Career Transitioning

Finding a job in a recession is not easy.  Even in good times, a successful job search requires time, patience, and creativity.  These days, hiring managers and executives are choosier than ever and looking for reasons to screen people out, i.e., they are looking for reasons not to hire you.  However, if you’re able to avoid the most common job search mistakes, you can still land your perfect job, even in this tough market.

Career management is not just a nicety—it’s a necessity

I never saw it coming.” That’s what many executives and  managers say after they’ve lost their job. “How did it happen?”—“Well one day they called me into the front office and told me I didn’t want to work there anymore.”  And now they’re just another statistic. One of the current 15.1 million people  in the United States who are unemployed.

Business is all about Developing Professional Relationships

Executive recruiters are not in the business of finding  opportunities for jobseekers. Instead, we partner with our client companies to find executive talent through research, outreach and our own highly developed networks. Creating and nurturing strong relationships with executive recruiters is key to a successful career. Here’s my take on how to befriend executive recruiters with these 3 simple steps:

Often, “over-qualified” is code for something else.

“You’ve got very impressive credentials, and your  experience is wide-ranging, but…” the hiring manager says: “We really think you’re overqualified.” If you hear the words “over-qualified”, your job is to figure out what that something else is…, and overcome it just like you would any other objection.

Older workers are viewed as more seasoned, more stable, and hit the ground running

One of the trends we’re seeing  in the executive recruiting business is that more organizations are hiring older workers. While it is true that many older workers are getting the pink slip at some companies, there are other companies that are looking to put them back to work.

As they say, “It’s a jungle out there.” A job search,  particularly for the very first job after graduating college, is a tough adventure. If you are in search of your first “real” job and have said or thought any of these common excuses, listen up and learn. If you’re the frustrated parent or mentor of a new job seeker, pay attention, too. Get ready to debunk the obstacles to finding a meaningful first employment opportunity.