Break the Mold!

I finally did it. No. I didn't land a job. What I did do was take a chance.

Up until now I have been using the same old cover letter for my resume submissions. Not the exact same letter but one that looks the same and sounds the same except for a few new words (i.e., employer name, job title). Oh, I called myself customizing it to make it appear original but it really wasn't. It was more like a ...template.

My template starts out the same way each time: "Attached is my resume for consideration for the xyz position in your office". It used to read "Enclosed is my resume...;" however, I changed that a few days ago because the majority of my resumes are uploaded electronically. I'm not enclosing anything in an envelope anymore. I felt the word "attached" was a more accurate description. But I digress.

Today while searching for job openings online, I found a posting that really got me excited. This job has my name written all over it. I want it so bad. Correction. IF the money is right AND if the job really is how it is described in the posting then I really do want it. So. I figured this would be as good of a time as any for me to do it. What's it? IT is this. I tore up my old cover letter (the template) and rewrote it from scratch.

I took a blank piece of paper and wrote down what I really want the person screening resumes to know about me. Everything else, I omitted. I wanted to make it clear in my cover letter that I am not like anyone else applying for this job. I'm different because of my life experience, work experience and education. I'm unique.

My revised cover letter opens with a sentence that reads something like this: "It took awhile before I understood that product knowledge and returning phone calls quickly do not guarantee client retention and revenue growth". I know it isn't profound but it is a true statement AND it's a bit of an attention-grabber. I think it says to the person reading the letter that I took the time to think before I wrote the cover letter. That, in my opinion, reflects experience and maturity.

It may have further implications. If I am too lazy, during the application process, to take the time and write an original cover letter, what corners will I cut once I'm hired? If I can't motivate myself to go the extra mile to make myself look good on paper to find a job, what will and who can motivate me after I'm hired? I think this is important especially when applying for jobs that require little supervision. For those of us who are not looking for average jobs that pay average salaries, we must always put our best foot forward. We must always go above and beyond. That mindset, that attitude, that philosophy needs to be apparent from day one when the application is received, until day 99,999 when the retirement papers are handed in.

I challenge you to re-evalulate the correspondence you are submitting to prospective employers. Take a 2nd and 3rd look at it. Tear it up. Start over. Be creative. Be honest. Be yourself.

MTV has a new (at least new to me) series called Hired. MTV calls it a "doc series". In Hired http://www.mtv.com/shows/hired/series.jhtml , cameras follow college grads as they attempt to find jobs - real jobs. I watched it today for the first time and enjoyed it. In fact, it may have been the catalyst for me to break the mold today. A recruiter complimented one applicant on her unique resume format. The applicant used different fonts in her resume and a more modern layout for her work experience and education. It almost looked as if a graphic artist had a hand in designing it. The employer who interviewed the applicants noticed and commented on some typos in another applicant's work. She was not offered the job. What applicants write down on paper really does get noticed.

So, if you are still looking for work, stop! Before you upload your next cover letter, tear up the template and write a new one. One that will reflect not only your real interest in the position but also your spirit - that thing that makes you unique. You have nothing to lose and an interview to gain.

SCOREBOARD
Jobs Applied For: 34
Rejections: 4
Interviews: 0
Job Offers: 0

Tick Tock: My Employment Clock is Ticking

2 Hours! Did I hear right? The person on the other end of the phone (who I'll call Bob) called me to say he received my email application for a job I was interested in, and that he was sorry to inform me that two hours before he received my application he had hired someone else. He was in a hurry to fill the job. He apologized because he felt that I had many of the qualifications the job required. We chatted for awhile and I ended the call telling him to keep me in mind should that or another position become available in the future.

Wow! Did I really miss out on a job interview and possibly an offer just because I was two hours too late? Possibly. Bob's phone call let me know that the search for jobs right now is more competitive than I thought. If I thought this was going to be a walk in the park, I had better think again.

Bob's phone call taught me that that from here on out when I find out about a job opening I must apply immediately. No more printing out the job announcement and setting it aside until the next day. I'm going to need to be more aggressive. Time apparently is not on my side.

Last month I graduated with a B.A. in Communications. A diploma that I hope will make this job hunt shorter and more prosperous than my last job hunt in 2004. We shall see about that. There are some obvious differences in the job hunt of 2004 and the one now. For starters, I'm finding fewer jobs. Secondly, in 2004 I received more unsolicited calls from head hunters/recruiters who viewed my profile on Monster.com or HotJobs.com. Third, more companies are using job application software that require the applicant to upload personal information to a website and then respond to a variety of questions. If you you're phobic about having your personal information on the internet, you're in trouble. And finally, if you're not computer savvy you're screwed.

So what am I going to do in order to avoid missing out on future opportunities?

1. Act more quickly when I come across job postings.
2. Use a structured approach to checking employer websites. For instance, check IBM's website every Tuesday.
3. Read and respond to alerts that are emailed to me informing me of new job openings.

I knew I had my work cut out for me with this job hunt. Today's phone conversation with a Bob made the point painfully clear. My goal is to find a job in thirty days or less. I've already used up five days. I'd be interested in hearing what's worked for you and what hasn't.

My Scorecard

Jobs Applied For: 20
Rejections Received: 2
Interviews Granted: 0
Offers: 0

Desperately Seeking Employment

It's 2010 and I'm one of thousands of Americans who are unemployed. I think I can use that term to describe my current status. You see, I've been self-employed for the last four years and my two businesses are still operational (although generating insufficient income right now). While looking for a real job I'm still keeping the doors to my at-home businesses open. The income flow keeps gas in the car, the cell phone turned on, and a few bills paid.

I'm supposed to be freaking out. Alabama has one of the highest unemployment rates according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/lauhsthl.htm). In April 2010 it was 11%. However, I live in North Alabama and the unemployment rate for Huntsville is a mere (wink) 7.9%. So there's plenty of room for hope. Right?

Even though I have a best friend who's been unemployed for almost eighteen months, and despite the fact that CNN allows its job-hunting viewers to do a hire-me sales pitch during a news segment, I choose to be optimistic. I have an undergraduate degree in Communication Arts and more than twenty (that's right, 20) years of business experience. That should count for something. I'm betting that puts me head and shoulders over some recent college graduates. Oh yes, one more thing: I'm willing to relocate. The odds are in my favor!

So.....I've set a goal of applying to a minimum of ten jobs each week with the hopes of landing a job no later than July 1st.

I will chronicle this quest of mine in hopes of learning from my mistakes and possibly helping out fellow-unemployed colleagues. I'll keep a scorecard that captures: jobs applied for, interviews, offers. I'll try to insert a grid or something.

I welcome your suggestions and leads. I'll be sure to post mine here.