The Roll-out

High School Diploma?  Check.  An inspiring overseas educational experience?  Check.  Bachelor’s Degree at a relatively decent school (obtained in 4 years…okay give or take a couple semesters…)?  Check.  An internship or two squeezed in during and/or after college?  Check.  A well thought out cover letter and resume representing your achievements?  Check.  A new suit courtesy of Mom?  Check.  Firm handshake lesson courtesy of Dad?  Check. 

Employed?  NO, WHAT THE HECK IS THE DEAL?!

Job seekers, even if the above checklist does not quite exactly match up to your own path, chances are you can relate to this feeling of frustration.  You did everything right.  You got good grades, you got as much work experience as you could…and you still cannot seem to find that dream job you thought you were working toward all these years.  Well, lets flip the script a little bit.  Maybe we have it backwards.  Maybe the job needs to be able to find YOU.  And, no, I’m not suggesting you sit on your parents couch and tell them that your waiting for a job to “come to you”.  Let me explain…

When you apply for a job, you are not just competing against your peers.  You are competing against all currently unemployed people of various ages, experience, and backgrounds…as well as employed people who are looking for a new opportunity.  That’s a LOT of resumes.  The person doing the hiring needs to be able to find you amidst all of those other word documents…aka you need to STAND OUT from the crowd!  So, how do you do that? 

Many career experts today are suggesting that instead of scouring the Internet for particular job openings…try researching companies that you would like to work for.  Find a corporate culture that would be a good fit for your personality and then find out if they are hiring.  It’s important to remember that they might not be posting their open positions online.  In this case you need to be proactive and contact them.  Pick up the phone and call the office, try to get in touch with somebody in HR.  Get on Linked In and try to connect with a current employee, ask them for advice or maybe an introduction to somebody who could help you out.  If you are able to recognize and articulate to someone else why you are so passionate about working at a particular company…your energy and enthusiasm will give an excellent impression.

Say you manage to land an interview.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  Do your research on the company.  Find out how they started, how long they have been around, where they hope to go in the future, and most importantly… how you are going to help them get there.  Go into your interview already prepared with some new ideas that you would want to bring to the table.  Read up on relevant industry news and information.  Be knowledgable about the company’s competitors and position in the market.

Another route that is becoming more and more popular is the concept of Guerrilla Marketing.  Guerrilla tactics are described as being unconventional, imaginative, and somewhat aggressive.  Something that makes an employer stop what they are doing and say “WOW”. Guerrilla tactics are what the young game changers out there are doing today.  Since they are by definition unique and innovative ideas…I cannot simply tell you how to do it.  However, I can give you some examples to get you thinking…

13 Insanely Cool Resumes That Landed Interviews at Google and Other Top Jobs

10 Guerrilla Job Search Tactics That Work from Ms. Career Girl

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0: 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job

Follow the above links for more information and ideas about how to market yourself Guerrilla style in your job search.  Good luck!!

-JG

Let’s take it back a little bit…

It’s 1997.  I’m eight years old and its a Saturday morning…and I’m doing what every self-respecting elementary school kid should be doing.  Watching the Saturday morning cartoons line-up.  Everything is as it should be…Dad is outside washing the car…Mom is in the kitchen occasionally interrupting my hypnotic concentration of Looney Tunes with her incessant dish washing (at the wise age of 8 I know better than to say anything if I want her to take me to the pool later)…and I am posted up on the couch next to my brother, with my Pop-Tart and not a care in the world.  It is on this blissful Saturday morning when my brother and my ample school and real-world experience cause us to question for the first time the marketing ploys of our elders…

Really, Count Chocula?  Should you really be a part of our complete breakfast?

First of all…those “complete” breakfasts were a little ridiculous.  I mean, if you’re eating cereal why would you want an additional glass of milk next to your glass of fresh squeezed O.J.?  Just saying…

Fast forward 14 years and here I am at my first big girl job…and what do I see on the counter in the company kitchen?  COUNT CHOCULA.  Touché, General Mills.  Here at MJ Morgan Group we believe that a great day starts with a well-balanced breakfast.  So we embrace our different tastes and kick off every day with a delicious bowl of cereal.

