Staying current is not only important to be on ready to be in top shape for your future employer, but given your weekly, variable schedule, you may be in an even better position to be able to step right into a new position, refreshed, knowledgeable and posed for a new opportunity.

What can you be doing now?

PARTICIPATING IN social networking

* Twitter – Follow people in your industry and you will find more links to articles and information than you can ask for.
* LinkedIn – Join groups, ask questions and answer questions.
* Blogs – Write, read and comment on blogs – it’s fast and an easy way to learn
* Other social networking sites and communities – Seek out other relevant sites based on your industry.

READING books, industry newsletters, magazines and blog posts (use Google Reader to assemble your RSS feeds in one place.  With the internet continuing to explode, finding websites with good, relevant information is easy.  I subscribe to over 30 industry blogs and have read a few social media books.  In addition, Slideshare is a website that allows individuals to post presentations, so searching the site can provide you with a lot of relevant content to learn from.

WATCHING online webinars

Ultimately, companies create webinars to get potential customers familiar with who they are and establish themselves as experts.  Lucky for us, they are usually incredibly informative and can easily fit into a busy schedule, as they are typically only an hour long.

VOLUNTEERING

I am volunteering at the California Academy of Sciences museum and at Taproot Foundation – to help the HR department select an applicant tracking system.  I am not getting paid for these engagements, but they provide me an opportunity to put something new on my resume, and keep my skill set current.

Overall, there are a multitude of opportunities to stay current while you’re out of work.  Doing so, could make the difference between getting a job or remaining unemployed and getting “rusty”.

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.

Many people outside of the online marketing realm, unless they are under 25 years old, have difficultly understanding the concept.

In a nutshell, Social media is Web 2.0, or interacting with others online.  Web 1.0 was all about showcasing oneself, while Web 2.0 involves a sense of community and openness in which the line between author and reader is blurred.

Savvy businesses and organizations are beginning to utilize social networks to interact with current and prospective clients or customers, introduce new products and services, and launch viral campaigns to involve its market.  Businesses are able to communicate directly with target markets and monitor what others are communicating about its brand or service.

Most organizations are recognizing the value of social media but clueless how to use it.  A job seeker who understands Web 2.0 automatically can have an edge over the competition.  If a company is on Twitter or Facebook, job seekers can get a pulse on what that company values.

To understand what social media is, consider the six main categories:

• Social Networks. In general, these sites allow users to build a profile, connect with friends, and interact with others who have similar interests on the site.  The most popular social networks are MySpace and Facebook.  For business use, LinkedIn is a rapidly growing network of professionals.
• Blogs and Micro-blogs. Blogs are probably the most popular form of social media because they existed before Web 2.0.  Many people write blogs to convey their expertise on a subject, review products, report news, or simply as a diary for all to see.  On the flip side, blogs have become a recognized news source.  The social aspect of blogs involves reader comments and sharing.  Micro-blogs, like Twitter, allow for immediate posting and more interaction.
• Social Bookmarking. Social bookmarking sites such as Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon and Diigo, allow users to access their bookmarks from any computer and share them with others.  Rather than bookmarking a Web page in your Internet browser, you can save it on Delicious to access it from anywhere and give your network access to your favorite articles and Web sites.
• Video Sharing. Popular video site, YouTube, has become almost synonymous with online videos.  Not only are videos entertaining, they are also highly searchable.  Other video sharing networks include Blip.tv, Dailymotion, Hulu and Yahoo! video.
• Podcasts. These include audio or visual files that are available through subscriptions.  Podcasts can be live presentations, webinars, teleseminars, radio shows or anything that contains and audio or video file.  iTunes is a hub for all genres of podcasts and anyone can submit a file to be heard around the world.
• Wikis. These websites contain user-generated content and allow people to add or revise information about a given subject.  Pages become communal documents in an online database.  The best know wiki is Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit.  Other wikis include About.com and Squidoo.

The common thread in each of these social mediums is content creation and distribution.  New media users are not selfish with their ideas or work, instead they share their work with all of their networks through syndication.   Applications like Ping.fm make the distribution process simple, so that content can be disseminated to a number of networks at once.

You can become new media savvy if you remember the following steps: Create, Syndicate, Comment, Repeat.  Use this to your advantage during the job hunt to connect directly with your prospective employers or blow them away with your knowledge during an interview.

