Friday, November 20, 2009
Impact of Social Media
Saturday, November 14, 2009
7 Job Hunting Mistakes New Grads Make
Article copied from New Grad Life blog:
This year's crop of college seniors is, unfortunately, graduating to a soft job market. A weak economy means fewer opportunities -- and greater competition for every single opening.
Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, says, "In today's employment environment, there is less room for error when looking for your first career opportunity."
Don't let one of the following seven missteps cost you the career of your undergraduate dreams.
1. Keep It to Yourself
When you're looking for work, you want your burgeoning network to know it. Messmer, author of "Job Hunting for Dummies, 2nd Edition," advises, "Spread the word about your job hunt to everyone you know, including family members, friends, professors and former coworkers." Make use of online networking sites and reach out to your local business community and staffing firms.
2. Treat Every Opportunity Equally
One resume does not fit every job opening, so don't use the exact same document or cover letter when you apply to different companies. States Messmer, "Tailor each resume and cover letter to the particular opportunity, and try to obtain the name of the hiring manager so you can personalize your cover letter. A little detective work can go a long way in helping you stand out."
3. Make Careless Errors
Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Every document you send to a potential employer must be error-free. Go through your resume, cover letter, emails, thank-you notes, and any communication with a fine-tooth comb to make certain they don't contain typos or grammatical errors. If you're not a grammar guru or lack an eagle eye, Messmer suggests, "Ask a detail-oriented friend to review all of your job-search materials."
4. Don't Do Your Due Diligence
When applying for a position, go beyond the job description to find out about the company as a whole. A little online research can go a long way, according to Messmer. He says, "Applicants who uncover beyond-the-basics knowledge of the job and the company are better able to communicate specific ways they can contribute to the organization's success."
5. Air Your Dirty Laundry
Before you meet someone in the flesh, online image is everything. Pictures of you goofing around with friends may seem funny, but they also may lead a recruiter to question your judgment, especially if they are salacious in nature or show you doing things that are illegal.Messmer urges applicants, "Don't post anything that would appear unprofessional (think spring break photos, rants about a former employer, etc.) to a hiring manager or recruiter."
6. Act Casual
Once you begin your job search, make certain that you're acting like the professional you aspire to be. States Messmer, "Keep land line and cell phone voice-mail greetings clear, professional, and succinct. Likewise, avoid using off-color or overly cute email addresses or signatures."
7. Forget Your Manners
You probably won't get every job you pursue, but it is important to be gracious to everyone you encounter on your journey to employment. "Express appreciation to everyone who helps you in your job search, whether or not their efforts on your behalf are successful. Also be sure to send thank-you notes to every hiring manager you meet," he says.
This year's crop of college seniors is, unfortunately, graduating to a soft job market. A weak economy means fewer opportunities -- and greater competition for every single opening.
Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, says, "In today's employment environment, there is less room for error when looking for your first career opportunity."
Don't let one of the following seven missteps cost you the career of your undergraduate dreams.
1. Keep It to Yourself
When you're looking for work, you want your burgeoning network to know it. Messmer, author of "Job Hunting for Dummies, 2nd Edition," advises, "Spread the word about your job hunt to everyone you know, including family members, friends, professors and former coworkers." Make use of online networking sites and reach out to your local business community and staffing firms.
2. Treat Every Opportunity Equally
One resume does not fit every job opening, so don't use the exact same document or cover letter when you apply to different companies. States Messmer, "Tailor each resume and cover letter to the particular opportunity, and try to obtain the name of the hiring manager so you can personalize your cover letter. A little detective work can go a long way in helping you stand out."
3. Make Careless Errors
Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Every document you send to a potential employer must be error-free. Go through your resume, cover letter, emails, thank-you notes, and any communication with a fine-tooth comb to make certain they don't contain typos or grammatical errors. If you're not a grammar guru or lack an eagle eye, Messmer suggests, "Ask a detail-oriented friend to review all of your job-search materials."
