Monday, March 26, 2012

Is your Linkedin profile effective as a marketing tool?

6 Steps to a More Marketable LinkedIn Profile

Somewhere along the line you started treating it more like a resume. It's time to fix that.
Overall, LinkedIn is the best social media platform for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. Unfortunately, your LinkedIn profile may not be helping you to create those connections.
So let’s tune yours up with six simple steps:
Step 1. Revisit your goals. At its most basic level LinkedIn is about marketing: marketing your company or marketing yourself. But that focus probably got lost as you worked through the mechanics of completing your profile, and what started as a marketing effort turned into a resume completion task. Who you are isn’t as important as what you hope to accomplish, so think about your goals and convert your goals into keywords, because keywords are how people find you on LinkedIn.

But don’t just whip out the Google AdWords Keyword Tool and identify popular keywords. It’s useful but everyone uses it—and that means, for example, that every Web designer has shoehorned six- and seven-digit searches-per-month keywords like “build a website,” “website templates,” “designing a website,” and “webmaster” into their profile. It’s hard to stand out when you’re one of millions.

Go a step further and think about words that have meaning in your industry. Some are process-related; others are terms only used in your field; others might be names of equipment, products, software, or companies.

Use a keyword tool to find general terms that could attract a broader audience, and then dig deeper to target your niche by identifying keywords industry insiders might search for.

Then sense-check your keywords against your goals. If you’re a Web designer but you don’t provide training, the 7 million monthly Google searches for “how to Web design” don't matter.

Step 2. Layer in your keywords. The headline is a key factor in search results, so pick your most important keyword and make sure it appears in your headline. “Most important” doesn’t mean most searched, though; if you provide services to a highly targeted market the keyword in your headline should reflect that niche. Then work through the rest of your profile and replace some of the vague descriptions of skills, experience, and educational background with keywords. Your profile isn’t a term paper so don’t worry about a little repetition. A LinkedIn search scans for keywords, and once on the page, so do people.

Step 3. Strip out the clutter. If you’re the average person you changed jobs six or eight times before you reached age 30. That experience is only relevant when it relates to your current goals. Sift through your profile and weed out or streamline everything that doesn’t support your business or professional goals. If you’re currently a Web designer but were an accountant in a previous life, a comprehensive listing of your accounting background is distracting. Keep previous jobs in your work history, but limit each to job title, company, and a brief description of duties.

Step 4. Reintroduce your personality. Focusing on keywords and eliminating clutter is important, but in the process your individuality probably got lost. Now you can put it back and add a little enthusiasm and flair. Describing yourself as, “A process improvement consultant with a Six Sigma black belt,” is specific and targeted but also says nothing about you as a person—and doesn’t make me think, “Hey, she would be great to work with.”

Share why you love what you do in your profile. Share what you hope to accomplish. Describe companies you worked for or projects you completed. Share your best or worst experience. Keep your keywords in place, leave out what doesn’t support your goals, and then be yourself.

Keywords are important but are primarily just a way to help potential clients find you. No one hires keywords; they hire people.

Step 5. Take a hard look at your profile photo. Say someone follows you on Twitter. What’s the first thing you do? Check out their photo.

A photo is a little like a logo: On its own an awesome photo won’t win business, but a bad photo can definitely lose business.

Take a look at your current photo. Does it reflect who you are as a professional or does it reflect a hobby or outside interest? Does it look like a real estate agent’s headshot? A good photo flatters but doesn’t mislead. Eventually you’ll meet some of your customers in person and the inevitable disconnect between Photoshop and life will be jarring.

The goal is for your photo to reflect how you will look when you meet a customer, not how you looked at that killer party in Key West four years ago. The best profile photo isn’t necessarily your favorite photo. The best photo strikes a balance between professionalism and approachability, making you look good but also real.

