Promote Your Job Search at a Party

Friday May 28, 2010

If you're getting ready to relax and enjoy Memorial Day weekend, take a few minutes to plan ahead and, in addition to getting ready for a holiday weekend party, consider how you can integrate job search networking into your upcoming events.

It's fine to let people you meet at a party or another event know that you're job hunting, and you never know who you might meet who can help you with your job search.

Networking isn't as hard as you might think - it's just a matter of mentioning your job search at the appropriate time. Most people are happy to help, but they can't help if they don't know that you're actively seeking employment and in the market for a new job.

Original Article

Want to Land a Job in This Recession? Change Your Career Strategy

Career coach Marcia Grubel gave job seekers tips during a career strategizing workshop.

By Mindy Gibson

Having a hard time in this economy?

Career counselor and coach Marcia Grubel says these tough times aren't changing, so to survive first you must change yourself and your way of thinking.

"This workshop is less about technology and more about mindset. There is an old mindset and a new mindset," Grubel told attendees at Thursday night's "Career Strategizing for Challenging Times" workshop. The presentation was the last of Grubel's three events offered at the Rye Free Reading Room through the WEBS Career and Educational Counseling Service of the Westchester Library System.

According to Grubel, today's career path to success is no longer a progression supported by hard work but a cycle of challenges followed by endings and transitions leading to new beginnings.

"Employers are now not only interested in what you know but how you learn and how you've grown," she said.

Along with outlining actionable tactics like networking, research and planning, Grubel emphasized that shifting your thinking is equally important. "To be successful now you need a portfolio of skills and a resume to go," which she defines as selling your assets into the marketplace.

In a departure from many career workshops, the demographics of the audience varied, from young people seeking early career advice to those starting over on a new career path.

Katherine Valone of Rye, a college freshman at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, came to the workshop for advice that would help her stand out in a difficult marketplace. She is hoping the workshop will give her the tools to put her ideas and education together and figure out "how to shine."

A soon to be empty nester from Mt. Kisco, who'd stayed home for years raising her children, said the workshop was part of her commitment to do something once a week in support of her job search and desire to pursue a new career in special education. "This is my time," she said.

Most others were, as would be expected, unemployed and actively seeking new opportunities. Looking for ideas on reemployment pursuits one transitioning gentleman, who asked to remain anonymous, appreciated Grubel's perspective on the job environment.

"I like her emphasis on mindset," he said. "I like the leitmotif of changing your old mindset from a career being a cradle to a grave endeavor, to now having to continually re-invent yourself and become cognizant of your skills and competencies to create a brand."

Quoting from Thomas L. Freedman's "The World is Flat," Grubel emphasized that to compete in the new, global economy people have to "Connect, Compete, Collaborate and Innovate." Grubel said that for the older worker, this new way of thinking and being is not easy but it can be done.

Managing yourself comes down to "Confidence, Preparation, Repetition, Taking Small Steps and Learning to Fail Gracefully." "Confidence," she said, "is knowing you can handle what comes up and courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway."

Original Article

How to Social Network Your Way into a Job

by By Karen Noonan, TradePub.com

Networking is a crucial component of any job search. And today's social-networking technology makes it easier than ever to network your way into the job of your dreams.

Many companies are employing social media as a means to market their products. And just as they are relying on blogs, wikis, forums, and social networking to pitch their news, they are starting look at how job seekers pitch themselves via these channels. (To learn more about how companies are taking advantage of social media, download "12 Essential Tips for Success in Social Media" for free here.)

Use these tips to ping, tweet, poke, and post your way into your dream job or a new career.

1. Get LinkedIn to various networks.

A good rule of thumb for job searching is to make yourself visible and available. Traditionally, that means posting your resume on sites like Yahoo! HotJobs and making sure your friends and family know you're looking. But today, it's more than that. You need to become visible across the web.

Establish your web presence in various avenues, so employers can find you. Create profiles on multiple social networking sites and even consider starting a blog about your trade.

According to Paul Gillin, a social media marketing consultant and the author of "Secrets of Social Media Marketing," LinkedIn and Twitter are the two outlets you want to be sure to use as a job seeker.

LinkedIn is the place to start, according to Gillin. "The reason for that is that LinkedIn is very targeted and very focused" he says. "It's got all the tools and it's got this unique, degrees-of-separation concept where you can find people by being introduced by a common link." Finding common connections through the LinkedIn tools is a great place to start networking for a new career.

Secondly, Gillin gives high praise to Twitter as a job seeker's tool. "I recommend Twitter because it may be the fastest way to get in touch with someone you want to reach," Gillin says. "Anyone on Twitter can get a message to anyone else who is on Twitter."

Gillin notes that finding an email address for a contact within a company can be a challenge. But locating someone on Twitter and sending him or her a quick note is relatively simple. And emails to potential employers tend to be formal and somewhat wordy--these long-form emails are often ignored. But, Gillin says, "because Twitter is so brief, people tend to respond quickly on Twitter."

2. Clean up your social-networking presence.

Having a social-networking presence can be a great way to land your dream job. But it can also be a liability. Make sure your online appearance projects the image you want to share with potential employers.

HR professionals and recruiters have gotten very good at finding ways around privacy limitations when investigating job candidates. Even if you think you have a private profile, use caution.

"If you're going to share photos of yourself face down in a puddle of beer, you should choose to do that under a pseudonym," recommends Gillin. "Think of how you want to appear to the outside world."

Your online personality is as important as your resume. Just as you would proofread a cover letter or resume before sending it, edit your Facebook profile, tweets, and blog posts with the same detail.

"Spell checker is not sufficient for that task," Gillin says. "Before you publish anything online, have someone who knows the language read your website."

And monitor your behavior online as well--that is, "avoid loose-cannon behavior," Gillin says. Posting overtly nasty or vindictive comments, incorrect facts, or anything that doesn't appear polished can hurt your chances.

3. Have a distinct message about yourself.

Searching for a job is a marketing task--you are marketing yourself to a specific audience. And as with any good marketing plan, you need to develop the message that you want to get across. Define the message, and then figure out how to get that message heard. Find information that backs up the claims you make about yourself.

"It could be your words, pictures of the work that you do, or evidence of your achievements," Gillin says. "Then you promote those. You use the various social-media tools to push that out."

It's important to show employers what you've done. Post it on your Facebook page, tweet about it, etc.

4. Be honest.

"12 Essential Tips for Success in Social Media," a marketing brief focused on how to effectively engage through social marketing, urges social networking participants to be honest.

"One characteristic of social media is that people are more aggressive about reading between the lines to interpret other people's intentions. And they're remarkably savvy about it. ... If someone suspects you're in some way misrepresenting yourself, they'll use any of the tools available to investigate your past postings across the blogosphere to sniff out what you're really up to. It happens all the time, and it severely undercuts the credibility of anyone exposed as a shill. Whether you're launching your own social media site or just participating in discussions around the Web, be conspicuously honest and straightforward about who you are and whom you represent."

Creating a Facebook profile about your accomplishments is a great tool, but only if you have actually achieved the success you post about. Present yourself to the Web professionally, thoughtfully, and honestly.

5. Participate in the conversation.

Your personal web presence is incredibly important, but don't forget that your potential employer likely has its own presence as well.

