If you are going to double dip, allow me to make one recommendation. Make absolutely sure you show some growth since your original application or resume submission. Growth can come in the form of volunteer experiences, newly acquired skills, internships, expanding networking circles, etc. There is no excuse for handing an employer an identical resume the second time around.

A job seeker not having any new features to sell after months or years is a red flag to hiring managers. What better way to ensure you’re viewed as someone lacking initiative or the ability to grow? This is not like a high school reunion where it’s cool to hear, “you haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you!” Living things are expected to change over time, so do your best to shed any resemblance to an inanimate object and make sure the valuable changes you’ve made since the last point of contact are known.

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Let me say first, yes, there are lazy people who don’t care to improve their circumstances or pull their weight in this world. They are happy to live off of the efforts of others. That said, there are also a lot of responsible and smart people caught up in a nightmare right now with a lot of complicated layers. I promise you, many of the people I interact with who receive unemployment benefits hate the experience. The emotions that come from cashing that check are hard to understand if you haven’t been in that situation or know someone really well who has.

Back to accepting low paying jobs. If the job in question has a true street value comparable to unemployment, I agree the job seeker should be open to taking it. Especially if the employer is open to the fact those who have made considerably more in the past will need to keep their job search going in order to land a job better able to meet the obligations of the committed expenses they likely have (mortgage, student loans, car notes, etc.). Most of the job seekers I work with have applied for a variety of low paying jobs for cash flow. Do employers call them in for an interview? Rarely.

The low paying jobs that seem to chase them are those that are questionable marketing opportunities that are commission only or positions requiring skill sets similar to theirs that pay well below the actual street value for the job. Because so many displaced workers are struggling to find jobs, some companies have knowingly attempted to exploit their desperate circumstances. In addition to low-balling wages, companies are frequently classifying the jobs as part-time. Is that because the workload isn’t sufficient for full-time or is it an attempt to dodge providing benefits? Hard to say. Unfortunately, many of the part-time opportunities my contacts have been presented with involve so many hours, with unpredictable schedules, it makes it nearly impossible for the individual to have the time or flexibility to interview for other jobs better able to provide for their families’ needs. In fact, there is a less than subtle suggestion those who would continue their job search need not apply. There is a training expense to account for,  you see.

It’s a no win situation for the job seeker. They are a leech on society if they don’t agree to be exploited. If they take the job, they are committing themselves to almost certain financial ruin. These aren’t horrible or irresponsible people. They are normal hard working professionals caught in the middle of a nightmare who are trying to find a way to provide for their families. They are individuals with skills and long careers trying to make choices that won’t destroy their chances of being taken seriously down the road. They are men and women smart enough to know when someone is trying to exploit them and in a position to say “not yet, you don’t.” If unemployment benefits went away, job seekers wouldn’t have this layer of protection. They’d have to bow to whatever low rates employers felt compelled to offer because they’d be stuck without other options.

Again, I’m not saying all who are on unemployment are trying hard to get off of it and I’m not saying all employers offering lower wages are out of line. I’m simply attempting to offer more balance to the debate. Be upset with those who are gaming the system. Just know it’s not just about job seekers. Direct your disapproval equally to the employers suggesting their job requiring an Associates Degree or higher in Accounting commands an $8-$10/hr pay rate. Shake your finger at the company who lays off their $50K Operations Manager and hires a new grad for $24K. Wrinkle your nose at the school districts pink slipping certified teachers and hiring them back as teacher’s aides for $10/hr because they can. Candidates who have had to knowingly take positions clearly below the fair market value will tell you it’s a tough pill to swallow with a lot of important factors to consider.

Anyone who says they’d take the job and just suck it up is probably making that claim without the consequence of ever having to make that decision themselves. I don’t see many of the critics being willing to practice what they are preaching.

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Today the focus is on the commentary often leading up to a question, commentary that’s usually not needed or even appropriate. I’ll make up some examples of the types of situations I experience where my inner voice is shouting, “Just ask the question!”

