How I love statistics!

I know that may sound sarcastic, but it really is true. As is the case with many woman (and research will back me up) I lost my interest in math long, long ago. And, as research will also show, most of the people in my life, including my math teachers (except one-thanks, Mr. Hirakawa!), were only to happy to oblige to this self-fulfilling prophecy. It's much easier for them, after all. And so, my fierce battle, or more appropriately, avoidance of, math continued. Until I was required to take a statistics course my second year of college.

The individuals who had acted as math tutors for me in the past talked about the nightmare that was statistics. And these guys could do calculus in their sleep. Needless to say, my introduction to statistics was not a fair and balanced one. However, my goal since beginning college was to achieve a high GPA so that I could get into an exceptional graduate program. This would mean that I would have to do everything in my power to do well in this stats class.
As the class pressed on, I quickly became cognizant of the fact that I was actually understanding everything! These frequencies, ranges and chi-square things made sense to me. Before I knew it, I was taking the final exam with little effort and made it through with an A. In a math class! Being the researcher that I am, I could say that perhaps it was the attention that I decided to devote to the class in the beginning and not Statistics itself. Maybe this is a new self-fulfilling prophecy? Well, shortly after, I took a Financial Accounting class with the same fervor and struggled desperately. So, perhaps not. My personal feeling is that the part of the brain I use to understand statistics is not the same part that I use for other, traditional math. It makes more sense to me for many reasons. To me, it is less abstract and more visual-which is key to my method of learning. At any rate, I have becoming a stats junkie and have been able to parlay this into my job search.
Fast forward to today. (Phew!)
I am in the interviewing process for two positions that have both required me to pull out my statistics gloves (it's been a while). They are research analyst positions that require an intermediate/advanced knowledge of SPSS (statistical package)and Excel. I have been furiously studying away in preparation. A few interesting things about this whole situation:
1.) Both of these positions have been a result of the traditional resume submission process through Indeed. com (again, the best search engine!)
2.) I am now applying for positions in which a test has become part of the interview process
3). This woman, who has hated math her entire life, would be most happy in a job where she is, for all practical purposes, a statistician!

Who is getting hired and how did they do it?

I recently read this article claiming that my city, San Jose, was ranked third on a list of cities with the most job postings per capita. I haven't been looking for a position long, but my search thus far hasn't been particularly robust. According to the article, most of the job postings are related to the tech industry which makes sense but quite irrelevant to me since I am not an engineer. It seems, for the rest of us, the outlook remains steadily bleak...but not dead. There are jobs to be had. My question is: In this fiercely competitive market, who gets the interview? How do they get it?
Advice abounds. The consistent prevailing message seems to be an emphasis on networking, particularly utilizing online social networking tools like LinkedIn and Twitter. Establishing an online presence is undoubtedly important. I, for instance, have a LinkedIn account, Facebook account, Twitter following, blog (duh) and am working on a personal website. Granted, I haven't been searching for long, but I have yet to see any ROI. A huge problem for me is a career switch I made about a year ago that, although providing me with incredible experience and opportunity, did not afford me numerous personal contacts. In addition, I am not that far out of graduate school so my professional network is fairly small. This is definitely a roadblock that I need to prevail. So what works? Unconventional methods? Possibly, but could be risky. Many of these stories I have heard are anecdotal and statistically unlikely. I read many recruiting blogs in an attempt to navigate the world of head hunters but much of the advice is conflicting. Who do I believe? What do I do? Did you land an interview? How? Let me know!

Job Search Engines: Winners & Losers

Like most people who are searching for jobs right now, job search engines have become both a friend and enemy to me. There are the usual suspects that I have used in past job hunts and then there are new job boards that utilize social networking that I am using for the first time. Obviously, human networking is always best but not always practical. In the meantime, job boards are the sea into which I throw my net in the attempt that I can catch a single fish. My opinion thus far:

1. Indeed.com

Having a vertical search engine do most of the work for me makes my job quest much easier. Indeed consistently finds positions that I might have overlooked using other search engines and it is not unusual to find a listing that has been put up by the hiring company itself. The user interface is simple and easy and I like that the positions are updated regularly. I find the most hits (jobs most closely aligned with what I am searching for) using this job search and generally find them much sooner than the other job sites. Two thumbs up for Indeed.com!


