Pages

Saturday, March 13, 2010

How to use LinkedIn to Find a Job – for the recently un-employed

0 comments
  1. Get the word out. Tell your network that you’re looking for a new position.
  2. Get recommendations. A strong recommendation from your manager highlights your strengths.
  3. Find out where people with your skills are working. Do an advanced search for people in your area who have your skills.
  4. Find out where people at a company came from. LinkedIn “Company Profiles” show the likely career path of employees.
  5. Find out where people from a company go next. LinkedIn’s “Company Profiles” also tell you where people go after leaving.
  6. Check if a company is still hiring. Company pages on LinkedIn include a section that lists people who were recently hired.
  7. Get to the hiring manager. When you view a LinkedIn job, focus on the ones you’re no more than two degrees away from.
  8. Get to the right HR person. Find someone inside the company to walk your resume to the hiring manager or HR department.
  9. Know the secret job requirements. Find a connection at the company with the inside scoop on what really matters for the job.
  10. Find startups to join. Play with LinkedIn’s advanced search using “startup” or “stealth” in the keyword or company field.
  11. Build your network before you need it. A strong network is a good form of job security. Don’t wait until times are tough.

My own advice is

 

  1. Review your LinkedIn profile and make sure you can use it as your Resume.  Massage it every day for a week.  Ask your spouse and several close contacts to review it and provide feedback.  Tell them to be brutal!
  2. Include a photo (head shot) on your profile and dress for it in a business-like fashion.
  3. Make sure your listed specialties are fresh by “archiving” some of the less current items.  Wrack your brain for that obscure skill and list it; this may be the thing that a Recruiter searches on.
  4. Use the spare time to chase-up old colleagues and ask for a recommendation for past positions.  By all means bribe them with a beer but make sure it’s accurate, employers WILL check.
  5. Participate in the Q&A forums in your areas of expertise.  Both answer & ask questions.
  6. Change the “by-line” on your profile to “currently seeking next position” or something similar.  People will see this against your name in the forums.  In my profile I mention that I donate blood plasma every two weeks (but I’m not currently seeking a job).
  7. Join and be active in all the relevant groups for your specialties (you can join up to 50).  Read the discussions; comment; follow up with the people who asked the question.  If you have some time do the research necessary to knock their socks off.
  8. Use the “Download as a PDF” function while viewing you own profile.  This will give you a document that a Recruitment Consultant can use in their own internal database.  Some Recruiters will want a .doc file, have both available.  I recommend openoffice.org to save a .doc file as a PDF.
  9. Build relationships with the recruiters in your region.  The Advanced Search Tool will allow you to focus in on a geographic area.  Work those contacts.  As unpleasant as it might seem, if your contingency plan is to move interstate and live in your in-law’s basement (ouch), start to build your network in that location too.
  10. Reach out to your contacts, both LinkedIn and not.  Ask for permission to contact them again in 5 or 6 weeks.  They will not often say no, and will be more receptive to a call a month down the track.  Keeping your situation fresh in their mind will increase the likelihood of a spontaneous referral.  Make sure they have your resume (as a .doc & a PDF) as attachments on an email from you in their in-box.
  11. Carry hard-copies of your resume with you at all times.  Also carry it with you on a memory stick.  Horror stories abound about what potential employers have seen on a prospective employee’s memory stick so make sure the resume (again as a .doc & a PDF) is the only thing on it.  Attach the stick to your car-keys; it’s not going to do you much good if you leave it at home.
  12. Work on your blog and make sure the posts are upbeat and career related.  If you don’t have a blog, start it now with one of the free services (this blog is hosted at wordpress.com.  I publish under my own domain name for $10 a year, but if I didn’t, the blog hosting would be free).
  13. Link your blog to your LinkedIn profile using the WordPress “application” within LinkedIn (check out my profile to see how it looks).
  14. Review your myspace/facebook pages and remove any links to these pages from your LinkedIn profile if the content is not business appropriate.  For some time now we’ve heard anecdotal stories about people not getting the job because of embarrassing photos on other social networks.
  15. Organize as many interviews as possible with Recruitment Agents.  And the most important thing here is; ask them what they would change about your resume; change it overnight; get it back to them.  It doesn’t matter if you end up with 20 versions, they will see that you are prepared to help them get you a job.  Use Twitter to tell your network when you’re going for an interview.
  16. Find other face-to-face networks to leverage.  I’m not very good at this but I try.  Look at the LinkedIn events in your area and also try Meetup.com.
Good Luck. And please provide feedback on this blog post (make a comment below).  I’ll use your suggestions to improve this page so it is more useful to others.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