Source: Anne Carr, Account and Social Media Director at Bolt Public Relations

It also takes organization, motivation, a lot of time and energy, a positive outlook, and critical decision-making. In summary, you must also have patience, yet be persistent.

Your ” job” at this trying time is to sell yourself to potential employers. You must promote yourself as a productive worker. You have abilities that an employer can use. You are marketing your skills, your ability to learn, and your willingness to help an employer succeed. Maintaining a positive outlook throughout your job search may require some extra effort.

Review important information about yourself or your portfolio. Remind yourself that you are a valuable member of society. Make sure you exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and stay in contact with your immediate support group of family and friends. Using these and other tools will help you stay positive and be at your best.

So what can you do when you read about hiring freezes, layoffs that crowded the field of available candidates, and long, dragged-out interviews when an opportunity does appear?   In this tough environment, you can still find excellent opportunities under the radar.

Here are some doable steps (in 3 parts) to help you wage a winning job search right now.

Part One: Who are you, and who needs what you have?

Create your own personal brand. Give yourself a “time out” to reflect on your special mix of job skills and personal qualities. How can you piece this puzzle into your own unique brand, one you can spell out in a tag line about yourself?

Naming your own brand can help shape your resume, your cover letter and your “elevator pitch,” a 30-second, easily worded sales pitch you can slip into any chat with people of influence.

Your brand should be head-turning and offer a solution to the market you’re targeting. When companies are cutting expenses, you can position yourself as an investment that pays back.

Demonstrate results. How can you prove you can add value? If you’ve made a name for yourself growing sales, reducing overhead, winning new clients or raising profit margins, highlight these features on your resume and during interviews.

Show your potential employer how you’ll apply your know-how to create value-driven solutions that translate to the company’s bottom line.

Expand your reach. In this tight market, traditional networking doesn’t go far enough. You need a better approach to connect with decision-makers.

Think about developing relationships, not just leads and contacts. Network to build contacts within the industry you prefer – plus competing and complementary industries.

Try joining a social network site such as LinkedIn and see who knows someone at a company you might like. Ask them to introduce you.

Also, contact former classmates and teachers, and start speaking up on Internet discussion boards.

Part Two: Build your foundation so you can stand tall

What is your game plan? Designing a doable plan of action is what the doctor ordered to keep your morale high. Take a look around. Which industries are healthy and growing, and where could you see yourself thrive? Making lists can help you settle down and focus. This list is important.

One week at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Each Monday morning, you can choose goals for the number of contacts you’ll call, industry or social events you can attend (for free if possible) and how many face-to-face meetings you can land.

Good news: President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan will create new, relatively high-paying jobs in renewable energy, education, health care and construction.

How to increase your success rate? Get organized. Make yourself a splashy, colorful progress log or Excel chart to record each person you contacted, met with personally, when you talked, who said what, and your follow-up actions. This step matters. By keeping systematic records, you’ll create a network of valuable contacts to use on your new job and beyond.

Can you become the rainmaker? Even if you feel fearful or confused right now, make up your mind to be a lifelong learner. Imagine yourself the go-to woman who knows about industry trends, keeps up with technology and gets comfortable talking to colleagues of any age.

Online webinars and tutorials can keep you current on skills and abilities now in demand. Update your online presence regularly to position yourself as a thought leader, cost-saver, turnaround artist or innovator.

Part Three: Stay on the sunny side

Be flexible. Employers need executives with problem-solving skills grounded in experience. In difficult times, many companies outsource to fill the gaps.

Are you willing to sign on as a consultant? This could lead to a full-time offer. Freelancing, telecommuting and flexible work options become more feasible as employers strive to meet fluctuating workloads.

Use your negotiating skills to create new work options that meet their needs. Remember, “No” doesn’t always mean “Never.”

Lend a helping hand. Women instinctively reach out to help each other. Follow your instincts to offer support, share search tips and introduce colleagues also searching for new opportunities. Stay in touch with your network contacts and exchange information and advice.

By becoming that go-to source, you might be the first to receive word of a position that could be perfect for you.

Volunteer. Regular volunteering is the single strongest predictor of health and longevity. Being passionate about a cause and proactive helping others is rewarding not just for you but for your community. Show future employers your volunteer skills are immediately transferable to the job you desire.

