By: Shawn Desgrosellier of Vitality Group
This year has been a whirlwind in the construction recruiting business! I thought it might be interesting to recap what has happened in the first quarter of 2010 to give you a real look at what is really going on out there. I will tell you about our findings in the job market, the employers perspective on recruiting and hiring in 2010, and a few tips for the jobless.
In January and February we spent most of the month on the road. We met with the CEO's, COO's and HR Executives in the Commercial, Civil, Industrial and Specialty Contracting industry. We targeted in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hawaii, and Texas which is where our strong relationships, market knowledge, experience and best opportunity to secure new search assignments exist. We also fielded hundreds of calls from the candidate community and met in person many of the top candidates who were unemployed, underemployed or were preparing for an expected layoff or downsizing.
I recall in 2000 when we were faced with high unemployment in construction, search assignments were very tough to come by. If there was a demand it was for Business Development, Estimating, Senior Project Management or Project Executive level candidates in a technical market segment like bio tech, life sciences, pharmaceutical or health care. We placed dozens of candidates at that time with that experience so we learned quickly to stay away from everything else and focus our effort exclusively in that area. Ten years later we are faced with a similar story with the same characters but the niche and industry experience has shifted.
The demand in 2010 is for Business Development, Estimating, Senior Project Management and Project Executive level candidates however in 2010 employers want to see federal, health care or renewable energy experience. I guarantee if you have that experience you are not looking for work right now. If you do not have that experience you need to figure out a way to get it and get it fast.
The employers pespective is varied, most fall into the cut costs, reduce overhead and expand the responsibilities of the current staff company wide and are not hiring or even interviewing. Then there are companies who also are cutting costs, fixed expenses, overhead but also continue to interview and replace the "B" and "C" players with "A" talent from the competition. If they ultimately do not hire, at the very least they are evaluating the available talent and driving a corporate strategy which includes the potential talent they have access to because of their active participation in candidate recruitment. For obvious reasons, this makes smart business sense.
As a job seeker it is tough out there, those who treat their job search as a full time endeavor are having more success then those who are not. It is not a part time job! The one's who are involved in the construction market, community and are socially engaging in activities that create opportunities are also having success. The one thing you can not rely upon is adding your resume to Career Builder and Monster and simply let that do the work for you, you will go hungry with that approach right now. You are in control of your destiny and if you cast a wide net will find opportunities where you least expect them. If you take one thing away from this post remember CHEMISTRY is everything in these challenging times so take initiative and get out there and meet potential employers, clients, customers and vendors- it will be one of the best investments you make today.
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Revitalize your job search
Here are a few ideas on revitalizing your job search:
Have a plan: Create a daily set of tasks that are sequenced in priority. 7-8AM review all new postings on the job boards, 8-10AM Customize your resume for the new positions and apply for those positions, 10-12PM Call every company you have applied to and leave a unique and provocative voice mail, 1-3PM call every company that does not have a listed available position, request to talk to an Officer or Manager and sell yourself, tell your story and how you are very interested in joining that firm regardless if they are looking or not currently. 3-5PM send your resume to potential contacts through social networks and contact executive search, recruiting, or staffing agencies. In the evening time, you conduct any new research and create your job seeker plan for the following day.
Have a custom and accurate resume: Always make adjustments to your resume to ensure that you are aligning your skill set with the position of interest and incorporate key words or responsibilities that are critical for candidate consideration. Make sure your resume is accurate and that all of your employers are listed. Your integrity is critical in a job search and you are better off explaining multiple job changes than the potential employer uncovering a falsified resume and not inviting you in for an interview.
Persistence is the most important aspect of revitalizing a job search: In corporate sales training programs, the teachings preach that most sales are closed after the 5th call. That is very true in a job search. As a job seeker, if you fail to call the hiring point of contact at least 5 times you may not get the opportunity you so badly need and want.
Have a positive attitude: If you have a positive attitude and are an optimistic person the chances of you landing that job you want rises significantly. Be prepared, ask great questions, smile, and ask for the opportunity.
Have a plan: Create a daily set of tasks that are sequenced in priority. 7-8AM review all new postings on the job boards, 8-10AM Customize your resume for the new positions and apply for those positions, 10-12PM Call every company you have applied to and leave a unique and provocative voice mail, 1-3PM call every company that does not have a listed available position, request to talk to an Officer or Manager and sell yourself, tell your story and how you are very interested in joining that firm regardless if they are looking or not currently. 3-5PM send your resume to potential contacts through social networks and contact executive search, recruiting, or staffing agencies. In the evening time, you conduct any new research and create your job seeker plan for the following day.
Have a custom and accurate resume: Always make adjustments to your resume to ensure that you are aligning your skill set with the position of interest and incorporate key words or responsibilities that are critical for candidate consideration. Make sure your resume is accurate and that all of your employers are listed. Your integrity is critical in a job search and you are better off explaining multiple job changes than the potential employer uncovering a falsified resume and not inviting you in for an interview.
