Time to Reconnect and Network

If you are actively executing a job search strategy or just thinking about making a career change or switching jobs, it might be time to rekindle and rejuvenate some of your contacts otherwise known as "networking".

Set aside some soon to reconnect with an old boss, a former colleague or fellow professional you may have met at a conference.

Many successful professionals use their planners, PDA's or online calendar software to actually schedule time to reconnect with others every few months. It is important to keep in mind that networking actually begins way before you are in the market for a new job or new career and so constant communication is important.

Another networking tip is to keep in mind is that a good professional relationship is really a two way street.

It's not just about what others can offer you, but what you can do to help them. As Dr. Ivan Misner says in his book, Masters of Networking - "Givers Gain"

Is your 30-Second Introduction a Conversation Starter or Killer?

So you are at a networking event and meeting new people. You walk up to someone you want to meet, reach out for a handshake and forgot what you wanted to say.

Is your 30-second introduction on the mark? Check out this article by Career Counselor, Markell Steele as she asks if your 30-second introduction is a conversation starter or killer.

Guest Post by Markell Steele.

How many times have you walked into a networking event and clammed up? Everyone around you is clustered into small groups talking, seemingly already well-acquainted. At some point, you lock eyes with another job seeker standing alone and know that an introduction is on the way. So, you each make your way towards one another. Then comes the question, “So, what type of job are you looking for?”

Ugh! What do you say? Usually the answer is something like, “Oh something in marketing or project management (or fill in the blank).”
The other person just nods and mutters “Oh.”

The conversation quickly ends. Then, you slink away feeling like you just missed an opportunity and wonder if there’s a better way to say what you really want to say about the job you want.Hopefully, this doesn’t happen to you (often).So, what happened? The person you were talking to still doesn’t know what type of job you want and can’t help you.

As a career counselor I have this type of exchange with job seekers all the time. Fortunately, I’m skilled at asking questions to draw out the real job target, but the average person won’t take the time to ask questions to figure out how they can help you.

Here’s a better approach - prepare a simple, yet powerful 30-second introduction that opens up the conversation rather than shuts it down.In your introduction focus on who you help, what problem you solve and what outcomes you achieve.

For example: Hi, my name is Jeff, and I’m a marketing professional specializing in creating and executing marketing campaigns. I manage the project from concept to implementation so my clients don’t have to worry about the details and can focus on their customers.Another example:Hi, my name is Christine, and I’m an executive assistant with experience supporting finance and legal executives. I handle the details for busy executives, so they can focus on the big picture.

Here’s my 30-second introduction:Hi, my name is Markell, and I’m a career counselor. I help frustrated job seekers find career direction, so they can get the job they want in less time with less frustration. By working with me, job seekers get clear about their next steps and how to achieve their career goals.

To get started, take inventory of you accomplishments to identify the common theme among them. Think about what you have been recognized for, those times when you’ve achieved your best, and made contributions to your department or company. Think about what makes someone successful in the job your want and come up with examples of work you’ve done in those areas.

Apply the framework: who you help, what problem you solve and what outcomes you achieve; to come up with your own 30-second introduction.

When I talk with my clients about how important networking is to exploring and connecting career opportunities, they cringe. Networking doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. By applying the above framework you’ll have your 30-second introduction down and can confidently network your way into a new job. How can you tweak your 30-second introduction to be a conversation starter?

Another relevant BullsEye article to read: Stop Muddling Through Your Job Search; Get Focused!

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Markell Steele is a career counselor, owner of Futures in Motion, Inc. and author of Fast Track Your Career: Three Steps for Finding Work You Love. Contact Markell at http://www.futures-in-motion.com/contact_us.php.

Debunking the Holiday Job Search Myth

Too many people believe in the myth that companies do not make hiring decisions between Thanksgiving and January.

Companies do hire and in fact may want to make those decisions before the end of this year. In a tight economy, the Class of 2009 can expect some heavy competition in the job market. This holiday season is not the time to slack off on the job search. Instead use time off from college this holiday season to:

- Stay focused and continue to submit resumes for on campus interviews or for entry level career programs with preferred employers.
- Network with family and friends during the holidays. Share your goals and plans if you are graduating next spring and do not be shy about getting help with job leads.
- Plan for an early return to campus after checking out the career center's event calendar. Chances are you can get your resume critiqued and get some early career coaching before the semester begins.
- Shop for some interview attire if you don't already have business professional or business casual attire at school.
- Making connections in a holiday job. Many students are having a hard time getting college loans right now, so if you have to work - do that.

