TheLadders Blog

As a talent manager, the job search is something that I take very seriously. I spend lots of time researching companies, verifying medium salaries based on the economy and market trends, and preparing for candidate interviews. The fact that 7% of our job seekers “do not send thank you notes” is extremely surprising and begs the question, how important is the job search to you?

In the time I’ve spent interviewing candidates, working with hiring managers, and being a job seeker myself, I’ve found that sending thank you notes is always beneficial. For me, the job-search process has multiple steps, all which require critical attention. I try to truly understand the role I am applying for, confirm that it’s the best fit for my background, prepare for my interview, and send a timely and thoughtful follow-up.

Personally, I have always sent thank you notes to everyone I’ve interviewed with. It requires time and effort out a person’s day to bring you in for an interview, why not be appreciative of that? As a recruiter, I don’t expect a long-winded, detailed description of why you want the role; it needs to re-emphasize your ability to fill the role and show gratitude to the interviewers who spent time with you. I know hiring managers who have passed on hiring candidates strictly because they failed to follow up.

Long story short, sending a thank you note goes a long way and impacts your potential of getting hired, both now, and in the future. Send them!

Download TheLadders’ Giving Thanks Infographic

Mike Deissig is the Talent and Technology Development Manager at TheLadders.  Mike is constantly trying to improve the recruiting process and evolve technology integration with recruiting. In his spare time he enjoys watching football, being with friends, and trying all of the food this world has to offer! 

With the Presidential election closing in, many Americans are focused on what most of us would consider the biggest “interview” process for the title of “Leader of the Free World.” Our own job search, however, is no less important. Candidates can learn a lot from the Presidential candidates, in terms of what strategies to employ and what tactics to avoid.

If you’ve watched the debates (or have been within 100 miles of a computer), you know that the first debate went to the candidate who was better equipped and engaged. By asking questions during interviews, job seekers can show the hiring manager that they have done their research and are genuinely interested in the company. That said, it’s imperative to have the facts. Know the company’s strengths, and also the areas that can be improved, and make sure to call out personal strengths that will positively impact the company, overall.

Connections are key – both in politics and in the corporate world – so it’s not surprising that 82% of job seekers feel that knowing someone at a company gives them a leg up and that 73% said they landed an interview based on an employee referral.  Referrals are generally the hiring managers’ preferred method of finding candidates. If someone is willing to stake their professional reputation on you, then you must be worthy of consideration. Don’t be afraid to seek out referrals. Getting your foot in the door is often the hardest part, so use your connections to get the interview and THEN show the company why you deserve the role.

While Presidential candidates start campaigning heavily a year or so before the actual election, job seekers always should be networking. In fact, networking is one of the most important components of the job search, and establishing a strong network takes time. If you don’t network while employed, it’s likely that your network will be weak when you need it most. Leverage social networking, and be diligent  about noting the names and numbers of new contacts. You never know, they could end up being your swing vote.

Download TheLadders’ Election Day Infographic

David Levy is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) for TheLadders. While he loves his job helping clients build their careers, he usually manages to sneak out of the office on weekends to play Lacrosse and make new friends on New York City’s friendly subway system.

Here at TheLadders we are constantly working to find the best way for you to land your next position. Whether it’s improving the tools you are using, such as your resume or your cover letter, or offering valuable job-seeking strategies, we want to help you go about your search in the best way possible. What that boils down to is that, if we think that our members could be doing something better, we don’t wait for them to ask.

One of the first things we do is let our members know the importance of having an up-to-date profile and resume searchable on TheLadders. We recently went through our database and found thousands of members that had old profiles and resumes, or no resumes at all. There is no doubt that routinely updating your resume and membership profile on TheLadders greatly increases the attention you receive from recruiters and hiring managers.

To help our members get the most value from our services, we hit the phones to relay the importance of an up-to-date resume. And the message was well received! Within the first few weeks, 7,000 members went from unsearchable to searchable on TheLadders by completing their profiles and uploading their resumes. Most importantly, these 7,000 members are now closer to landing their next position.

Remember, we are here to answer your questions by phone, email or live chat, but as we come across tips to improve your job search, you may get answers from us before you even know the question.

Drake Naples is the Team Lead of the Job Search Support Center (JSSC) at TheLadders. He strives to ensure members of TheLadders are using the website as efficiently and effectively as possible to land their dream job.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Dr. Debra Condren, the radio host of “Ambition is Not a Dirty Word” on WebTalk Radio.

In addition to her show, Dr. Condren is a business psychologist who specializes in assessment-based executive coaching, talent and leadership development, and career advising. She is the also author of “Ambition is Not a Dirty Word: A Woman’s Guide to Earning Her Worth & Achieving Her Dreams,” and is the founder of Manhattan Business Coaching LLC. And you thought you were busy, huh?

Dr. Condren invited me on her show to discuss making a career transition – what you need to do to prepare for this type of job search, and what you can expect along the way. We had a really great conversation that covered the job-search gamut, from identifying goals, to formatting cover letters, to keeping upbeat when things aren’t going your way.

