Thursday, December 29, 2011
We know it, connections are important. We heard our parents, teachers and other adults in our lives say “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Industry experts estimate that anywhere from 60%-75% of jobs never get posted and come from internal hires, referrals and networking. That’s a big chunk of jobs to ignore if you’re only looking at job boards. Diversify your strategy, and while you should keep looking at the job boards (remember, there’s still anywhere from 25%-40% of jobs listed there), start using the tools that are available to meet more people and network.
If you already have a job, great–start there, but also expand to professional associations. If you don’t currently have a job, professional associations can also be helpful, but I also recommend volunteering for a local organization. It’s a great way to meet people in a non-threatening way (so instead of going to a networking event where you might feel the pressure is on!).
Most importantly, no matter what your current employment situation, utilize online tools such as LinkedIn for networking. When connecting with those you know or don’t know on LinkedIn, it’s important to always personalize your invitation. Even though it’s done online, it’s important to remember that there is a person on the other end of your invitation. If you’re sending a message to a connection, don’t just ask for a job, or to have your resume passed along. Ask to set up an informational interview to find out more about the person or about their company/industry.
In closing, take a look at the Top 5 Most Common Networking Mistakes and make sure you’re not guilty of any of these.
For a full list of the career services that JMR CareerXploration has to offer, please click on the Services & Information tab above or email jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tis the season…and when I say that, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving (although I am thankful for having found what I love to do and having the opportunity to help others find the same). I’m not talking about Black Friday, Cyber Monday or even the holidays that follow.
As we approach 2012, there will be talk of New Year’s resolutions and starting the year off on the right foot. As it relates to career, I’d like to encourage readers to focus the next few weeks on ending 2011 in a positive way, rather than starting 2012 on the right foot. There is plenty of time to start the next year, and if you have a goal, making it your 2012 resolution is only pushing it off a few extra weeks.
Make the last month of 2011 count, and while it tends to be a busy time of year, carve out even a small amount of time to work towards reaching your goals. An added bonus to starting now instead of January 1st? By the time 2012 arrives, you’ll already have momentum and you will have set yourself up to take on 2012 in a more confident way.
If you need assistance finding a new direction for your career, updating your resume or writing a cover letter, contact me at jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com or visit the Contact Us page.
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You finally made the jump. You’ve created a LinkedIn profile and you’ve started making connections with friends, colleagues, etc. Your profile is up to date and you even joined a few groups that are of interest. Now what??
Using LinkedIn only begins with creating a profile and making connections. It’s what you do with those connections that will count. Whether you’re happily employed, or in transition, being active on LinkedIn is a way to keep making valuable connections that lead to stronger, mutually beneficial professional relationships. Networking is an on-going process, and isn’t just for when you’re job seeking or need something.
Click here for more information on how to stay active in your networking practices with some small, manageable steps.
For more information on the services offered by JMR CareerXploration (including LinkedIn profile assistance!), please click on the Services & Information tab above.
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For anyone who thought social media was a passing trend, I have news.
Everyday, we’re seeing social media engrained more in our personal lives, and now, we’re even seeing these online sites start to sneak into professional processes. Most notably, recruiting. My advice? Be mindful of it and embrace it. Ignoring it will put you at a disadvantage.
Not only does social media give job seekers the opportunity to brand and promote themselves in ways they never could before, it’s also sparking new ideas and creating companies and jobs that didn’t exist just 5 years ago. For example, check out this company, Social Intelligence. They are a start up that collects information from social media sites to help employers make better informed decisions about hiring candidates. If you haven’t been mindful of the content you’re posting online, now is the best time to start!
For more information on what a background check using social media looks like, click here.
If you’d like additional information about the services offered by JMR CareerXploration, please click on the Services & Information tab above, or contact us at jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com.
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Monday, September 12, 2011
If you’ve been on interviews this year, see if any of these sound familiar. Kforce, a professional staffing and solutions firm, released the top 11 questions of 2011. If you haven’t been interviewing, but plan to soon, these will help you prepare.
Top 11 Interview Questions of 2011
For a full list of services offered by JMR CareerXploration (including resume editing to land you more interviews!) visit the Services & Information tab above. Contact us at jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com to request services, or if you’d like career tips and information on the go, find us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter.
While Facebook was gaining popularity and establishing itself as more than just a fad, forward-thinking individuals started to speculate how, or even if, social media would affect the job search. A few years back, employers were giving me feedback that they didn’t have the time to check Facebook in the recruiting process. However, today, an increasing number are using Facebook not as a means to find potentially detrimental information about a candidate, but to recruit top talent in their networking space. Check out this video on Why Recruiters Like Facebook.
Companies are trying to tap Facebook’s 750-million-plus user base to find new employees, competing with LinkedIn, which has dominated the online professional networking arena. Joe Light has the story.
Read the article Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like
For information on the services offered through JMR CareerXploration, click on the Services & Information tab above, or email jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for career information and advice on the go.
The Harvard Business Review posted an article by blogger and professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain at times, and this becomes especially apparent when you’ve been job searching and coming up empty. Sometimes it helps to have a fresh new perspective and new ideas to help re-energize and inject some confidence back into your routine. Click here for Five Tips for Coping with Uncertainty and Finding Opportunity.
For more information about our services, email jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com, or check out the “Services & Information” tab above.
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If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, now is definitely the time to check it out. When you are on an employer’s website, you usually click a button to apply for a particular job. This takes you to a page where you either create an account, or fill out an online application, copying/uploading your resume as part of the application process. LinkedIn is set to launch an application tool, in the form of a button that employers and job search portals can place on their website. This button will allow job seekers to apply for a position using their LinkedIn profile.
Read more about it here.
If you are looking to get set up on LinkedIn, or just want an extra set of eyes to edit your profile, ensuring that you are presenting yourself professionally and competitively on the site, email jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com, or check out our LinkedIn services under the “Services & Information” tab above.
For more career information, follow us on Twitter; Find us on Facebook.
LinkedIn has shared the 10 most overused buzzwords that job seekers have on their resumes and their LinkedIn profiles. Click here to see if they sound familiar. Are these the words all over your resume and LinkedIn profile? Contact JMR CareerXploration for help with both. jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com
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Someone shared a video with me that was very thought-provoking in terms of where we’re going and how far we’ve come in terms of technology and social media. If you haven’t yet considered using social media in your job search, watch the video. You can’t deny it’s power anymore, and I can say with certainty that it’s not a fad. Social media is here to stay, so don’t be afraid to jump in and take advantage of the communication opportunities! Click on the link below to check out the video, and remember to follow JMR CareerXploration on Twitter and like us on Facebook. I think connecting with JMR CareerXploration via ocial media is a good place to start, but I suppose I’m biased.
Social Media Revolution
For more information on JMR CareerXploration, please click on the Services & Information tab above, or email jmrCareerXploration@gmail.com.
by Rossi
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