Spending some time this holiday season on your job search will help you get ahead of the competition. Your goal should be to get hired before you walk in the spring.

With 760000 Job Losses in 2008, Job Fairs are Overcrowded!

Imagine wall to wall anxious job seekers, tired recruiters and thousands of resumes exchanging hands. CNN Money reports that we have already lost 760, 000 jobs in 2008 and so it is no surprise that job fair attendance is clearly up.

If you are looking for work, one immediate way to quickly improve your career and industry awareness is to attend a career fair. Job fairs generally have the same format and layout, cost you nothing but a few hours and give you a really great opportunity to meet hiring managers and network. Some companies may even be doing job interviews and making hiring decisions on the spot.

If you are searching online for job fairs nearby, use different keywords to find upcoming events since the names might vary slightly. Here are a few alternative ways to find a career fairs which could be of interest to you.

Search by:
- Location – eg Philadelphia Career Fair or Valley Forge Career Fair.
- Education or training – eg MBA Career Fair, Technical Job Fair
- Industry – eg. Sales Job Fair, Nonprofit Career Fair, Healthcare Job Fair
- Niche – eg Diversity Job Fair, Disability Job Fair, Veteran Job Fair, Skilled Trades Job Fair

*Don't forget to search for Virtual Job Fairs as well which are completely online events.

Make the most of these crowded events by:
- Registering ahead of time if possible. Many fairs allow you to register and upload a resume before the event. This way recruiters will get a chance to see you early.
- Identifying who you want to see and make those rounds first. Don't waste time in long lines, visit another employer of choice and come back!
- Planning that 30-second introduction. You don't have a lot of time to make a connection, so the better you handle that introduction, and speak of the position you want, the better it will be.
- Attending job fairs alone. Exploring the job fair is not a team sport. Leave your friends at the door and arrange a time to meet after making your rounds.
- Staying off your phone. Why are you there, if you plan to spend to all your time on your laptop or Blackberry?
- Talking to people. Do not just drop your resumes and run! You never know who you could meet at a job fair.

Stop Muddling Through Your Job Search - Get Focused!

I overheard a conversation on the train recently. One jobseeker was explaining to another rider how hard it has been to find a new job. From what I could tell, both were employed, but one was clearly more frustrated with her job than the other. It sounded like the more frustrated of the two was actually looking very hard for a new job. She recounted her experience at a recent job fair where she handed out many resumes to several companies.

When she was asked what kind of job she was looking for, she said, "Anything really."

I am not sure she realized just how much of a negative effect that lack of clarity and focus would have on her job search.

An effective job search strategy must begin with an acknowledgement of what is possible for one's ideal job. I am not talking here about "dream jobs". I am at least talking about knowing the basics like:

- Industry preference - retail? healthcare? education? banking?
- Type of work - administrative? call center? customer service? sales?
- Job skills you want to use - supervisory? training? writing?

I know that job seekers sometimes get desperate in the job search and think that they should expand their options. Many feel that if they limit their needs they are limiting the options. On the contrary, if you have no sense of what you want, you will show no passion in the search and employers will see that.

Muddling through the job search by applying for any and everything rather than focusing on your preferences, can make your search way more frustrating than it has to be.

Think about how much more impressive the job seeker could have been had she said, "I am looking for something in retail, where I can use my customer service skills. I really like training people so something where I get to do that would be important to me also."

The person hearing that information is much more likely to remember you when they come across a potential opportunity for you. Saying you will take "Anything", doesn't demonstrate lot of confidence and makes you forgettable.

Know what you want and stay focused by working towards the outcomes you want.

More Job Losses on Wall Street

In March 2008 Bloomberg reported over 34 000 job losses had already happended in the financial sector on Wall Street. By March 2008 Lehman Brothers, had already cut 18% of their employees and Merrill Lynch had eliminated 4.5% jobs. Add to that the job losses from Bear Stearns' collapse and fast forward to more job losses when Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy and Merrill Lynch gets acquired by Bank of America.

