Meet Holly, An Intuitionet Job Finder
“I was laid off after 14 years at one company."
Holly’s goal was to be re-employed as soon as possible to prove to herself that she could still be a valuable contributor in a job. Naturally, Holly received all kinds of advice from friends and co-workers. In the current economy, they said, you might do all the right things and have all the right skills…but getting hired was often just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. These days, employers were looking for a perfect match, someone who had all of the skills and the exact background they were seeking.
According to Holly, “To increase my odds of ‘being in the right place at the right time,’ I went to many places. I read through volumes of job ads every day. I networked too, but I spent many, many hours searching on-line for job listings from lots of different sites. I searched on dozens of keywords, across all kinds of industries and within a 50 mile radius. Yes, this brought me to southern Maine and Rhode Island, but I knew companies are often adding new locations, or move, or are happy to arrange for remote work. I had an ever- growing list of sites I checked at least once a day.”
When Holly wasn’t searching or networking, she was preparing for “the right time” – to be ready at a moment’s notice with a terrific resume, cover letter, work samples, and interview skills. She created two generic resumes and cover letters (for the two types of positions she was seeking) and used them as a base to be customized for each job application. Before she even applied anywhere, she read all she could find about interviewing and scheduled a few practice sessions with friends.
If all of this sounds time-consuming, it was. The only way Holly could manage everything on a daily basis and still have a personal life was to only apply for positions for which she was a “perfect match.” Given the current economy, Holly accepted that this might not be the optimal time to break into something new. (“Others may disagree on this,” she laughs). She liked her last two job roles, so she was happy to do something similar for a different company.
“I only applied for positions that matched my skill set and I only applied for positions I loved,” says Holly. “I asked myself if I would accept the position if it was offered. I wasn’t looking to just ‘get my foot in the door’ somewhere or bide time until the recession passed. I wanted to like what I was doing,” she adds.
Every day Holly reviewed numerous job listings, both permanent and contract. When she found one that was a perfect match and really appealed to her, Holly says she applied immediately.
“When I say immediately, I mean that day, that moment,” she emphasizes.
Holly was ready with a baseline resume and says she knew how to write a cover letter listing each job requirement and how she met or exceeded each requirement. Each application took hours.
One day, about two hours after applying for a contract position listed just that morning, (Holly knew this because she went to the job site every single day) she got a phone call from the recruiter. He called her cell phone while she was on a job-related call on the landline. The moment she hung up, she returned his call. Of course, he was on the phone. Holly left an enthusiastic and clear message. |
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“I started my own marketing communications company a few years ago. Not only has Intuitionet helped me grow my business, but I’ve also met talented people who have worked with me and added value to the products and services I deliver to clients.”
Patty D.
 “Intuitionet has helped me take small steps towards my goals (which continue to evolve). I just finished a CAD course and completed my resume after a 9 year hiatus from the professional working world. The support I received from Intuitionet was and is invaluable. I’m looking forward to what’s next instead of being afraid of it.”
Debbie C.
Then she waited. Five minutes later the recruiter called back and said, “Your resume was the first one we received. Since you submitted yours, eight more have arrived, but yours seems like the best match. Can you come in for an interview tomorrow?” Holly’s interview went fine and later that same day, she received a job offer.
“The job has been a joy,” says Holly. “I enjoy my commute because I am looking forward to the day. I genuinely enjoy how I spend my day – the work itself, my co-workers, the company, the industry. When I leave at the end of the day I know I have contributed. I consider myself very, very fortunate.”
Holly will be the first one to tell you that being prepared, working hard on your job search, and having a positive outlook make all the difference.
“I would not be here, at this job that brings me so much happiness, if I had read the job listing even one day later. I would not be here if my resume was not ready, or if I had postponed returning the recruiter’s call, or if I had to go shopping for an interview outfit before scheduling the interview. I worked hard to be in the right place at the right time and to apply for jobs for which I was a perfect match. My enthusiasm for the job came across in my interview.”
For others seeking employment, Holly hopes her experiences may provide some encouragement. “You have to believe that you are the perfect match for a job out there, and then work to put yourself in the right place at the right time to get it. Nothing boosts your self-esteem like achieving the goals you set for yourself.” |
