|
To say that looking for a job in this economy is difficult is like saying Bernie Madoff likes money. No kidding. With over 3.3 million jobs lost in the past five months alone, and unemployment rates the highest in over 25 years, finding a job is right up there with finding the Madoff money. But we are here to offer some “small” advice on how to stand out among the fray, to help you land that big, elusive job.
As we share in our upcoming book, The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we are big believers in sweating the small stuff in our lives and in our careers. Our smallest actions and gestures often have an outsized impact on our biggest goals. As the saying goes, “If you think small things don’t matter, think of the last game you lost by one point.”
“Small” actions often determine who gets the job and who doesn’t versus a stellar résumé. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, early birds don’t necessarily get the worm. Something as “small” as arriving too early for an interview can sabotage your chances before the interview begins. It can imply that you are desperate. It also makes people uncomfortable to have you sitting in their lobby for too long. Experts say arrive no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled interview time. Another example is what top-flight corporate recruiter, Paul Gumbiner, calls “The Starbucks Rule.” He tells job candidates, “Never show up for an interview with a Starbucks cup, unless you have one for the person you are meeting with.” Strolling in with your own coffee in not only overly casual, it suggests that you presumed your host would lack the manners to offer you anything. If you come with an unexpected treat for the other person, like a latte and biscotti, you’ve proved you know how to think about making clients happy before the interview even begins. With one “small” gesture, you send an important message about your natural abilities to anticipate the needs of others and take initiative. We have our own “small” rule at the Kaplan Thaler Group. Of course, we expect candidates to be on their best behavior when they meet with us, or another senior member of our team. But before we would ever consider hiring someone, we find out if they were nice to our security guard, Frank, upon entering the building or if they were respectful to our receptionist and said “thank you” when offered a drink. Without fail, these little things paint the big picture on most candidates.
Here are just a few “small” tips from The Power of Small to help you find that new job, or keep the one you have during these tough times:
- Make “Small” Talk: We are all so busy IMing or FBing that we forget to speak to the person standing next to us. Yet, the person you are behind in line could be your next boss. Additionally, “small” talk could lead to big ideas that make you stand out at work.
- Go the Extra Inch: Everyone expects to receive an e-mail thank-you after an interview, and well within 24 hours. But take the time to go that extra inch and send a hand-written thank you note too. It will make your prospective employer think about you again as they make their final decision. Same holds true after a meeting with a prospective client.
- Add a Minute: Take a breath and add a minute to proofread that résumé, or client proposal. One “small” typo speaks volumes about you. And once it is e-mailed, there is no delete in cyber space. You’ll enter the “spell-check hall of shame” for all eternity.
- Take Baby Steps: Finding a job can seem like an overwhelming, arduous task. So break it down into “mini-tasks” you can accomplish on a daily basis. Call three people you know to let them know you are looking for work one day, and identify five companies in your area that you would like to work for the next. Celebrate the “small” accomplishments along the way to keep you motivated.
Remember to focus on the pixels instead of the big picture to get ahead in good times and in bad.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Marcelo Di Franco (Miami, FL) |
on 18 Jun 2009 at 3:33 pm |
|
| I think we all agree with the importance of 'small' things. Still, something's missing in this equation. I'm talking about Authenticity, Genuineness... In other words, your 'small' actions must be genuine. You cannot just 'program' yourself to do those 'small' things and pretend people will not see the 'counterfeit.' If you are a genuinely considered person, you don't have to worry about those 'small' things, because they are part of you, genuinely! |
|
| Anonymous (Dallas, TX) |
on 12 Jun 2009 at 10:47 pm |
|
| Great advice. Ironically enough, you have a typo. |
|
| victor emmanuele (englewood, nj) |
on 03 Jun 2009 at 12:43 pm |
|
| I agree with all you say, however, being nice is a two-way street. When I started in this business many years ago it seemed like no one had to think twice about being nice....however, today I find more and more people corporate people who are making hiring decisions to be unthoughtful and sometimes down right rude!!...leaving you waiting in the lobby up to 1/2 hour, or leaving you waiting for weeks for a return phone call. As my mother-in-law used to say "It's nice to be nice". Let's ALL give it a try. |
|
| Anonymous (NYC) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 10:09 pm |
|
| Linda, as a former employee and Madoff casualty, I've lost all respect for you and your agency. What kind of absurd analogy are you trying to make by using the Madoff scam? I wouldn't have pegged you to be that insensitive. Truly, someone with at least one creative bone in their body could have come up with a better opening paragraph. Shame on you. |
|
| Bill Crandall (New York) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 6:43 pm |
|
Haven't read the book yet, but kudos to Linda and Robin on this timely (albeit promotional) article. I'm sure many "candidates", especially those who don't know any better, will benefit from their insights.
