...There is definitely a problem with being overqualified for a role. The braver more mature hiring managers will even be happy to tell you why! And while there are many reasons and excuses, I find that the most important/primary reason is simple; Retention!
In most cases, a hiring manager is usually responsible for a business unit or a certain business function, aside from hiring. As a result, his/her main goal is to fill a role with someone who will ideally be there for a very, very long time, because, the fact of the matter is...if you are TOO good for your job...you'll get bored and quit very very soon. Leaving the hiring manager with the difficult task of looking o RE-fill your role sooner than he'd like.
Exacerbate the "pain" by the thousands of dollars in "down time", that the open position will cost the company, the stress on the team for taking up the slack, and the time the Hiring Manager has to take away from Managing the rest of the business functions, and suddenly, you understand why no one wants to hire a quitter! I know, that it can seem very, very frustrating when you are out of work, and looking for a job, but, this is the candid perspective.
From an HR perspective (which is the one I am aligned with myself) however, you should not be in a role that bores you. Once one has enough money in the bank to meet your physical needs, then the best workers need to be challenged to remain happy.
Take away the challenge, then what are you left with? Boredom...And let's be fair; once you are bored then your productivity drops, then you begin looking for another job...thus, increasing your frustration all over again, leaving your former employer with the thankless task of having to fill the same role again, all over again.
Just my two cents. And one of the key reasons my clients don't like overqualified people.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
What's the best way to used linkedin in my job search?
Linkedin is possibly the greatest networking tool for someone in your situation. Personally, I can't help you, as my firm focuses exclusively on job seekers at the Sr. Manager level, and up. BUT, that doesn't mean I can't give you some solid advice.
Steps to successful networking via linkedin:
a) Find the top 3 industries you feel you could best leverage your experience in (we can talk about the "why" later)
b) find the "Top 50 Employers in Canada" or if you're in the US, money.cnn.com and Fortune have similar lists for each industry, or find the best 2-4 companies in each of the 3 industries that you find in section a. using the top 35 list, and other sources.
c) go to linkedin and identify everyone in your/our network that you feel are important roles in each of these companies...and network with them. Call them directly, or send them an email. Talk to them, let them know what you are doing, and listen to what they have to say. If you are new to an industry, talk to Industry experts, and really listen to their insight...And after 10-15 minutes of listening. Ask them "Do you know anyone that would be interested in someone with my skill sets? Or that I could network with to help identify potential opportunities?".
Hopefully, this will give you a new solid list to work from as you begin your job search effort.
I don't have any upcoming opportunities that you'd be a good fit for (mostly because I work on more senior roles), but, again, go through my network, and if there is anyone you need help connecting with, please, use me as a reference.
Good luck,
Konstantinos Kasekas
Steps to successful networking via linkedin:
a) Find the top 3 industries you feel you could best leverage your experience in (we can talk about the "why" later)
b) find the "Top 50 Employers in Canada" or if you're in the US, money.cnn.com and Fortune have similar lists for each industry, or find the best 2-4 companies in each of the 3 industries that you find in section a. using the top 35 list, and other sources.
c) go to linkedin and identify everyone in your/our network that you feel are important roles in each of these companies...and network with them. Call them directly, or send them an email. Talk to them, let them know what you are doing, and listen to what they have to say. If you are new to an industry, talk to Industry experts, and really listen to their insight...And after 10-15 minutes of listening. Ask them "Do you know anyone that would be interested in someone with my skill sets? Or that I could network with to help identify potential opportunities?".
Hopefully, this will give you a new solid list to work from as you begin your job search effort.
I don't have any upcoming opportunities that you'd be a good fit for (mostly because I work on more senior roles), but, again, go through my network, and if there is anyone you need help connecting with, please, use me as a reference.
Good luck,
Konstantinos Kasekas
I just finished my MBA and I am looking for work, what do I do?
"...thanks for reaching out, and more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS on finally finishing the MBA - it's a great way to tell employers "See, I can finish anything I set my mind to!".
As for your career search, there are several ways you can go about it, but if you have already graduated, then you are a few months behind the program!