Takes me back to the good old days, except now I have to do my own dishes…

-JG

This past weekend MJ Morgan Group participated in the 2011 Baltimore Marathon Relay.  Congratulations to Morgan, Patrick, Julie (JG) and Trey for finishing with an overall time of 4 hours, 7 minutes, and 59 seconds! 

Next up for MJ Morgan Group Athletics will be the Hawaii Marathon in December…keep up the good work guys!!!

Photo compliments of Morgan O’Leary

Being a recruiter isn’t easy!  We’re constantly trying to find great candidates for our clients.  Our goal is to help as many people as possible to find jobs, while also keeping all of our clients happy.  After all, without our clients we would not have jobs for you, our candidate.

How can you be a great candidate?  It’s very simple!  Here are some tips:

1. Spend time updating your resume – Writing about yourself is difficult.  However, the more you review, update, and review again the easier it will be to create.  Your resume will reflect the time you spend on it.  Use keywords that stand out, include interesting detail about your positions but remember, you need to be brief.  Your resume should not be more than 3 pages, 2 is ideal depending on your experience.
2. When you ask a recruiter for help, make sure you help the recruiter in return – A recruiter only knows as much as you share with them.  Be honest when talking about yourself, what you put on your resume, and what you are looking for in your next job.  The more you share, the easier it will be for the recruiter to help you. 
3. Communicate – Maintain constant contact with your recruiter.  Your recruiter is working with many candidates at the same time so the more you communicate with him/her the better.  However, calling or emailing your recruiter every day can be counterproductive.  Let the recruiter do his/her job and follow up once a week with an email.
4. Be the best you can be at your interview – Let’s face it, interviews are tough!  However, with the proper tools and preparation the easier the interview will be…guaranteed!  Listen to your recruiter’s tips such as: dressing appropriately, researching the company and the position you are interviewing for, preparing a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer, answering challenging questions about yourself, knowing every detail that you included on your resume, following up with a thank you note or email. 

MJ Morgan Group prepares our candidates the best we can.  We provide resume tips, interview tips, and other tools to help you be successful.  Contact us to see how we can help you.  If you’re a company looking for talent please call us to see how we can assist you.  Thanks for reading! 

-B

This post is dedicated to the job seekers that I, personally, feel the most connected with. 

Here’s to you recent college graduates! 

As a recent college grad myself…I know exactly how many of you are feeling.  And I’m not talking about the smug sense of accomplishment that goes along with that new addition to your wall decór.  (When my college diploma arrived in a cardboard cylinder tube my little sister exclaimed: “JULIE!!!  You got a new POSTER in the mail!”…)  I’m talking about the feeling that materializes after all of the graduation parties have been celebrated, and after all of the checks have been deposited and thank-you notes sent.  It’s difficult to describe but its something like excitement, fear, anticipation, and nausea.  I found myself avoiding family get togethers so that I would not have to answer the inevitable:  “So what are you doing now, Julie?”  Because I didn’t know, I had no idea what I wanted to do or what was the best path to take to get there. 

I consider myself very fortunate because I managed to find a job that I enjoy coming to every day.  I genuinely enjoy the people that I work with ( Cheers, guys).  But the point that I am trying to make is that its okay to not know.  Gone are they days when after graduation one started with a company and then 45 or so years later retired there.  Today young adults are expected to have quite a few different jobs throughout their career.  I work at a staffing agency, and one thing I have learned:

Every job is temporary.

This simple statement can take on a few different meanings.  Firstly, we cannot predict the future.  It is unwise to get too comfortable, no matter if you’re a first year intern or the CFO.  Not only is the economy unpredictable, but so is your company’s future and your personal life.  You never know what could happen. 

 (Just ask the shareholders of Netflix.  After a recent change in their product line, and a significant price increase, Netflix lost 1 million members and shares dropped 18%. )

Secondly, its important to learn from every work experience.  (This is directed at you, recent grads)  Let’s face it…we may not land our “dream job” right off the bat.  We may have to pay our dues for a couple of years, and that’s OKAY.  What’s imperative is to remember that every position we take is an opportunity to gain some new skills. 

