I have asked this question in many different ways over the years but my new favorite question and I am thinking this will be on my MUST ASK list for the duration of my recruiting days is -

“What sets you apart from your professional peers?”

Simply, Jobseeker – You must know and you need to show.  This is the foundation of your unique brand.  Please – not the personal branding stuff again.  I KNOW – you hate that talk but….

Hiring managers are begging for something different.  Begging I say! – for better resumes, thoughtful thank you notes, a firm handshake with a look in the eye, really good, brief answers, prepared candidates that give employers reason to hire them.

As many of you know, I facilitate a job seeker meeting every Thursday in the Indianapolis area.  These job seekers have clearly stated they want the truth…and that they can handle it.  My goal is to help them any way I can and for them to help each other.  I am biased – but in this marketplace you need a group like this to stay in the game, to talk with your fellow persons, to engage.  Perhaps you should even start one.

I usually give first time attenders a pass before I unleash my opinion but I didn’t in this case.  A very nice lady shows up one day – an administrative assistant.  I tempered my comments at first but finally said, “Administrative assistants are a dime a dozen.”  (I did kind of cringe when I said it but I said it.)  At this time, I was hoping she knew I was talking about the “role” her and not the “real” her.  She didn’t flinch.  Whew.

Her resume was plain.  Plain plain.  Not even vanilla.  She was not.  She struggled to answer what set her apart though.  Here is why – the answer takes work. takes thought.  Takes examining where you have been, what you have contributed to your workplace, what you do differently – takes some focus.  We set up a time to talk – she called when she said she would.  She put a plan together and showed up at the the next meeting.

I almost didn’t recognize her – her first words, “I just wrote a killer cover letter.”  I am not sure those three words have ever been used together.  Killer. cover. letter.

Here is how she did it.  She writes a thoughtful opening paragraph building the case that she knows all the resumes they are reviewing pretty much look the same (check).  She then articulates the 3 traits that she feels set her apart (check) – then the best line of the letter smacks the reader in the face.  Here is the line.  Wait – are you ready for this?  OK.  Verbatim.  “My former supervisors agree.” Powerful line, Folks.

Now, how do we know that?  Let me share that with you.  She then incorporates 2 quotes from recent supervisors right there in the cover letter.  Ni-ice (pronounced Nuh-ice) work!

And now…The REST of the story.  She is now employed.  Hired by a company that she never sent this letter to when responding to their ad.  What?  She hadn’t written it yet.  What a waste, right?  Oh, not so fast.  She interviewed with them a few days after writing the cover letter.  The story is – the letter didn’t help her get in the door BUT the exercise of writing the letter and reviewing it with competent peers helped her interview better and be able to call their door her own.  She brought a new-found confidence and a secure grasp of what set her apart because she did the work and ACTUALLY asked her former supervisors what they thought of her contribution, her skills, her.

Do you refer to your cover letter as killer?  Do you know what sets you apart from your professional peers?  Can you articulate it?  Have you asked your former supervisors that question?   She went in knowing her brand.  Do you know yours …or are you just going in all Brandom (my word)?

Now…go rewrite your mediocre cover letter.

Clearly, you need a break from your job search.  Where are you going to find it?  I am so glad you asked.  You know I am music fan.  I tend not to gravitate to the genre that engages the likes of Yanni and Zamfir - but that would seem to be a miniscule subset of the music arena, yet I do have an affinity to Andreas Vollenweider and Enya.  So..maybe..anything will do.

Here is today’s career advice – head down to your local electronics dealer and purchase an Ipod, or a Zune, and the really expensive BOSE headphones right now.  Today.  If you already have one, treat your self to a gift card for tunes, tunes and more tunes.

But I thought you said – Monster,  Careerbuilder,  or some niche job board?  Indeed… dot wrong!!  We are talking a mental health day, Jobseeker.   Remember those when you were employed?  A fun-filled melodic, frustration escaping, head banging or not so much, anti-jobsearch diversion-filled afternoon on the lawn at a Lilith Fair/Ozzfest direct from Itunes or the Zune Marketplace where you won’t find a career opporunity but you will find a well-deserved getaway. 

Why?  Because you and I occasionally need to grab hold of a big ol’ dose of Sublimation.  What?  Look – not only has this blog saved my life on occasion, I consider it my no cost Employee Assistance Program and… sublimation?  Well, sublimation is my personal therapist at a buck and some change per song.  Most therapists are by the hour, mine are like – by the mix tape.

I almost forgot to share the definition of the day -

Sublimation is the transformation of unwanted impulses into something less harmful. This can simply be a distracting release or may be a constructive and valuable piece of work.

