The Landing is a series of articles chronicling job seekers who have successfully secured a new position in these recessionary times. You can definitely learn from these real world examples and can gain inspiration from their stories.
If you would like to share your story please let us know.
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ML: What is your name, title and Company?
ID: Ira Disman, Recruitment Program Manager/Senior Recruiter, American Hearing Aid Associates
ML: How long were you actively looking for a job? What year?
ID: I have been actively looking for a full time job for close to two years. However, I pursued other passions in my life and taught as an Adjunct Professor at DCCC and also obtained two different soccer referee licenses so I could ref PIAA high school and junior high and USSF travel games.
ML: What challenges were you up against (well compensated, long tenure at prior company, gaps in employment, transferring to new industry, etc)?
ID: The imbalance of supply and demand for recruiters, there were so many talented recruiters in the market and very few open positions.
ML: Tell us the story of how you landed your new job.
ID: I finally saw the market demand for recruiters pick up in the second quarter of this year. I was about to accept a contract recruiting position when American Hearing Aid Associates really liked my background and pursued me aggressively for a full time position.
ML: What job search techniques were most helpful?
ID: Even though I didn’t obtain the AHAA job through networking, the contract job I was offered was through networking. I met many wonderful people at in-transition networking groups, association meetings, and followed up with a lot of one to one meetings. Networking and making sure you are going after the position(s) that make sense for you are vital.
ML: (If you were unemployed for a stretch of time) How did you handle the emotional aspects of unemployment?
ID: I knew the right position was out there for me but had to be much more patient than I ever had to be. I always stayed positive, upbeat and made sure I kept busy with the other passions in my life to give me a sense of purpose and balance.
ML: A lot of people talk about networking as an integral part of a job search. Was it beneficial to you?
ID: Absolutely! I have made some wonderful connections and friends during my in transition period and will make sure I stay active in networking. Also, I obtained great information from attending meetings and saw many wonderful speakers, including Matt!
ML: Did you use any social media components (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc) to aid in your search? If so, which ones and were they useful?
ID: I used all of them except YouTube. There is a movement on Twitter called HireFriday that job seekers should utilize. It allows job seekers to tweet their profile with the ability to put their Linkedin profile in the tweet and the tweets are viewed by recruiters. There are also job and resume services on Twitter. And, of course, Linkedin is an incredibly powerful tool that every job seeker should be using to the maximum.
ML: What advice would you give to someone who is reading this who is currently involved in a job search?
ID: Stay positive, don’t settle, network and as Matt has said before “it only takes one.” That is one referral, one lead, or one person or company that really believes in your background. It is out there and will happen!!
ML: Ira’s story is definitely one of perseverance. The quote from Jim Valvano comes to mind: “Don’t give up…Never give up.” Job seeking in the current climate is definitely a marathon. I don’t need to tell you that! Like a marathoner, you need to train everyday. Do the little things everyday that will take you one step closer to your goal. Speaking of which, setting goals in job search, just like athletics, is a great idea.
I subscribe to the 5-10-5 goal:
. Apply to 5 jobs per week that are at least a 75% match with your skills. Even if the job is a bit far away or in a different industry. Apply! It’s hard to find a job without ever applying to one.
. Make 10 new connections per week. Yes, more than one a day. Use LinkedIn as your linchpin for connecting but use any face to face interaction to make a new connection. Summer BBQs, the teller, the dry cleaner, parents on the ball fields. You just don’t know where the help will come from. Networking is like a 401(k) plan. How? You invest a lot and don’t usually reap immediate rewards. But down the road a few months your network will start to pay off for you. Like Ira did, stick with it. Day after day.
. Go to 5 professional events per month where you can meet like-minded people. There are thousands of professional organizations in all fields. Seek them out. Become a member, get on a committee, get elected to the board of directors. Give speeches, act as a panelist in your area of expertise. Get noticed and stand out.
Matt
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About the Author
Matthew Levy is a well-rounded HR professional, career coach, keynote speaker and author with fifteen years of broad experience in both specialist (e.g., recruiting) and generalist (e.g., HR business partner) roles at blue-chip companies, including Merck, Amgen and Johnson & Johnson.
Matt is founder and President of a career coaching practice, Corner Office Career Coaching. Matt works one-on-one with professionals, executives and students providing them with customized solutions to their career challenges. As a 20-year corporate HR professional with a large network who has also successfully conducted his own effective, cutting-edge job search, he is well qualified to help others reach their career goals. His job seeker blog has received 30,000 visitors and his articles have been run by nationally recognized job search and career management websites and guides. He also regularly gives speeches on career management and job search.
Matt works full time as a Global Human Resources Lead for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development. Prior to J&J, Matt relocated his family to Southern California to take a position with Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology company, where he led the talent acquisition function for Amgen’s commercial operations and corporate staff groups. Before Amgen, Matt spent several years at Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. There, Matt held a variety of positions in both recruiting and generalist capacities.
Matt graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Business Management from Ithaca College. He is an actively engaged member of several professional organizations including the Philadelphia HR Planning Society where he is Vice President and the Greater Philadelphia Senior Executives Group.
Matt lives in Doylestown, PA with his wife, daughter and son. He jogs through the Bucks County countryside to stay fit.
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