“When one door closes, a new door will open up but, how long is the hallway?” she said. This made me laugh. Both of us on the hunt for a job but she expressed what I’ve been feeling this week; a mix of anxiety and optimism, with my first rejection letter landing in my inbox. Bummer.
Searching for a job is not fun. Once I made the decision to stop being self-employed, focusing my energies on a job search and not a new project for my business, I suddenly felt alone. An ominous silence has taken over my world.
The phone doesn’t ring and my email inbox is getting zero action, though my sent box has lots of activity. I think I’ve sent out about 60 resumes this week. I am going for quality and not quantity but, the job market sector for my type of skills-set seems to be hot right now. Which has made me feel like I am behind and need to catch up but quick or be left out of the game entirely.
But what to do about it?
As is my nature, when presented with a problem, I turned to research. If the job market is an industry, and it is, then my skills are the product or commodity that I have for sale. Just as I have always done in my advertising sales and marketing career, I want to find decision makers and align my offerings with their business drivers and priorities. The closer we are to each other, then the closer I am to a job.
But it’s tricky. How do you stand out and get heard through all of the job seeker collateral that hiring managers receive on a daily basis? Resumes, cover letters, follow up emails or trying to find somebody, anybody, to talk too is very difficult. People are busy and hiring managers really don’t want to hear from you; job applicant software on websites feeling like a one-sided conversation or more accurately, no conversation at all, with a 3-second assessment and your well-crafted resume chucked to the delete bin.
However, there is hope.
In all of my research I found that LinkedIn is an excellent source for job seekers. Not only can you define your search using categories but, if you upgrade to a Premium package, you can take advantage of a few extra features that ensure (so LinkedIn promises) that you can speak directly to hiring managers or decision makers.
I am going to give it a shot and see what happens? I will let you know how it goes but for now, here is a great blog post that offered a few tricks and techniques to try for using LinkedIn in your own job search: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job
Direct Link to Blog:
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html#axzz1GDZCyqus
Also helpful was Alison Doyle’s article at About.com
Alison’s Link:
http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2010/02/16/how-to-use-linkedin-to-find-a-job.htm
To your success!
Trish King
Showing posts with label LinkedIn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LinkedIn. Show all posts
Enhancing Your Job Search with LinkedIn
As a marketing specialists looking for my own job search opportunities, I know that LinkedIn is one of the premier social networking sites for business. Unlike other social networking sites which offer a variety of entertainment based features and functions, LinkedIn is strictly BUSINESS. It is a fantastic tool to connect with other professionals in your industry and potential employers – and, if done well, can be a great tool to build your credibility as you search for the perfect job to take your career to the next level.
However, there are nuances, net-etiquette and dos and don’ts that you must consider before launching your job search LinkedIn strategy. And it is a strategy; part art, showcasing your unique personality and interpersonal skills, and part science, following the rules of business, connecting to people you know and trust or have a business relationship with, without going crazy and connecting to everyone who might or might not appreciate your overture for connection.
Here is a terrific article to help you strategize your LinkedIn job search. However, the article mentioned LinkedIn Answers. Since I wasn’t sure how to use Answers for my own job search, I dug a little deeper and offer the following advice to add to your job search tool box of knowledge and how-to.
“LinkedIn and Your Job Search,” article at About.com
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedin.htm
What is LinkedIn Answers?
LinkedIn Answers is a feature that enables you to do two key things to build your business and enhance your professional status.
#1 You can ask questions.
Want to know what is the best industry conference to attend? Ask and you’ll receive answers to your question from people who know. Questions range from basic entertainment or value based questions like, “What’s the most unique way you’ve ever networked?” to insightful questions like, “Do I need to include cover letters when emailing a resume?”
The Ask a Question function accomplishes several benefits.
First and foremost it helps you find answers to pressing questions. However, when you ask a question you also assign it a category and you can choose people to direct the question to. This means if you’re looking for an introduction to an expert on LinkedIn and you want to network with them, this is a great way to connect with them. Ask them for their opinion or advice.
