Every actor knows that verbal messages are enhanced by body language, facial expression, voice intonation and props. Remember the job interview is a one time only performance – so make it a superb one!  When the job interview spotlight shines on you make sure your words, body language, and voice work work together to land you that position!

• Deal with Nervousness:

A little nervousness can actually aid you in being sharp and improve your performance. But heart-thumping, face-twitching, voice-quivering nervousness will reflect poorly on you and your self-confidence.

To rid your body of nervous tension, just before you go into the interview find a private spot outside or in the
restroom, shake out your arms, legs, and hands. Take a couple of deep breaths. This physical exercise releases tension that has built up and helps calm you. Then, close your eyes and visualize a scene about winning, seeing yourself as the “winner.” This visualization helps get you into a positive,  “I can do it” framework.

• Come Prepared:

The night before the interview pack up what you need to bring including a couple of resumes.  Have your list of references. Be sure all addresses, emails, and phone numbers are current and accurate. Include any work samples and the list of questions you intend to ask.   Check Google Maps to be sure you know where you are going.

Be on time; in fact, be there 10 minutes early.

• Pass The First Impression:

Before you even say hello, the employer’s mind is evaluating attire, hygiene, style, and formulating an opinion as to whether or not you fit into their  organization.   Even in today’s more casual, dressed-down workplace, appearance
counts a great deal with employers. Therefore, dress professionally. Greet the interviewer with a smile, and offer a firm handshake.

Nothing creates a poorer impression than a weak, couple-of-fingers handshake.

• Non-Verbal Cues:

Movements, gestures, posture and facial expressions are an important part of your overall performance. A sincere
smile sends a warm, confident message. Eye contact is one of the most important things employers notice about you. It conveys confidence that your message is believable.   Smile often, and be yourself. Douse vocal intonations to make your point so you’ll seem personable.

• Offer Support Documentation:

Every employer loves to see proof that you can do their job. It’s impressive to bring samples that demonstrate your abilities to do the job. Some examples: a spreadsheet that is an efficient tracking system, reports you have written,
materials you have created, brochures that list you as a panelist or speaker, etc.

• Listen:

Listen to the hiring manager / recruiter’s questions, hear their needs, hear their expectations. If you listen carefully, employers often reveal everything you need to know. It is frustrating for the interviewer to ask questions that never get answered, so listen closely. Many employers reveal their “hidden agendas,” those few things that really influence their decision. Paying close attention allows you to really address their true needs and land the position.

I have included this You Tube video – How to Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, click the links for these 4 videos from Shannon Terry (resume writer and interview skills coach); a video transcript is included for reference.

How to Prepare for an Interview

How to Prepare for an Interview

Video Transcript

• “Abraham Lincoln said if I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I would spend six sharpening my ax. Hi, I’m Shannon Terry, I’m an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence here to help you prepare for your job interview. The first tool, of course, is preparation. Research the company, use their website, use newspaper articles, network of course, friends, colleagues, neighbors, whoever might know something about both that company and the position. I want you to bring extra resumes so you can distribute them. You’d be surprised how many interviewers aren’t ready for you when you get there and it saves them from having to search through their desk awkwardly to look for your resume. Do a test drive to the job site beforehand so you know what’s the parking situation, how long does it take me to get there, things like that. And, I always want you to arrive early anyway because the best preparation, is not feeling rushed. Review the qualifications for the job before you get there and then plan how are you going to incorporate your skills and experience into what they’re looking for. Make sure you’re answering those questions for them. Last but not least, and most important practice, practice, practice, practice with a trusted friend, an interview coach, a trusted colleague. This will help you feel comfortable with the most common anticipated interview questions, so that when they throw you a curve ball or two, and they will, you don’t lose the whole game. Hi, I’m Shannon Terry, an interview skills coach and resume writer helping you prepare for your interview.”

