Feel like you will never get a job? Getting desperate?
Showing posts with label Job Seekers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job Seekers. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Who’s Hiring This Week
It’s Wednesday, and that means another list of companies hiring right now! The gist of this is pretty simple: We highlight some companies who are looking for workers right this very moment. You can click on their name to see what positions they have open. Get clicking!
Brown Mackie College
Industry: Education
Sample job titles: Academic department – director, of business, adjunct sociology instructor
Fidelis Care
Industry: Management
Sample job titles: Benefits manager, marketing manager
New Breed
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Warehouse supervisors, operations manager
TransTechs
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: Diesel technician, body shop technician
State Chemical
Industry: Manufacturing and business development
Sample job titles: Entry-level account manager, entry-level strategic account manager
Cogent Healthcare
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Nurse practitioner, program medical director
Butler America
Industry: Engineering
Sample job titles: Sr. systems engineer (federal systems security standards), quality engineer
Hancock Bank
Industry: Finance
Sample job titles: Senior service desk analyst, Insurance Specialist
Bayer
Industry: Biotechnology
Sample job titles: PV case associate/PV case specialist, Bioanalytical assays and pharmacokinetics
Sony Electronics Inc
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Sales specialist (part-time retail sales), manager of product training
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Key to a Successful Job Search: Making Personal Connections
People are your greatest resource when looking for a job. Now, more than ever, it is not what you know but whom you know!
Career experts estimate that approximately 75 percent of all job openings are never advertised. Positions that become available because of internal promotions, retirements, and employees leaving the organization for career advancement, often are not posted. Rather, these positions are filled through personal connections established long before the opening ever existed. Somebody knew somebody!
So, what is the secret? How do you tap into this hidden job market?
The most successful job searches rely on connecting with people on a personal level. Traditional job-search methods, such as applying through newspaper advertisements and human resources departments, primarily are conducted electronically. This creates the false impression that technology has made the job search more efficient when, in fact, technology has decreased your ability to establish relationships and be invited to interviews. To increase your chances of landing a job offer, move your job search from your computer to your connections!
The key to a successful job search is making personal connections. Here are several suggestions for adding a personal touch to your job search strategy.
• Do Not Rely on the Internet
The popularity of online job searches makes the Internet, by far, the most competitive method of job search. A better way to distinguish yourself is to find out the name of the hiring manager and contact him or her directly by telephone. Begin the conversation by introducing yourself and assuring the manager that you have followed the organization’s formal online application process. During this conversation, quickly outline your background highlighting the special talents and unique qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job.
As the conversation ends, remind the manager of your sincere interest in the position and your desire to be selected for an interview. If the position is already filled, ask if the organization has additional openings or if the manager knows of other organizations that are hiring. Once a personal connection is established, and you have moved yourself from being a piece of paper to becoming a person, it is amazing how individuals will extend themselves on your behalf.
• Courtesy Counts
Before contacting any manager or practitioner in your career field, be fully prepared to present yourself in a professional manner and to demonstrate the utmost courtesy and respect for their time.
Remember, you are the one who needs help, so you are the one who should do the work! It is not the responsibility of the manager to “keep you in mind.” You must follow up and continue to reconfirm your interest with professional contacts. Likewise, if anyone provides a referral or recommendation on your behalf, provide that person with your résumé, make him or her aware when they may be contacted for a reference check, and always express your appreciation for their support – with a thank-you note by mail (not e-mail)!
Once you acquire a position, the same courtesies apply; let your references know where you are employed and, again, express your appreciation for the part they played in helping you find your new position.
• Maximize Face Time, Not Facebook
Connect, connect, and connect! Attend professional development functions, association lunches, and networking events. Get to know people in these organizations. This means attending events on a regular basis, engaging individuals in genuine conversations, and being willing to contribute your talents to committee work or task forces. Eventually, you can mention that you are searching for your next professional opportunity, but the personal connections should be made first, before expecting people to be willing to help you.
• Go to Job Fairs
These events allow you to meet the greatest number of employers in the shortest amount of time. Again, when attending these events, be prepared to introduce yourself and tell prospective employers about your unique qualifications. The dialogue does not end there. The smart job searcher follows up on each connection by getting a business card and sending a letter reminding the employer of the meeting and the conversation you had. The savvy job seeker always asks for the interview and always thanks the employer for their time.
• Say “Thank You!”
