J Patrick + Associates Blog

3 tools to help you with your job search

Finding a full-time job can be a full-time pursuit for job seekers. Success often requires spending countless hours scouring job boards, networking within your industry, filling out applications and sending out resumes. It takes a commitment of time and energy to do all of these things. Keeping track of it all can be a daunting task.

Using a CRM tool in your job search offers a method to make better use of your time. Salespeople use CRM tools to track relationships with customers. Working on the same principle, you can rely on a CRM program to help you organize your job search and track progress on each job lead.
These CRM Tools offer useful resources to organize your search for employment:
GigCart: Simplicity best describes what GigCart is all about. This CRM Tool lets you pluck job leads from online ads, job boards and social media sites and then organize these positions in a central platform. One unique feature GigCart offers is job shopping. You can download a bookmark onto your web browser. When you find a new job lead, you can click on the GigCart bookmark and add the job to your shopping cart. It tracks all activity related to that job and you can organize each job under specific labels such as job type, location and salary range. Signing up for a GigCart account for free and it takes about a minute to set up.
JibberJobber: You can take the idea of career management to a whole new level with JibberJobber. It lets you track job leads, prospective employers and networking contacts. In a nutshell, it functions as a personal database where you can store all sorts of information. JibberJobber lets you track job applications, resumes and cover letters you have submitted for each job posting. You can create status reports for each job posting to stay up-to-date on any changes. It also offers assistance in improving your job search marketing skills. Job seekers can do everything from prepare for interviews to use video tutorials through their free JibberJobber account.
JobPad: Saving time is easy to do with JobPad. It compiles millions of job listings into one central location. JobPad also helps you construct a search plan complete with specific goals, tasks and milestones. One of its best features is JobClipper, which automatically captures every application you submit so all the details from job title to pay range are right at your fingertips. Other features include access to an RSS Feed Reader that gives you updates on new positions on whichever sites you choose and a reputation manager that lets you manage your online reputation.

How to get the most out of working with an Executive Recruiter

Working with an executive recruiter to find work is a lot like life – the more you put into, the more you get out of it. It also works the other way around. If you throw your hands in the air and expect your job recruiter to do all the work, you’re probably going to stay unemployed for a long time. For the record, headhunters aren’t miracle workers, and believing that they are puts you in a pretty bad position. If you want to make the most of the opportunity, you’re going to have to learn to work with them. Which means accepting some facts and following a few hard and fast rules.

 

· The relationship between you and an executive recruiter may not be what you think it is. The fact is, they partner with you to help you find employment opportunities – but they don’t work for you. Their top priority is to the companies that contract them to find job candidates. Keep this in mind and behave like a partner, not like a demanding customer.

· Learn to keep your commitments and to act on the recruiter’s requests. For example, if a recruiter asks you to update your resume or take a typing test to determine your skill level, don’t flake out on them. If they feel you’re not capable of coming through with small tasks, they’re a lot less likely to consider you capable of coming through with larger ones – like showing up to work on your first day of a job they’ve lined up for you.

· Be honest. If you’re looking for work in the IT industry but have no experience, don’t fake it or make false claims. This kind of move will only backfire on you. Once that happens and the relationship begins to erode, your chances of finding work grow increasingly slim.

· Keep yourself on their radar. Don’t expect a job recruiter to chase you, especially since you’re the one who stands to gain the most out of the relationship. Stay in constant contact to keep yourself at the forefront of your recruiter’s mind.

· Understand that you’re not unique. Although this may fly in the face of what your mother told you when you were growing up, bringing ego into the relationship between you and your recruiter is only a recipe for disaster. It’s one thing to have self-confidence and another thing entirely to expect a headhunter to work miracles. Listen to their feedback and take action on it. If an executive recruiter suggests that you work on certain skills to make yourself more appealing to potential employers, don’t take offense. Instead, heed their advice.