Only thing I would add (assuming it's not covered in their book) is: TRY NOT TO BE OVER 50! Despite what is typically reported about "50 is the new 30", agencies don't usually see it that way. No matter how qualified you are, where you've been, what you know, who you know, how good you look, how digitally savvy you are, etc., in the agency business, 50 is the new 65. |
|
| Michael Albert (Redondo Beach California) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 4:15 pm |
|
Boy, did you ever nail it with the mention of the coffee cup and then sitting in the lobby, texting, phoning and not introducing your self or engaging with people while you wait. Love those small points that make very big impressions. I plead guilty to the coffee cup crime, not for gig interviews, but other meetings. Thanks for the knock on the head.
Michael |
|
| Mr. Zoogle (New York) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 4:03 pm |
|
| Re-read it again and again. Perfect article for the business climate of today, tomorrow, and forever more. Everything and everyone matters. Some of the nicest folks I have met when interviewing are the people who sit outside the elevator banks. And it actually sometimes makes you want to work at a place even more. The scary thing is when that fire that person you liked so much. Then you realize, "uh-oh, maybe this is not the dream job after all." Thanks again. Have a great week! mattspen.com |
|
| Stuart (Naperville, IL) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 3:15 pm |
|
| You're absolutely right. Terrific article and actionable too--regardless of your employment status. Thanks for the read. (Love the duck especially with Yogi Berra.) |
|
| Mariann Aalda (Los Angeles, CA) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 12:04 pm |
|
So true!!! Good manners and a great disposition are always engaging...and never go out of fashion.
www.mariannaalda.com |
|
| matt nadler (larchmont) |
on 02 Jun 2009 at 11:46 am |
|
| Love the idea that "the small things matter" - small is the new BIG. Thank you Linda and Robin for agreeing with my grandfather. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
About the Author
Linda Kaplan Thaler/ Robin Koval |
|
|
 |
 |
Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval are CEO and President, respectively, of The Kaplan Thaler Group, creators of such pop-culture icons as the Aflac Duck, and the authors of the national bestsellers THE POWER OF NICE: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness and BANG!: Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World. Their newest collaboration, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference.
http://www.thepowerofsmallbook.com
Advertising Jobs |
Marketing Jobs |
Media Jobs |
Digital Jobs |
Advertising Assistant Professor
WVU Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism
Morgantown |
Interactive Director
Two By Four Ltd.
Chicago, Illinois |
Senior Project Manager
Two By Four Ltd.
Chicago, Illinois |
Scientific Strategist
LEAP PHARMA
New York, New York |
Media Supervisor with Multicultural Expert...
Draftfcb
Chicago, Illinois |
Associate Media Director with Internationa...
Draftfcb
Chicago, Illinois |
Accounting/Billing Coordinator
Muse Communications, Inc.
Los Angeles, California |
Account Manager
Freeworld Media
Atlanta, Georgia |
Ad Operations Lead, Technology and Solutio...
COXnet
Atlanta, Georgia |
Junior Art Director
USFI
Dallas, Texas |
Account Supervisor
Vitro
San Diego, California |
Copywriter
MARC USA
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Web Designer
Moore and Scarry Advertising
Fort Myers, Florida |
Art Director
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods
Little Rock, Arkansas |
|
|