Make it a priority to acknowledge the time and efforts of anyone who assists you with your career advancement. Depending on the profession, your appreciation can be expressed with a formal business letter or a hand-written thank-you note. Whatever version you prefer, demonstrate your good manners by expressing your appreciation in writing. The courtesy and thoughtfulness communicated by sending a thank you is the easiest way to stand above every other candidate or practicing professional.
• Return the Favor
Appropriate business etiquette requires that professional favors are reciprocated. Whenever possible, make a concerted effort to assist your colleagues. In addition, once you are in a professional position, pay it forward! When young professionals approach you for assistance and advice, be willing and available to help.
Making professional connections is the critical element that sets candidates apart, especially in today’s competitive market. The relationships you build when conducting a job search are the beginning of a professional network that will serve you well throughout your career.
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Art of Salary Negotiation:: Best Tips for Job Seekers.
Imagine, you're sailing through an interview - the HR people loved you, and the hiring manager is talking about what you'd be doing in the position six months from now. But then you reach that nerve-wracking moment. Your interviewer leans back and utters that agitating query: "So, what are your salary expectations?" Worse yet, he simply asks what you're making now. Your next few words will be crucial. Salary negotiation is a fact of job-seeking life, and preparation is vital.
Do your homework
Always walk into an interview with a minimum salary requirement in mind. You can determine a realistic - but satisfactory - salary by doing a little research. Luckily, the Web hosts a plethora of salary survey sites- the more reliable ones compiled by government agencies, employment agencies, universities and professional associations. Use them to find the average earnings for entry level to executive positions in your industry. For example, the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, located at http://stats.bls.gov/oco/oco1000.htm, features salary information, job descriptions and an employment forecast for each industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov) also offers a thorough package of employment information and statistics by region. Don't forget to ask friends and alums of your school who work in the industry what a typical starting salary for a new graduate is in the job of your choice.
Make your choice
Once you have an idea of the kind of money you can expect, you should determine three figures: how much money you think you need; how much you want, and what you think you can live with. Put together a personal budget, keeping in mind that things like income tax, loan payments and health care will probably account for a huge chunk of each paycheck. It's also important to note that buying power depends largely on the city you live in. If you earn $30k in Cincinnati, you'd need to make more than twice that salary to maintain your lifestyle in New York City. If you have job offers in different cities, you can compare their values with a cost-of-living calculator. Both Homefair.com and Datamasters (http://www.datamasters.com offer them on their web sites.
Beyond cash
Are you willing to compromise cash for benefits? Quality of life may mean more to you than money. One hiring manager at a Silicon Alley startup advises job seekers to "evaluate the non-financial aspects of your package." Especially when you're looking at cash-poor startups, or industries (like publishing or fashion) where entry-level salaries are traditionally low; it's important to consider things like "the size of the company, work environment, dress code, and the experience you stand to gain." Would you give up a little money if you could wear jeans to work and start your days at 10am? Airline stewards may only make around $20,000 per year, but they travel for free.
When you sit down at the bargaining table, find out what your employer has to offer. Some employers pay 'average' salaries, but enrich the overall package with things like bonuses, full health coverage, family leave and tuition reimbursement. If you're a night owl or there are family issues, ask about things like flextime and telecommuting options. Once you have an offer in hand, your bargaining power is heightened. Ask who the health care and insurance providers are and what each plan covers. If you'll have to move across the country to take a job, ask about relocation assistance.
Don't feel pressured to accept an offer right away. Once you've given that "OK", the deal is effectively closed - it will be much harder to make amendments later on. If it seems you're getting nowhere, and you feel you absolutely can't live on the salary an employer is offering, offer to temp for the company - once you prove yourself, you're likely to get a more acceptable offer. Or move on.
Monday, July 19, 2010
How You Make Your First Impressions Very Good :: Best Tips For Job Seekers
Life is all about making good first impressions with the people we meet. This article provides tips for making good first impressions in business and networking situations; with business cards, cover letters, and resumes; in job interviews; and when you are starting a new job.
In Business and Networking Situations
When meeting people for the first time, whether for career networking or client meetings, it's essential that you look the part. In other words, you must dress for the specific occasion. Conduct a little research or contact the organization responsible for the event to uncover the proper attire. In a pinch, it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And it's not just what you are wearing but how you're wearing it, so make sure your clothing is clean and well-pressed.
