So far on Windy City Job Hunting I have done two interviews with recent college graduates. This next interview is with Steven Steinfeld, a career and job search coach. Steven has been very successful in placing recent college graduates in jobs that pertain to their careers. Steven has provided Windy City Job Hunting with some excellent tips and advice to help any recent college graduate who still has not found a job.
A: Where did you go to college and what did you major in?
S: I went to the City University of New York where I majored in psychology.
A: Why did you major in that field? Do you wish you would have done something different?
S: I majored in psychology because I found it interesting but I had no plans to use the knowledge in my career. In retrospect, I wish that I had continued to pursue a doctorate in psychology.
A: What made you decide to be a career coach? How long have you been a career coach?
S: I have been a career coach since I retired from a very successful career in global sales, marketing, and consulting, a little bit less than three years ago. I became a career coach because it was suggested to me that I could successfully use my strengths and skills (sales, marketing, strategic planning, writing, and coaching/mentoring) to work as an executive and career coach. Also, I have great knowledge of the hiring process by virtue of being involved in hundreds of hiring decisions, and due to the fact that my wife was a recruiter.
A: Can you tell us some success stories you have had with helping someone find that job in their career path?
S: There are many that I could recount, but typically they are based on concentrating on the discovery process wherein my clients are able to pin point a career that aligns with their strengths, skills, experience, accomplishments, and interests. Once the "right" career and/or job are identified, the next step is to put together a plan and take action on that plan with weekly reviews until they land the targeted job. I am particularly proud of being able to help clients who had all but given up hope for a rewarding and fulfilling career prior to allowing me to partner with them.
A: We all know the economy is not good, but what other reasons could be affecting recent college graduates from finding a job?
S: They may be looking at the "wrong" job, which is to say that they do not have enough confidence nor enthusiasm for the job that they are pursuing to put energy into the process or have a winning interview.
A: What are the most common mistakes you see recent college graduates making when looking for a job?
S: Assuming that they are targeting the "right" job, they are often unsuccessful due to a basic lack of understanding of today's job search process. Since up to 90% of jobs being landed today have some connection to networking, a common mistake is not adequately developing or leveraging their network.
A: How can social media help or hurt your job hunt?
S: I believe that Facebook and Twitter are of limited value to most recent grads, and a less than professional Facebook posting or photograph can hurt your chances if you allow open access to your account. LinkedIn, on the other hand, can be extremely important to both building a network strategically and utilizing that network to land informational and job interviews.
A: Do you think Chicago is a difficult place for recent college graduates to find a job?
S: The job environment is improving in Chicago more than in most other major cities, mostly in response to Mayor Emanuel's efforts.
A: Tell the readers more about your position at Executive to Executive Coaching, Inc. (E2EC) and Over 40 and Hired! and New Grad and Hired!
S: I am the Founder and President of Executive to Executive Coaching, Inc. "Over 40 and Hired!" and "New Grad and Hired!" are career and job search services of E2EC. I do some of the coaching personally but also have a network of outstanding coaches who are affiliated with the company.
A: To all the recent college graduates who are struggling to find a job in their career path, what advice would you give them?
S: Here are some do's and don'ts. I discuss them in more detail in a radio interview that can be found at www.newgradandhired.com
- Don’t start your job search until you understand how to be successful
- Do Have a written plan and set of at least weekly goals
- Do concentrate on building and leveraging your network
- Do assess your strengths and accomplishments and communicate them in your networking, resume, cover letters, interviews etc.
- Do research your target companies thoroughly on-line and through informational interviews . Align your strengths, skills, education, and experience with what they value which is how you can help them meet their challenges and reach their goals.
- Do follow up after submitting your resume and after interviews
- Do get to the hiring manager.
- Do avoid HR whenever possible.
- Do keep active (temporary or p/t work, volunteer- discuss at dog shelter)
- Don’t get down and discouraged when the process takes time. It’s very important to stay positive and confident.
A: If people want to connect with you, how can they?
S: They can connect through my websites (www.exec2execcoach.com, www.over40andhired.com, www.newgradandhired.com) or e-mail me at steven@exec2execcoach.com.
Filed under: Interviews
Tags: Career, Coach, Coaching, communications, Executive, job, job hunting, public relations, social media, Steven Steinfeld
