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7 job seeking secrets from the hiring pros
By Tim Loc
7 job seeking secrets from the hiring pros
I'm never certain about the job market. One day it's on the upswing, and the next it's caught in a nosedive. It's like the deal with pasteurized milk -- Healthy? Unhealthy? I doubt I'll ever get it straight.
What I do know is that there's been cause for optimism. As reported by ABC News, national hiring has risen 37 percent when compared to last year's figures. It's also worth mentioning that our Job Connection site has seen a steady stream of posts.
So whether you're a novice entering the marketing world, or an old pro seeking a change of scenery, now's a good time to hone those instincts and take some personal stock of your most marketable traits. Where do you stand in the talent pool? How would do you distinguish yourself from the hoardes of other applicants? Does your work history stack up with today's standards?
Here's some insight from the people working behind the scenes -- the human resources pros working in digital. They're the ones skimming through your resume, and dialing up your references. Keep their words in mind as you wade through the murky waters of your job search.
What's in demand?
The marketing world is amorphous. Trends come and go by night, and new technologies can raze the landscape in an instant. It's a business sector that is receptive to change and, as such, the importance of certain talents will oscillate.
These days, says Amy Carr, executive vice president of human resources at Red Door Interactive, the emphasis is on analysis and modeling. As advancements keep pushing the boundaries of measurement, agencies are lured to applicants who know their numbers.
"At Red Door, we look for people who can format data, analyze what it means, and make informed recommendations that predict future improvements and returns on investment," says Carr.
Financial acumen is also growing in importance. As technology forms its new set of nebulous terms and concepts, marketers should know how it relates to the monetary end of the business. "They need to understand how the real-time information about results translates to our clients' bottom line," says Carr.
Got experience?
It's the classic catch-22: We need experience to get a job, but need the job to get experience. How do newbies circumvent this paradox? According to Kevin Barenblat, co-founder of Context Optional, it starts with a little tweaking of the term "experience."
"Often job seekers see 'experience' solely as it relates to jobs they've had. In fact, this is simply not the case," says Barenblat. "Experience" can apply to any venture --professional or recreational -- that reflects upon your passion for the job. Instead of waiting on an employer to answer your call, try starting some initiatives on your own end," he advises.
"Donate your time -- even if you have little -- to a project that can shows tangible outcomes," says Barenblat. "While you're looking for a job, why don't you put some work into developing a small business? Or, if you have a passion for our space and want to show what you know, why not start a blog?"
Andy Hunn, COO of Resonate Networks, takes a hammer-and-nail approach. His advice is to own up to the fact that you lack the experience, but show that you're willing to earn your dues.
"Offer to work for free for a few months so they can see the value you will add," says Hunn. "Start in the mailroom. Most importantly, expect to do more, and demonstrate you're willing to do more than the job calls for."
Breadth vs. depth
What's more impressive to an employer? Mastery of a single topic, or a working knowledge of a wide range of things?
"I prefer to see a logical progression toward mastery of a few things, [rather] than dabbling in many," says Carr.
Being an expert means that your knowledge is rarefied commodity. A middling interest will not distinguish you from the pack. But it's not just about the know-how -- employers expect that you're also capable of sharing those talents.
"Our clients receive high value when [our] experts work together to create marketing strategies," says Carr. "We have found it most rewarding when sharp people with the capacity to develop deep knowledge also have the awareness of the context within which they operate, so that they can collaborate with other experts effectively."
A program for success
With new software popping up every day, it's hard to keep up with what's relevant. But as Aqua Media Direct CEO Tom Doyle points out, there are standbys that every applicant should be familiar with.
"For us it's important that applicants should have the basics like MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and some experience with a CRM provider like Salesforce," says Doyle.
Wading into deeper waters, he adds that an understanding of ad servers will sweeten the deal for employers. "The applicant gets a boost if they have hands-on experience with ad servers like Helios IQ, or the Appnexus Displaywords platform."
Carr, on the other hand, returns to the topic of measurement: "Google Analytics software has evolved into a powerful tool set, and more often now we are choosing (with our clients) to use it over other enterprise-level software. In our industry, it's a plus if an applicant has experience implementing or working with that tool in particular."
Log onto facebook... for work
There's no equivocation when it comes to social media: Employers assume that you're familiar with Facebook, Twitter, and the myriad social networks out there.
"Many employers I work with are requiring that applicants have experience with social media marketing strategies. So I recommend becoming familiar with it," says Carin Nardone, founder of CNC-Search.
For Barenblat, awareness of social media doesn't just make you a digital whiz-kid, it also helps you relate to the people in your environment.
"Being connected to the digital world is a clear sign that someone has the acumen and curiosity that will resonate with their co-workers here and, just as importantly, the customers we serve."
The dreaded interview
When it comes to jobs, no topic is as scrutinized as the interview. Googling "job interview tips" will bring you an excess of 24 million search results, and there's no shortage of horror stories about coded questions and botched replies. But let's put the nit-picking aside and focus on what the interviewers are considering the big picture.
For Nardone, precision is key to a good first impression. "I look for three things when I interview applicants. [They're] what I like to call The Three Cs: clarity, communication, and concision. [Applicants should] be extremely clear in articulating what they want to do, and what they are known for and valued for in their job or organization."
As such, avoid talking about your "drive" and "work ethic," go with the concrete examples that prove your mettle. Don't leave the interviewer with a thesaurus of buzzwords.
"Candidates should do their homework," says Hunn. "Know what three to four things about your experience that you want to make sure the interviewer walks away knowing, and find a way to make sure those points are made."
Speaking up
In the old line of thought, it helps if you like being the life of the party. This is a business about reaching people, after all. But as Nardone sees it, introversion shouldn't be treated as a disease.
"Introverts tend to be great listeners and observers, so they know how to 'play' an interview better. They are also good at gleaning information from conversations, so their follow up questions reflect substance and depth," says Nardone. Employers recognize that introverts can be skilled as communicators, so if you're not gregarious by nature, don't try to portray yourself as such.
It helps, however, to be precise in this line of work, and that means being able to speak your mind. To combat your shyness, you may have to work at savoring the limelight once in a while.
"The more you get out and network, whether it be an event or social gathering, the easier it will become," says Nardone. "Try to attend networking events that are naturally interesting to you, such as a speaker or topic you are passionate about. Connecting with others will flow more easily since you have a shared topic of interest."
Tim Loc is an editorial intern at iMedia Connection.
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