San Francisco Views

I hear, I forget – I write, I remember -I do, I understand

Posts Tagged ‘Linkedin’

Using Facebook as a Job Search Tool

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

This post is about using Facebook professionally. Facebook has more than 300 million active users … a good enough reason to use it as a job search and networking tool!

I admit that I had been reluctant to use Facebook for job searching for a year now. Just recently I decided to join Facebook and see if it has features which might be useful to me.

One of the reason Facebook is so important as a job search tool is because most businesses (who are net savy and know the power of web) are already there. And many recruiters are constantly checking social networking sites to reach out to potential candidates, and Facebook is a platform they always check for your presence or lack thereof.

Here are my findings:

I set up my Facebook Profile to be only about my work and my career goals. I am using my professional photo and my updates are relating to the SaaS field (which is my job search focus) and for certain job searching ideas I am finding. And yes, my Job Searching blog (the site you are on now) is listed on my Facebook Profile. My family and friend are finding me on Facebook so I am accepting these friends as well as my networking contacts whom I have met and know.

Key Facebook Tips for the Job Seeker

  • Review your Profile and decide what you want business contacts or prospective employers to see.
  • Create a simple profile with minimal graphics and widgets.
  • Choose your Friends wisely. (note: your Friends can see information about your other Friends in your Profile)
  • Post content relevant to your job search or career.
  • Use Facebook email to build relationships with your Friends.
  • Limit the photos you post.

Facebook Search

When you search for a key word or phrase on Facebook, you can narrow it down to people, pages, groups, link, etc. This provides a wide range of options as to who to network with and reach out to. For instance, if you are looking for jobs related to “SaaS” you can simply search for that term and connect with people in that particular field. You can search for people who are application developers and system implementators; or merely search for links that have the word “SaaS” in them. This allows you to connect with like minded people and build a relationship with them which can help you find a job later. Also if you are searching for links, you might find a job where someone is looking for an SaaS implementator.

Additionally, you can also find links to blog posts or job openings for “SaaS.” To find links that contain the word “SaaS” simply click on “posts by friends” or “posts by everyone” on the left. Once you click either one based on your preference, you can now search for links, wall updates or Facebook notes that have the word “SaaS” in them.

Facebook Pages and Groups

Two very important features of Facebook are “Facebook Pages” and “Facebook Groups.” These features allow you to join a group of people with similar interests, or simply provide an opportunity for you to learn more about a company or connect with recruiters via Facebook. Key tip: let others know that you are available. Your active participation and engagement in these groups will help recruiters determine whether you are a good fit when there is a job opening.

One thing to keep in mind when joining groups and pages is that you want to narrow down as much as possible based on your field of expertise. Make sure to be an active user in these groups because when a job opportunity becomes available, recruiters looking for professionals will definitely look into specific groups and pages to see who they can contact based on their participation and skills.

Also Facebook has many groups and pages for career minded individuals as well as recruiters. Use the word “recruiter” when searching and you should be able to find many groups and pages. Choose the ones that seem active and start participating.

Facebook Applications

Facebook now has over 10,000 Applications in the directory! – some of which are great for job hunters on Facebook. I am listing 5 here the ones I view as most useful for you:

Easy CV – Easy CV is an add-on to the famous on-line resume service. It allows you to add a short summary of your resume on your Facebook Profile and a dedicated page for the complete CV. Recruiters can download your resume directly from your Facebook profile. If you are following and reaching out to the right people, applications like these can be a huge boost for your job search. Your resume can be placed in these formats: PDF, MS Word or video.

Indeed – Job Search – Find jobs where your friends work. Search millions of jobs from thousands of job sites and company career pages. Receive job proposals and resumes from your profile page.testimonials

My LinkedIn Profile – Promote your LinkedIn account with a badge on your Facebook profile.

Business Cards – Business Cards will help you network better on Facebook. Personalize your card and attach it to your Facebook messages! View postings and network with others!

Professional Profile – Create a professional profile on Facebook. With one-click,professionalupload your resume in or import your LinkedIn profile and recommendations. Get recommendations from friends. See resumes in your network.

Facebook Marketplace

This is a feature that you can check to see if it is useful to you. You can find the link to Facebook Marketplace at the bottom left of the main page. After you click on the marketplace icon you will be directed to a page which shows listings such as for sale items, housing, jobs, etc. To find more jobs simply click on jobs and you will be able to see all the jobs listed in the marketplace.

Facebook Ads

This is a cost item within Facebook. You may find this to be beneficial to your job search. Reason: you can target your ads and pin point who sees them. Although these ads may not land you a job, the fact that for $10 or $15 dollars you can be seen more than 20,000 times, it’s certainly an option to consider.

Conclusion

If you are going to use Facebook as a job search tool, be sure your Facebook Profile is professional (limit the pictures you post and the updates you make) for viewing by recruiters and hiring managers. Basic rule: always watch the content you post. You never know who will see your information in the future.