2.Simply Hired

Much like Indeed.com, Simply Hired is another job posting aggregator. The UI is very similar and just as easy. The reason I am giving Simply Hired only 1 thumb up is because it does not seem to update as quickly as Indeed. I don't often find positions on Simply Hired that I haven't already seen on Indeed when the reverse happens pretty regularly. However, Indeed seems to have been taken hostage by JobFox recently (which I will review shortly) making for a very annoying application process. If this continues to happen, Simply Hired might move up a position.


3. LinkedIn

I appreciate what LinkedIn has become and what LinkedIn can do...for a select few. My experience, along with many of others I know, LinkedIn is similar to your high school yearbook. Your "popularity", as it were, can be easily determined by looking inside of the yearbook and seeing how many pictures you are in and whether or not you were homecoming queen or class president. I compare this to your resume and overall professional accomplishments. When the end of the year comes (or when you lose your job) you make a fruitful attempt to get as many signatures (or connections) as you can. Sometimes, you ask your teachers (or bosses) to also write something in your yearbook, too (recommendations). In the end, those who were most popular will not need LinkedIn to network because their connections are real and not signatures in the back of their yearbook. So, for me, I can apply to the very few positions that are available on LinkedIn but often times I know my resume will be glossed over because I am just not popular enough.


4.LinkUp

LinkUp is a fairly new (to me, anyway) job posting board that is supposed to uncover hidden jobs from company websites. They monitor thousands of companies to connect applicants to unadvertised jobs on company websites. Their only source are actual company postings which means that they should remain current and there shouldn't be any duplicates. I don't know about any of you, but I know of many companies in the past whose "open positions" I applied for only to realize that they hadn't been updated in some time. Although LinkUp is pulling advertisements of current company postings, they have to assume that the company is actually updating their career section regularly. The UI is a little fuzzy. I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out but it could be a little friendlier. In addition, all I have come across thus far are engineering positions which isn't helpful to me in the least. The concept is so promising, I will continue to give LinkUp a try.

5. Tweetmyjobs

I have to admit that I was very excited about the possibilities that Tweetmyjobs brought when I signed up. Everything that I had been reading said it was going to take the best of social networking and the Tweeting phenomenon and keep job seekers updated about the latest and greatest opportunities as they rolled in. Being a social Tweeter for the past couple of years, I thought this would finally give me a good reason to utilize my Twitter account. The sign-up process is somewhat laborious but, again, the anticipation of non-stop job Tweets makes you forget about the pain. You can sign up for specific "channels" that represent mini job boards. These channels are specific by location and job type (i.e., San Jose- Marketing Jobs). I signed up for about 6 channels and waited for the firestorm. Well, it's been about 4 days now and my daily Tweetmyjobs updates have produced less than 6 jobs a day. Of these 6 jobs, I would say I 2 are close to what I am looking for. So far, I am still not impressed.


6.JobFox

Well-played, JobFox. You nearly took advantage of my dire situation with your "free" resume critique and seemingly personalized service. Your UI is very pleasing and simple enough to navigate. What I think got me was the in-depth questionnaire that I filled out after uploading my resume. For some reason, it reminded me of meeting with a job coach who was going to provide some valuable feedback and locate jobs that matched my search perfectly. The resume critique I received did seem as though it was talking directly to me, which is a nice touch. However, what I have received thus far has been absolutely nothing. I can go to the site and see what jobs most closely match my skill set based on a star rating. I can even apply to these set of jobs if I'd like. However, it is not without constant pestering to sign up and receive better matches and personal introductions. The cost? $20 a month. Seems pretty steep for positions I have already seen on Indeed and Simply Hired and can apply to without being told how upgrading can increase my chances of landing said job. Just show me the jobs without me having to show you the money, okay?