Below are three of the career-transition tips I shared with Dr. Condren and her listeners:

1. Do your research

• Identify industries that are strong or emerging, and are similar to your previous experience.
• Once you’ve chosen your target industry, use social networking, online resources, professional associations and network connections to learn as much as you can about the industry, its hiring practices, and any open opportunities.

2. Focus on job requirements, your qualifications and results

• Your cover letter and elevator pitch should focus on your ability to deliver results.
• When applying to jobs, focus on demonstrating how you meet all the primary job requirements for the role.
• If you’ve worked in multiple industries, leverage this point to demonstrate that you have been successful in a variety of industries in the past, and can be so again with this organization.

3. Show passion…and patience

• Determine why you find a particular industry or company appealing and show that passion in your elevator pitch and interviews.
• Remember that transitioning to a new role can be a long process, especially in this saturated job market. The greater the gap between your job goals and most recent experience, the more challenging this transition can be.
• It may be necessary to compromise on compensation and job title in your next job in order to get you on the right track towards your dream job.

Click here to listen to the full radio segment.

Click here for more tips on making a career transition.

I’m always honest, and it’s true that making a transition can be tricky in this current market. But don’t give up on your dreams! It may take you longer than you expected, but it can be done. Stay positive, continue looking forward, and keep working hard!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

Every day, I provide advice to job seekers on ways to improve their job search. Some clients are looking to get promoted at their current companies, whereas others want to change employers and will accept a lateral move in the same industry. That said, many are seeking something completely different. Apart from the advice and resources I offer, I motivate job seekers to step out of their comfort zones to look for possible job opportunities.

Looking at the results from our summer job-search survey, which are illustrated in our awesome infographic below, I cringe at the discovery that only 31% of respondents say that they network more during the summer. Summertime activities present a unique opportunity to network with loads of new people. Whether at the beach or at a baseball game, you should make it a point to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t already know. People are generally more relaxed during the summer, making it easier to grow your professional network while celebrating your social life.

However, seeing that 71% of respondents believe employers are less responsive during the summer was not surprising to me. Whether they’re taking an extended weekend at the beach or enjoying shortened summer hours, employers tend to be away from their desks more during the warmer months than other times of the year. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that hiring slows down during the summer, so it’s imperative to remain persistent.

While the summer may seem like a slow period for job seekers, there is typically less competition during these months, so it’s actually an ideal time to get out there, network, and seize the opportunity. For additional information, check out these tips to help job seekers stay motivated during the summer months, from Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine.

Click here to download a PDF version of the Summer Job Search Infographic.

Diana DeClemente is a Certified Professional Career Coach, CPCC, for TheLadders. She uses her savvy people skills to help job seekers set and achieve realistic goals and loves motivating them to find their next role. Outside work, Diana enjoys sitting on the beach and watching International House Hunters (separately, of course)!

Last week, I participated in a webinar hosted by Jack Chapman, author of “How to Make a $1,000 a Minute.”

The webinar, “Surviving the Coming 2013 Double Dip Recession,” focused on the “Trillion Dollar Meltdown,” providing attendees with a lesson in basic economic theory and explaining why recessions and inflation occur. The bottom line: he believes 2013 is going to be a hard year on our economy, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

But what does that mean for the average professional or job seeker? Jack recommends the following strategies:

• Enjoy the good old days. Take a moment and appreciate what you have today, and be prepared for inflation in the future.

• Be the best in your field. Focus on making yourself as valuable as possible to your organization – “the top 10 percent are always employed.”

• Build your “networld.” In other words, maintain and continue to grow a strong professional online presence. Remain visible among those in your field. Participate in group discussions, write articles, and attend events – all of these activities will help you learn of new opportunities, and put you on the radars of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Consider a second income.  What other talents and passions do you have that could be used to secure a side job? For retirees, consider taking up an “encore career” to maintain a steady source of income.

• Follow the money. Explore opportunities in industries that will still be in high demand, even during tougher times. Jack recommends researching roles within regulation, healthcare and telecom, and shying away from  the luxury industry, which he believes is still on the decline.

• Negotiate COLA. COLA stands for Cost Of Living Adjustment. Request a COLA when negotiating your compensation package with a new employer. This will prevent your compensation from losing its value because of inflation.

For someone who doesn’t know a lot about the “ins and outs” of economics, the presentation was interesting. However, I wish we had more time to dive a bit deeper into Jack’s job-search strategies. Judge for yourself – you can check out his presentation here.

If you’re currently on the job hunt, I recommend picking up a copy of Jack’s book. Personally, I think it’s the bible for salary negotiations. What I love most is how easy it is to follow – he gives actual examples of what to say in different scenarios, along with possible responses. He even provides a cheat sheet on negotiations at the beginning of the book for readers who need a quick refresher right before an interview.

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending a Step Up Women’s Network Power Breakfast with Banana Republic’s Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Catherine Sadler.