#2 You can answer questions.
Answering questions is a fantastic way to build your credibility. Imagine answering questions for key figures in your industry. You instantly forge a connection with them which you can grow into a profitable relationship. You also increase your awareness and exposure.
How Do You Answer Questions In LinkedIn?
Log into your LinkedIn Account. On the main page click on the tab “More.” Scroll down and you’ll see “Answers”. Go ahead and click on that. Now you’re at the answers page. On the top of the page you’ll see a box where you can type a question to ask and a button where you can answer questions. Click on Answer questions. You’ll now see a never ending list of questions to answer.
To narrow the field to your expertise, choose a category from the right hand side bar. You’ll be taken to the category’s page where you can then choose a sub-category. Now your field of questions is significantly narrower. You can choose a question or questions to answer. Click on Answer next to the question and a box pops up. In that box you’ll see:
* A space to answer the questions
* Spaces for references if you wish to cite them
* You can also suggest an expert to connect with more people
* And send a personal note to the person who posted the question
Click submit and you’re good to go. Your answer will be posted and linked to your profile. By providing the best answers to questions, you earn expertise. This “Expertise” can land you on the featured experts home page – talk about a credibility boost!
LinkedIn Answers offers a unique and valuable way to connect and strengthen your profile. It’s an easy tool to use and it can be fun too.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ and http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com/
However, there are nuances, net-etiquette and dos and don’ts that you must consider before launching your job search LinkedIn strategy. And it is a strategy; part art, showcasing your unique personality and interpersonal skills, and part science, following the rules of business, connecting to people you know and trust or have a business relationship with, without going crazy and connecting to everyone who might or might not appreciate your overture for connection.
Here is a terrific article to help you strategize your LinkedIn job search. However, the article mentioned LinkedIn Answers. Since I wasn’t sure how to use Answers for my own job search, I dug a little deeper and offer the following advice to add to your job search tool box of knowledge and how-to.
“LinkedIn and Your Job Search,” article at About.com
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedin.htm
What is LinkedIn Answers?
LinkedIn Answers is a feature that enables you to do two key things to build your business and enhance your professional status.
#1 You can ask questions.
Want to know what is the best industry conference to attend? Ask and you’ll receive answers to your question from people who know. Questions range from basic entertainment or value based questions like, “What’s the most unique way you’ve ever networked?” to insightful questions like, “Do I need to include cover letters when emailing a resume?”
The Ask a Question function accomplishes several benefits.
First and foremost it helps you find answers to pressing questions. However, when you ask a question you also assign it a category and you can choose people to direct the question to. This means if you’re looking for an introduction to an expert on LinkedIn and you want to network with them, this is a great way to connect with them. Ask them for their opinion or advice.
#2 You can answer questions.
Answering questions is a fantastic way to build your credibility. Imagine answering questions for key figures in your industry. You instantly forge a connection with them which you can grow into a profitable relationship. You also increase your awareness and exposure.
How Do You Answer Questions In LinkedIn?
Log into your LinkedIn Account. On the main page click on the tab “More.” Scroll down and you’ll see “Answers”. Go ahead and click on that. Now you’re at the answers page. On the top of the page you’ll see a box where you can type a question to ask and a button where you can answer questions. Click on Answer questions. You’ll now see a never ending list of questions to answer.
To narrow the field to your expertise, choose a category from the right hand side bar. You’ll be taken to the category’s page where you can then choose a sub-category. Now your field of questions is significantly narrower. You can choose a question or questions to answer. Click on Answer next to the question and a box pops up. In that box you’ll see:
* A space to answer the questions
* Spaces for references if you wish to cite them
* You can also suggest an expert to connect with more people
* And send a personal note to the person who posted the question
Click submit and you’re good to go. Your answer will be posted and linked to your profile. By providing the best answers to questions, you earn expertise. This “Expertise” can land you on the featured experts home page – talk about a credibility boost!