How to Answer Questions in a Structured Oral Interview

How to Answer Questions in a Structured Oral Interview

Video Transcript

• “The best indicator of future performance is past performance. This is a key tenant to structured interviewing, or also called behavioral interviewing. Hi, I’m Shannon Terry. I’m an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence here to help you answer questions in a structured interview. What a structured interview actually is is an interview in which they ask the same series of questions in the same order to all the participants and then the interviewers score your answers. The point here is to try to be fair to all of you, asking the same things. What they are looking for is specific examples of your skills and experience. In effect, by asking you for these stories, you are proving your skills and experience by explaining in detail these examples. Your answers all need to have the following information, kind of a structured answer, right, for a structured interview. First, give a description of the situation: when I was a…give a job title, at such and such company, here’s what I was faced with. Something like that. Next, state your objective. What was it you were supposed to accomplish. After that, make sure you spend most of the time in your, in your answer talking about your action. What did you do? These prove your skills and experience and therefore what you can actually do in the future as well. Lastly, but also very important, make sure you explain in detail the positive end results for the company and of course, the client. Every employer wants to know how you made something better for your fu, your past rather, your past employers. I’m Shannon Terry, an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence, helping you answer questions in a structured interview.”

How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

Video Transcript

• “So, you’re sitting at home after what you think was a good job interview, you got done, but you’re like what do I do now, how do I follow up with this company. Hi, I’m Shannon Terry, I’m an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence here to help you learn how to follow up after a job interview. So, your follow up actually begins at the end of the interview. I want you to ask what are your next steps in the process, how can I follow up with you after this, I’m really interested in the job. Make sure you say that, state your interest. I want you do avoid saying things like, if I don’t hear from you, I will call you on, it seems like you’re being assertive but what you’re actually doing is implying by saying, I doubt, by saying if I don’t, don’t do that. Be a little more positive and confidant by saying well, I look forward to hearing from you, when can I expect your call? Something like that, that subtly implies of course, you want to hear from me, without being arrogant. Send those thank you notes. A lot of people don’t, so it’ll make you stand out. Send them within about a business day or so. If you used e-mail in the past to communicate with the employer, feel free to do that, otherwise, mail a note, in a time crunch, you can even fax it. If the employer gave you a specific time frame for follow up and they don’t call on that day, call them the next business day. If they didn’t give you a specific follow up time frame, then wait two or three business days till after the interview and call to follow up. Be brief in your follow up call, restate your name and the day and time that you interviewed, and the position to jog the employers memory. And, just simply say again, I’m interested in the job, just calling to follow up and seeing when I can expect to hear from somebody. Hear that? When can I expect, you’re assuming of course, they’re going to call you back. Last but not least, in the meantime, keep looking, it’s always good to have options. I’m Shannon Terry, I’m an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence helping you learn how to follow up after a job interview.”

How to Do a Second Follow-Up After a Phone Interview

How to Do a Second Follow-Up After a Phone Interview

Video Transcript

• “They say that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, but in job searching you have to find a balance between being persistent and being annoying. Hi, I’m Shannon Terry, I’m an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence, here to help you learn how to follow up after a second phone interview. The follow up actually begins at the end of the interview. Ask what the next steps are in the job search process. State your interests, make sure you do that, so they know that you want the job. Send a thank you note, yes, again, right away, and if they specified a time frame that they’re going to be getting back to you, and they don’t actually call you on that day, call them, the next business day to follow up. If they didn’t specify a follow up date, then I would wait two or three business days before you make your follow up call. Keep all of your follow up calls brief. Simply call say your name, hi, I’m so and so, and I’m calling to follow up on the, and list the name of the job that you’re applying for. I interviewed on and give the date and the time and this helps jog their memory. Again, repeat your name and your contact information for their convenience and then just simply end your call with I look forward to hearing from you soon, or I’m really looking forward to that call. In the meantime, keep on looking for other jobs, it’s always good to have options. I’m Shannon Terry, an interview skills coach and resume writer with Resume Confidence helping you follow up after a second phone interview.”

No matter what field you are in or what position you’re applying for, there are some similarities across the board that all hiring managers seek in ideal candidates.

Preparing for interviews to the best of your ability is time consuming but extremely important. You must know and understand the interviewer(s), organization, clients/products/services and the industry itself—plus how you fit into that big picture.

