An interesting article crossed my desk today on finding the right ‘recruiter’ to help you land that next great job. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/11/how-to-land-and-ace-an-informational-interview/

Many folks, especially those who have been gainfully employed for a long time and don’t realize the job search landscape has changed, think calling up a bunch of search firms, inundating them with their resumes and sitting back while they find them their next job will work.

I’m here to tell to tell you it will not. Unless you are a c-suite executive or someone with a unique and in demand skill-set who can work closely with one of the large big-five search firms because large corporations go to them for the very senior or specialized roles, this will not work for you. There are still some positions for whom search firms work – clerical and administrative and IT to name two. However, for most of the roles these days, it takes YOU to take the reins of your search and find that next great job. In fact, I would argue this has always been the better way.

With the emergence of on-line job boards (which, by the way, are falling out of favour) and the surge in Linked In users as well as companies catching on to hiring ‘sourcers’ (recruiters who dig deep to ‘source’ great talent for them), search firms are finding it very hard indeed to stay relevant.

My advice:
1. When conducting a job search DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Know what you want and what you don’t want. Know what you’re good at and what you’re not. Know the environment in which you thrive and the one that makes you want to call in sick. Know the companies that excite you and the ones you want to avoid. That’s your starting point.

2. Ensure your Linked In profile is fully optimized. Recruiters use Linked In all the time! After all, it’s a professional network. Have an optimized profile, be active and don’t be afraid to connect with people at companies of interest to you. Build your network, make connections, ask for those informational sessions to learn more about the people, their careers and their companies.

3. Troll the job boards. Set up alerts. While I don’t think this is the most productive use of your time, heck you’ve got time now so use it. When you see a job, don’t just flip your resume. Ensure it is customized to match the job and that your cover letter is more than just ‘here’s my resume.’ Then find out who you know in that company. Who you can connect with. How you can get your resume to stand out even further from the pack.

4. Like No. 2 above, network, network, network. Reach out to everyone you know, everyone you’ve worked with, anyone who can help you reach your final goal – landing a job. I don’t mean you should stand on a corner and hand out your business card (and you should have one by the way – check out www.vistaprint.ca) but let people know you are looking, what you are looking for and don’t be afraid to ask for introductions.

5. Research search firms. They are there and some are very, very good. Ask your former colleagues who they recommend. If you see jobs of interest on line and they have been posted by a search firm, reach out to that search firm. Just do not spread yourself to thin. You don’t want your resume going to a potential employer from 6 different search firms. And you don’t want your resume sent to a potential employer without your permission in advance. Very often search firms work on contingency basis – they only get paid if they place someone. If you send your resume to the company (no cost to the company) and then a search partner does the same (maybe just before you), the company is on the hook to pay a fee when they could have landed you for free. Worse, they could eliminate you from contention to avoid the fee (I’ve done that! Believe it!)

The article is good in that it advised you not to just hit the big search firms. In this instance, smaller may be better. A boutique firm may work harder for your business and have stronger relationships with their clients – the companies you want to work for.

And remember, it’s a two-way street. You want to interview the firm before you ask them to act on your behalf. Who are their clients? What roles have they closed in the last 6-12 months? How do they operate? What are they like? What demonstrates their honesty and their integrity? Make sure you get a good feeling about them in general and with the person who will be representing you.

I believe a shoddy firm represents shoddy candidates….don’t be one of them. Beware and be informed.

Your business card. It’s a reflection of your professional life. It tells us who you are, what you do and how best to contact you.

But what do you do when you have lost your job and can no longer use that business card? What do you do when you are interviewing for another job, still employed but only have your current employer’s business card?

Many people choose to hand out their current employer’s business card when interviewing with a potential new employer. Do you really want the recruiter or hiring manager to call you at your current place of business? Do you really want them to call you at your desk?

My recommendation? Either don’t hand out a card (after all, your vital information is on your resume) or – better yet – have cards made up. In this way, you can be called where you want to be or e-mailed to your personal account.

But – and this is a big but – remember that the business card if a reflection of the professional you.

I bring this up because I met a man recently at an event who presented his card and said “I’d like you to have my card but don’t look at it [insert chuckle here], the phone number is wrong so I crossed it out and wrote in the right one.” I advised him to keep it, destroy the remaining ones and have new ones made up (yep, that’s me with my ‘coaching hat’ on). This is a man who is looking for his next opportunity and yet is handing out cards that are incorrect, crossed out and marked up. What does that say about him?

You can go to Vistaprint on line and have cards made up FREE (just pay about 8 bucks for shipping and handling). Pay a little more and get better card stock or glossy paper (still under 20 bucks!) Can’t wait 3-4 days to get them? Pay extra and get rush delivery or go to Staples and get them TODAY!

There is no longer an excuse for not having an accurate card that gives people your name and your contact information. If the first contact I have with you is that you made a mistake (or one was made on your behalf) and you didn’t bother to right it (except to cross it out), what does that say about the work product I can expect from you. How much do you really care if you don’t care enough to present yourself in the best light possible? Oh and guys, don’t stick them in your wallet where the corners get all bent. Ladies, don’t dump them in your purse when they get lipstick smudges (been there; done that!)

Your brand is crucial. Protect it wisely!