LinkedIn Answers offers a unique and valuable way to connect and strengthen your profile. It’s an easy tool to use and it can be fun too.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ and http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com/
Online Tools to Help in Your Job Search
Searching for a job used to be completely tedious and dependent upon newspaper ads, journal advertising or word-of-mouth. Today job seekers can also employ several other tactics to expand their search and increase the likelihood that they will land their dream job. Online job searches are just one such technique.
And in fact, although online job searching is one such technique, there are several different ways of accomplishing this task that will net you different results. Here are couple of tips to get you started on your search online.
Searching for a job online is not easier or harder than it is off-line. The pros and cons are different but the energy expenditure is the same. Don't be fooled into believing that the only way you can find a job is online either. Online job searches are meant to augment the work that you are doing by networking with friends, relatives and previous employers as well is scouring your industry journals and networks.
1. Jobs search engines can be used to make your online job search easier by searching through the top job posting sites, companies sites and niche job sites. Don't rely specifically on job search engines such as Hound. Although they are an incredible, they are just one piece of the puzzle.
2. Social networking sites have become extremely popular in all niches. Examples of these sites are Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn. These are also websites which will help you to network online with potential employers or individuals who may be able to put in a good word for you at their company. You should also understand that most employers are now doing searches for their a potential employees to investigate what these people are writing online. While it is important to use your real name when dealing with potential employers or networking in the social scene it is also important to be sure that what you are writing you are comfortable with potential future employers reading.
3. Company websites often have a page where they post current job openings. Some believe that you have a better chance of getting to be interview if you approach a future employer through their own website and not through a posting they may have put on a job board. You can search through these postings by using a search engine such as Hound.
4. Employers are also looking through the Internet for job applications such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. When you post on these sites be sure that your resume is up to speed, is formatted well and contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Remember that your resume is the first impression that employers will have of you.
5. Look for the ability for a site to send you automatic job alerts when a job is posted in your location or job category. This helps you get the edge over your competition by applying quickly while matching the job qualifications specifically.
6. Explore your professional affiliation sites for job postings or listings. This will also give you a way of networking with peers in other geographical areas that may land you a future job.
7. Doing an online search also means having opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have such as the site VisualCV.com which allows you to load a traditional resume with addons like video, images and links.
8. JibberJobber.com is a site that will allow you to keep track of all of the information you collect during your job search online. You can log where your resumes are sent, jobs you've applied for and the status of each. It is an incredible organization tool that will help you manage the maze of job search opportunities.
9. Indeed.com is a site that has several widgets and online gadgets to make your search more organized and productive. There are plugins, alerts, buttons and my.indeed.com that saves your searches, jobs and notes online.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at www.trishking.com and http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com
And in fact, although online job searching is one such technique, there are several different ways of accomplishing this task that will net you different results. Here are couple of tips to get you started on your search online.
Searching for a job online is not easier or harder than it is off-line. The pros and cons are different but the energy expenditure is the same. Don't be fooled into believing that the only way you can find a job is online either. Online job searches are meant to augment the work that you are doing by networking with friends, relatives and previous employers as well is scouring your industry journals and networks.
1. Jobs search engines can be used to make your online job search easier by searching through the top job posting sites, companies sites and niche job sites. Don't rely specifically on job search engines such as Hound. Although they are an incredible, they are just one piece of the puzzle.
2. Social networking sites have become extremely popular in all niches. Examples of these sites are Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn. These are also websites which will help you to network online with potential employers or individuals who may be able to put in a good word for you at their company. You should also understand that most employers are now doing searches for their a potential employees to investigate what these people are writing online. While it is important to use your real name when dealing with potential employers or networking in the social scene it is also important to be sure that what you are writing you are comfortable with potential future employers reading.
3. Company websites often have a page where they post current job openings. Some believe that you have a better chance of getting to be interview if you approach a future employer through their own website and not through a posting they may have put on a job board. You can search through these postings by using a search engine such as Hound.