The List

1. Likeability. Do you get along with the hiring manager? Does the hiring manager feel you will get along with his or her team? This is a big factor. I know when I see myself in candidates, I find myself leaning toward them more than individuals who remind me nothing of me. (That sounds self-centered, but hiring managers want a cohesive team!)
2. Strategic thinking. Are you thinking ahead about the future of the organization? Do you have a suggestion already in mind you’d like to brainstorm with the hiring manager? In this economy—or any, for that matter—organizations want (and need) results. If you can show you’re a results person—or at a minimum thinking about results—you will prove a strong candidate.
3. Clear communication. Is your tone and word choice professional? Do you get your message across effectively the first time? Chances are, you’re going to have to communicate with others in some fashion in order to do your job. Throwing in any type of slang word, giggling or other methods of unprofessional communication will make the hiring manager forget what you’re actually trying to say.
4. Professional appearance. If you’re interviewing at an organization where you know the hiring manager will be wearing ripped jeans and a T-shirt, you can probably get away with far less than a suit and tie. However, at most organizations, you want to not only dress the part for which you are interviewing, but one step above. Again, it’s these little things that stack up in a hiring manager’s mind about whether or not to hire you.
5. Enthusiasm. Be happy you are there! And not just because this is the first interview you’ve had in weeks (or months), but because you are genuinely looking forward to the possibility of working at the organization.
6. Good eye contact and “engaged behavior.” Don’t stare and not blink throughout the whole interview, but make sure you have decent eye contact. Also, lean forward slightly when the hiring manager is speaking—this is what I call “engaged behavior.” Both tactics show the hiring manager you are listening and interested in what he or she has to say.

Source: Heather Huhman, mentor to individuals seeking entry-level positions, particularly in the public relations field

Competition in the job market is fierce, and if you hope to land a new position, you must stand out from the crowd — but for the right reasons. You want to provide hiring managers with a positive impression, so here are a few messages you should get across right from the start.

1. “I’m professional.”

Potential hires who take the application process seriously will be treated similarly by prospective employers. This means, for example, proofreading your application materials for grammatical or spelling errors. It never hurts to have someone else review your cover letter and résumé as well, in case you overlook something. Also, be careful with the type of language you use. Remember that your application materials are business documents, so avoid slang or casual speech, such as the kind you might use when text messaging with your friends.

2. “I’m a go-getter.”

Because hiring managers are being inundated with résumés, your application materials may get only a cursory glance. That’s why you need to take some initiative. For instance, when you initially contact the employer, instead of ending your cover letter or e-mail with a standard statement like, “I look forward to hearing from you,” be proactive. Try: “I will contact you next Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss the opportunity and my fit for the position in greater detail.”

Also, unless you’re specifically asked not to, follow up with an employer if you haven’t heard back after sending in your résumé. In fact, 82 percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said job seekers should contact hiring managers within two weeks of submitting application materials. By doing so, you can reassert your interest in the position and remain at the top of the hiring manager’s mind.

3. “I’m an expert.”

Employers want to hire people who can hit the ground running. That’s why you need to demonstrate your expertise from the beginning. Three great methods for doing so are enhancing your online reputation, joining a professional association and earning a certification.

Options for increasing your exposure include starting a professional blog or Web site, submitting articles to an industry publication or even simply contributing to message boards. For instance, blogging about the industry that you want to work in and including the blog’s link on your résumé give prospective employers an easy way to see that you are well-informed.

By joining industry groups and trade associations, you can remain up-to-date with recent trends through interaction with others in the field. Use your résumé to highlight your membership in a professional group and show hiring managers your interest in furthering your industry knowledge.

Finally, consider earning a relevant industry certification. Many employers value candidates who have these credentials because they demonstrate a desire for continual professional development.

4. “I can save your company money.”

In today’s economy, companies are looking for ways to reduce costs. If you’ve implemented successful cost-cutting measures for previous employers, describe how you did so in your résumé or cover letter. For example, when applying for a role as an administrative assistant, you might note that in your last position, you helped renegotiate your company’s contract with an office supplies vendor, reducing spending in this area by 10 percent. Hiring managers will take notice of these types of accomplishments.

5. “I can fill your need.”

To show that you are an exact fit for an open role, make sure your application materials are targeted to each position and company. Use phrases from the job description within your résumé and cover letter, so long as they accurately describe your experience. Many employers use software programs that scan application materials for relevant keywords, so even if you are qualified but don’t use the employer’s terminology, your résumé may never be seen.

Sending the right messages to a prospective employer may not guarantee that you are offered the job, but it will increase your chances of being called for an interview. Then, you can make your case in person.

Source: Robert Half International

This is a good list for job seekers who need to get their stories straight.

The author has referenced the increasingly popular storytelling movement where people stand up before a live audience and tell stories. I have adjusted a few items to make it relevant to the job seeker.

