Injured Worker Help Desk

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Job search tip of the day: map out your ideal work day

Whether you Considering a career change after an injury or looking to change employment, your first step should be to think about how you want your work day to be. As adults, we spend at least a third of our day working. Get few of us give much thought to planning our careers.

Most often, myself included, we have just kind of "lucked into" this or that job or career. What's more, once in a position, we often count ourselves lucky to be among the employed. We don't have it so bad...

If you are reading this it is likely that you are at least wondering what else might be out there. If you are unemployed you might be tempted to disregard this article entirely. DON'T.

You will be far more successful in your job search if you know what you want and are eager to pursue it. Without a focus of some sort, you will be more likely to miss out on opportunities for pursuing what could be your dream job.

Stop what you are doing now and jot a few notes about what you would like your workday to be like. Would you prefer to work:

Days or nights

In an office or at home

For a large corporations or a small business

Alone or as part of a team

On the phone or in the field

With people things or information

Getting your hands dirty or dressing up every day

At a predetermined rate or sky's the limit commission

In a position of responsibility or following directions

These are just a few of the questions you can ask yourself to begin planning a satisfying career. Not down even more ideas as you come across jobs that pique your interest. Once you have a focus don't be afraid to look beyond what you are currently searching for and assess what opportunities make sense given where you want to go.

It's your journey. Why not make the most of it?

Friday, August 10, 2012

Job Search Tip of the Day: Make a list of everyone you know

I often ask the injured workers I assist to do this when I first start working with them... I am often met with resistance! It usually takes a couple of sessions and some nagging for job seekers to understand how important this step is in finding a job!

Save yourself the trouble - just make a list of everyone you know. It might take a couple of days of walking around with the list so that you can write everyone down, but that is ok. If you have a contact management program or address book, even better!

This list will be your anchor in weeks to come. Some people you know will be a help to you by supporting you emotionally. Others, may know someone who knows someone who may be interested in hiring you. Still others will be able to serve as a reference. For now, just make the list or access it if already done.

Once your list is done add all the contact information you have/know for each person. Review the list and determine how each person might help you and label them accordingly. For those that you have labelled fill in the missing contact information.

Set aside a couple of hours one day a week to network with those people on your list that you feel might:

Work somewhere you would be interested in working
Know a lot of people
Be active in groups - civic, business and industry, non-profits, etc
Respect enough to consult for advice on how to conduct your job search

Go out of your way to stay in touch with and even (gasp!) enlist support from those on your list that are:

Positive and Upbeat
Caring and Supportive by nature
Have recently been out of work or helped another who was unemployed
likable - just hearing their voice might be a pick me up

It is easy to lose touch with people on your best day. When you are out of work and not feeling at the top of your game it is very difficult to reach out to others and even harder to ask for help. BUT, it is crucial that you work to do so - it will keep you sane and help you find your next job!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Job Search Tip of the Day: Make a To Do List and check items off

It is easy to get overwhelmed if you are conducting an active job search post-injury! Throw in the fact your home and family life continue to require your thoughts, effort, time and money and it can seem as if there is no way to get everything done.

When you are juggling a lot of responsibilities it is often helpful to make a to do list. This list can be as simple or as detailed as you like, but I recommend just sitting down and making a plain old-fashioned list on paper. For now don’t pay any attention to order or whether it is for job search, home or family.

Carry a pen and the notebook you make this list on with you all day. Every time you think of something that needs to be done write it down. If you later think of a task, actually open up the notebook and find it on the list. Remind yourself it is written down. Let it go.

At the end of the day, cross off anything you happened to do since you started your list – instant progress! Organize the remaining tasks into broad categories according to what makes sense for your tasks.

For example, I organize my lists according to whether or not they can be done at the computer, on the phone, or in the car (errands). I tend to do things when I am in the mood or have a chunk of time, so this makes sense to me. It might make more sense in your situation to have categories like Job Search, Networking, House, Errands, Kids.

Don’t make too many categories or your list will quickly suck up too much of your time trying to keep things straight. Once you have identified your categories label each task with the first letter of the appropriate category: J for Job Search, N for networking, etc.

Now that you have each task on your list assigned to a category tear out that page and label the tops of fresh sheets with your categories. At this point you should have several pages with each of your categories at the top.

Copy your tasks over onto the appropriate page until all your tasks have been transferred. Now you have a list of things to do for each of your selected categories. Scan down through each and number the first three on each page that you want to complete before all the others.

Voila! You have an organized list of things to do tomorrow and will have a productive day without worry. Make sure to cross off or check mark each task that you complete so that you can see your progress.

Add anything that comes up to the appropriate list. When you fill a page, just start a new one and transfer only the undone tasks to the fresh page. Even if you tend to use the computer to organize yourself I recommend you use the paper method to get started.

To organize your list on the computer, try one of the following.

Your calendar (Outlook, google, Hotmail, other)

Word or other word processing program

Excel or other spreadsheet program

Don’t forget to cross off each item as you complete the task – it will give you a sense of accomplishment, not to mention satisfaction!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Job Search Tip of the Day: Revisit your references

Chances are if you are job searching you have given some thought to who you might use as a reference. However, you might be worried about your reference at your employer of injury. Give thought to who there you will use. Now rather than later - say when you are being seriously considered for a job!

You should have a list of 10 people and their detailed contact information to meet the requests of various employers.