How to Write a proper resume and cover letter

0 comments
The first step in writing a proper resume is the cover letter. Write each cover letter specifically for the company and/or position you are seeking. Next, write your name, The address where you can be reached, Phone number, Fax number (if applicable), and E-mail address. Skip a line and write the full date (month, day, year). Name of the specific person, title of that person (if available), and the Address of the company.
Here is an example of what it should look like: Robert Smith 5560 Park drive New york, New york 22230 (810)-555-5555 email @anywhere.com May 2, 2008 Ken Williams, Human Resource Director Northern Electric, Inc. 3525 Long Lane Atlanta, Georgia 30052 ..Now comes your resume.

A resume is not about what you want; It's about what you offer an employer." The resume will determine who gets a job interview. Your resume is a mini-statement about yourself. First, start with Your "summary of skills", this should highlight experiences and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Focus on work experience, and list professional experience in order from most to least recent. Your computer skills will be particularly attractive and should be highlighted. Also, consider your volunteer and extracurricular experience.
Use strong action verbs and leave out the word "I". Your resume should be one page only. Don't misrepresent your past -- it will come back to haunt you.

There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. Emphasize your talents and show how you used them at the job. Don't mention personal characteristics such as age, height, and marital status on your resume. Avoid unusual or exotic font styles; use simple fonts with a professional look. Check your resume for proper grammar and correct spelling. Finally, Close with a strong reminder of why you are a good match for the job positioin and the organization. Thank them! Sign your name and print it underneath.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Internships: The Preparation

0 comments
There seems to be a common sentiment going around college campuses concerning interning as part of the college experience: Who has the time? Certainly no one wishes to extend their college years beyond the expensive years already spent on a campus. And at the same time those students are either cramming more classes in the summer or reluctant to give up the precious time off. Why work for practically no pay (and often for free)?

Unfortunately students tend to forget the benefits of taking the time to intern. This is a crucial experience that gives you insight into the possibilities within your major. Internships can also help you narrow down your job preferences and determine the best career path for you. While you work you gain a hands on opportunity to practice what you have learned in the classroom and learn the settle techniques professionals in your field use. If you travel away, even to the next state, for your internship there is the invaluable challenge of learning to move and adjust quickly to a new area and circumstances, making future moves to new jobs less daunting. And on top of it all if you are successful you will walk away with great resume references, letters of recommendation, and sometimes even future job offers.

But what about the difficulties of finding an internship? With the internet this step has become so quick and easy it no longer works as an excuse for putting interning off. Going to such websites as fastweb.com have lists of available internships to check out. Websites that provide job listings will often also list internships from companies. Just type internship into the monster.com search engine and see just how many companies list internships there. Check with the professors within your major. They have been watching students do internships for many years and will likely be able to give you advice of where past students have had success. Older students or alumni from your college are also useful in your search. Go to Career Services on campus and ask them to help; after all, you are paying for their services in tuition costs.