This is just the latest fallout due to the sub prime mortgage conundrum and the subsequent credit contraction. No one is clear exactly where the bottom will be for job losses in the financial services sector.

Before we relegate these disappearing jobs to just finance executives on Wall Street, we should know that these job losses go well beyond the boardroom. Think about technology staff, administrative support workers, lawyers and employees who will lose their jobs across all functional sectors like Human Resources, Marketing and Operations.

I am sure that many of the well "Linkedin" folks on Wall Street will call on their connections and line up new opportunities in smaller boutique firms both in and out of the investment banking sector.

It will take some longer than others to wrap their heads around life after layoff.

My hope is that recent college grads who chased their dreams to Wall Street within the last two years have learned enough professionally to be marketable and made good networking contacts.

Some quick job search tips to consider before the adrenaline dissipates into fear:
- Collect work samples if possible
- Download your kudos folder
- Get LinkedIn
- Consider relocation - do not rule out overseas
- Change careers
- Begin a Meetup group
- Join your ex employers' alumni association
- Call your parents and siblings; get them networking for you
- Work with outplacement firms
- New grads should reconnect with their college career centers

If all the finance pundits and economists are right and jobs will continue to disappear until 2010, folks in the financial sector have to get comfortable with change and hang on for a bumpy ride.

Failure to Launch A Career After Graduation

A Hayden Wilder survey of new college grad hiring shows that HR Executives say that 85% of entry level candidates are not prepared for the job search process.

One of major barriers for new college grads getting hired is a lack of follow-up. Keep in mind that job search follow up does not just mean following up after interviews, but keeping your word throughout the process. If you have graduated are job hunting and looking to start that perfect career, job search follow up has to be consistent, professional and timely.

Here are some of the areas where a lack of follow-up can really cause a failure to launch into that new career. This list is by no means exhaustive and is based on several years of working with new college graduates.

1. If someone who wants to help you in your search gives you the name of a hiring manager or HR recruiter; follow up and make the connection. Make connection with this new person and establish your own relationship. Be sure to acknowledge where you received their name.

2. Many college career centers will give college graduates a list of companies that are hiring new graduates. It is important that college graduates follow up by doing the required research on the list of organizations and apply for positions of interest.

3. Career counselors or career coaches will often give job seekers "homework". These are assignments that must be completed before a candidate can move to the next step. Whether this homework is to complete a career assessment, do an informational interview or draft a first resume, read an article completion and follow through is important.

4. If you collect business cards at a public event be it job fair, a MeetUp or an open house at a local organization, follow up within 48 hours after meeting someone.

5. Interview follow up can be in the form of a phone call, voice mail, an email or a written letter. Regardless of which format you choose to use, keep your message positive and professional.

6. Once you do land that first job and begin your path towards a long successful career, thank everyone who helped you to get to this point. Connect with your college career center or professors and let them know your decision. Thank the HR managers who may have referred you to the next level. Thank friends and family for their support and set up a schedule to keep in touch with these folks in six months or so. These people could be important again later on in your career.

Social Networking Sites and the College Grad

Companies that are recruiting on college campuses are using online resources like Google and Yahoo to do background checks on students looking for jobs or internships. Additionally, some recruiters are checking up on applicants on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and Friendster or video sites like YouTube.

Despite all the stories, college students continue to jeopardize their future career success, by posting personal photographs or comments about "partying". Many college students still think these online videos are innocent expressions which are private and without long term ramifications.

Alan Finder in the article titled "For Some, Online Persona Undermines a Résumé" quotes career center professionals from Wesleyan and NYU.

-Michael Sciola, director of the career resource center at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn, says "It's a growing phenomenon...There are lots of employers that Google. Now they've taken the next step.

-Trudy G. Steinfeld, executive director of the center for career development, at New York University said that recruiters from about 30 companies told career counselors that they were looking at the sites for students.

Many of the corporate recruiters are saying that a negative online persona is making students look "immature and unprofessional, at best."

Here's a podcast for students seeking advice on social networking sites from the Center for Career & Professional Development at the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Job Hunting On The Net | Length: 12:36 minutes
KYW's Hadas Kuznits speaks with Corinne Snell with Fox School's Center for Student Professional Development about job hunting through social networking sites on the internet.