4. Employers are also looking through the Internet for job applications such as Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. When you post on these sites be sure that your resume is up to speed, is formatted well and contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Remember that your resume is the first impression that employers will have of you.
5. Look for the ability for a site to send you automatic job alerts when a job is posted in your location or job category. This helps you get the edge over your competition by applying quickly while matching the job qualifications specifically.
6. Explore your professional affiliation sites for job postings or listings. This will also give you a way of networking with peers in other geographical areas that may land you a future job.
7. Doing an online search also means having opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have such as the site VisualCV.com which allows you to load a traditional resume with addons like video, images and links.
8. JibberJobber.com is a site that will allow you to keep track of all of the information you collect during your job search online. You can log where your resumes are sent, jobs you've applied for and the status of each. It is an incredible organization tool that will help you manage the maze of job search opportunities.
9. Indeed.com is a site that has several widgets and online gadgets to make your search more organized and productive. There are plugins, alerts, buttons and my.indeed.com that saves your searches, jobs and notes online.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at www.trishking.com and http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com
Networking Online to Find Your Ideal Job
Networking is the art of building alliances and not the act of contacting everyone you know asking for a favor. Good networking starts long before you need a job and people who are good at it don't even realize that that's what they're doing. Interestingly, individuals who are searching for a job will often find that friends, friends of friends, a neighbor or a former coworker are some of their best resources.
And today it's time to take that networking to the online world. By using some of the same networking techniques online individuals are able to increase the potential of finding a job opening meant just for them. The question isn't is networking necessary but rather how do I accomplish it appropriately?
Some of the biggest mistake that people make networking online are to hide in a virtual corner or attack as if they were going to war. Here are some tips to help you successfully navigate online networking from the start.
1. There are many different sites that are aimed at professional people or sites which are gradually moving over from strictly social to social and business. The trick is to pick the site with which you are most comfortable and which appears to have the highest number of individuals in your particular field. See below for a list of sites.
2. Once you choose a social networking site your first act should be to fill in your user profile. This is your chance to tell the world about your special skills, experience and interests. Do not make the mistake of posting your entire resume online. Instead, your profile is a virtual signpost or a catch to a community of people with whom you would like to work.
3. Once inside your social networking sites be proactive about learning the options available to you. Most sites are very user friendly, even for those who are not comfortable on the computer. Social sites often have discussion forums, message boards, blogging areas and groups-all of which are designed to help you interact with people. Join and only when you have something pertinent to say and not just to increase the number of posts next to your name. The trick here is to give good content and offer help to others.
4. Social networking sites are designed for people to reach out to each other. However, one of the biggest mistake that people make is to race through the site and indiscriminately ask everyone to be their friend. This is not a numbers game. It is instead about who you know, not how many you know.
5. Before beginning to approach people or post in the forums take the time to read what others have written and the reaction that they receive. In other words, you want to follow the online etiquette that is appropriate to this particular forum. You can burn yourself very quickly by stepping over the line.
6. Networking is about developing relationships with people where you are able to give them something of quality. In return for which most people are willing to reciprocate. It is this reciprocation that makes social networking is so popular. It should be the goal of the individual job seeker to give the best that they can to help others because it is this attitude that comes across well on these sites. It is all about making human connections and not about spilling your problems.
7. Take the time every day to use these sites to their fullest potential. Individuals who use these sites only halfheartedly can send the wrong message to people who recognize the potential behind online networking. Unfortunately, although this message may be incorrect, it may also be sent to the very person who knows the manager of your perfect job.
8. Most employers and business people do their homework and will research a potential employee online. This means that you must communicate professionally with people in your groups. You never know when your future employer is looking over your virtual shoulder and reading your latest post about your girlfriend. Don't let that happen to you.
9. Always remember the biggest rule of thumb is that networking is not about using people or asking people for jobs but rather about developing relationships. By developing a broad list of contacts and making "friends" through appropriate communication you are increasing the number of people who could potentially step up and help you in your job search.
