1. Specifically, what can The JobCoach do to help me get a better, higher paying job?
The JobCoach can help you address your needs from a simple resume rewrite, winning interview strategies and offer negotiation, all the way through a deeper address to making more difficult complete career transition changes. More specifically, The JobCoach uses The PlayBook, a complete guide to self marketing and promotion in any job market, as the core product, offering a step-by-step program for job and career advancement. You get some of the best job and career assistance from the frontlines of a successful executive search and placement company still working in the current job market.
2. How can I get the job I want if I don't have the experience required?
If you're a dog catcher, it's probable you will not have the experience necessary to get that astronaut job. However, experience is always relative to the position sought and the experience you do have, obtained either directly or from comparable companies and even industries. If experience is lacking, but is relatively close, and the position sought has gone unfilled for too long, and you present yourself as a dynamic solution maker/problem solver, your chances are certainly better than you might otherwise suspect. Companies make exceptions all the time for exceptional people, even if their experience is thinner than they would normally like. The JobCoach can show you how to bridge that gap in experience.
3. Can The JobCoach help me make a total career change?
Yes and even though a career change can be difficult financially, you'll be way ahead of the game with The JobCoach team on your side. The key will be to avoid making costly mistakes and wasting time you can't afford to spare. You may also need to consider interim employment to supplement your income while gaining additional education, or specific experience required. Having a proven plan of action created by people who specialize in career building is a tremendous advantage you won't want to do without.
4. I send out lots of resumes but no one calls me back. What can I do?
There are a few simple reasons people don't get calls after submitting their resume. Often they wind up on the tail end of interviewing already in process and a hire is made before they can be considered. Of course, lack of certain experience and preferred job history is often the culprit and they are merely screened out of the process. It's not unusual to find the interviewing system gets clogged up and resumes sit in piles waiting attention they don't receive for sometimes as long as weeks. Using the self promotion and marketing techniques in The PlayBook, you will get better attention and in many cases bypass the usual screening process altogether!
5. If no one calls after I've sent a resume, should I assume they lost it and send another one?
There is certainly a possibility your resume was lost, or even more likely it is in a pile on someone's desk waiting for attention. Resending your resume is sometimes frowned upon by Human Resources, as it simply doubles their paperwork. Realistically, however, resending your resume can improve your chances of receiving a response. There are better follow-up techniques that considerably improve your chances for success contained in the program we use in The PlayBook.
6. Why don't companies let you know if they are not interested in your resume?
Human Resource department budgets and personnel are typically stretched thin. Many companies try to use auto-respond emails to let people know their resumes were received. However, rejection notices and calls are rarely seen these days. Especially given the "firehose" effect being created by simple point-and-click online submissions provided by the larger job search engine companies like Monster, Hot Jobs and the like. You will need to stand out from the crowd of applicants if you are to have any chance for interview on the more popular jobs. We created The JobCoach to help you better understand the system and to use it to your advantage. You'll be in better control with us on your team.
7. How do I find a Headhunter who will help me get interviews for jobs I want?
The endearing term Headhunter is often used to describe a variety of candidate placement specialists. They all have something else in common. They are usually highly specialized and busy with client business. Normally outside submissions are perceived by us as largely unproductive. We know we have a bad reputation for never calling people back, but in self-defense you should know that we suffer from the same "firehose" effect by companies claiming to "blast" your resume out to "10,000 Recruiters!". They actually get blasted into 10,000 waste baskets for the most part. The JobCoach was created by us to help people we have never been able to help in the past. Now, you can have that Headhunter you always wanted on your team for once.
8. If I don't have a degree, can I still get a job that requires one?
While it is true that having a specific degree as a preliminary requirement for advanced technical positions and even a variety of high-end service sector jobs, many times degrees are seen as more of a preference. Companies that like degreed candidates for jobs that do not technically require college, often do so because of what a completed degree program says about the applicant. They are perceived as career minded, ambitious, more professional and certainly steadfast over those who have not completed college. But are they all really better employees? Of course not. People without degrees get jobs everyday, where college degrees are "preferred" and even "required". It depends on the situation, but it should not be perceived as an automatic no hire. The PlayBook uses tried and proven methods to help people without degrees get the jobs they want in many cases they would have otherwise discounted themselves.
9. I seem to get interviews, but I haven't been able to get any offers. What can I do?
Again, there can be many reasons why people get interviews, yet leave without an offer. Most usually it is because they were not skilled interviewers. Of course someone with superior job experience and satisfactory interview skills may simply have beaten them out. It would be surprising to most people to know how really subjective interviewing has become at even major companies in America. Generally, people like to hire people they like. If two people with equal qualifications appear, the most likeable one will get the job. But what about where two people with disparate experience appear and the more likeable one has the weaker experience? More often than you would think, the likeable one still gets the job. Experience should rule, but in fact, people still prefer to hire someone they like and will want to work with and given reasonable supportive experience, they will hire them. The PlayBook helps you capitalize on this phenomenon by helping you better showcase your experience, sharpening your interpersonal and interview skills.
10. How do you find out what jobs pay in other states compared to where I live?
The JobCoach provides you with sophisticated research resources, tools and support all in one location. We know that time is of the essence in any job search. Putting everything together for you in one place is a big benefit. We know what it takes to do effective research for a job when relocation is necessary, or for career transition, or just career advancement. You can get a snapshot or very advanced analysis of the job market, and read in-depth discussions of industry on the rise or decline by region and state. "Know before you go", is a good rule of thumb. With resources on The JobCoach website and in The PlayBook, you won't need to go far to get everything you need to assess your future success.