Your optimism will win the day. Everyone can sink down into the dumps during a job search. But every morning, think of what you can do today to move your job campaign one notch ahead. Turn to trusted friends and family for pep talks and reassurance. Take time out to reward yourself and practice powerful stress releasers like yoga or meditation. Walking, jogging, swimming and other aerobic workouts can reenergize and restore you.

Remember: Target organizations where you can be most useful and look for opportunities to emphasize how you can add value to the bottom line. By knowing what drives you, where you excel and how your personal brand can make a positive difference, you can stand out from the crowd.

Source: Carol Malysz, VP, New Directions Inc., a Boston career consulting firm

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

Check this short video!  Jennifer Braunschweiger, editor at More Magazine recently appeared (May 21, 2009) on ABC News Now – and spoke on the topic: How To Master the Digital Job Hunt.

Topics included resume preparation, developing your own personal website and managing your online identity.

To view the video go to http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7649307

Contents of the Video selection: Resume, Website, manipulate your Google Results

1-Resume:

• Need 3 forms of Resume:  PDF (snapshot version), Word, TXT file (unformatted)
• Need a professional e-mail address
• Do not include a photo of yourself on resume, only put your photo on your Linkedin page

2-Create your own website:

• Key tip -  register a domain name; for $20 / year  (domain name suggestion: firstname, lastname)
• Build a website yourself (many free options) or hire someone to do it
• Organize the content on your website; not just your resume; include samples of your work; a video of you
• Consider including a blog feature; on your website, but you need something to say;  for example: your thoughts about your industry – can be very useful.

3-Google Tips to manipulate your results

• Note that 83% of employers look at you via a Google search and 43% – have dropped the applicant due to the results
• Check your results on Google – just “Google” yourself to see what comes up!
• If you are a member of Linkedin your should see the Linkedin page when you do your Google search

Analyze Yourself

• Do you have the confident, take-charge personality it takes to run your own show?
• Does your family support your entrepreneurial project?
• Do you have the tenacity to stick with it?
• Are you ready for a significant time commitment? Starting a business often involves more than a 40 hours a week.
• Are you comfortable with a certain level of uncertainty and chaos?
• Are you a risk-taker?

Identify Your Product or Service

• Take the time to choose. Carefully compare the pros and cons, the risks and benefits, of each type of business.
• Look for a business that allows you to specialize and fills a growing need.
• Learn the business by working for someone in the same business first.
• Pick something that you will enjoy doing.

Know the Financial Risks

• Don’t use your retirement income to start a business. Consider a small business loan to get you started.
• Know that you have the resources and cash flow to cover a start-up period of a year or more.
• Consider “moonlighting,” that is, starting a business in your off-hours while still working. But avoid all possible conflicts with your existing job.
• Beware of self-employment scams.

Develop a Good Business Plan

• A business plan shows why your idea is workable, how your business will operate, and how much your income and expenses will be.
• The checklist for starting a company from the Small Business Administration is a good place to start. It helps you assess your situation, identify a niche, analyze the market, and organize your finances.
• It’s not enough to have a good product. You must know how to market and sell it. How will you reach your targeted market? What will make people buy your product?
• Use the online workshops and templates from the Small Business Administration to help you develop your plan.

Get Help

• Contact SCORE—Counselors to America’s Small Business—for free, confidential counseling on starting up a business.
• The Riley Guide has links to many sources of help for setting up your small business.

Source: AARP

A personal website is a very effective job search technique!

You can build and customize your own professional looking Web site using materials you have already prepared, such as your resume and marketing plan.

Check this short video from Commoncraft: Blogs (a personal website) in Plain English

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here are a few of the most popular reasons to make a personal Web site part of your communications strategy:

• Directing contacts to your site after an initial meeting adds another dimension to the meeting and reinforces your abilities and availability.
• Your general networking contacts can review your resume, marketing plan, and target list at any time – and refer their contacts to it as well.
• A personalized Web site with an address that includes your name is an impressive addition to your business cards, resumes and networking letters.
• A site with a customized and professional look and feel suggests that you are computer literate and up to date on Web usage.

Many sources can help you set up a new personal Web site or re-purpose an existing one for a job search. Usually no HTML or programming skills are needed. Often you can copy and paste text and use online text formatting tools with button bars much like your word processor. Most personal Web site suppliers offer a variety of templates and graphics so you can customize the look and feel of your site.