Grooming is also an important part of first impressions. Hair should be neat and certainly not the wind-tunnel look. For men, facial hair should be either non-existent or well-maintained. For women, less make-up is always better than too much. A light perfume or cologne is acceptable, but be careful of overwhelming the people in the room. Finally, a minimal amount of tasteful jewelry is best.
A small, but relatively unknown fact about name tags they should be worn on the person's right shoulder area so that when someone approaches to greet and shake his/her hand, the person's eyes follow the arm right up to the name tag, making it much easier to greet the person rather than looking all the way over to the other side of the person or worse, toward the cleavage for a woman.
Next up for first impressions are the handshake and greeting. Handshakes should be simple extend right hand and grasp gently but firmly. No bone-crushers and no four-handed, one-hand over the other shakes. And no sweaty, clammy, or wimpy handshakes. If your nerves cause you to get wet palms, carry a handkerchief in your pocket and wipe your hand before you do the meet and greet. The greeting should be short and simple, making certain you listen for the other person's name. For example, I might greet someone in a business setting as, "Hi. I'm Dr. Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers." Be certain to speak clearly and enunciate.
To nail the good impression you're trying to make, the last tip when you're in this setting is not to make the conversation all about you. You want to engage the other person in conversation, making certain to use his/her name for emphasis. You can, of course, talk about yourself, but don't make the whole conversation about you and keep stories short. Look for common ground with the person you're talking to, and share stories about that common interest. And, of course, avoid talking about controversial subjects, such as religion, politics, and sex. If you're naturally funny, use humor, but nothing off-color, and show your serious side also.
Learn more about the power of networking, how to develop and grow your network, and much more in the Career and Job-Search Networking section.
With Business Cards, Cover Letters, and Resumes
For first impressions, the most important element here is the design and format. Except in very creative professions, colors of the paper and the text should be conservative. The same holds true with the typeface, use normal, readable fonts.
Business or networking cards should be simple and tastefully designed, and include key contact information. For some professions, such as sales, you can use a picture, but make certain it is a good photo.
Keep cover letters to no more than five short paragraphs, though four is better. The letterhead should match your resume, as should the paper and font(s). The way to make the strongest first impression is to address the letter to the recipient by name. The worst thing you can do is misspell the person's name. The second best way to make a good impression is to have a dynamic and powerful first paragraph that explains why you are writing. (Many job-seekers waste the first paragraph by writing a dull first paragraph.)
Your resume format should be original and inviting to the reader. Don't cram every single detail into a resume with no margins and tiny type. Use white space and go to additional pages or cut material. I have a true "rule of thumb." If my thumbs cover parts of your resume when I am holding it, then the margins are too narrow and I immediately have a negative impression of the resume. You should also know what is trendy in resumes and include those things in yours. For example, an accomplishments summary that highlights your 3 to 4 best attributes specific to the job at hand.
In Job Interviews
Because the job interview is usually your first face-to-face with the employers, first impressions are especially crucial. Arrive about 15 minutes early so you have time to find the exact office, perhaps with a stop at a restroom to conduct a final grooming check as well as possibly complete some paperwork before the interview starts. Always be polite to the support staff, as the impression you make with them will often be factored into the hiring decision. Of course, dressing for success and proper grooming are essential. Never arrive with any kind of food in your mouth or on your teeth, and try not to smoke right before the interview. Turn off your cell phone on the way to the interview. In the interview, smiling and making strong eye contact are important elements to establishing a good impression. Answering interview questions with ease (showcasing your interview preparation) and asking questions of the interviewer are vital to making a good impression. A great way to cement a strong first impression is writing a thank-you note after the interview. Visit our 200 Interviewing Questions.
When Starting a New Job
The first impressions you make with your co-workers and supervisor will go a long way to building a solid reputation for yourself. In those first days and weeks, you'll want to arrive a bit early, take no more than your allotted breaks during the day, leave no earlier than when the majority of the others in your area leave, and avoid calling in sick or taking personal days. In terms of actual work, you'll want to show your team spirit by supporting the team, perhaps even offering to take on a bit more than usual if the team needs it. Listen more than talk in those early days, and certainly do not showboat until you have firmly established your reputation as a solid worker and team player. And it should go without saying, but stay clear of all office politics and gossip. Finally, remember to keep your personal communications email, IM, and phone to a minimal while at work.