When we are faced with the dissonance of uncomfortable thoughts, we create psychic energy. This has to go somewhere. Sublimation channels this energy away from destructive acts and into something that is socially acceptable and/or creatively effective.

How could you not want some significant milligrams of that?  Being self-employed – or unemployed with a business card and a website as I like to think of it, I have my share of frustrations and I need an outlet – for instance, a place to channel my urge to hang up the phone violently after leaving the nineteenth slightly, different worded positive voicemail about a great candidate in a salesy voice with a question inviting a call back that is coming at I time I wish I knew.  While waiting for the call, I simply dial up Linkin Park’s – In The End and find out “it doesn’t really matter.”

Perhaps I find solace in an oldie but a goodie by Limp Bizkit when I want to “Break Stuff” or simply try to answer everyone’s oft asked rhetorical question “Who’s Gonna Give Me Some Sugar Tonight?” with solid counsel from Kid Rock.  I don’t have to schedule an appointment and even though there is a CVS or Walgreen’s on every corner, or one currently under construction – this is over-the-counter laced musaceuticals and I am happy to participate in the clinical trial.

Whew – enough of my rant.  Seriously, step away from it for a few.  You need to disengage and realize this job seeking is tougher than job having.  We talk alot about personal branding  - just accept that right now.. you are more of a brand competing for a position than a person that holds one.  I know that is tough to soak in sometimes – it is just a reminder that your resume, your online profiles, your cover letters, your written communication and the interwoven touchpoints need fine tuning. 

While the selected tunes above are on the raucous side – on the lighter side, we look at a Paul McCartney and Wings song from back in the day and I offer a paraphrased, parody perspective – right now – you are a – Brand on The Run.  What direction are you heading?  Get your clarity from a mental health day or two and head that direction.  Maybe Paul wasn’t talking about your job search – but imagine he was – know that YOU will not be “stuck inside these four walls, sent inside  forever.”

This networking thing is tough, isn’t it?  What if you just up and moved to a city where you knew no one?  Then it gets tougher.  I know I am always talking about my job search group but they are so worthy of being written about.  Why?  Because these people understand this job search is THEIR job, they have developed a process and all are on the cusp of a solution to their season of transition – a meaningful gig is within their grasp.  

I am going to try this again though – honestly, I realize these people do not control when they get an offer but they do control their daily plan.  They make their own success, they make their own luck.  One of the ladies in the group, recently relocated from Manhattan to the Indianapolis area.  Not as big of a move as Indy to New York City but a big move when you only know two people in town.  While Indy is no NYC, it is the 12th largest metro area in the country. 

She has been here 5 weeks.  She has been to every meeting.  She is slicing and dicing Indy’s north side and is a networking phenom.  She shows up, she contributes and most noteworthy and impressive, in my mind, is that she quickly got rid of her Yankee pride and said – I need some help. 

LEARNING – Job seekers – shed your pride.  Recently downsized – purge your bitterness.  This is an opportunity.  You control the process. 

I barely advertise this group because I want people to want to show up.  I set a time - they know to be there and we will discuss something.  Most of what we discuss is their search, their frustrations, their approach, and try to pull the answers out of them that they already possess. 

Back to, let’s call her…uh… Jill – I have seen Jill have some good days and bad days.  She has had some interviews, attends networking events, applies online and also utilizes some unconventional approaches to get herself in the door.  She is working it.  I reminded her, just this morning, to stop and reflect on what she has accomplished in the last 5 weeks.  Maybe it is that extra time she has saved commuting, but I swear she appears to have extra time in her days – plenty of time to reflect. 

I know this – Jill WILL prevail because as Rick Pitino (a famous New Yorker) said in his book – Success Is A Choice - “When you work hard, money and opportunity will find you” – and what YOU can learn from Jill’s starting over networking experience is:  

1.  You Need to Quickly Lose The Pride, People 

2.  Show Up Somewhere and Make a Contribution 

3.  You Will Have Good Days and Bad Days 

4.  Have A Process, Work Your Process, Refine Your Process 

5.  Reflect On Your Accomplishments (weekly) 

So for Jill,  a 710 mile move, 5 weeks in a new city where she now knows more than 2 people, a much larger living space, a simpler life, a car for the first time in years, free parking, a park but not a Central Park, new surroundings, new neighbors, new friends, no skyline, no Broadway, some panic, some perspective and no job YET –  but as the great philosopher Henley uttered, “In a New York minute, everything can change.”  This season will soon be a faint blip on Jill’s radar screen.

In the sidebar to the right, you will see a logo for Maestro – Worklife Coaching.  This is a free resource for you.

Sign up today – although the form asks for some additional information – all you need to enter is your email address. 

You will receive access to a variety of helps for workplace issues and many resources designed for you in career transition.  I hope you will take advantage of the program – just click on the Maestro widget and you are set.  Sign up NOW!