1. I grew up on a small farm in rural Michigan and spent the formative years of my life in an agricultural setting. From there I went to college and took an interest in the sciences, specifically biochemistry. Surprisingly I found myself working in a medical setting when I’d planned as a child to remain in agriculture. Unfortunately, I found the healthcare industry less than satisfying. I was too isolated in the lab and, through a series of interesting events, made the move to recruitment. As a result, I’ve spent most of my professional career working in job placement and helping job seekers connect with opportunity. My question is, having just moved to this area, what are good ways to connect with job seekers and business owners in this town?
2. Paraphrasing… I have a very unique situation that is likely irrelevant to everyone else in this room. The extensive details of the situation are 15 minutes of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. How do you recommend I handle this complex situation that no one else likely cares about or is experiencing?
3. Companies are clueless these days. They post tons of positions over and over again. I apply for them and never even get a call back. I’m qualified, but they still repost the positions as if I’ve never applied. I don’t understand what’s up. They are probably ignoring me because of my age or something. Why would a company not respond to my application when I’m a fit for the job?

The first situation involves the unnecessary preface, if you can even call it that in this instance. The information leading up to the question isn’t needed for the person on the receiving end to answer. Lead-ins like this result in the person asking the question coming off as being so focused on himself he sees value in sharing his autobiography with everyone he meets.

The second situation involves picking a question that is so random and detached from what others present would immediately understand or identify with that it takes a detailed walk through of complicated minutia for the person on the receiving end to even be able to take a stab at an answer. If your question requires a rambling preface for it to make sense to the person on the receiving end or the audience sharing that person’s time, it’s probably the wrong question to begin with.

The third situation involves the insertion of negative commentary. Perhaps the person asking the question is right that companies are clueless or discriminating. What if the job seekers is wrong though? What if the company didn’t get the application? What if the application had an error on it and wasn’t considered complete? What if the resume didn’t contain keywords? What if the cover letter had a typo and it disqualified the job seeker from consideration? What if the experience the job seeker feels makes him/her a fit wasn’t presented effectively on the resume? Because the question was laced with commentary that’s hardly flattering, this person is going to lose not matter what the answer ends up being. The habit of framing questions with the presumption someone else is an idiot is far from rare. It’s icky in any situation, and horribly embarrassing when the individual turns out to be the one who missed the boat on something.

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The question…”Why should I hire you to operate on me?”

Surgeon #1: “I’m a detail-oriented, team player with good listening skills and the ability to see the big picture.”

Surgeon #2: “I’m an award winning chef known for my knife skills. I have a variety of culinary certifications and an assortment of  quality cutlery that’s sharp and ready to go. I’ve done more with roasts, but don’t worry. I can do this. ”

Surgeon #3: “Sir, you are having a heart attack and need an experienced surgeon to stabilize your heart, remove the obstruction, repair resulting damage and properly close the surgical site. I’ve been operating on hearts like yours for over a decade and have successfully navigated each step of the process. As proof, I have a long list of healthy and living patients to show for my efforts. I’m board certified, patient approved, competent & experienced in your very area of need and able to make my operating room available to you immediately.”

If those were your 3 options, which would you hire?  I hope you’d pick Surgeon #3.

Guess what, the reasoning that lead you to Surgeon #3 is the same reasoning employers use to choose their next employee. When you’re selling yourself to employers in their moment of need, which surgeon are you? If your argument isn’t as convincing as Surgeon #3 your chance of landing the job you want is DOA.

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Did you hear the news last week? According to a report, 97.7% of all businesses in the United States have fewer than 100 employees. Small businesses are much more plentiful than the big guys. If you want to see G. Scott Thomas’ original article in “The Business Journals,” you can find it here.

Logic dictates job seekers might have more luck chasing companies from this enormous pool of options than  joining the millions who pile on top of the larger companies with more recognizable brands. Why are so many remiss to do so? I’ve found it comes down to 3 things.

