The Job Search Program Focuses on Networking

The Job Search Program Focuses on Networking When I talk about the Job Search Program to career professionals (resume writers and career and job search coaches) I say that it is designed to help the job seeker have the right conversations with the right people. Networking is a funny, misunderstood beast. The joke is that it is, for job seekers, a four-letter word. Not many people like to do it. It feels fake, and many people cant wait to land a job so they dont have to network anymore. In my job search I remember finally dragging myself to network meetings and making up goals like I will get 10 business cards today, or something just as lame. I wasnt focusing on having right conversations and didnt even understand who the right people could be. I was just going for a number because, sometimes, the job search really is a numbers game. So I thought. Enter the Job Search Program. This is a six week self-guided kind of coaching program where every single day I give you three tasks to do. And then you work on them. They are not fake tasks they are intentionally designed to get you closer to having the right conversation with the right person. Every day builds on previous days. You start out kind of slow, setting up a good foundation, and then as you learn and practice and gain confidence and practice more, you find yourself having conversations with people in your target industries, then target companies, then target departments within your target industries, and next thing you know you are talking to decision-makers about opportunities just for you. This program is unlike anything Ive seen. It might seem very simple but the premise is that you are doing the right things and getting real traction, instead of hoping that in the numbers game model you are getting closer to the right number. I played that game and it sucked. Heres  part of an email I got from Noah, who is in week one: I am really enjoying the process so far! The messaging and advice is very clear and the overarching theme of self-empowerment through provided prompts/benchmarks seems well crafted. I especially appreciate the built-in daily accountability, which is critical for anyone who is serious about putting in the effort to achieve the goal they want. Ready to stop doing stuff that isnt getting you anywhere? Check out the Job Search Program here. The normal price is $497 but right now we have an introductory price of $197. The Job Search Program Focuses on Networking When I talk about the Job Search Program to career professionals (resume writers and career and job search coaches) I say that it is designed to help the job seeker have the right conversations with the right people. Networking is a funny, misunderstood beast. The joke is that it is, for job seekers, a four-letter word. Not many people like to do it. It feels fake, and many people cant wait to land a job so they dont have to network anymore. In my job search I remember finally dragging myself to network meetings and making up goals like I will get 10 business cards today, or something just as lame. I wasnt focusing on having right conversations and didnt even understand who the right people could be. I was just going for a number because, sometimes, the job search really is a numbers game. So I thought. Enter the Job Search Program. This is a six week self-guided kind of coaching program where every single day I give you three tasks to do. And then you work on them. They are not fake tasks they are intentionally designed to get you closer to having the right conversation with the right person. Every day builds on previous days. You start out kind of slow, setting up a good foundation, and then as you learn and practice and gain confidence and practice more, you find yourself having conversations with people in your target industries, then target companies, then target departments within your target industries, and next thing you know you are talking to decision-makers about opportunities just for you. This program is unlike anything Ive seen. It might seem very simple but the premise is that you are doing the right things and getting real traction, instead of hoping that in the numbers game model you are getting closer to the right number. I played that game and it sucked. Heres  part of an email I got from Noah, who is in week one: I am really enjoying the process so far! The messaging and advice is very clear and the overarching theme of self-empowerment through provided prompts/benchmarks seems well crafted. I especially appreciate the built-in daily accountability, which is critical for anyone who is serious about putting in the effort to achieve the goal they want. Ready to stop doing stuff that isnt getting you anywhere? Check out the Job Search Program here. The normal price is $497 but right now we have an introductory price of $197.