According to "12 Essential Tips," the key to building influence in your community is getting involved: "You need to participate in the conversation. If you've already identified the people influencing market dialog, comment on their blogs. Write posts that track back to their blog if they allow that. Write posts that engage or challenge them on a topic that matters. Go forth and get in the conversation; don't wait for it to come to you. To be successful, you need to continually engage and develop relationships through dialog with the influencers."

Find blogs and forums within your industry and become a participant. It's possible that your future boss operates or participates alongside you. Your thoughtful comments within popular industry spaces online will bolster your credibility and improve your chances of landing your dream job.

Original hotjobs Article

Twitter Yourself a Job

By JONNELLE MARTE

Looking for a new job, Alexa Scordato didn't email or call her contacts about possible openings. Instead, she messaged them via the social-networking Web site Twitter.com.

Her brief message: "Hey there! Looking for a Social Media job up in Boston. Are you guys doing any entry level hires?"

Within a week, she had an interview. Within two weeks, she had a job.

The site, which lets users publish supershort updates of what they're doing, is a virtual meeting ground where a range of communities -- from moms to media professionals -- come to converse informally.

It's been criticized as a site for sharing mundane details about everyday activities. But people like 22-year-old Ms. Scordato, who used Twitter to privately message some people she'd met at a conference, show the site can be more than that.

"I would guess that if I had just sent them a long email with my résumé, I might not have gotten a response as fast as I did," says Ms. Scordato, who was hired by Mzinga, a Boston-area company that helps businesses use social technology.
The Basics

Users, known as Twitterers, post short updates that appear in their online profiles. They can choose to follow each other's updates, called tweets, and respond either publicly through posts or privately via direct message. All entries must be 140 characters or less.

Twitter doesn't release user numbers, but most public estimates put the user base at around four million to five million, with about 30% or more being very new or limited users.

To get started, build a profile that shows your interests and start Twittering. Because you have no more than 140 characters to describe yourself in your bio, use key words that reveal your goals. Make more information accessible by linking to your Web site, blog or profile on a professional networking site like LinkedIn.

Amy Ziari, a 24-year-old looking for a public-relations job in San Francisco, links to her blog on her Twitter profile and lists her Twitter alias on her résumé to show recruiters she is "not a faceless résumé -- there's somebody behind it."

You'll find major companies and recruiters on the site, and should follow the big names in your industry.

Most users get emails alerting them about new followers, and may choose to follow you as well if your biography and tweets get their attention.

Initiate conversations with other users by responding to their tweets. You can share updates you find useful by reposting them on your profile.
Stay Focused

Never twitter about anything you wouldn't want your boss or mother to see, and tell your friends to keep their tweets to you appropriate.

Be careful about publicizing your job hunt on Twitter if you don't want your boss reading about it. But if you're unemployed, sending an occasional tweet that explains the kind of job you're looking for could yield responses from recruiters. You can also seek jobs being promoted on the site by searching for phrases like "job opening."

Twittering about your personal life is fine, to an extent -- it's something most Twitterers do. But keep it to a minimum.

"I would rather see someone who posts good-quality information than what they had for lunch," said Lindsay Olson, who uses Twitter to recruit for Paradigm Staffing, a staffing agency that focuses on public relations and marketing.

Email: jonnelle.marte@wsj.com

Original WSJ Article

Maybe something that's NOT a job ...

Brendan Tripp

Some days I think that maybe looking for "a job" isn't all it's cracked up to be ... maybe I don't want "a job" ... but I want to keep the house, educate the kids, pay the bills, etc., what else is there? Well, this very popular book by Timothy Ferriss, The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, is the book for those moods.

Based on his own very extraordinary experiences, Ferriss has crafted a "system" which purports to let its users achieve a "4-hour workweek", which provides periodic "retirements" in the course of one's productive life. I'd seen this title cropping up a numerous contexts and reading lists, and figured that I should give it a read. While it ended up being something that was not particularly connecting with me, I could see this being very enticing to many others in somewhat different life situations. My conflicted reactions to this have produced what's probably my longest review ever, as the over-all goal of Ferriss' book is certainly something I'd like to achieve, and much of that verbiage was spent on trying to understand why I wasn't "getting it"!

I was also very fortunate to have been able to get an interview with Mr. Ferriss. He is pretty clear in the book that he's hard to get a hold of by design, but I guess I just hit the right e-mail box with the right request at the right time (even though he was deeply enmeshed in writing his new book, in the midst of some unscheduled travel!) and we were able to get the following done with a phone call and a couple of emails:

Q: Given all the amazing things included in your bio in the book, can you briefly summarize your background?

A: As you note, it's a lot more involved than a standard resume; but career-wise, back in 2000 I was in storage area networking, providing storage systems to companies in silicon valley. While there I independently developed a sports nutrition business, and by 2005 began formulating what was to become The 4-Hour Workweek, which was published in 2007. I sold the nutrition business in 2009, and have been doing consulting, speaking, and working as an angel investor in projects that I find interesting since.

Q: Have you had notable job-transition experiences?

A: Well, the data storage job was as an employee at a tech start-up, with 7am-9pm hours. My transition out of that and into my own company was gradual, as was figuring out how to totally automate that business and free me up from most management functions. This allowed me to travel, and do projects like lecturing at Princeton a couple of times a year. The seed of the book came from this, as I was teaching a class over the phone from Argentina, and some of the students suggested that I just go ahead a write a book about it.

Q: Why did you decide to write a book about such radical lifestyle change?

A: Honestly, I had no idea how this would take off. I had initially prepared the book proposal as an exercise to organize my thoughts about how to best achieve my lifestyle goals. I sent it to Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield who put me in touch with my agent, who shopped it around to 27 publishers before Crown picked it up.

Q: How can those folks "between jobs and looking" best use this system (aside from the very tempting story of the fellow who outsourced his job search to virtual assistants in India)?

A: The mind-set shift is important, most people look for work, find work, and their lifestyle is a side-effect of that. What I'm saying is that we should start with the lifestyle image and work backwards to work. A good example of a job seeker thinking "outside the box" would be the recent story of a guy who got a job through Google ads, exhibiting his skills to the audience of targeted executives ... the way you search for a job should reflect your ability to do that job.

Q: If you had just ONE piece of advice for today's job searcher, what would that be?

A: Focus on defining your longer-term lifestyle objectives and the costs of achieving those goals. Figure out the monthly costs involved (which are likely to be far less that you might suspect), and then shape your job to fit those needs. Rather than "looking for a job", design the lifestyle and then find the means to support that. For some example case studies, search for "cold remedy" on the blog and you'll find videos submitted by readers who have put the book into practice.

Q: What do you feel makes your book unique?

A: It's a pretty unique approach in and of itself ... it's very practical, with low-risk approaches to uncommon living.

Q: Aside from your book, what resources do you recommend?

A: I'd recommend checking out another couple of books: "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David J. Schwartz, and "Vagabonding" by Rolf Potts. My blog, which somehow became one of the top-1000 blogs in the world, also has a ton of case studies and how-to information and experiments. All of it's free.