Final Thoughts
You might think that making a good first impression is really about using common sense and you would be correct. At the same time, we constantly hear horror stories from recruiters and employers about the unfortunate things job-seekers do, resulting in extremely poor first (and often last) impressions. Use your common sense and follow the tips in this article and you will go far in making a good first impression.
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
In Business and Networking Situations
When meeting people for the first time, whether for career networking or client meetings, it's essential that you look the part. In other words, you must dress for the specific occasion. Conduct a little research or contact the organization responsible for the event to uncover the proper attire. In a pinch, it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And it's not just what you are wearing but how you're wearing it, so make sure your clothing is clean and well-pressed.
Grooming is also an important part of first impressions. Hair should be neat and certainly not the wind-tunnel look. For men, facial hair should be either non-existent or well-maintained. For women, less make-up is always better than too much. A light perfume or cologne is acceptable, but be careful of overwhelming the people in the room. Finally, a minimal amount of tasteful jewelry is best.
A small, but relatively unknown fact about name tags they should be worn on the person's right shoulder area so that when someone approaches to greet and shake his/her hand, the person's eyes follow the arm right up to the name tag, making it much easier to greet the person rather than looking all the way over to the other side of the person or worse, toward the cleavage for a woman.
Next up for first impressions are the handshake and greeting. Handshakes should be simple extend right hand and grasp gently but firmly. No bone-crushers and no four-handed, one-hand over the other shakes. And no sweaty, clammy, or wimpy handshakes. If your nerves cause you to get wet palms, carry a handkerchief in your pocket and wipe your hand before you do the meet and greet. The greeting should be short and simple, making certain you listen for the other person's name. For example, I might greet someone in a business setting as, "Hi. I'm Dr. Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers." Be certain to speak clearly and enunciate.
To nail the good impression you're trying to make, the last tip when you're in this setting is not to make the conversation all about you. You want to engage the other person in conversation, making certain to use his/her name for emphasis. You can, of course, talk about yourself, but don't make the whole conversation about you and keep stories short. Look for common ground with the person you're talking to, and share stories about that common interest. And, of course, avoid talking about controversial subjects, such as religion, politics, and sex. If you're naturally funny, use humor, but nothing off-color, and show your serious side also.
Learn more about the power of networking, how to develop and grow your network, and much more in the Career and Job-Search Networking section.
With Business Cards, Cover Letters, and Resumes
For first impressions, the most important element here is the design and format. Except in very creative professions, colors of the paper and the text should be conservative. The same holds true with the typeface, use normal, readable fonts.
Business or networking cards should be simple and tastefully designed, and include key contact information. For some professions, such as sales, you can use a picture, but make certain it is a good photo.
Keep cover letters to no more than five short paragraphs, though four is better. The letterhead should match your resume, as should the paper and font(s). The way to make the strongest first impression is to address the letter to the recipient by name. The worst thing you can do is misspell the person's name. The second best way to make a good impression is to have a dynamic and powerful first paragraph that explains why you are writing. (Many job-seekers waste the first paragraph by writing a dull first paragraph.)
Your resume format should be original and inviting to the reader. Don't cram every single detail into a resume with no margins and tiny type. Use white space and go to additional pages or cut material. I have a true "rule of thumb." If my thumbs cover parts of your resume when I am holding it, then the margins are too narrow and I immediately have a negative impression of the resume. You should also know what is trendy in resumes and include those things in yours. For example, an accomplishments summary that highlights your 3 to 4 best attributes specific to the job at hand.
In Job Interviews
Because the job interview is usually your first face-to-face with the employers, first impressions are especially crucial. Arrive about 15 minutes early so you have time to find the exact office, perhaps with a stop at a restroom to conduct a final grooming check as well as possibly complete some paperwork before the interview starts. Always be polite to the support staff, as the impression you make with them will often be factored into the hiring decision. Of course, dressing for success and proper grooming are essential. Never arrive with any kind of food in your mouth or on your teeth, and try not to smoke right before the interview. Turn off your cell phone on the way to the interview. In the interview, smiling and making strong eye contact are important elements to establishing a good impression. Answering interview questions with ease (showcasing your interview preparation) and asking questions of the interviewer are vital to making a good impression. A great way to cement a strong first impression is writing a thank-you note after the interview. Visit our 200 Interviewing Questions.