Step 6. Get recommendations. Most of us can’t resist reading testimonials, even when we know those testimonials were probably solicited. Recommendations add color and depth to a LinkedIn profile, fleshing it out while avoiding any, “Oh jeez will this guy ever shut up about himself?” reactions. So ask for recommendations, and offer to provide recommendations before you’re asked.

The best way to build great connections is to always be the one who gives first.

Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden

Get your feet wet!

Go to http://www.wetfeet.com/ to find out how to get your "feet wet" in a career you are interested in:

Welcome to WetFeet

Our mission is to equip job seekers like you with the advice, research, and inspiration you need to plan and achieve a successful career.

About

>> The WetFeet Story

WetFeet was founded in 1994 by Stanford MBAs Gary Alpert and Steve Pollock. While exploring their next career moves, they needed products like the WetFeet Insider Guidesto guide them through their research and interviews. But these resources didn’t exist yet—so they started writing! Since then, millions of job seekers have used the WetFeet Insider Guides and WetFeet.com to research their next career move.

In 2007 WetFeet became part of Universum Communications, the global leader in employer branding. Thanks to the integration of Wetfeet into the Universum group, Wetfeet products are now used by job seekers all over the world. In addition to ourInsider Guides and WetFeet.com, we produce WetFeet magazine, which features career advice tailored to undergraduate students.

>> The WetFeet Name

The inspiration for our name comes from a popular business school case study about L.L. Bean, the successful mail-order company. Leon Leonwood Bean got his start because he literally got his feet wet: Every time he went hunting in the Maine woods, his shoes leaked. One day he set out to make a better hunting shoe, doing such a good job that his friends lined up to buy pairs of the boots. And so L.L. Bean was born.

The lesson we took from the Bean case? Well, it shows that getting your feet wet is the first step toward achieving success. And that’s what WetFeet is here for: to help you get your feet wet and take the right steps toward ever-greater career goals, whatever they may be.

>> The WetFeet Methodology

We’ve designed WetFeet.com and the Insider Guides to help cut down on the time you spend doing job research by doing some of the work for you. Hopefully we can make your job search as painless as possible.

WetFeet's high-quality content is the product of hundreds of hours of in-depth research, critical analysis, and precise writing. We survey massive amounts of publicly available information and conduct dozens of in-depth interviews of rank-and-file employees who work for the companies and industries we cover. (We keep our company contacts anonymous in most cases to encourage candor.)

WetFeet writers—experts at reading between the lines—speak with company recruiting staff members to make sure you get accurate information about the recruiting process, compensation, and hiring targets. We also consult countless experts, from career coaches and networking gurus to authorities on professional etiquette and personal branding, in order to provide you insight on the latest trends affecting job seekers.

Each Insider Guide undergoes extensive editorial review and fact-checking to ensure that the information and writing live up to our exacting standards. And because WetFeet retains all editorial control of our Insider Guides, you can be confident you’re reading the unvarnished truth, not corporate PR.

We’re eager to hear about your experiences on the recruiting front, and we welcome your feedback (both positive and negative) about our products and services. Don’t hesitate to contact us at orders@wetfeet.com.

What should you do before you graduate from college?

Taken in it's entirety from: http://www.wetfeet.com/blog/2011/october/5-things-college-students-should-do-before-they-graduate

http://www.flickr.com

October202011

5 Things College Students Should Do Before They Graduate

by Julie Feinerman

Although it’s only October, if you’re a senior, your time as a student is dwindling. Make sure to make the most of it by doing the following five things.

1. Complete an Internship/Find an On-campus job
Picking up a job during college, even if it involves cleaning up other people’s messes in the dinning hall, garners a new sense of responsibility. Many colleges offer employment options, including paid and unpaid internships in different fields that can help students explore their interests. Whether it’s full-time, part-time, an internship, or even volunteering, employers like to see that your time spent at college wasn’t wasted on missed opportunities.

