps are for today and until the next time you meet. employee

Keeping Your Executive Resume Current

Many people do not like the idea of keeping their resume up-to-date, and for a number of reasons. It may require that you admit that your job is not as secure as you wish; it may seem like too much of a chore; it may seem too difficult; or it could just be that you don't feel you have the time.
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However, maintaining a current resume, particularly for those in executive careers, is a wise decision for a number of reasons. 

Yes, the job market is volatile, and even though no one likes to think about it, your job may not be as secure as you believe. Having a current resume is like having an insurance policy; should the worst happen, you'll be prepared. When unexpected layoffs, mergers, or changes in job functions occur, the stress compounds when it comes to updating that resume.

For those who keep a current file, however, that stress can be greatly reduced, allowing you to focus on executive jobs rather than your paperwork. vacancy

Another, more positive reason to keep a current resume is that you never know when an opportunity may present itself. When you have reached the executive level, chances are much greater that an executive recruiter or another firm will call. If it's one of those opportunities that is too good to pass up (or at least investigate), having an updated resume is a distinct advantage.

The option may be fleeting, and your competition may not be as savvy as you.

While they struggle to update their resume, you can hand over an executive package complete with resume, biography, and sample projects summarizing your executive career.

Time can definitely be a problem, so consider keeping a file strictly for your resume and portfolio. Even details from the most impressive accomplishments can fade with time.

As you complete projects, make a few notes, copy the numbers, and add the information to your file. As you receive positive feedback from senior management, customers, board members, or shareholders, keep records of this information as well. A quality quote or recommendation from a superior can sometimes spice up a resume or executive biography perfectly.

Hiring a professional for resume writing or executive coaching can also be a great time saver, particularly if you're one of the many people who feel intimidated by the resume writing process. A professional resume writer and career coach will have a good understanding of your industry and know the best keywords and phrases to include, while still tailoring your resume to your unique situation. When time is a factor, many will be able to provide a fast turnaround.

Regardless of whether or not you enlist the help of a professional, it's a good idea to keep your resume file current. Even the best professional will not be able to pull your accomplishments out of the air--you need to keep track of the important information. employee

I'll File a Grievance

I recently went to a retirement party with my husband for one of his co-workers. I worked at this same place six years ago (that's where I met my husband, but that's another story), so I knew most of the people at the party. 

One person I didn't know (I'll call her Jill but that's not her real name) was talking about how bored she is in her current job. She's been with the agency for about three months and is doing administrative work. 

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"I'm way overqualified for this position," she said. "I used to be an Office Manager. I only took this job because I heard this agency was a good place to work. I know I can get something better." 

Jill told me she planned to apply for a new opening at the same agency -- a slightly better-paying administrative position. That position became vacant recently when that secretary retired. It's been filled by a temp for about three weeks.

"I know I'm way more qualified than that temp!" Jill said. "If she gets hired instead of me, I'm going to file a grievance!"

If she hadn't quickly disappeared, I would've given her some advice. If you've ever had the same attitude as Jill, maybe you can use this advice.

First, an employer is not under any obligation to hire the most qualified candidate. They can hire the least qualified candidate, as long as that candidate meets the minimum qualifications stated in the position announcement. >vacancy  

Second, employers are people, and people hire those they like and want to work with. As long as there is no discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation or physical/mental disability, employers can legally hire whomever they want.

The fact of the matter is, a candidate is never hired based solely on her qualifications. A candidate is hired because she convinces the hiring manager that she can do the job and be a positive, enthusiastic, pleasant-to-work-with member of the team.

Someone who is blabbing to co-workers (and strangers!) that she'll file a grievance if she doesn't get hired is unlikely to fit that bill.

If you're thinking of applying for a promotion within your current company, please realize that more than your experience, skills and qualifications will be judged.

What's your reputation? If you're a dedicated team player, great!

But if you're a complainer whom your current boss and co-workers would not miss, you've got some reputation repair work to do first! > employee