Richard Maun

Tag: Job Hunting

  • Job Hunting Tips #1 …Be Specific

    To Richard... from one scrummy writer to another....
    To Richard… from one scrummy writer to another….

    Did I mention that I met Stephen Fry last week? He came to Holt to let me buy a copy of his latest book and of course I couldn’t resist popping by for a quick chat. I even let him sign it for me, as I know what a buzz that gives writers.

    And after he had signed it I handed him one of my new Twitter cards (see last week’s post) and asked if he’d be kind enough to pass it on to Mrs Stephen Fry, as her tweets are very droll. He laughed and said ‘Oh my goodness, yes I will’ in that voice of his that could have been agreeing to try out a particularly fiendish piece of grammatical tonguery, or just polish off a slice of rampantly creamy victoria sponge…

    …And breathe out. See; I went all Stephen Fry there for a minute….

    Anyway, as I was saying, the point was I gave him a card and asked for something. An hour later (I assume he had rushed home specifically) he had tweeted out my request to @MrsStephenFry and in addition @PippinFry was now following me, as were about a dozen new people.

    Much fun was had by all as we talked about getting a royal mention, but the point of it all was this:

    When you’re networking it pays to ask for something specific.

    People are more likely to remember it and act on it than if you’re just asking for something vague. People remember specific details and not generalisations, so don’t ask people if they ‘know someone who could help me’ …instead ask them (in my case) if they ‘know anyone who would be interested in becoming an ILM Accredited Level 5 Coach?’

    I would have asked Stephen (we’re on first name terms now), but I assume he’s already qualified, so went for the Twitter option instead.

    The vast majority of my recruitment colleagues agree that 75% of all new roles are filled through networking, which is bad news if you’re just hunting on websites and in the sits vac section of your local paper. However, to be successful at networking you have to ask for something specific. So, please ponder this question, which could make a crucial difference to you:

    Q: Who are you meeting this week: What precisely will you be asking them for?

    Here are some typical answers to that question to mull over:

    A) Who do you know who is looking for a business manager?

    B) This has been a useful meeting and could I be cheeky and ask for the names of 5 people who you think would be good to talk to?

    C) Thanks for your time and I’m interested in offering people a free two-day consultancy project, whilst I look for work. Who do you know who might be interested?

    Which one of the above might work best for you? I had planned my Stephen Fry request in advance and I had practiced my words a couple of times too, to be sure I captured the moment confidently. He was fun to meet and if he’s signing a book near you please pop in and say ‘hi’ from me…

     

    More Job Hunting Tips!

    If you’re new to this blog there are three great books listed on the homepage and you’re welcome to browse. One of them is one of the best practical guides to job hunting around. I know, because I wrote it, based on direct feedback from candidates and observation about what makes for success in the current market place. In addition, if you’d like to know how to write a book, do contact me and line up your questions. Or, if you’d like me be a speaker for your group or event then you can have that as well. I’ve been told that I’m good at it too. What would you like? Networking? Leadership? Running a business? Or to tap into the world of Transactional Analysis?

    Pass It On

    If you know someone who would be interested in this blog post please forward it to them, or ReTweet it, or let them know they can subscribe to regular emails via the box on the homepage.

    Next Week

    We’ll be looking at one of the most common errors people make on their CV. I’ll bet it’s not what you’re thinking!

  • The Secret Of Success

    Go on then have a guess; what kind of flower is it?
    Go on then have a guess; what kind of flower is it?

    What is the secret of success when you’re looking for a job? What is the secret of success when you’re running your own business? What is one thing you can’t buy, can’t steal and need to have? The answer is P-A-S-S-I-O-N. It’s the difference that makes a difference and if you’re selling yourself at a job interview, or selling your products or services then it’s important to let your passion show though. This is because ‘people buy people’ and although we often line up objective criteria to make our decisions, in practice our underlying emotions often have the whip hand and make the final selection.

    This tends to happen out of our awareness, which means that it’s easy to overlook the value of projecting positive emotions when trying to clinch that deal, or land that job. And there is a second issue which is that if you talk about being passionate directly, it can sound false and pretentious, because the key to success is to convey the emotion without stating it directly.

    How To Show Passion

    Here are 5 Top Tips to help you convey your passion when you want someone to buy you:

    1) Use lively words.This may sound simple, but salting your conversation with key words can really convey your passion because so few people do it well. If you’re using words such as like / enjoy / thrive / relish / enthusiastic / love …then people will hear your energy and enthusiasm. If you add in some ‘really like’ for added emphasis, then so much the better.

    2) Explain what lies behind your passion. It’s easy to claim passion and harder to back it up with a coherent case, so telling people what parts of your work really enthuse you will help them to make sense of your emotion.

    3) Smile. I have seen some people talk about their ‘passion’ for business with all the charisma of a dead cod. It doesn’t work. When you say your lively words, be sure to smile broadly as you recall the happy memories associated with them.

    4) Be realistic. Talk about your enthusiasm for supporting people, meeting a challenge head on, solving complex problems or being creative, for example. These aspects of work can stir our emotions in a way that licking envelopes or carrying boxes can fail to do.

    5) Be selective.  I have met people who are so enthusiastic about everything, it can start to sound a bit disbelieving. Unless they’re Mary Poppins of course and then that’s fair enough. Think about the things that really hook your interest, or your appetite for work and focus on these for maximum impact.

    Enjoy Yourself

    It’s OK to share your enthusiasm and to enjoy the effect you have on others when you talk about it. For example, I am the Director of a new programme starting at Cranfield in September (see below) and the delegates will benefit from working closely with myself and my colleagues. We love sharing our knowledge and supporting people in their development and it’s truly rewarding to see good people do well, and go on to secure new jobs.

    Our Task For This Week

    When you have to sell yourself at an interview, pitch an idea, or lead a team, then smile, drop in a few lively words and notice how people respond more warmly and with more energy.

    FREE Sample Book

    Do you know someone who is looking for work and needs a hand? Marshall Cavendish have put together a sample ebook of Job Hunting 3.0 which features the whole of the first section called ‘Getting Started’ and the whole of the final section called ‘Checklists’ containing (no surprises here) useful checklists full of interview questions, process tips and essential information for success. If you would like an exclusive copy; email me, subscribe to the blog, or use the contact box and I will zap a copy right back to you.

    Pass It On

    If you know someone who would be interested in this blog post please forward it to them, or ReTweet it, or let them know they can subscribe to regular emails via the box on the homepage.

    By The Way… FREE CRANFIELD COURSE ANYONE?

    At Cranfield University we’re running an Enhanced Personal Development Programme, starting 6th September and lasting for 4 weeks. If you know someone who is unemployed and who would like to learn about job hunting skills, management skills and have fun on a real consultancy project then contact me now. Places are limited and an opportunity to spend 4 weeks full-time at one of the best universities in the world is not to be missed. WARNING: This course can seriously improve your chances of getting a job and involves fun, new learning and will increase your confidence.

    Thank you for reading to the end and enjoy being passionate!

    Next week is all about how we limit ourselves by saying ‘Yes, but…’