2. Create Multiple Resumes
Colleges provide students with great resources like career centers, computer labs, and design programs that make it easy to experiment and create multiple resumes. It’s a good idea to have a few resumes on hand that show you’re qualified for a number of positions and in a range of industries. In addition, resumes are getting more high-tech, so a hard-copy resume may not cut it anymore. Having an online resume, video resume or a blog that has a compilation of tabs displaying your skills gives you an edge over the competition and shows that you’re keeping up with the times. For more information on the benefits of multiple resumes check out the article, “Resumes: Why Have Just One?.”

3. Build a Social Network
When I talk about building a social network, I don’t mean friending people on Facebook. Four years of college gives you ample time to reach out to friends, family members, mentors, bosses and co-workers to help you in the process of attaining your first job out of college or a great internship you would have never heard about otherwise. Networking remains the number one way to snag a job, so it’s best to jump on the bandwagon early. Remember, you’ve got nothing to loose and everything to gain.

4. Learn to Budget
Whether or not you decide to pick up a job while in college, it is incredibly important and crucial to your future that you learn to budget—and budget well! During college orientation, it’s typical to see banks and credit card companies shoving pamphlets in unknowing hands as they stand by their kiosks around campus. They are trying to persuade students to sign up for an account with them. This can be dangerous for undergrads who are ill-versed in the implications of a bad credit score and debt. Before you commit, make sure you do your research!

Budgeting no matter what the status of your income can be difficult. Blowing through your parent’s monthly allowance on dining out when it’s less expensive for you to use the dining hall plan that has already been paid for is only going to leave you broke and your parents furious. Think about the bare necessities.

5. Study Abroad
This is one opportunity all college students should take advantage of. It’s important to realize that the “real world” is waiting for you after four years of fun. Depending on your money situation and job status after college, taking that backpacking trip through Europe may not be feasible. Once you have the responsibility of a job along with paying rent, a mortgage, car insurance, etc, your dreams of traveling are going to turn into exactly that; a dream. Studying abroad in college gives you the opportunity to take classes, travel, and use financial aid to cushion any money woes.

From an employment standpoint, interviewers love to hear about your study abroad experience so be sure to add that to your resume(s). It provides you with a good topic for conversation. Fluency in a foreign language gives you extra bonus points in the working world.

How to find your passion as a college student

Taken in it's entirety from: http://www.wetfeet.com/blog/2012/march/college-students-follow-your-passion

http://www.flickr.com

March232012

College Students: Follow Your Passion

by Julie Feinerman

Most successful people will tell you they got to where they are by hard work, long nights, and loving what they do. I’ve found that the millennial generation more than any other is not only following their own path but paving the way for others as well. In this week’s #internpro chat, the topic centered around whether “following your passion” is bad career advice. As it turns out, most tweeters think following your passion is the way to go, and so do I.

College is usually the place where interests are discovered, nurtured, and pursued, but if you haven’t found your passion yet or you feel passionate about many different things, here are a few ways to help you establish a more focused career direction.

Deciding on a major
Whether you’re deciding on your major or have already chosen it, hopefully you’ve found a subject or particular field that you enjoy. Otherwise, imagine how hard it will be to wake up at 8 a.m. for your biology class when you dread the thought of slicing open a sheep’s brain. You’ll lose your breakfast and your grade in one fell swoop.

You also shouldn’t let your parents or peers influence this decision. Picking a major is a big deal and one that YOU will have to live with for the next four years. I know it’s hard to go against your parents’ wishes. I remember the disappointed look on my mom’s face when I told her law school wasn’t in my future, but she got over it. There comes a point when you need to do what’s best for you and there’s no better time than college to explore that independence. In the long run, your parents will understand and you’ll be a much happier person.

Internships
I’ve already talked about the benefits of having a job and completing an internshipduring college, but the payoff is especially great when you’re trying to explore different career paths. More colleges are now requiring students to take an internship in order to fulfill a graduation requirement, but don’t feel like you need to stop at just one.

Look at an internship as an opportunity to understand your likes and dislikes of the field you’re interning in and the job you’re doing. That way, if you’re unhappy with your internship, you’ll know not to make the same mistake again. Instead, you’ll choose an environment that works better for you the next time around.