An option to consider: if you are uncomfortable setting up a personal page then create a second Facebook account for a more professional use and keep the two separate.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Social Media | Comments Off

5 Minute Video on Linkedin Job Seeker Features

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Increase your chances of getting hired with a Job Seeker Premium Account

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUzUsCREgrU

You Tube Video - Linkedin Job Seeker Service

You Tube Video - Linkedin Job Seeker Service

Summary of the Service

  • Stand out from the crowd
  • Move to the top of the list as a Featured Applicant when you apply to jobs on LinkedIn.
  • Be prepared for interviews
  • View expanded profiles and manage your contacts with Profile Organiz
  • Reach out to hiring decision makers
  • Send personalized InMail messages directly to hiring managers.

Details of the Service:

  • New Move to the top of the list as a Featured Applicant
  • Contact hiring managers directly with InMail messages
  • InMails
  • Save profiles & organize your job search with Profile Organizer
  • Prepare for interviews – see full profiles of hiring decision makers
  • Get introduced to inside sources at companies
  • New Join Lindsey Pollak’s webinar: “Job Seeking on LinkedIn”
  • Find opportunities faster with Premium Search
  • See who’s interested in your profile
  • Let users reach you for free with OpenLink
  • Get priority customer service

Cost of the Service:

  • Basic Account: $19.95 per month
  • Job Seeker Account:  $29.95 per month
  • Job Seeker Plus Account: $49.95 per month

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Branding, Jobsearch, Social Media | Comments Off

Linkedin Groups – for Job Seekers

Monday, November 9th, 2009

LinkedIn Groups

Don’t forget an important feature of Linkedin Groups!

With the increased competitiveness in the job market, job seekers need to take advantage of every opportunity to follow a job lead and make a good first impression. One of the easiest ways to engage recruiters and hiring managers is through the group function of LinkedIn.

3 Suggested Groups for Job Seekers, not to be missed:

Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections!
Get hired. Apply for jobs. Post your Profile. Job, career and employment leads and advice. Network and connect with gatekeepers and decision makers. HR human resources headhunters recruiters recruitment staffing hiring education consultant management coaching alumni headhunter corporate recruiter.   JOIN

Helping Friends Career Network (LI2HF)
Welcome to the LinkedIn2 HFCN group — a business and career network of networkers for entrepreneurs, hiring managers, recruiters, and talented professionals worldwide to make meaningful win win win connections!   JOIN

Personal Branding Network
The Personal Branding Network is a consortium for all of those who are looking to build powerful personal brands, from around the world. We come together to provide each other with expert guidance so that we are better prepared for the future, while being able to delivering our brand promise today.   JOIN

Groups are a great way to develop your online brand presence in addition to the traditional uses and features of LinkedIn.  Use this excellent feature to keep your name and professional profile fresh in the minds of recruiters and hiring managers.

You can join up to 50 Groups on Linkedin – Take advantage of this privilege

Leave comments frequently within your Groups. This is highly recommended:

Leave interesting comments, tidbits, and other information on a regular and frequent basis that are professional and related to the group you are member of.

Also, note that messages between group members do not require an “introduction”.   When you are a member of a groups … you can contact anyone in the group – no cumbersome “introduction” process is required.   Make sure to reference the group you are both a member of when contacting them directly.

Group Management

LinkedIn Groups is your destination to find and join communities of professionals based on common interest, experience, affiliation, and goals. Stay in touch with organizations, schools, and companies that you are and were a part of, network with professionals with similar interests and goals, and collaborate in a professional community online.

LinkedIn Groups allows group organizations to extend their brand’s reach and strengthen the brand with existing users by providing additional value through LinkedIn’s features.

Groups Directory

Linkedin’s Groups Directory allows you to easily find the right group. Click on the “Category” dropdown to sort by different group types (Alumni, Corporate, Non-Profit, Corporate, etc). Once you have found a group you are interested in joining, click on the “Join Group” link to request to join the group. Clicking the  Share button lets you invite your connections to join the group as well.

Clicking the “Join Group” button starts the process of application to that particular group. If you should be denied access to a group you can see who the administrator or managers of a group are and approach them directly about gaining access although this needs to be approached with care.

Underneath the group summary you can also see who is involved in this particular group and is also a member of your network, either as primary contacts (”1st” symbol beside their name) or secondary contacts (”2nd” symbol beside their names – this means that they are  not directly in your network but are linked to someone in your network putting them 2 “links” away).

Once you have chosen what groups to be involved in, have a review of the discussions currently listed and get involved.

Your membership may be subject to review by a group manager. For instance, college and corporate groups may require a valid e-mail associated with the account. If you have any questions about joining a group, you can send a message to the group owner listed on the group information page.

A search able database of groups already in existence within Linkedin. This is the place to start upon entering Linkedin for the first time to establish the selection of groups that interest you and apply for permission to join.

Begin by searching for groups with titles associated with your industry (for example) and take your time.  There is no need to rush into joining groups straight away (although you can leave a group any time you wish). Browse and search different words to see what groups are available.  Alternatively you can use Linkedin Answers and ask what groups other established users would recommend for you in your field, saving you a lot of searching.

Groups are managed by the creators who choose to authorize access to their particular group so upon requesting permission to be accepted you will have to wait until moderation has been completed and you will receive an email informing you if permission has been accepted or denied.

