Survey Says: Intensify Your Job Search Now, Before Hiring Slows-5 Steps to Speed Up Your Job Prospects

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After surveying our extensive database of job seekers from the past few years, we heard the following key “takeaways” for today’s job seeker:

Best Months to Search:
September (after Labor Day) to Thanksgiving
January to April (to Easter)

Worst (Slow) times for Searching:
Early Summer to Labor Day
Thanksgiving to New Year’s

Based on these findings, it’s evident that now to Thanksgiving may be an optimal time for you to find your next employment opportunity. Utilize these 5 steps to ensure you’re “up to speed” during this key period:

(1) Redouble your efforts in sending out resumes, conducting networking, etc. Summer is over – Employers have only just returned from summer vacations and are highly energized in making year-end quotas, etc. They might just be looking to fill some previously budgeted vacancies that must be filled prior to year’s end.

(2) Make sure you’ve done your (research) homework. Be clear on exactly what position you’re seeking (and ensure that your resume reflects it to best advantage). Use a resume-critiquing service like Allison & Taylor to ensure that your resume will get you that all-important first interview. Do some investigative homework on your prospective employers to ensure that your future interviews highlight the immediate, positive contributions you can make to their company.

(3) Hone your interviewing skills. Conduct “role play” sessions with friends and family where you have them pose questions to you in an interview-style format. This will better enable you to develop a comfort level with the interview venue, and help you anticipate the kind of questions you’ll receive during the “real thing”.

(4) Review Your Skill Set. What “value add” can you offer that will tip the employment scales in your favor? If there are any gaps in your skill set, consider using software tools, online training sites, etc. to round out your knowledge base.

(5) There is a new format for references – Make sure your references are solid. You certainly don’t want to make it through the interview process with flying colors, only to lose the job because your former supervisor/HR representative gave you a lackluster (or negative) reference. Take charge of your career search by checking your own references with a company like Allison & Taylor. If any employer negativity is documented, you will be able to do something about it with tools such as a Cease & Desist letter.

 

To find out more, please visit http://www.allisontaylor.com

Are you protected by your old company’s policy to only confirm the dates and title of employment?

Our experience is, that with a little pressure, most managers break company policy and speak their mind to either help or hurt a candidate’s chance at another job. Who from your past job will help you or hurt you – you need to know.

Click here to find out what is really being said about you.

Is your past boss badmouthing you?

50% of our clients have lost good job offers due to bad or mediocre comments from previous employers. Reference-Letters.com will confidentially find out what is really being said about you and give you the power to stop it!

Click here to find out how!

Interviewing well but not getting the job?

Maybe it’s something that a past employer or reference is saying. Could a jealous colleague be sabotaging you? Could your past boss be less than happy at your departure? Reference-Letters.com will help you find out.

Click here to find out how!

Do you have a separation agreement with your past employer? Is it being honored?

Is your past employer giving you the professional and prompt reference that was promised or are they saying, “Well according to our agreement I can only confirm that he worked here.” Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said and give you the power to enforce your agreement.

Click here to find out how!

Were you a victim of discrimination, sexual harassment or wrongful termination?

Your previous employers could be affecting your new job search through their comments to prospective employers. Don’t let them continue to hurt you and your career.

Click here to find out what is really being said about you.

Are you being BLACKBALLED?

Last year our clients were awarded more than $2 million in settlements. Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said about you and give you the power to stop it!

Click here to find out how!

You’ve put time and effort into your resume, developed your network of possible employers and recruiters, worked on your interview skills – but have done nothing but typed a list of your references. Don’t leave this crucial area to chance. References are the final factor in who gets the job offer. Your past employers – anyone you reported to will be contacted. Do you know what they will say? Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said about you.

Click here to find out how!

FAQ

Question:
Will my employment references know that I am having them ‘checked out’?

Answer:
Absolutely not. At no time do we reveal who has hired us to do this research.

 Question:
Isn’t it illegal to ask about things other than title and dates of employment during a reference check?

Answer:
No, and that is one of the interesting things about references. It is a private conversation between two people, your past employer and a prospective one. Anything can be said, regardless of what the laws are. Go to your local legislator’s office. They can find the most recent laws for you but remember, every road we drive on has a speed limit. When we are running late, if a police officer is not in sight, we speed. There is not a reference police officer watching over you past employer. Essentially, your past employer or reference can take 5 minutes on the telephone with a total stranger and either increase your chances of obtaining a new position or absolutely ruin them.
Question:
Can I have additional or specific questions asked of my employment references?

Answer:
Custom reports are available for an additional fee. If there is any possibility of litigation, we suggest not to alter our normal course of business as this jeopardizes our unbiased research.
Question:
Who should I list as a reference?

Answer:
When compiling a list of employment references, try to look at it from the prospective employer’s shoes. First, you need responsive people that can confirm that you worked there, your title, reason for separation and other basics. Additionally, you need to list people who can vouch for your level of responsibility and performance. Also consider any party to whom you reported. These individuals do not necessarily have to be named on your list of references, but be assured, if you reported to them, they are likely to be contacted by a prospective employer.
Question:
What if my reference no longer works for my previous company?

Answer:
It is in your best interest to locate your previous supervisors and colleagues. We are not a detective agency, and neither are the prospective employers who will be considering you. Allison & Taylor can simply call your past companies and ask for forwarding information, just as a prospective employer would, but realistically this is likely to go nowhere. You could hire a private investigator or try to do this on your own. Call the company yourself, maybe someone you know is there and they would release the information to you. Can you call former colleagues or clients? The internet is a great source of information, try your own search. The bottom line is that in order for you to compare to your competition for other positions, you need to have your references and past supervisors in order.
Question:
If my employment references are bad, what can I do?

Answer:
A bad employment reference can be strategically dealt with depending on what is actually being said and to what degree things are explained. You need to first determine what is being said before you can develop an appropriate strategy. Depending on what the research reveals as well as the laws within your state, you may be able to take legal action. We suggest taking our report to an employment attorney for proper legal advice. Allison & Taylor, Inc. will be available to supply our research evidence and to testify in support of your situation should the need arise. Although we will not make a referral to a specific attorney, we do suggest finding one through NELA – the National Employment Lawyers Association. Additionally, very good legal advice and information can be accessed at US Law Books.