How to Create a Professional Email Signature

How to Create a Professional Email Signature In prior blog posts I spoke about some rather sophisticated career management documents such a brag book, a networking newsletter, and a one-page biography. Today, I would like to focus on a more simple aspect of your job search toolkit but one that is many, many times overlooked: adding a professional email signature Consider the following scenario: You are a “heads down” corporate employee doing a good, no, make that a great job. Somehow, due to a perfect storm, you lose your job in a downright awful economy. After the shock wears off, you sit down at your personal computer and realize you have to start using your personal email as your “base of operation.” So, you make a list of everybody you know and you start firing off emails letting people know of your situation. Like any savvy job seeker, you begin the networking process which creates a lot more email activity. What you may not have considered are three key issues related to your newfound “base of operation” â€" your personal email account. For the time being while in full-bore job search mode, your personal email account is really your work email account. Why? Because you need to put forth the same professional image in your email signature when you are in transition (unemployed) as you do when you are employed. Let’s look carefully at each component of a professional email box: the email address itself, your display settings and the email signature. Email Address This is quite obvious but so often overlooked. “WineKook10 {at} gmail.com” is not an email address that evokes professionalism, intelligence and competence! Instead, create an email address more in line with what you would see in a work setting, for example, “Firstname_Lastname {at}yahoo.com.” Email Name Settings In a prior article I ranted about one of my pet peeves regarding LinkedIn etiquette. Well, here is a second pet peeve. Often I receive emails that read in my email program like so: from “ronjones{at}hotmail.com.” Or just as bad: from “ron” with no last name. Emails should always be sent via “First name Last name” (or vice versa). Not only is it professional, it is also the only way that recruiters and hiring managers can find your email in their overstuffed email bins â€" by sorting or searching on your name. This setting is easy to find and adjust in your email program. Email Signature It also amazes me as to how many emails I receive that have no email signature whatsoever. At best, I might see the person sign their name. For example, “Thanks, Matt.” While on the job you used a professional email signature, now, while in transition, it is more important than ever to convey a professional image. Here are instructions on how to create a highly professional and functional email signature when you are in job search mode. I bet you will keep the signature you create even after you land. After all, job search is not a one-time event during a time of need. Instead, you must incorporate a professional email signature and other strategies into your on-going career management. I am using my email signature as an example. Feel free to tailor these ideas to your own style. Name and Title Certainly lead with your name. Consider a larger point size and an attractive font and color. If you are in transition, consider starting your own consulting company. That way you can give yourself a title just like your last full time job! You may find yourself becoming a successful entrepreneur. If this strategy is not right for you, you can still add a tagline like the examples below. Email and Phone Number Include your telephone number and your email address. You want to make it extremely easy for recruiters and hiring managers to contact you. Don’t make it difficult to be reached. Believe it or not, there is some spontaneity in the corporate hiring process. Recruiters and hiring managers may call you on a whim, on a hunch, but you must make it easy for them. Having your phone and email address on every new, forward, or reply email can make the difference. Tagline Marketing is key for the viability of any business. Treat job search as a business. This means you must market yourself. When you are in job search you are not exclusively an information technology professional, sales professional, or engineer, you are also a marketer! You must market yourself because no one else will do it for you. I repeat… no one else will do it for you. All successful marketing campaigns include a tagline or catch phrase. You need one, too. Your tagline should be just a few words boiled down to your professional essence. Some examples: Tax Accountant: In taxing times, count on me. Web Designer: Visually translating your complex thoughts. Training Professional: Amy is the name, Training is my game. Even better, give the consulting company, discussed above, a logo. If you do, you can include your logo in your email signature. (Starting a consulting company when you are unemployed is a great idea: you create a brand for yourself, it shows you are motivated, you can make some interim cash, it is an insurance policy against a future layoff and you can use the business as a soft landing upon retirement.) You can consider adding your own branded logo even if you are not associating it with your new consulting company. The logo can be simply your own personal logo. Website and Blog Links Adding your website and/or blog creates a brand of a busy, successful, current, relevant and technologically-savvy professional. This is the exact image that you want to project when in job search mode! LinkedIn and Twitter Hyperlinked Icons In this section you can really demonstrate your 2011 brand. Companies need professionals that can relate to all of the generations in the workforce. You will clearly be showing your connection and adaptability to the Gen Y and Millennial generations by adding social media hyperlinks to your email signature. It goes without saying that the content you link to must be of the professional variety only! LinkedIn is perfect because of its professional focus. Twitter is also being used extensively by professionals and executives to share cutting edge business information. Twitter is no longer just for kids to tweet about their favorite mocha latte. You can find the full instructions for creating the clickable hyperlinked icons from this YouTube video. These instructions assume that you use Outlook as your email client. The time consuming part is finding the right LinkedIn and Twitter icons and resizing them so that they look appropriate for your email signature. Not to worry â€" I have already done this for you. You can download and save my LinkedIn icon here (click “download here” in upper right corner) and my Twitter icon here. Now open Outlook and follow these steps to complete the process: 1. Tools 2. Options 3. Mail Format 4. Signatures 5. New (or edit) 6. Click: Insert picture (on right hand side of screen) Insert desired picture 7. Now that picture is inserted into the signature click on the chain link icon (hyperlink) type in desired URL 8. Save Finished Product At this point, you have all the tools you need to create a professional, sophisticated, branded and technologically-savvy email signature. One last tip: don’t left-justify everything. Give it some visual appeal by using different alignment, fonts, point sizes and color. Please leave a comment below with your new professional email signature!

