While the previous post focused on utilizing Facebook for your career needs, this post will examine how to leverage LinkedIn for this purpose. LinkedIn is not as popular, especially for students and older workers, but it has great potential for job search. The following are tips to consider when using LinkedIn:
1) Create a profile- it is important to develop as full as a profile as possible. While it does not have to be 100% complete, you should include your academic experience, work background, and other relevant information like groups you have joined and your blogs.
2) Make strategic contacts- the power of LinkedIn is in its networking component. The biggest mistake individuals make is to complete their profile, but never link to contacts. Reach out to friends, work colleagues, former supervisors and past classmates. Once you make contacts, it is critical to view their connections. By examining these connections, it will allow you to set up informational interviews with individuals in your fields of interest.
3) Join groups or create groups- by joining relevant professional groups, you can easily increase your network and build further contacts. You can also create your own group and generate active discussions, which will enable you to amplify your brand.
4) Research companies- LinkedIn enables you to search companies of interest, and find out what positions are available and employees who may be connected to you.
5) Search for jobs- most critically for those seeking employment, LinkedIn allows you to search for specific job titles and explore a variety of opportunities.
While LinkedIn provides some fee-based services, their free tools are sufficient enough to master your job search and to bolster your career advancement.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Soclal Media: Your Career Companion, Pt. 3
The last two posts discussed how to utilize Facebook and LinkedIn for your career advancement and job search. This post will examine how to use Twitter for these purposes as well. While there are plenty of social media tools currently available, Twitter is probably one of the least understood and fastest growing. When it first emerged, many believed that it was a waste of time, and simply a way to catalogue one's minute by minute daily activity (e.g. tweeting out breakfast choices). However, gradually Twitter has proven to become a real time source for breaking news and emerging trends. It is especially a vital source for individuals who are interested in marketing, journalism and other creative industries to showcase their skills and to develop their brand. However, Twitter is an essential job search tool for persons looking to break into any field. As it pertains to job search and career advancement, the following are ways for you to leverage Twitter to your benefit.
1) Follow experts in your field- rather than initially diving into Twitter with your own tweets, it is critical to follow individuals or organizations of note in your field of interest. Whether you are trying to break into marketing, accounting, or journalism, by following key companies or individuals, you will be up to date about current events in your industry of choice. This knowledge will definitely be useful when searching for job opportunities and when you go on interviews. Further companies are now announcing job openings through Twitter.
2) Respond with thoughtful tweets- once you begin following industry leaders, the next step is to respond to their comments with your own insightful responses to their tweets. Such comments can include more information about a particular topic, which demonstrates your grasp of the field.
3) Create innovative tweets- in the Twitter universe, trending topics are crucial. Therefore, once you learn about your field, it will be easier for you to recognize which issues are best to tweet. There are many stories of individuals being hired based solely on the creativity of their tweets, especially in marketing and public relations.
4) Manage your Twitter time- following individuals and tweeting can become addictive, time consuming, and overwhelming. Therefore, you should allot a certain amount of time during the day or the week to these activities.
While social media is a powerful method to add to your career search repertoire, it is only one strategy to utilize in your job search and career advancement process. Ultimately, the key is to use all networking options available to you, and to be consistent in doing so.
1) Follow experts in your field- rather than initially diving into Twitter with your own tweets, it is critical to follow individuals or organizations of note in your field of interest. Whether you are trying to break into marketing, accounting, or journalism, by following key companies or individuals, you will be up to date about current events in your industry of choice. This knowledge will definitely be useful when searching for job opportunities and when you go on interviews. Further companies are now announcing job openings through Twitter.
2) Respond with thoughtful tweets- once you begin following industry leaders, the next step is to respond to their comments with your own insightful responses to their tweets. Such comments can include more information about a particular topic, which demonstrates your grasp of the field.
3) Create innovative tweets- in the Twitter universe, trending topics are crucial. Therefore, once you learn about your field, it will be easier for you to recognize which issues are best to tweet. There are many stories of individuals being hired based solely on the creativity of their tweets, especially in marketing and public relations.
4) Manage your Twitter time- following individuals and tweeting can become addictive, time consuming, and overwhelming. Therefore, you should allot a certain amount of time during the day or the week to these activities.
