Sg2009wc:jobs

Issue/Topic: Jobs, Resumes, Recruiting

Sesssion: 2-A Bay Area Jan 2009

Convener: Alica Washkevich (Executive Recruiter, Riviera Partners)

Attendess:

Notes:

How to get your resume past the first screening?

IMPORTANT Aside from good companies and good schools, make sure you HIGHLIGHT YOUR WINS!! What did you build? What project did you work on – but specifically what did you build in that project? How many people were using it when you starting working on it – and how many users did you help to grow at the end? How much did revenue increase? So make sure you tell, not just what you did… but WHY it is important!
IMPORTANT If you’ve worked/consulted at a bunch of places, maybe just show highlights.
IMPORTANT Be sure you can tell your story! Why did you choose the companies you chose to work for? What was your plan, your purpose? It’s ok if there is a “black mark” on your resume – for example, if a company went under. Why did you originally go there? What was your thought process for taking the job there. You never want a recruiter or hiring manager to think you randomly bounced around companies or jobs!

How good are job postings on Monster, on company websites, on LinkedIn, etc.

A lot of the jobs out there aren’t posted. When a senior manager gets placed, he normally builds his team using his network or even a recruiter. You need to make a personal connection within the company. The connection can be “luke warm”, it doesn’t have to be a relative, friend, or even acquaintance…. Maybe someone you met at a networking event or a happy hour.
Also – know that those posting lead to HUNDREDS of resumes submitted. So if you see a job posting that looks interesting, definitely submit your resume. But ALSO try to get connected to someone in the company! Do some research about their product or technology. Call someone within the organization and offer to take them out for coffee to hear more about what they’re doing! Be sure to add some value to conversation however you can, then see if you can ask them to give your resume to the hiring manager, etc.

How to get past first round interviews?

Again, you need to be able to tell your story. You want to be able to show your plan, your purpose, for choosing the companies and jobs you’ve chosen.
Also, it’s ok if you had some personal issues going on to talk about them… briefly. No need to go into detail – but if you had to move to the east coast for a bit because a family member was sick and you had to take care of them… it’s ok to talk about that without going into detail
Talk about leadership and management you have in other activities besides just your job. Obviously focus on your work experience, but it’s ok to add a tidbit about your hobbies etc. where you hold leadership and/or have built a cool system, etc. That can help the hiring manager remember you, and it makes it a bit personal. They’ll also get a better idea for cultural fit
be sure to ANSWER their questions. Try not to be too wordy or go off on tangents. Be sure that after you tell them about an accomplishment, you can answer the question “why is that important”. Not just I built a team, or I managed 70 engineers. WHY is that important, what did they do? How did you build the team (specifically)? Etc.

Where to look for jobs?

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!! Again, it’s not just within your close friends. Luke warm referrals happen everyday! GO TO EVENTS. Meet people with like interests. Don’t start each conversation with “I’m looking for a job”. Learn about what the other folks are doing. Learn about what companies they work for. Then check out those companies. Do some research on their product, etc. Find out who else works for that company. See if you are connected to them via LinkedIn, a friend, etc. “Stalk” them. Read their blogs, see what events they are going to… go to those events as well – and start to build your own network. If you read a cool new article that might be pertinent to them, tell them about it… add value to your connection. Then ask if they have any open positions, or could recommend where you should look and can pass on your resume.

How to network?

See above. Go to events, reach out to friends, family, co-workers, and people you meet at events. Check out interesting companies, “stalk” employees of those companies. Ask them questions, take them out for coffee, learn more from them and try to add value as well.
Always “force” a reason for the person you’re networking with to get back to you. Don’t just send an e-mail “it was nice meeting you at X event. Please let me know if you have any open positions”. INSTEAD “It was great meeting you at X event. I’d love to get together over a cup of coffee and hear where you see your project going in the next year, etc. When are you available next week?”