7. Monster/ HotJobs /CareerBuilder

Ah, The Big 3. Updated regularly? Check. Access to many jobs? Check. Relevant jobs? Depends. Friendly User Interface? Sure. Helpful? Well, let's just say in all of my job hunting that I have ever done, none of these search engines has ever proven successful. In addition, these sites are a favorite for spammers and scammers alike. Want to work at home and make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year? Well, if you're on Monster, Careerbuilder or HotJobs, you'll have no problem finding your next opportunity. I have uploaded my resume to one of these sites but I still can't shake the feeling that it's gone to an abyss with millions of others. Overall, I don't find these sites to be worth my time. And right now, time is not on my side.


8. Craigslist

Don't get me wrong, I am a CL lover. I've used Craigslist for all sorts of things, including job hunting in the past...when I was still in college. Now that I consider myself a working professional, I don't think I would trust a Craigslist search for my next career. Firstly, a company that can only afford to post a position on Craiglist is really pinching pennies and probably won't pay you what you're worth. Secondly, if the company's only employee search is via Craigslist, then they aren't putting much energy into finding the best possible candidate which says a lot about the company itself. Thirdly, Craigslist is a breeding ground for all sorts of scams right now. It's an unfortunate thing, but when times are bad and people are desperate, sleazebags get creative and look for every opportunity to take advantage of the situation. What I'm saying is: Buyer Beware.

Hear me out, Frost & Sullivan

Another position I covet greatly is that of In Vitro Diagnostics Market Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, a widely respected business research and consulting firm and leader in their industry. As I have mentioned in a previous posting, one should not apply for a position for which they are not qualified. At first glance, my inclination was to bypass this posting altogether but I took a good look at the qualifications and compared them against my skills. As it turns out, Frost & Sullivan hiring manager, I am a better than average fit. Let me explain why:
I have the research capabilities, this is not up for debate. You have my resume and can see for yourself exactly what my experience entails. I know how to analyze a market, I understand competitive research and I have the ability to report on these in a way that conveys expertise and is comprehensive. I am also familiar with aspects of the medical field, having worked on several projects with Allergan and Boston Scientific. I understand the steep learning curve that exists for such analyses and have been able to keep up thus far with no issues. In fact, I would say that my innate desire to learn about the medical field (something that I am truly passionate about) makes this learning process all the more interesting and, therefore, quicker.
I obviously enjoy writing but am also incredibly comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. Communication, in all of its facets, is at the top of my strengths list. I have experience conducting in-depth interviews with physicians, nurses and medical device engineers. I have also spent a great deal of time with patients and have incorporated their feedback and needs into user design, brand development and market analysis. I suppose what I am saying is this ain't my first time at the rodeo.
I also want to address my weaknesses here. Obviously, a resume is going to present a slightly puffed up version of one's self. A good interview will likely uncover some shortcomings of the candidate, but it might not be until after the interviewee is hired that one realizes the candidate didn't quite live up to their resume. I don't intend to blow any steam up anyone's, ahem...

so let me be frank.
A graduate degree in a Life Science I do not have. My graduate degree is in Psychology. I know that in the world of science, the social sciences have always been the redheaded stepchild. Social science is not real science. Social science is a soft science, unlike Biology or Chemistry of Physics which are all hard sciences. This ideology is not lost on students or professors of the social sciences. Most of my professors explained to me the burden of proof that is laid upon the social sciences. We have to work harder to be heard and to be taken seriously. Consequently, the training that I have received has been quite rigorous. Being that social science is rarely black and white, much like human behavior, I have learned how to pick apart quantitative data using sophisticated methods. I have also learned to look at everything with a skeptical eye and to take nothing at face value. Because, unlike the hard sciences, a social scientist cannot take for granted that x will always equal y. Such is the human condition. Now, Frost & Sullivan, I'd love to talk more about what a wonderful addition I'd be to your team!