Again, I am very grateful to Mr. Ferriss for making the effort to allow this interview to happen, and judging from the popularity of the book (it is currently #118 out of Amazon's over-all book rankings), "it must be me" in my various issues taken with The 4-Hour Workweek. It's a book filled with hundreds of resources, much good advice, assorted tools and tips, and is a very enjoyable read available for a very reasonable price, so is a recommended read for job seeker, if just to see a different possible life path!

Original Article

Stop Being Creative in Your Job Search

Can you afford to be average? I mean that literally: Do you have 8 months of savings in the bank to sustain an average job search? If not, you need to go beyond the average and start doing new things. You need to start innovating.

By Kevin Donlin, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”

That’s according to economist and Harvard professor, Theodore Levitt.

And that’s absolutely correct.

Especially in job hunting, where too many people think too much and do too little.

Want proof?

According to surveys cited by David Wessel in The Wall Street Journal, “The unemployed in the United States spend 40 minutes a day looking for work and 3 hours and 20 minutes a day watching TV.”

This may explain why the average job search in America now lasts 33 weeks, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data from April 2010.

Thirty-three weeks -- more than 8 months -- is the longest it has taken Americans to find work in the history of this monthly survey, which dates to 1948.

Obviously, if it takes 8 months for the average person to find a job, something is seriously wrong with what average people are doing (or not doing) to look for work.

Can you afford to be average? I mean that literally: Do you have 8 months of savings in the bank to sustain an average job search?

If not, you need to go beyond the average and start doing new things. You need to start innovating.

While there’s no recipe for innovation that works for every job seeker, here’s helpful advice from author and radio show host Mel Robbins: “Innovation is about very small tweaks. It’s about taking a step to the right or left; it’s about experimenting.”

With that in mind, here is a three-step process to produce new ideas in your job search -- and act on them, because action is the key ingredient in innovation.

1) Think: Write down everything you have done that has produced at least one interview. (If your answer is Nothing, call people until you find one tactic that led to a job interview in the last 90 days.)

Do: Use that tactic on three employers today. Track your results, tweak your actions (if necessary) and try again on three new employers in 48 hours.

2) Think: Write down everything you have done that has produced no job interviews.

Do: Tweak or stop doing those things, today.

Hint: One fruitless tactic you’re likely using is to email your resume in response to advertised job openings.

If that hasn’t worked, tweak it one way -- mail, fax, or hand-deliver your resume for advertised job openings.

Or tweak it another way -- email your resume to employers who are not advertising openings; just be sure to send it to someone on the inside who can forward your resume to a hiring manager.

Which leads to …

3) Think: Write down every possible way to meet with someone at your target employers. Why? Because “meeting people” is the opposite of “emailing resumes,” which probably isn’t working, remember?

Two quick examples of how to meet people:

a) Ask the folks in your network for a connection to an employee, vendor, or customer of your target employer.

b) Dress up, get in the car, and drop your resume off with the receptionist. Say, “I’ve had trouble with email all week and wanted to make sure you guys got this.” Ask for his/her name. Then call the hiring manager and say, “I spoke with Cindy in your office yesterday. Did she hand you my resume?” Congratulations. You are now speaking with a hiring manager -- the goal of your job-search efforts.

Do: Find a way to meet someone at your target employer this week. Today, if possible.

Note: You should write down your answers to those three “Think” steps. If you’re not writing, you’re not thinking at full power, because writing on paper -- with a pen -- instantly clarifies and improves your thoughts. Try it now.

How likely are you to do any of this? Not very, if you’re average. That’s why average is easy -- you don’t have to do anything new. Mediocrity is comfortable … like sitting on the couch watching CNN.

But. If you want to stop being average and start getting more job interviews, stop trying to be “creative” -- which is often no more than glorified daydreaming -- and start innovating -- which is doing new things.

Creativity only sets the stage. Innovation gets things done.

Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0.” Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. For a free Guerrilla Job Search audio CD, visit www.MyNewJobHunt.com

Original Article

13 Essential Tips for Landing a Job on LinkedIn

Lewis Howes is a former professional athlete, world record holder in football, and author of the LinkedIn book, LinkedWorking. He is the founder of the Sports Executives Association, and the popular sports and social media blog SportsNetworker.com.

LinkedIn () is one of the best places online to find a job, period. It’s also a great place to connect with top decision makers, generate targeted leads for your business, drive traffic to your website, and more.

I hear countless stories every week from people who land amazing full time positions at great companies thanks to engagement on LinkedIn. Although there are a number of approaches you can take when hunting for the right job, start with these 13 important tips for using LinkedIn effectively.

1. Complete Your Profile 100%

If someone is thinking about hiring you for a position, he or she is going run a Google () search for your first and last name. For many, a LinkedIn profile will rank in the top five results. This gives you a certain level of control in showcasing your best talents with your profile. Make sure your profile is 100% complete, and position yourself as an expert in your niche.

A profile that is only 55% complete, without recommendations and an updated work history may not make a solid first impression when people find you through search.

2. Add a Compelling Headline

Your headline is the first thing potential employers and hiring managers will see after your name. First impressions are an important aspect of the interview process, and this holds true for your LinkedIn profile as well.

Be clear and to the point with your headline. Try to tell people who you are, what you do, and how you can help them in as few words as possible. This simple step will help you stand out from many other LinkedIn profiles.

3. Add All Past and Current Work Positions

It’s important to include where you have worked in the past and where you are currently working. Obviously, the more work experience you can list, the better. You never know which position will earn you the respect of the hiring manager and give you the edge you need to land the job.

There’s always a chance the hiring manager has worked at one of your previous companies, or has hired other professionals from that company. Situations like this may help you get the job security you are seeking.

4. Give and Receive Recommendations

On your traditional resume, you are supposed to have a limited amount of recommendations. However, on your LinkedIn profile, the more people who can vouch for you, the better.

If you only have two recommendations on LinkedIn, most people won’t take your profile seriously. It’s unfortunate, because there are a number of qualified and experienced professionals who aren’t active on the network. This can hurt their reputation. Remember, in the online world, perception is reality. If people believe that no one will recommend you because there are no visible signs of approval displayed on your profile, why would they want to hire you?

The best way to receive recommendations is to give them first. The more you give on LinkedIn, the more you will receive. Take some time to write a few recommendations for those you know, like, and trust, and a majority of them will write you one in return.

5. Connect With Everyone

LinkedIn Puzzle Image There are some on LinkedIn who believe you should only connect with a small percentage of professionals you know and trust. Others say (including myself) you should connect with everyone, even if you vaguely know them.

When looking for a job, you never know who will be able to recommend you, or who is looking for someone to fill a position where you would be a perfect fit.

When connecting with others, make sure you always send a personalized message. This doesn’t have to be an essay, but make sure you mention why you are connecting or how you know one another. Also ask if there is anything you can do to assist them. By offering your services to help, this breaks down any initial barriers and gives others another reason why they should hire you.

6. Be Concise in Your Message

When you communicate through your LinkedIn profile, structure it in a way that will help people clearly understand you and what you are after. There are three main components:

Provide a preview so people know what comes next
In your headline give them the intro to who you are and what you are all about.
Give them the facts
Let people know who you are by injecting your personality into your work experiences, your summary, your specialties, and in how you help people.
Summarize and reinforce your message
Finish up strong by adding in your honors, awards, personal websites and case studies. Provide a call to action on how to connect with you and ways to follow up if they want to learn more.