What Employers Really Want Culture Add

What Employers Really Want Culture Add Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'8p6GpBaTQV5BpfO7ktzSNQ',sig:'yuXF91LwfqA9_Y6zTdN8akbnCngcuylBNIkwgAW4Q0U=',w:'509px',h:'339px',items:'764798543',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); This is one of a series of posts based on LinkedIn’s Talent Solutions’ Guide: 30 Behavioral Interview Questions to Identify High-Potential Candidates. Here’s the list of the qualities managers value: Adaptability Culture add Collaboration Leadership Growth potential Prioritization The term Culture Add caught my eye when I first read it. Don’t they mean culture fit? I asked myself. But it turns out the managers LinkedIn surveyed had something much better in mind. Here’s what the LinkedIn guide says: “When we talk about culture fit, we don’t mean falling into a “hire like me” mentality. If all of your employees act and think the same, your company won’t thrive. Instead, look for candidates who share the same beliefs and values as your organization, but also bring diversity of thought and experience that will drive your company forward.” Culture Add came in #2 in the attributes high potential hires have. I love the definition above, because it’s the real basis for diversity (not just the usual trope of different racial qualities or gender.)  Diversity is really about (or should be) very different people coming together under shared values or a shared vision. We agree on what we want or want to do (build a successful new product, for example), but we come with different ideas on how to get it done.   That’s where creativity and innovation happen. Assuming the discussion doesn’t devolve into Group Think. So how do you determine if someone is going to fit in to your culture (the first step to cultural add)? First, make sure they come to the interview knowing something about who you are as a company. A candidate should always take the time to research a company before the interview, and “What do you know about our company?” is a good starting question. Ask what attracted them to the company or the team. Even if they don’t know much about your core values (which should be easy to find on your website), if they show a passion for the work you do or the people you serve, that’s a good start. Be honest about your company. Don’t sugar coast the work or the stressors. If you have a fast-paced, chaotic workplace, ask questions not only about how the candidate functions in that kind of environment, but also how he recovers. Here are the questions managers suggested to get information about Cultural Add: What are the three things that are most important to you in a job? What would make you choose our company over others? What’s the most interesting thing about you that’s not on your resume? If you can determine that a new hire will be a Culture Add, you’ll do more than strengthen your team. You’ll save money on turnover as well. According to the LinkedIn guide, “research shows that employees who are a good culture fit are more likely to stay with your company and will have greater performance and job satisfaction.”

What are you doing this summer It might be worth more than you think! University of Manchester Careers Blog

What are you doing this summer It might be worth more than you think! University of Manchester Careers Blog Believe it of not it will soon be Autumn and summer will be a fond memory. Which of the following have you done (or are doing) this summer? Had a holiday Done a summer job or internship. Volunteered Had a working holiday / travelled. Had a part time job Worked in a family business. Learned a language or other skill Had a stay-cation, couchsurfing and catching up on some sleep. All of those are good in fact it helps to have a bit of a mix of activities. The problem is youll forget really quickly what you did, and the next time you look at your CV youll be scratching your head. If you have a diary / notepad on your phone or a retro paper version!! Make a note of when important things happened. Start end dates Times when something you did make a positive impact on a situation. It could have been training new staff, writing a report, communicating a new idea think about the skills here have you used any? Did you overcome a difficulty or challenge? Take a quick note of the situation, your actions the outcome. What have you learned about yourself? What motivates you and makes you interested and excited. Be aware of this to help you evaluate opportunities in future do they fit the pattern of what you enjoy? If you are a visual person take a photo to remind you. When you have time add them to your master CV the one you never hand out but were all the details live! Youll need to tidy it up and be selective when it comes to really using it for a job but at least there is something to jog your memory. Dont be too picky, many students  disregard  activities as unimportant  because it wasnt paid or it was only a few weeks it was only a casual job Get the highlights or even the struggles and lowlights down and you can think about the selling point later. Sometimes learning from a difficult situation can be the best outcome. Its one of those activities in hindsight youll wish you had done, but also probably never will! All Applications and interviews Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted CV internship summer job vacation job work experience

