Welcome to TheCareerMaker.com
Are you currently out of work, changing careers (like those leaving the US Military), or struggling in a dead-end job with no future?
If so, you’re in the right place!
“Your work is to discover your work and
then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”
– Buddha
Hi, I’m Ed Murphy, and I’m the Founder of TheCAREERMaker.com.
The purpose of this site is to provide you with the best-in-class wisdom, advice, and knowledge available anywhere on how to maximize your true career potential. It contains the most important actionable Tactics, Techniques, and Tools (or Best Practices) needed to help you resolve all your career related challenges.
I bring over 21 years of experience as an Executive Coach, helping hundreds of people, from recent college graduates to CEO’s, maximize their true career potential. During that time, I worked for four of the largest consulting, outplacement, and e-cruiting companies in America in Seattle, San Diego, and Kansas City.
Have you ever lost your job? If not, you will. You have no cash flow, and you’re surviving on savings and help from friends and family. The fear and uncertainty of when you’ll be reemployed are crushing on you and your family. The biggest frustration is the SILENCE; your phone never rings – even after weeks and months of looking.
You have done everything you know how to do, and nothing so far has worked. The fear of the unknown, the embarrassment, the lack of self-worth and self-doubt are mounting. You’re desperate and ready to take any job just to support your family. How much longer can you afford to stay in this insane holding pattern; doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different result? There must be a better way!
Well there is, and it’s time for a change – this is why I created this site.
I can help you!
Perhaps one of my clients said it best when he wrote,
“Thanks to Ed, I learned the secrets of running a successful job search, and in only two weeks I found my career position. I actually had two offers from which to choose and was able to leverage that situation into a 10% raise plus a bonus, all before I ever worked a day. Thanks doesn’t seem enough.”
– William S., San Diego, CA
I bring over 21 years of experience as an Executive Career Coach, helping thousands of people, from recent college graduates to CEO’s find meaning employment. I worked for four of the largest outplacement and e-cruiting companies in America in Seattle, San Diego, and Kansas City. Here I learned the SECRETS of creating a compelling resume, of winning at job interviews and negotiating. I also developed 19+ PROVEN methods of getting my clients resumes in front of hiring managers – including the use of social networking.
In 2012, I decided to put down on paper, everything I’d learned (every tactic, technique, and tool) from the previous 21 years as an Executive Coach which led to the creation of this site.
Are you Getting the Call for the Job Interviews you Deserve?
It was specifically written for all those who have either lost their job, are changing careers (like those leaving the US Military), or those who are stuck in a dead-end job they hate.
It was here that I learned the SECRETS of making my client’s phone ring.
Without the Phone Call – you’re Search is DEAD!
To make your phone ring, you’ll need a compelling resume; one that speaks the language the employer understands and sells your potential. How do you do that? This is why I created this site.
This site also explains how to get selected as the #1 candidate from job interviews and how to negotiate the highest offer the employer can afford.
I reveal 19+ PROVEN ways of getting your resume in front of the right people, interviewing strong enough to be selected as #1, and negotiating strong enough to receive the highest offer the employer can afford. It was specifically written for all those who have either lost their job, are changing careers (like those leaving the US Military), or those who are stuck in a dead-end job they hate.
How do Employers Fill Vacancies?
Because time is critical, employers normally fill vacant positions by;
- Selecting someone from within their company
- Asking for referrals from their employees
- Asking for referrals from family, friends, and associates
- And, as a last resort, they create a job requisition (including the duties and responsibilities, minimum prerequisites, and desired skills) to begin the hiring process which could take several weeks (if not months)
Special Note: Notice that many positions are filled from referrals from others. These positions won’t be advertised. This is important because it shapes your actions during your search! You can only access them by using the techniques presented in this site.
How do People Find Jobs?
Most people find jobs through word of mouth referrals and by contacting companies directly. However, all these sources produce results.
- Word of mouth – 35%
- Contacting companies – 30%
- Ads and internet – 14%
- Agencies and recruiters – 11%
- Referrals from schools, unions, trade journals, and civil services tests – 10%
Special Note: Notice that 65% of positions come from word of mouth and contacting companies. These positions won’t be advertised. This is important because it shapes your actions during your search! You can ONLY access them by using the techniques presented in this site.