Points to Consider:

1.    Your Internet Service Provider may offer free web storage space, an online tool for building a simple personal Web page and technical support for personal Web page issues.

2.   Often this service is bundled with your high-speed internet connection for free or for only a modest additional charge. Major telephone carriers, cable television providers, and web sites like Yahoo, Google, AOL and others have online services that can help you create your space on the Web.

3.   Some professional networking and association web sites offer members tools to build a profile, portfolio or a multi-page web site.

4.   Consider the URL web address, page titles, graphics and other text you put on your personal web site part of your overall communications strategy.

5.   Most personal Web sites are publicly accessible and therefore you may have unintended viewers of the information you post.

6.   If you participate in public Web discussion groups or blogs, your colleagues and potential employers may see what you’ve posted.

7.   Keep your personal Web site current with updates that reflect recent career and educational achievements.

Ensure the provider of your personal Web site is perceived by others in your industry as reputable, professional and attractive. Using social networking sites, such as LinkedIn® strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts. Casual social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook may be useful in some circumstances, but can also seem far too casual for professional communication needs.

Make sure your “Internet presence” is appropriate and will not hinder your job search. A presence that features pictures of you in inappropriate dress or “edgy” material can render you a less than desirable candidate. Human Resources managers commonly check such sites, and even the sites of those to whom you are linked.

Choose an e-mail address for your resume and other job search communications wisely. Avoid using addresses such as
nocando@yourISP.com or geometric@yourISP.com. You can get a free email account at Gmail or Hotmail for your job search purposes.

More About A Web Presence…

A Web Presence From Scratch

With unemployment at a 23-year high, job seekers need to expand the ways in which they search, say career and workplace experts. These days setting up and maintaining an online presence is often critical to finding work. But for an accomplished professional, it might seem daunting to build up a social-networking presence from scratch. Here’s how to do it:

Claim your name.

Before someone else does it, you’ll want to “claim your name” on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, says brand strategist Catherine Kaputa and author of “U R A Brand.” You’ll also want to try to purchase the domain for your name — they typically are priced starting at less than $10. This way, you control how you will be perceived, says Ms. Kaputa. If your name is taken, use a slight variation, such as a middle name or initial, suggests Ms. Kaputa. Then begin developing a Web presence, starting with basic information like your résumé and then add to it as you go.

Practice prudence.

Sree Sreenivasan, a professor of digital media at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, made the decision early on to limit himself to three social-networking sites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. “There is just not enough time,” he says. “Pick two or three, then cultivate a presence there.” If you only manage to join one site, most experts agree that it should be LinkedIn. “It is the one crucial place to be if you are a business executive, professional or entrepreneur,” says Ms. Kaputa. It might help you land a job. For example, more than half of the candidates in Salesforce.com Inc.’s recruiting process are connected to someone at the company, says Scott Morrison, director of
recruiting programs. Many of those connections come from the 98% of the company’s more than 3,500 employees who have LinkedIn profiles. “It’s a tremendous resource for us and our recruiters,” says Mr. Morrison.

Choose connections wisely.

You’ll also want to choose your network carefully; only add people you actually know or with whom you’ve done business. Whether it’s on LinkedIn, Facebook or any other networking site, “it’s much more of a quality game than a quantity game,” says Krista Canfield, a LinkedIn spokeswoman. A recruiter may choose to contact one of your connections to ask about you; make sure that person is someone you know and trust.

Consistency is key.

You’ll need to update your profile regularly. “Curate [your online profile] the same way you would curate your one-page résumé,” says Mr. Sreenivasan. And remember, many recruiters Google candidates before the interview, says Ms. Kaputa. Google yourself to see how you stack up on the Web compared with others and whether your “personal brand” is compromised in any way.

Source: Elizabeth Garone, cjeditor@dowjones.com

How to effectively manage your job search…. job seeking  strategies from Randy Hain,  a recruiter from an executive search firm in Atlanta.

As you can imagine in these tough economic times, there is a very large population of good people affected by corporate layoffs.  Randy has observed common threads which link the vast majority of these candidates together.  He notes that you should always feel comfortable experimenting and thinking creatively when developing your own strategy for finding a new career.