You should have one reference per position from someone at the company you worked for, preferably a superior. You should also have on hand a list of three relatives and three close friends with their detailed contact information. If you have a teacher, clergy, vocational counselor or other professional that could serve as a reference gather and maintain their contact information as well.

Contact all your references periodically to keep them apprised of you progress in finding a job and any changes in focus that you may make. Update any changes in their contact information immediately. Consider asking some or all of your references for a letter of recommendation that you can have on hand to present to employers if called for an interview.

Prepare and carry with you a Reference Page with three to five references listed below your name and contact information. This can be referenced when completing applications or provided to an employer if you obtain an impromptu interview.

References should not be provided without being asked for them UNLESS you have several that you can count on to be savvy enough to present the appropriate skills to the appropriate employers consistently. It is preferable to be able to notify your references that they will be called (many people do not answer calls from unknown callers), the position for which you are applying, and the skills that you would like them to highlight.

Sample Reference List

(via http://www.effective-résumé -writing.com/résumé -reference-sample-page.html

John B. Harding
123 Washington Avenue
Homewood, Illinois 12345
(123) 456-7890

Jan Miles, Operations Manager
Shorewood Manufacturing, Inc.
123 East Muncie Avenue
Shorewood, Illinois 12345
(123) 456-7890

Carl J. Walker, Director of Human Resources
Ace Hospital Supplies, Inc.
789 Tanaka Circle
Freeport, Illinois 12345
(111) 111-3333

William T. Gannon, Shop Supervisor
Rail Cars Express
900 Smithton Street
Seaside, California 12345
(111) 111-4444

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I have a panel Interview: What should I expect?

Panel interviews tend to be more formal than other types of interviews and can be especially nerve racking if you allow it to! Panel interviews can be more time and cost effective for the employer and may result in a quicker hiring process.

Most often, the employer representatives will hold different roles. For example, a Direct Supervisor, Manager, District Manager, Human Resources and Administrative Assistant may all be involved in interviewing perspective candidates. Each will have questions relevant to their roles and/or interests.

Think about the interview as if it were a business meeting or group and you should be fine! Answer each person's questions as if they were the only one interviewing you. Even if a question from one representative is similar to another's answer with their role in mind to give the most meaningful answer.

Panel interviews can be confusing - it is perfectly acceptable to come with and refer to notes. It is also fine to jot notes if they tell you something you might like to ask more about etc. - just let them know you may take a few notes to remember the important information they are giving you!

Bring 7 resumes if they told you 5 people - you will want one for yourself that is exactly like theirs to refer to so you don't get confused! Here are some interview questions to practice: Practice Interviewing

Some questions to ask the employer:

What brought you to work for this company?
What do you like best about working here?
Ask for tour to if it is possible to shadow someone doing this job.
How did I do?
What is the best way to follow up?
Research and be prepared to ask a couple of questions from that.
What advice can you give someone like myself who would like very much to obtain this position?

To banish nervousness prior to the interview:

Get a good night sleep and set alarm for well ahead of when you need to get up.
Eat the day of the interview!
Get all of your resumes and handouts ready and by the door/in the car the night before.
Drive to the interview location ahead of time and add on 15 minutes.
Don't forget to be aware of "hall room behavior" - you never know who you might be in contact with from the parking lot on in!
Make sure your elevator pitch is polished beyond perfection!
Breathe.

Remember - just treat it like a meeting or a group and you won't feel nervous. Tell them you are nervous at the outset if that is the case. Explain that you are really excited about the opportunity and want to do well!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Job Search Tip of the Day: Ask someone for input about your good qualities

When you are undergoing a job search, you may find that most of the feedback you get is negative. Worse, you may not get any feedback at all! Take time today to ask someone close to you for input about your good qualities.

You can ask for feedback about work related qualities that you can use with employers in future applications or interviews. Or you can ask for feedback in general for a list of the good qualities you possess in general - this can help shore you up on those days when you may feel a little down!

Scrambled Eggs: Don’t stop job searching after a good interview or application

The interview went great! You were assured they would call you in the next few days, weeks, hours, etc… You really hit it off or gelled with the employer. Or, maybe you completed a lengthy online application process and just know you passed all the tests they threw at you.

You know you shouldn’t stop job searching, but….You do. Yup. You just put all your eggs in one basket. The employer may very well call you and offer you the job as you (and he or she) expects after such a good interview.

The issue is that he or she may NOT call you to offer you the job after such a good interview. There are several reasons why you should continue your job search even if you think you “got the job.”

1. You may not have been the last interviewee for the position. Even if your interview went perfectly, the next candidate may have just a bit more of this or that skill, knowledge or that unnamable something than you.

2. You may not like the conditions of the job offer. It may have sounded good during the interview, but you may find that the bonus threshold is unrealistic or the wage offered too low.

3. The employer may require you to sign a contract with unreasonable non-compete or other clauses.

4. If you stop job searching you may miss out on even better opportunities you may not know about yet. Continuing to job search will insure that you are being considered for all the best possible opportunities available.

5. “Every job is temporary” as my colleagues at www.CAREEREALISM.com say – you never know when an application you submit will be reviewed and acted upon. Several times over the years I have received calls out of the blue from past clients who say, “Remember that job I really wanted? They just called me for an interview and hired me on the spot!”

If you had a great interview… Congratulations! Celebrate…. Go out to dinner with your loved on…. But, resume job search tomorrow – you won’t regret it!

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