When you select a group you are presented with a brief description of the groups theme and on the right side some basic information regarding the date of creation, group type and current number of members associated with the group.

My Groups

Once you have joined a group, it will appear on your left side navigation bar under “Groups”. Click on the Groups link to view all of your groups. This page gives you a quick overview of all of your groups, and allows you to access the homepages for each of your groups.

Your Group homepage gives you an overview of the activity in your group and allows you to take part in a private discussion. You can also click on the “Group Profile” link to view information about the group such as the owner, managers, website, and other information.

Discussions

LinkedIn Groups are now the best place to communicate with your group or organization online. Click on the “Discussions” tab on your Group to get started and view recent discussions.

This is a great way to keep in touch with organizations you are a part of, such as corporate and college alumni groups, non-profit organizations, trade groups, conferences, and industry-specific groups. You can discuss issues that are of interest to the entire group in this vibrant and professional atmosphere.

On the Discussions tab, you can also use the navigation links on the right side to sort discussions by most recent, popular topics, and those that you’ve participated in.

Members

Your group’s Members page allows you to view all the members in your group. To get started, click on the “Members” tab in your group and enter in your search terms in the “Search Group” box. You can search by name, company, and other keywords such as specific areas of expertise. This is a great way to find experts and utilize talent from within your network.

Settings

The “Settings” tab allows you change your contact and privacy settings for each Group. You can elect to display the group logo on your profile, change your privacy settings for network updates, and also decide how you want group members to be able to communicate with you.

Another important feature is the “Digest Email” option which allows you to receive updates by e-mail from your group. You can receive a summary of the recent discussions and other important messages from the group.

If you would like to change the order that your groups are displayed in, click on the “User Groups” link on the left-side navigation and scroll down to the “Change display order link”. This page allows you to change what groups are displayed on your navigation and groups homepage.

__________________________________________________________

Top 20 LinkedIn Groups recommended for Job Seekers:

  1. JobAngels – Non-profit job search network of professionals helping other professionals find job advice and opportunities.
  2. Executive Suite – Community of over 100,000 US-based executive-level and recruiter members.
  3. Star:Candidate for Hire – Group working in tandem with Linked:HR, the largest Recruiters’ Group on LinkedIn, to help top candidates find jobs quickly and efficiently.
  4. Career Rocketeer – Career Launch Network – Fastest-growing professional network for career search, career development and personal branding, bringing job seekers and employers, recruiters and career experts together for mutual success.
  5. The Talent Buzz – Group for job seekers, recruiters and HR professionals interested in expanding their professional networks.
  6. Helping Friends Career Network (LI2HF) – Business and career network where entrepreneurs, hiring managers, recruiters, and talented professionals worldwide can make meaningful win-win connections.
  7. JobsDirectUSA – Official job search group on LinkedIn for JobsDirectUSA.com.
  8. Career Change Central – Group linking job changers and professionals in career transition with recruiters, hiring managers and career coaches.
  9. CareerLink Network – Community providing job seekers spiritual, physical, social, mental, economic and personal growth to meet their ever-evolving needs
  10. Jobs Alert – Job search group for middle and senior-level managers worldwide.
  11. A Job Needed – A Job Posted – Group is for all LinkedIn members searching for employment, posting employment or recruiters helping members find employment.
  12. Looking for a Job? – Group designed to allow job seekers to share ideas, network, post jobs, advise on job market trends and ultimately help them find work.
  13. MyCredentials – Career Presentation – Group helping members to network, expand their resumes and enhance their interview skills.
  14. JibberJobber – Career Management – Network for executives, professionals, students and all those involved in the career services industry, including counselors, coaches and resume writers.
  15. ResumeMaker Career Network – Forum connecting qualified job seekers with hiring managers and corporate recruiters as well as allowing candidates to discuss and share career opportunities.
  16. Personal Branding Network – Consortium for all professionals looking to build powerful personal brands.
  17. Indeed.com – Official job search group on LinkedIn for Indeed.com.
  18. Project: Get Hired! – Motivational support group exclusively for job hunters to share creative strategies and stay motivated.
  19. Job Search Help – Discussion group for job seekers sharing advice and leads and networking to help one another.
  20. IMPACT Hiring Solutions Job Search Network – Discussion and networking forum for executives seeking job opportunities.

Continue Reading…

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Social Media | Comments Off

Your Online “IMAGE”

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Have you thought about your online image?

The Internet is a highly public medium, and personal information in cyberspace could unfortunately work against you. Business Week reported that 35 percent of surveyed employers have eliminated candidates based on online information.

Social-networking sites are everywhere – sites like Zoominfo, Linkedin, Flicker, Twitter, Facebook etc. (see Wikipedia – it lists more than 100 social-networking sites!).  Did you know that recruiters are using these sites to find candidates? And you, the job seeker, are using some of the sites to get “found.”

The search engine leader – Google

Recruiters will use Google to find out all they can about a candidate.  And in the professional arena, having a LinkedIn profile is becoming as expected as being searched on Google.  Linkedin is used not only to seek connections, but to find information.  Your LinkedIn profile is must be and look great – even if you are working and successful. Be discriminating and emulate a profile that clearly that is a “head above the rest.”