 

Ultimately, your odds of finding work depend greatly on your ability to maintain the utmost level of professionalism with your recruiter. If you can’t do that, don’t expect to find employment any time soon.

Stop Saying, "They Won’t Hire Me Because I’m Unemployed"

I’ve received a number of emails from disgruntled job seekers who feel discriminated against because they are not currently employed.  This disconnect between employers looking for qualified candidates to fill demanding positions and available candidates to take those roles is increasing.  It is painful to hear qualified candidates complain that they are not employable because they aren’t working.  

First of all, that bitter attitude is not going to get you anywhere.  I know not working is painful, not just financially but also on your self-esteem.  I get it, I’ve been there.  All is not lost, here are three suggestions on how to changing your status from Unemployed to Employable Candidate.

TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN.  Nobody wants to bring in an employee in a bad mood.  I’m actually surprised at how many cover letters we receive where candidates blatantly discuss their disgruntled feelings over being passed over because they are unemployed.  If you’re depressed and show it, you will be disqualified regardless of your employment status.  

Master Zen  Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hahn suggests pausing to cultivate joy by putting a smile on your face.  My smiling, you’re bringing in joy whether or not it is present.  It sounds silly but this really works.  If you feel yourself fretting and frowning, stop, let it pass and put a smile on your face.  I swear this actually makes you feel better.

I like to invite positive messaging into my daily thoughts.  If I feel myself grunting through my day, I pause and remind myself, “I deserve to be employed, my job is coming.”  If you’re playing a negative tape over and over in your head saying that you’re not getting a job because you’re not working, you are manifesting this as a truth.  Cut that mental bad thoughts habit by inviting in positive messaging.  Simply reminding yourself you’re talented and deserve to be working will change your attitude.  It takes practice but it works.

And if this doesn’t work, rent a really funny movie and watch it over and over, read The Onion, download a jokes app on your phone, whatever will make you Smile again. 

GET SMART.  You've got the time, why not head back to school  Whether it be a class or a full course load, being in school is a great explanation for why your'e not working.  Taking time from work to get academic is an empressive endeavor.  The government offers grants to the unemployed to go back to school, most schools have a decent financial aid offering or check out the offerings at your local community collge.  Considering learning a trade?  Go for it!  Why not learn about how to repair a car or oil paint.  Keeping your mind sharp by expanding it with new skills can be very rewarding.  Pick a subject that interests you and go for it. 

CREATE YOUR OWN JOB.  So you don’t have formal job, create one!  Yes, create your own job.  I do it all the time.  Isn’t that the mark of a good marketer?  When I’m in between jobs, I do some consulting.  Over the past few years, I’ve developed a personal brand to impress marketability and hire-ability.  I get out there and create jobs, even if it means working for friends and small businesses at a discounted rate, working is better than being depressed about not working.  Make yourself look busy by being busy.  If I know small businesses that need marketing, I barter my services or work cheaply to keep the work ball rolling.  You’re not getting paid right now, so don’t worry so much about the money as getting yourself off the pity pot and back into work mode.  

DO SOMETHING NICE. You have skills and talents, don’t let them go to waste.  Get out there and offer yourself to companies who need you.  How about volunteering what you do at a non-profit organization.  When I was in between jobs once, I did some volunteering for a local food pantry.  They desperately needed help with marketing, social media, Facebook page creation and all kinds of stuff.  It was a pleasure going into work a couple of days a week to help them out and kept me working while hunting for a more permanent position.  It felt good to do some community service and to suit up and show up to an office that appreciated me and needed me.  

Of course, none of these are a substitute for an actual real job, but at least smiling and filling your days with meaningful work oriented tasks will feel a lot better than intimately learning the OWN programming schedule in your pajamas on the couch with a bag of chips.  Manifesting busy work and joy will give you some things to put on your resume so that potential employers can see you’re working and that you’re willing to do positive deeds for others.  You might be surprised to discover what comes your way when you’re presenting yourself as a busy person in the world.  Go get em tiger… and SMILE!  

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