The next step most students groan over is applying. Most internships require paperwork, a well written resume, letters of recommendation, and an interview of some type. That is a lot of work. Luckily it is a lot easier in practice. Resume writing is an art, but anyone can put one together. Go back to the internet and seek some advice online. Your best bet is to seek out others in your field and ask their advice on laying out your resume. For a template, Microsoft Works and Office have them available. Usually it is good to include three references. These can be professors in your department that have worked with you. Be sure to ask before including anyone as a reference. And do not forget to put your expected graduate degree and date under the heading "Education".

Letters of recommendation should not be too challenging, but there is a lot of courtesy involved. Mentors or professors that have been particularly involved in your college years or your adviser are good places to start asking. Be sure to ask well in advance of when you need the letter. At the very least provide two weeks for the your recommendation to write the letter. When you ask it is advisable for you to have any information you need included in the letter. This information is often provided in the requirements listed for the internship you are applying for and should be provided to the individual you ask. Other information you need to provide is how they are to submit the letter. Sometimes you are to include it in your application and other times it is to be sent directly to the company by mail, fax, or e-mail.

When you fill out your application double and triple check every field before you fill in the blanks. Be sure to write neatly and in black or dark blue pen. Carefully read the instructions included at the top of the application and follow them exactly. And most importantly send it in before the deadline. Good internships are hard to come by and the biggest mistake could be waiting too long to send everything in. Think of the given deadline not as the "send in by" deadline, but the day the company will make their decision. The sooner and longer your application is in their hands the more likely they are to think of you for the position.

About a week after you have sent in your application I would advise calling the internship coordinators to confirm your information has been received. This call is also the ideal time to set up an interview if one is required so have your schedule sitting in front of you in case the coordinator asks when is best for you. Do not worry if the internship is far away because most companies are willing to do interviews over the phone.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Get that job by writing a winning resume

0 comments
Your resume serves as your window to the world. How a potential employer views you can directly depend on the fashion of your resume. This how to article will give you a glimpse into writing a winning resume that will hopefully land you a great job! I am a college graduate working in public affairs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy Things You’ll Need:
  • Resume Paper (Can be bought at Wal-Mart) This paper is usually thicker than normal paper. Card Stock can be a great substitute or any other decorative paper that is not too busy.
Step1 Resume Paper
Before beginning your resume collect all the needed materials. I recommend getting a good resume paper that can be bought cheaply at Wal-Mart. If you don't' have the money use card-stock or any other decorative paper that is thicker than normal paper. Special paper will make your resume stand out especially when you are in a career fair setting where many recruiters do not take the time to review your resume.

Step2
Your Personal Information Section After obtaining the correct paper it is time to get started on the meat and potatoes of your resume. Remember your resume should be a firm one pager unless your applying for a really big time job, such as University president. That particular job might require an entire vita, but for the standard job one page will suffice. First sit down and collect all pertinent data for your resume before you write it. This information includes your name (no nicknames) address, phone number, alternate phone number (if you have one). This information is in block style at the beginning of your resume.

Step3
Your next section will be your objective section. Your objective simply states your intentions. Here is an example objective "To obtain a job and become an effective member of the workforce, as well as gain knowledge and strategies for future job opportunities". If this is a highly professional job that you don't intend to leave remove the last part where you say gain knowledge and strategies for future job opportunities. That line usually is for younger job seekers.

Step4
Qualifications Section Your next section is qualifications. This section is optional but when I do use it I place it after objectives. This is where you will state what qualifies you for such a position. Do not state specifics because that will be found in the later portion of your resume. An example is "Past employment opportunities have enabled me to learn how to work successfully within a team-oriented organization....blah blah blah"

Step5
Your next section will either be employment or education. If you do not have extensive work experience but you do have a lot of education I recommend putting your education first and vice versa. Here you will start with your most recent experience and go backwards. Always put the name of the job, your position, city and date that you worked there and vice versa for education. Go back as far as you deem relevant to the current job.

Step6
If you are not near your one page limit I recommend adding a skills section after the education and employment section. In this section you can list a few bullets about special skills that will help you on the job. For example Types 55 wpm, Proficient in Microsoft Word...etc.