7. Stay Active

I believe half the battle of finding a job is simply letting others know you are alive. There are so many resumes being submitted to open positions that it can be tough to break through sometimes. Luckily, LinkedIn works in your favor if you are active and constantly engage within the community.

Each time you take action on LinkedIn, it shows up on the home page of everyone you are connected to. The more people see your picture, read you name, and check out the compelling content you are delivering, the more likely they are to think of you when a position opens up. Stay active, and the opportunities will be much more abundant than if you don’t participate at all.

8. Join Niche Groups

Groups are a great way to find a position because they have built-in job boards with new jobs being added on a regular basis. Some groups have tens of thousands of decision makers within them. As a member, you are able to send a message to almost every person without having to upgrade to a premium account. LinkedIn also has a great advanced search function, and once you find who you want to connect with, you can often message them directly through mutual groups without actually needing to be connected.

9. Create a Group

Being a group owner has many advantages. It allows you to send messages once per week to all the members, and you are perceived more as a decision maker and thought leader. Start attracting potential employers as opposed to seeking them out all of the time.

10. Add Your Honors and Awards

Including honors and awards is just another way to increase your value to potential hiring managers. Employers want to hire winners, and those who know how to excel. Be sure to show them what you are made of, and post everything relevant to your success in your past work history.

11. Answer Questions

This is a great way for job seekers to showcase their talents and expertise and stand out from the crowd. It’s also valuable to entrepreneurs and business owners for gathering leads.

Add the ‘Answers’ widget on the right-hand side of your LinkedIn home page with the industry topic you know the most about. When you see a question pop up that you can answer, make sure you give your two cents and provide as much information and value in your answers as possible. The more you give to and serve others, the more job opportunities will come your way.

12. Import Your Blog and Twitter Feeds

There are a number of ways to beef up your LinkedIn profile and make its content more compelling. Adding your blog and Twitter () account is a good first step.

Simply connect with your Twitter profile and check the box to make sure your tweets are syndicated to LinkedIn. This will save time and make it look like you are more active on LinkedIn as well.

Adding your blog to your LinkedIn profile is a no-brainer. This not only drives organic traffic back to your site, but showcases your regular activities and expertise.

13. Connect Others

I’m a big fan of connecting people. Whenever I see someone with a certain career need, I try to think of the right people I can introduce them to. I want to create a mutually beneficial gain for each party.

The more I do this, the more career opportunities come my way. When you help two people without asking for anything in return, you leave a lasting impression on all involved. This will help amplify your own job prospects, as people will be more likely to help you achieve your goals in the future.

Conclusion

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t immediately see results. Effectively building your LinkedIn presence and online network won’t happen overnight. Remember these tips, and start to actively engage. Take action, be consistent, and you’ll soon be exploring a wealth of new professional networking opportunities.

Original Mashable Article

Our First Twitter Job Search Experiment Tweet

NOTE: This post is referring to our ongoing Twitter Job Search Experiment… Learn about it here.)

This morning, I posted our first tweet. It was as follows:

Looking 4 a secretary/admin/asst office job. Location: anywhere! She just divorced & is looking 2 start fresh somewhere new @mydetroitdining

Tonight, I got in touch with @mydetroitdining to see how it went. Below is a partial transcript of our email conversation:

I logged in at lunch and there were already 6-7 messages. (…)

By the end of the day I had a bit over a dozen. Some of them were just words of encouragement, but literally all of them were valuable. Several people gave me advice as to which job market might be the best to move to. (…)

I’d say about half were solid job leads. These were job openings I wasn’t aware of, and probably never would have run across. The person I’ve selected as “the best” message literally gave me the tip to something that I would consider a dream job.

She was impressed. And I am too, frankly. We have over 200 followers, so to get a dozen messages out of that is not bad.

But imagine if we had 400? Or 4000? I dream of someone logging on at lunch with 50 messages full of job leads.

We can only do that if we get more followers. So, again, I implore you to get the word out. Tweet, retweet, and Facebook!

(If anyone knows any bloggers that might help us out with a friendly post, drop me a direct message)

Original Article

The Shy Job Seeker Can introverts succeed in this job market?

When I teach or present workshops about networking, interviewing, and other aspects of the job search, I can almost always count on at least one person approaching me privately at the end saying, "But I'm shy and these things make me uncomfortable. Isn't there something else I could do to find a job?"

Whether you label it social anxiety, introversion, shyness, or whatever, the bottom line is usually the same: you're uncomfortable in certain social settings, particularly those involving a feeling of being on stage or performing in some way. For the purposes of this post, I'm not going to make a distinction between being "introverted" and "shy" since both traits face challenges in the job market. But if you'd like to read more about the distinction between introversion and shyness, this Atlantic article explains introversion quite well.

Introverts are a minority. Statistics vary, but about 25% of the population are considered introverts. There is no one introvert "type"-- introverts vary in style and intensity. Introverts often feel alone in their desire to be alone-- that's an unfortunate consequence of social dominance of extraversion in the American culture. (Here's a great article about introverted travelers.) For some reason, introversion is often accompanied by shame.

I teach career coaching seminars across the country for NACE, and I love doing them. I always have a great audience of interesting people and we feed off each other's energy. But I am an introvert, and at the end of the day, I'm exhausted, and I want nothing more than to go to my hotel room, get room service, and watch TV. I mentioned this to the group one time-- that I didn't want them to think I was being rude if I turned down a dinner invitation-- I just needed to re-charge my brain for the next day. When I showed up the next morning, two participants approached me and asked to shake my hand. They wanted to thank me for giving them "permission" to go back to their rooms and not feel guilty about it. They noticed that I didn't apologize or put a label on my behavior-- it was just me. And they both described the "luxury" of an evening alone in their hotel room with just the TV and a good dinner. Isn't it interesting that people feel they need permission to be themselves?

The job search process can be stacked in the favor of the extraverted, natural hand-shaker-- the eager "Hi, how are you!" kind of person. Their natural friendliness, comfort with social interactions, and ease of making connections seem to virtually guarantee them the best jobs. There's no doubt that extraverted traits can be invaluable.

A particularly valuable aspect of extraverts is that they tend to "think out loud." If you go to a museum with an extravert, for example, s/he will likely talk all the time. "Look at this- isn't this interesting?" they will say. An introvert, on the other hand, may go quietly through the museum saying little-- often causing their extraverted companion to think that the introvert isn't having a good time. On the contrary, they are absorbing the external stimulus and don't necessarily need the additional verbal discussions-- in fact, talking likely distracts them from their focus on the museum.

Why is this important? In a job interview it is up to you to convey information to the employer. You need to "think out loud"-- that is, you need to tell the employer what they want and need to hear. Reticence, one-word answers, long pauses and silence will likely hurt your chances. Employers want to hear and see enthusiasm, and that can be hard for an introvert to convey.

So does it seem like the job search might be stacked against the introvert? It doesn't have to be.

Here's a secret: social skills can be taught. They may never feel 100% natural to the introvert, but they can be taught and executed successfully. You can learn better responses to interview questions, you can practice networking, and you can put on a front as needed. In fact, many introverts have already learned to do this in a variety of social settings. I liken it to left-handed people (another minority) who have learned to use objects with their right hands even if it's not their preference.

