Recently I heard that a smartphone had become the most important fashion accessory. I don’t doubt it. It is a powerful tool, especially if one is properly connected. I have apps on my iPhone to fetch my email from each of my various accounts. Messages left on my desk phone are relayed to my cell phone via text. All of my data is backed up on the cloud and accessible via my iPhone. My iPhone includes apps for LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, and Facebook, among others. My office is wherever I am, whenever. As a result, my clients know that I am at their service 24/7. I hardly think that I am unique among recruiters, so I am certain we are all working pretty much the same way.

In last week's post, I wrote about being prepared to talk with your recruiter. Now it’s time to talk about accessibility.  Just as I am accessible to my clients, my candidates must be equally available to me. When someone indicates interest in one of my searches I put their contact information into my database, tied to that search. I invite them to connect with me on LinkedIn and to opt into my mailing list. Accepting those invitations helps me stay connected to those folks, during and after the completion of the assignment. In an earlier post I stated that I prefer to make contact to a candidate’s personal email account; one they use regularly. Using a candidate’s work email address introduces a risk component that the candidate should avoid. Most companies don’t like their employees looking for another job while employed.  Using their company’s email account is like waving a big, red flag. Text messaging is becoming more important.   People who are gainfully employed can acknowledge and respond to a text message when they cannot respond via email or by telephone. It is especially useful for getting answers to questions where a yes or no answer is required.

So, what should you do to be most accessible to your recruiter? To begin with, ensure that your resume contains the appropriate contact information. Your home address is not important anymore. It is unlikely that you will be contacted via the U.S. Postal Service. Your cell phone number and your personal email address are critical. Secondly, be sure to put the recruiter’s information into your smartphone so that you will recognize that he is trying to contact you. You don’t want important email going into your spam filter, do you? My contact information is widely published and available on all of my emails. In fact, you should have a detailed signature block in your emails too. That tip makes it that much easier to respond to you, especially by phone or text. Finally, my best candidates keep me apprised as to their upcoming schedule so I will know if they are traveling or on vacation.

Life moves quickly. Technology has us connected like never before. We live in a real-time world, or very close to it. Business moves quicker than ever with the expectation for immediate results. “Time is of the essence” has taken on an entirely new dimension. We have tools like voicemail, email, text messaging, and LinkedIn among others. [Tweet “To be competitive one must be competent and technically savvy.”]

To ensure that I am in the best position to help you land that next job, make sure that I can easily reach you when I need you. Use technology to your advantage. Ensure that all of your contact information is on your resume and in the signature block of your emails. Keep me abreast of your calendar, especially your travel plans. Make sure that my contact information is in your contact list as well.

Help me help you!

1. Include your full contact information in all correspondence.

2. Make your communications smart phone friendly.

3. Use the full capabilities of your technology.

“My professional team and I are connected through a common alignment of goals to serve the client and its members. My personal team of connections on dating apps has a common alignment of goals and the willingness to share a bit of ourselves in the journey of life to serve each other.“ A direct quote from my friend Faith.

I have argued that a successful search begins with a plan. Finding a life partner requires a plan too. In reality, however, even before developing a plan, one must begin with a winning attitude. Success requires a positive, optimistic, yet realistic outlook. One must be confident that the search will be successful in a reasonable period of time. And, you must pursue your search with integrity. Confidence is the key to a winning attitude. You must believe in your skills and capabilities. You must believe in yourself.

[Tweet “A lack of confidence cannot be disguised, and it will be fatal.”] I am certain that you have had experience with people who were unconvincing. You did not believe they could deliver on their claims. Their presentation did not ring true, and their body language was not congruent. Whatever they were selling, they failed to close the deal. Confidence comes from experience. The more experience one has networking, or dating, the more skillful one becomes. Networking forces us out of our comfort zone. It is challenging for some. With practice, you will perfect your message and gain needed information. You learn to listen for cues, clues, and signals to help evaluate options. You learn how to communicate your goals and capabilities in a way that resonates with others. You learn how and when to present information that may not be flattering. You learn how to maintain your composure with grace and professionalism. You learn to express interest without looking desperate. You learn that a little mystery enhances interest. Your experience builds confidence which captivates the other party.

I have been amused by stories friends have told about their first meetings. All too often, the other person’s physical description and photograph were outdated, with little resemblance to the current reality. Of course, it wasn’t amusing to my friends. No one likes wasting time and energy on a fantasy. Integrity; consistent, honest, ethical behavior, is the backbone of your efforts. An accurate presentation of your background and accomplishments is expected. A current photo is required, when dating. Outdated photographs are viewed as deceptive, a major turnoff. Inaccurate embellishments and outright lies will be discovered. Honesty is always the best policy.

Making a good physical presentation at the first personal meeting will determine if the process will move forward. Appropriate attire and grooming is a good place to start. Appropriate means matching the norms of the employer, or situation. I am reminded of something my mother often told me. She said, “You won’t be viewed negatively if you are over-dressed, but you will be if you are under-dressed.” That advice has served me well. One must be well versed in etiquette to behave according to expectations. Your communication skills are being evaluated as you are evaluating the other party. Are you a likeable person? Do people enjoy your company? If you are not a friendly, likeable person it will be difficult finding an appropriate job, or mate. Be likeable. People like to date, and work with people they like.

There will be setbacks along the way. Disappointment is a part of the process. One must have coping skills to work through the rough spots. One of the best coping skills is to build a large list of  prospects. If one or two prospects fall out, you will still have ample targets to pursue.  Remember, search is a numbers game. Think of a funnel, as a metaphor for the process. A funnel is broad at the top and narrow at the bottom. Target a large, but reasonable number of employers for consideration at the beginning of your search. Then work the process so that, hopefully, you will have two or three finalists to choose from. Start with a lot of participants (play the field) and work them through your process until only one is left standing.  Job search and Mate-search begins with the right attitude and confidence in your skills. If you lack confidence and do not present a winning attitude, your search will be prolonged until you make the necessary changes.