Back in the saddle

I let my job search activities idle while going through a series of three interviews over three weeks with a firm that ultimately chose not to offer me a job.  I did learn though in those interviews – a great deal about how they work and about being a recruiter.  So, back in the saddle I climb, armed with even more certainty and enthusiasm than before for the career I have chosen.  I spent part of today doing boolean searches for a job I pulled from Dice for a C++ programmer.  I felt good about the results of my searches – not too many resumes returned, but didn’t feel good about those that were returned matching the position well.  I found only 1 resume that I thought was a good fit.  I decided to take a break and do some research and happened upon a question posted by a fellow member of the Boolean Strings group on LinkedIn for help with a search for a C++/Unix software engineer.  This person was finding the same things I was!  The answers that were posted were most useful.   I also joined a local networking group here in Delaware for job hunters that meets weekly on Friday mornings (http://www.communitymattersde.net). I am looking forward to meeting lots of new people and making connections on Friday!

 

Making connections

I feel I’ve been lucky and have made connections with people that have generously passed my resume on to potential employers, and last week I had an interview as a result.  That connection was the result of posting a question on the Boolean Strings network about the best ways for practicing searches to find candidates.  When I stand back and think about what’s happened, it’s clear that people like to help each other.  I hope to be in the position to return these favors soon in my role as a Technical Recruiter!  You really never know where a lead will turn up!  After recently posting a question on the Boolean Strings network, I connected with a recruiter that has been a wonderful resource, and one recent lead for me came by way of my husband.  He had connected with an old friend in Facebook, and I noticed that his friend worked for a staffing firm.  So, my husband passed on information about me including my resume and a link to my LinkedIn profile.  His friend gave me a call the next day!  Recently, I was looking for people to expand my LinkedIn network of connections and discovered that a colleague in my current profession worked as a recruiter for years, so I connected with her and she gave me a call and also offered some great information, advice and support (she’s in North Carolina!).

 

Getting Organized

I took a few weeks off from the job search process in order to move.  After getting organized in the new home, the first thing I did late last week was to put together a Weekly Master Schedule with priority activities on each day, and a Job Search ‘To Do’ list.  One of my priority activities is my job search.  Each week on Sunday I create my Weekly Detail Schedule using the master schedule as my template.  I select items from my Job Search ‘To Do’ list and put them in the Weekly Detail Schedule.  These things should keep me focused and ensure that I spend plenty of time each week on my job search.  Both weekly schedules are Word documents, the Weekly Master Schedule being static and unchanging and the Weekly Detail Schedule having space in each day below the static priority activities where I can write in detailed activities.  The Job Search ‘To Do’ list lives in a notebook and sits on the top of my desk so that I can quickly write down activities and ideas as I think of them or that result from communications or research.  I also signed up and will be attending my first weekly Wilmington DE Job Club being held at the Integrity Career Transitions offices in Wilmington on Tuesday evening.  So, please check back as I’ll be writing about the things I am doing in my journey to become a Technical Recruiter!

 

Increase your Confidence and Self Image

There are some things that I have realized since I started this job hunting and career change process. You need to spend time with people who will increase your confidence and self image and cheer you on through the process. Remember that you aren’t alone in your search. Now more than ever, there are many other people in the same position – looking for job! So, engage with people about your search. One thing I have found that makes me feel really great is giving lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement to others! People are fascinating – if you just take the time to learn more about them. I’ve also found that so many people are interested in helping out.
The process can be overwhelming at times, but I know that I am on the cusp of a new career – a transformation in my life – which is very exciting! You need to stay positive, and know that just undertaking such a challenge, whether by choice or necessity, is something you should be very proud of. So, give yourself a pat on the back and hold your head high – and don’t forget to reward yourself every once in a while for the things you have accomplished as you go along and for just making the journey!

 

Career Change

I have decided to make a career change at a difficult time economically, but I am confident that I will achieve my goal because I am an optimist, and I believe I can achieve anything I truly set my mind to! When I made the decision to change careers I didn’t know what I wanted my new career to be. I knew what I was passionate about in my current role and what wasn’t satisfying, but realized I didn’t really have the skills to determine what career choice was the best fit for those things and my skill set. I did a little research on the internet and took a few assessment tests I found online, but no clear answers came from that. I then enlisted the help of a firm that specializes in career transitions to help me figure it out. What a great investment in me and my future! They helped me focus and refine my skills and passions. After I took a number of assessment tests, we met to review and interpret the results. Our discussions led to several career options that fit me well. To be honest, even after all the analysis and discussion, when Technical Recruiting was first mentioned something inside me clicked! I am a little familiar with Technical Recruiting, since my last three positions were found for me by technical recruiters as I have worked in IT for over 15 years! I was diligent and did more research into the field of Technical Recruiting and a few other career choices we had identified. The research confirmed what I initially felt, so it’s full speed ahead with my career change to Technical Recruiting!