The past two weeks we have talked about how to give a great "Tell me about yourself" or TMAY. The first week we discussed the importance of your "hook." The hook portion of your TMAY is important because it requires you to engage your audience by capturing their attention, and getting them interested in what you have to say. The next portion of your TMAY is your "WHAT" statement. Your WHAT statement tells your audience a little bit more about what you do, and it allows you to delve into more of the specifics of what you have to offer. Now we are going to get into the final aspect of your TMAY, which is your "evidence."
  Anyone can say that they can give the best massage or sell the best insurance package or offer the best legal advice, however, unless you can back that statement up with strong evidence that supports your case, what you say is worthless. The hook and the WHAT part of your TMAY are meaningless if you cannot provide an example that supports what it is your are promising. For example, if I were to tell you that I am the worlds best recruiter, and that I can find you a job in less then 3 months, however, I could not give you an example of where I have actually done this, then my hook and my WHAT statement are meaningless. Giving evidence as part of your TMAY is something that is often forgotten or overlooked. People will talk for hours about WHAT they do or they will make big promises to you about what they can provide, but when it comes to giving an example or evidence to support what they are saying, people fall flat.
 This is why having evidence is such an integral part of your TMAY. When you are considering what your hook is going to be, you should first think about an example that you have that backs up your hook statement. For example, if I tell you that I can help job seekers land the perfect 6 figure job in less then 6 months, I would then want to make sure that I can illustrate this point through a recent example of where I was successful such as: "In one of the slowest months of the year, December, I was able to help two different job seekers land 6 figure jobs." This would be my evidence to back up my hook. A great way to come up with strong evidence is to make a list of achievements in your line of work. Doing this will help give you the foundation for a great TMAY!

Remember, the formula to an effective TMAY is as follows:

HOOK+WHAT+EVIDENCE= A great TMAY that will get you the job and/or the client!

    Last week we covered how to give a good hook in your TMAY. This week I want to talk about what comes after a great hook. Once you have your audience hooked, whether in an interviewing situation or a networking situation, the next step is to say a bit more about WHAT you do, without having them lose interest. Where people falter is when it comes to discussing WHAT they do in an interesting and informative way. Your hook starts by telling them about the problem that you solve and the group of people that you solve it for, and then your WHAT statement should expound upon your hook in more detail. Below is an example of my hook and my WHAT statement:
    "You know how millions of Americans are struggling because they are out of work and cannot find a job? Well what I do is I coach them on how to land the perfect 6 figure job in less then 3 months." (Hook) "How I do this is by determining the individuals strengths and weaknesses, helping them in creating a personalized Wishlist and daily declaration, and then creating a personalized 3 month coaching program that facilitates the person landing their dream job." (WHAT)
    Notice how I do not go into too much depth with my WHAT statement. Your WHAT statement should be short, sweet and to the point. People can often lose interest if you go too much into the technical aspect of WHAT you do to quickly. Your WHAT statement should only be 1-3 sentences at the very most and should paint a broad picture of how you solve the problem you mentioned in your hook. Once you have done your hook and your WHAT statement, there is only one more step to perfecting your TMAY.
    Check back next week to see what the last step is in giving a great TMAY.
  

   Your Tell Me About Yourself (TMAY) statement could be one of the most important things you ever say. Giving a great TMAY can open many doors for you and can help you land your dream job or business deal! What makes a great TMAY? One of the most critical elements of your TMAY is your "hook." If you have a good hook the rest flows easily. How do you create a good hook?
   Creating your hook does not have to be hard work. There is a very simple and easy to use formula to quickly capture the attention of your audience. Here is what the formula looks like:"You know how X? Well what I do is Y." The idea is that you start off by describing a problem that a group of people faces (X), and then you explain how you solve that problem in a unique, effective and memorable way (Y). The reason you want to do this is that most people start off by telling you WHAT they do, instead of telling you how they can solve your problem. When you talk to people in terms of problem/solution they become much more engaged and interested in what you have to say!
   My hook to my TMAY looks something like this "You know how millions of Americans are struggling right now because they are out of work? Well what I do is coach them on how to land the perfect 6 figure job in less then 6 months." It is simple and to the point, but at the same time powerful. I was saying my TMAY to someone at a coffee shop, and the person standing next to them overheard me and asked me for my business card. I later wound up coaching that person on their career all because they overheard my TMAY statement.
   If you want to know if your TMAY is effective, practice it! The next time you go to a party or networking event and someone asks you what you do, say ONLY your hook and shut up. If you have said your hook well and intrigued your audience, there will always be a follow up question such as "How do you do that?" or "Tell me more about that." It is a great way to gauge how effective your hook is. If someone immediately loses interest after your hook, then you know you have to go back and re-work it.
   Check back next week to find out the second part to a great TMAY statement!