You are aware that being a good storyteller is a useful skill when you are looking for work (like when you are in an interview setting). We need to tell stories all the time — to position ourselves in the job market, to pitch a new business idea to investors, to explain why a failure was actually a success, and so on.

5 tips

1. Keep it simple. The brain gets overwhelmed when trying to process too much information.

2. Openings and closings are very important. Be sure to begin and end the interview with your strongest material since this is often what stays with the listener. That is the same reason skilled public speakers often memorize the beginning and ending of a speech but allow themselves to improvise more in the middle.

3. Be mindful of your story’s “spine”. If your story has six parts, all six parts must be essential. Beware of tangents: if something goes too far astray, you will probably lose the recruiter / hiring manager’s attention.

4. Make sure not to alienate your target (the recruiter / hiring manager). When speaking about delicate subjects (like why you have been out of work for 6 months, or longer) or things that have the potential to offend (like taking it out on your last company), carefully plan your approach.

5. Tell the truth. If you are not telling the truth, the recruiter / hiring manager will know it.

Even stand-up comics — who are permitted exaggeration — perform best when their material stems from the truth. Failure to make comfortable eye contact (usually by looking away or looking too long) or providing too much information are two common tip-offs that someone is not telling the truth.

Remember, good stories can be told in simple language.

Source: Marci Alboher, writer for The New York Times Company

Many job seekers spend their ‘job search’ time in front of a computer because of the obvious vast resources available. How else could you possibly find so many opportunities in one place? There’s no question, all of those resources are great! … but they only pay off if you take the information you find, step away from the computer, and contact real people… on the phone and face-to-face!

Using the phone is the most efficient way to keep the momentum going in your job search. Much of your communication with prospective employers will be conducted over the telephone.

Tips for getting the most out of your time on the telephone – talking to recruiters and hiring managers.

• People hire real people – not an email, online connection, or resume!
• Think things out before you call so you can speak clearly and enthusiastically.
• Weave a conversation with the person on the phone and leave room for his or her comments.
• Don’t talk for more than sixty seconds without involving the listener.
• Ask questions early to get a positive response and to maintain the flow of the conversation.
• Establish rapport and mutual interest.
• Start with low-priority companies before calling your most desired prospective employer so you can iron out any kinks in your delivery.

Daily Phone Assignment When Conducting a Job Search

• Make a list of ten to twenty people to call, beginning at 8am. Sales representatives find it most effective to make phone calls in batches of ten at a time.
• Write out a brief outline of your “opening lines.“
• Keep five to ten accomplishment statements in front of you to strengthen your position statement (elevator speech).
• Keep your calendar nearby along with pens, pencils, and paper.
• Get something out of each call. If you’re unable to get an appointment, request the name of someone else to talk with.
• Offer a choice of two appointment dates (e.g., “Would Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning work best for you?”).
• Don’t stop calling until you’ve set up at least two appointments.

The Recruiter Perspective – the phone will make the difference between being an applicant and a prospect

When you send an introduction through LinkedIn, become a ‘friend’ on Facebook, send an email, or apply for a position online, you are no more to the recipient than one of the hundreds of other faceless, voiceless pieces of data they receive from the 90% of others doing the same thing. Recruiters will become interested in the candidate who calls, presents themselves professionally, and asks for a meeting.

The only way for recruiters to sort through all those applicants is to scan their information quickly, usually no more than 15 to 30 seconds per resume. If a resume matches the opening, it tells them nothing about the personality, culture fit, or professionalism of that candidate.

The only way that can be determined is over the phone or in-person.

The only way you can be considered for more than 15 or 30 seconds before a decision is made about you, is to talk to someone!

Overall Recommendations:

• When you find an appropriate opportunity, find a contact. Use LinkedIn, Google to search people at the company and find someone with an appropriate title to call.
• Don’t contact them through LinkedIn, but call the company and ask to speak to the person directly.
• Before your call, get prepared. Know the objective for your call and write a script.
• Have a script prepared in case you get their voicemail. Make it brief, professional, and let them know you will try to catch them again later.
• Search for and target companies that are of interest to you, not just job postings. Again, find a contact, call, and build a relationship. Be professional!
• Ask for an informational interview, or who else they would recommend you contact, or for their advice on how to best be considered for a position.
• Use the information they give you to call and meet others face-to-face as well.
• When you connect with someone on Facebook, or Twitter that appears to be a potentially valuable contact for your job search, be sure to call them directly as well.
• When asking for information, wherever possible, use open ended questions rather than questions which are likely to be answered with “yes” or “no.”  Your goal in asking open-ended questions is to start a conversation in which you gain information which will help in your job search.
• But don’t ask questions that you could easily find answered on the employer’s web site.
• The tone of your voice carries a lot of weight in a telephone conversation.
• You don’t have facial expressions, body language, and other non-verbal elements coming through in a phone conversation.  Smiling while you speak on the phone can make you sound more pleasant.
• Practice how you speak on the phone.