Keep in mind, though, that employers and recruiters aren’t just looking for your “Googlability” – how many times your name pops up in a search. They’re also interested in how positive your online image is. Thus, be very careful about how you project your story online.

Twitter for Short Messages

Another key trend is the use of Twitter as a “micro-blogging” phenomena where users are communicating in no more than 140 characters (there is usually a spillover of text, and normally a link to a website using a shortened URL).

This post was written August, 2009 when relatively few recruiters actually source from social networks. But, according to Kevin Wheeler of the Electronic Recruiting Exchange, “Recruiting is moving rapidly from a find ‘em and screen ‘em, to a court ‘em, stay in touch with them, and sell them profession. These networks (Linkedin, Flicker, Twitter, Facebook ) will power that charge.”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Branding, Social Media | Comments Off

Boost Your Job Search – with LinkedIn

Monday, July 20th, 2009

You are using Linkedin aren’t you?

When you’re job searching, be sure to use Linkedin to its’ full potential as a social networking site that will enhance your job search and boost your prospects of landing a new job. The best way to do this is to ensure you know what Linkedin is capable of – in order to maximize your employment potential.

Here are ten tips on optimizing your job hunting experience on Linkedin:

1. Edit your Profile. The first step is to make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete.  The more detailed your LinkedIn profile, the more chances you will have to be found and to be contacted. This is important because your profile is what you use to connect with people how you get found on LinkedIn.  Complete your LinkedIn profile as carefully as you write your resume and provide prospective employers with detailed information on your skills and experience.  If you’re currently unemployed, list your current position as “Open to opportunities”. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, sign-up.

2. Include a Photo. You can add a photo (a head shot is recommended) to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the photo can be no larger than 80×80 pixels.  Do make sure your photo represents the professional you, not the personal you, because LinkedIn is all about professional networking.

3. Professional Summary.   The Professional Summary section of your profile is a good way to highlight your experience. Select an Industry, because recruiters often use that field to search. Don’t forget the Headline, because that’s right at the top of the page when someone views your profile. It’s your first chance to make a good impression.

4. Include Keywords and Skills. Include the keywords and skills from your resume in your profile. This will make it easier for your profile to be found in search results.

5. Contact Settings. Your contact settings let your connections (and hiring managers and recruiters) know your availability. Options include: career opportunities, consulting offers, new ventures, job inquiries, and reference requests. Even if you’re not actively seeking a new job, it’s important to be flexible, because you never know when an
opportunity to good to pass up might come along.

6. Profile Website Links. The Links section of your profile is a good way to provide even more information to potential employers and to your contacts.  If you have blog or a personal web site that is business related, include those links in the Links section of your profile.

7. LinkedIn Applications. LinkedIn Applications are a terrific way to share even more information in your profile. The blog applications enable users to feed their blog directly to their profile, so other LinkedIn users can see the most current posts automatically.

8. Your Public Profile. Don’t forget to make your profile public – that’s how the world can find it.  Also, customizing your URL will give you a link that’s easy to share.

9. Grow Your Network. Connect with other members and build your network. You can find connections you’ve worked with, done business with, went to school with, or are otherwise affiliated with. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you have, but don’t randomly connect with people you don’t know. The point is to connect
with people you do know, so they can help you and vice versa.

10. Get Recommendations. To a potential employer, a LinkedIn recommendation is an opportunity to read a reference in advance. Having strong references can only help you when it comes to getting selected for an interview or for a job.  The best way to get recommendations is to give them, so take some time to write recommendations for
your contacts and they will most likely reciprocate.

Source: Alison Doyle, job search expert

Tags: , ,
Posted in Branding, Jobsearch | Comments Off

Tips, Tools, and Resources

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Social Media tips, tools and resources

It is clear by now that finding a new job is tough in this environment.  I want to provide you with a posting which has a collection of tips, weblinks and ideas…

Check this Social Media Website-  the Interactive Insights Group has some great content.  Their chief Internet and social media strategist, Robin Broitman, has compiled a wide range of resources, advice and tools to help you build and manage your social media brand identity more effectively.

Check out this site for all you wanted to know (and more about how to build your brand on your personal website.  How-To: Build & Manage Your Brand Identity with Social Media

Robin has been using LinkedIn for years and has found it to be one of the most useful professional networking sites online.   It can help you build your professional network, establish your brand/image, and market your services.  She has found LinkedIn’s group feature to be a helpful tool for driving traffic to her blog.  Check LinkedIn SuperGuide -Tutorials, Tips and Tools

The Interactive Insights Group has a You Tube channel: Videos on Social Media and Web2.0 hand-selected by IIG/Interactive Insights Group, Inc.

The Interactive Insights Group has a Delicious link

Videos

Cheezhead is dedicated to issues pertaining to search engine optimization, Internet recruiting, human resources, employment branding, technology and marketing.

