Social Networks and Job Search
View more presentations from Vanina Delobelle.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Take the Quiz!
I've recently been in touch with Thom Singer, author of "Some Assembly Required" and "The ABC's of Networking." In viewing his web site (http://www.thomsinger.com/,) I came across his networking quotient quiz, and decided to take it.
I scored high. But then again, I'm part of a networking website, so it came as no real surprise. How do you think you would score on this quiz? Well, I'm going to include a link in this post that will take you directly to the quiz, so you'll get your chance to find out.
The true benefit of the quiz itself is not to just try to get the highest score you can, but to think about the questions and answers (which are multiple choice) while you're doing it. Really think about it. Think about which actions would work best given the situation and begin to apply them to your daily life. You'll come understand that you have networking opportunities every day, several times a day.
Good luck!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Using Social Networking Sites for Getting a Job
Using Social Networking Sites for Getting a Job
by Dr. Barry Miller, NY Job Search Examiner
I'm sure many of you are connecting to this column because you are looking for a job. You heard about social networking but are not sure how it works or how to use these portals to get a job. I'm going to spend the next few columns getting you to be competent in using them. First, I want you to follow some simple directions. Go to www.facebook.com and www.linkedin.com and register. I don't care if you heard negative things about any of them. Forget it. They are both valuable tools for different reasons. Does this mean that you shouldn't't use other social networking sites. Not at all, these sites have to be included. Next ask me to be part of your network. You need people to help you meet other people. On Facebook just write bmiller@pace.edu where it tells you to add friends. On Linked-in type in under add connections, Barry Miller and bmiller@pace.edu . If you know nothing about Facebook and Linked-in I recommend the following books. Facebook and Linked in for Dummies and I"'m on Linked In Now What" and I'm on Facebook Now What " These books will give you the basics on how these social networking sites work. They don't each you the proper way to connect to people in a way that leads to a job. I will tech you that. I will also connect you to important Facebook sites that give give career and job information.Also I want you to go to any University you graduated and get an alumni e-Mail. That may facilitate your connecting to alumni both on Facebook and Linked in.
In my next column I will discuss the basics of building relationships on Linked in that create job opportunities.
Who New? (no, that's not an incorrect spelling....read on)
The early bird gets the worm. Okay, I know, it's a cliche, but it happens to fit nicely into this piece, so you'll have to let me have it this time.
Here's a quick piece of advice that may help you be the first to get your foot in the door. Often times, the people who are among the first to respond to a job posting are the ones who get hired.
How many times have you called to inquire about a potential position and gotten the response "I'm sorry, that position has already been filled?" Don't be discouraged, you're not the only one that gets that response.
You may want to try picking up the newspaper and flipping through to the "Legal Notice" section. Did you know that in New York and other states, a Limited Liability Company is required to post a legal notice upon formation of the company?
See who has posted recently and begin your data mining for information. You may be able to find enough information to get in touch with some of the principals. Do they need a bookkeeper, a marketing team, customer service reps? It's quite possible that they need a variety of personnel to get started.
In making these contacts you'll be doing two things. First, you'll be saving the newly formed company some time (and let me tell you from experience, starting a new company doesn't leave you much time for anything,) and second, you're showing a pro-active attitude. These are two things that most people will appreciate.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Resume Redux
Let's talk a little about accentuating.
People in the job search arena have always asked the question, "Do you have a resume?" Well, that still goes in today's world, but you might want to think about this; different companies are looking for different things and you'll need to be prepared for that.
It's a good idea to have several different resumes ready to go. Accentuating your skill sets in a different order will often make a big difference to the reader. Depending on the position for which you're applying, you may want to move your computer skills up in the list, or perhaps your managerial experience. Think back to your past work experience. Were you involved in any marketing campaigns, project management, accounting? Now think about the position and the company to which you're applying. Make sure to accentuate the skills that fit the job.
Make sure that you're ready to answer questions about those skills. What were the parameters of that marketing campaign? How were your computer skills used? How many people did you oversee as a manager? Do you have a success story? Did you increase production or profit?
The right resume can go a long way.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Not just what you know or who you know, but what you know about who (or whom??)
When you're scheduling an interview, the employer is going to want to learn as much about you as he or she can in that half hour or so. So why shouldn't you do the same?
Home work time!
Before your interview, do some due diligence about the company that you'll be interviewing for. You can find a lot of interesting information simply by searching the Internet. There are usually websites about the company, websites that rate the company and even website where employees give their own reviews. Have you ever read the reviews about a restaurant before you decided to make a reservation? Same concept here, just the potential of a much longer dinner.
You may even be able to find a bio about the person that will be performing the interview. Now that can be a real ice breaker, and show the interviewer that you're pro-active and intelligent.
If you're on Myworkster.com (shameless plug ;)) the inside connections module will help you to find people from your college or university who already work at these companies. Contact them! Ask them about the company. Getting the inside track is key.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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