While social media is a powerful method to add to your career search repertoire, it is only one strategy to utilize in your job search and career advancement process. Ultimately, the key is to use all networking options available to you, and to be consistent in doing so.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Social Media: Your Career Companion, Pt. 1
The recent jobs report reflects a modest level of optimism. However, the economy is far from robust, and the number of people seeking employment is still unjustifiably high. There is still about 5 individuals for every job opening. My clients typically ask me about how to stand out in such a crowded field. The old ways of job hunting are long gone. Searching online job sites is a road to nowhere. While it may be useful to send some resumes out cold, the bulk of your job search activity should be networking. A still underutilized and not fully understood resource is social media. While most people are familiar with Facebook, rapidly emerging sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter can also provide opportunities for you to amplify your brand and land a position. College students and older workers still do not use LinkedIn in large volumes and many still do not recognize that Twitter is more than just reading a minute by minute update of a person's life. Therefore, the following is a quick primer about how to use Facebook as a means of developing your career and finding jobs.
Facebook is by far the most popular social media site online. However, is not fully managed as a career portal. Many individuals are spending too much time socializing and not appropriately networking on Facebook. Rather than view it as solely a means of reconnecting with your 8th grade classmates, it is critical to view Facebook as a key tool in your career development process. Here are the keys to using Facebook effectively as a career resource:
1) Personal Brand Development- construct a brand on Facebook which is one of a professional in your field. Clean up posts, Wall comments and pictures that will not put you in the best light possible.
2) Professional Connections- join career-related groups on Facebook and utilize apps (e.g. Business Card or Jobvite) which are useful to your professional development. Further, becoming a Fan of companies in your area of focus (e.g. Ernst & Young for accounting professionals) or publications of import to your field of interest will enable you to gain a competitive advantage. By following a company as a Fan, you may be the first to hear about events or job opportunities via their Facebook page. Also, as a Fan you may be able to post thoughtful comments on their Wall, which enables you to develop your brand as a well informed and enthusiastic professional.
3) Key Career Updates- your updates should emphasize your career image and some of your future work goals. These small steps can pay immediate dividends as you attempt to navigate the increasingly treacherous job search terrain.
Facebook is by far the most popular social media site online. However, is not fully managed as a career portal. Many individuals are spending too much time socializing and not appropriately networking on Facebook. Rather than view it as solely a means of reconnecting with your 8th grade classmates, it is critical to view Facebook as a key tool in your career development process. Here are the keys to using Facebook effectively as a career resource:
1) Personal Brand Development- construct a brand on Facebook which is one of a professional in your field. Clean up posts, Wall comments and pictures that will not put you in the best light possible.
2) Professional Connections- join career-related groups on Facebook and utilize apps (e.g. Business Card or Jobvite) which are useful to your professional development. Further, becoming a Fan of companies in your area of focus (e.g. Ernst & Young for accounting professionals) or publications of import to your field of interest will enable you to gain a competitive advantage. By following a company as a Fan, you may be the first to hear about events or job opportunities via their Facebook page. Also, as a Fan you may be able to post thoughtful comments on their Wall, which enables you to develop your brand as a well informed and enthusiastic professional.
3) Key Career Updates- your updates should emphasize your career image and some of your future work goals. These small steps can pay immediate dividends as you attempt to navigate the increasingly treacherous job search terrain.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
You're Hired: Improving the Job Search Application Process, Pt. 2
In my last blog post, I discussed how job candidates could simplify the job application process. This post now examines the role of employers in improving hiring practices.
Employers
1) Write clear, concise job descriptions- to attract the right candidates, it is important to be explicit about the job duties and the ideal qualities your company is seeking. Vague or too broad job descriptions will cause a flood of unqualified or inappropriate candidates to apply. The clearer you are about the job description, the higher the probability that you will land the best fit candidate.
2) Post salary information- since it is an employer’s market, many companies no longer feel it is necessary to post salary information, which is a mistake. In order to recruit top flight talent, you should be transparent about the salary range, because although it may not be the only motivating force, it is a consideration for quality candidates. While many companies are reluctant to set a target salary, for fear of losing negotiating leverage, it is important to set a specific range to attract the best applicants.