Common notions of newly unemployed:

• Their personal networks have been neglected while they pursued their career and are often starting job searches without a sizable or accessible source of friends and business colleagues to ask for help
• They don’t have resumes or what they have is not presentable
• They are inexperienced at interviewing
• They are inexperienced at negotiating a compensation package
• They have not kept up with current hiring trends or growth industries
• Social networking web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook are unfamiliar
• Networking is awkward and difficult
• Asking for job search assistance is often uncomfortable
• They believe that search firms help candidates find jobs when in fact, most search firms are hired by companies to fill open positions
• There is a strong sense of urgency to find a new job quickly for financial reasons

Although outplacement assistance is available to help some candidates, it is not a perk that all enjoy.  Some times the outplacement assistance received by downsized employees is of questionable value and results in little more than an upgraded resume. Many candidates seek out professional coaches or pay companies to market their resumes in order to find them jobs. There are a few good career coaches around, but they are not always accessible or affordable for many candidates.

Randy says to be leery of firms who promise to market your resume for a fee—he has never heard of anyone getting a new job this way.  These firms charge high fees and he is very skeptical of the value provided for such a high cost. He thinks we can agree that being out of work means you have finite financial resources, so spend your money wisely .

So, where does that leave a candidate in need of a job?  Quite simply, you need a game plan.

P H A S E   I :   L O S I N G   Y O U R   J O B   &   S T A R T I N G   Y O U R   S E A R C H

Okay, you recently lost your job (or you know you are going to lose it) and need to get moving on your search. Don’t panic! Also, don’t take two months off to consider your next move. You need to get started right away, the competition is tough and the economy is challenging. In Phase 1 of the search, here are the most effective Best Practices for beginning your job search:

• Remain positive!

• Make sure you collect the contact information of co-workers, clients, friends and anyone else who can help you with your search. Record all this information in a usable spreadsheet for future use.
• Ask for letters of recommendation from key leaders and co-workers in your company as soon as possible after you hear the news. You may get a refusal because of company policy, but we have observed that most of the time you can obtain these with little trouble. These letters can be helpful later during interviews.
• Reach out to your network with a clear, positive e-mail message about your departure. Be sure to nclude your new contact information.
• Inquire about any contract or consulting work you can do for the company. Companies often lay off people, but still need their skills and expertise. Offering to work on special projects in a contractor/ consultant role during your transition is appealing because it saves the company money (no benefits and reduced salary are likely) and it allows you to show continuous employment on your resume. As the question before you leave!
• Consider becoming a consultant on your own if there is legitimate work for you in the marketplace— it bridges the potential gaps in your resume.
• Have you applied for other jobs within the company? There may be roles for which you are well suited. Don’t ignore this option.
• Develop a resume as soon as you hear the news. There are companies charging $200 up to $1,000 for this service and some of them are good, but many are not. You can research resume samples on Google and develop a good resume by yourself. If you are still not pleased with it, seek out a reputable firm. I suggest only working with resume experts who meet you in person and have a quantifiable track record of success.
• Leave on the very best of terms. You will need future references, referrals and other assistance from your former company. Don’t burn a bridge!
• Develop a marketing plan which will target industries and specific companies that fit your background.
• The information you need is readily available through Google, LinkedIn, public libraries, online business magazines, Zoom Info and Dun and Bradstreet (there is a cost to buy certain reports from Zoom Info and D&B). This marketing strategy will be necessary to not waste time as you launch the networking phase of your search.
• Be realistic about the length of your search—it will likely take months, not weeks.
• Have professional business cards made. They’re inexpensive and very important when networking.

P H A S E   I I :    B U I L D I N G   A   N E T W O R K

You have exited your former company on excellent terms and you are ready to join a new company …fast! It is very important to recognize that traditional methods of searching for a new job rarely work any more.

Typically, you will find most jobs you apply for online fail to get a response, most positions you are interested in are rarely made public and I assure you it is highly unusual for someone to call you out of the blue with a great opportunity. There has been a significant paradigm shift in job search that favors skilled networkers and relationship developers. Here are the Best Practices for networking from our experience and the feedback from our candidates:

• Be intentional! You should be networking with people who can give you valuable job search assistance. Don’t waste time.