Find a mentor
Do you have a professor you find intriguing? One that talks about a subject with such enjoyment and passion that you find yourself riveted in the material every class? This means you not only like the teacher but you probably like the subject too. Talk to this professor. Express your interest in learning more and ask if she can be your mentor. Professors are usually thrilled to help.

If you don’t come across a professor you like, try asking an older friend or classmate who is more knowledgeable in the subject you’re interested in pursuing. For a home cooked meal or bottle of wine, they will be happy to provide you with a little more direction and insight. Maybe even teach you a few vital skills.

Ask your peers what they think you’re good at
Sometimes we aren’t able see the good that other people see in us. If you need some help finding direction, ask your friends and family what they think your best skills and traits are. For years, I’ve been telling my friend how great she is at winning arguments and digging up answers to tough questions. Our friends would tease her and say how much they’d never want to go up against her in court. Now she’s set to go to law school in the fall.

What is job shadowing?

Taken in it's entirety from: http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/a/whatisjobshadowing.htm

Exploring Careers through Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing Offers a Unique Opportunity to Learn More About Careers

By Penny Loretto, About.com Guide

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What is job shadowing?

Job shadowing is a career exploration activity that offers an opportunity to spend time with a professional currently working in a person’s career field of interest. Job shadowing offers a chance to see what it’s actually like working in a specific job. Not only do job shadowers get to observe the day-to-day activities of someone in the current workforce, they also get a chance to have their questions answered.

Career exploration is the second phase of the career planning process. Once the first phase of self-assessment is completed, it is then time to learn more about the vast array of career options that currently exist. The internet today offers multitudes of resources in which to learn about careers. O’Net OnLine, The Occupational Outlook Handbook, and WetFeet are just to name a few. Check with the Career Services Office at your college to see if they have additional resources that they recommend. In addition to reading about the career options that exist, gaining exposure and first-hand experience through job shadowing and internships can really make the difference between assuming what a potential career would be like and actually understanding it based on personal exposure through an actual visit to the organization.

How to set up a job shadowing experience.

First I would check with your college to see if they offer a formal job shadowing program through their Career Services Office. If not, career counselors can be of enormous help in assisting you to find potential job shadowing opportunities that may exist. The alumni of your college are a good place to start. Large organizations and government agencies also offer job shadowing programs for students. You may also check with organizations of interest to see if there is someone currently working in your career field of interest who would be interested in hosting a job shadower for one or more days over the course of the summer or perhaps during one of your college breaks.

Preparing for the job shadow.

You will also want to make a good impression at the job site so be sure to check out the dress code before arriving. If you have been corresponding with your job shadow sponsor, don’t hesitate to ask about appropriate dress code for your visit. Since job shadowing is similar to information interviewing, preparing a list of questions beforehand is essential to getting the most you can out of the experience. Once the shadowing experience is over, be sure to immediately send out a thank you note that highlights what you enjoyed most and that expresses your gratitude for the time and effort the job shadow sponsor took out of his/her busy day.

Job Shadowing for career changers.

Job shadowing can also be a good activity for those currently in the process of changing careers. Not only can a job shadow provide more information than print or online resources, it can also offer a first-hand look at the culture of the organization. Besides possessing the relevant knowledge and skills to complete a job successfully, fitting in with the overall culture and other staff members is crucial to future success within any organization. Career changers possess a multitude of transferable skills that they usually can bring to a new job; but, depending on the nature of the change, additional training or education may be required.

If you have a job shadowing story you'd like to share, please take a moment to tell us your story online.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

How do I find a job?

