Fashion Jobs Network
Job Hunting: Get Aggressive to Get the Job You Want (01/30/2012 05:25:03 PM)
By Lisette Hilton
Job-hunting can be excruciating for the hunter. Especially if you've gone through the utter rejection of losing your previous job, the hunt for a new one can be identity threatening and rejection filled. Depending on your luck and skills, job hunting can tear down the biggest of egos.
The best approach, says Barry Cohen, university employment coordinator for City University of New York, Manhattan, is to tackle job-hunting aggressively. Cohen, who also works privately as a career counselor, said that of the three stages in obtaining your next position, the first is to get the interview. You'll find that your cover letter and resume are not just important but critical. It's a myth that people don't judge you by what you send. Everybody does, Cohen said. The reality is an HR professional will scan a resume of seven seconds, if that long. If they don't like what they see, you're gone.
The second stage is once you're called into the interview, convert that interview into an offer. If you can't get an offer, get a hand off or a referral.
Third, you have to be able to negotiate what you're worth. You never get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. Use a script.
Starting your aggressive job search
By using the Internet, applying to different employment agencies and recruiters, scanning the want ads and working through referrals, you cover the bases of aggressive job hunting. Recruiters can be helpful in that they have corporate relationships in place. "There are two types of recruiters: contingency and retainer. The contingency type gets paid between 15 to 33 percent of what you'll earn after you accept your position. The retainer types are paid in advance. They generally work for highly specialized jobs. What people have to remember is that recruiters don't work for them, they work for the companies that pay them," Cohen says.
Job recruiting Internet sites are good sources in your job hunt (See Working with Third Party Recruiters on this site). But take note that by putting your resume on the Internet, you're posting your personal information for a world of eyes to see. Learn more about posting your resume on the Net in the article Balancing Risks and Rewards: Putting Your Resume on the Net, which is on this site.
Often, your resume will get you the interview, so it's imperative that it's written by a professional, Cohen says. "Referrals are really the bread and butter. The key is to try and reach the decision-maker through the back door by approaching someone who knows someone," Cohen says.
Don't stop with one
Consider sending your resume to multiple employers so that you get as many interviews as possible. Do something everyday for your search. Send out resumes, follow up on the phone to make sure that your resumes have been received but don't be a pest. One call will do.
Cohen suggests that those who are unemployed should accept the first offer that comes their way. "You can always jump ship afterwards," he says. "If you get two offers, take them both. Tell company number one that you'll start immediately. Tell company two that you're very flattered however you have a project on the table and you don't feel right just jumping ship. You'll be more than happy to start with them in three weeks. In two weeks, you'll know if company one is right for you. If it is, call company two and say, 'I'm sorry, I decided to stay where I am. Thanks anyway.' If company one is not right for you, call company two and say, 'I was able to conclude my project faster than expected. When can I start?'"
Cohen's tips continue
Interview like a jobholder, not a job hunter. Job hunters might come across as needy, dejected and too willing.
Too much honesty isn't necessarily a good thing. According to Cohen, being too honest and revealing too much can turn against you in the job hunting process--especially, if you've been laid off or let go. When an employer asks you, "Why did you leave your last job?" or "Why were you let go?" he's really asking: "What's wrong with you?" An example response is: "My company suffered a severe downsizing. My immediate boss had no choice but to let me go and after she let me go, she was let go."
Would you hire this guy? Don't come into the interview cocky. Dress professionally. Go after every interview like it's the last one you'll ever have.
In salary negotiations, the person who mentions the number first loses. When they ask you how much looking for, say that you don't want to disqualify yourself by a number, can you tell me how much you have budgeted for this position? You can also give employers a ballpark, saying that your current compensation package is in the $60,000 range and that you want to stay in that range. Lump all your compensation together. By throwing out numbers you might sell yourself short. After all, you don't know the company's range of salary or compensation.
Say thanks by sending thank you letters within 24 hours of each interview. If three people interview you at one company, send three separate thank you notes. Cohen says that when competition for a job is tight, thank you notes have the power of swaying an employer your way.
Click here to read the rest of this article
Job-hunting can be excruciating for the hunter. Especially if you've gone through the utter rejection of losing your previous job, the hunt for a new one can be identity threatening and rejection filled. Depending on your luck and skills, job hunting can tear down the biggest of egos.
The best approach, says Barry Cohen, university employment coordinator for City University of New York, Manhattan, is to tackle job-hunting aggressively. Cohen, who also works privately as a career counselor, said that of the three stages in obtaining your next position, the first is to get the interview. You'll find that your cover letter and resume are not just important but critical. It's a myth that people don't judge you by what you send. Everybody does, Cohen said. The reality is an HR professional will scan a resume of seven seconds, if that long. If they don't like what they see, you're gone.
The second stage is once you're called into the interview, convert that interview into an offer. If you can't get an offer, get a hand off or a referral.
Third, you have to be able to negotiate what you're worth. You never get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. Use a script.