For some creative introverts it helps to think of the job interview as an acting job, or to quote Adler, just "act as if." Introverts are often astute observers of human behavior, so knowing how to "play the game" can help. This does not mean that you go overboard and become something you are not-- but we all have elements of extraversion in our personality and the job search is the time to bring them out.

Just keep in mind that using your less-preferred extravert skills will likely drain your energy-- so find ways to replenish yourself.

In the next post, I will include tips for handling the interview and networking aspects of the job search, but for now, start by analyzing your situation. What traits of introversion fit you?

How might introversion hold you back?

Do you avoid certain types of social situations?
Are you more likely to avoid phone calls?
Do you feel awkward at parties or other gatherings?

On the other hand, where does your introversion work well for you?

What are your hidden strengths?
Are you a good listener?
Do you observe and analyze people and situations well?
Are you thoughtful and careful in decision-making?
Are you a good writer?

Know your strengths and play to them in the job search. If you're a great writer, then craft a resume and cover letter that will get you the interview. If you don't enjoy using the phone, focus on emails for communicating. But keep practicing those phone skills-- you'll need them for a phone interview.

Be prepared to tell the employer your strengths. You will feel like you're bragging-- but if you don't, who will?

Tell the employer the aspects of the job you will excel in. Introverts sometimes assume that people know what they're thinking or how they feel, so don't make that assumption. Interviewers don't know unless you tell them.

You'll notice I haven't given you a list of "careers for introverts." (Well, OK, here's one.) While on the surface, certain career fields lend themselves to introversion, it never hurts to try playing against type-- you never know what talents you might find in yourself. Common sense would say that an introvert shouldn't go into sales-- but that's not always true. An introverted salesperson might have to overcome some initial discomfort around that cold call or first meeting, but might also be very good at listening to the customer and building up the one-on-one relationship that will ultimately lead to long-term sales. Not all customers want an extraverted salesperson and might actually be more comfortable with the soft-sell approach.

Challenging yourself to take on some extraverted traits in the job search may actually open new doors to skills you didn't know you possessed and maybe even lead to careers you would never have considered.

My next post will have specific tips for overcoming the challenges in interviewing and networking.

Original Article

6 Reasons Why LinkedIn Is So Critical In A Job Search

A candidate recently asked me, “How do I find a hiring manager in a large company like Microsoft?” There are a lot of ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is using LinkedIn. When I recommended this to the candidate he completely agreed, however, the problem was he only had about 60 connections. Too few to be effective.

So often I speak with candidates that just don’t understand the value of LinkedIn as a job search tool. We constantly are sent invitations to join someone’s network only to find after months of searching they are just now starting build a LinkedIn network. You should consider building your LinkedIn networking all the time. NOT JUST WHEN IN A JOB SEARCH.

Some benefits to a large LinkedIn database of contacts:

People can find you. The more people at the second and third degrees of separation the more times you will show up in a search. For example, I have around 500 contacts. However, I am linked to over 5 million people on LinkedIn. When I search for a candidate that is a huge database. LinkedIn will eliminate the need for resume databases on Ladders, Monster, Careerbuilder and other job boards. This is because it costs on average between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars to have access to these resume databases. LinkedIn is free. Why would a recruiter or any company pay that when we can use LinkedIn for free. Resumes databases by the job boards are not pick up by Google or any search engine. These are the ones you want to make sure you show up on. LinkedIn is and you can even improve your search results for as little as $25 a month. (See prior blog article SEO Your Search On Google) It helps you find the people you want an introduction to. This is very powerful. I have helped numerous people with introductions as a result of LinkedIn. On a weekly basis I receive requests indicating they found a person in my connections and would I make an introduction. I always agree. Even when working this is a great tool for resources, customer contacts and introductions, references, service providers and even potential hires for you or your company. On a personal basis it is a great way to stay in-touch with friends, colleagues, prior employees and networking contacts. When you update your profile they will get a notice and likewise when they update theirs.

Work hard at building your connections. Make every effort to reach that magic 500+. If you use Outlook download the LinkedIn tool bar. It makes inviting people very easy.

There are many more positives to building your LinkedIn network than there are negatives. Many have resisted. I believe this recession has proven to be good thing for everyone’s network.

If you have other ideas share them by adding a comment. Lets help everyone build a strong network.

A good way to start is building a network is making sure your profile is complete. If it isn’t start there and then begin expanding your contacts. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a high ranking on Google.

You can download for free our “8 Matrix LinkedIn Profile Assessment” tool.

Our complete job search home study course the, “Career Success Factor Methodology” is a comprehensive resource that covers all 5 steps in an effective job search. You can review the complete system for just $14.95. We will even pay the shipping and to ensure your success include in a copy of our job search workbook. To review the Career Success Factor Methodology CLICK HERE.

Original Post

Ten Top Secret Job Search Tips

By Barbara Safani

One of the reasons why so many people get frustrated searching for a new job is that they spend all their time on the job boards. While posting for jobs online is one method of search, it's what everyone else is doing too. And it's hard to get noticed when you are one of hundreds of candidates vying for the same position. More people find their jobs through the hidden job market; the jobs that are not posted to the masses, but are uncovered through research and relationship building.

Here are some of the best kept secrets for finding those hidden jobs:

1. Eat.

No, I'm not talking about pity eating and downing a bag of chips and a pint of ice cream in front of the TV. But meeting a friend for coffee, a drink, or lunch is a great way to combine something pleasant and fun with some power networking. Meeting with friends keeps you top of mind and increases the likelihood of them recommending you to others.

2. Write.

Journaling is a great way to record how you are feeling during your search and examine the trends that could be indicators of what is working in your search and what is not. Some even turn their journals into blogs to create a following and make new friends and contacts as they chronicle their unemployment experience.

3. Study.

Did you know that The Department of Labor funds job training programs? You may qualify for training in a specific skill or funding to return to school to complete a degree program. And an advanced degree or certification may make you more marketable in the long run.

4. Volunteer.

Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer for a role that allows you to create visibility in front of the decision makers in this volunteer community. You never know who these people may know and what types of introductions they may be able to make for you. And volunteering helps you feel needed and reminds you of all you have to be grateful for. (See How Volunteering Landed Me a Job.)

5. Exercise.

Aerobic conditioning and weight workouts can help you feel better and burn calories more efficiently during the day. Pilates can help reduce the muscle aches often associated with hours of sitting at a desk hunched over a computer, and many people find that a regular yoga practice is a great way to reduce stress. Plus an exercise class or gym can serve as a great affinity group and connector to people who may be able to make valuable introductions for you.

6. Do Someone a Favor.

When you were working you probably didn't have the time to watch someone else's kids or pet or help someone with a home improvement project. Now that you have some free time, offer to help make someone's life easier. Your efforts will be remembered and that help may be reciprocated in the form of an important introduction or job lead.

7. Primp and Pamper.

This is not an indulgence. The little details like your hair and nails count during a job search. And it can be rejuvenating to get a new hairstyle or experiment with a new nail color.

8. Shop.

I'm not suggesting a totally new wardrobe. But a new scarf, tie, hair piece, or handkerchief can change up the interview suit you are tired of wearing and give you a renewed sense of confidence.