    When choosing which recruiter or recruiters you should use to assist you with your job search, it is important that you do your due diligence before committing. Finding the right recruiter to fit your personality should not be work, but if you do not choose wisely, your decision could have long term implications on your career. Like many things, there are good recruiters and bad recruiters out there. The question is: how do you tell the difference?
    In order to find a recruiter who is looking out for your best interests and not just for their next paycheck, there are a few things to consider. The first thing you want to look at is: does this recruiter specialize in my field? There are as many recruiters out there as there are jobs so it is important to find one who works in your particular field. If you are in the IT world, you would want someone who is tech savvy and knows the type of technology you are dealing with. Ask your recruiter what areas they specialize in and see if they line up with your skill set.
   The next thing to think about is: should I trust this person? Many recruiters will get so excited by a good resume that they will not dot their i's and cross their t's. You need to take them time to meet with your recruiter whenever possible, and be sure that your recruiter takes the time to get to know you and what you are looking for in your next position. If a recruiter simply wants to send your resume out without taking the time to understand what you want, chances are they are just looking to make a quick buck. Be sure to emphasize that you do not want your resume sent ANYWHERE without your permission. If your resume gets sent to an employer without your knowledge this can hurt you in the long run if you go to apply to that company later on your own or through a recruiter you do like.
   Once you have established that your recruiter is trustworthy and specializes in your field, see if that recruiter can provide recommendations. Now, I want to be clear, most recruiters would not appreciate it if you called them asking for a list of references. If instead you ask them where you can find recommendations on them I am sure they will be happy to direct you to their Linkedin profile or website where they should have at least one or more recommendations if they are any good.

I hope this helps you in your search to find a good recruiter.

Are you just starting your job search or are you confused about where to start? Not knowing how or where to look for a job is one of the biggest obstacles most job seekers face in their job search. So where do you begin?

There are a few things that you should do to get started with your job search:

1) Create a Wishlist of exactly what you are looking for in your next position. It is important to know what you want and what you are willing to accept so that when the right opportunity arises you will be able to recognize it. A Wishlist should be comprised of things such as: Salary, Benefits, Environment, Location, Company Culture, Hours, Title, etc...

2) Write a great resume that effectively presents the value you have to offer a company. I am not a huge fan of posting your resume on www.monster.com or www.careerbuilder.com, however that is up to you.

3) Get on www.indeed.com and set yourself up with email alerts for different positions in your area. If you are an executive assistant you might want to set up 3 or 4 searches that say things such as "executive secretary AND Los Angeles", "executive assistant AND Los Angeles", and "administrative assistant AND Los Angeles".

4) Set yourself up with a profile on www.linkedin.com. You want to make sure you have a picture and at least one recommendation. In addition, you want to have a full profile including a summary, and all of your past positions listed. If you are unemployed, you might want to consider posting your full resume on Linkedin through their application Box.net. If you do choose to do this, please be sure to omit your address and only leave your phone number and email address on your resume. Linkedin is quickly becoming the go to tool for both recruiters and hiring managers. Hiring managers and recruiters will reach out to you directly regarding positions. If you are employed, it is perfectly acceptable to have a profile on Linkedin, and it is a great way to passively job hunt.

5) Find yourself a recruiter. If you are someone who specializes in a particular field, having a recruiter can be a great resource for you. You may want to meet with 3 or 4 recruiters to efficiently choose who you want to represent you. It is perfectly acceptable to have more than 1 recruiter working with you, however, it is important that you keep meticulous track of where you resume has been sent.

6) Begin submitting your resume to positions you see on websites such as www.craigslist.com, www.indeed.com, www.jobshouts.com, www.linkedin.com and any other places you may find a job. It is critical that you keep a running list of where your resume has been sent, by whom it was sent (ie. you or a recruiter), when it was sent, and what position it was sent for.

7) Attend networking events. Networking events are one of the best ways to find a new position. 80% of positions are filled through word of mouth. Of the 80% of positions that are filled by word of mouth, a majority are filled by acquaintances and not by close friends or colleagues. Work on your "Tell me about yourself" statement and get out there and start meeting people.

8) Brush up on your interviewing skills. Getting the interview is half the battle. The other half the battle is not talking yourself out of the position. Find a Career Coach or a friend who can help you prepare for your interviews.

I hope this helps and best of luck in your job search!

What does it mean about you if you were laid off? Does it mean that you are not employable or that there is something wrong with you? Absolutely NOT! People who have been laid off are getting hired all the time. The lay off is not what matters. What matters is how you handle your explanation of being laid off in the interview.

I meet with hundreds, if not thousands of job seekers every year. In the past 2 years, a large number of these job seekers have been people who were laid off. Many of them ask me what are they doing wrong that is not having them land the job. I share with them that they are not doing anything wrong, it is just that they are not being effective in their explanation of why they left their last position.