4. Don't Do Your Due Diligence
When applying for a position, go beyond the job description to find out about the company as a whole. A little online research can go a long way, according to Messmer. He says, "Applicants who uncover beyond-the-basics knowledge of the job and the company are better able to communicate specific ways they can contribute to the organization's success."
5. Air Your Dirty Laundry
Before you meet someone in the flesh, online image is everything. Pictures of you goofing around with friends may seem funny, but they also may lead a recruiter to question your judgment, especially if they are salacious in nature or show you doing things that are illegal.Messmer urges applicants, "Don't post anything that would appear unprofessional (think spring break photos, rants about a former employer, etc.) to a hiring manager or recruiter."
6. Act Casual
Once you begin your job search, make certain that you're acting like the professional you aspire to be. States Messmer, "Keep land line and cell phone voice-mail greetings clear, professional, and succinct. Likewise, avoid using off-color or overly cute email addresses or signatures."
7. Forget Your Manners
You probably won't get every job you pursue, but it is important to be gracious to everyone you encounter on your journey to employment. "Express appreciation to everyone who helps you in your job search, whether or not their efforts on your behalf are successful. Also be sure to send thank-you notes to every hiring manager you meet," he says.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
5 Job Hunting Tips for New Grads
It's almost that time of year again, when newly graduating seniors hit the job market in search of a paycheck.I don't know about you, but everything I know about job hunting I learned after college. Like how to network and write an effective resume, for example.
So, to give you graduating seniors a leg up, I interviewed two career experts to uncover 5 ways for new grads to find a job faster. This is the stuff I wish they taught in school ...
1) Cast a wide net
"In a declining economy such as we face now, you have to expand your options. If you've looked only at large corporations, start looking at small businesses, non-profits, universities, government jobs -- a huge area of job growth -- and other types of employers," advises Lindsey Pollak, Author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World."
Often, jobs at smaller and non-profit organizations are harder to find, requiring more networking on your part. However, you'll face less competition from other job hunters who are not willing to put in the effort.
2) Persist without being a pest
Follow-up is one of the most important elements of any successful job search, especially for new grads lacking traditional experience. "'No' may really mean 'not right now,'" says Pollak. "Getting a job is often about timing, so stay on employers' radar screens. But instead of saying, 'Hi, I'm just calling to follow up,' try to add value in each communication, and only follow up once every two weeks or so."
One way to add value is to use Google Alerts (Google.com/alerts) to stay current on industry news and trends. The service is free and emails you daily updates of the latest Google results (blogs, news, etc.) based on the topics you choose. Then, presto! You have a valid excuse to email or call employers about the relevant articles you find online.
3) Get experience -- any way you can
Employers today expect -- and in many cases demand -- that you have hands-on work experience when you graduate from college, according to Peter Vogt, author of "Career Wisdom for College Students: Insights You Won't Get in Class, on the Internet, or from Your Parents."
"If you don't have the right experience, you need to get some, be it through a post-graduation internship, working for a temporary staffing agency, or perhaps even volunteering," says Vogt.
While this may come as a nasty surprise, especially if you've spent four years and five or six figures getting a degree, it might be necessary. Especially if the economy continues to slow down. So you should have a Plan B that includes temping, interning or volunteer work. Some sites to check out are Net-Temps.com, Kellyservices.com, Manpower.com and Volunteermatch.org.
4) Your resume probably stinks -- fix it
This unpleasant fact comes from my own experience reading hundreds of resumes from new grads over the years. To be specific, there are two things missing from most entry-level resumes: focus and results.
First, to give your resume focus, include an Objective at the top, with a specific job title. If you can't focus on one job, tell readers the three skills you want to use (not 5 or 11). You must do the thinking for the reader and make it clear exactly what you want to do.
For free resume-writing help, send your resume to 5 people and ask them if they can figure out what job you want. If they can't, employers can't. Revise as necessary.