TAKEN IN IT'S ENTIRETY FROM http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0711/9-Different-Ways-To-Find-A-New-Job.aspx#axzz1pm9liVEz

9 Different Ways To Find A New Job

July 05, 2011 | Filed Under » Careers

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The old days of finding a job right out of school and sticking with it until retirement are certainly in the past. In these modern times, people have become more adept at locating new job opportunities. But some of the more traditional tactics have started to fade in popularity; no longer are people looking solely at the newspaper want-ads to find their dream jobs. Job seekers are becoming more creative and utilizing new strategies in moving their careers forward. (For more help, check out 7 Job-Hunting Tips For 2011.)

1. Networking
It is said that the majority of job vacancies are never advertised, often referred to as the "hidden job market." To land these jobs, seekers will need to find a way to get a foot in the door. Networking can go a long way in locating job opportunities; even if no one you know directly has knowledge of a job opening, there's a chance they know someone who does.

Networking can be done both in person and online. You can join professional associations, attend events for graduates of your school, or aim to connect with professionals who work in your field. Various online tools also exist, such as LinkedIn, which allow you to network with other professionals and learn out about possible job openings. You may also be able to meet other professionals through social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

2. Referrals

Referrals also come from individuals you know, however, this method may get you an invitation to apply for a position without actually searching for a new a job. Some employers offer incentives to their employees for referring a successful candidate to their company - a win-win situation for everyone. You get a new job, and your contact gets a finder's fee for attracting a top-notch employee.

3. Job Boards and Career Websites
Job boards were traditionally just that - boards posting vacancies and employment opportunities. Though some of these boards may still exist in a literal sense, many job boards have moved toward a virtual format. Often federal or state governments will provide job boards and job banks that job seekers can access. You can also use job search engines on the internet or the vast number of career-related websites that post job openings, such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. These websites function in a similar way to the traditional want-ads, however, they have a much quicker turnaround time and allow you to search a much larger number of jobs over a large area.

4. Job Fairs
Job fairs are typically targeted toward specific industries, though some job or recruitment fairs are more generalized. These ads will usually come with a list of the organizations that will be present. Investigate any companies that interest you, bring a number of resumes and be ready to sell yourself. Consider any conversations with recruiters as mini interviews that can set you apart from other applicants. Some organizations may even offer on-site interviews to candidates that match their requirements. (Weren't successful? Find out why. See 5 Reasons You Didn't Get The Job.)

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5. Company Websites
If you already have your dream employer in mind, why not go directly to the career section of their website? If you watch for openings on their site, there's a chance you'll find just the opportunity that you've been waiting for. Create a list of employers that you'd like to work for and visit their websites often. If you're really set on working for a specific company it may take some time to find just the opportunity that fits your skill set. But if you've got the luxury of time, this might be the optimal method for finding your dream job.

6. Cold Calling
If you don't see any job listings posted for a company you're particularly interested in, you might consider making a cold call. You can use the telephone or email to contact individuals within an organization by finding their contact details on the company website or by inquiring with a receptionist. Contact individuals directly to find out if they foresee any upcoming vacancies, and be sure to attach a copy of your resume to any emails you send. You can also ask for information about types of jobs, or what kind of skills or qualities the organization looks for in a candidate. Keep in mind that this kind of contact may not always be well received, but there is always a chance it'll give you the inside track on upcoming vacancies.

7. Head Hunters and Recruitment Agencies
If you're looking for some professional help in your job search, head hunters and recruitment agencies can definitely lend a hand (though in some cases it may come at a price). There are a number of organizations that hire through recruitment agencies because it helps to streamline the lengthy process of locating and interviewing candidates. Head hunters locate individuals to fill a specific vacancy within an organization or find a position for a job seeker who has hired their services. Payment is often based upon commission. Keep in mind that many high schools, colleges and universities have job placement services that can help new graduates to develop their resumes and assist both current students and alumni with their job searches.

8. Temping or Internships
Sometimes temporary employment can lead to permanent positions. If you're without work, finding a temporary position with a great company is a great way to get a foot in the door, or provide you with useful business contacts to call upon in the future. Many recruitment agencies can assist with locating temporary or casual positions and contract work. Internships are a great choice for students who are just graduating from college and many schools' job placement services can connect students with opportunities. Volunteering can also be a great method for gaining valuable industry contacts. (For more advice, check out 6 Ways To Find Your Dream Job.)