As I shared with my job search group, I have been looking for jobs, for now on 13 years.  That is a lot of phone calls, a lot of emails and a lot of touchpoints with my clients. 

Being self-employed is closer to unemployed, I guess that is why I have a natural connection with the job seeker that is seeking a solution.  How can you not want to help someone that is genuinely looking for a new gig, that is really looking for a solution?  This is my threat to the employed out there – an unemployed friend or former colleague calls you – give them a minute will you?  Listen.  Encourage.  Assist.

Let’s focus on touchpoints, job seeker.  A quality job seeker understands the value of touchpoints.  These are the interactions in any form you attempt to or actually have with colleagues, hiring managers, anyone that is part of the interview process or is assisting you in your search.

Touchpoints are where you go to selling YOU without looking like you are selling and simultaneously shield the world from what you are dealing with privately, you know – all that maintenance in your life.  You have to have quality touchpoints because this job search is relational not transactional.  Sorry, canned thank you note guy- it was nice to meet you though.  Thanks for your time.  Stop looking forward to hearing from me soon.

I think you can employ a variety of tactics and strategies to get to the end you so desire.  I also believe touchpoints are individual.  We need originality here, folks.  They need to be professional yet an extension of your personality.  And while I hate the talk – job search is a game and one that you need to be in and serious about.  Some of you show up projecting  - I am no fun – and you think it doesn’t show.  We are out here on the playground and you over there going sudoku on us.

A few years ago I attended the Indianapolis 500 – you know the greatest spectacle in racing.  Makes you think there might be something there to see.  The lady in front of me was actually studying.  She had a textbook on her lap.  After she got done studying, she was knitting.  At the 500, between her 4th turn study hall she is knitting a sweater in the month of May.  Who would invite her?  The place to be yet not really wanting to be there and making herself the spectacle.  Look, she is not getting invited next year and with that attitude you are not getting hired.  Besides, no one hires people that knit at  car races.   I thought everyone knew this.

I can say –  do this and do that when you attend a networking event.  I can say when you call, have the next question – and actually ask it.  When you write a note or email, proofread it.  I can give you my 5 keys to better touchpoints but I am not feeling all - here is a panacea laced checklist – I am more of a – let’s build a system together that works for you guy.  If you would like help – call me.  If you want to respond below with something you did in a certain situation – lay it out for us.

You need a process that you can follow in this campaign of yours.  Improving your touchpoints improves your chances of getting an offer.  You can’t control it but you have far greater influence then you think you have in this game.

They are coming.  The questions – the big 3.  The three questions you can’t stand that they always ask.  The questions you hope they don’t ask.  Those questions.  The questions you better own.

What are they?  You tell me.  C’mon, job seeker – you tell me what they are.  If the competition for jobs is greater than ever before and I believe it is – then the candidate (this is you) better be prepared better than EVER.   You gotta prepare.  You have to take the time on these 3 questions.

Meaningful work is hard to find – meaning you better mean it when you prepare.  Your opportunities to present your skills can be few in this market.

The questions are coming.  Why did you leave your last job, by the way?  A new level of empathy exists for the job seeker but you still are going to have to answer this.  Why did you leave?  What did you learn while you were there?  Yes, that is a question too, but it is where the answer to why you left ends up.  You gotta answer why (brief) but I suggest gravitating quickly to something that reveals the perspective you gained.  Potential employers like your acknowledgement of the bigger picture.

The questions are coming and they are individual in their focus.  Here is the exercise – Look at your resume like you are hiring “you.”  What would you ask you?   What would you want to know about you?  Now give you an answer – a great answer that flows.  Practice it.  Say it.  Ask your significant other, spouse, close friend, an HR professional in your world to listen critically.    The HR pro will have no issue listening critically.  One last thing, does it make sense?  Do your references support it?  It has to flow.

We aren’t talking about how I can better develop sociopathic tendencies during my career transition to allow me to not flinch mid-interview.  After all, the sociopath always gets the job – they just don’t keep it.  I am simply saying, do your answers flow?  Are you properly framing the discussion?  You control their interpretation.

It isn’t just the words either – it is how you say them.  Your abrasive tone that exists because of your bitterness needs to be harnessed.  You gotta deal with that crap and the interviewer does not care about ALL THAT.  This is not a time to take a shot at their hiring process either - you can resent it, just don’t express it in any way.

The questions depend on you, your career history and where you worked, how long you were there, what will you wear, the title that you had, the location that was bad, the travel you’ll accept, the hours you’ll work, the boss was a jerk – the questions, they lurk.