When Starting a New Job
The first impressions you make with your co-workers and supervisor will go a long way to building a solid reputation for yourself. In those first days and weeks, you'll want to arrive a bit early, take no more than your allotted breaks during the day, leave no earlier than when the majority of the others in your area leave, and avoid calling in sick or taking personal days. In terms of actual work, you'll want to show your team spirit by supporting the team, perhaps even offering to take on a bit more than usual if the team needs it. Listen more than talk in those early days, and certainly do not showboat until you have firmly established your reputation as a solid worker and team player. And it should go without saying, but stay clear of all office politics and gossip. Finally, remember to keep your personal communications email, IM, and phone to a minimal while at work.
Final Thoughts
You might think that making a good first impression is really about using common sense and you would be correct. At the same time, we constantly hear horror stories from recruiters and employers about the unfortunate things job-seekers do, resulting in extremely poor first (and often last) impressions. Use your common sense and follow the tips in this article and you will go far in making a good first impression.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tips for middle-aged job seekers
Numerous middle-aged workers have found themselves unexpectedly back in the job-search mode, which is financially and personally challenging for many workers who've spent a decade or longer in the same career.
One 53-year-old Torrance resident who was terminated in November took time to "recover psychologically, catch up on some leisure reading, and fix everything that was broken in the house." He is now ready to tackle the next stage.
As a manufacturing sales professional, he developed many business and administrative skills. He asks how he should approach a new-career search? His finances are a year's severance pay, and approximately $450,000 in retirement savings, and a home-mortgage balance of $118,000. His health coverage is now through COBRA but must soon be replaced.
It's still very tough looking for work. However, as worker demographics change, so are employer expectations. By 2016, a third of the American work force will be age 50-plus, compared with 28 percent in 2007. Demand for mature, experienced employees is expected to increase, especially in industries like health care.
The Torrance reader should tackle financial issues first, then focus on the searches. He should consult with a fee-only financial advisor to decide when - or if - he should move his 401(k). Internal costs and investment options are also vital considerations. He also should research health insurance options, looking into plans available through trade/professional associations and individual policies. He'll possibly obtain coverage with a new job. It's also advisable to get the "health house" in order to the extent possible by getting fit and losing weight, if needed, as it's well known that healthy employees cost employers less in the short and long run. Numerous resources may help boomers conduct a targeted career search. Following are a few: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, at http://www.bls.gov/OCO/. It lists leading occupations providing current information on hiring forecasts and salaries. U.S. News & World Report, at www.usnews.com, runs an annual list of hit jobs and popular (and promising) occupations for boomer workers. AARP, at www.aarp.org, provides a wealth of resources on jobs, careers and retirement planning for the over-50 population.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Making Social Networking Technology Work for You: A Recruiter's Perspective
Recently a job opening came up in my company for a recruiter. Naturally, I turned to my network to find candidates. Unlike the strategy I would have used five, three, or even two years ago to access my network, in 2007, I now turn to social networking technology.
Social networking sites abound and confusion swirls about the appropriateness of using them for business. While some sites cater primarily to the social needs of the millennial generation, others are not only legitimate for business use, but essential elements for any successful networker's toolkit. While millennial generation-based, purely social sites (such as MySpace and Facebook, despite the growing acceptance of Facebook as a business-related site) have been recently trying to spin themselves as sites for business, most professionals I know avoid them like the plague. As I tell my colleagues: Just as I don't look for potential employees on dating sites, I don't go looking for them on purely social networking sites. I stick to business networking sites (such as LinkedIn).
Too often as I give workshops around the country, I hear people say that they've put a profile up on a business networking site and "nothing happened." Putting a profile up is the equivalent of going to a business networking event alone, not wearing a nametag, and standing in the corner by the stuffed mushrooms. Business networking sites are valuable ways to leverage your existing networks and develop new ones. These sites also offer features that allow users to regulate the kind and frequency of contacts obtained, making it easy to “work” your network, but you do actually have to put some work into it. Here's how to make business networking site work for you:
- Take time completing your profile and thinking about who you want to find you. If you are looking to use a business networking site as a platform for job searching, make sure that your job history is fully described. Because it takes time to do, many social networkers simply list the title and current company. Think about the recruiter looking to find you. While I may be looking for a person with your title, I'm just as likely to be looking for key words. Describe each of your positions in 100 words or fewer.