Wal-Mart: You hear me callin'!

Since devoting a post to each resume I send out would be overwhelming, I thought I would focus on those for which I have a shot. First on my list: Walmart Consumer Insight Analyst. So, Walmart hiring manager, if you're listening, here is my quick and dirty analysis:
Say what you want about Walmart (and many people do)but it seems as though Walmart continues to laugh in the face of this recession. Let's face it, Walmart carries essentially everything that anyone could need at an incredibly low price. Last time I checked, it wasn't a bad thing to try get a good deal on something, right? I know there are issues with low wages and an overall feeling that Walmart is destroying small business. And when considering consumer opinion, even if these things are not directly related to the shopping experience itself, they have a huge influence on Walmart's success. In the end, however way you want to slice it, people are shopping here. As the economy continues to tank, more people will shop here. Many consumers will inevitably face the moment when they can no longer afford their organic, detergent-free, $24.99 dish soap and may have to walk through Walmart's sliding doors out of necessity. How does Walmart use this opportunity to convert these newly thrify into confirmed Walmart shoppers?
Walmart has already begun this process. Target started its transformation when it began partnering with high-fashion designers and incorporating trendy decor into much of its store layout. Furthermore, Target makes an effort to maintain as uncluttered a store as possible. This is an area where Walmart is really lacking.

Walmart cannot neglect the importance of the Customer Experience when attempting to reach out to their new shoppers. Obviously, pricing is what brought them in but it's not what's going to keep them around. Two other aspects of the Customer Experience that cannot be neglected, especially with this population, are:
1. Store Aesthetics (Layout, Navigation, Appearance)
2. Staff (Competence, Helpfulness)
I will use myself as example as I fall into this demographic and psychographic profile quite nicely.
I am a female in her early 30's with an advanced degree. I am married with no children and live in affluent area of California. Up to my recent job loss, my annual household income was above the national average but comparable to Silicon Valley household incomes. I am responsible for decision-making when it comes to consumer goods purchases in our household. My husband and I don't make our purchases according to any particular budget so we have some flexibility in what we buy and when. I have categories of goods that are bought at different retailers each with different levels of significance attached to them. At the middle and bottom of the totem pole are the items I would most likely buy at Target. These items tend to be smaller, cheaper, or will be bought in bulk and not available at Costco. Here is why, from start to finish, I do not go to Walmart to buy them:
1. The parking lot is a nightmare
2. Unsupervised children. Running. EVERYWHERE.
3. Crowded aisles
4. Products in disarray
5. Staff are generally unavailable, usually unhelpful and some seem to really hate their job
6. Nearest Walmart is still inconveniently far
Some of these cannot be solved by Walmart (children, parking lot, location) but others are pretty basic and can make a huge difference. The overall $10 I might save on a trip to Walmart is not incentive enough for me to switch from Target at this point. However, the changes that Walmart seems to be making are intriguing enough for me to perk up my ears. I will be first to admit that the selection at Walmart is second to none and I do miss that at Target. If Walmart can figure out a way to appeal to a customer like me by sprucing up its Customer Experience a bit, it might have one convert already. At any rate, I'd love to find out what others are thinking. Walmart- Why don't you give me a call and we can set something up? Can't wait to hear from you.

Resumes

2. Sending out Resumes
Of course this is a no-brainer and, quite frankly, not terribly effective. Most resumes are never viewed by human eyeballs and instead are scanned by computers for key words or phrases. If you're lucky enough to get passed this round, you still have many opportunities to be eliminated before ever setting a foot in the door of the company. I have read stories of individuals who have sent upwards of 2,000 resumes without a single interview. However, statistically speaking, if you cast enough nets you are bound to catch a single fish (even if it is a minnow).
Obviously, you will waste less of your time by applying to positions for which you are 85-100% qualified for. Any less and you will probably be weeded out in the first round. Any more and you fall into the "overqualified" trap. Nobody is going to hire an individual with a PhD in Economics to be a teller at BofA. You're a risk because you will become bored very easily and, at the first opportunity, will switch jobs. Obviously, my example is exaggerated but you get the general idea. Additionally, you cannot fake a background in Law with a degree in Art History. Experience will ultimately be most important in this economic climate but you need to figure out how to explain in wordsyour skill set and this cannot be conveyed in a resume. The interview is the goal here. As I begin my hunt (job search), I will be tracking my prey (submitted resumes) and demonstrating, via this blog, a sample of the skills I can bring to each open position. Bring. It. On.