Second, to give your resume results, add up all the time or money you saved or made in every position you've held since high school -- paid or unpaid. Then, include those totals in your resume and put them up front, where they can't be missed.
Wrong example: "Duties included, but were not limited to, filing, faxing, answering phones and greeting clients as receptionist.
"Right example: "Saved 24 staff hours per month ($2,880 per year) by devising new filing system while handling receptionist's duties."
5) Get used to competition
Many new grads overlook or ignore this obvious fact, according to Vogt.
"As a student, you were graded on your efforts alone. If you scored 90 percent on a test, you got an A -- no matter how anyone else did. As a job hunter, employers grade you against your peers. Suddenly, a performance that might otherwise have earned an A might earn you an F -- failure to get hired -- because another candidate else did just a little better," says Vogt.
To compete in today's job market, start with your mindset. Whether you're writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, or out there networking, keep reminding yourself that good enough is ... not. According to Vogt, "Your #1 job-search thought at all times must be this: How can I outdo my peers?"
So, to give you graduating seniors a leg up, I interviewed two career experts to uncover 5 ways for new grads to find a job faster. This is the stuff I wish they taught in school ...
1) Cast a wide net
"In a declining economy such as we face now, you have to expand your options. If you've looked only at large corporations, start looking at small businesses, non-profits, universities, government jobs -- a huge area of job growth -- and other types of employers," advises Lindsey Pollak, Author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World."
Often, jobs at smaller and non-profit organizations are harder to find, requiring more networking on your part. However, you'll face less competition from other job hunters who are not willing to put in the effort.
2) Persist without being a pest
Follow-up is one of the most important elements of any successful job search, especially for new grads lacking traditional experience. "'No' may really mean 'not right now,'" says Pollak. "Getting a job is often about timing, so stay on employers' radar screens. But instead of saying, 'Hi, I'm just calling to follow up,' try to add value in each communication, and only follow up once every two weeks or so."
One way to add value is to use Google Alerts (Google.com/alerts) to stay current on industry news and trends. The service is free and emails you daily updates of the latest Google results (blogs, news, etc.) based on the topics you choose. Then, presto! You have a valid excuse to email or call employers about the relevant articles you find online.
3) Get experience -- any way you can
Employers today expect -- and in many cases demand -- that you have hands-on work experience when you graduate from college, according to Peter Vogt, author of "Career Wisdom for College Students: Insights You Won't Get in Class, on the Internet, or from Your Parents."
"If you don't have the right experience, you need to get some, be it through a post-graduation internship, working for a temporary staffing agency, or perhaps even volunteering," says Vogt.
While this may come as a nasty surprise, especially if you've spent four years and five or six figures getting a degree, it might be necessary. Especially if the economy continues to slow down. So you should have a Plan B that includes temping, interning or volunteer work. Some sites to check out are Net-Temps.com, Kellyservices.com, Manpower.com and Volunteermatch.org.
4) Your resume probably stinks -- fix it
This unpleasant fact comes from my own experience reading hundreds of resumes from new grads over the years. To be specific, there are two things missing from most entry-level resumes: focus and results.
First, to give your resume focus, include an Objective at the top, with a specific job title. If you can't focus on one job, tell readers the three skills you want to use (not 5 or 11). You must do the thinking for the reader and make it clear exactly what you want to do.
For free resume-writing help, send your resume to 5 people and ask them if they can figure out what job you want. If they can't, employers can't. Revise as necessary.
Second, to give your resume results, add up all the time or money you saved or made in every position you've held since high school -- paid or unpaid. Then, include those totals in your resume and put them up front, where they can't be missed.
Wrong example: "Duties included, but were not limited to, filing, faxing, answering phones and greeting clients as receptionist.
"Right example: "Saved 24 staff hours per month ($2,880 per year) by devising new filing system while handling receptionist's duties."
5) Get used to competition
Many new grads overlook or ignore this obvious fact, according to Vogt.
