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
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Jump into their shoes!
Have an interview coming up? When people ask me a question about MyWorkster.com and professional networking in general, it's usually along the lines of "Why should I contact people about my job," or "how is this really going to help me?" I ask them to put themselves in the seat of the person who will doing the interviewing.
Real Life Scenario:
The human resources manager at ABC Incorporated has just completed the interviews of two potential candidates. For all intents and purposes, their skill sets seem equal. The one difference between them is that one of the candidate was referred by someone who already works for the company. Now ask yourself, who do you think will be the one to get the prize?
This is, in essence, the power of networking. Staying in touch with the people and groups that mean the most to you. You never want to miss an opportunity and the best way to hear about them, is through your network of contacts.
Next blog entry will have some fun, but important statistics to remember!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
How do I come across on an interview?
It's important to understand how others see you, not just how you see yourself. So, what is the best way to find out? Ask a friend? Nah...biased. Ask a co-worker? Nope...people are not always as brutally honest as you might need them to be.
If you really want to know (and you should), you're going to have to do something, and I assure you, most of you won't like it. Do you have a video camera or a web cam at home? Well, break it out. Sit down in front of it and film yourself performing a mock interview.
Now here's the hard part....watch it!
Most people don't want to see themselves on camera. It can be an eye opening and sometimes uncomfortable experience. But for the purposes of your upcoming interviews, it's a necessary evil.
You'll accomplish two things by performing this task.
1. You'll be able to hone in on your strengths and weaknesses. After several filmings, you're going to start to see that you are coming across more and more naturally and there will be a certain "flow" to your answers.
2. Your level of confidence when going into the actual interview will be much, much higher, since you know some of the things that you'll be saying and have worked out most of the kinks when presenting yourself.
You can upload your interview at Myworkster.com in the portfolio section to allow others to view and critique your performance if you'd like. Hey...let me know that you did and I'll check as many of them as I can!
Best of luck.
More to come.....
If you really want to know (and you should), you're going to have to do something, and I assure you, most of you won't like it. Do you have a video camera or a web cam at home? Well, break it out. Sit down in front of it and film yourself performing a mock interview.Now here's the hard part....watch it!
Most people don't want to see themselves on camera. It can be an eye opening and sometimes uncomfortable experience. But for the purposes of your upcoming interviews, it's a necessary evil.
You'll accomplish two things by performing this task.
1. You'll be able to hone in on your strengths and weaknesses. After several filmings, you're going to start to see that you are coming across more and more naturally and there will be a certain "flow" to your answers.
2. Your level of confidence when going into the actual interview will be much, much higher, since you know some of the things that you'll be saying and have worked out most of the kinks when presenting yourself.
You can upload your interview at Myworkster.com in the portfolio section to allow others to view and critique your performance if you'd like. Hey...let me know that you did and I'll check as many of them as I can!
Best of luck.
More to come.....
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Dispelling the Mystery
As a director at Myworkster.com, I've heard a ton of different opinions relevant to "social networking." That term comes with a great deal of hype and I think it's time to remind you of something. Networking is nothing new. In fact, you've been doing it all your life and people have been doing it since the beginning of time.
Whether you're asking a peer about a job or asking your brother in law for the name of a good contractor or mechanic, you're networking. Your simply tapping into the resources of friends and colleagues to get the goods and services that you need. And you're doing the same for them.
More recently, you'll find that everyone is talking about networking as it relates to career development and job placement. That is a must, especially in light of today's economy.
In the coming days and weeks, I'll be posting information about useful ways to stay in touch with your friends and others with whom you have an affinity and how to strengthen your outreach. I'll also provide some tips and tools about finding employment and what to do when you do land that interview. IF you're just returning to the job hunt, it's a different world and there are a great deal of things that you'll need to arm yourself with.
If you'd like to contact me directly, you'll find me on Myworkster.com, and you may feel free to reply to this blog and post your findings as well.
Whether you're asking a peer about a job or asking your brother in law for the name of a good contractor or mechanic, you're networking. Your simply tapping into the resources of friends and colleagues to get the goods and services that you need. And you're doing the same for them.
More recently, you'll find that everyone is talking about networking as it relates to career development and job placement. That is a must, especially in light of today's economy.
In the coming days and weeks, I'll be posting information about useful ways to stay in touch with your friends and others with whom you have an affinity and how to strengthen your outreach. I'll also provide some tips and tools about finding employment and what to do when you do land that interview. IF you're just returning to the job hunt, it's a different world and there are a great deal of things that you'll need to arm yourself with.
If you'd like to contact me directly, you'll find me on Myworkster.com, and you may feel free to reply to this blog and post your findings as well.
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