Thinking about a New Job for New Year?

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
soon it will be 2012 - what are your plans?

This thread is still pertinent - FIVE YEARS after it was begun!

If you are interviewing. take special note of this recent thread
Sucker Punch ("thanks for the free consulting, but no job for you!")

As always, I recommend the following for EVERYONE to review - these are perilous times - you never know when you may find yourself or a loved one in need of the advice they contain
Candidates:
Thinking about a New Job for New Year?

Resume and cover letter - How good are yours?

The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references

Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting

Consulting – Is it in YOUR Career Future?

Contracting/Temping - Viable Alternates in Tough Times


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
One of the job search tools we have discussed recently is a Skills Assessment Matrix (SAM) - essentially a spread sheet where a candidate lists his skills and experience and assigns values to each item, thus focusing on his strong points to offer to an employer and determining weak points which may need more study or a good explanation of how the candidate can upgrade through education or opportunity.

Matching the items in a SAM with requirements and attributes of prospective employment targets helps a candidate narrow his search.
One of the advantages of a Skills Assessment Matrix (SAM) is that it helps a person make value judgments about which aspects are more important than others.

I've discussed SAMs only tangentially in the past, but it may be a good idea to explore this tool in depth, especially as to how a well-executed SAM can help focus one's efforts in any contemplated activity:

  1. jobs,
  2. relocation
  3. education
  4. interpersonal relationships (friendship, dating, marriage, divorce, etc.)
  5. any other activity
The key to a useful SAM is almost brutal honesty in assigning a value to each of the characteristics and attributes which comprise the SAM. The SAMs which seem to fail in helping are those where the person constructing the SAM was overly generous or stingy in assigning a value to a specific item.

In the end, it is not MY judgment which should direct your life: it should be yours, once you have weighed all the variables.

Once you have a grid for yourself, you need to create another grid of the features, perquisites, pay, working conditions, etc. of the ideal organization you'd like to work for. Here (in the grid), it's OK to shoot for the sky because it's your "want" list, not your "settle for" list.

Next, you need to create a list of prospect organizations and research them to see which have close fits to your want list. Fill in a grid with the prospects in rows of column one, with the various points of your want list in columns 2 through "n" and fill in the cells with the point factor your research discloses.

Select the best prospects (according to your matches against your want list) and then compare your skill list against what those organizations need or want. I envision a grid with the organizations in rows in column 1 with each of your best through medium level skills in columns 2 through n. Your research should be able to give you a value level to put in each cell according to how valuable or necessary that skill may be to the organization.

Combining the data from the skills should give you a short list of targets to approach, using the pointers in Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting.

It's immaterial whether each target is seeking employees (but your research would have disclosed that fact) because your approach should be to avoid getting caught in the same net with hundreds of other candidates. You want to stand out as a unique individual who can and will deliver value to the organization. Accordingly, each approach you make will be unique and tailored specifically for that organization.

Make no mistake. This is not an easy, casual task anyone can complete in a couple of hours.
Consider, though, that a good process will result in a good job which will give you satisfaction and reward you according to your merit. With that in mind, it seems worth it to spend days and even weeks compiling the grid(s) before making the first approach to a target.

A sample grid would have 5 columns
Column 1 would be a list of characteristics or attributes ANY person looking for a management job might possess
Columns 2 through 5 would be values from 1 to 4 with 1 being a low value and 4 being a high value
The analysis consists of going down the list and checking the appropriate box for the value you have for each characteristic.
The following is a list of attributes/characteristics for a marketing manager in a mid- to large-organization - add other items regarding relocation, travel, commission versus salary, commute distance/time, benefits, etc. which are importat to you (how important based on which box you check!)

  1. makes observations
  2. identifies data
  3. analyzes data
  4. makes/interprets data tables
  5. makes/interprets graphs
  6. identifies/controls a variable
  7. makes a prediction/hypothesis
  8. designs an investigation
  9. creates/uses models
  10. makes evidence based decisions
  11. revises predictions or explanations based on evidence
  12. reads for information
  13. communicates orally
  14. communicates in writing
  15. describes observations
  16. writes explanations
  17. makes presentations
  18. uses diagrams or sketches
  19. formulates operational definitions
  20. listens to others
  21. works collaboratively
  22. keeps a science journal
  23. categorizes/sorts information
  24. sequences information
  25. summarizes information
  26. differentiates observations/inferences
  27. differentiates evidence/opinion
  28. draws/analyzes concept maps
  29. creates/uses other graphic organizers
  30. uses tools correctly
  31. uses appropriate tools to measure
  32. calculates mean, median, mode
  33. determine a scale
  34. uses graphs appropriately
  35. follows procedures
After making a personal grid, you can research some organizations (regardless if they have openings for a position you want) to see which of those characteristics are/may be important to them, make a reverse grid for those corporations (a new matrix, same column 1, but place corporations in the other columns, enter a number value (if possible) instead of a check mark and refine your personal list. Armed with your own self assessment AND what organizations consider important characteristics you can target a pitch directly to the organization
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
Bump for Year 7 of this thread


Everything in this thread is still pertinent and usable in the job hunt. Given the state of the USA and world economy, many job hunters are still experiencing a strong sense of desperation if they are already out of work or can see the handwriting on the wall that they will soon be laid off.