Useful Telephone Techniques

Practice, practice, practice with dry runs

Get organized. Write down any information you will need while speaking on the phone, including:
o Company information
o Names and titles
o A list of company needs
o A list of your qualifications
o Copies of past correspondence with the company

Recognize the importance of the gatekeeper (the person who stands between you and the person to whom you wish to speak)
o Listen for and write down his or her name
o Use the gatekeeper’s name in your conversation
o Enlist his or her support (”What would be the best time for me to call Mr./Ms.______?”)
o Thank the gatekeeper for his or her help

Have a reference sheet on:
o Past employment (resume)
o Strengths/accomplishments
o Length of employment in jobs
o Primary responsibilities in past positions

Write a script for each situation

Believe that you can be of value to the listener and the organization

Smile while you’re talking – it will help you sound more comfortable and confident

Practice Phone Scripts

Phone Script for an Informational Interview request

You are setting up a networking interview with a manager who was given to you as a referral. Remember:

* State who referred you
* Organize your thoughts and stay calm
* You are NOT asking for a job
* Your intent is to gather information
* People are generally open to talking about themselves and sharing their opinions
* State how a personal meeting will benefit you both
* You are seeking the advice of an expert
* Get the names of additional contacts
* Confirm time and exact address of any appointment

Practice Script for a follow-up to resume submision

You sent a resume to this company more than seven days ago. You want to know the status of your application and set up an interview. Remember:

* Be upbeat and positive
* Be clear and concise with your request
* Inquire about the process for filling the position
* Do not talk too much – listen for cues and clues
* Be courteous

___________________________________________________

BONUS – a down loadable PDF document:

Mary Elizabeth Bradford Internationally Certified Advanced Resume Writer and Tactical Job Search Coach has written a short ebook called Phone Networking Secrets Reveal after 12 years of experience “phone networking”, beginning as an executive recruiter and ending as a coach and consultant to executive job seekers faced with their own phone networking dilemmas.

• You can apply these techniques to your job search so that your phone networking experiences become easier fro you.
• This “book” contains tips for the steps to take after submitting a resume; the often dreaded “follow up phone call”

Phone Networking Secrets Revealed (click for PDF Document, same window)

To learn more about Mary Elizabeth, check out this 30 minute interview from Peter Clayton, of Total Picture Radio.

http://www.totalpicture.com/shows/success-strategies/mary-elizabeth-bradford-the-career-artisan.html

It’s time to unleash the single most powerful and proven tool in your job-search tool kit—networking. Survey results vary, but it appears that about 40 to 50 percent of the time, networking plays a major role in helping people land new jobs. That would make networking the single most-effective way to find out about job openings and to succeed at getting a new job.

So What Is Networking?

Networking is simply involving others in your job search and becoming involved in the job-search efforts of others. It can take place one-on-one, in small groups, large groups, formal groups, informal groups, and even online.

If you establish a communication network with 20 people, you dramatically increase the likelihood that you will learn about employment opportunities and contacts you may never have found on your own.

Where Do I Start?

Online social networking platforms are a growing vehicle that people are using for networking. One of the leading online professional networks is LinkedIn, and there are several others (e.g. Plaxo, hi5). On these platforms, you identify your contacts and invite them via e-mail to connect with you. Then you become connected to them and can view their connections and contacts. If there is someone on the profile of one of your contacts whom you would like to meet, you can ask to be introduced to that person. This “gated-access approach” ensures that the expanding network of contacts is comprised of “trusted” individuals.

You can also join special interest groups at LinkedIn to rapidly expand your number of connections. You can search by individual’s names, employers, names of hiring managers, and professional affiliations. These groups can become a meeting place where you can ask questions. Developing your personal network on LinkedIn may take time, but it will probably require less time than trying to build a network in person or by phone.