Here is a list of online network sites which you may find helpful. The big three include Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. These three online sites are considered to be the largest communities for job seekers. However you shouldn't have to stop there. iMantri is an online peer-to-peer community for mentoring and coaching. Company of Friends is a site where more than 10,000 business people have organized local discussion groups, mentoring and networking organizations. Ecademy's goal is to build the world's largest trusted business network by connecting people to each other. Eacademy believes networking is a key to success and with more than 20,000 members from 120 different countries they dared to stand toe to toe with some of the other network sites.
Hi5 is an online network site to help you connect with friends and share ideas. A personal profile is required and there is no cost for those seeking jobs. Jigsaw is a site to make business contacts and where marketers, recruiters and salespeople can find information. MyWorkster.com connects business professionals and college students to build and expand the network of contacts, look for job opportunities and join groups. Networking for Professionals is designed for professionals from different occupations to build business, improve client base or advance their career.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ or http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com/
And today it's time to take that networking to the online world. By using some of the same networking techniques online individuals are able to increase the potential of finding a job opening meant just for them. The question isn't is networking necessary but rather how do I accomplish it appropriately?
Some of the biggest mistake that people make networking online are to hide in a virtual corner or attack as if they were going to war. Here are some tips to help you successfully navigate online networking from the start.
1. There are many different sites that are aimed at professional people or sites which are gradually moving over from strictly social to social and business. The trick is to pick the site with which you are most comfortable and which appears to have the highest number of individuals in your particular field. See below for a list of sites.
2. Once you choose a social networking site your first act should be to fill in your user profile. This is your chance to tell the world about your special skills, experience and interests. Do not make the mistake of posting your entire resume online. Instead, your profile is a virtual signpost or a catch to a community of people with whom you would like to work.
3. Once inside your social networking sites be proactive about learning the options available to you. Most sites are very user friendly, even for those who are not comfortable on the computer. Social sites often have discussion forums, message boards, blogging areas and groups-all of which are designed to help you interact with people. Join and only when you have something pertinent to say and not just to increase the number of posts next to your name. The trick here is to give good content and offer help to others.
4. Social networking sites are designed for people to reach out to each other. However, one of the biggest mistake that people make is to race through the site and indiscriminately ask everyone to be their friend. This is not a numbers game. It is instead about who you know, not how many you know.
5. Before beginning to approach people or post in the forums take the time to read what others have written and the reaction that they receive. In other words, you want to follow the online etiquette that is appropriate to this particular forum. You can burn yourself very quickly by stepping over the line.
6. Networking is about developing relationships with people where you are able to give them something of quality. In return for which most people are willing to reciprocate. It is this reciprocation that makes social networking is so popular. It should be the goal of the individual job seeker to give the best that they can to help others because it is this attitude that comes across well on these sites. It is all about making human connections and not about spilling your problems.
7. Take the time every day to use these sites to their fullest potential. Individuals who use these sites only halfheartedly can send the wrong message to people who recognize the potential behind online networking. Unfortunately, although this message may be incorrect, it may also be sent to the very person who knows the manager of your perfect job.
8. Most employers and business people do their homework and will research a potential employee online. This means that you must communicate professionally with people in your groups. You never know when your future employer is looking over your virtual shoulder and reading your latest post about your girlfriend. Don't let that happen to you.
9. Always remember the biggest rule of thumb is that networking is not about using people or asking people for jobs but rather about developing relationships. By developing a broad list of contacts and making "friends" through appropriate communication you are increasing the number of people who could potentially step up and help you in your job search.
Here is a list of online network sites which you may find helpful. The big three include Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. These three online sites are considered to be the largest communities for job seekers. However you shouldn't have to stop there. iMantri is an online peer-to-peer community for mentoring and coaching. Company of Friends is a site where more than 10,000 business people have organized local discussion groups, mentoring and networking organizations. Ecademy's goal is to build the world's largest trusted business network by connecting people to each other. Eacademy believes networking is a key to success and with more than 20,000 members from 120 different countries they dared to stand toe to toe with some of the other network sites.
