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Greetings!
Welcome to Between the Trapezes! Often the changes in
our lives feel precarious as we are suspended between two certainties. But
the frightening moment passes as we bravely go on to the next step -- as we
must.
Enjoy reading, and feel free to forward this e-zine on to
anyone, wherever they are job searching! And if you received this email in
error, our apologies -- just unsubscribe using the easy link at the bottom
of this page.
Joanne
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Just Where Do Companies Find Their Best
Employees?
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CareerXRoads, a recruiting consultancy for private
industry, publishes an annual Sources of Hire Study. Their consultants
analyze how companies find their best people.
The 2006 study has the latest data. Sure, most corporations
do find some strong candidates by using popular job boards, and through
advertising on the company web site. But the number one source of new
employees is current employees. Over 25% of all new employees are
referred "in" by those who are employees already.
So what should we take away from this? Certainly, if you're
in job search, associate with employed people! Sure, if you're between
jobs, network with others who are also between jobs. But hang out with
those who have jobs already. Have lunch in their corporate cafes, attend
their functions, and by all means, network with them! This is true even
if you're employed now and just thinking about what's ahead.
You just never know which of your employed contacts will
become your advocate with their manager.
Thinking about
getting job search coaching?
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The Care and Feeding of Your Network
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 Your
network is the people you've known over the years, both socially and at
work. These are the people you start with as you manage your career,
whether between jobs or on the job. From there, you move on to meet the
networks of those in your network, and so on. How do you best keep your
network thriving and alive for you?
First, say "thank
you" a lot. Not just with thank-you notes, but with offers to help them.
Networking is a two-way street, so be sure to offer connections and
knowledge. You are a fellow professional so be prepared to help them,
whether or not they're in job search.
Second, if you're between jobs and attend job search networking groups, do
not treat your fellow networkers as people you continually complain
to, whine to, talk at. This is not a therapy group or your best
friends, these are fellow professionals. They are people who will one day
land a great job and if all you've ever done is sound like "woe is
me", that's how they'll remember you and thus won't pass your resume
on within their new companies. So treat them well by listening to them,
too, and by giving them ideas.
Third, it's a small world. Word gets around about people who are good to
talk with, so make yourself one of them. A client who recently landed,
got the job in part because the hiring manager with whom she interviewed
once worked for, and still greatly respected, one of her references! So
assume one person DOES know another until proven otherwise. It's usually
true, even in large metro areas.
Fourth, treat anyone who gives you a boost or helps move your search
along in any way. A gift card from Starbucks or Staples or OfficeMax will
be a "thank you" that they'll remember, and it's not so
expensive that you can't do it.
Last, keep your network
informed. You can send them a monthly email, whether it's a newsletter
like this or other format, thanking them for their ongoing help and
letting them know that you're targeting certain companies. And of course,
let them know when you've landed. By doing this, it tells them you are
thorough and pay attention to details far more than any resume bullet
point can say.
Care for your network and
it will take care of you.
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Joanne's Move to Minneapolis
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 By
the time you read the March issue of this Between the Trapezes
eNewsletter, I'll be a resident of Minneapolis. "It's cold
there!!" is what the frequent response has been to my telling people
where I'm moving, quickly followed by "Why are you moving there?"
The short answer to the question "Why?" is "To be nearer
to family", in the form of my stepsons. They are terrific young men
and one of them will become a father in July, which is a real thrill for
his dad and for me!
Yes, it's cold there for part of the year, especially way up north where
they like to set records for cold! Minneapolis isn't as extreme.
The story is that it's very difficult to recruit people to the Twin
Cities because of the wintry image of Minnesota -- but that once they're
there a while, they don't ever want to leave. From what I've learned, the
quality of life, exemplified by short commutes, the variety of year-round
outdoor activities around the many lakes, the diverse business
environment, and the more moderate cost of living, make for a strong
hold.
Who do you know there whose brain I can pick about Minneapolis area
business and company cultures? I'd sure appreciate networking with them!
So this is an exciting
new chapter in a vibrant new place for me. I've taken risks before but
have not ever gone so far from my northeast roots. I'll keep you posted
on all the changes.
But I can tell you a couple of things that won't change: my love for the
Patriots and the Red Sox!
Stay tuned.
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How to Order Joanne's Book
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What, you don't yet have your copy of The Resume
Queen's Job Search Thesaurus and Career Guide?!
Well, fortunately, that's a problem easily solved.
You can get it here
or on Amazon.com, where it's getting wonderful reviews. AND it's also
available as a iVersion
for your iPod.
And thank you for your order!
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Thought of the Day
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When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are
challenged to change ourselves.
Victor Frankl
_________________________
New word of the month: Greenwashing
What is greenwashing? It's defined as "the practice of making an
unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a
product, service or technology". And: "the unjustified
appropriation of environmental virtue". Sort of a combination of
"green" and "whitewash". Now you know.
_________________________
We are proud members of:
- Association of Career
Professionals Int'l
- Career Management
Alliance
- Career Counselors
Consortium/Boston
- Chapman Private Practice
Alliance
Called "The Resume Queen" years ago by a career
counselor colleague, Joanne Meehl decided to have fun
with the nickname (which we've officially trademarked). But she also
takes it seriously by keeping her career management skills on the leading
edge, through research and ongoing dialog with hiring managers.
You're now seeing us use "The Job Search Queen", which
better reflects the breadth of our services. The trademark is pending. We
use both "queen" nicknames in our materials.
Take a look at our
redesigned web site. A whole new look and easier-to-find
information!
________________________
More changes: You'll see that the name of our company is now Joanne
Meehl Career Services. This better aligns the company name with the
person clients work with. Dave Balzotti is now our Director of Research.
As of March 1st, our new location will be Minneapolis, Minnesota. This
move brings us closer to family and friends, and a different kind of
work-life balance. However, we're still working with professionals in job
search who live in Massachusetts and New England, via phone and Skype
video. So wherever you're located, we can work with you to ignite your
search and get you where you want to be.
Joanne's Blog:
The Heart of the Matter
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