Starting your aggressive job search
By using the Internet, applying to different employment agencies and recruiters, scanning the want ads and working through referrals, you cover the bases of aggressive job hunting. Recruiters can be helpful in that they have corporate relationships in place. "There are two types of recruiters: contingency and retainer. The contingency type gets paid between 15 to 33 percent of what you'll earn after you accept your position. The retainer types are paid in advance. They generally work for highly specialized jobs. What people have to remember is that recruiters don't work for them, they work for the companies that pay them," Cohen says.
Job recruiting Internet sites are good sources in your job hunt (See Working with Third Party Recruiters on this site). But take note that by putting your resume on the Internet, you're posting your personal information for a world of eyes to see. Learn more about posting your resume on the Net in the article Balancing Risks and Rewards: Putting Your Resume on the Net, which is on this site.
Often, your resume will get you the interview, so it's imperative that it's written by a professional, Cohen says. "Referrals are really the bread and butter. The key is to try and reach the decision-maker through the back door by approaching someone who knows someone," Cohen says.
Don't stop with one
Consider sending your resume to multiple employers so that you get as many interviews as possible. Do something everyday for your search. Send out resumes, follow up on the phone to make sure that your resumes have been received but don't be a pest. One call will do.
Cohen suggests that those who are unemployed should accept the first offer that comes their way. "You can always jump ship afterwards," he says. "If you get two offers, take them both. Tell company number one that you'll start immediately. Tell company two that you're very flattered however you have a project on the table and you don't feel right just jumping ship. You'll be more than happy to start with them in three weeks. In two weeks, you'll know if company one is right for you. If it is, call company two and say, 'I'm sorry, I decided to stay where I am. Thanks anyway.' If company one is not right for you, call company two and say, 'I was able to conclude my project faster than expected. When can I start?'"
Cohen's tips continue
Interview like a jobholder, not a job hunter. Job hunters might come across as needy, dejected and too willing.
Too much honesty isn't necessarily a good thing. According to Cohen, being too honest and revealing too much can turn against you in the job hunting process--especially, if you've been laid off or let go. When an employer asks you, "Why did you leave your last job?" or "Why were you let go?" he's really asking: "What's wrong with you?" An example response is: "My company suffered a severe downsizing. My immediate boss had no choice but to let me go and after she let me go, she was let go."
Would you hire this guy? Don't come into the interview cocky. Dress professionally. Go after every interview like it's the last one you'll ever have.
In salary negotiations, the person who mentions the number first loses. When they ask you how much looking for, say that you don't want to disqualify yourself by a number, can you tell me how much you have budgeted for this position? You can also give employers a ballpark, saying that your current compensation package is in the $60,000 range and that you want to stay in that range. Lump all your compensation together. By throwing out numbers you might sell yourself short. After all, you don't know the company's range of salary or compensation.
Say thanks by sending thank you letters within 24 hours of each interview. If three people interview you at one company, send three separate thank you notes. Cohen says that when competition for a job is tight, thank you notes have the power of swaying an employer your way.
Click here to read the rest of this article
Why am I not getting the response I want from my resume? (09/22/2011 02:09:11 PM)
by Cory Jackson, Founder, LevelHire
If you are like most job seekers today you spend hours sending out hundreds of resumes to job posting on the internet with little or no response. Most people have hit the point of great frustration or have stop pursing openings that are posted on the internet. This opens a question of “why am I not getting any response after sending out hundreds of resumes?” When trying to solve any problem it is always important to understand the other side of the equation.
1. Standing out in the Pile
Employers posting open positions are currently receiving more responses than ever before. The average posting on the major jobs boards are receiving between 400 and 800 resumes in the first 72 hours after a job is posted. This means that someone has to screen or sort through this stack to determine who will get the interview and who will go to the “do not contact” pile.
Now put yourself into the place of the first line screener. I get cross-eyed after looking at 20 resumes much less hundreds. So what will catch this person's eyes to get you into the “contact” pile. One key way to get the attention that you deserve is to re-write or tailor your Qualification or Summary at the top of your resume specifically to the position that you are applying for. The less that screener has to read, the more likely you are a favored candidate. Yes, sending the same resume to every posting may be a big reason that you are in that hated “do not contact” pile.
2. Understand The Reader
If you are one of the seekers that believes you hit the send button and your resume slides right into the hiring manager's hands, you would be highly mistaken. With the response that employers are getting, neither the Hiring Manager nor a senior human resource professional has the time to go through the entire stack of resumes. A majority of companies have established a process to screen the possible candidate down to a very small pile to hand off to the person (Hiring Manager) that can “pull the trigger.” Understanding the process, and more importantly, who is in that process is key to increasing your chance to get into the “interview” pile.
This process usually starts with the most junior level human resource person on staff who is handed a Job Description with key words on it (trust me, nobody wants the job of reading all the resumes). Normally, the individual that receives this honor is a 1-2 year human resource generalist who does not have the technical knowledge or experience to understand what the position is or does. They are only left with the information on the screen in front of them for the task of matching resumes and finding the top five to ten matches in the sea of resumes to pass to the senior human resources screener for the initial phone screen.