• Thank everyone and remember every kindness!  Be professional and follow up every meeting with a handwritten note or at least a “thank you” e-mail.
• Find an accountability partner to push you. Ask a friend, your spouse or someone else you trust to hold you accountable in your search. Check in with them frequently and ask them for candid feedback on how you are doing. This process is difficult to do by yourself.
• Remember the importance of metrics. A very effective way to measure the effectiveness of your search is through meetings. I suggest having at least four meetings a week with people who can provide assistance with your job search. This is more effective than email blasts and mailing your resume.
• Contact the Alumni Office of the schools you attended and ask for access to the alumni directory.  This is often found online and can be a fantastic resource.
• Join LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), build your profile and pay for the upgrade to have full access  to the tools and features on the site.

The key is to use LinkedIn to connect directly and efficiently with hiring managers and useful contacts. There is some benefit to MySpace and Facebook depending on your generation (age!), but LinkedIn is specifically designed for business use and is the most widely used by professionals.

• Ask the senior executives of your former company(s) for referrals and active introductions to potential hiring managers in their network.
• Give your network a very clear request when asking for help: “I would be grateful for an active introduction to senior executives in your network.

Would you please introduce me via email and send them my resume?” This is so much more effective than the more common: “Keep me in mind if you hear of anything.” This is the wrong thing to say and will not yield good results.

NEVER begin a conversation with a new networking contact like this: “I am in a job search. Can you help me?”

ALWAYS offer assistance first! Make it about them and their needs, not just what you want. You can say, “I would like to explore ways we can help each other.” Or “I would be glad to make my rolodex available to you and would be grateful for any networking help you can provide me.” Starting with, “I am in a job search…” initiates defensive behaviors and up goes the proverbial wall.

• Become more active in the community. Aside from being the right thing to do, volunteering your time to non-profits and charities will gain you important exposure to other like-minded business people.
• Be sincere and remember the importance of giving back to others. Real stewardship can’t be faked!

• Consider joining networking groups, but be selective. There are useful groups, but unfortunately many are a waste of time. Make sure the ones you select are relevant for you, have interesting speakers and utilize a plan for effectively sharing job leads.
• Get connected to reputable search firms. Remember, search firms work for client companies to find candidates for their open positions. There is a common misconception that search firms find people jobs. It is always good to be referred to key players in a firm, which enhances your profile and credibility. Do your homework on the Internet and ask around … you will quickly see which firms are ethical and relationship focused. Key point: search firms want to help you, but outside of job search coaching they are often limited in the help they can provide by the types of searches they are working on.
• Develop an “elevator pitch” about your background and what you are seeking. You should be able to share in less than 60 seconds your measurable accomplishments and what you are looking for in a new opportunity.
• Attend seminars, workshops or conferences relevant to your industry to stay current and visible.
• Connect through content. Share relevant, informative articles with your network and potential hiring managers to demonstrate an interest in their business. It shows you are staying current. Even better, consider making a gift to a potential hiring manager of a book that has made an impact on you and accompany that with a handwritten note.

P H A S E   I I I :    I N T E R V I E W I N G

You have worked hard, followed the tips above and you are getting invited to interviews. Great job, but don’t put your feet up yet! You made it through the mine fields to have an opportunity to interview, but the competition is fierce and you must stay focused.

Best Practices for interviewing:

• Do your homework. Carefully research the company and the hiring manager(s) on the Internet. LinkedIn and Google are excellent resources for obtaining background information on people. Also, have questions ready for the person interviewing you. Never go to an interview unprepared.
• Be nice to the Receptionist. This person is the company’s emissary to the world and is quick to size people up. Be courteous, professional and friendly … much can be learned from a warm conversation.
• Expect their impressions of you to be conveyed to the hiring manager or HR department.

• Dress professionally, bring copies of your resume on quality paper, don’t wear distracting cologne or perfume, don’t chew gum (you wouldn’t believe how many people do this!), arrive 15 minutes early, give quantifiable answers to questions, do not ramble, follow up with a thank-you note by dropping it off the next day if possible.

• Make a personal connection. You are looking to win an advocate for your candidacy as well as eventually get the job. Every person you meet in the interview process should tell the others involved:  “Great candidate and good culture fit. I really like him/her.”

• Remember that asking questions, commenting on pictures and diplomas in the office and highlighting shared interests changes an interview from hiring authority and candidate into two people having a friendly conversation . This is desirable and will serve you well throughout the process.

• Ask questions about culture in the interview. What are the values and vision of the company?

• Research will tell you much, but I suggest that hearing the answers directly from an employer will be more revealing. Make sure you share not only your skills and background in the interview, but how you would fit the culture. Many candidates forget to do this.