Cheezhead founder Joel Cheesman is one of the most widely-read bloggers on emerging recruitment issues in the world.  Joel’s blog is a daily chronicle of how the Internet and technology are shaping human resources and how organizations can attract the talent needed to thrive in tomorrow’s economy.

Here are a sampling of Cheezhead’s Bi-Monthly HR / Recruiting -  specific news and noteworthy items (such as Glassdoor and Mjob) -  all of which may assist you in your job searching:

YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image YouTube Preview Image

See more videos here Recent video topics:  get away from online job databases, monster job hunter, mobile past, present and future, unemployed, a video, tech ticker interviews linkedin ceo, climber’s resume carousel looks time-consuming, michael spafferty’s video resume; plus more.

Job Search Tips

TIP: Here’s a contrarian networking idea: Stop thinking about networking and start trying to be useful to other people. That’s the advice of Dan Sullivan, founder of The Strategic Coach, a focusing program for entrepreneurs worldwide.

According to Sullivan, if you can bring confidence and clarity to people in your network by researching their needs and then offering something useful — in the form of product news, information about their customers, contacts, expertise, etc. — people will make time to talk to you. Because you will be seen as an oasis in today’s desert of bad economic news.

One thing is certain: If you keep doing what you’ve been doing in your job search, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting. And if you’re not getting calls from employers, why not try being useful to as many people as possible for one week and see where it leads you?

__________________________________________________________________________

TIP: Update your LinkedIn profile at least once a week. Add an article or presentation you’ve done. Change the information in your summary, update what you’re working on, add a book to the list of books you’re reading. You get the idea.

What to add? Add information that reflects your brand as a candidate. What would make you stand out to a hiring manager and/or recruiter? Be very strategic here—make sure everything supports and reinforces the brand you’re creating.

What does this get you? Your update will be sent to all your contacts in that weekly email LinkedIn sends out. Your name will keep coming up week after week with yet something else that brands you. A lot of visibility for just a few keystrokes.

___________________________________________________________________________

TIP:    Responding to a network contact with an article or summary of key points from a recent seminar can also help to remind them of your presence and also provides valuable information that they may not have seen during their busy week.

First, they know you thought of them and secondly, you went the extra step of giving them the main points in the article.  Most of us who receive articles love that considerate touch. Means we don’t have to feel guilty if we just don’t get around to the pile of articles we really mean to read someday.

___________________________________________________________________________

TIP: For going to a MEET UP, how do you feel about going to a meeting? What is the real reason you’re going? Did that reason get met? Do you like what happens and what you learn there? If you leave with one or two solid referrals and feeling energized by new information and/or new contacts, that may be a good meeting to keep attending.

With all the other things we’re talking about here that are essential job search components, if you feel like cutting back or cutting out these kinds of meetings, then do what seems to make sense for you.

Job search today requires creating a strategy that works for you. Test what you hear to see if it’s right for you–even the things we discuss here. Break out of your comfort zone (or perhaps it seems like you already left that far behind). Be creative and be yourself.

___________________________________________________________________________

TIP: Consider the Recruiter Side of the equation..  It may be tempting but so often a waste of your time to send a resume for a position where the key requirements don’t match your experience. If it’s a stretch to tie your experience to the absolute requirements, it’s unlikely anyone at the company will have the time, inclination or ability to make that leap.

Remember that recruiters have to present candidates to the hiring manager with a good reason for doing so. If they present candidates who don’t come close to the basic requirements, the hiring manager questions if the recruiter knows what they are doing. Recruiters rarely want to look stupid to their clients. So no matter how you try to spin it, they won’t be able (or willing) to sell it.

If you’ve got a resume that is oriented to how the hiring manager views the world, if you know how to position yourself and your experience in an interview, and you’ve got a clear, concise and very brief statement (sound bites can differentiate you) of what you bring to the table, you won’t need to send resumes off and hope the recipient can make the leap.

________________________________________________________________________

TIP: What gets you to the strategic table is seeing (and being able to articulate) how HR value-add efforts impact the Profit and Loss.  It is essential for HR Executives to make that connection and use the language of business. CEO is only interested in one thing– “increasing shareholder value”.  HR must connect to that strategy in real ways they can articulate. They need to show the organization how their work impacts the P&L. If they do not, they may not be long at the strategic table.

All of HR, not just the executive leader, should know the Profit and Loss and annual report and know how to tie back the HR initiatives to those results. Read the annual report. Make an effort to understand the financial operations and financial results of the organization. Take your rightful place at the table. We need you!

So perhaps as part of your job search strategy, you might listen to CEO shareholder calls, network with CFO’s, learn the key financial terms and concepts. Translate your accomplishments into P&L impact. Talk about EBITDA in your next interview if you really want to differentiate yourself with a CEO or CFO.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Jobsearch | Comments Off

Niche Job Search Sites

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Specific, targeted Job Search web links

There are specific job search sites (besides Linkedin and Twitter).  These sites, known as “Niche Job Search Sites” may be useful to you in your job searhing.  The “niche” websites listed on this posting are lesser-known job-search sites.  I was surprised to see the magnitude of the available jobs listed on these sites.