3. Not Sending a Cover Letter
Many people will zip the resume over without attaching the almighty cover letter. This is a huge mistake made by job seekers today and is one of the top reasons that the first screener can eliminate you from the mountain of resumes. Remember that this person has the daunting task of sorting through the piles and simply deleting anyone that did not send a cover letter to narrow the pile down and save loads of time.
Perception of the employer, or at least the Human Resource department, is a very important key in getting selected to interview. The employers see the cover letters as something that candidates have to produce on the fly when applying for the position. This shows your ability to communicate in written form and your ability to follow directions. The cover letter also allows you to address the job description and “wants” of the employer and how you fit their needs or how you can solve their problem.
Remember that companies hire people to solve a problem. If your cover letter is put together correctly, many times the Screener will not even turn the page to read your resume. They will fast track you to the interview pile, and they may even send you a thank you letter.
Please visit our website at www.levelhire.com for more tips on to help you on your job search.
Click here to read the rest of this article
If you are like most job seekers today you spend hours sending out hundreds of resumes to job posting on the internet with little or no response. Most people have hit the point of great frustration or have stop pursing openings that are posted on the internet. This opens a question of “why am I not getting any response after sending out hundreds of resumes?” When trying to solve any problem it is always important to understand the other side of the equation.
1. Standing out in the Pile
Employers posting open positions are currently receiving more responses than ever before. The average posting on the major jobs boards are receiving between 400 and 800 resumes in the first 72 hours after a job is posted. This means that someone has to screen or sort through this stack to determine who will get the interview and who will go to the “do not contact” pile.
Now put yourself into the place of the first line screener. I get cross-eyed after looking at 20 resumes much less hundreds. So what will catch this person's eyes to get you into the “contact” pile. One key way to get the attention that you deserve is to re-write or tailor your Qualification or Summary at the top of your resume specifically to the position that you are applying for. The less that screener has to read, the more likely you are a favored candidate. Yes, sending the same resume to every posting may be a big reason that you are in that hated “do not contact” pile.
2. Understand The Reader
If you are one of the seekers that believes you hit the send button and your resume slides right into the hiring manager's hands, you would be highly mistaken. With the response that employers are getting, neither the Hiring Manager nor a senior human resource professional has the time to go through the entire stack of resumes. A majority of companies have established a process to screen the possible candidate down to a very small pile to hand off to the person (Hiring Manager) that can “pull the trigger.” Understanding the process, and more importantly, who is in that process is key to increasing your chance to get into the “interview” pile.
This process usually starts with the most junior level human resource person on staff who is handed a Job Description with key words on it (trust me, nobody wants the job of reading all the resumes). Normally, the individual that receives this honor is a 1-2 year human resource generalist who does not have the technical knowledge or experience to understand what the position is or does. They are only left with the information on the screen in front of them for the task of matching resumes and finding the top five to ten matches in the sea of resumes to pass to the senior human resources screener for the initial phone screen.
3. Not Sending a Cover Letter
Many people will zip the resume over without attaching the almighty cover letter. This is a huge mistake made by job seekers today and is one of the top reasons that the first screener can eliminate you from the mountain of resumes. Remember that this person has the daunting task of sorting through the piles and simply deleting anyone that did not send a cover letter to narrow the pile down and save loads of time.
Perception of the employer, or at least the Human Resource department, is a very important key in getting selected to interview. The employers see the cover letters as something that candidates have to produce on the fly when applying for the position. This shows your ability to communicate in written form and your ability to follow directions. The cover letter also allows you to address the job description and “wants” of the employer and how you fit their needs or how you can solve their problem.
Remember that companies hire people to solve a problem. If your cover letter is put together correctly, many times the Screener will not even turn the page to read your resume. They will fast track you to the interview pile, and they may even send you a thank you letter.
Please visit our website at www.levelhire.com for more tips on to help you on your job search.
Click here to read the rest of this article
How Job Seekers Can Build Their Online Brand (09/22/2011 02:08:33 PM)
By Alexis Grant
Personal branding. The term was used so much last year that it's almost become cliché, yet you can bet it's only going to become more ubiquitous in 2011.
But what does personal branding mean, exactly? And how can job seekers use it to their advantage?
U.S. News spoke with Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Millennial Branding, a personal branding company, and author of Me 2.0: 4 Steps to Building Your Future about steps job seekers can take to build a quality presence online. Excerpts:
Can you start by explaining what personal branding is and how it applies to job seekers?
Personal branding is a process by which you uncover what makes you special, relative to everyone else who is competing for the same opportunities, and then communicate that to the right audience … You need to take control of your brand, project the right image, and capitalize on your personality.
The Internet is the global talent pool, there's no doubt. That means you need to be in that pool. And the only way to get in that pool is to have a strong online personal brand. That can be composed of, at a minimum, your own website, so your full name dot com. That's the cost of entry to compete in the new marketplace.
Your online brand should also include your social network profiles on the top three social networks [meaning Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn], because people are searching for you on those networks—or people like you—and when they do, you need to come up … In the current economic environment, you can't have anything against you. You have to use everything at your disposal to get a job. … Your online presence becomes your chief career asset.