Tip:  As a recent graduate, you have little to no experience.  Some may consider this to be a problem…WRONG.  This could be your biggest selling point.  Why?  Because you are a blank slate, you are open to new ideas and can adapt to almost any corporate culture.  Often times companies are specifically looking for young people because more seasoned candidates are already set in their ways.  The problem is their “ways” may be a little out of date.  Embrace your, for lack of a better word, naïveté.  In your interview express how you 1.  Have no baggage, 2.  Are willing to be molded, and 3.  Are full of energy and ideas…they’ll eat it up.

And lastly, remember to value yourself.  Granted, you may be young and inexperienced…and maybe not sure what the heck you’re doing half the time (ahem, cough cough).  But that doesn’t mean that you do not deserve respect.  If you find yourself in a situation where your company is not treating you fairly, or you are truly uncomfortable in your surroundings…don’t be afraid to walk away.  My Dad once told me something I’ll never forget.  After being in business for many years, he learned that it is inevitable that we make mistakes and bad judgement calls.  He also learned that you have to roll with the punches because life gives you a million chances.  As long as you learn from your mistakes and grow as a result, you’ll do alright.  So don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, because you will be better for it…and another opportunity will present itself…you just have to keep your eyes open.

-JG

Labor Day is over, and summer is drawing to a close.  No more excuses, it’s time to get serious.  Time to take an honest look at your job search efforts and determine whether or not you are using your time effectively and efficiently.  Here is the Who, What, Where, When, & Why of your new and improved job search.

 WHO are you?  Your Resume.

 Updating your resume requires MORE than just rearranging the “Education” and “Employment” sections.  And it is more than just changing the font to a more personable “Georgia” instead of the standard Times New Roman.  Times have changed.  The first “person” to read your resume may not a person at all.  It could be a computer scanning a Word Doc for keywords.  It does not matter how qualified you are for a position; if you do not have the proper keywords in your resume you will not be noticed.  The best place to find appropriate keywords?  The Job Ad.  Scour that ad and make sure that your potential employer is finding what they are looking for in your resume very visibly.  Make it easy for them.  And, yes, this means that for each individual job you apply for you should be updating and rewording your resume.  I understand that this will be a little tedious…but I promise you it will be worth it.  Blindly sending out the same generic resume for every position you apply for makes you look just that…generic.

 WHAT are you selling?  Your Personal Brand.

I know that I have touched on this subject a couple of times now, but that is only because it is such an incredibly important issue!!  Alliterations aside, here is a checklist of key components to a successful Personal Brand:

1. An updated Linked In profile with all of your previous work history.  There are several tools available on Linked In, use them!  Ask previous employers for recommendations, have your Twitter account feed on your profile, and be sure to connect with as many people as possible
2. An appropriate Facebook page that lets your personality shine through.  Your Facebook page should show employers that you are a real person with real interests, and that you can balance those interests and a successful career which you outlined in your Linked In profile.
3. An active Twitter account, keyword ACTIVE.  This is perhaps your most engaging tool, because when used appropriately Twitter can allow you to have conversations with anybody in your industry.  Tweet early, Tweet often.
4. Another component to your Personal Brand is a blog.  You must assume that when you apply for a new job, they are going to Google you.  You have the ability to control what shows up when your name gets plugged into that search engine!  The top slots should be gushing with positive information.  A blog provides the perfect tool to express yourself and your opinions.  Once an employer checks out your blog with all of your good ideas and charismatic prose…they won’t be able to resist!

WHERE are you looking?  Your Network.

 Knowing where to look can be the most difficult part of the job search.  Skimming over the “Classified” section of the local newspaper is NOT going to cut it.  Blasting your generic resume to dozens of job postings found on popular online job boards is also not going to cut it.  As a recruiter I am constantly reading resumes for open positions that we have available.  It amazes me how many people apply for positions they are so obviously not a fit for.  If you are looking for an interview, you need to specifically target where you are sending your resume.  This is where your network comes into play, and when you realize how important developing your Personal Brand is.  Use the tools discussed previously to research companies and find out who is hiring.  Be an active job seeker, not a passive one.  Waiting by the phone is not going to get you anywhere.  GET OUT THERE and show them what you got.  Request an informational interview with your dream company so that you can make a possible connection there.  Attend networking functions in your area and then FOLLOW UP with whoever you met.  The more people you meet, the better your chances of landing an interview. 