Persistence is the most important aspect of revitalizing a job search: In corporate sales training programs, the teachings preach that most sales are closed after the 5th call. That is very true in a job search. As a job seeker, if you fail to call the hiring point of contact at least 5 times you may not get the opportunity you so badly need and want.
Have a positive attitude: If you have a positive attitude and are an optimistic person the chances of you landing that job you want rises significantly. Be prepared, ask great questions, smile, and ask for the opportunity.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Avoid these things when writing your resume
Resume Flaws- Don't be the Blooper
Resumes are a necessity for almost every job -- CEO, Human Resources, Operations, and Sales in every industry! But unless you carefully and objectively examine your resume before sending it out, it will end up in the recycle bin instantaneously!
Before sending your next resume, follow this advice:
1. Appearances Count -- Clean, crisp, and remember less is more! The look and feel is almost as important as the content so make it give you a superb first impression. Check for spelling errors and grammatical errors and then get two other sets of eyes to review it.
2. Does Size Matter? -- If your career warrants a two-page resume, then go ahead and create a document that reflects the full range of your experience and accomplishments. Don't cram the type size to a degree that your resume becomes difficult to read trying to get it all on one page.
3. Truth or Consequences -- Be honest and truthful but to a point, in this job market you need to match the job description to your resume and integrate key phrases and terminology if approriate and factual but no need to tell all. You need to get the interview first. If a prospective employer conducts a background check and discovers that you lied, you can kiss the job good-bye.
4. State Your Case -- Your opening Career Objective must match the job- you have any idea how many resumes are sent out without at the very least changing the objective? There is nothing worse than someone who uses a standard resume for every company and every position for which they apply. It will amaze you, take the time and customize as it will pay off in your search!
5. Put Your Best Foot Forward -- Do not just copy your job description and add it to your resume- expand and sell! To show that you are more qualified than the competition for the positions you are seeking, you need to do more than simply list your job responsibilities. Present specific accomplishments and achievements: percentages increased, accounts expanded, awards won, etc.
6. No Excuses -- Don't include the reasons you are no longer working at each job listed on your resume. The phrases "Personality Conflict," "Personal" and "Better opportunity" have no place on your resume.
7. What Have You Done Lately? -- While it is certainly acceptable to have a two-page resume, don't list every single job you've ever held. HR managers are most interested in your experience from the last 10 years, so focus on your most recent and most relevant career experience.
8. Target Your Audience -- Don't send out your resume to every posting you see. If you are not even remotely qualified for a position, don't apply. Read the posting, determine if you have the right background and save both you and them the time- please!
9. References, Please -- When you send out your resume with the addition of letters of recommendation or awards, it can separate you from the competition. It is all about getting the interview!
10. Don't Get Personal -- Personal information does not belong on a resume. Don't include information on your marital status, age, race, family or hobbies.
Resumes are a necessity for almost every job -- CEO, Human Resources, Operations, and Sales in every industry! But unless you carefully and objectively examine your resume before sending it out, it will end up in the recycle bin instantaneously!
Before sending your next resume, follow this advice:
1. Appearances Count -- Clean, crisp, and remember less is more! The look and feel is almost as important as the content so make it give you a superb first impression. Check for spelling errors and grammatical errors and then get two other sets of eyes to review it.
2. Does Size Matter? -- If your career warrants a two-page resume, then go ahead and create a document that reflects the full range of your experience and accomplishments. Don't cram the type size to a degree that your resume becomes difficult to read trying to get it all on one page.
3. Truth or Consequences -- Be honest and truthful but to a point, in this job market you need to match the job description to your resume and integrate key phrases and terminology if approriate and factual but no need to tell all. You need to get the interview first. If a prospective employer conducts a background check and discovers that you lied, you can kiss the job good-bye.
4. State Your Case -- Your opening Career Objective must match the job- you have any idea how many resumes are sent out without at the very least changing the objective? There is nothing worse than someone who uses a standard resume for every company and every position for which they apply. It will amaze you, take the time and customize as it will pay off in your search!
5. Put Your Best Foot Forward -- Do not just copy your job description and add it to your resume- expand and sell! To show that you are more qualified than the competition for the positions you are seeking, you need to do more than simply list your job responsibilities. Present specific accomplishments and achievements: percentages increased, accounts expanded, awards won, etc.
6. No Excuses -- Don't include the reasons you are no longer working at each job listed on your resume. The phrases "Personality Conflict," "Personal" and "Better opportunity" have no place on your resume.
7. What Have You Done Lately? -- While it is certainly acceptable to have a two-page resume, don't list every single job you've ever held. HR managers are most interested in your experience from the last 10 years, so focus on your most recent and most relevant career experience.
8. Target Your Audience -- Don't send out your resume to every posting you see. If you are not even remotely qualified for a position, don't apply. Read the posting, determine if you have the right background and save both you and them the time- please!
9. References, Please -- When you send out your resume with the addition of letters of recommendation or awards, it can separate you from the competition. It is all about getting the interview!
10. Don't Get Personal -- Personal information does not belong on a resume. Don't include information on your marital status, age, race, family or hobbies.
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