Job Search for Moms - Book Review

My recent book, Job Search for Moms has only three chapters; Planning, Networking and Presenting. That's it - the only three steps you'll need to begin the arduous task of looking for a new job or career.  Rather than present you with a laundry list of every possible piece of job search advice, these three steps take the mystery and well, pain, out of the whole job search process.  So what do the chapters on Planning, Networking and Presenting involve?  Here are a couple of highlights:

1. Planning: The theme of Chapter One is Focus on You, Focus on the Job. With tools and charts, this chapter will allow you to reflect upon your needs including those that are financial, emotional, and educational.  By identifying your strengths and development needs, skill sets, transferable job skills, career wants and experience you will be better prepared to speak about yourself and share your knowledge and abilities.   The chapter also looks at careers and shows you how and where to review the key words that match your skill sets.  By focusing on you and focusing on the job, you’ll be better prepared to set goals and move ahead to the next chapter; Networking.

2. Networking: This chapter looks at the number one way to find a job.  Included are the methods to build relationships, identify networking opportunities and contacts, gain knowledge of the hidden job market and clarify insider information.  You’ll also learn how to develop yourself within your current position or in a different career direction through informal and informational interviewing.  Creating a  social media presence is also emphasized.

3. Presenting: Now that you're done planning and understand networking you are ready to create your resume, plan for your interview and move forward.  This chapter (placed last for a reason) presents the tools you’ll need to put your job search into high gear.  It includes resume types, behavioral interviewing, questioning techniques, resources to find company information, the flow of any interview and follow up activities.

Job Search for Moms stocked with charts, questions, telephone conversations, email samples, internet resources – everything any job seeker needs to get moving with the job search. The material was gathered from a series of job search classes presented by Blackbird Learning Associates.  The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Lulu.com.

The Blizzard and the Job Search

The Northeast got slammed the other day with a huge snowstorm. It started on Sunday and before it was finished on Monday morning, we had over 30 inches in some parts of NY/NJ.  Today, Tuesday, many of my friends in parts of NJ are still not plowed and people can't get to work or the store or to pick up their medicine.  There's an angry mob out there and who can blame them? The weather forecasters were on the fence with this storm but regardless, it showed a lesson in preparedness (or lack of).

What if you applied for a position or networked with someone who forwarded your resume on to a potential employer and you got a call for an on the spot interview?  Would you be prepared?  Would you be stuck in the storm without a shovel?

Here are a couple of quick tips:

1.     Have all your job search material in one place.  Separate labeled folders containing your resume, short list of specific accomplishments, references, and the possible job descriptions will allow you to speak freely and confidently.  You should also have an example of a job specific weakness and a description of how you overcame it.

2.     Be prepared for specific behavioral or STAR questions.  An employer wants to know what you DID rather than what you WOULD do. STAR stands for Specific, Task, Actions taken and Results.

3. Have your Elevator Speech ready to go.

That's it - all you need to prepare for an unexpected call.  The more you review and prepare though, the more confident you will sound (and feel). Don't be left in the cold!