The right way to provide references

Posted on August 16, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

You may not realize this, but references still play a big role in the hiring process. While some employers might have abandoned the whole process of checking reference because it’s time-consuming, many employers still try to save themselves frustration down the road by checking references in order to hire the best fit.

So it’s still important that you choose the right people to speak on your behalf. Choose people that can talk about the professional you, not the personal you. And make sure to give those people a heads up that you’re using them as a reference.

Are you still unsure about how to properly provide references? Here are five tips on how to do it right:

  1. Include references only when requested by an employer. When it comes to submitting references, the procedure has changed over time, and whereas it used to be protocol to send your references in with your other application materials, now you should wait until you’re asked.
  2. Choose your references after you find out what the employer is looking for. Employers check references before an offer is made but after you have either made the final cut or are one of the top candidates.
  3. List references who can actually talk about you and you work. The last thing you want to do is give an employer useless references. Then, once you have chosen people who can accurately vouch for you, make sure you ask them for their permission to list them as a reference.
  4. After you’ve figured out your references, prep them. Let them know who will be calling them, what job you’re applying for and what to focus on when talking about you. Ask them to speak about your skills but suggest a different highlight for each person so they don’t all sound the same.
  5. Keep your references posted. Let them know if you do or do not get the job, and regardless of the outcome, always thank them.

Finally, keep in mind that some employers don’t check your references. And while this may be true, take into account that employers can easily check out your more informal references, such as your LinkedIn or Facebook accounts. So make sure you create an overall professional identity whether that is with actual people or online.

 

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ERI Personal Marketing teaches valuable interviewing skills

Posted on August 10, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it’s important that you take advantage of that opportunity and put your best foot forward.

Unfortunately though, many people don’t know how to do this and let their nerves get the best of them when it comes to interviewing.

Hilary Cole was no exception to this. She said that, when it came to interviewing, she would always make mistakes and subsequently miss out on great job opportunities.

That is until she employed the services of ERI Personal Marketing. Hilary told me that ERI helped her significantly improve her interviewing skills, and through their assistance she was able to land a great job.

“They taught me how to succeed during interviews,” Hilary said. “And with their support I was able to calm my nerves and get my point across to employers.”

Hilary said that the ERI feature that she found most valuable was the SOAR story telling process.

“It made me think about and practice telling about my accomplishments in a clear and succinct manner,” she said.

Thanks to her marketing directors guidance, Hilary was able to better prepare for interviews. She said she found ERI’s custom research request feature useful for interview prep.

“I used the video tutorials for interviewing and the compensation negotiation process,” she said. “ I was able to find recent articles in the business press about the companies that I was interviewing with.”

Hilary said that the increased confidence she had when going into an interview gave her an advantage over her competition and her newfound ability landed her a job with a 10 percent salary increase and many other benefits.

She said she has nothing to complain about because she now makes $126,000 a year, has more job security and satisfaction and is working in her ideal environment.

If you would like to advance your interview skills, read other client testimonials or learn more about ERI Personal Marketing you can visit their website at www.executiveresumes.com.

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How to craft a better cover letter

Posted on August 8, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

Ah, the dreaded cover letter. As much as we all hate it though, it is a crucial job-hunting tool.

When well written, creative and customized for the recipient, it can often seal the deal before anyone ever sees your resume.

On the other hand, submitting a carelessly constructed, impersonal or generic cover letter is equivalent to turning in a blank piece of paper or not turning in a cover letter at all.

That is why you should take advantage of the opportunities that a cover letter gives you. Unlike your resume, cover letters have very few rules, so you can be more creative. Use it to stand out from other candidates and present the skills and qualifications that will most likely land you the job.

Here are four ways you can enjoy this flexibility and help yourself stand out from the pack with your cover letter:

Use the employer’s information. Do you research and find out if the employer has a mission statement or slogan, then use it or some version of it in your introduction. This not only will grab their attention but it will also show them that you’ve done your homework and aren’t just sending a generic cover letter.