9. Read. Books by Harvey Mackay and Keith Ferrazi have provided inspiration for millions of job seekers over the years. Check out some of their titles at your local library.

10. Reconnect. Get over your concerns about reconnecting with past colleagues and friends. Social media tools like LinkedIn and Facebook have made it fun, easy (and less creepy) to get back in touch with people from your past. Rekindle past relationships and you are bound to find a friend or two that can help you with some aspect of your search.

Original Article

7 Ways to Get a Job Using LinkedIn

A more comprehensive job search strategy for LinkedIn

Most of the recruiters and employers have quit traditional methods of searching for a perfect candidate. No longer do they spend all their time going through job portals but they also search for interesting candidates on social media sites, blogs, forums and professional networking sites.

LinkedIn is one great way of letting recruiters know about your talents, testimonials, profession, friends, business networks and much more. LinkedIn has over 35 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of LinkedIn members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members and have listed their entire profile including roles, responsibilities, previous experiences, education and their business network details.

1. Edit Opportunity Preferences: Edit your profile and change your contact settings > Opportunity Preferences. Select Job Inquiries and any other opportunities you prefer.

2. Get Recommendations: More recommendations in your profile means that your profile gets a higher the trust and reliability. Send a request for recommendation to your co-workers, clients or immediate managers. If you are in a management position, it is great to get a feedback on your leadership qualities. Make a practice also to recommend others whom you think deserve. This is another way to get a feedback from them.

3. Find where the Opportunity Is: Search for people in similar job profiles and find out where they work. Search on Google about those companies and find out if there are openings.

4. Find out the skill sets required: After you find out the companies where similar profession people work, it’s good to find out the skill sets they posses.

5. Find out how your colleague got that nice offer: Not many colleagues share all that they know or all that they do to get a job. Search with their names on LinkedIn and find out their background. Where they are employed now, what are their roles and responsibilities and more importantly what are their skill sets.

6. Contact the HR: Did you finally trace out the company which is still hiring your kind of job? Great! Now, find out who among your network is working there. How are they linked to you? Are they a first degree contact or second or third? Get in touch with them through your friend or a person in your network and pass on your resume. Usually, a resume from a coworker is paid more attention.

7. Grow your network first: Well this should have been done the first and foremost. Grow your network. How do you grow?

1. Have a complete LinkedIn profile.
2. Get as many co-workers, ex-colleagues and friends into your network
3. Start Groups
4. Join Groups
5. Create Polls
6. Join Discussions
7. Interact through Questions & Answers
8. Find out who on your GTalk, Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger may be on Linked In and add them up.
9. Get testimonials
10. Add your blog to Applications

Don’ts in Linked In

1. Some friends or blogs can give you a tip to update your LinkedIn “Status Update” mentioning that you are searching for a job. DON’T DO THAT!!. Remember, most of your bosses and fellow workers are already on LinkedIn and do you want them to know you are not pleased with your current company and want to move out? You decide!!

2. Do not try to contact people in LinkedIn mentioning about your friend who is their first degree contact unless you get an approval from your friend.

The list is endless. Your network can grow as much as your mind can think. And there is no limit to your thoughts.

Original Article

Twitter can give edge to job seekers

By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com

New technological tools are often hailed as breakthroughs that will revolutionize our daily lives. Think of the iPhone's arrival a few years ago. Many of these much-heralded items fizzle away with little notice. And then others sneak up on us.

Facebook went from a niche college site in 2004 to a somewhat essential part of online life for people all over the world today. Twitter showed up on the scene with more noise than Facebook did, but no one knew if it would take off.

For those of you unaware, Twitter is a microblogging sign that lets you post 140-character messages at a time. You can follow people's updates and they can follow yours. That's basically it. Sounds simple.

Yet, Twitter has played important roles in major events recently. The plane landing in the Hudson River was first documented via Twitter. The 2008 presidential candidates communicated with voters through the site. Last year's Iranian protests gained publicity through worldwide Twitter updates. Who would've thought something so small would be so important?

Now, people are beginning to use Twitter for more commonplace tasks -- namely, job hunts. Three authors have written a book all about finding a job through the microblogging site. Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan and Deb Dib have come together to write "The Twitter Job Search Guide."

"Twitter can give job seekers a much-needed edge in today's job market," Whitcomb says. "It helps them uncover little-known opportunities, research employers, enhance their visibility, expand their network and much more."

As Bryan explains, "We like the concept of spending 15 well-planned, solidly productive minutes a day on Twitter, at least initially, because it imposes a strategy and discipline that keeps you focused on the big picture -- your job search -- rather than getting lost online. While Twitter is great way to expand your network and reach, transitioning those relationships to off-line connections is an essential element of a successful search."

According to the authors, here are five guidelines to follow in your Twitter job search:

1. Know what you want to accomplish and track your progress.

Take advantage of Twitter's real-time user interaction by monitoring your @replies, direct messages (DMs) and Retweets.

2. Understand your limits.

Don't just post -- seek out information that is valuable to you. Use the favorites option to keep track of posts you want to revisit or think about.

3. Find and follow people.

Twitter can overwhelm you if you follow too many people. Information will fall off of the newsfeed quickly. Instead, be selective about who you follow and make sure they offer information that's relevant to your goals.

4. Don't retweet too much!

If all you can offer is a retweet of other people's messages, then you probably don't need to be on Twitter. Offer your own input on topics. Plus, the authors point out, if your feed is entirely made of @replies, people will feel as if they're not welcome to your conversation.

5. Give of yourself.

"Join @jobangels and other philanthropic groups and give back when you can. Watch for opportunities to offer a tip, insight, job lead or helping hand," the authors suggest.

Original Article

8 Job Search Tips for Teens

By Sarah Mahoney

While last year's teen unemployment rate of 28 percent was nightmarish, this year's number will be much worse, says Andrew Sum, professor of economics and director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, in Boston. Even though the economy is picking up steam, unemployed adults are continuing to muscle in on teen-job territory, especially in the retail sector. And the younger the teen, Sum says, the more brutal the outlook. Still, there are jobs out there, and with luck, pluck, a parental push, and these make-it-happen strategies, your child can land one.

Network Like Crazy

Many kids find jobs through their parents, says Sum. Check your address book for anyone who might be willing to hire your teen. Then have your child rehearse a script with you before he picks up the phone, as in: "My mom is in your book group and she suggested I ask if you could use some help with your landscaping business." Also help him develop a good follow-up line, which is important because many teens will feel shot down if they hear anything other than an enthusiastic "You're hired!" Explain that he should create an opening for future conversations by saying, "Thanks for taking my call. Let me give you my number, so if things change or you hear of anything else, you can contact me. And is it okay if I check back with you in a week or so?"

Go Seasonal

Classic summer jobs—at camps, beach town burger joints, and amusement parks—that are open for only a few months annually are still a good bet. "We hire something like 2,500 seasonal employees for this park every year," says Cutter Matlock, director of administration for Six Flags America, in Bowie, Maryland. "About half are returnees, but the rest are new. As long as kids can follow through with the online application process, and convey that they are confident, passionate, and fun people, we're interested."