9. Creative or Outlandish Tactics
In a competitive job market, some job seekers have moved toward more creative methods for drawing attention to themselves. Billboards, chain letters with a copy of your resume attached, or even pasting your resume to yourself and walking around the city as a human billboard are just some of the methods individuals have used to get noticed by potential employers. Though these methods can actually work, be cautious. You may get the attention of recruiters, but you may also be sending the wrong message. If you're going to resort to creative techniques, be sure that it's appropriate for the industry in which you're attempting to find employment. (Stand out from the rest of the applicants. Don't miss 6 Extreme Ways To Land Your Dream Job.)

Monday, March 19, 2012

How do you show you are trainable?

The following post can be found at:

http://www.careerjockey.org/talent-or-trainability-how-and-why-you-need-to-convey-your-learning-curve-in-your-job-search/

Talent or Trainability: How and Why You Need to Convey Your Learning Curve in Your Job Search

16 MAY 2011 WRITTEN BY: KENNETH MCCALL 3 COMMENTS

So you’re looking for a job and wondering how well you stack up. You ask yourself the obvious questions: Do I have the right experience? Am I showing a high enough level of education? Am Italented enough for the job?

But you may be focusing on the wrong questions.

Think about it. How many employers really expect the person they hire to show up on the first day of work and perform as seamlessly as a person who has been doing the job for years? Not many. Employers are realists. They know there will always be a learning curve that comes with any new job and they expect any new employee to have to undergo some form of training to get acclimated to the new job and new working environment. But what they really want is for that learning curve to be as short and as smooth as possible.

They also know that things change all the time. The business climate won’t always be the same so maybe the job won’t stay the same either. There will very likely be many new learning curves to confront in the future. This is why job offers don’t always go to the candidate with the most experience or the most impressive pedigree. Instead, employers often hire the candidate who appears to have the strongest ability to navigate the inevitable learning curves…in other words, the most trainable.

Maybe then, the right question to be asking yourself is: How do I show that I am trainable? As part of your job search, you may want to do a thorough self-check for the following traits. And when you recognize yourself in any of them, make sure to play up that characteristic as much as possible in your resume and in your interviews:

Adaptability: If employers see that you are a quick learner, then they will have no doubts about your ability to adapt to any new job and any new situation. You should go out of your way to highlight any situations in your work or school experience where you needed to adapt to a new set of circumstances and were successful in doing so.
Enthusiasm: Willingness to confront the learning curve is half the battle. And eagerness is a trait employers look for and value highly. An earnest and enthusiastic attitude will smooth out the rough edges of the learning cycle and give an employer confidence in a job candidate’s ability to tackle a new job. Employers know that it’s a pleasure to train someone who really wants to learn. So put that spark and enthusiasm on full display when you look for that job!
Dedication: Every learning curve is filled with road bumps. Mastering new skills can be boring, frustrating or both. But a dedicated employee can overcome these hurdles. Show your potential employers that you are the type of person who is prompt, always follows through on your commitments, and always keeps your word. If they see you are a dependable person, then they know you have the inner fortitude to stay the course when times get tough.
Deference: Those who think they already know everything can never learn. It’s OK to display self-confidence…just make sure you don’t cross that line and slide over to arrogance. A person who is truly trainable defers to others, seeks out their advice, and values their opinions. Show employers that you respect the knowledge of your peers and they will be more likely to want you working for them.

Getting hired, like anything else, involves a lot more than recognizing the obvious. A good job candidate will put himself or herself in the shoes of their potential employer and think about what that employer is really looking for. And the answer, to a surprising extent, is not so much the obvious things like experience, education, and talent. Trainability is often just as high on that list, if not higher. If you focus on becoming more trainable and show your future employers that you have the traits that reflect trainability, then you may already have all the talent you need to land that job.