Sell your brand. Develop your own mission statement or slogan and use it to open your cover letter. In addition to branding yourself it will help you stand out and make it clear to the employer that you would be a perfect fit for the job.

Add a table. Display your qualifications and professional achievements in a unique way that shows the employer that you fulfill their candidate requirements.

Include a P.S. By adding this to the end of your cover letter you will most definitely catch the employers attention because, often, it’s the first thing a person will read.

 

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Job hunter finds crucial connection in SET Personal Marketing

Posted on August 3, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

You’ve heard it before – when it comes to job searching, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. If that’s the case, then the SET Personal Marketing team is definitely who you want to know.

And unlike your other connections, SET Personal Marketing not only can help you land a job, but also can help you gain more job security, higher income and better opportunity for advancement.

Jim Thomas can attest to SET’s unparalleled services. Jim reached out to me and told me about his experiences with SET after I commented on a job search forum.

He told me that initially he was skeptical of hiring a firm to help him with his job search due to the complaints he often hears about other career services and his fear that they would fail to help him.

Jim said that he’s glad he didn’t give into his fears though because through SET Personal Marketing’s services he was able to secure a job that he said provides him with more challenge and enjoyment, as well as a greater long-term income than his past positions.

“My marketing director provided me with the level of confidence to deal with the many challenges when faced with unemployment,” Jim said.

He said that through SET’s marketing process he was able to learn new innovative methods that enabled him to be competitive during his job search.

SET provided Jim with a level of support throughout his job search that he said was unexpected. He said that he felt that his marketing director was with him every step of the way, which helped him gain more confidence in his own abilities.

“They provided me with opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to do by myself,” Jim said. “I would recommend them to anyone who is feeling lost in their job search.”

You can learn more about SET Personal Marketing’s services and read some of their other client’s reviews at www.executivejobhunting.com.

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Job hunting while employed

Posted on July 28, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

So you’re ready to jump ship at your current job? While it may be tempting to devote the majority of your time to a new job search you should keep one thing in mind – ethics.

Yes, you may hate your current job and your current boss, but by breaching ethical guidelines because you’re searching for a new job while employed full time at another, you might not only burn a bridge at your current job, but for potential jobs as well.

So how do conduct an ethical job search while you’re currently employed? Here are a few tips to help you avoid job search mistakes while working full time.

Don’t job search while at work. As tempting as it may be, simply don’t. Even if you hate your boss, finish a project early, or no one else is around to catch you, don’t do it. Avoid job boards all together while you’re on the clock. Don’t use your company e-mail for correspondence with potential employers. Need to fax something to a potential employer? Don’t user the company fax machine to do it. Basically avoid doing anything job search related while you’re on the clock at your current job.

Job search around your current schedule. Scour the job boards when you’re at home on your couch and schedule interviews around your current work hours. Overall, don’t change your current work schedule to make time for your job search. Be honest with your potential employers that you need to schedule interviews before or after regular business hours or at the very least on your lunch hour. They will probably appreciate your dedication to your current job and that way you’re job search will remain a secret from your current employer.

Be honest. If your current employer doesn’t know that you’re looking for a new job you probably don’t want them to be contacted as a reference. Let your potential employers know that. Ask them to contact former employers as references because you’re keeping your current search confidential for the time being. It’s better to be honest and this shouldn’t be a factor in whether or not you will be hired.

Overall, job searching while currently employed can be tough. Despite the obstacles it presents though it can also raise your value in the eyes of potential employers and give you the opportunity to negotiate a better salary once an offer does come along. Just remember your job searching ethics.

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Too young for the job?

Posted on July 22, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

Many older job-hunters worry about their age being an issue when applying for positions, but what is often overlooked is that younger job seekers often worry about how their age is perceived as well.

Often times, fresh-faced candidates feel that they are passed up for jobs that they are well qualified for due to their youthful appearance.