Check for yourself to see if you can use any of these.  Be advised that only 40% of available jobs are posted on jobboards.  There are 40% for those jobs listed internally within an organization – for employees to make referrals to.  And the remaining 20% of possible jobs are in the minds of hiring managers – your actual target for job searching (even though talking to a hiring manager is the most difficult method to get noticed in this job market, it tends to be the most lucrative).

By the way, niche is defined as:  A situation or activity specially suited to a person’s interests, abilities, or nature!!

Go at this list of job search sites (listed in no particular order) to see what you can come up with!

1. Dice.com: This is the go-to site for jobs in technology. Companies like Dell, NVIDIA and Apple post jobs to the site regularly, along with non-technology companies looking for IT workers. Apply online or upload a resume for recruiters to view. For $29.99 per month you can see who has viewed your resume and be sure your resume places high when your area of expertise is searched.

2.  IT Job Board:  This site is the #2 computer/IT careers niche site.  It works with the UK and Europe’s leading businesses and IT recruitment agencies to offer thousands and thousands of live permanent and contract IT jobs throughout the UK and Europe everyday

3.  Jobsinthemoney:   This #2 financial careers niche site features targeted job postings available in the JobsintheMoney.com database from companies across many industries and locations throughout the United States and cover a variety of positions for tax accountants, auditors, fraud examiners, analysts, controllers and CFOs, as well as many other finance and accounting professionals.

4.  ComputerJobs.com:  The #3 computer/IT careers niche site.  This job board focuses solely on the IT professional. Founded in 1995 by IT professionals who saw a need for an effective way for job seekers and companies to connect, ComputerJobs.com has over thirteen years experience connecting thousands of high-tech employers with millions of qualified job seekers.

5. GovernmentJobs.com:   The influx of cash from President Obama’s economic stimulus plan will lead to a host of new job opportunities in state and local government. Use this site to search for jobs in government offices throughout the U.S.

6. eFinancialCareers.com:  The financial sector has been hit hard, but the surviving companies are still hiring. This site features jobs in areas such as accounting, finance and insurance. Check out the “emergency career toolkit” full of tips for keeping your career in gear, even during the downturn.

7. Medzilla.com:   Healthcare and pharma remain strong industries, even during the recession. This site features jobs from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies like Amgen, Teva and Baxter. Jobs range from entry-level drug sales reps to full-fledged medical and engineering positions.

8. SchoolSpring.com:  This site saves educators the task of scouring the Internet for jobs in each individual school district. Executive, administrative and teaching jobs from around the country are aggregated here. Applicants can narrow searches based on subjects and grade levels taught. For an even more targeted search, try state-specific sites like EdJoin.org in California or NYEdJobs.org in New York.

9. HCareers.com:  Head to this site for jobs in food service, hotels and tourist attractions. In addition to listings, there are free features like tips on writing cover letters, continuing education resources and a salary and cost of living calculator with advice on negotiating a raise.

10. MarketingJobs.com:  Job seekers with backgrounds in marketing, advertising or sales come to this site to check out offerings from employers including The Walt Disney Company (Stock Quote: DIS) and the blueberry division of Driscolls Berries. Posting a resume is free, as are downloadable resources like industry magazines and more than 350 informational videos about various sales careers.

11. MediaBistro.com:  This site is for anyone involved in the production of creative content, including editorial assistants, journalists and editors as well as those in media sales and advertising. In addition to the free job listings, there is a place to advertise availability for freelancing as well as career-related online courses and seminars.

12. Guru.com:  This site plays the middleman for freelancers looking for contract work in industries like business consulting, graphic design and law. Job seekers can upload resumes and search and bid on jobs. Guru.com helps project managers award bids and even provides a safe online payment method to help guarantee a smooth delivery.

13. Startuply:  This site will list small company posting site; majority tech jobs, but not all

14. Start-up jobs:  This site is a also small company posting site

15. Venture Loop:   Check here for VC-backed company jobs

16. NPost – Mostly tech and start-ups

17. Retirement Jobs:  This is the #1 retirement careers niche site

In Summary, you may also want to check the world’s largest network of niche career communities, powering thousands of local and industry-specific sites. The Beyond.com network is comprised of many distinct channels, each represented by a premier career destination and backed by a powerful group of associated communities.  Link:  http://www.beyond.com/channels/

Beyond’s Motto: “The Focus of One, the Power of Many”

Beyond’s Mission: For community members to experience the targeted exposure of a niche job board, reinforced by the power and volume of their entire network.  Jobs posted to one of their communities are automatically distributed and visible across all relevant network sites, providing for maximum exposure and targeted connections with high-quality candidates.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Jobsearch | Comments Off

Use Linkedin to Find a Job

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Linkedin – a tool for finding your next position

Linkedin is a business-oriented social networking site founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003 mainly used for professional networking. As of February 2009, it had more than 35 million registered users, spanning 170 industries.

Check this short video from Commoncraft: What’s Linkedin

YouTube Preview Image

The purpose of Linkedin is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection.