Your search should have begun months ago, during the last term/semester of your program. I am sure there were several corporate recruiters attending job fairs throughout the year on campus, and I hope you made it out to see them. If you did, your best bet is to start calling everyone you are interested in working with. Then, let them know what type of role you are interested in. Sending a generic resume with a generic cover letter, is a sure way to get your resume filed in the round "G" filing cabinet, under the desk, or sent to the bottom of the pile...Unless of course, the employer is desperate, in which case...you should ask yourself; do you really want to work there?
Go to your career centre; part of the criteria when those magazines evaluate a Good B-School is their placement rates. It is in your school's best interest to get you a job ASAP (That's what keeps THEM in business and high on the "Top X" list), so go, check out your career centre, talk to a Councillor, and see how they can help you, you'd be surprised at the wealth of knowledge they have at their fingertips.
Do you know what type of job you are looking for? Sure, it's easy and great if you have a specialized degree, but what if you don't? Figure it out. It's important, not just for personal growth but to help hiring managers/recruiters etc. see how they can fit you into their puzzle. Don't make me, or some hiring manager have to figure it out, because we are usually only worried about filling the precise openings that are on our desk/division/mandate (the alternative is that we will be out looking for our own jobs, quite quickly). So, very quickly, you need to be able to tell them "Hi, I am looking for X job, in Y division, do you have any opportunities for me?".
Now pay attention to this part: If they say "no, I can't help you", you're immediate follow up question should be "Do you know anyone that has such an opportunity, or that I could network with to identify such a role?".
This is a very important question, so don't forget to ask.
Anyway, this is a start. Of course, check the job boards, and see what's there...but, most importantly NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK! my tool of choice is linkedin. If we aren't already connected, connect to me by going to my linkedin home page, and connect. My address is on my site, add me. www.linkedin.com/konst2k I accept all invites. Then, explore my network and see who can help you find your dream job. If you need to use me as a reference, email me at my address, and tell me why.
That's it for now!
Good luck.
2K
As for your career search, there are several ways you can go about it, but if you have already graduated, then you are a few months behind the program!
Your search should have begun months ago, during the last term/semester of your program. I am sure there were several corporate recruiters attending job fairs throughout the year on campus, and I hope you made it out to see them. If you did, your best bet is to start calling everyone you are interested in working with. Then, let them know what type of role you are interested in. Sending a generic resume with a generic cover letter, is a sure way to get your resume filed in the round "G" filing cabinet, under the desk, or sent to the bottom of the pile...Unless of course, the employer is desperate, in which case...you should ask yourself; do you really want to work there?
Go to your career centre; part of the criteria when those magazines evaluate a Good B-School is their placement rates. It is in your school's best interest to get you a job ASAP (That's what keeps THEM in business and high on the "Top X" list), so go, check out your career centre, talk to a Councillor, and see how they can help you, you'd be surprised at the wealth of knowledge they have at their fingertips.
Do you know what type of job you are looking for? Sure, it's easy and great if you have a specialized degree, but what if you don't? Figure it out. It's important, not just for personal growth but to help hiring managers/recruiters etc. see how they can fit you into their puzzle. Don't make me, or some hiring manager have to figure it out, because we are usually only worried about filling the precise openings that are on our desk/division/mandate (the alternative is that we will be out looking for our own jobs, quite quickly). So, very quickly, you need to be able to tell them "Hi, I am looking for X job, in Y division, do you have any opportunities for me?".
Now pay attention to this part: If they say "no, I can't help you", you're immediate follow up question should be "Do you know anyone that has such an opportunity, or that I could network with to identify such a role?".
This is a very important question, so don't forget to ask.
Anyway, this is a start. Of course, check the job boards, and see what's there...but, most importantly NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK! my tool of choice is linkedin. If we aren't already connected, connect to me by going to my linkedin home page, and connect. My address is on my site, add me. www.linkedin.com/konst2k I accept all invites. Then, explore my network and see who can help you find your dream job. If you need to use me as a reference, email me at my address, and tell me why.
That's it for now!
Good luck.
2K
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)