Above all, I want to add an extra caution to focus on the value you can add to a company, NOT the value of the company in providing you relief from your desperate circumstances. This kind of economy demands the job hunter exploit the vulnerability of the hiring company, NOT the other way around.


If you are thinking about a new job for the new year, NOW is the time to start finalizing your campaign plans.

If you are currently working, create a new business-like email address at gmail or yahoo that you will use strictly for the job hunt. Absolutely refrain from using the current work email address.

Also, pay particular attention to post #111, discussing a Skills Assessment Matrix. It really will help you focus on your current good points and alert you to aspects you may target for improvement.

The following is a quote from a handout at one of my recent presentations
One of the advantages of a Skills Assessment Matrix (SAM) is that it helps a person make value judgments about which aspects are more important than others.

I've discussed SAMs only tangentially in the past, but it may be a good idea to explore this tool in depth, especially as to how a well-executed SAM can help focus one's efforts in any contemplated activity:

  1. jobs,
  2. relocation
  3. education
  4. interpersonal relationships (friendship, dating, marriage, divorce, etc.)
  5. any other activity
The key to a useful SAM is almost brutal honesty in assigning a value to each of the characteristics and attributes which comprise the SAM. The SAMs which seem to fail in helping are those where the person constructing the SAM was overly generous or stingy in assigning a value to a specific item.

In the end, it is not MY judgment which should direct your life: it should be yours, once you have weighed all the variables.

Once you have a grid for yourself, you need to create another grid of the features, perquisites, pay, working conditions, etc. of the ideal organization you'd like to work for. Here (in the grid), it's OK to shoot for the sky because it's your "want" list, not your "settle for" list.

Next, you need to create a list of prospect organizations and research them to see which have close fits to your want list. Fill in a grid with the prospects in rows of column one, with the various points of your want list in columns 2 through "n" and fill in the cells with the point factor your research discloses.

Select the best prospects (according to your matches against your want list) and then compare your skill list against what those organizations need or want. I envision a grid with the organizations in rows in column 1 with each of your best through medium level skills in columns 2 through n. Your research should be able to give you a value level to put in each cell according to how valuable or necessary that skill may be to the organization.

Combining the data from the skills should give you a short list of targets to approach, using the pointers in Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting.

It's immaterial whether each target is seeking employees (but your research would have disclosed that fact) because your approach should be to avoid getting caught in the same net with hundreds of other candidates. You want to stand out as a unique individual who can and will deliver value to the organization. Accordingly, each approach you make will be unique and tailored specifically for that organization.

Make no mistake. This is not an easy, casual task anyone can complete in a couple of hours.
Consider, though, that a good process will result in a good job which will give you satisfaction and reward you according to your merit. With that in mind, it seems worth it to spend days and even weeks compiling the grid(s) before making the first approach to a target.

A sample grid would have 5 columns
Column 1 would be a list of characteristics or attributes ANY person looking for a management job might possess
Columns 2 through 5 would be values from 1 to 4 with 1 being a low value and 4 being a high value
The analysis consists of going down the list and checking the appropriate box for the value you have for each characteristic.
The following is a list of attributes/characteristics for a marketing manager in a mid- to large-organization - add other items regarding relocation, travel, commission versus salary, commute distance/time, benefits, etc. which are important to you (how important based on which box you check!)