1. Jobs with small businesses are harder to find online. Big companies are more likely to post their openings in easy to find places. They can afford to post on Monster & Career Builder. They have fancier websites with  job portals. They have the type of infrastructure that can handle the influx of applications visible recruitment efforts generate. With so many job seekers relying heavily job boards for job leads, opportunities with small businesses are missed.
2. Candidates have concerns about the stability, growth potential, compensation plans and culture of smaller companies. Assumptions and broad generalizations are made without making the effort to get to know each company individually. The irony is the fact small businesses have the same concerns about many displaced professionals. They aren’t sure how long they’ll stick around, don’t know if they can learn skills beyond what they have, assume they’ll be too expensive and worry they can’t adapt to their their culture. The risk is on both sides, folks, and common ground can be found in accepting that truth.
3. The sense is the big  names carry more professional weight. Professionals like to work for recognizable firms. Having a name like Kraft or Microsoft on a resume gets the attention of future employers. Unless, of course, the big name company turns out to be Enron or Arthur Andersen. The thought big names give candidates more selling power has some truth. Especially for those hoping to remain in big business. It’s not an absolute truth, however. It’s a fair guess the 97.7% who identify themselves as small businesses are going to have a positive view of small business environments. Also, candidates with experience in smaller firms may have a broader range of responsibilities to sell from.

No matter your reason for not giving small businesses the attention they deserve in your job search, consider what could be gained from taking the time to make sure the big names aren’t dominating your efforts. Joining the majority of job seekers who are chasing 2.3% of businesses doesn’t sound like a winning strategy.

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Job seeker to a hiring manager: “Please hire me for this job.”

Hiring manager: “Really? Your skills aren’t what I’d call a fit. This is a long way from what you’ve done in the past.”

Job seeker: “I know, but I’ve been looking for the right opportunity for a long time. There’s just not much out there. I need to work. I need to pay my bills. The job duties are manageable. I’m willing to do this job.”

Though the above may be the honest truth, it’s hardly a flattering proposal. It ends up coming off somewhat like this…

Woman to a man on a date: “Let’s get married!”

Man: “Us? Now? Are you sure? I mean, we don’t have much in common.”

Woman: “I know, but I’ve been looking for the right man for some time and he’s just not out there. So I’m ready to move forward. I want to have kids. My clock is ticking. You’re nice enough. We like each other. What do you say?

Are you cringing like I am? Who wants to tie themselves to someone who gives the impression they are only interested in them because there aren’t better options available? Both situations satisfy an immediate need, but are likely destined for a relationship failure down the road.

I shared the above example because I hear the same word play out of the mouths of those I work with frequently. Why? Either the job seeker is truly applying to something he feels no passion towards or hasn’t bothered to consider how the job might excite and fulfill him. If it’s the first scenario, good luck turning that effort into a success story. More often than not, employers are going to sense your reservations and pick another candidate who seems more excited. Find and apply to opportunities you can show genuine interest in. If it’s the second scenario, a better outcome can be achieved by focusing exclusively on what ‘can be’ with this employer versus what ‘could have been’ with another. Doing so helps add sincerity and enthusiasm to the pitch.

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Better yet, what if that person really isn’t doing anything? But, what if it’s because he is broken versus lazy? What if it’s because he’s been working at this from the beginning of this crisis and has experienced never ending rejection on top of growing financial devastation. What if his home is about to be gone? What if even landing a job right now wouldn’t save him, someone who worked hard his whole life, from catastrophe? What if he feels so alone, ashamed and worthless there doesn’t seem to be a reason to make an effort anymore? What if the fact those who are losing their jobs now, who haven’t had to ride the same devastating roller coaster of joblessness he had to, during a time when there was nothing, are going to be chosen ahead of him because they don’t have a long gap of unemployment, is adding to the despair? What if he is thinking of giving up on everything, not just his job search, because there is no clear way out and he doesn’t want to be a burden to his family or society?

I’m writing this post today because my heart hurts. I sincerely love all of the unemployed professionals I’ve had a chance to meet in this journey we’ve shared to a better tomorrow. I know their secrets, their hopes, their private hell… I can’t sleep in my comfortable house at night because I can feel the weight of the load they carry. Can we as a compassionate society please work harder to assume those who are struggling with chronic unemployment might actually be good people in a bad situation versus jumping to the conclusion they are lazy or content with their situation? There are lazy people amongst us, but few people would be willing to lose the roof over the heads of their children to watch Oprah.