"As a student, you were graded on your efforts alone. If you scored 90 percent on a test, you got an A -- no matter how anyone else did. As a job hunter, employers grade you against your peers. Suddenly, a performance that might otherwise have earned an A might earn you an F -- failure to get hired -- because another candidate else did just a little better," says Vogt.
To compete in today's job market, start with your mindset. Whether you're writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, or out there networking, keep reminding yourself that good enough is ... not. According to Vogt, "Your #1 job-search thought at all times must be this: How can I outdo my peers?"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Jobless Rate for People Like You
Want to find out what the recession looks like for people like you, check out this New York Times link!
Facebook and your Job Search
Use these simple steps add Facebook groups to your job hunt networking strategy! The overall strategy revolves around a simple logic. Social networks are SOCIAL. Thus, join the conversation and network!
Before you join the conversation, be aware of the image you project to potential employers or anybody that can help you meet potential employers. It is important to know how to manage your personal branding on Facebook in order to maximize your chances to be hired via the social network.
Where are the conversations?
Conversations are everywhere, on people’s walls, in private messages, on event walls, on picture comments, ect. The important thing is to have a strategy. There is so much happening on Facebook, it can be overwhelming. Stay focused. What do you want to do with Facebook? Find a job? Ok. What kind of job? In a certain field? A certain position? Write it down on a post-it and stick it on your monitor, because Facebook can be quite distracting.
Use the Search Function
Look for groups related to the field that interests you. Some Facebook groups are even dedicated to certain professions. If you have a certain company in mind that you would like to work for, search for the company’s group.
Join the Conversation!
Talk to the people on the group’s wall. If there are no conversation (which is very likely for most groups), look up the members in the group and send them private messages. Facebook groups are a gold mine of resources.
Initiating Conversations Through Private Messages
How you approach these people is very important. There is a certain etiquette you must follow. Nobody likes to be solicited and you don’t have time to waste. Here are a few suggestions:
Before you join the conversation, be aware of the image you project to potential employers or anybody that can help you meet potential employers. It is important to know how to manage your personal branding on Facebook in order to maximize your chances to be hired via the social network.
Where are the conversations?
Conversations are everywhere, on people’s walls, in private messages, on event walls, on picture comments, ect. The important thing is to have a strategy. There is so much happening on Facebook, it can be overwhelming. Stay focused. What do you want to do with Facebook? Find a job? Ok. What kind of job? In a certain field? A certain position? Write it down on a post-it and stick it on your monitor, because Facebook can be quite distracting.
Use the Search Function
Look for groups related to the field that interests you. Some Facebook groups are even dedicated to certain professions. If you have a certain company in mind that you would like to work for, search for the company’s group.
Join the Conversation!
Talk to the people on the group’s wall. If there are no conversation (which is very likely for most groups), look up the members in the group and send them private messages. Facebook groups are a gold mine of resources.
Initiating Conversations Through Private Messages
How you approach these people is very important. There is a certain etiquette you must follow. Nobody likes to be solicited and you don’t have time to waste. Here are a few suggestions:
- Be genuine, honest and transparent.
- Introduce yourself and state your intentions.
- Be aware that you are entering somebody else’s private space and be respectful. I like to mention where or how I stumbled on their profile, i.e., that you saw they are members of a certain group or they listed their job in their profile. This introduction doesn’t need to be more than 2 or 3 sentences.
- Explain your situation and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Suggestions to consider: Ask about the best ways to get a foot in the door in their field. Ask if they can suggest resources or organizations for you to explore for information. Ideally, mention something that you have learned about them that you admire or make a connection. (For example, “I see you attended the University of Illinois; so did I!” or, “I read your article about ______ and was thrilled to find you on Facebook.”) Be sure to offer something in return. (I produce podcasts as a hobby, and I’d be happy to share my expertise if you’re interested.) Limit yourself to 1 or 2 questions per message.
Copied from http://newgradlife.blogspot.com/ (Check it out!)
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