11. What do you advise on the appropriate attire for interviews?
Corporate America has let its hair down somewhat. Even "Big Blue" (IBM) has relaxed their three piece suit rule. You can lose the vest now if you want. Kidding aside, Fortune 500 CEO's are dressing in business casual and from the top down, business attire is lightening up. But companies vary in customary work dress considerably. You should dress up, rather than dress down in all cases. Call ahead and ask the receptionist to find out what is acceptable. They'll help you out. Usually people do initial telephone interviews. If they decide to bring you in for an onsite interview, ask them when they call to notify you what you should wear. Make sure you are comfortably dressed in any case, so that you don't appear stiff and unnatural.
12. What mistakes do most people make on their resumes?
We don't write resumes for a living, but we do read them professionally and in great volume - like your intended hiring manager. We have to process resumes quickly because of the sheer numbers and consequently, we skim read them only. We look for familiar patterns, key words and phraseology. We pull out the few we like and read those more carefully. So when you're writing resumes, you need to remember to pity the poor reader and don't get too fancy, use nomenclature common to that business and industry. And most importantly, get at the core of your problem solving abilities and track record of advancing business goals. In The PlayBook, we show you how to write resumes for professional readers, not writers. There is a big difference and it will show in the increased number of interviews.
13. Is it true that resumes should always be kept to one page?
Resumes should be succinct, punchy and easy to skim read. They should contain the essential elements of content anyone hiring will want to confirm about your career to date and job history. We don't recommend that you keep resumes to a single page and leave out important parts of your track record. However, there is an expectation that resumes shouldn't be more than two pages unless your industry commonly requires an expanded Curriculum Vitae. If you don't know what that is, you probably don't need more than two pages. In The PlayBook, we show you how to write powerfully crisp resumes that will get you more calls for interview.
14. What are the rules on when and what to negotiate in an offer?
Rule number one is don't negotiate just to negotiate. And rule number two, if you aren't much of a negotiator, just get what you need and leave some upside for your future boss to offer you later on your merits. However, if it's the job you want and you need more than what they are offering initially, there is the old adage: "Anything is negotiable". We recommend a simple approach and a win-win philosophy in that section of The PlayBook. And you start setting up your negotiating strategy while you're still interviewing, not just at final offer.
15. Can a company cancel a written offer once I've received it?
It depends on the State, but an offer is still just an offer until you sign it. If they cancel before you sign it, there is really nothing much you can do about it. On the other hand, if you sign and return it as formal acceptance and most importantly, if you quit your job after accepting a valid offer from another company, you may have some recourse through an attorney for damages. But, it is a fairly rare occurrence to see offers cancelled especially from larger companies.
16. What should I do if the job or compensation I accepted changes after I start work?
As in the FAQ#15, if you quit a job to take a new job and the position or compensation becomes immediately reduced for any reason, you may have some recourse if you can prove damages and particularly intent to sell you one thing and make you accept another. Many states allow employers to hire "at will", meaning both parties agree the job is offered and accepted without obligation on the part of the employer. There are limitations and most courts tend to err on the side of the plaintiff, which is usually the employee. You can always choose to stay with your employer if reasonable circumstances caused the reduction of position and/or pay. Remember, they may have chosen that alternative over laying you off altogether. You need to weigh the consequences in either case.
17. Should I give my boss a chance to beat an offer I've received from another company?
Generally we recommend that you don't try get into a bidding war with your boss over a new job. You may win the battle and get more money to stay, but you also lose important points that could cost you future promotions. You might also be first on the list for that next layoff. You should always be courteous to your current employer and if you have a close relationship with your boss, you might want to discuss leaving your company to advance your career. However, it you accept another offer, it is a commitment you are expected to keep. Make your departure as painless as possible, but be decisive. You'll find an important section on accepting offers without penalty in The PlayBook. It's helpful and can offer you insurance against making a serious career blunder.
18. Are companies supposed to pay your expenses if you have to relocate to work there?
Many companies offer to pay expenses to help you relocate. Typically they will pay reasonable moving of household goods. It should be part of relocation discussed in your offer letter. It is also negotiable. Sometimes you can receive cash advances, or send your moving bills directly to your new employer. Relocation reimbursement is becoming a more standard component of offers, particularly where recruiters are involved in the job placement. Be careful of the tax consequences however. They don't always tell you about that and you may be in for a shock at tax time.
19. Do I have any recourse if I move my family to take a new job and they lay me off after a few months?
As mentioned previously, you may have recourse to recover damages for negligence on the part of an employer. However, many States allow employers to hire "at will", meaning there is not obligation to employ you and you accept that when you take their offer. Still, depending on the State laws and circumstances, you may want to consult an attorney if you find yourself suddenly hung out to dry soon after you arrive at your new job.
20. Is it true what they say about the hidden job market, where you can get jobs before they are ever advertised?
We discuss the "hidden job market" throughout The JobCoach program and focus on it specifically in The PlayBook. Essentially it describes jobs which have not been advertised and are known only to insiders within a company. These jobs exist in all job markets and the trick is to find out about them before they are advertised so that you can get an interview and hopefully an offer before they are snatched up or put out to job boards. Once that happens, you just have to get in line with everyone else.
