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Job Search Techniques presented by Kathy Larkin, Managing Partner

Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

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Winter Wyman was established in 1972 and is one of the largest and most recognized staffing firms in the Northeast, serving the New England and Metro New York job markets.Winter Wyman specializes in recruiting permanent, contract and contract-to-permanent professionals for a variety of roles. Winter Wyman handles searches for technology, accounting & finance, and human resources professionals.

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Page 1: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Job Search Techniquespresented by

Kathy Larkin, Managing Partner

Page 2: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Webinar Overview

– Where to find jobs & leads– What to do once you’ve

targeted a company– Career experts– Conducting research– Contract and temp work– Know your worth– Overcoming mistakes

• About Winter, Wyman• About our presenter• Searching for jobs

– About the job market– Where to start– Networking– Online social networks– Targeting & self assessment– Scripts & messaging– Joining groups

Page 3: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

About Winter, Wyman

• Established in 1972• An industry leader and one of the largest and most

recognized staffing firms in the Northeast• Service the New England and Metropolitan New York

job markets with national technology contracting capabilities

• Specialize in recruiting permanent, contract and contract-to-permanent professionals

• Specialty areas include:– Accounting & Finance– Human Resources– Information Technology

– Investments & Financial Services– Software Engineering

Page 4: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

About Our Presenter

• Kathy Larkin, Managing Partner, Winter, Wyman

• 20+ years experience in recruiting all levels of Human Resources professionals

Page 5: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Truths About the Job Market

• Finding a job is not about luck – it is hard work• Postings on job boards only represent a fraction

of the available jobs• Informal methods and personal contacts used in

job searching are among the most effective ways of finding a job

• Establishing a network of prior colleagues and professional contacts should be one of the first things you do as you start your search – you will improve your chances of landing a job by making the right people aware of your search

Page 6: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Companies are Always Hiring

• Even in a down economy, more than 90% of the workforce is generally still employed

• Hiring is always taking place• People leave their jobs willingly every

day

Page 7: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

How to Start

• Treat your job search like a full-time job• Set up a home office area• Start a journal to track activities and

include:– Information gained from searching job boards

and company websites– List of companies applied to and when– Target companies and industries– Networking calls and meetings– Information about growing companies

Page 8: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

• Networking is the key to your job search!• Develop your list of contacts from:

everywhere!

• Rank your list

Networking

– Friends and family members– Personal database of contacts– Former & current colleagues,

bosses and direct reports– Online databases and

professional and social networking communities

– College alumni directories

– Local business owners– Fraternal or social club

directories– Church or temple rosters– Professionals– New/old address books and

databases– Holiday card lists

For more information, watch our webinar on “Networking & Informational Interviewing”

Page 9: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Online Social Networks

• Social and professional networking sites are increasingly becoming more important for job seekers of all ages

• Serve multiple purposes:– Way to expand your network– An active resume and bio– Testament to your ability through

recommendations– A way to build your personal brand

Page 10: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Online Social Networks

• Ways to best utilize these sites in your job search:– Make sure profiles are up-to-date (or created!)– Explore LinkedIn, Facebook, ZoomInfo, other

professional associations and user groups– Include relevant profile information– Request recommendations– Update your status– Join groups– Add and find contacts

Page 11: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Online Social Networks

• Before networking, make sure your online image is in order

• People, including hiring managers and HR professionals, will look for you online

• Google yourself• Remove any content, photos, videos,

blogs, posts, comments or friends that might reflect poorly on you in your job search

Page 12: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Targeting and Self Assessment

• Spend time determining what makes you happy

• Know what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about

• Do a skills inventory• Validate your findings• Determine your ideal job and industry,

but also be realistic and have a backup plan

Page 13: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Scripts and Messaging

• Build a personal value proposition• Use this information to create a 30-

second elevator speech – a consolidated statement about who you are, what you are looking for and what makes you unique

• Emphasize strengths and include real-life examples

• Practice it until it sounds natural and unrehearsed!

Page 14: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Example: 30-second Elevator Speech

“I have spent the past five years as a Business Development Rep for ABC Manufacturing

overseeing their sales and customer relations. I joined them as employee number three when they

were just starting up and was with them throughout a period of tremendous growth. They were recently purchased by a global consortium

and I’m now looking to use my extensive network of relationships and passion for environmental responsibility to help another manufacturing

company start and grow their business.”

Page 15: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Consolidating Your Elevator Speech

• Consolidate your speech into a brief five- to ten-second version your network contacts can use:

“John is a solid and driven business development professional that used to head-up sales and customer relations at ABC. He’s

looking for a new opportunity at a manufacturing start-up that is environmentally responsible.”

Page 16: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Join In

• Look at your target list of contacts and identify groups that could benefit you

• Find at least one relevant group and join it• Attend the networking portion of meetings• Look at attendee lists and nametags• Talk to other people who are alone or join groups

of three or more• Include alternative organizations and networking

groups in your plans• Check out local Meetups (www.meetup.com)• Join online groups and mailing lists

Page 17: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Where to Find Jobs and Leads

• Majority found through networking• Balance found via:

– Ads and job postings– Company websites– Recruiters– Online social networks– Cold calls and mailings

• Start online• Combine resources – never rely on one method!• Also look at:

– Professional associations– College alumni centers

Page 18: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Once You’ve Targeted a Company

• When applying or contacting a company, first try to determine if you know someone at the company

• Use online tools like LinkedIn or ZoomInfo to get the name of someone in HR

• Avoid sending blind resumes if possible

Page 19: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Talk to Career Experts

• Be proactive• Call recruiters, career consultants

and/or your college or university’s alumni or career center

• Tap into their knowledge of the job market

• Ask friends and colleagues for referrals

Page 20: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Conduct Your Own Research

• To help evaluate an opportunity and prepare for interviews, research more about the company or position through:– Financial research

• Hoover’s, Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg

– Press• Boston Business Journal, Crain’s, Business Wire, Fast

Company, local trade publications and newspapers

– Social networks• Ask for input from your connections• Check out corporate profiles and pages on LinkedIn,

ZoomInfo and Facebook

– Recent hiring and layoff history

Page 21: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Consider Contract and Temp Work

• The benefits of contract work:– Generates income– Keeps you working– Provides opportunities to network and meet

people who can help advance your search– Minimizes gaps in your resume– Positions you for permanent roles at the

company– Offers the ability to see if you can thrive in a

particular environment– Learn new skills or gain industry and functional

experience

Page 22: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Know Your Worth

• Market knowledge is needed to negotiate effectively and understand the value of offers

• Don’t use your current compensation as your only guide

• Search job boards for positions with similar responsibilities

• Look at websites like Salary.com and Payscale.com for ranges

Page 23: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Overcoming Common Mistakes

• Not articulating what you bring to the table – practice, practice, practice!

• Not having enthusiasm during the interview process – approach every interaction with enthusiasm, energy and a positive attitude

• Not expressing your interest in the job – let them know you are interested and ask about next steps and follow-up

• Not sending a thank you note – send an email or handwritten note shortly after getting home

Page 24: Winter Wyman - Job Search Techniques - Job Search Advice - Staffing Firm

Thank you for joining us.Visit the “Job Seeker” section of

www.winterwyman.com for additional job search resources.