Often times, when I ask someone why they left their last position they will give me an incredulous look that says "duh!,"and then they will say some version of the following "I was laid off," "My company closed," "My position was eliminated," etc.. DO NOT FOCUS ON THE LAY OFF! The problem is that everyone is saying the same thing and that is NOT memorable. What I coach my clients to do is to focus on what they liked about their last job, rather than focusing on the lay off, and then to follow up with how excited they are to find a great new position they can stay at long term. For example, if Betty was at her company 5 years and she loved her job, I would have Betty start by telling the employer why she stayed at her job for 5 years and how much she enjoyed her job. Then I would coach Betty to lightly mention the lay off, and finish by focusing on what she gets to create in her next position.

There is a little mantra that I teach people that helps them to remember this for their interview. I call it the GOOD-BAD-GOOD method. Next time you get stuck on a tricky question that could come across as negative in an interview, always try to start with a positive, lightly touch on the negative aspect, and then finish by bringing it back to a positive.

Good luck!

1) Not showing enthusiasm for the position and/or the company and why you want to work for them
2) Answering your phone and/or having your phone ring during the interview
3) Not have a good reason why they should want to hire you
4) Putting "see attached resume" on your application instead of filling it out completely
5) Not bringing a copy of your resume to the interview

What has one person get hired over another? Do you get theinterviews, but never get the offers? There are people getting hired in thistough economy, so the question becomes, how do you make yourself stand out from the millions of other people who are also looking for a job? Below is a list ofthe top 10 things that differentiates those who get hired from those who do not. 

People who get hired…

1) Research a firm thoroughly before their interview, andcreate a persuasive case for why they should be the one chosen for theposition.

2) Exhibit self-confidence and can provide at least 10 examplesof where they will increase the company’s productivity, effectiveness orperformance.

3) Have a minimum of 10 talking points prepared that supportthe case for why they should be hired and consistently utilize these pointsthroughout the interview to solidify their position.

4) Drive by the location of the interview in advance so thatthey will not get lost the day of the interview.

5) Give themselves an extra 30 minutes or more to account fortraffic, arrive early and review their notes before they go in.

6) Keep in touch with good contacts at old companies so it iseasy to provide outstanding references when requested.

7) Fill out their application thoroughly and completely andnever put “see attached resume” on their application.

8) Practice their interview questions and answers with aprofessional coach or a friend who is willing to be brutally honest regardingtheir response.

9) Prepare and give a great “Tell me about yourself” that addressesthe company’s problem and how they intend to solve it.

10) Never put the interviewer on the defensive, includingexhibiting a flexible attitude throughout the entire interview.

AND THEY ALWAYS DRESS TO IMPRESS!

As a recruiter, the primary tool I use to help me fill positions is Linkedin. I am consistently amazed by the quality and caliber of candidates who are now posting their profiles on Linkedin.  I would venture to say that Linkedin is soon going to replace websites such as Monster and CareerBuilder for company’s recruiting needs. If you want your profile to be found on Linkedin and you want to be the one called for opportunities, then there are a few key things you need to know about what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for:

1)   Do you have a profile picture? This is important because if you don’t have a picture it could make the hiring manager wonder what you are trying to hide. I get people who often ask me, “What if the company will use that picture to discriminate against me?” This is a valid concern. What I explain to job seekers is that if a company is going to discriminate against you based on a picture, they are going to be just as likely to discriminate against you when they meet you in person. Personally, I would not want to work for that type of company to begin with. Also, please be sure to post a PROFESSIONAL PICTURE.

2)   Do you have your email address clearly visible in your Linkedin profile? The ideal place to list your email address is in the same section as your name. Make it as easy as possible for me to find you! You can add your email address to ANY section of your Linkedin profile. Just make sure it is clearly visible.

3)   Do you have any recommendations? If you do not have any recommendations, I might be concerned about whether or not I should work with you. People who have recommendations linked to their Linkedin profile are much more likely to be approached about opportunities then those who do not.

4)   Do you have your Summary completely filled out, including the type of position you are looking for? Often times, I come across a Linkedin profile that does not have anything but the basics, ie. company, position & title. Not having your profile completely filled out makes it hard for a recruiter to ascertain whether or not you would be a fit for their position. Less is more does NOT apply to your Linkedin profile.

5)   Do you have your resume attached as a Box.net file? If you are not familiar with Box.net, it is a great application that Linkedin offers which allows you to upload Word documents or PDFs. You can use Box.net to upload your resume or letters of recommendation. Just be careful about listing too much personal information on your resume if you link it to Linkedin. At the very least, you should have your email address and a phone number.

If you follow these 5 simple tips, you will be 5x more likely to be approached by a recruiter or potential employer!

BONUS TIP: JOIN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF GROUP THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO JOIN! You can join up to 50 groups, and joining groups is a great way to increase your visibility and find out about jobs in areas that interest you. Also, you DO NOT need to be connected with someone in a group to be able to email them You can send a FREE message to ANYONE who is a part of a group that you are also a part of.