3) Set realistic timelines for the interview process and keep candidates updated- another way organizations lose great potential employees is by mismanaging the interview process. If you intend to lengthen the application to hiring process, it is crucial that you are intentional about informing candidates. Stringing along interested candidates will not be conducive to maintaining good morale if they are finally hired. It is essential to be respectful to candidates in the process and to afford them the same level of consideration you would want for yourself.
4) Follow through with all interview candidates- many of my clients have lamented the fact that prospective employers fail to notify them of the status of their application, after their interview. Although it may be challenging, especially since many HR departments have been decimated during the recession, it is worthwhile to follow up with candidates who have interviewed. Even a simple form rejection letter is better than no response. By doing so, it engenders good will and enables you to keep quality candidates in your potential applicant pool.
By managing the application process better, both candidates and employers can improve future work conditions and increase the efficiency of hiring talent.
Employers
1) Write clear, concise job descriptions- to attract the right candidates, it is important to be explicit about the job duties and the ideal qualities your company is seeking. Vague or too broad job descriptions will cause a flood of unqualified or inappropriate candidates to apply. The clearer you are about the job description, the higher the probability that you will land the best fit candidate.
2) Post salary information- since it is an employer’s market, many companies no longer feel it is necessary to post salary information, which is a mistake. In order to recruit top flight talent, you should be transparent about the salary range, because although it may not be the only motivating force, it is a consideration for quality candidates. While many companies are reluctant to set a target salary, for fear of losing negotiating leverage, it is important to set a specific range to attract the best applicants.
3) Set realistic timelines for the interview process and keep candidates updated- another way organizations lose great potential employees is by mismanaging the interview process. If you intend to lengthen the application to hiring process, it is crucial that you are intentional about informing candidates. Stringing along interested candidates will not be conducive to maintaining good morale if they are finally hired. It is essential to be respectful to candidates in the process and to afford them the same level of consideration you would want for yourself.
4) Follow through with all interview candidates- many of my clients have lamented the fact that prospective employers fail to notify them of the status of their application, after their interview. Although it may be challenging, especially since many HR departments have been decimated during the recession, it is worthwhile to follow up with candidates who have interviewed. Even a simple form rejection letter is better than no response. By doing so, it engenders good will and enables you to keep quality candidates in your potential applicant pool.
By managing the application process better, both candidates and employers can improve future work conditions and increase the efficiency of hiring talent.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
You're Hired: Improving the Job Search Application Process, Pt. 1
As the economy begins to improve, the opportunities for job applicants should increase. It is however, still an employer’s market. While job candidates have complained about the lack of adequate job openings, many employers have lamented the dearth of qualified applicants for positions. The following are tips for job candidates to improve the job application process, and enable the right fit to occur for all parties involved.
Applicants
1) Only apply for positions for which you qualified- it is a waste of your time and that of recruiters if they have to review an application which does not meet the minimum qualifications. Since it is currently an employer’s market, they have the opportunity to be very selective. Therefore, if the position requires a bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience, make sure you fit those qualifications. Further, it may not be useful for you to apply to positions for which you are overqualified. Job search desperation can lead a lawyer to apply for a clerical position. Or a marketing manager to apply for a retail sales job. However, many employers will examine such an applicant cautiously, and may be reluctant to even grant you an interview. The reason that employers are loathe to hire overqualified candidates is their fear that once a position which better suits your skills and experience emerges, you will leave their company. Therefore, if you are applying to a position for which you seem overqualified, you must make the argument about why it is a potential good fit (e.g. you are a career changer) for both you and the prospective employer.
2) Have your resume reviewed by a professional before sending it- a poorly formatted resume or one filled with typographical errors is inexcusable and can severely damage your candidacy . It is imperative that you have a professional or a trusted confidant meticulously review the resume. If you are sending it via email, make sure that it is formatted as a .pdf document, so that the formatting remains intact.
3) Follow instructions- some candidates believe that more is better. Generally, the opposite is the case. A recruiter is not interested in reading more materials than necessary. Therefore, don’t send essays or transcripts unless asked. Also, make sure to send the application in the method requested (e.g. via email).