So if you’re one of the many youngsters searching for a job and would like to give yourself a competitive edge and appear older, here are a few tips.

Get a suit. Even if you’re interviewing for a more creative role or if the work environment is non-suit-wearing, a suit shows that you are mature and are taking the interview seriously as a professional. In an interview your attire plays a supporting role so it should reflect that, although you’re young, you’re professional and worthy of the job. A good suit should last five to ten years, depending on its quality, how hard you wear it, how well you care for it, and if it continues to fit you well, so it will be a good investment.

Don’t over-style. An interview is not a social occasion so avoid dressing too stylish.  You can express your unique style in your off-the-job clothes but when you’re trying to downplay your age, stick to the basics. It’s best to play it safe with dark colors and conservative accessories that compliment any age.

Formulate a branding statement. By using a branding statement you’ll be able to tell an employer what you can offer, despite your youthfulness. By not sending the message that you’re looking for something and showing them what you can bring to the table you will drop that stigma that young job seekers are self-centered.

Leverage your youthfulness. Show the employer that your youth is actually an asset. Younger workers bring things to the table that older workers can’t – fresh perspective and vigor for life. Prove to the employer that your knowledge of new skills and the latest technology and enthusiasm could be beneficial to their company.

Be conscious of your online presence. Take the time to either clean up your social media profiles or change your privacy settings to private. If you want to prove to an employer that your age won’t be an issue, don’t give them a reason online to think that it will because of inappropriate pictures or posts. Additionally, if you don’t have a professional e-mail address, get one. An employer will see an automatic red flag if your still using an address like partygirl21@gmail.com.

 

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Getting a temporary job to survive longterm unemployment

Posted on July 13, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

About 6.2 million Americans, totaling 45.1 percent of all unemployed workers in this country, have been jobless for more than six months.

It’s an unfortunate reality that rings true for many people – the longer you are unemployed, the longer it takes to find a job. And if you’re one of these people, you’re probably starting to run low on funds and might be considering taking a “Plan B” job just to pay your bills until the job market improves.

And while there’s no shame in trying to land a temporary survival job, there are some things to consider before you dive into your “Plan B” job. Here are four dos and don’ts of getting a survival job to get you through these tough times:

Don’t give up on finding the job you really want. When you get comfortable at your survival job, it’s easy to lose sight of your ultimate goal – landing your dream job.  It’s also important to try to find a survival job within your field because this will better set you up for your future. Having some consistency and focus in your career will look better to future employers and will put you on your survival job’s employment radar in case an opportunity opens up. But if you must take a survival job outside of your field, look for one with evening or weekend hours so you can continue to use your days to search and interview for the job you really want.

Do stay upbeat. Whether you’re looking for your dream job or a survival job, a positive attitude is everything. Your survival job might be a step down from you previous position, but if you’re negative, the interviewer will sense your disdain about taking a lower-level job. Look at your survival job as an opportunity to grow and gain perspective.

Don’t lie. Although you do want to show some commitment to your survival job, be honest about your overall goals. It will hurt you more if you lie and say that your survival job is your dream job and lead your potential employer to believe that you’re in it for the long haul.

Do revamp your approach. Tone down your resume and prepare for your interviews. Although you should be proud of your accomplishments, you don’t want to appear overqualified. So de-emphasize certain qualifications and trade in the power phrases for a resume that highlights your transferable skills, personal strengths and work ethic. Also, still prepare for interviews as you would for your dream job interview but learn to show your maturity without bragging and counteract the idea that you’re overqualified with statements about your transferable skills that relate to the survival job.

 

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Nine Ways To Use LinkedIn To Advance Your Career

Posted on July 6, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

(Forbes) – Since I first started writing about how to use LinkedIn as a job search tool, the professional social networking site has grown in reach and strength. According to spokeswoman Krista Canfield, LinkedIn now has more than 100 million users, with a new member joining every second. Its job postings have bulged to more than 62,000. When the company went public May 19, its shares surged above $100 before sliding below $70, but just today, a story in The New York Times reports that its lead underwriter, Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $88, saying LinkedIn could become a “standard utility for HR recruiters.”

