Saturday, January 25, 2014

Ed Hunter, Career Coach speaks at the Giant while the snow falls gently all around

Well, not exactly, but the weather was daunting enough that very few people were out on the roads.

Here's Ed Hunter, who I recognized from his website Life in Progress Coaching. 

Robin Frankin, head of the community room activities, helped us set up the room. I mentioned to her that I read in the Inquirer that Giant just donated $5 million to CHOP, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which she knew about.

All the more reason to shop at the Giant! Social responsibility.

I'll say one thing about Ed's presentation. There was not a single moment of boredom. He livened his talk with anecdotes about himself and his clients and seasoned it with a sense of humor. Wish I had space to tell you some of his tales, such as sitting next to a woman on the airplane, who was dissatisfied about her job, until he asked her: What is your dream job?

To his astonishment, she said she wanted to own a biz that trained Guide Dogs for the Blind.



WHAT GETS PEOPLE HIRED? Their intelligence. That's the no. one factor. Everyone wants smart people but the number one thing that derails careers is RELATIONSHIPS.

People must learn to build relationships at work.

Here's a few of our intrepid job seekers. Would you hire people who came out in the snow to learn how to find work?  





JOB SEARCH. Several different types. Active job seekers are constantly on the Internet looking for jobs. They go on well-known sites like Monster.com, CareerBuilders, Craigslist - watch out for scams -  and LinkedIn. Ed advises to sign on with LinkedIn, altho he believes there's only a small chance it will help land you a job. Go on their Groups site.

Passive job seekers are happy with their jobs but if a great opportunity comes along they'll investigate.

70 percent of jobs in the US are with small businesses with less than 100 employees. 

Ed discussed the SAW Method of seeking work.

S for SEEK is the dominant method. Seems like it should work, going on above websites, but it's not that effective.

A for APPLY. Companies want you to apply online b/c it's really a fence to keep you out, said Ed. People prefer to walk into a company and charm them with their personality, but it doesn't work that way anymore. You can chance it with a small biz and have a conversation with someone.

W for WAIT BY THE PHONE. Don't you hate that? (Oh, maybe that's them, offering me a job, or a second interview, when it's only your wife asking you to buy milk on the way home.)

Ed likes the teachings and books of LOU ADLER, a noted recruiter. 

Note to Mr Adler from Ms Deming:  Your website's a bit dull-looking. Spice it up with some nice colors and designs. Also, get to the point. During the cursory look I took at your website, I didn't learn anything. You're too long-winded.

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR COMPETITION, said Ed. There's another international recruiting firm called Management Recruiters International. Look at their attractive website.

Looks do count! BTW, I knew the man who founded MRI, who became a billionaire. Alan Schonberg worked with my dad at Majestic Specialties, ladies' apparel in Cleveland. Alan left to co-found his company. And my dad died a pauper, buried in a pauper's grave. Not really, that's me... I have no burial insurance.

Alan Schonberg lost his battle to lung cancer last November at age 85. Click on that link above to learn of the importance of mentors.

Lou Adler took a survey of 1600 people. The question was: How did you get your last job?

12 percent got it through the Internet
32 percent through Passive Seeking, an opportunity came up
46 percent through Networking
14 percent through Recruiters, who only look for executives or professionals. 

The Hidden Job Market is Public, Someone found you on LinkedIn.



When finding a job, said Ed, ask yourself these questions: What job would be fun to try next? If you have an inkling that you're not going to enjoy a particular job, don't work there out of desperation. Most likely, you'll be miserable and back to square one.

Sell yourself like E F Hutton sold itself in commercials.

When E F Hutton talks, people listen. Watch this legendary commercial here. 

Be enthusiastic and passionate about your interests. You've got to tell people what you've done, in an exciting way, not a boring way.



Papa! You done got the job! And bring along your brand new bag.

IDENTIFY YOUR NETWORK.

Relatives
Colleagues
People you know like dentists, lawyers, accountants

IDENTIFY TARGET EMPLOYERS.

Who would you like to work for?









Have conversations - not with this guy - and learn about what you want to do next.

Okay to say on an interview "I'm in transition." Be honest. And tell them what you'd love to do.

Be kind to yourself, said Ed, while looking for work. For sure, the Job Hunt is not for sissies.

Applause for Ed Hunter, who came all the way from Valley Forge, and a special gift to warm your house in winter... Red Cyclomen











1 comment:

  1. I am not sure what Judy is or isn't right about. The poem is striking to me. It pulled me in from the start, though it wasn't "pretty" but that's fine. It told a good story and touched on some real emotion, also painted some good pictures that were easy to see. The emotion was there, but matter of fact. It wasn't maudlin but real and thoughtful to me. I didn't get the "alphabetical order of their birth" line. That was the only one that didn't make sense to me. If alphabetical, wouldn't it be Dan and Sarah, but the opposite if by birth order? Did I not get something you intended. The only small problem I had was line breaks. I think that needs a little work in how it flows when you read it. They don't feel like they are placed quite right to me, but what do I know? I go by instinct and have a feeling you do too. Overall, I like it. Didn't Judy? What does it matter if the idea came to you through something you saw. The world is our oyster when it comes to ideas for poetry.

    Will check out Ed, the Coach's site. Glad he gave a good presentation for you.

    ReplyDelete