4) Meet deadlines- if the recruiter notes that the deadline is March 15th, do not send it in on March 17th with a note apologizing for its lateness. First impressions are critical, and since employers have plenty of applicants to review, you want to stand out for the right reasons, and missing deadlines is not one of them.
5) Be cognizant of salary requirements- some prospective employers will ask for salary requirements. You should be aware of the salary range of the position. Utilize your networking contacts to get a sense of the appropriate range. You can also use sites such as salary.com to explore the standard market range for a position. Your range should fit the employer’s range, with room for negotiation. Submitting salary requirements that are $15-20,000 above the range may automatically eliminate you from a candidate pool.
Next Blog Post: Tips for Employers
Applicants
1) Only apply for positions for which you qualified- it is a waste of your time and that of recruiters if they have to review an application which does not meet the minimum qualifications. Since it is currently an employer’s market, they have the opportunity to be very selective. Therefore, if the position requires a bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience, make sure you fit those qualifications. Further, it may not be useful for you to apply to positions for which you are overqualified. Job search desperation can lead a lawyer to apply for a clerical position. Or a marketing manager to apply for a retail sales job. However, many employers will examine such an applicant cautiously, and may be reluctant to even grant you an interview. The reason that employers are loathe to hire overqualified candidates is their fear that once a position which better suits your skills and experience emerges, you will leave their company. Therefore, if you are applying to a position for which you seem overqualified, you must make the argument about why it is a potential good fit (e.g. you are a career changer) for both you and the prospective employer.
2) Have your resume reviewed by a professional before sending it- a poorly formatted resume or one filled with typographical errors is inexcusable and can severely damage your candidacy . It is imperative that you have a professional or a trusted confidant meticulously review the resume. If you are sending it via email, make sure that it is formatted as a .pdf document, so that the formatting remains intact.
3) Follow instructions- some candidates believe that more is better. Generally, the opposite is the case. A recruiter is not interested in reading more materials than necessary. Therefore, don’t send essays or transcripts unless asked. Also, make sure to send the application in the method requested (e.g. via email).
4) Meet deadlines- if the recruiter notes that the deadline is March 15th, do not send it in on March 17th with a note apologizing for its lateness. First impressions are critical, and since employers have plenty of applicants to review, you want to stand out for the right reasons, and missing deadlines is not one of them.
5) Be cognizant of salary requirements- some prospective employers will ask for salary requirements. You should be aware of the salary range of the position. Utilize your networking contacts to get a sense of the appropriate range. You can also use sites such as salary.com to explore the standard market range for a position. Your range should fit the employer’s range, with room for negotiation. Submitting salary requirements that are $15-20,000 above the range may automatically eliminate you from a candidate pool.
Next Blog Post: Tips for Employers
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Career Conflict: Overcoming the Fear of Decision-making
Many individuals who are considering a change of career or job end up being paralyzed by the fear of making such a big decision. Some of my clients state their belief that they will make the wrong decision, and ultimately suffer irreparable consequences. The reality is that it is critical to make well informed and thoughtful career decisions, but generally, there may not be a right or wrong decision. Rather it is about better or worse decisions. That is, no matter what decision you make, there will be ramifications, but usually you can recover from more negative outcomes. The following are some tips to assist you in overcoming your fear of making an important career decision:
1) Determine if you are undecided or indecisive- being undecided means that you have not fully explored your options and need more information or time to make a decision. Being indecisive means that although you have the necessary information, you are either ambivalent about making a career or job shift, or lack confidence in your decision-making. Whether you are undecided or indecisive, meeting with a career coach may improve your decision-making confidence and enable you to transition to a more satisfactory job or career.
2) Identify the information gap- if you are undecided, you may require more data about best-fit career alternatives. Use resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore job duties, training and education needed, salary, and future outlook of potential options. You can also utilize salary.com and Glassdoor.com to further assess possible earnings for these opportunities. Further, by meeting with a career expert, you can complete some career assessment tools, which will identify your interests, values, skills, and work-environment preferences to develop a list of the best jobs or careers for you.