You say everyone should have their own website. Can you go over what should be on your website if you're looking for a job?
You can have a section for your resume. You can have a section for your different skills, and you can have a section for projects and results. You can have an introduction video or video resume of your stuff that's under two minutes, that shows who you are, what makes you unique, what value you contribute, and what type of job you're looking for. You can have links to LinkedIn and Twitter … You can have a list of published works and the links to those [works]. You can have endorsements from people you've worked with in the past and key influencers in your world. You can have your portfolio of work if you're in a creative field ... And you can easily outsource the web design.
For a job seeker who's just beginning to think about personal branding, how should they get started? What should come first, the website or social networking?
The first thing is none of that. You need to discover your brand before you create it. Discovery is the most challenging but most important stage, because that's when you figure out what you're really passionate about, what career you want to pursue, and how you describe your brand.
If you put yourself out there in an authentic way, and you tell the world what you're good at and what kind of job you're interested in, you're going to attract only the right opportunities because you're telling people what you want. And that's the reason why social networking and blogging and getting yourself out there is so empowering. Because you're dictating what you're looking for. You're not just submitting your resume to random jobs … You're telling the world how you want to be judged and what you're looking for.
Which social network do you think is most helpful for job seekers?
Twitter is extremely valuable … It's effective because it's public networking, and people feel comfortable. It's like going on a first date at a restaurant instead of going to that person's house. That's why it's a good starting point. It helps build your brand in [other people's] eyes if you share good content, and if you connect with them and support them on Twitter. And once you have that, then you can take the relationship to LinkedIn or Facebook or e-mail. That's why I think Twitter's probably the best tool for starters.
How can job seekers utilize YouTube or other video-sharing platforms?
If you're introverted and not good on video, do not use video. It can really hurt you … The reason why video is powerful is because it's the feeling of, I already know you … For people looking for jobs, [the hiring manager has] such a better sense of the person's personality and who they are, before [they] make the hiring decision. If [you're] applying for [a] job [and you have] a video resume … it's going to differentiate [you]. But it's got to be good, and it's got to be short, under two minutes.
The good thing is you can do 1,000 takes before you put the video resume online. You have a lot of chances to make it perfect.
Using social media to find a job was hot last year. What do you think will be hot this year?
I think soft skills are really becoming more valuable than technical skills. Because a lot of people can be good programmers or good accountants, so what's the differentiator? It might come back to personality and organizational skills and teamwork … How well do you get along with people? Can you network well? How large is your network? That's another reason why if you're on social networks and you're blogging and you're building all these relationships, you become more valuable.
Should a freelancer or consultant approach personal branding differently than someone who's looking for full-time work?
For someone who's a freelancer or consultant, it's going to be even more valuable. For anyone in the service industry, [personal branding] is huge. Whether you're a plumber, a personal finance person, any type of consultant or entrepreneur, you're a business of one. So who else is going to sell you besides you?
Consultants should start by building their web]site under their own name, definitely starting a blog, getting their ideas out there. Being specific and taking a niche is a good way to position yourself in a crowded marketplace and start getting more visibility. And have products. Create an e-book, maybe write a book, create a workbook. All that stuff is going to help you, going to make you look a bit more credible.
Start public speaking. Speak at the college you went to. And then use that as a case study, with an endorsement and a video, to get your next speaking gig. Starting small is the right way.
For job seekers who use Twitter, do you recommend they write in their bio that they're looking for a new job?
I think it is a good idea. Because if people don't know you're looking for a job, how can they help you?
Click here to read the rest of this article
Personal branding. The term was used so much last year that it's almost become cliché, yet you can bet it's only going to become more ubiquitous in 2011.
But what does personal branding mean, exactly? And how can job seekers use it to their advantage?
U.S. News spoke with Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Millennial Branding, a personal branding company, and author of Me 2.0: 4 Steps to Building Your Future about steps job seekers can take to build a quality presence online. Excerpts:
Can you start by explaining what personal branding is and how it applies to job seekers?
Personal branding is a process by which you uncover what makes you special, relative to everyone else who is competing for the same opportunities, and then communicate that to the right audience … You need to take control of your brand, project the right image, and capitalize on your personality.
The Internet is the global talent pool, there's no doubt. That means you need to be in that pool. And the only way to get in that pool is to have a strong online personal brand. That can be composed of, at a minimum, your own website, so your full name dot com. That's the cost of entry to compete in the new marketplace.
Your online brand should also include your social network profiles on the top three social networks [meaning Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn], because people are searching for you on those networks—or people like you—and when they do, you need to come up … In the current economic environment, you can't have anything against you. You have to use everything at your disposal to get a job. … Your online presence becomes your chief career asset.
You say everyone should have their own website. Can you go over what should be on your website if you're looking for a job?