Step7
Last but not least is your references section. Some people choose to list their references, however I usually put available upon request. If the employer is interested in you they will ask for those references. Plus putting available upon request helps to keep your resume one page long. When going to career fairs, recruiters like one pagers. They are easy to look at and easier to read.

                                 Tips & Warnings

 

  • Spell Check. We all miss spell words even after we have read through it a million times. Give your resume to someone else who hasn't seen your resume a million times and have them spell check it. Your computer misses words and so do we.
  • If you need help just ask me. If I have time I would be more than happy to help you fashion your resume. There are many different styles that you can use. Please see the picture at the beginning to get an idea of what your resume should look like.
  • Do not use paper that has a lot of designs in the background. You do not want it to distract from your resume. You want the recruiter/employer to read it not just look at it.
  • Don't put too much in your resume.
  • Never ever lie in your resume.
  • Make sure that your email address is simply your name. Do not have hotjane@yahoo.com as that is highly unprofessional.
  • If you are using your cell phone as your number please be sure to record a professional answering message. Employers don't want to hear soldier boy tell 'em on your ringtone or on your answering machine. Doing this is a good way to never get a job.

Monday, March 1, 2010

52 Resume Writing Tips

0 comments
  1. Like diamond quality, resumes have four C’s. Be consistent with your formatting, style, and wording. You want to present an integrated image of yourself as an organized person.
  2. Be concise, since employers do not want to read a novel about you.
  3. Clarity counts for resumes, as well as diamonds. Be sure your resume is readable and makes perfect sense, even at a glance.
  4. Employers also need a complete resume, in order to appropriately evaluate you.

   
                                                              
                                                                 Formatting


  1. Ensure that you use plain formatting in your resume to accent and highlight important parts, but do not distract from the content.
  2. Standard fonts should be used for the same reason. Stick with fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, etc…
  3. Use a minimum number of font sizes throughout your resume. Most sources suggest using no more than 2 or 3 different sizes of the same font.
  4. No matter what font or sizes you pick, be sure nothing is too small or too large. The key in resumes is moderation, especially for formatting.
  5. Unless you are in an artistic field, do not use pictures or clip-art on your resume. Once again, this is distracting.
  6. To keep your resume from being monotonous, break up paragraphs with bullets. This also makes for quicker and easier reading.
  7. Just be sure your bullets are plain. Do not use anything like Wing Dings. Also, limit yourself to one or two types of bullets throughout.
  8. Do not fill every spot on your page with text. By using space effectively you can give your reader’s eye a break and draw attention to certain sections.
  9. Whether you use hyphens or dashes, be sure to remain consistent. Do not use a hyphen to separate one date range, then shift to a dash for the next one.
  10. Facilitate quick reading by aligning your dates and position titles in a column.
  11. Find out if your industry has an expected length for resumes, and stick with it. For example, legal resumes are widely accepted to be only one page.
  12. If your industry allows (or even encourages) more than one page resumes, be sure to use effective page headers for subsequent pages. Remind your reader who he is reading about, and also make sure pages 2+ do not get irretrievably separated from page 1.
  13. Writing

  14. Emphasize your strengths with powerful action words. Don’t be a writing wimp.
  15. Make your words jump from the page with active voice. In other words, stray from “passive” words, such as: is, was, am, do, did, etc…
  16. Tailor your resume to the specific employer to whom you are applying.
  17. Likewise, tailor it to the position you seek.
  18. As part of your tailoring process, find out the industry key words and use them in your text.
  19. Be careful with abbreviations; in fact, you should not use them if at all possible.
  20. It should go without saying that you use perfect grammar in your resume. For a little help on grammar, check out Strunk & White’s Elements of Style.
  21. Aim your resume carefully by tailoring it to your employer.
  22. Make your point even stronger by tailoring to the position for which you are applying.
  23. Provide clear guidance for your reader with clear section headings.
  24. When writing descriptions of jobs and activities, keep them short to minimize reading time.
  25. Be consistent when typing out dates. For instance, always abbreviate in the same way or never abbreviate.
  26. Use the proper names for all companies you have worked for, positions you have held, and schools you attended.
  27. Content