If you are using a business networking site to develop business, ensure that you fully describe the goods/services you are offering. You might also consider listing client companies. If I am looking for someone who has experience selling to Target, I will likely use that as a key word to query the network. Profiles with that key word will pop up for me.
- Understand the contact settings on the business networking site. Each business networking site has contact settings, and they vary. Read the explanations of the contact settings and make sure that yours are set appropriately. Are you interested in talking to people who want to get the inside scoop on your company? Want to talk to salespeople? Want to hear from headhunters? The reason that business networking site work so well as that these contact settings work as filters. Don't want me to contact you about a fabulous job at my company? Set your contact settings appropriately.
As you begin to grow your network, respect the contact settings of others. Do not be a social networking slimeball: If someone's contact setting says no sales emails, then don't send one. Business networking sites are quite adamant about this protocol; violate the contact settings, and you can be reported by the person you reached out to inappropriately. In this case remember that inappropriate doesn't (only) mean solicitations for money-laundering schemes; inappropriate means sending a solicitation of any kind that is contrary to the person's contact settings. No means no.
- Understand keyword loading. Keyword loading is all the rage, and for good reason. People searching a business networking site will often search by keywords, and those key words may NOT be those that appear organically on your profile. Here's an example: as a recruiter, I am always looking for Power Electronics Designers (in fact, if you are one, call me right now). When I am searching a business networking site, I will use search terms including "power electronics" but also "electrical engineer," "MSEE," and "feedback control systems." For all profiles, I recommend including 35 keywords related to the job you are looking for or the service you seek to provide. In this way, you maximize the chances that your profile will be returned in a search.
Many business networking sites do not have a section for keywords. Simply list them at the end of your profile. Do not bother to repeat words that appear in your position description already; they are already there! Instead, concentrate on job titles, concrete skills, clients, and competencies. A word of caution here: Don't bother to waste the space by keyword-loading soft skills; I will never search a business networking site for "people person."
Here's an example of a keywords listing for an English major looking to break into advertising and PR: corporate communications, marketing assistant, greeting card writer, editor, scientific and technical writing, PageMaker, Quark, grammarian.
- Decide on your networking style. Most sites allow unlimited networking, meaning you can connect with as many people as you like. The social networking community as a whole seems fairly evenly split on sheer numbers of contacts vs. contacts with people you already know. Some networkers believe that the more connections they have, the better. Others believe it is important to know every person in their networks. While it's not necessarily important to immediately decide which social networking philosophy you ascribe to, you will be presented with this decision fairly regularly.
My strategy varies according to the different networking sites. On sites where it is a practice to recommend one person in my network to another person, I take a very conservative approach; I connect only with people I know and can actually recommend. This strategy isn't as limiting as it may seem, as I operationalize "know" fairly loosely -- colleagues, business acquaintances, people who have attended a workshop of mine and followed up after. I like to know a little bit about the people in my network, and I want them to know a little bit about me. After all, when I make a referral, I am de facto endorsing this person, and I want to know whom I'm endorsing.
- Personalize your networking and connecting. As you reach out to expand your network, take the one or two extra minutes required to personalize your networking and connecting. Some sites have automated, canned invitations to connect. Without exception, I delete invitations from anyone who has not bothered to insert a personalized note into the invitation. Don't have the time to add five or six words to personalize? Then I don't have the time to answer.
Remember, social networking technology is an equivalent of a big online networking reception. You would never approach a person and say as your opening salvo "can I have your business card." Instead, you would introduce yourself, chat a few minutes and then exchange cards.
Similarly, if you are unsure if a person in your past will recognize who you are, remind him/her of who you are and your past relationship. One of my favorite graduate students of all time just reached out to me through a business networking site with this message: "Not sure if you remember me -– hope we can connect." Now because he is one of my favorite graduate students of all time, I did remember him, but if I had not, this wouldn't have been a good message. This message is the in-person equivalent of someone who comes up to you at a networking event and says "you probably don't remember me" and then stands there. Much better to say/write: "Hello Mark, we worked together at Northeastern University in Student Activities. Now I am working as an equities broker at Fidelity. So good to connect with you."
- Mind your manners. Some sites allow you to solicit and receive endorsements from people in your network. Small tidbits of recommendation, these help add gravitas to your profile. If asked to make a recommendation, consider if you know the person well enough and if you have good things to say. If you don't have good things to say, don't write a mediocre recommendation. The reason? Your recommendation is shown both on your page and on the recommendee's page. You don't want your profile to be diluted with a number of milquetoast recommendations.