Experiment with Temping

Companies that specialize in providing short-term workers are almost always busy when the economy is coming out of a recession, says Melanie Holmes, vice president at Manpower, a global employment service firm based in Milwaukee. Employers that use such agencies typically want workers 18 and older but sometimes will take younger teens, she says. Those who have experience with anything that can be described as customer service, including retail, will have an edge.

Tap Extended Family

Sending your kid off for the summer to relatives who live where there's work may seem extreme but may be her best shot. "We're seeing huge geographic variability in teen employment," says Sum. "About half of all kids in farm belt states had work last summer, and in Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin, it was as high as 60 to 65 percent, and we expect that to happen again this year. But in states like California, New York, or New Jersey, we are forecasting that it will be more like 25 percent." Currently, large cities with low unemployment rates include Des Moines; Honolulu; Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Portland, Maine; and Rochester, Minnesota.

Check Out Healthcare

Suggest that your teen contact local hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement communities. "These employers might have entry-level jobs that don't require any experience and are perfect for teens," says Holmes. Encourage your kids to dress neatly and spend several days knocking on doors, asking to speak to human resources, filling out applications, and inquiring how and when they should follow up.

Keep an Open Mind

Kids and parents need to understand that teens may have to get their hands dirty in jobs that even a few summers ago might have seemed low-status—washing dishes, cleaning hotel rooms, or hauling trash. That's where the action is now. Despite the downturn, restaurants last summer hired around 380,000 workers, many of them teens. The National Restaurant Association thinks hiring could be the same or better this year. Similarly, kids willing to get physical with entry-level jobs like cleanup crew should work their way through "Construction" in the local Yellow Pages. "It seems counterintuitive because of the economy," says Holmes, "but construction hiring always picks up in the summer, and we're already seeing signs an of increase."

Go Back to School

Teens with any extra or unusual credentials or training have much better odds of success, says Marie Schwartz, president of TeenLife Media in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "Kids need to offer employers, who face an avalanche of applications, something that says, 'Look at me.'" CPR and first-aid training, taught at YMCAs, usually for less than $100 for single-day classes, make any potential employee stand out from the crowd. A child applying for office jobs will have an edge if she's proficient in PowerPoint or Excel. (While some online classes may charge as much as $400 for longer tutorials, your child can find useful lessons for free. Have her try office.microsoft.com for a good one that takes less than an hour to complete.)

Stay Strong

Parents' most important role this summer will be giving plenty of pep talks. "A lot of kids are going to get very discouraged," says Sum. "Many employers won't even let them drop off applications. But it's important that teens understand the need to cast their net as wide as possible and not give up early. The longer and harder they look, the better their odds." And keep in mind that no matter how the search turns out, and how much wailing goes on along the way, your teen is learning some tough but essential life lessons.

Best Sites for Teen Jobs

While the largest Web sites, like Monster and Career Builder, get the most attention, there are thousands of others that can lead to jobs—including the online classified section of your local paper. (Just warn your teen away from any service that charges a fee.) Encourage him to check out:

snagajob.com

usajobs.gov/studentjobs

groovejob.com

ecojobs.com

teens4hire.org

coolworks.com

summerjobs.com

coolsummerjobs.com

recstaffing.com

myfirstpaycheck.com

Originally published in the June 2010 issue of Family Circle magazine.

10 Job Search Tips for the Class of 2010

A small percentage of you were lucky enough to get recruited off campus and are ready to start your career. The rest of you are now preparing for the arduous task of finding a job, and many of you are scared and ill prepared.

So here are a few tips for you.

1: Set a Budget - Before you start to look for a full-time career opportunity talk with your family and see how much financial support you can expect from them, and for how long. Then determine how long you can financially afford to stay unemployed and if you also need to look for an interim part-time position to make ends meet. If you are not living at home budget your rent, utilities, food and entertainment and see if your savings and current income (if you have some) will cover them, and for how long.

You should also set aside money for the following pre-job search related expenses if you do not already possess these items. A means of transportation, two new interview outfits, a professional resume, a computer w/internet access, and a cell phone,

Also, if you do not have a credit card get one, this is your emergency fund. I suggest you get a credit limit of $750-$1000 to start, with as low an interest rate as possible. Don’t use this for anything non-job search related and only as a last resort.

2: Don’t Think Too Big – In the ideal world most of you would love to work for a large company with strong brand identity. However the job market today is more fertile for 2010 grads among the small and mid-sized companies. These are the companies to target.

3: Research The Market – Print out 15 jobs that you think would be appropriate for you and they do not have to be in your geographic location. Then review them all to see what the employers are looking for in a new hire and how well you match the requirements. If you do not have 75% or more of what they want, look for another type of job.

4: Take a Personal Inventory – Now that you know what the employer wants from you, underline the requirements and write down how well you fit each requirement based on your academics and any work experience you have. List all you business and personal skill sets and rate them on a scale of 1-10.

5: Start A Network – You all know people in the business world. Get in touch with them and ask them for advice. Work every contact you have. Don't be shy about checking in with contacts you've made. Personal referrals remain one of the strongest door openers to a job.

6: Start A Job Search Group – Get together with 4 or 5 good friends in the same position as you and start a support group. Meet at least once a week to set weekly goals and see if you achieved them. Share leads and network buddies. Share news articles. Discuss the interviews you had, what questions you were asked, your responses and what you learned. You can also share the research assignments and do mock interviews to help you get ahead.

7: Follow Up – Don’t let leads get cold, jump on them as soon as you hear about them. The same holds true to any network suggestions you receive. Most important follow up on every job interview and make the people you meet part of your network if they do not hire you.

8: Job Fairs – I don’t recommend them for people with 4 or more years experience but I have found that most universities and colleges, as well as industries and companies, host job fairs. These are terrific places to meet many opportunities in one location. Make sure that you have a great resume and dress sharp. You may also want to invest in some business cards. Vista Print will do them in color for a very low price.

9: Get a Part Time Job or Interim Staffing Assignment – I know you are anxious to get a full time offer; however, part time and temp work in the right environment can also help you make your mark at a company. It also helps pay the bills. You can also use this to work for more than more than one company and expand your experience and network.

10: Keep Positive – Looking for your first job can be a frustrating mess, but you need to keep everything in perspective and never lose confidence. You can change your focus and job search strategies week to week, but a positive attitude is the one constant you need to get to where you want to go.

Author:

Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help his clients get results. You can view his sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com/, and email him your resume at perry@perrynewman.com for FREE resume critique.

Original Article

Quick Tip- Using Linkedin to find your next job

If you are a regular reader of this blog you may be wondering why I keep writing about Linkedin for job hunting. The answer is really simple. Linkedin is hands down the best way (in my opinion) to find a job now and also the best way for employers to find candidates. A couple of months back, Linkedin launched a new service geared towards the job seeker. For a small monthly fee they offer various services to make it easier for the job seeker to connect with employers.

The cheapest service starts at $19.95 a month and with this package you are able to move up to the top of the list as a featured applicant. This feature is huge, with some many people competing for jobs, anything you can do to stand out from the crowd is important. Other features include, seeing the entire profile of hiring managers and premium job searching. The more expensive packages include the ability to send inmails and connect directly with the hiring managers. The most expensive package is priced at $49.95 a month.