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“I feel for the unemployed and I know it’s tough, but if they budgeted better, stopped smoking and watched less Oprah they wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

As irritated as I am at people who make these types of statements, I blame the unemployed for these assumptions even existing. Too many displaced workers are invisible. They are working away in seclusion, doing what they can to secure employment so they can emerge formally attached to some corporate enterprise. Guess what, if the rest of the community doesn’t see active, intelligent, motivated, professional job seekers circulating in every public forum possible there isn’t anything to combat the common belief those who are unemployed, especially for longer periods of time, are unskilled and more willing to live off of the charity of others than to expend any amount of energy on finding a job.

I know first hand the quality and drive of many unemployed individuals in my area. I seek the unemployed out and do what I can to get to know them well, so I know the assumptions are bunk. Me knowing this isn’t good enough though. The rest of the population is too busy with life to seek you out. That means job seekers must surface. They must put a true face on unemployment in 2010 and they must be out there equally, if not more so, than the working. Once people cross paths with motivated and talented job seekers I’m convinced they’ll be less likely to lump all of the unemployed into the “sitting on the couch eating Ruffles” category.

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What do we know about hunters? For one, they have an idea of what they are looking for. The target may be general and subject to change, but there is enough focus that you won’t find those seeking something with fur and feet in the middle of the ocean with a fishing pole. They know where they need to be and when they need to be there in order to have the best chance of encountering what they hope to find. Job seekers without a target lose the ability to intentionally plant themselves in the path of opportunity. They might as well be shoppers wandering a mall hoping something will jump out at them.

Second, hunters pay attention to what’s happening around them. Their eyes and ears feed them the information they need to increase their odds of success. Where others rush by and see a patch of trees, the hunter can spot the deer blending in with the scenery. I’m sure they shake their heads when people say “there’s no wildlife here” the same way I shake my head when I hear job seekers say “there aren’t any jobs.” Folks, you’ve got to stop, look and listen. I’ve yet to encounter a job seeker who is up to speed on all of the trends, events and developments in his industry, profession and community. All three count. All three can provide clues to where opportunity awaits.

Third, hunters know the benefit of staking out their own spot. You won’t find 150 of them huddled around a tree waiting for a deer or two to pass by, the way you find job seekers lined up at career fairs. No wonder some employers at these events look like scared animals.

Finally, hunters adjust. They understand timing, current conditions, location and the tools they have at the ready can all change they way they have to go about finding their target. They realize just because what they seek isn’t as easy to find as it may have been before, doesn’t mean it’s extinct. What they want is still out there. It’s just moved or disguised itself. Shoppers don’t bother to consider why they may not be seeing what they want. They see an empty shelf, consider the option out of stock and move on to the next store with the hope it has a better selection.

These are just a few examples. Do what you can to get in the game of hunting for a job. It’s actually satisfying and fun. I also hear more people speak of  “Buyer’s Remorse” than “Hunter’s Remorse.”  Perhaps that’s because shoppers are more inclined to make impulsive decisions that aren’t in their best interest, while hunters have been deliberate with their pursuit and capture.

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During the shoot, the photographer was assisted by Susan, a woman I know from professional circles. As the photographer was trying to get me to loosen up and show a genuine smile, the kind with teeth, I began peppering him with concerns over double chins, fat angles and gray hair. Susan kept shaking her head at me and laughing. After a bit she commented on how surprised she was to hear me speak of myself this way when I always seem so confident speaking in front of people. Seem is the operative word.

Really, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone when another shows insecurity. I truly believe all humans have insecurity. Some are better at keeping it check than others is all. There are things in life important enough to me that I’m not going to let fear over what others may say, think or feel about me keep me on the sidelines. If something doesn’t reach that level of importance, like having my picture taken, then insecurity has the advantage and gets a chance to show itself.

To those of you looking for jobs who are struggling with insecurity, do yourself the favor of acknowledging everyone worries about how they come off to others. Your feelings aren’t a defect. Those who are doing the things you’re talking yourself out of to secure employment aren’t free of the burden of insecurity. They are simply not letting that insecurity play a powerful role in crucial situations. It’s one thing when insecurity has you dodging photographs and smiling with firmly shut lips. It’s quite another when insecurity checks you out of the job search effort while your bank account drains and opportunities pass you by. Show your teeth from time to time. I did and it didn’t kill me. Of course, I haven’t seen the pictures yet!

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