For those of you unfamiliar with the group, Step Up Women’s Network is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to “igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential.” They provide after-school and weekend programs to help teenage girls from under-privileged communities become confident young women prepared for college. Their members gain access to social networking events, professional development panels and hands-on volunteer opportunities. If you live in Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, I highly recommend checking them out.

The event, which was held in Banana Republic’s Fifth Avenue location, was packed! Catherine discussed the journey she’s taken throughout her career, from her early days in publishing, to leading the marketing groups of renowned retail companies, including Ann Taylor and Coach. She also led her own creative and marketing agency, and worked with Donna Karan on her Urban Zen Foundation.

Catherine then answered a myriad of questions from the audience on all aspects of her career, from how she balances family and work, to what she looks for in candidates when hiring. Here are a few key takeaways:

On marketing: Catherine says that, as a marketer, it’s vital to a company’s success to integrate marketing efforts with other divisions of the organization. Additionally, if becoming CMO is your goal, take an active role in all marketing functions, from public relations and advertising, to branding and visual merchandising.

On hiring: In looking for prospective employees, Catherine is interested in the person who, in addition to having the required skills, possesses a genuine curiosity about the business and its direction. She looks for people who have the right level of engagement, interest and passion, who’ve researched the brand and industry, and come prepared with questions.

On career: When asked what three words she’d put on a t-shirt, Catherine gave these options: “Dreaming the Dream,” “Follow your Bliss,” and “Find your Passion.” However, she also warns that work shouldn’t define you completely, and you need to keep that in mind when trying to strike that perfect balance between work and life.

I think she’s spot-on. You spend a large portion of your life at work. Shouldn’t you be doing what you are great at and passionate about? I know that I have, and hope the same for all of you!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

At TheLadders, we pride ourselves in providing our members and affiliates with valuable tools that make the job search as seamless, and painless, as possible. As such, I’m very happy to announce that we’ve added two more resources to our already established arsenal: The Career Chronicles and the Recruit Blog.

The Career Chronicles is TheLadders’ premier job search and career advice blog, written by our talented staff of resume writers and career coaches. Additionally, beginning today, our resident Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine will answer your toughest job-search questions in her weekly advice column Ask Amanda. If you have a question for Amanda, submit it here for a chance to be featured in an upcoming column.

For our recruiters and employers, we have our new Recruit Blog, which is chock-full of information from our enterprise team about candidate sourcing, resume selection and interviewing. What’s more, we will publish a variety proprietary research conducted by TheLadders to arm you with valuable insight into the mindsets of today’s job candidates.

In our mission to supply you with the best resources available, we hope that you find these new tools useful. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Patty Youngclaus is the associate manager of public relations at TheLadders. Outside of work, Patty enjoys going to the beach, playing softball and being around family and friends. Once football season begins, her weekends (and sometimes Mondays and Saturdays) are reserved for the New York Giants.

For the past eight years, it has been my passion to educate professionals on the job search process. It may sound cliché, but I truly enjoy teaching people the “tricks of the trade” to land them the job they want.

I’ve done everything from one-on-one career coaching, to hosting networking mixers with job seekers and recruiters, to giving presentations and speaking on panels to groups of professionals looking to make a career change.

So, when CBS New York asked to me to provide job-seeking advice for the “lazy days of summer,” I was absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to share my insights with such a large audience!

During the interview I explained how to execute a successful job search in today’s market, and ways to differentiate yourself from the competition during the “lazy days of summer.”

For all of those in the New York area, tune in to CBS New York (channel 2) today at 5 p.m. to learn how you can gain a competitive edge. For everyone else, please visit The Career Chronicles on Monday to watch the segment online.

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

When I was approached to write about the results of our latest survey on military professionals, I was a bit reluctant. After being reassured that I wasn’t expected to produce Pulitzer Prize-winning material, I said, “Why not?” As a former Marine who’s had to go job hunting since leaving the military, I’ve experienced firsthand some of the things we surveyed.

When I saw the results, I had mixed reactions. For example, I wasn’t surprised that one of the most important things to veterans looking for a job in the civilian world was workplace camaraderie.  Most people in corporate America won’t easily understand the bond military personnel share with each other. Our relationship with the people we work with is what makes what would otherwise be an unbearable situation, like being deployed to a highly volatile area, tolerable.

I was surprised to find that 50% of the people surveyed found it more difficult to find a job in the private sector. My experience was the opposite. I found it easier, perhaps due to some of the assumptions we analyzed. In my case, employers assumed I would have discipline, a strong work ethic and possess leadership skills.

While veterans are like everyone else in a many ways, there are certain unique perspectives we hold. The fact that TheLadders is honoring veterans and active military by taking an interest in what THEY are looking for in prospective employers speaks volumes. I feel extremely grateful to be a part of such an exceptional company.

Yolmi Rivera, LCpl, USMC (former)

Click here to download a PDF version of this infographic

Yolmi Rivera is the Executive Assistant to Alex Douzet, COO and Co-founder of TheLadders. When she’s not busy managing his day, she’s at home running around after her two kids, two dogs and one husband. As long as there are mangos available, she’s happy.