You can have a section for your resume. You can have a section for your different skills, and you can have a section for projects and results. You can have an introduction video or video resume of your stuff that's under two minutes, that shows who you are, what makes you unique, what value you contribute, and what type of job you're looking for. You can have links to LinkedIn and Twitter … You can have a list of published works and the links to those [works]. You can have endorsements from people you've worked with in the past and key influencers in your world. You can have your portfolio of work if you're in a creative field ... And you can easily outsource the web design.
For a job seeker who's just beginning to think about personal branding, how should they get started? What should come first, the website or social networking?
The first thing is none of that. You need to discover your brand before you create it. Discovery is the most challenging but most important stage, because that's when you figure out what you're really passionate about, what career you want to pursue, and how you describe your brand.
If you put yourself out there in an authentic way, and you tell the world what you're good at and what kind of job you're interested in, you're going to attract only the right opportunities because you're telling people what you want. And that's the reason why social networking and blogging and getting yourself out there is so empowering. Because you're dictating what you're looking for. You're not just submitting your resume to random jobs … You're telling the world how you want to be judged and what you're looking for.
Which social network do you think is most helpful for job seekers?
Twitter is extremely valuable … It's effective because it's public networking, and people feel comfortable. It's like going on a first date at a restaurant instead of going to that person's house. That's why it's a good starting point. It helps build your brand in [other people's] eyes if you share good content, and if you connect with them and support them on Twitter. And once you have that, then you can take the relationship to LinkedIn or Facebook or e-mail. That's why I think Twitter's probably the best tool for starters.
How can job seekers utilize YouTube or other video-sharing platforms?
If you're introverted and not good on video, do not use video. It can really hurt you … The reason why video is powerful is because it's the feeling of, I already know you … For people looking for jobs, [the hiring manager has] such a better sense of the person's personality and who they are, before [they] make the hiring decision. If [you're] applying for [a] job [and you have] a video resume … it's going to differentiate [you]. But it's got to be good, and it's got to be short, under two minutes.
The good thing is you can do 1,000 takes before you put the video resume online. You have a lot of chances to make it perfect.
Using social media to find a job was hot last year. What do you think will be hot this year?
I think soft skills are really becoming more valuable than technical skills. Because a lot of people can be good programmers or good accountants, so what's the differentiator? It might come back to personality and organizational skills and teamwork … How well do you get along with people? Can you network well? How large is your network? That's another reason why if you're on social networks and you're blogging and you're building all these relationships, you become more valuable.
Should a freelancer or consultant approach personal branding differently than someone who's looking for full-time work?
For someone who's a freelancer or consultant, it's going to be even more valuable. For anyone in the service industry, [personal branding] is huge. Whether you're a plumber, a personal finance person, any type of consultant or entrepreneur, you're a business of one. So who else is going to sell you besides you?
Consultants should start by building their web]site under their own name, definitely starting a blog, getting their ideas out there. Being specific and taking a niche is a good way to position yourself in a crowded marketplace and start getting more visibility. And have products. Create an e-book, maybe write a book, create a workbook. All that stuff is going to help you, going to make you look a bit more credible.
Start public speaking. Speak at the college you went to. And then use that as a case study, with an endorsement and a video, to get your next speaking gig. Starting small is the right way.
For job seekers who use Twitter, do you recommend they write in their bio that they're looking for a new job?
I think it is a good idea. Because if people don't know you're looking for a job, how can they help you?
Click here to read the rest of this article
Using social media to find a job in a down economy (09/22/2011 02:08:11 PM)
By John Boyd
Finding a new job can be difficult and nerve-racking, particularly in a slow economy. Social networking helps you bypass the anonymity that accompanies submitting your resume amongst thousands submitted for one job opening through an online site or recruiters or in response to a classified ad. Social networking can bring you closer to finding a job by allowing you to establish a relationship with the people who are looking to fill a job position or with friends, colleagues and peers who can otherwise give you an “in” or even a head start. You just may be able to get that great job faster by distinguishing and making yourself known earlier in the race - through the opportunities afforded through online social networking.
It’s not what you know, but who you know
It’s particularly true in tough times, whether you are looking for your next client or business deal or simply trying to find a new job, that it’s not what you know, but who you know. I got my last two jobs when someone I had worked with in the past contacted me about the job opportunities before they were listed anywhere else. Although I’d like to think I got the jobs because of what I knew, who I knew had a much greater impact on my finding out about the job and getting my foot in the door. The more real-world contacts you have, the better your chances of learning about new job opportunities. If you have ever been in the position of searching for someone to fill a job opening, you know that after a while, a huge stack of resumes can become blurred words on paper. Someone you have met or who happens to know someone you work with may stand out just a bit more.
Building a network of trusted contacts involves reaching out to former coworkers, former classmates, colleagues in your industry, fellow alumni and fellow association members. Online social networks provide an easy way to develop and solidify these contacts which can only help your job search. To the extent you need to change industries because of market forces, developing trusted contacts in other industries will greatly increase your chances of making a smooth transition into a new career.
Not all Online Contacts are Equal
Let’s face reality. Some online social contacts are close friends or former coworkers or otherwise trusted contacts, while other “online contacts” are people you’ve never met or even spoken to. You may be “LinkedIn” to more people you’ve never met than you have actually met or have some relationship with. Generally, having a contact is better than not having one, but it’s important to distinguish between those who know you and you can trust versus strangers you’ve never met.