3) Consider the disadvantages and advantages of any career or job change- while it may seem appealing to leave a job in which you are unhappy, you must explore the alternatives. Some people impulsively leave an adverse situation, and unfortunately, can end up in an even worse one. Or others remain too long in a dead end job due to a lack of confidence in finding a better opportunity. It is crucial to fully examine both the pros and cons of any potential move, which should enable you to make the best informed decision possible.
4) Understand your risk tolerance- any career move entails a level of risk. Therefore, it is important to consider how risk averse you are and how it may impact your decisions. If you are relatively risk averse, you may need stronger assurances that your career or job change will result in positive results.
5) Network and seek consultation- find people who may have experienced the same transition you are considering. By networking and discussing your options with individuals who have successfully made a career or job change, you can bolster your confidence in your career planning. Such consultation will provide you with the knowledge and the skills needed to obtain your ideal job or career, and allow you to overcome the fear of decision-making.
If you are unsatisfied in your current position, the time is now to seek an opportunity that can bring you career satisfaction and stability!
1) Determine if you are undecided or indecisive- being undecided means that you have not fully explored your options and need more information or time to make a decision. Being indecisive means that although you have the necessary information, you are either ambivalent about making a career or job shift, or lack confidence in your decision-making. Whether you are undecided or indecisive, meeting with a career coach may improve your decision-making confidence and enable you to transition to a more satisfactory job or career.
2) Identify the information gap- if you are undecided, you may require more data about best-fit career alternatives. Use resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore job duties, training and education needed, salary, and future outlook of potential options. You can also utilize salary.com and Glassdoor.com to further assess possible earnings for these opportunities. Further, by meeting with a career expert, you can complete some career assessment tools, which will identify your interests, values, skills, and work-environment preferences to develop a list of the best jobs or careers for you.
3) Consider the disadvantages and advantages of any career or job change- while it may seem appealing to leave a job in which you are unhappy, you must explore the alternatives. Some people impulsively leave an adverse situation, and unfortunately, can end up in an even worse one. Or others remain too long in a dead end job due to a lack of confidence in finding a better opportunity. It is crucial to fully examine both the pros and cons of any potential move, which should enable you to make the best informed decision possible.
4) Understand your risk tolerance- any career move entails a level of risk. Therefore, it is important to consider how risk averse you are and how it may impact your decisions. If you are relatively risk averse, you may need stronger assurances that your career or job change will result in positive results.
5) Network and seek consultation- find people who may have experienced the same transition you are considering. By networking and discussing your options with individuals who have successfully made a career or job change, you can bolster your confidence in your career planning. Such consultation will provide you with the knowledge and the skills needed to obtain your ideal job or career, and allow you to overcome the fear of decision-making.
If you are unsatisfied in your current position, the time is now to seek an opportunity that can bring you career satisfaction and stability!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Golden Tickets: Leveraging Employee Referrals and Emerging Job Opportunities
The winter doldrums may have slowed down your job search or your decision to switch careers. However, whether you are searching for a job, intend to change careers or want to advance in your current job, now is the time to recharge your career! The issue which typically prevents people from acting on a career change is the uncertainty of where to start the process. There are two key factors to consider when beginning the career change or job search process. First, it is important to understand where the emerging opportunities are. A recent article in the NY Times indicated that contrary to popular belief, transportation, automotive, construction and manufacturing job openings increased exponentially from the year earlier period. As to be expected, there was also growth in the finance, technology, and healthcare fields. Further, hospitality and real estate opportunities also increased, while job openings in media decreased. Thus, by recognizing the growth areas for employment, you can match your interests, skills, and job search strategies accordingly. The other factor to understand is that employee referrals remain as one of the most preferred methods for recruiters to find ideal job candidates. A feature in Workforce Management indicated that 88% of employers identified employee referrals as their number one source of above average candidates. This data suggests that it is crucial to cultivate your immediate contacts and to expand your network. It is crucial to know that since many organizations provide incentives to employees for recommending job candidates, such referrals are a win-win for you and your contact. Thus, reach out to your friends, family, former colleagues, and past supervisors to find out about possible referral programs and how to break into the best fit opportunity for you. Leverage the power of networking and your knowledge of job opportunities, and you will be able to make 2011 the year of dynamic career change.
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