  1. makes observations
  2. identifies data
  3. analyzes data
  4. makes/interprets data tables
  5. makes/interprets graphs
  6. identifies/controls a variable
  7. makes a prediction/hypothesis
  8. designs an investigation
  9. creates/uses models
  10. makes evidence based decisions
  11. revises predictions or explanations based on evidence
  12. reads for information
  13. communicates orally
  14. communicates in writing
  15. describes observations
  16. writes explanations
  17. makes presentations
  18. uses diagrams or sketches
  19. formulates operational definitions
  20. listens to others
  21. works collaboratively
  22. keeps a science journal
  23. categorizes/sorts information
  24. sequences information
  25. summarizes information
  26. differentiates observations/inferences
  27. differentiates evidence/opinion
  28. draws/analyzes concept maps
  29. creates/uses other graphic organizers
  30. uses tools correctly
  31. uses appropriate tools to measure
  32. calculates mean, median, mode
  33. determine a scale
  34. uses graphs appropriately
  35. follows procedures
After making a personal grid, you can research some organizations (regardless if they have openings for a position you want) to see which of those characteristics are/may be important to them, make a reverse grid for those corporations (a new matrix, same column 1, but place corporations in the other columns, enter a number value (if possible) instead of a check mark and refine your personal list. Armed with your own self assessment AND what organizations consider important characteristics you can target a pitch directly to the organization
Thinking about a New Job for New Year?
The following threads are intended as companions to this thread and may help you prepare a successful job campaign:
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours?

The Job Hunt - Care and feeding of references

Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting

Consulting ? Is it in YOUR Career Future?

Contracting/Temping - Viable Alternates in Tough Times
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
The winter holidays are looming. End-of-year seems to be a favorite time for organizations to trim their employment rolls. I just read this week the British giant, Lloyd's, is beginning to lay off 9,000 employees and close numerous branches, depending more and more on electronic communication to keep contact with customers versus face-to-face interaction with actual humans.

Have you been practicing Deming's System of Profound Knowledge (SoPK) in your own personal and business life? Do you see handwriting on the wall or are you going to be one of those guys who gets laid off and says, "This is a complete surprise. I had no idea the company was facing such dire economic problems."

It's a trite phrase, but true:
Knowledge is Power!

Make sure you don't get blind sided.

This is an extremely long thread, with a life of seven years. I just read through every post and it's all still pertinent today.

Protect yourself and your family. Learn what your real status is and do something to change it if it's not ideal.
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
Still pertinent - getting a job!

I began this thread BEFORE the recent depression, when only tiny hints were in the air about tough times to come. For many of our readers, tough times are still here. Over the ensuing years, some have followed the tips and made successful job connections. Others have ignored them or discounted them entirely, reasoning,
"What does an old white guy know about getting a job when the candidate ...

  1. is not white
  2. is not male
  3. is not old and experienced
  4. is not super-educated with advanced degrees
  5. is not located in a bustling business area
  6. is an immigrant [guest worker] afraid to lose resident status?
Guess what? I don't ask you to "trust me" or "follow my advice without question."


My point is this:
"How successful have you been so far?'
If you are successful, with a dream job, and dream salary, why are you wasting your time reading this?


If you are not getting interviews and warm feelings when you interview, does it make sense to keep doing what you are doing and getting the same lack of results?


Above all, I want to add an extra caution to focus on the value you can add to a company, NOT the value of the company in providing you relief from your desperate circumstances. This kind of economy demands the job hunter exploit the vulnerability of the hiring company, NOT the other way around.

If you are thinking about a new job for the new year, NOW is the time to start finalizing your campaign plans.
 
L

LumaraC

Re: Still pertinent - getting a job!

Dear Mr. Wes Bucey,

I have read all the reply in this thread and that include your reply in past few years
Thank you very much for keep posting a new reply for every A New Year come.

even I'm more thank you to you because you forward such basic skill that required in our daily job basis (even for me, I think I only able to do 2 or 3 task listed below but it is good list for me to start learning :) )

  1. makes observations
  2. identifies data
  3. analyzes data
  4. makes/interprets data tables
  5. makes/interprets graphs
  6. identifies/controls a variable
  7. makes a prediction/hypothesis
  8. designs an investigation
  9. creates/uses models
  10. makes evidence based decisions
  11. revises predictions or explanations based on evidence
  12. reads for information
  13. communicates orally
  14. communicates in writing
  15. describes observations
  16. writes explanations
  17. makes presentations
  18. uses diagrams or sketches
  19. formulates operational definitions
  20. listens to others
  21. works collaboratively
  22. keeps a science journal
  23. categorizes/sorts information
  24. sequences information
  25. summarizes information
  26. differentiates observations/inferences
  27. differentiates evidence/opinion
  28. draws/analyzes concept maps
  29. creates/uses other graphic organizers
  30. uses tools correctly
  31. uses appropriate tools to measure
  32. calculates mean, median, mode
  33. determine a scale
  34. uses graphs appropriately
  35. follows procedures
I think my reply might be out of thread topic
I just want to say thank you to all you people who share their experience in this thread, it means a lot to me and my family.

I hope we all well and in good condition for our job, family and community.
Wishing all the best for all of you :)
 
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