10 Worst Pieces of Career Advice You Should Never Follow - CareerMetis.com

10 Worst Pieces of Career Advice You Should Never Follow Are you thinking about a career change? What most people forget when seeking career advice is that the world is moving at such a rapid pace. Some things that worked before may not work now. Most people just look for jobs based on what is most in-demand; they often ignore the essential parts of the process.evalSometimes, career advice comes cheap. You should be careful about what you actually follow. Here are a few worst pieces of advice Yes, getting an MBA is rewarding and useful. However, it’s not a guarantee. Career expert Ming Choi, chief executive of education consulting firm Avenue of Admissions, said: “Getting an MBA is a very costly option these days, and unless you’re obtaining it with a clear career goal in mind, your school time can end up being nothing more than a glamorous two-year vacation.”“Business school is no longer a sure thing. If you pursue a degree, he advises specializing and using the time to build a strong network,” says entrepreneur and business f ounder Chris Stephenson.2) Salary Do you ever get this piece of advice that you’re not paid well enough for this kind of job?Rodger Roeser, a business owner, said that “if people believe that they’re too good at something, then they’re fooling themselves.”By completing small tasks with integrity and attention to detail, you’ll earn the trust of supervisors and work your way towards bigger projects. Do not be so full of yourself, immature, and unwilling to become a team player.3) NetworkingevalNetworking is definitely an integral part of developing your career. James Tarbox of San Diego State University said that “it’s about the strength of your connections and not the quantity.”One may have more than a thousand connections on Facebook or LinkedIn, but how many are actually there to help you?Rather than focusing on creating as many connections as possible, you should make a more targeted approach to networking strategy. Think about how you can best position yourself as a referral or a good part of the network.4) Job SatisfactionMost people choose a profession that they love or they’re passionate about. However, some career experts argue that one can have better career outcomes when they do something that they know they’re going to excel at.eval“Passion alone is not a sufficient condition for making a living.” Some people have the entitlement to leave one job for another thinking they’re not satisfied.eval5) Performance EvaluationRobin Goldwater, a business owner, said “Nothing should ever be discussed for the first time at a performance evaluation,”Managers should use the performance evaluation as a cumulative review. On the other hand, employees should never save a question or concern for the evaluation. They must remember that positive career development requires open communication year-round.6)Starting pointSome people take jobs that are below their education level just to keep their career rolling.“If you want to play a mar keting role, go for the marketing role.If you accept a role that is far off-track from your career goals, it can be more difficult than you’d expect to shake the label and rebrand yourself,” says Choi.7) Multi-taskingJim Loehr, psychologist and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute says that “because younger workers grew up using advanced communication technologies they often feel like masters of multitasking who can tackle many projects quickly and at once.”However, Loehr said that this just splits their concentration and spreading themselves too thin. The brain works best when it’s laser-focused.8) Job ApplicationExecutive director at staffing firm Robert Half International Delynn Sena said that applying for too many jobs is a good strategy. However, “it’s more important for job seekers to focus on opportunities that will be a fit for them and where they will fit best.”Focusing on select openings can give applicants enough time to research companies and tai lor their resumes for the specific job post.9) TenureevalAuthor of career guide “The Essentials of Fabulous: Because ‘Whatever’ Doesn’t Work Here Anymore”Ellen Lubin-Sherman says that it’s not smart to stay in a toxic job where you feel very stressful.She advised on “keeping the job while you look for a new one. In interviews, spin the short timeframe as “it was a great job but the wrong fit for me” and move the conversation forward.”10) Work ExperienceJim Finkelstein, author of “Fuse: Making Sense of the New Cogenerational Workplace” says that it’s okay to put irrelevant jobs on your resume. “Retail jobs, part-time work, and volunteering may exhibit character and leadership roles that otherwise would be lost,” says Finkelstein.Employers are not allowed to discriminate based on looks, so you can submit a CV without your photo.evalCareer Advice that Actually WorksMost people struggle to find the right balance in their careers. But what most people don’ t know is that it’s actually possible to create a career you love regardless of your industry, background, or age.To “Follow your passion” is just one of the things you can do to make it happen. There are tons of tips on how to find a fulfilling job; but are you willing to make it happen? What does it mean to find a career you love? How do you make that leap towards your passion and go for it?Here are some useful tips to achieve your dream career.From unique ways to uncover your passions to thoughts on how to turn your current job into your dream job, you’re sure to find something inspiring.1) Do not make excusesDo you often pay attention to your limiting beliefs? These are thoughts that can influence your actions. Why take a huge risk? The job is out of your league, why apply for it?If you keep on paying attention to these limiting thoughts, it is most likely that you will never move to another place other than your situation now.2) BelieveYou have to be optimistic and clai m this career that you’ve been dreaming about. Believe in the power of your dreams. It’s easy to doubt yourself, your skills, and what you can offer. But it pays a lot to be confident and impress your future employers that you’re more than qualified for the job.You should believe you can do it so people will also believe you. If you want something but think it’s too far-fetched or impossible, you’re not in the right mindset to actually make it happen.3) Clear your mindTry to get some clarity of mind before you answer these questions: if salary or money isn’t a factor, think about what you would want to do? Which career have you always dreamt of pursuing even if you don’t have any experience? What would you do with your time if money wasn’t a factor? Whose career are you completely jealous of?The key is to use your passion as a guide. Consider the things you’re really good at, as well as your core values. Go seek the answers. Sometimes we may feel pressure to follow a certain path, and we lose sight of what we really want to do.4) Conquer your fearFear of risks that come with changing jobs is normal. There is fear if uncertainty among most people where money can be a huge factor.Remember that it’s easy to get complacent and comfortable. However, if you will stay in a job where you’re miserable, wouldn’t it be more worthwhile to spend your time doing something you really love?