What’s the Role of Human Resources?
When applying for a posted job your resume will go directly to the Human Resources (HR) Office. This process could generate hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes. HR will screen all the resumes and select a few to send to a hiring manager. If the hiring manager likes what he sees, he will ask HR to schedule an interview.
This is the traditional hiring process (if the hiring manager can’t find a replacement through referrals). As a result, this traditional process doesn’t put the odds in your favor. You need a better way of getting your resume in front of the right people. This is why I created this site.
Here are a few suggestions on how to find a new job within 90-days or less.
Don’t Violate these Warnings!
It’s important to understand a few important warnings.
Warning #1: Don’t quit your job unless you have a guaranteed better job to move too. If you quit, you lose two valuable things; unemployment insurance and severance.
Warning #2: Don’t fall into the trap of waiting until your unemployment insurance and/or severance runs out before starting your search. It could take you at least one-month for each $10,000 in the pay you’re seeking before you find a new position, or longer. Always be looking for a better opportunity even after you become reemployed!
Warning #3: Don’t take your foot off the job search accelerator! Just because one opportunity looks good, don’t slow down your search. At the last minute, this good opportunity could disappear, and you’ll be left with nothing, feeling demoralized. Don’t stop your search actions until the day after your first day at your new job.
Identify your Assets
Let’s take an inventory of your assets. Your assets are your knowledge, skills, experience, attitude, achievements, relationships, and balance. This is what you bring to the table. This is what you’re selling – your potential!
Here are the Asset Categories:
- Knowledge: What knowledge do you have? Have you been tested and found worthy? What is your level of educational, certification, license, and special training?
- Skills: What can you do with your knowledge? What’re your transferrable skills? What can you do to enhance your employer’s results?
- Experience: What different environments (locations, industries, sectors, level, functional areas, size of company, Fortune 1000 companies) have you been in and how long?
- Achievements: How well did you (or your team) perform? What did you accomplish? What got better because you were there? How did it improve your employer’s results? What obstacles did you overcome?
- Character: How do you treat others? True character is right behavior; what you say and do when no one’s around including traits like Adaptable, Dependable, Integrity, Judgment, Loyalty, Moral Courage, Positive Attitude, Drive, and Respect.
- Relationships: How well do you work with others? What would others say about your people skills? Have you ever led a team? What drives you crazy? What’s important in your relationship with your leader? Who do you know that can help us?
- Balance: How balanced is your life overall? Is there anything in your life that is out of balance that could become a distraction to your career later? If you’re out of balance, this could be a liability.
This is what you’re selling – so make it count!
Your job during the interview is to increase the perceived value of your assets. Your assets are what produce results for the employer lucky enough to have you on their team.
Identify your Liabilities
Social networking (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter could be a liability. 50% of employers admit checking social networking sites before making a hiring decision. Because of this, don’t post information concerning politics, religion, sex, or humor (includes content and photos). If they’re already there, remove them!
Other liabilities include:
- No GED, High School, or College
- No training in the industry
- No computer skills
- No experience in the industry or function
- Appearance: Poor hygiene, overweight, smoker, poor health
- Bad credit, criminal record (Felony DUI)
- Age: Too old or too young; Lack of experience
- Inability to communicate your transferable skills
- Over qualified (too much education and/or experience)
- Being out of work too long, gaps in your resume
- Been in three companies in the past five years
- Bad performance reviews
- Lack of good references
As you assess your liabilities, prepare to respond to each during an interview.
Being prepared is vital to your success.
Create your 30-Second Commercial
Your 30-Second Commercial is nothing more than
the answer to this question, “What do you do?”
How do most unemployed people answer this question? Most people would say, Well, I’ve been laid off, fired, or downsized, or I’m doing some free-lance work, or I’m between positions, or whatever.
That kind of answer is not only bad self-talk, but it causes the person you’re speaking to – to want to change the subject. So why put yourself in that awkward position. Instead, give a quick overview of your career by telling them how you’ve helped other people.
Your 30-Second Commercial should answer these questions:
- How do you see yourself (Title/Function)? I’ve been the…
- What have you done to improve business?