This list of connections can then be used in a number of ways:

  • A contact network is built up consisting of their direct connections, the connections of each of their connections (termed second degree connections) and also the connections of second degree connections (termed third degree connections). This can be used to gain an introduction to someone you wish to know through a mutual, trusted contact.
  • It can then be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities recommended by someone in one’s contact network.
  • Employers can list jobs and search for potential candidates.
  • Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them.

Read more about how you can put this to use yourself (fromGuy Kawasak):    http://tinyurl.com/azkyb8

  • Update your status to let people in your network know that you are looking for a job.
  • Get LinkedIn recommendations from colleagues and managers.
  • Find out where people with your background are working.
  • Find out where people in a company came from using LinkedIn “Company Profiles” feature.
  • Find out where people in a company go using LinkedIn “Company Profiles” feature.
  • Check if a company is still hiring using LinkedIn “New Hire” feature.
  • Get to the hiring manager.
  • Get to the right recruiter.
  • Find out the secret job requirement.
  • Find start-ups to join.
  • Build your network before you need it.

Note:   Guy’s last point: Now is the time to build up a strong network as a good form of job security.

I am doing this now.  Note what he says about networking (also known as “schmozing”) ….  it’s not who you know—it’s who knows of you and – equally important – think about …

“What can I do for this person?“ not  “What can this person do for me?”

___________________________________________________

LinkedIn SuperGuide -Tutorials, Tips and Tools

Robin Broitman has provided a comprehensive guide to a range of tutorials/how-to’s, tips, advice and tools to help you become a LinkedIn power user.  RECOMMENDED
http://tinyurl.com/qb4tax_

__________________________________________________

201 Page PDF document – the best use of Linkedin

http://tinyurl.com/HowToUseLinkedin

I have found a great deal more about using Linkedin…. I learned that the real value of Linkedin is the Network of your network…. it is not in who you know, but in who they know. RECOMMENDED

The real power of the network is in the second degree. … I see now that the most powerful concept behind LinkedIn is that it finds the right people AND the connections you have with them.

Also, do not forget the power of Groups: an excellent place to build relationships and increase your visibility and credibility at the same time. I want to start asking and answering questions within Groups … to
possibly earn “expert points” for answering questions in the Answers section.

___________________________________________________

What recruiters look for in a LinkedIn profile

Social media tools such as LinkedIn make recruiters’ jobs more efficient and often allow them to find job seekers more efficiently.  If you are an active or passive job seeker, there is no better way to cut through the clutter and get yourself noticed than LinkedIn. Nowadays, most recruiters and companies are increasingly using sites like LinkedIn to identify talent.  Matt Schwartz has proved some key characteristics of a LinkedIn user that grab his attention.

Here are his 8 ways to stand out in a crowd when recruiters look for candidates to fill a job opening:

1. Make your LinkedIn profile 100% complete
•    Include all companies, education, and awards. These are the key items on which we recruiters search.
•    References are very important. The more we know about you the better.
•    The more robust your profile, the higher you will be in the Google search rankings.
•    The more information a recruiter has upfront, the more efficient the search process.

2. Use a profile picture that you use on multiple sites
•    A picture helps to create and reinforce your online brand
•    It will help a recruiter identify you on the interview day at “Starbucks”

3.  Use the “Specialties” box to fill in keywords
•    List as many keywords as possible that are relevant to your roles, capabilities, and interests that will help you turn up on LinkedIn Search

4. Update your LinkedIn “Status” regularly
•    Link to articles you have written or in which you are quoted
•    Update status with your latest blog posts
•    Discuss business accomplishments
•    If you are actively looking for a job, tell people what you are looking for!
•    Update your status on other social networking sites such as Twitter. Try services like ping.fm that allow you to update your status across multiple sites.

5. Make changes to your profile after every job change or promotion
•    The recruiters you are linked to will notice these changes
•    It is harder to be found if people don’t know where you are
•    Update your LinkedIn profile as you would your change-of-address at the post office

6. Include your web site and blog links
•    Add suitable weblinks to the “Websites” section on your LinkedIn profile
•    This could range from your career blog to your Twitter profile. Alternatively, you can also link to a guest blog post you wrote recently.

7.  Do not block incoming emails
•    No matter how popular you think you are, you will not be overwhelmed. I promise!
•    The LinkedIn community is all about participation so feel free to accept incoming communication from fellow LinkedIn users.
•    If a recruiter reaches out to you and you are not interested, let him or her know or better yet refer a friend
•    LinkedIn actually allows you to control how you receive emails and notifications.

8. Increase your number of trusted connections
•    Use webmail importer to bring your real world professional relationships online and to find your contacts who are already on LinkedIn.
•    Depending on whether you’re a browser person or an Outlook person, check out the respective toolbars that will help organize your professional relationship either while you browse or check out your Inbox.

Source: Matt Schwartz, President of MJS Executive Search

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Social Media | Comments Off

Take control of your job search: Network

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

Networking Works!

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.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Jobsearch | Comments Off

Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) for Job Searching

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

The Pareto Principle

Ccommonly referred to as the 80/20 rule,  the Pareto Principle states that 80% of any result will be accomplished with 20% of the effort.