Hi5 is an online network site to help you connect with friends and share ideas. A personal profile is required and there is no cost for those seeking jobs. Jigsaw is a site to make business contacts and where marketers, recruiters and salespeople can find information. MyWorkster.com connects business professionals and college students to build and expand the network of contacts, look for job opportunities and join groups. Networking for Professionals is designed for professionals from different occupations to build business, improve client base or advance their career.
Presented by Trish King
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ or http://blog.stayathomebizreview.com/
Job Search Vanilla
The recession and advances in technology have changed the Job Market. No longer can you simply post a resume on a large online network or respond to a newspaper advertisement – well you can but, so are hundreds of others doing the exact same thing, at the exact same time.
So how do you distinguish yourself; showcasing your best “stuff” without sounding vanilla or relegated to the D-List, as in “Delete.”
Step One: Clean up Facebook
I love Facebook, it’s where I get to talk to my friends and meet up with old acquaintances. While I’ve generally been careful about what I post, comment on, or who I invite into my network of friends, I’m not in control of what others say about me or tag me on – it could seem innocent, but is it?
I thought the picture of me wearing a Halloween wig was funny; a had to be there occasion, because my friend who snapped the shot owns a dog with the same hair-cut. Funny to me and my friend but, did I want to risk a potential employer seeing it and not getting the joke? Absolutely not!
Clean up your Facebook and make sure the privacy settings are set to what you feel comfortable sharing with say, your Grandmother.
Step Two: Set up a LinkedIn Account
I’m sure by now you know that LinkedIn is a powerful business-to-business network, but it’s also a great way to provide additional information about you to a potential employer.
If someone Googles your name, your LinkedIn account will pop-up, making it easy to verify what you’ve said on your resume and connect with you if you make doing so valuable to them.
What do I mean by that? Don’t simply re-post your resume – that’s vanilla. You can use LinkedIn to showcase your expertise by sharing an e-book, tip or fact sheet, article on trends in your industry, link to interesting websites or YouTube clips that are relevant to you and what you bring to the job market table. Be creative but make sure that whatever you do, it’s still professional and represents you in the best light.
For more steps and ideas, visit JobMob.co
http://jobmob.co.il/blog/personal-branding-website-job-search-thoughts/
To your success!
Trish
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ or http://blog.trishking.com/
So how do you distinguish yourself; showcasing your best “stuff” without sounding vanilla or relegated to the D-List, as in “Delete.”
Step One: Clean up Facebook
I love Facebook, it’s where I get to talk to my friends and meet up with old acquaintances. While I’ve generally been careful about what I post, comment on, or who I invite into my network of friends, I’m not in control of what others say about me or tag me on – it could seem innocent, but is it?
I thought the picture of me wearing a Halloween wig was funny; a had to be there occasion, because my friend who snapped the shot owns a dog with the same hair-cut. Funny to me and my friend but, did I want to risk a potential employer seeing it and not getting the joke? Absolutely not!
Clean up your Facebook and make sure the privacy settings are set to what you feel comfortable sharing with say, your Grandmother.
Step Two: Set up a LinkedIn Account
I’m sure by now you know that LinkedIn is a powerful business-to-business network, but it’s also a great way to provide additional information about you to a potential employer.
If someone Googles your name, your LinkedIn account will pop-up, making it easy to verify what you’ve said on your resume and connect with you if you make doing so valuable to them.
What do I mean by that? Don’t simply re-post your resume – that’s vanilla. You can use LinkedIn to showcase your expertise by sharing an e-book, tip or fact sheet, article on trends in your industry, link to interesting websites or YouTube clips that are relevant to you and what you bring to the job market table. Be creative but make sure that whatever you do, it’s still professional and represents you in the best light.
For more steps and ideas, visit JobMob.co
http://jobmob.co.il/blog/personal-branding-website-job-search-thoughts/
To your success!
Trish
You can also find Trish at http://www.trishking.com/ or http://blog.trishking.com/
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