I think this is worth it and I am a huge proponent and investing in yourself and career. With that being said, I do think you can achieve similar results through Linkedin for Free. My advice would be to create your target list of companies that you want to work for and then search for recruiters or Hr Managers from that company. Next step is to craft a well written note and click on the link that says “Add ____ to your network” and send your note.

how to use linkedin for searching for a job

Do not just send the standard greeting, you will be more successful if you customize your introduction, instead of the standard “I would like to add you to my network” Do not ask for an interview or sell yourself at this stage, that will come later. The first couple of encounters should be done in an effort to build a relationship. Once the foundation has been built you can then start working towards discussing job prospects.

Either way you choose the paid option or the free work around, the take away here is to include Linkedin as a primary source in your job search strategy.

Original Article

How To Use LinkedIn To Find A New Job Or Career

With social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace leading the way in the new world of linking the world on the internet, LinkedIn is definitely the most useful in terms of networking and job searches. It has become customary for employees of reputable organizations to have a LinkedIn profile and network and joining this league can help you a lot with job searches.

Map your network. LinkedIn helps you map and manage your network whether it is your former and current colleagues, clients, or even college friends. Once you have joined and established contact with people you know, you have a profile and an established identity on the website. This means that not only does your profile show your work experience, education, skills, and interests, but it also shows your links in different organizations and places.

Leverage Contacts. How is this useful for job searches? Once you have mapped out your network, you can figure out which contacts to leverage or get in touch with regarding any upcoming opportunities that will suit your profile. With the feature of status updates, you can keep your network updated about your availability and preferences.

Build Credibility. Your network and references from colleagues and employers can help build credibility with contacts who do not know you that well. The features on the community site can help you ease communication with people that you have not talked to for years and will let you have better results on job searches.

Job Search Feature. The Job Search feature on LinkedIn is custom-built to help you find jobs in a specific location or industry. The difference between other job sites and this job search is that your profile is more representative and can prove to be a very useful tool to convince prospective employers of your resourcefulness and experience.

Industry Insights. Another useful feature that you can use by joining LinkedIn is the access to public profiles of millions of users. If you are looking for a job in a particular industry or organization, you can get additional insights from viewing the experience level and skill set of current employees and new hires. This will give you an idea of whether your experience matches that of current employees and which skills and background should you leverage the most in your application and interview.

Be Available To Recruiters. From the perspective of recruiters and Human Resource departments at organizations, LinkedIn is a huge pool of potential employees that they can scope for job openings. If your job skills and experience match their requirements, you may soon be hearing about relevant opportunities in your industry. So, with that respect, it may pay to keep your online “resume” or profile as up-to-date as possible.

LinkedIn provides an easy opportunity to use untapped resources on the internet that will put you forward in your search for a job or better career opportunities. If you do not have an account on LinkedIn, you should definitely head over there as soon as you are done reading this article. Even if you are not currently looking for a new job, now is the best time to lay the ground work before you need a network of friends and associates.

Don’t forget to sign up for a Twitter account as well. If you have a large following on Twitter, what a wonderful way to announce to thousands of followers instantly that you are back on the job market.

Original Article

Want to know the difference in the top 20 Job Search Sites?

Top 20 Job Search Web Sites:
"As we all know by now, unemployment numbers are sky high . However, there is a silver lining for those looking for new employment: there are more resources than ever to help job seekers find work.

These 20 Web sites take different approaches to find you the right job. Some sites, like Indeed, simply aggregate material from all other sites, while sites like TheLadders make you pay to take advantage of their high-paying job services. No matter how select or general you want your job search to be, one of these sites has you covered.

Scroll through our list of favorites and find the career site that best fits your own needs. And good luck with the job hunt!"

Beyond

Beyond.com claims to be the "largest network of niche career communities" on the Net. It essentially hooks together different organizations like PRJobForce.com and PhillyJobs.com all in one place, which makes it easy to find leads in your community.

CareerBuilder

As the Web's biggest job site, CareerBuilder gets more than 23 million visitors a month. The company has been around since 1995, and has developed an incredible network of listing sources and job search centers since that time.

Craigslist

The granddaddy of online classifieds gives those who are focused on searching for jobs within their communities an easy way to look. It might be one of the least-polished entities listed here, but the sheer number of local job listings makes up for it.

ExecuSearch

ExecuSearch looks to be a selective, higher-tier job search property. ExecuSearch screens and reviews every resume that is submitted, and helps employers find the best possible candidates for their open positions.

Hound

Hound's search engine shows jobs from employer Web sites only. In theory, this cuts out duplicate listings and shows opportunities that are not posted on other job boards.

Indeed

Indeed works as an aggregator for listings from major job Web sites, company Web sites, associations, and other online sources. Its simplicity and ease of use are its best features.

JobCentral

JobCentral is a service formed by a nonprofit consortium of U.S. corporations like IBM and Dell, which makes it ideal if you're looking for corporate job listings.

JobServe

JobServe claims it was "the world's first Internet recruitment service." In 2008, JobServe advertised more than 2.5 million jobs across 15 industry sectors.

Jobster

Jobster uses an active approach to help employers and recruiting teams of all sizes find their candidates. The company calls its method "social recruiting," and it services 24 different job categories.

LinkedIn

Best known for being a social network for professionals, LinkedIn also has thorough job listings, some of which are exclusive to LinkedIn.

Monster

In addition to being arguably the best-known global job-listings site, Monster also offers advice on resumes, interviewing, and salary information.

Oodle

Oodle, which specializes in online classifieds, includes a job classifieds section that finely cuts job opportunities down to job title, category, industry, and company. Did you know, for example, that Best Buy has nearly 10,000 openings?

onTargetjobs

onTargetjobs owns a lot of smaller niche sites like BioSpace.com and MedHunters.com. Its expansive niche database allows users to find compatible job listings more easily than with general sites.

SimplyHired

SimplyHired is similar to Indeed, as it also aggregates listings from major job Web sites, newspapers, company Web sites, and associations. However, the site goes a little deeper and allows users to send their resumes out for posting on five other sites for free.

SnagAjob

SnagAJob is basically the antithesis of sites like TheLadders and ExecuSearch, as its focus is on hourly employment only. The site has partnered with companies like 7 Eleven, Red Lobster, and AMF, to bring the most up-to-date hourly job openings.

TheLadders

This job site has branded itself as the place to look for $100,000+ jobs only. Job seekers have to pay $30 per month to fully take advantage of the site's services.

Trovix

Trovix's free search engine makes the job-search process more personalized. Users input their work experience and qualifications and the site matches results to what info they have given. Trovix also has an innovative feature called Job Map, which allows you to type in your location and see on Google Maps how many jobs are available in your area.

TweetMyJobs

One of the newest sites to take advantage of social media, TweetMyJobs supplies Twitter users with instantaneous job listings that are derived from TweetMyJobs' Job Channels.

USAJobs

USAJobs is the official job site for the U.S. government. With the government looking to significantly increase spending during the next few years, looking at federal jobs might not be a bad move if you're in a tough place.

Yahoo HotJobs

As one of the biggest job sites on the Web, HotJobs distinguishes itself by focusing on features such as status (which shows how many times one's resume has been viewed) and the ability to block companies from seeing your resume.