  28. Include a phone number that has a professional voice mail greeting.
  29. Likewise, ensure that your email address is professional (not cooldude@server.com) and that your signature (if any) is professional.
  30. Type your name on your resume like you want it to appear professionally. If you do not want your middle name used, leave it off or just include your initial.
  31. Do not include references on your resume, but offer them during your application process or interview.
  32. List any languages that you speak, even if they do not directly pertain to the job description.
  33. If you have special skills (such as computer or technical abilities), include them if applicable to the position or company.
  34. Include any major publications you have authored, such as a magazine or journal article.
  35. Many career counselors debate whether or not to include an “objective” section. Here is a good article that sums up a lot of the debate. Find out the standard in your industry, and follow it.
  36. Include old jobs on your resume (even if not directly applicable to the position), but feel free to shorten their descriptions.
  37. List all education you have had, and explain how it will help you in the target position.
  38. Activities listed on your resume should reflect positive job qualities in some way. If they don’t, cut them.
  39. Leave no time gaps, since this will make employers wonder what you did during that time.
  40. Tell the truth! Check out the top resume lies, and don’t do it.
  41. Revising

  42. Spell check to catch any glaring errors.
  43. Proofread your resume several times, during several different sittings, on several different days.
  44. Get feedback on grammar and content from a friend, family member, or colleague.
  45. Closely tied to feedback, you should find an editor that will work with you during the writing and revising process. You need a sounding board for wording and another pair of eyes for proofreading.
  46. Presentation

  47. Print your resume on professional resume paper. You can find this at your local office store. Unless you are in an art field, stick to white, off-white, or ivory. Go for paper around 24 lb in weight.
  48. Be sure your printer will produce a quality printout. If your printer is not up to speed, use a friend’s or go to a local print shop.
  49. When you buy your paper, don’t forget matching envelopes. You will need to mail some resumes and cover letters, so you want everything to coordinate.
  50. If you are submitting documents electronically, send them as PDF files. This prevents formatting changes on different computers. Here is a free PDF creation program (print anything to a PDF file)
  51. Final Thoughts

  52. Keep your resume updated, so you can send it out at a moment’s notice. Also, by updating it every 6 months or so, you will not forget important accomplishments that should be added.
  53. Finally, hone your resume further with these helpful links: here, here, and here.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

10 Things You Must Do Before That Successful Interview

0 comments

Teena Rose is a columnist, public speaker, and a professional resume writer with Resume to Referral. She's authored several books, including "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales." You've worked hard to get here. You've sent out 31 resumes, networked, attended job fairs, enrolled in school for more education – you've taken all the right steps.


Then, one afternoon the phone rings. "Yes, we'd like you to come in for an interview. Is next Tuesday at 10:00 alright with you?" Alright???!!! You can be there in 10 minutes! But you gather your composure, pretend to rifle through your "appointment book" and calmly reply, "Yes, Tuesday at 10:00 works for me. See you then." Now what?

The sequence goes like this: the resume gets you an interview; the interview gets you the job. This is when you become more than a bunch of employment dates and workplace accomplishments. This is your opportunity to shine. It's show time!


Go in cold and you're working at a disadvantage. You prepped the perfect resume, now it's time to prep for that all-important interview. Here are ten steps you should take before you show up at the interviewer's door.
1. Review your resume.

Sure, you know it by heart. But what was it that caught the eye of this recruiter or the HR pro? Specialized experience? Unique training? A steady history of career advancement? Revisit your resume from the point of view of the interviewer. It may provide insight into the company's employee needs – something that would certainly be advantageous to know going in.