If you ask for and receive a recommendation or a referral for a job take two seconds and write a thank you email to your network. Social networks, like all good networks, are fed both good intentions and good actions. If someone does a good turn for you, at the very least say thank you.
Final Thoughts
Social networking on a business networking site is an essential way of doing business. It's a new technology and early adopters are getting the most out of their networks. Get out there, create a profile and get networking; you'll be happy you did!
This article are written by Maureen Crawford Hentz
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
10 Steps To Sell Yourself in a Job Interview
Step-01
Find out as much as you can about the company: How is it performing? What is its mission statement and who are its customers? What are the interviewer's priorities and responsibilities? The more you know, the more you'll be able to ask informed questions about the job.
Step-02Study the description of the job for which you have applied. Be clear on what is expected and if you have the background and skills to do it.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Career Planning Tips
Building a Career
Today, and more than ever, most people are responsible for building their own careers.
Whether you are just starting, or you have several years of experience, these paragraphs might help you advance your career.
The 9 most important career planning tips is listed below:
1. Never Stop Learning
Life-long learning is your keyword.
The world is constantly changing, and everybody is looking for new ways of doing business.
If you have decided that your current skills are good enough, you have also decided that your current job is good enough.
But if you want a career in the future, you should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge.
2. Ask, Listen And Learn
A good listener can learn a lot.
Listen to your co-workers, your boss, and your superiors. You can learn a lot from their experience.
Ask about issues that interest you, and listen to what they say. Let them tell you about how things work, and what you could have done better.
Most people will love to be your free tutor.
3. Fulfill Your Current Job
Your current job might be best place to start your career.
It is often very little that separates successful people from the average. But nothing comes free.
If you do your job well and fulfill your responsibilities, this is often the best way to start a new career.
Talk to your supervisor about things you can do. Suggest improvements. Offer your help when help is needed. In return ask for help to build a better career. It is often possible - right inside your own organization - especially if you have proved to be a valued employee.
4. Build Your Network
Your next career step might arise from your contact network.
Did you know that more than 50% of all jobs are obtained from contact networks?
If you have a good contact network, it is also a good place to discover future careers, to explore new trends, and to learn about new opportunities.
Spend some time building new contacts, and don't forget to maintain the ones you already have.
One of the best ways to get serious information from your network is to regularly ask your contacts how they are, what they do, and what is new about their careers.
5. Identify Your Current Job
Your current job should be identified, not assumed.
Make sure you don't work with tasks you assume are important. This is waste of time and talent.
When you start in a new job, talk to your superior about your priorities. If you're not sure about what is most important, then ask him. And ask him again. Often you will be surprised about the differences between what you assume, and what is really important.
6. Identify Your Next Job
Your dream job must be identified.
Before you start planning your future career, be sure you have identified your dream job.
In your dream job, you will be doing all the things you enjoy, and none of the things you don't enjoy. What kind of job would that be?
Do you like or dislike having responsibility for other employees. Do you like to work with technology or with people? Do you want to run your own business? Do you want to be an artist, a designer or a skilled engineer? A manager?
Before building your future career your goal must be identified.
7. Prepare Yourself
Your dream might show up tomorrow. Be prepared.
Don't wait a second. Update your CV now, and continue to update it regularly.
Tomorrow your dream job may show up right before your nose. Prepare for it with a professional CV and be ready to describe yourself as a valuable object to anyone that will try to recruit you.
If you don't know how to write a CV, or how to describe yourself, start learning it now.
8. Pick The Right Tools
Pick the tools you can handle.
You can build your future career using a lot of different tools. Studying at W3Schools is easy. Taking a full master degree is more complicated.
You can add a lot to your career by studying books and tutorials (like the one you find at W3Schools). Doing short time courses with certification tests might add valuable weight to your CV. And don't forget: Your current job is often the most valuable source of building new skills.
Don't pick a tool that is too heavy for you to handle!
9. Realize Your Dreams
Put your dreams into action.
Don't let a busy job kill your dreams. If you have higher goals, put them into action now.
If you have plans about taking more education, getting a better job, starting your own company or something else, you should not use your daily job as a "waiting station". Your daily job will get more and more busy, you will be caught up in the rat race, and you will burn up your energy.