You can also follow people in your field on Twitter, a social networking site. Once you set up an account on Twitter, you can respond to or comment on “tweets,” or short posts by others. Some people use Twitter to post links to personal or industry blogs or news items. You can search Twitter for people you know or by subjects you want to research. For example, a search on “résumé help” brought up more than 15 tweets of people discussing résumés or asking for advice. You can then decide to follow people on Twitter, and that way, you will regularly see their updates.

You can also type in hash tags (for example, “#resume”) and search for tweets by topic. Some professional organizations are posting updates from conferences and workshops using hash tags.

In addition to your online efforts, you should still explore the traditional networking vehicles:

1. Family and Neighborhood Gatherings – Have your “elevator speech” prepared, and try it out. In case anyone offers help, be ready to elaborate on your job-search plans and on your targeted employers.

2. Social and Religious Organizations – These groups sometimes sponsor job-search networking meetings. If not, just start talking to people to people before or after meetings and services. If you meet someone who is willing to help, try to get a business card or ask for an e-mail and a phone number.

3. Professional, Trade, or Business Groups – Join professional and trade associations. Attend their conferences and offer to work on committees. You’ll be quite surprised to find that many who attend are looking for jobs. Some of these organizations sponsor job-networking sessions.

4. School or Work “Alumni” Groups – Many colleges and major employers establish alumni networks to help their members search for jobs, make contacts, or develop business. For a list of such corporate alumni groups, visit www.corporatealumni.com. You can also find some of these groups online, via Facebook or LinkedIn.

The biggest obstacle to successful networking may be overcoming your nervousness over asking for help and admitting you’re out of a job.

One idea to get started is to open conversations with previous coworkers or acquaintances by saying, “I’m new to networking. What’s your experience, and do you have any suggestions for me about how to get started?”

Don’t discount the impact of networking. And don’t make these excuses:

1. “I’ll be competing directly with the people I share information with.” Not so. It will be rare that you are searching for the same job, in the same industry or employer, as someone in your support network.

2. “I can’t imagine begging people for help. It’s too humiliating.” Get over it. Networking is common practice, and you’re not begging for help. You’re asking for, and offering help, to many people in your network. Being unemployed no longer has the stigma it did 20 years ago.

Losing a job these days doesn’t mean you failed and are unemployable. You’ve simply lost your job and you’re looking for a better one.  Unlike the generation before yours, you will likely work for several employers over the course of your career. It is rare to spend your entire career with one company.

3.  “I don’t know how to network.” Learning to network starts with developing your “elevator speech.” In one minute, you should to be able to summarize what type of job you want, what you do best, and how the person you are talking to can help. Rehearse this with your family and friends. Be direct, polite, and confident. Most people will be flattered to be asked for help. Now, get out there and meet people.

So maybe networking is something new for you.

But get excited about learning a new job-search skill, or to put it more bluntly, adapt or give up!

Take control of your job search.

Be proud of your efforts. You will find a new job, because you know you have to.

So stop creating obstacles for yourself and give it a try.

Source: Bob Skladany, chief career counselor for RetirementJobs.com

More on Networking >>

Social networking websites should be treated as an on-line tool to support traditional networking methods. Its focus is to expand the number of your business and/or social contacts in your network by making connections through individuals you already know. It is a powerful concept when applied to careers and job search because it has the potential to connect you rather quickly to people in your target markets.

Recruiters and employers also search social networking sites to find candidates, and most sites host job listings.

When using a social networking site for job search, you look for other members who are insiders at your target companies. Then you look to see which people you already know can introduce you to those new people, just as you would in traditional networking. You can also tap into your connections at past companies, schools or associations and talk to those people about your targeted organizations.

One of the best uses of social networks is to build up a list of contacts — and potentially connect with someone in a target company. Unlike regular employment sites, which mainly list want ads and applicants’ resumes, social networks are designed for professionals to meet peers and make career contacts.

Social network connections can give you access to:

• contacts by a particular company, industry or interest
• jobs that don’t show up anywhere else
• people that you have not met, including hiring managers and recruiters

Getting Started

In general, here’s how it works: you join one of the social networking sites (such as LinkedIn.com) and invite people you know to join as well.

Those people invite their contacts to join, who in turn invite their contacts to join, and the process repeats for each person. In theory, any individual can make contact through anyone they have a connection to any of the people that person has a connection to, and so on.