Let Your Close Contacts Know You are Looking and Ask for Their Help
Leverage your close contacts whether it’s for providing advice, reviewing your resume (discussed below) or helping you get in the door. Since these people know you, they are more likely to understand which opportunities are a good match and also provide a reference for you to get you the interview. Using social networking, you can also reach out to your close contact’s contacts which are often easier to leverage then contacts who have no real connection to you. I’d recommend focusing on your closer contacts before trying to leverage your broader online contacts in this way.
Broadcast Your Skills and Strengths to Everyone Else
To engage a broader social networking audience, start by promoting yourself and your skills by initiating or participating in discussions, answering questions and taking other actions to let others within your online community understand who you are and what you bring to the table. You must establish yourself as a trustworthy, valuable participant before you can expect to leverage that online community to really help you find a job in a slow economy. During this process, you will begin to develop new contacts as you engage in these discussions. Once you’ve established credibility through your online comments and discussions – this will take time and effort – updating your status to “seeking new job” can sometimes trigger help from those now comfortable referring you to jobs.
Find One or More Contacts to Review your Resume
Yes, a standard resume is typically only one or two pages. And yours probably should not be any longer. Like all other conscientious job seekers, you’ve probably reviewed and revised it many times. However, having a second set of eyes carefully review your resume is still important. Why? It’s a dense document, and you may be your own worst proof reader because of your deep familiarity with the content. There are diminishing returns to reviewing a document many, many times - it becomes easier to gloss over glaring imperfections after several reads. Identify those in your social network who appear to be solid writers and good proof readers and ask them to review your resume. Offer to do the same for them. Having your contacts review your resume will sometimes remind them of possible job opportunities that could be a good fit. In any event, having a flawless resume is always a good start.
No Lampshades Worn Here
Keep in mind it’s important to keep your online image polished and professional if you wish to leverage it to find a new job. We’ve all heard the horror stories of party pics causing employment issues. And that was in a strong economy.
John Boyd is the CEO and founder of MeetingWave (www.MeetingWave.com), a free online tool for networking off-line for business, professional, or social purposes that allows its members to set up networking meetings that are open to people they have never met.
Finding a new job can be difficult and nerve-racking, particularly in a slow economy. Social networking helps you bypass the anonymity that accompanies submitting your resume amongst thousands submitted for one job opening through an online site or recruiters or in response to a classified ad. Social networking can bring you closer to finding a job by allowing you to establish a relationship with the people who are looking to fill a job position or with friends, colleagues and peers who can otherwise give you an “in” or even a head start. You just may be able to get that great job faster by distinguishing and making yourself known earlier in the race - through the opportunities afforded through online social networking.
It’s not what you know, but who you know
It’s particularly true in tough times, whether you are looking for your next client or business deal or simply trying to find a new job, that it’s not what you know, but who you know. I got my last two jobs when someone I had worked with in the past contacted me about the job opportunities before they were listed anywhere else. Although I’d like to think I got the jobs because of what I knew, who I knew had a much greater impact on my finding out about the job and getting my foot in the door. The more real-world contacts you have, the better your chances of learning about new job opportunities. If you have ever been in the position of searching for someone to fill a job opening, you know that after a while, a huge stack of resumes can become blurred words on paper. Someone you have met or who happens to know someone you work with may stand out just a bit more.
Building a network of trusted contacts involves reaching out to former coworkers, former classmates, colleagues in your industry, fellow alumni and fellow association members. Online social networks provide an easy way to develop and solidify these contacts which can only help your job search. To the extent you need to change industries because of market forces, developing trusted contacts in other industries will greatly increase your chances of making a smooth transition into a new career.
Not all Online Contacts are Equal
Let’s face reality. Some online social contacts are close friends or former coworkers or otherwise trusted contacts, while other “online contacts” are people you’ve never met or even spoken to. You may be “LinkedIn” to more people you’ve never met than you have actually met or have some relationship with. Generally, having a contact is better than not having one, but it’s important to distinguish between those who know you and you can trust versus strangers you’ve never met.
Let Your Close Contacts Know You are Looking and Ask for Their Help
Leverage your close contacts whether it’s for providing advice, reviewing your resume (discussed below) or helping you get in the door. Since these people know you, they are more likely to understand which opportunities are a good match and also provide a reference for you to get you the interview. Using social networking, you can also reach out to your close contact’s contacts which are often easier to leverage then contacts who have no real connection to you. I’d recommend focusing on your closer contacts before trying to leverage your broader online contacts in this way.
Broadcast Your Skills and Strengths to Everyone Else
To engage a broader social networking audience, start by promoting yourself and your skills by initiating or participating in discussions, answering questions and taking other actions to let others within your online community understand who you are and what you bring to the table. You must establish yourself as a trustworthy, valuable participant before you can expect to leverage that online community to really help you find a job in a slow economy. During this process, you will begin to develop new contacts as you engage in these discussions. Once you’ve established credibility through your online comments and discussions – this will take time and effort – updating your status to “seeking new job” can sometimes trigger help from those now comfortable referring you to jobs.