Popular culture has simplified this into what is commonly known as the “80:20 Law” which proposes that 80% of the time expended on a task produces 20% of the results, and 20% of the time expended produces 80% of the results. 20% of a study population accounts for 80 percent of the measure under consideration.

Most job seekers are following the wrong part of the Pareto Principle – 80% of their time is spent on  lower-impact activities — “web surfing” and responding to job board opportunities, posting their resume on line and connecting with executive search professionals; and only 20% of their time on high impact activities — networking and reaching out directly to leads and potential employers.

You will be more effective at getting results if you – the Job Seeker -  will use the 80/20 rule to your advantage:  to spend 80% (or more) of their time on the high-impact, “human interaction” oriented activities, including:

  • Talking to and meeting with their network contacts
  • Attending and participating in networking functions
  • Aggressively utilizing social media applications for network communication purposes (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, among others)
  • Identifying target companies and aggressively contacting those companies directly or through a referral from their network
  • Scheduling daily phone calls, daily meetings and getting out and “shaking hands”

Are you achieving the level of results you desire in your job search campaign?

If you are not seeing results then you are either: NOT spending sufficient time and/or are NOT focusing the time required for the highest impact. The job search process simply CANNOT be “Short-Cut” in the current market environment — neither short-cut in terms of time spent nor short-cut in terms of focus on the right things (and usually the “tougher” and more “involved” things).

Time Commitment. An effective job search campaign should be considered “a full time job.”  If you are currently unemployed, then the 40 hours or so you’d normally spend working should be devoted to your job search.  At a minimum, you should follow an “80/20″ approach to your time commitment — with 80% of your available time during the week devoted directly to your job search, and 20% focused on other important activities — personal time, community activities, training, education, professional development, etc.  Rest assured that your top competition in the job market is taking this approach — without question.

Source:  Andy Robinson; Exectuive Coach, Career Transition Coach
http://twitter.com/AndyInNaples

More on Pareto:

Continue Reading…

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Entrepreneur | Comments Off

Social Media Links (& Networks)

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Using LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to Job Search

Social networks allow all parties involved to better search for and reach their target. Instead of having a broad, over-arching resume, these tools let people connect over detailed experiences.

Check this short video from Commoncraft: Social Media in Plain English
YouTube Preview Image

LinkedIn
Linkedin enables you to see profiles of anyone else on LinkedIn, and gives you ways to connect to them.  There are a few ways you can use LinkedIn in a job search:

  • Company search – One of the best ways to use LinkedIn is if you have a very specific company you are interested in.  You search on that company, and hopefully find people who are connected to other people you know.  Then, you can ask your personal contact to connect you.
  • Job postings - LinkedIn allows employers to post jobs on the site.  The jobs are usually high quality, professional jobs.
  • Email – It is easy to send an  email to contacts in your LinkedIn network, letting them know of your situation, and asking for any help or the names of people you can contact.
  • Blog Link – LinkedIn has the ability to link a blog post to your profile.   With a new blog post,  your Linkedin  profile is updated and it includes the updated post in the weekly update emails that go out to your connections.
  • Twitter Link - Similar to Blog Link, LinkedIn also pulls your conversations from Twitter.  So, anyone who is not on Twitter, can see what you are tweeting about.

Twitter
Twitter allows you to connect with people you don’t know, based on common interests.   It is a great way to network!

  • Basic networking -  You can be connected to people who are out of work,  and you can learn about available  jobs.   In a short time you can obtain information about the jobs ,  sending a “Tweet” to people you meet on Twitter.
  • Job postings -  Check out JobAngels and local job listings – a great number of these are being established monthly.   Job recruiters also have Twitter accounts and use them to find qualified applicants.
  • Connecting -  Read the bio of the person you are interested in connecting with him/her; you can see if they live / work where you might be interested in and, if you feel the contact can connect you to job opportunities,  then get in touch with them.
  • Companies – Check out the  Twitter tool called Twellow – it  searches people’s bios and URLs on their bios.

Facebook
Facebook can be a networking tool as well.  It is used primarily for connecting with friends or people you know and reconnecting with people in your past.

  • Notes -  You can use the Note feature in Facebook to explain your out-of work situation and what you are  looking for.  A note tends to stay on people’s screens longer than a status update, and you can write much more.
  • Status update -  You can frequently post status updates relating to your job search, to remind others that you are still looking for a job.  For Example:  “I had a great interview this morning… keep your fingers crossed!” or “I have a networking meeting later today with a company I’m really interested in!”.

Personal Blog
I think a blog is a critical piece to getting a job because it enables you to do a number of things:

  • Showcase your talents to potential employers – they see how you write, see what’s important to you, see who you are personally, and even see examples of your work.  All that, before they even meet you.  It helps make you a real person versus a piece of paper resume.
  • Comment on other blogs – This gets your name out there even more, and if you write something interesting, it may catch the eye of a potential employer.
  • Blog about opportunities you want -  You can blog about the types of jobs you want. For example, if you want a job at a specific nonprofit doing HR work, you can blog about ideas you have.

Source: How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/socialmedia.htm

CONTINUE READING >>

Continue Reading…

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Branding, Social Media | Comments Off