In the process of joining a social networking site, you create a profile. Your profile is:

• Your online resume
• An advertisement
• A web page

This profile is your personal presentation to the community of people in your industry and profession.

Most social networking sites have features that allow you to post recommendations from your network. This can work to your advantage if your profile includes recommendations from well-placed connections who say favorable things about your abilities that are relevant to the work you are now looking for. Make sure that your online profile reflects who you are and what you want.

Searching for Contacts

Once you join the network, there are two basic ways to search for contacts:

• Get a referral from a third party to a person you want to meet. You look around for people you know on the network and send out invitations to “connect” to them. The friend who gets the invitation clicks on a link that confirms that he or she knows the you. As soon as that happens, you can easily request contact with all of the friend’s friends.
• Search for people based on a host of factors, such as name, industry location, employers or schools attended. When you spot a likely profile, look to see who can introduce you to the new person you found.

How do employers and recruiters use social networks?

Employers and recruiters use popular social networking sites to:

• hunt for talent
• do informal reference checking by viewing information about you posted by you or others
• look for mutual connections before personally interviewing a candidate

There are numerous other social networking sites on the Internet;  the sites that work and are career-related are easier to use in job search than the purely social sites, but both can be very useful.

First off, a definition of the informational interview:   It is a meeting in which a job seeker asks for advice rather than employment. The job seeker uses the interview to gather information on the field, find employment leads and expand their professional network. This differs from a job  interview because the job seeker asks the questions. There may or may not be employment opportunities available.   The term was coined by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the best-selling career handbook, What Color Is Your Parachute?

Informational interviews are initiated by the job seeker and there are many avenues the job seeker may pursue to obtain the informational interview. Career and social networking, newspaper want ads, job boards, placement services, company websites, human resource contacts, job search engines, and professional recruiters.

Essentially, the objective of the Information Interview is to:

• Learn more about a company or job function
• Inquire about job leads
• Network

While the job seeker initiates the interview, he/she must follow the basic guidelines for interview etiquette. He/she must arrive promptly, dress appropriately, prepare informational questions, and make a good first impression.

For job seekers, informational interviews can secure meetings with managers, shape positive first impressions, and
develop relationships that may pay off in the future.

Managers are open to informational interviews because:

1. They do not require a big time investment. Informational interviews can be done during lunch or during an afternoon coffee break.

2. They can give managers an opportunity to identify new talent, either for now or in the future, without a formal recruiting process.

3. Informational interviews allow managers to give advice. Who doesn’t like to have their ego stroked?

Now for the 7 Secrets:

1.  How to ask for an informational interview. After you’ve identified who you want to meet, ask friends, family, ex-coworkers, & fellow alums if they have contacts at a certain company or a particular line of work. Utilize social
networking tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, to find contacts. In the introduction e-mail, keep it short and simple. Provide some background information on yourself and explain why you want to meet.

2.  Clearly define what you want to get out of the meeting.   If you don’t know what you want, the person on the other side of the table will have a hard time helping you. I’d recommend going for easy wins such as learning more about a company or a job function. So prepare questions such as: “What do you like working for company X?” or “When you think about successful folks in position Y, what made them successful?”

3.  Getting a job should not be your immediate goal. Job seekers often ask for a job at the beginning. Resist that temptation. If the manager does have a job, asking for it at the beginning is premature, especially if you haven’t proven yourself. If he or she does not have a job, you and the manager have to overcome the early letdown. Instead, focus on asking good questions and creating a good impression. Then, at the end, do ask if the manager is hiring, but don’t push it.

4.  Go with the flow. Some managers use the informational interview as an informal job interview. If the manager wants to deviate from your prepared list of questions and ask you more formal job questions, let him or her do so. Who knows? You might get a job offer at the end of the interview.

5.  Prepare, prepare, prepare. Informational interview can range from an informal career chat to a structured interview. Prepare for any scenario. Have those general career questions ready, and at the same time, don’t be surprised if the interviewer asks tough questions like “What’s your biggest weakness?” Remember the saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

6.  Dress for success. It’s always worth reminding: dress professionally.

7.  Don’t forget to follow-up and send the thank you letter.   Don’t forget to send a thank-you e-mail or letter after the informational interview. In addition, send updates every couple of weeks. The manager invested time into your career; he or she will be interested in your progress. And who knows, that manager may not have had openings a while ago, but he or she may be hiring now.

Source: Lewis Lin, interview coach at Seattle Interview Coach