Find One or More Contacts to Review your Resume
Yes, a standard resume is typically only one or two pages. And yours probably should not be any longer. Like all other conscientious job seekers, you’ve probably reviewed and revised it many times. However, having a second set of eyes carefully review your resume is still important. Why? It’s a dense document, and you may be your own worst proof reader because of your deep familiarity with the content. There are diminishing returns to reviewing a document many, many times - it becomes easier to gloss over glaring imperfections after several reads. Identify those in your social network who appear to be solid writers and good proof readers and ask them to review your resume. Offer to do the same for them. Having your contacts review your resume will sometimes remind them of possible job opportunities that could be a good fit. In any event, having a flawless resume is always a good start.
No Lampshades Worn Here
Keep in mind it’s important to keep your online image polished and professional if you wish to leverage it to find a new job. We’ve all heard the horror stories of party pics causing employment issues. And that was in a strong economy.
John Boyd is the CEO and founder of MeetingWave (www.MeetingWave.com), a free online tool for networking off-line for business, professional, or social purposes that allows its members to set up networking meetings that are open to people they have never met.
18 Tips to Ace Your Job Interview (09/22/2011 02:07:36 PM)
By Asley Jacobs
Finding a job in today’s economy is difficult. Simply searching for a job opportunity is tough enough. Throw in the dreaded job interview and difficult becomes downright stressful. However, it is possible to alleviate some of the stress. Here are 18 tips to help you ace your job interview. (See also: How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions.)
Know Where You Are Going
A few days before your interview, make sure to get directions to your interview location online. If the directions are confusing or you aren’t familiar with the location, take time to do a drive by so that on the day of your interview you don’t get lost.
Call to Confirm
The day before your interview, call whoever scheduled your interview to confirm the day and time. By making a quick “I just wanted to confirm our 12pm interview time tomorrow” call, you will show that you are organized and respect the interviewer’s time.
Hygiene
Before your interview, make sure your hygiene is up to par. For men, this means making sure your hair is in control and that you are clean-shaven. For women, this means making sure to put on a little bit of makeup and doing your hair.
Review Your Resume
The night before your interview, go back over your resume to make sure you have everything on it that best highlights your skills and accomplishments as they relate to the position you are applying for. Make sure you know your major talking points for the interview so that you are adequately prepared.
Research the Company
Take the time to research the company you are interviewing with. Know what they do, their mission statement, any major events in the company’s history, and any other relevant information. By showing that you know about the company, you will convey an interest that the interviewer will appreciate.
Research Your Interviewers
When researching the company, also be sure to do a little research on anyone who will be interviewing you. By knowing their role in the company and any major professional accomplishments they have, you will demonstrate that you care not just about the company but about the employees and that you will be a great coworker.
Dress the Part
If you want the part, you have to look the part. Figure out the kind of culture the company has, then dress a level up. By doing this, you will demonstrate a level of professionalism that will be looked upon favorably.
Drive Safely
Your interview starts as soon as you enter the parking lot and doesn’t end until you leave the parking lot. Be sure to be a good driver when driving. Reckless driving will label you as an irresponsible liability the company doesn’t need.
Be Early
Whatever you do, do not be late. Show up early to demonstrate that you are responsible and appreciative of the interviewer’s time. Even showing up on time doesn’t cut it as that will simply show you will do the bare minimum to get by. Employers want employees who will go above and beyond.
Turn Your Cell Phone Off
One major interview faux pas is to have your phone ring during an interview. Make sure your cell phone is off or on silent during an interview. Or better yet, just leave it in the car.
Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume
If you were giving a presentation during a company meeting that required a handout you would make sure you had made enough copies for everyone in the meeting, right? Well, chances are you will have multiple people interviewing you, so be prepared and respectful of each interviewer by bringing a copy of your resume for each of them.
Watch Your Nonverbals
Be sure to make good eye contact, give each interview a solid handshake, and not fiddle with a pen. Your nonverbal cues are very important in an interview, so do your best to not just talk confidently, but act confident too.
Have an Elevator Speech Prepared
Most of the time, the first question you will be asked is, “tell me about yourself.” Make sure you are ready for this question by having a brief, 30-second elevator speech ready to go that highlights your job history and accomplishments as well as what you are looking for in your career. Memorize the speech by heart and learn how to deliver your pitch with charm and confidence.
Be Prepared for Certain Questions
Inevitably you will be asked questions along the lines of “what is your greatest weakness,” “why do you want to work here,” and “how does your current skill set fit with this position.” Be sure you know how to answer these questions and any other relevant questions before your interview so you don’t get caught off guard.
Stay Positive
We have all had jobs we hated, worked on projects that were difficult, and had bosses we butted heads with. You will probably be asked about difficult situations in previous positions, so be sure to stay positive about those situations by highlighting your success in that situation as well as anything beneficial you learned from it.