• Be clear and concise about why you are the right fit for the job. If you have done your homework, you will be able to relate specific parts of your background to the open position, emphasizing why you are the right person. Also, do NOT forget to express your interest in the job! I frequently hear from clients about their concern that a candidate didn’t seem excited enough or interested in the position.

• Excitement is good, but be careful to not appear desperate!

• It is a good idea to offer references in the interview. If you followed the tips in Phase I, you will have gathered letters of recommendation and secured good references. Telling a hiring manager that you strongly suggest they “speak to someone who can describe my leadership of the sales team” will gain you an advantage and make you look more credible.

• Stay calm! Nervousness leads to over-talking which will negatively affect your chances.

P H A S E    I V :   N E G O T I A T I N G   A N   O F F E R   &   L A N D I N G   A   J O B

The interview or interviews have gone well and you have a realistic shot at landing a new job. You are in the last portion of your search journey and in many ways, it is the most crucial. Negotiating the right offer can be difficult, but these Best Practices will help:

• Negotiating an offer can be a tricky thing if you are not prepared. You will always be asked, usually early in the process, what you are earning. Share your past compensation openly and candidly. This will be on the application anyway, so don’t hide it.
• The REALLY difficult question is, “What sort of compensation package are you seeking?” It throws many people off!  Answer this way: “I am very interested in this opportunity and have thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I would like to move forward in the process and learn more about your organization and the team. I will commit to you that I am open to a fair and compelling offer.”  If pushed further, perhaps say “You know what I was earning before. I am open to the way the total package is
  structured, but certainly would prefer to avoid taking a step backward.”
• It can be uncomfortable for many, but remember this: when you give a firm number, you’re tied to that number. You may be underselling or eliminating yourself from further consideration by sharing firm numbers.
• Always address benefits early. An HR representative or the company web site will likely be the source of this information. Don’t bring this up in your first meeting with a Hiring Manager, but try to determine if the healthcare and vacation coverage are adequate for your needs. Also, remember that benefits can be part of the bargaining process as well.
• Always get an offer in writing. Verbal offers are okay, but it must be followed by a written offer.  There is often a strong desire from some employers to have an immediate answer, but you should always ask for some time to consider the offer … even 24 hours is helpful. Evaluate it very carefully and consider the overall offer, your negotiable points and where you will not be able to budge.
• If you think there is an opportunity to negotiate, explore the subject carefully and professionally with the decision maker. For example, “I am very excited about the offer and look forward to a great career in your company. We are very close on the terms, but was wondering if you could consider increasing the base in order to keep me whole from my last position and also add a week of vacation, again to match what I had before. Your health benefits kick in after 90 days, which means I will be on COBRA during that time. Can you pick up that cost or help me offset it in some way? Everything else looks fantastic and I am hoping we can come to terms soon on these other points as I am eager to start.”
• When you are ready to accept, do it both verbally and in writing. You will most likely sign an offer letter as well.
• Immediately let your network know that you have landed and share your new contact information.
• Absolutely take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and willingness to help you.

Remember, you will need this network again one day, so don’t ignore or neglect what you have carefully built. Stay connected, pay it forward by helping others and continue meeting with key connectors after you start your new job.

Avoid a common mistake: don’t assume your network is unnecessary after you find a new job!

Conculsion:

This is a comprehensive look at a solid and proven job search strategy. My firm gives this advice every day based on our experience and feedback we get from candidates and we are confident it will make you more effective. I view this list as ever evolving and you should always experiment and see what works best for you.  But, if you are stuck in your job search or see a friend struggling with theirs, follow the plan I have outlined here. I wish you the best of luck and hope my firm will be able to work with you in the future.

There is no guarantee that a new job will result from these suggestions, but he has a unique perspective of interviewing thousands of candidates and interacting with hundreds of clients to gain insight into best practices and “what works.”

Source: Randy Hain, Managing Partner of Bell Oaks, executive search firm in Atlanta

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Bonus Link

How To Job Search in 2009
by Career Builder

Job seekers need to make sure that they have powerful cover letters and résumés, are prepared for the interview, and know as much as they can about their potential employer and the people to whom they’ll be talking.

It’s necessary to look beyond textbook examples to see what practical advice is working for candidates right now.

• Start your own blog
• Work with your network
• Make yourself stand out