Adam Morell discusses job searching with Fox 9 News

Complete Interview Transcript

Tom Butler joins us with more help for job seekers, Tom?

Thank you guys. What happens (a good question these days) when you lose your job and you're forced to find a new position in a new field? Understanding your personal strengths is one of the most important steps in creating a successful career change. And joining us to talk about how to do that is Adam Morell of Doherty Employer Services. Good morning, Adam.

Morell: "Tom, how are you?" Thanks for being here today to talk about this and this is really an important subject, especially with what's going on and obviously that's a tough thing for anyone to take...losing a job, maybe a job they've had for 20 years. But then in the process, finding another position and maybe something totally different, in a career they hadn't anticipated going into so it seems overwhelming I'm sure. Where's a good place to start?"

Morell: "Well, you need to look at what your strengths are and one of the best ways to do that is to talk to your peers, your family, your spouse, because they can provide a perspective on yourself that you may not otherwise have. And, if you've done it, if you've preserved relationships with your former supervisors, they are great people to talk to because they've seen your work habits firsthand. So, get an idea of the strengths that you bring to the table and then put them on your resume in bullet fashion so those strengths...experienced sales person, fluent in Spanish...can be picked up by a software that's programmed to get buzz words or maybe a human eye can see it really quickly."

A way to set yourself apart from the pile of applicants maybe that's a good way to do it? Morell: "You have to do that." Yeah. Single yourself out. And we know some employers do those annual reviews, they look at areas of improvement. They focus on the weaknesses in some cases. Obviously you should be looking at your strong suits, where you really shine, as we just said, and that unique set of skills so that's the one thing you want to bring to the forefront and make sure that the next employer knows you're ready to go. You've got all A, B and C and you're better than the other guy.

Morell: "The next employer is not interested in your weaknesses. They want to know the things you're going to be able to do for them that are going to help accomplish their goals. And by figuring out what your strengths are, what you love to do, that's going to help set you apart. Another thing I would suggest is don't put a job objective on your resume cause that might narrowly pin you down. If you put forth what it is you bring to the table, what separates you out, that's really going to help you."

Should you be looking at the hot markets that are out there right now or, you know, who's hiring in what types of fields and match those to the strengths or how do you try to find a love match here...love connection, so to speak? Morell: "Well, I think that those markets you're talking about, things like health care, medical device manufacturing, education...these are industries that are either flourishing in this economy or aren't doing as poorly in this economy. And let's say, for instance, that you're an account - you're a CPA and your first instinct is you want to work for a CPA firm. Well, mix it up a little bit. These health care companies have need for accountants and financial people in their departments so maybe if you've only put a toe in the water of interest of these emerging industries - hot industries, now's the time to dive in with both feet."

And really quickly, we know networking is a huge part of most of any kind of business environment. How critical is that these days? Morell: "It's more critical than ever before because with the advent of technology, you can get 100 people applying for a job in one day and Tom, let's say you're hiring for a job and you posted an ad and you've got 175 resumes on your desk. But, before you start looking at those, Alex knocks on your door and says 'My friend, Sally, is a great fit for this position.' You might take those 175 resumes and push them aside and say 'When can you send Sally in?' It's a way for Sally to avoid the mountain of competition and it's a way for you, as the hiring manager, to avoid that mountain of paperwork."

That's the gatekeeper and the filter right there, yeah. Great advice, Adam. Thanks so much. That's Adam Morell from Doherty...let me get this right...Employer Services. Is that right? Morell: "Doherty Employer Services, yes."

Adam, thanks for being here on the program. Morell: "Thanks for having me, Tom." Good information and hopefully you'll be successful in matching your strengths to an all new career. Best of luck. Alex, back to you.