Have Questions
At the end of your interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Have questions prepared to ask each interviewer. For example, you could ask, “What is your favorite part of your job?” By coming prepared with questions for your interviewers, it shows that you are prepared and have interest in the company.
Take Notes
During your interview, be sure you have a notepad with you so you can take notes when the interviewers answer your questions or give you more information about the job and company. Just make sure you continue to make eye contact with the interviewer and not simply writing frantically on your notepad.
Follow Up
At the end of the interview, get business cards from everyone who interviewed you and send them a thank you note or email within 24 hours. Doing this demonstrates that you are appreciative of their time.
Ashley Jacobs is a college finance columnist for personal finance blog Wise Bread. Follow her latest tweets on @CollegeCents.
Finding a job in today’s economy is difficult. Simply searching for a job opportunity is tough enough. Throw in the dreaded job interview and difficult becomes downright stressful. However, it is possible to alleviate some of the stress. Here are 18 tips to help you ace your job interview. (See also: How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions.)
Know Where You Are Going
A few days before your interview, make sure to get directions to your interview location online. If the directions are confusing or you aren’t familiar with the location, take time to do a drive by so that on the day of your interview you don’t get lost.
Call to Confirm
The day before your interview, call whoever scheduled your interview to confirm the day and time. By making a quick “I just wanted to confirm our 12pm interview time tomorrow” call, you will show that you are organized and respect the interviewer’s time.
Hygiene
Before your interview, make sure your hygiene is up to par. For men, this means making sure your hair is in control and that you are clean-shaven. For women, this means making sure to put on a little bit of makeup and doing your hair.
Review Your Resume
The night before your interview, go back over your resume to make sure you have everything on it that best highlights your skills and accomplishments as they relate to the position you are applying for. Make sure you know your major talking points for the interview so that you are adequately prepared.
Research the Company
Take the time to research the company you are interviewing with. Know what they do, their mission statement, any major events in the company’s history, and any other relevant information. By showing that you know about the company, you will convey an interest that the interviewer will appreciate.
Research Your Interviewers
When researching the company, also be sure to do a little research on anyone who will be interviewing you. By knowing their role in the company and any major professional accomplishments they have, you will demonstrate that you care not just about the company but about the employees and that you will be a great coworker.
Dress the Part
If you want the part, you have to look the part. Figure out the kind of culture the company has, then dress a level up. By doing this, you will demonstrate a level of professionalism that will be looked upon favorably.
Drive Safely
Your interview starts as soon as you enter the parking lot and doesn’t end until you leave the parking lot. Be sure to be a good driver when driving. Reckless driving will label you as an irresponsible liability the company doesn’t need.
Be Early
Whatever you do, do not be late. Show up early to demonstrate that you are responsible and appreciative of the interviewer’s time. Even showing up on time doesn’t cut it as that will simply show you will do the bare minimum to get by. Employers want employees who will go above and beyond.
Turn Your Cell Phone Off
One major interview faux pas is to have your phone ring during an interview. Make sure your cell phone is off or on silent during an interview. Or better yet, just leave it in the car.
Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume
If you were giving a presentation during a company meeting that required a handout you would make sure you had made enough copies for everyone in the meeting, right? Well, chances are you will have multiple people interviewing you, so be prepared and respectful of each interviewer by bringing a copy of your resume for each of them.
Watch Your Nonverbals
Be sure to make good eye contact, give each interview a solid handshake, and not fiddle with a pen. Your nonverbal cues are very important in an interview, so do your best to not just talk confidently, but act confident too.
Have an Elevator Speech Prepared
Most of the time, the first question you will be asked is, “tell me about yourself.” Make sure you are ready for this question by having a brief, 30-second elevator speech ready to go that highlights your job history and accomplishments as well as what you are looking for in your career. Memorize the speech by heart and learn how to deliver your pitch with charm and confidence.
Be Prepared for Certain Questions
Inevitably you will be asked questions along the lines of “what is your greatest weakness,” “why do you want to work here,” and “how does your current skill set fit with this position.” Be sure you know how to answer these questions and any other relevant questions before your interview so you don’t get caught off guard.
Stay Positive
We have all had jobs we hated, worked on projects that were difficult, and had bosses we butted heads with. You will probably be asked about difficult situations in previous positions, so be sure to stay positive about those situations by highlighting your success in that situation as well as anything beneficial you learned from it.
Have Questions
At the end of your interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. Have questions prepared to ask each interviewer. For example, you could ask, “What is your favorite part of your job?” By coming prepared with questions for your interviewers, it shows that you are prepared and have interest in the company.
Take Notes
During your interview, be sure you have a notepad with you so you can take notes when the interviewers answer your questions or give you more information about the job and company. Just make sure you continue to make eye contact with the interviewer and not simply writing frantically on your notepad.
Follow Up
At the end of the interview, get business cards from everyone who interviewed you and send them a thank you note or email within 24 hours. Doing this demonstrates that you are appreciative of their time.
Ashley Jacobs is a college finance columnist for personal finance blog Wise Bread. Follow her latest tweets on @CollegeCents.