If you have this energy, you should use it now, to realize your dreams.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
How a Job Seeker Prevent From Mistakes on Job Search
A job search is not a simple journey. There are plenty of strategies that are needed to be followed to have a successful job search. Most people are not aware of the mistakes that they make in the work of a job search. They often ignore the important strategies of a job search and thus are not rewarded with desired results. They are unsuccessful to get the right job that will act as a boom to their career.
The most job seekers do not think about their overall career. They basically approach the job search process as the means of getting the next job. They do not for one time think how the job can be beneficial for a successful career. You need to pick it before you take the next step. You need to plan your moves and then take a step ahead. You need to first know the direction that you need to move in and then settle on the steps that you need to take to move in that direction. If your steps are not planned then you won't accomplish your dream.
You need to research the industry you need to work in, the organizations present in the market related to this industry, the wage that is offered for the post you are seeking the job for. After the research is done you need to settle on the goals that you need to attain, the process you need to make use of to reach out to the potential employers, what will be your approach towards the job hunt, the qualities that separate you from the competitors. These all are needed to pen down and give a serious hard work to evaluate the progress of your job search and also the actions that are needed to correct the hunting measures.
Here we mentions some basic mistakes made by the job hunters that are needed to keep away from by them. By avoiding these mistakes you can have successful job search. You will land up with the job of your choice that within a small span of time.
Resumes not Well Prepared
The most common mistake made by all the job seekers or hunters is that their resumes are not well prepared. The resumes lack focus on accomplishments that have had historically in the past. A resume ought to be up to speed for it is the one that gives the first impression about you to the employer. You need to keep in mind that you are writing a resume and not any other document. Your acceptance for the call of an interview depends on the resume introduced before the employer. You need to stand out of the crowd and this will differentiate you with the competitors of your field.
Your accomplishments, your qualifications, your experience (if any), your personal details, and the way you can benefit the company through your skills ought to be neatly and effectively mentioned.
Network Strategies often Neglected
Network is the most important tool of a job search. You need to understand its importance and bring it in use. You need to keep in contact together with your friends, your colleagues, your acquaintances and plenty of other people whom you know. They can best help you in getting the job. Always keep in mind that not all the jobs are posted on the job portals. There are plenty of companies who hire people through references. So your network can help you reach to such employers without much difficulty.
The best thing you can do to get the ideal job for yourself is by registering with a lovely recruiting service in the business.
The most job seekers do not think about their overall career. They basically approach the job search process as the means of getting the next job. They do not for one time think how the job can be beneficial for a successful career. You need to pick it before you take the next step. You need to plan your moves and then take a step ahead. You need to first know the direction that you need to move in and then settle on the steps that you need to take to move in that direction. If your steps are not planned then you won't accomplish your dream.
You need to research the industry you need to work in, the organizations present in the market related to this industry, the wage that is offered for the post you are seeking the job for. After the research is done you need to settle on the goals that you need to attain, the process you need to make use of to reach out to the potential employers, what will be your approach towards the job hunt, the qualities that separate you from the competitors. These all are needed to pen down and give a serious hard work to evaluate the progress of your job search and also the actions that are needed to correct the hunting measures.
Here we mentions some basic mistakes made by the job hunters that are needed to keep away from by them. By avoiding these mistakes you can have successful job search. You will land up with the job of your choice that within a small span of time.
Resumes not Well Prepared
The most common mistake made by all the job seekers or hunters is that their resumes are not well prepared. The resumes lack focus on accomplishments that have had historically in the past. A resume ought to be up to speed for it is the one that gives the first impression about you to the employer. You need to keep in mind that you are writing a resume and not any other document. Your acceptance for the call of an interview depends on the resume introduced before the employer. You need to stand out of the crowd and this will differentiate you with the competitors of your field.
Your accomplishments, your qualifications, your experience (if any), your personal details, and the way you can benefit the company through your skills ought to be neatly and effectively mentioned.
Network Strategies often Neglected
Network is the most important tool of a job search. You need to understand its importance and bring it in use. You need to keep in contact together with your friends, your colleagues, your acquaintances and plenty of other people whom you know. They can best help you in getting the job. Always keep in mind that not all the jobs are posted on the job portals. There are plenty of companies who hire people through references. So your network can help you reach to such employers without much difficulty.
The best thing you can do to get the ideal job for yourself is by registering with a lovely recruiting service in the business.
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