I've included an "official" list of individuals in my network. This does not include friends and family who may know someone who knows someone-which is also networking, obviously, but will not be considered as such for this research. As seen here, 7 initial contacts were made and resumes submitted. From there, my resume was sent on to 4 more individuals and a unknown number of recruiters. I am not sure how to follow up with this network flow but I suppose one way would be to monitor my emails and check in with the initial 7 contacts in a week's time.

Just the facts.

The hunt begins. I will be only 1 of the millions of other Californians looking for work right now. Although June numbers aren't out yet, May unemployment rates were a staggering 11.5%,nearly a whole 2% more than the national average. This is also the highest unemployment rate on record. To say that finding a job in this market will be difficult is severely understating the obvious. And unlike past downturns, this market is full of fierce competition-Senior Executives, CEO's, PhD's, Stanford graduates, the list goes on. In addition, there is less than 1 job available for every 5 job seekers in America right now.There are no two ways about it. It is BAD. BAD. BAD. With all of this in mind, this is my plan:
1. Network
Everything you read and everything you hear will emphasize the importance of networking. I tend to agree. Let's attempt to dissect this scientifically. At the core of human behavior, we all want to belong. This might be one of our deepest drives (aside from sex).

Fast forward through evolution and we continue to make connections to those who are familiar to us. This happens on the most superficial levels, like when we're at a really boring conference and we recognize that person we worked with 3 years ago who we really didn't like but we end up spending 2 days with because we don't know anybody else. When a hiring manager has to sort through 70 resumes, it will ultimately make a difference when her colleague (someone she trusts), personally delivers a resume of a fellow trusted acquaintance. The hiring manager will, at the very least, take the time to look over the entire resume of said trusted acquaintance. Should the connection be stronger between the hiring manager and the recommender, the recommendee will probably move to the top of the resume pile and quite possibly land an interview.
All of this because becoming part of a group is a very complicated, time-consuming process that can have disastrous consequences if not achieved. When you have a member of the tribe already vouching for you and guaranteeing your ability to fit, your specific skill set becomes less important. This is my hope. Although, my professional network is limited to my years of post-baccalaureate work I am optimistic that the tentacles of my network will be far-reaching. I do know some"powerful"people who know some even more influential people who might be able to pull some strings based on this chain of familiarity. However, regardless of the amount of recommendations I come bearing, if there is no job to be had there is no job to be had. Let's hope there is a job to be had.

It has happened.

I suppose I saw it coming. Small company, no new projects coming in, proposals being turned down, hours being reduced. You'd have to be blind not to realize you're on a sinking ship. But I was so hopeful. We all were. We just needed 1 or 2 more projects to keep us afloat and then things would start ramping up in the Fall.
Alas, in the morning meeting, we were told that our time as a team would be coming to an end. The 1 or 2 projects we'd been hoping would act as life preservers did not quite reach us. As a researcher, I was painfully aware of our statistical probability of failure. But observer bias can become deluding when your livelihood is on the line.
So, here I am. Tomorrow will be my official last work day although my financial security will run out at the end of the month. As will my benefits. My intention for this blog is not only to keep myself accountable during what, I have no doubt will be, a brutal job-hunting endeavor but also to carry out some very non-scientific research into what it means to be unemployed in the worst economy since the Great Depression. I am still working out the kinks in my head but, as you can imagine, I've been a bit distracted.