- How much experience do you have in which industries?
- What are you seeking?
When you practice your 30-Second Commercial in the mirror daily, ask yourself if the person in the mirror is articulate, enthusiastic, and focused? If not, keep doing it until you are. This will prepare you for game-time when you get to do it for real.
Remember: your potential is the product you’re selling.
Make your 30-Second Commercial count.
Sample 30-Second Commercial for Someone who is UNEMPLOYED:
I’ve been the Director of Finance for several Fortune 500 companies in the Seattle and Kansas City area, where I managed a division of 45 associates. I helped save my employer $1.5 million recently converting our accounting functions over to a state-of-the-art software operation. I’ve spent the last 15+ years in the high technology manufacturing industry. I’m currently on an active search for a senior financial opportunity here in Kansas City.
Sample 30-Second Commercial for Someone who is EMPLOYED:
I’m the Director of Finance for a Fortune 500 company here in the Kansas City area, where I manage a division of 45 associates. I recently saved my employer $1.5 million converting our accounting functions over to a state-of-the-art software operation. I’ve spent the last 15+ years in the high technology manufacturing industry. I’m currently seeking a new CFO/Director of Finance opportunity here in Kansas City. (Be prepared to explain why?)
The trick here is to prepare your commercial and to practice it several times every day in the mirror. The practice is designed to ensure you can deliver your message with enthusiasm, focus, and clarity. The only way you’ll know is to watch yourself in the mirror. If there is no enthusiasm, do it until you’re enthusiastic. Practice every day so that you’re fully prepared.
Remember: There’s no such thing as magic or luck here. You make your own luck every day. You just can’t see it.
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
Opportunities are all around you. Either you didn’t notice, or you were unprepared, or both. Now, you’ll be more prepared for a real opportunity.
Determine your Search Focus
“Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, he big ones will tend to take care of themselves.”
– Dale Carnegie
Your Search Focus Statement is critically important to your search. Without it, you’re just a wandering generality. Spend some quality time deciding what you’re looking for – your Focus. Describe your ideal job.
Here are the components to creating a good Focus Statement:
- Title: Project Manager, Technical Analyst?
- Level: Entry, supervisor, manager, director, VP, C-level?
- Function: Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Research?
- Type: Full-time, Part-time, Contract, Consulting?
- Industry: Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, Agriculture?
- Location: Open to relocation? How long a commute? Sales territory?
- Compensation: Range of desired pay? Other benefits?
- Leadership or technical: Lead people or manage things-accounts?
- Target Companies: List 10 companies you’d like to work for?
- Deal Stoppers: Like certain industries, 100% travel, foreign travel, exposure to danger, multi-level, sales, insurance, or work weekends?
Can you have more than one Focus?
Sure, but be careful! Now, you’ve defused your time and effort in your search. There’s no danger with a dual Focus. But, any more than that, I don’t recommend.
You’re not just looking for a job, you’re looking
for a place for your CAREER to happen.
Here’s what else you’ll learn from this site:
- Career Finding: How you can find the career you were meant to have, click here.
- Job Searching: How you can get your resume in front of the right people, click here.
- Resume: How you can create a compelling resume strong enough to make your phone ring, chick here.
- Interviewing: How you can interview strong enough to receive the job offer, click here.
- Negotiation: How you can negotiate strong enough to receive the highest compensation the employer can afford, click here.
- Effectiveness: How you can become absolutely essential and irreplaceable to any employer, chick here.
Look, if you’re not happy with your current work life there’s a reason; you need to find it. So, what are your choices? As I see it, you have two choices. You can continue to do what you’ve been doing and hope for the best, or you can take charge of your career and create your own future.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– President Abraham Lincoln
How much longer can you continue your insane behavior; doing the same thing, while expecting a different result? There has to be a better way! Well there is, and it’s time for a change – this is why I created this site; to help you maximize your true career potential.
Also, if you feel this information could help someone else, please take a few moments to let them know. If it turns out to make a difference in their life, they’ll be forever grateful to you – as will I.
Let’s make a difference together – one person at a time!
All the best!
Founder of TheCAREERMaker.com
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