Blogging Your Way to Career Change

I recently read a blog post at JibberJobber- "Blogging to Bigger Job Opportunities - Interview on FoxBusiness.com".

Jason Alba, Jibber Jobber.com CEO reflected on an article where Alba was quoted about blogging as a career tool to find career opportunities.

Jason rightly says, "Being one of the subject matter experts (SME) or thought leaders in your space is a powerful thing."

In my blog comment, I wrote that creating a positive web persona is important if one wants to use blogging as a route to a new career. Internet research reveals several blogs written by job seekers. A few bloggers wrote negatively about prior bosses and companies where they had interviews. Some bloggers trashed certain professions and careers completely.

Job seekers have a hard time explaining a negative web persona in the interview.

Jobseekers need to be aware of the long term effect on their careers of the persona they present on the web through:
-Networking sites like Facebook,LinkedIn and Spoke.
-YouTube videos.
-Meetup community networks.

As another blogger, wrote - "Your blog IS your brand!"

Job Seekers not Showing Up for Interviews?

Whatever happened to not burning your bridges or making a great impression at the job interview?

The fact is you can't make a good impression at the job interview, if you don't show up for the job interview. With the increased numbers of resumes floating in cyberspace, some job seekers have a lot of options.

With the increasing relevance of social networking sites, job seekers should consider ramifications of no-shoing for the job interview. Employers Increasingly Jilted by Job Seekers.

How Ready Are Your References?

We all know the importance of getting support from those who can share positive words about our skills and competencies during the job search. If you are graduating this year, you should be able to identify several professors who could write references for you.

The ability to get references from your campus, where you have spent four or more years, is a good indicator of your ability to build relationships.

Here are two great posts from Peggy McKee to help you as you ponder how to approach references:

When I Refer to References...
Be Smart About Your References...

Here is also a previous post from BullsEyeResumes:
9 Key Elements of a Good Reference Letter

Day 24 – Share your Resume and Get Feedback

National Career Development Month

Getting honest and unbiased feedback on your resume or CV is important. As with all of your job search communication including Resumes, CVs, Cover Letters or Thank You Letters, getting another perspective is important if you are considering a career makeover, career change or just a career checkup.

This is great time to pull together a list of people whose opinion you value and whose advice could help. As the holidays approach you might even see some contacts you do not see regularly and this would be a good way to start rejuvenating your contacts again and work on your networking skills.

Although most of the people you might share your resume or CV with are not professional resume writers, they can certainly give you good feedback about layout, flow or consistency. They may even know of opportunities you might want to consider.

Don't forget that many online resume writing services like BullseyeResumes.com can give you a free evaluation of your resume.

Day 16 - Volunteer!

National Career Development Month!

If you are considering making any kind of career change or just want to enrich your existing job, think about volunteering. Many companies have a commitment to community service and encourage employees to give back to the community. If your organization does not have such a program - start one.

Look around your existing organization or your community for committees, projects or civic organizations for volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can help you:

-build a network of professional contacts
-gain new competencies
-develop leadership abilities
-test out a new career field you wan to learn more about
-enrich your existing job
-give back your skills to your community

Here are 3 great resources to help you locate volunteer opportunities:

The Center for Volunteering
VolunteerMatch.com
Government Volunteer Opportunities
USO

mr@bullseyeresumes.com

Day 15 - Rejuvenate Your Contacts!

National Career Development Month!

If you are thinking about making career changes or just need a lift to get you over the job stress for the next few months, connect with an old boss, a former colleague or fellow professional.

Keep in mind that networking actually begins way before you are in the market for a new job or career.

Remember also that networking is always a two way street and maintaining contact with you former colleagues and other professionals is important. It's not just about what they can offer you, but what you can do to help them.

For some great networking tips, check out the following:

1. The Riley Guide
2. Quint Careers
3. Los Angeles Chinese Learning Center - Article by Carl Reid
4. Career Journal

Great book on Networking:
Masters of Networking; Building Relationships for Your Pocketbook and Soul
By - Ivan R. Misner, PhD & Don Morgan MA
The book is a collection of stories, ideas from well known authors, successful professionals and entrepreneurs.