I’m now convinced that an active LinkedIn profile is essential for almost anyone who wants to cultivate a career. Even if you are satisfied in your job, LinkedIn can bring you unexpected opportunities. Canfield herself says she was sending a LinkedIn message to an old public relations client, asking for advice about travel and Paris, when the contact responded with the tip that LinkedIn was hiring. Canfield wound up getting the job. That’s the way traditional networking operates, but since it’s digital and nearly instantaneous, LinkedIn can be startlingly efficient.

Continue reading here.

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Your first resume

Posted on June 21, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

Congratulations, you graduated college!

Now what? Many recent college graduates are faced with this question and are not sure where to start when it comes to searching for their first “real job”.

Like any good job hunt, your first search should start with ample preparation, which includes creating a stellar resume. But how do you show that you possess the required qualifications to carry out the job when you’ve never had a “real job”?

Whether you have 10 years of relevant experience or your related work history is nonexistent, there are ways to craft a compelling resume regardless of experience.

Forget the objective statement

Resume objective statements are a thing of the past. And they can often actually do more harm than good for recent college graduates because they are often vague, which suggests that you are unfocused and probably sending the same generic resume to several employers.  So lose the objective statement and create a summary section instead. The summary should be a brief description of your skills and qualifications aimed at the company and position that you’re applying for.

Create a functional resume

Forget about a resume that highlights your chronological work history and instead create one that focuses on the abilities you have to offer an employer. This way you can put more focus on your skills instead of your previous employment. Think of your past experience in terms of action words that describe your past activities as achievements. By using this type of resume, you can also expand your resume’s focus to skills that you’ve gained through internships, classes and volunteer work. Don’t completely leave out your work history though. Near the end of your resume, briefly list your work history in reverse chronological order, along with your educational credentials.

Sell your transferable skills

Although you may not have experience in a particular industry, you probably have skills that you picked up while earning your degree or working miscellaneous jobs in the past that can translate. The key to this is identifying the skills you already have that the employer would benefit from and selling them. Start by looking at how your past jobs and the the one that you are applying to compare. Think outside the box and outside your degree and place those relevant transferable skills prominently on your resume. The more skills and knowledge you have to offer your next boss, the better.

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Common job hunting follies

Posted on June 9, 2011 by S. Bradshaw

It is no secret that job hunting in today’s job market is tough. But did you know that you could be making things even harder on yourself by overlooking some key red flags that stick out to employers?

Most employers take signs such as an unprofessional online image and resume liabilities as forewarnings of things to come if they were to hire you. Here are three things to be conscious of when you’re job searching.

Is your email address and online communication professional? You should be aware that employers will often see an automatic red flag if your email address is inappropriate. If you have an inappropriate email address, create a new account with a more fitting address that includes some variation of your first and last name. Also, be aware of how you communicate online. Given, online communication is often less formal, but you should never use informal language to communicate with an employer. Using slang in emails and having typos and poor punctuation will inevitably put you in the unemployable category.

Be aware of your online image. When you’re job hunting you should be conscious of your actions on your social media profiles because in today’s technology-driven world, talking badly about your employer or presenting yourself in an unprofessional light can hurt your chances of getting a job. Even if you had a bad day at work, hate your boss or dislike a co-worker, don’t air out your dirty laundry on your Facebook status or in a tweet to all your followers. Additionally, you should clean up your profiles before starting your job search or change your privacy settings so future employers won’t take you out of consideration because of an inappropriate photo or video.

Minimize your resume liabilities. If you’re a job hopper or have a gap in your employment history, do what you can to minimize the appearance of these liabilities on your resume. You can do this by using a different format and focusing your resume on your transferable skills instead of chronological employment history. And remember, honesty is always the best policy when it comes to resumes, so while you may be tempted to leave off a few of those jobs that you had a short stint at, don’t.

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