 WHEN should you start looking?  Right NOW!

 You should view your job search as a full time job.  That is how much energy you should be putting into it.  And there is no better time to get serious than today, right now.  For the lucky ones out there, you never know what the future may hold for you, or for the company you work for.  That is why it is important to continue maintaining your network even after you land a job.  No pessimism intended, just realism. 

…and finally, WHY is all of this so important?

I think L’Oréal says it best…”Because you’re worth it!”   (Haha…couldn’t resist…)

Good luck out there everybody!!

-JG

Morgan and Julie repping their teams…this season is going to get interesting. 

It’s that time of the year again.

…when your best friend can become your greatest enemy…

…when Sunday Funday gets a little out of hand…

…and, of course, when you suck up to whoever you have to in order to land those company seats at the game.

Here’s to a great football season.

So I have been in the workforce for a solid 7 months now.  And, granted, that is not exactly a long time and I understand that.  However, I have witnessed a phenomenon and I feel the need to comment on it.  I am going to call this phenomenon “The Grumble Effect”.

The Grumble Effect occurs every single work day around 11:15 AM.  (Give or take 15 minutes)  After the obligatory morning phone call buzz dies down, and the customary two cups of coffee have been drunk (sometimes a mocha latte from Starbucks if I’m feeling a little crazy)…inevitably somebody’s stomach grumbles. 

**Sidenote regarding Starbucks: What is with the game of 20 questions everytime I order my latte?  Look, let’s be real I got WHOLE milk…obviously I’m going to want the whipped cream and choc. syrup…

It’s important to note that nobody comments on the fact that somebody’s stomach just grumbled…everyone just makes a mental note of it.  There is a lull that occurs in the phone lines for about 3 to 5 minutes.  Don’t be fooled by the initial lull, it’s usually just a 45 second tease and then the phone rings again.  And then it happens…somebody says out loud what we have all been thinking since about 10:30 AM (Okay, okay since we got to the office… ): 

“So, what’s for lunch?”

The discussions/negotiations that ensue after these fateful words can last anywhere from 20 minutes to a full hour.  It absolutely astounds me.  The thought and care that goes into which place to get take-out from rivals that of any other major business decision…for an experience which usually lasts on average 10-15 minutes. 

You can count on this phenomenon to occur every single work day, without fail, in every single office in the country.  I can offer you no solution to the amount of time wasted in debate, I just wish you all decisiveness and patience in all of your future endeavors…lunch or otherwise.

-JG

A quick note on the “Personal Brand” idea that I mentioned previously…

The term “Personal Brand” is defined by Dan Schawbel** as the process by which we market ourselves to others.  If you are currently in the job market than you are, by default, a salesman.  Your product?  YOU.  Therefore, like it or not, you must define what you are selling so that you can market your product effectively.  We aren’t going to sugar-coat it for you, it is tough out there right now…which is why you need a marketing strategy that will convince employers that they do not just want you, they NEED your creative, hard-working, and excited self to sign on with their company.

There are a plethora of tools available for you to get started creating a personal brand.  What you need to make sure of is that these tools are working for you and not against you.  For example, most job seekers have set up a Linked In profile as well as a Facebook page and a Twitter account.  Now, a very wise person once told me (Hi, Mom) that “Perception is Reality”.  I quite literally could not think of three truer words.  When you walk into an interview you want to give a good first impression.  These days, that first impression could have been made days ago…when the recruiter found your resume…Googled you…and then did NOT call you after seeing your Facebook pics.  Your profiles that you create via social media profiles are your new first impression.  The way a recruiter perceives you to be based on your personal brand is, in fact, the way you are.  Because their perception at that moment is how they decide whether or not to call you for that position.

Just so we’re clear: Profile Pictures

BAD

GOOD

MJ Morgan Group has officially registered its team for the 2011 Team Relay in the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon.

I think it goes without saying that we are looking for a solid victory this year.  We will be counting on Moogs to establish the lead early so that Mista Pat and JG can tackle the hilly sections, and then Trey will come through as anchor and leave the other teams in the dust.  It’s training season guys, lets put our game faces on. 

For more information regarding the Baltimore Marathon check out their website:

The Baltimore Marathon