Summary Sunday Job Search Advice and Trends

Summary Sunday Job Search Advice and Trends Job Search Advice and Trends You Need To Know Whats new and important in the world of job search? If you havent had the time to monitor the latest job search advice and trends scene, here are some articles to help you sharpen the  saw and revamp your strategy.   Job Search Advice and Trends You Need To Know CAREER I Thought My Career Was Over Until I Did These 5 Things by John White | Inc. Here are 5 tips to turn your career around. Think about your career differently. Your employer isnt going to take care of you. Its all up to you! SOCIAL JOB SEARCH How To Use Facebook and Twitter To Find Work by  Vanessa McGrady | Forbes Chryselle D’Silva Dias is a freelance writer who uses Facebook groups and Twitter to secure gigs. She shares advice on how to make the most of Facebook and Twitter to uncover leads. How to Make a Facebook Cover that Markets Your Business  | Rebekah Radice Dont let the title of this article discourage you from reading and applying these marketing tricks. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, your cover image is a great way to get your message out there! Lead with your strengths! Use  your value proposition. DO NOT use a cover that says seeking, available or ready for next opportunity. Thats not marketing. Thats desperate. YOU are the product/service. Showcase the value you add, your strengths, your personality, the one reason someone would pick you! JOB SEARCH What Job Title Should I Use On My Resume â€" Ask #HR Bartender by Sharlyn Lauby | HR Bartender Two resume writers share advice and tips on what job title to use when the job title you were given is not so meaningful. Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, CareerTrend and Chris Fields, The Resume Crusade, differ a bit on what to do. But both share the logic behind their advice! YouTern featured this infographic.

Resume Format For Writing Education in Resume

Resume Format For Writing Education in ResumeThe proper format for writing education in resume is very crucial for a person to properly prepare himself for interview. There are different forms of resume format depending on how you want to present your achievements.For example, if you have no job and are interested in applying for it, you will have to opt for employment advertisements or the time limits as the main format for writing education in resume. However, if you are planning to go for the academic entrance examination, then you will need to opt for the essay format for writing education in resume.Some of the common essay formats in college or high school include; no thesis/life experience/project; personal essay; project statement/experience statements; summary of course or projects; writing report or other similar types of document. You can even have a thesis as part of this format, but be sure that you do not go for this style since many people do not like the thesis format. However, the resume format for writing education in resume should always consist of the first sentence.After reading the first sentence, you can start the essay with introducing yourself in the format of professional qualifications. In such resume format, you can also include your academic qualification and the years of course. Do not forget to include your academic diploma, GPA and degree.Academic qualifications are extremely important and should not be left out. Moreover, academic information should be used to establish the context of the position and its requirements.You can also highlight your educational accomplishments in different categories and highlight these under the appropriate titles in order to create a clear picture. For example, if you were the winner of an award and your achievements were related to your work, highlight this in the resume format for writing education in resume as a project. This helps you know your career profile and develop a better understanding of the possible expectations you might face when applying for a job.Furthermore, in the resume format for writing education in resume, you should also highlight the qualification and the educational background related to the position and those of your academic advisor. Always remember that the goal of creating a resume is to prepare you for interviews so it is crucial that you take care of these areas.Moreover, if you are currently having a career, then it is important that you make use of professional references from the past. Thus, in summary, the resume format for writing education in resume should always keep your career in the spotlight and not lose focus on your academic qualifications.