I don’t really know why I am rhyming – the job search is certainly about timing - maybe I am bored with my post – it is longer than most  – yes, the questions will vary and I don’t mean to be arbitrary - so take this to heart and here’s a good place to start – with one that will definitely be asked by more than a few – TELL ME, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

Any recruiter that is a recruiter should be able to be reached at any time.  If you have to leave a voicemail, they should call you back quickly.  That is how we roll.  So you have a sense of urgency?  You should be a recruiter.  If you don't hear from them in a timely fashion, good chance they have expired, are in the wrong profession, or apparently may have moved on.

I heard a stat this week.  Sobering stat but a stat.  The stat is that the recruiting industry is down 37% since the beginning of the year.  Wow.  The prediction is that we will be down 50% this year.  Really wow.

Sobering news.  Crazy talk.  Well, we typically lose 16-22% so really we are just talking a doubling of the average, right?  Thanks, Jeff Skrentny for sharing this point with me.  He is a good dude.

The point here is that when you discover your recruiter is gone – please call Andy at 317.585.0463.

Because as those two young ladies sang - couldn't tell you their names, wouldn't if I could recall -  as they so poorly sang at my first wedding yet sounded good at the rehearsal - the words of that song ring true today – I Will Be Here.  So to steal from the song – tomorrow morning if you wakeup and the future is unclear – I will be here.  When you need to speak your mind – I will listen – And I will be here.

The line about to watch you grow in beauty does not apply here.  However, let me close with a paraphrase – just as sure as seasons are made for change – who will you turn to to discuss your career?  Well, I will be here.  I will be here.  I will be here.  Did I mention..wait I did.  Let's talk soon.

Is there any better American holiday than the 4th of July?  It really is the Thanksgiving of the summer.  The whole fam headed up to Warsaw, Indiana and Winona Lake.  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have a place there and between our family and my wife’s two sister’s families we had just a great time.

Hard not to have fun on a lake, with a nice speed boat, a deluxe pontoon, jet skis, a family corn hole tournament, beverages of choice, family banter, sunscreen, watching your nephews get bounced around on a tube hydroplaning behind the boat at about 55 mph, nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles to handoff, for a brief time(s), your 18 month old terrorist (however cute) to, and more beverages of choice with a lime.

Along with all the fun, were a few real moments of pure relaxation and actual inspiration.  Somehow my brothers-in-law, a family friend and I managed to sneak out to the pontoon just prior to the start of the fireworks over the lake.  Seriously, I have not been on a ton of pontoon boats in my time but in my estimation this thing is basically like a yachtoon – deluxe leather seats, concert speakers, very very nice.

The boat is docked but obviously on the water and I get a great view of the fireworks as I lay back on these seats and listen to patriotic tunes being broadcast from the local radio station.  My only concern is who is going to interrupt this and how long will I get away with this?

The fireworks start – the boom, the flash, the music, the comfort and I just was able to clearly reflect how – I really do not relax enough.  I do not relax enough – this is so nice.  We don’t take the time and we need it. 

My next thought was – this is America right here.  This is the best.  It’s not bad news, cynicism, crime, alleged recession, Obama, McCain, any of that – it is family, fun, and freedom – marked with fireworks.

Look, we have moments of relaxation and we can experience episodes of inspiration but somehow it all ends up worklike to an extent – and that is all good but I want you to try and stop for a minute and look for inspiration through relaxation.  Take the simple times and just reflect, decompress, and soak in the pure joy.  Take something simple serious – for only yourself.  Soon.

I hope you had a great 4th but if you didn’t – go freakin’ relax with intentionality, listen to the Best of Bill Withers, (July 4th is his birthday), have a beverage of your choice, count all your blessings, and feel life.

My 5 year old is preparing for her school program and is more than ready to sing "My Favorite Things."  You know the song and you know wedged somewhere between The Grinch, Rudolph, The Heat Mizer and Jimmy Stewart you will be watching – "The Sound of Music" this Christmas season.  You will.  Embrace it again.

I have heard the song several times and – by several – I mean hundreds over the last few weeks as the program approaches.  Upon reflection, I thought – "Andy, what are your favorite things?"   So I have decided to share -please – before singing along hear the din of the tune in your head – this is not quite the "Raindrops on roses" version but it is mighty close and certainly close to home in the world of a recruiter.

Hiring and firing and finding the right fit, Hoping it all goes real smoothly when you quit

A day when the phone continuously rings, these are a few of my favorite things

Interviews that go well and everyone is happy, Honesty when talking of your gig that’s crappy

New bosses that take you under their wings, these are a few of my favorite things

Managers that know talent when they see it, Candidates that are realistic to the market

HR so pleased with the resumes I brings, these are a few of my favorites things

When you must stay, and you can’t go, when I’m feeling sad

I simply remember my what I’ve come to know – You should have left now – TOO BAD.