2. Get back on-line.

The Internet served you well in the preparation of personalized cover letters targeted at the recipients' needs. Okay, visit the company web site again and start taking notes. Corporate officers, the latest press releases, the company's annual report. Gather as much information as you can on your soon-to-be-employer.

3. Study, study, then cram.

The more you learn about your callback company, the better you're going to feel walking in that door. Knowledge is power. Knowledge will make you more confident in your attitude and your answers. You know this stuff. You've studied it! Knowledge of company products, services, protocols and procedures shows the interviewer that you're proactive, with an eye for detail and an appreciation for the power of preparation. In other words, you'll make a positive impression.

4. Rehearse your interview.

How can you rehearse for something that doesn't have a script? Write one. You know the typical questions you'll be asked so write down some of your most insightful, witty thoughts regarding the state of your industry and profession. Be prepared to describe past positions, responsibilities and accomplishments. This is not a time for false modesty, so don't be afraid to highlight your professional strengths and play down your terrible typing skills. Remember: it's no brag if it's the truth. Ask your spouse, your child or a friend to play the role of interviewer so you become more comfortable speaking about yourself in front of others. Again, this is a confidence builder. The more you practice, the more confident you'll be.

5. Develop your list of questions.

Your interview shouldn't be seen as some type of interrogation. It's a "getting to know you" meeting, so feel free to ask questions. However, your first question shouldn't be "How much do I get paid?" or "How's the 401k plan, here?" Instead, ask questions that show you understand the job and the company's needs. Be quick to pick up on the interviewer's comments and ask relevant questions.

Interviewer: We've had some issues with field reports coming in late recently.
You: How are the reports transmitted?
(Oh, you're good. Very good.)

6. Dress for success.

An interview is a performance with people playing different roles. Your role is successful job prospect. Play the part. Whether you're female or male, the conservative business suit is the recommended attire for any interview. If your business suit needs a pressing, send it to the dry cleaners. If you don't own a suit (you'd be surprised at the number of us who don't) go out and get one. It doesn't have to be an $800 designer suit, but it should be conservative black, blue or gray.

7. Get cut or coiffed.

You'll have 15 minutes to make a good impression. Treat yourself to a visit to the local hair stylist. You bet looks matter. They'll be plenty of time to show your talent once you land the job. For now, look like a success, feel like a success – be a success.

8. Practice positive visualization.

Professional athletes do it. So do actors, yoga instructors and new age thinkers who sleep under makeshift pyramids to absorb that mystical energy. It's called positive visualization – and it works. It really does. In the days leading up to the interview, picture yourself sitting opposite the head of HR. Picture yourself relaxed, comfortable, at the top of your game. Play that clip over and over in your mind until it becomes so familiar, it actually becomes a part of your self-image. It simply can't be stated too often – your confidence during an interview should be obvious and genuine.

9. Gather your materials.

The day before the interview, gather your materials and place them in a briefcase or attaché. Don't have one? Buy one or borrow one. It's another opportunity to project that professional image you wear so well. Bring extra copies of your resume in a manila envelop. Bring a pad and pencil to take notes. Bring a calculator (you never know). Bring your address book and copies of your business card. If you've been asked to provide additional information (school transcripts, e.g.) make sure you've got clean copies ready to hand over.

10. Sleep tight.

You've done it all. You've prepared yourself; you've built your confidence so you can look the interviewer straight in the eye. You are ready to rock ‘n' roll! Okay, too psyched. You'll never get to sleep. The night before the interview, go to bed early. Have some warm milk, coco or herbal tea (stay away from the 3rd scotch). Relax. Set the alarm and sleep comfortably in the knowledge that you're as prepared as you'll ever be. No, not every interview will be a success. You won't get the job every time – but don't take it personally. It's not about you; it's about the needs of the company. However, you can increase the chances of success by presenting a professional, prepared, and confident you to the interviewer. That's how you turn an interview into a job offer.

You're hired!