LinkedIn ‘09 Grad Guide (via linkedinmarketing)
Why I Recruit - And You Should Career Search - Using Social Media→
Chris Havrilla (@havrilla) at Hitachi Consulting shares how she uses social media when searching for candidates. She talks directly to people who are only using advertised/posted positions:
It is important to note, that finding the right person (or job) may not always happen when there is a posted, open position. It is a safe bet that there are many potential jobs that go “unadvertised”. And that number likely grows during times like these as many companies are experiencing budget cuts and may not widely market their jobs.
She also says that these tools are great for research - either before you apply or after to try and network:
If they have a position for which you are sincerely interested and qualified, apply and then use these tools to network your way to an interview.
Chris also goes into details about how she uses LinkedIn, facebook and twitter:
- LinkedIn - I have found the tool works best for me to facilitate more meaningful contacts with this broader network. While it may limit the people in my “network” that I can search or view within LinkedIn, I can always use Google to search the public version of LinkedIn profiles. This gives me access to almost anyone on LinkedIn at any time.
- Facebook - “I use this tool to establish closer, more meaningful connections with my inner most network. These are the people you most want to keep up to date with and on – personally and professionally. Many people are still cautious of using this professionally so, from a direct networking standpoint, it is best to use it for the people you know best. You can join Groups as a means for more open networking and engaging of others you may not know — and they may be more open to receive. Lastly, search for target companies and become a “Fan”. Many companies have created Facebook pages to provide information for or engage with candidates, customers, etc.”
- Twitter - Give it time – start following some people, watch, lurk, get a feel for it. Once you have a good group of people you follow that interest you – reply to a few questions or comments – start a dialogue. “Retweet” things you find interesting, appealing, or valuable. Then eventually you’ll feel comfortable “tweeting” your own ideas, links, content, etc.
Customize LinkedIn invitations for maximum results→
I’m not going to lie - I use the default linkedin invitation with everyone I know. I have rarely “connected” with someone I haven’t met before in real life, so this seems to be more tailored towards anonymous linkedin connections. Anyway, Entry Level Careers Examiner takes JibberJobber’s linkedin advice and adds one more:
I would like to add to Alba’s list: Say thank you when appropriate. If the individual with whom you would like to connect has helped you in some way, say so! I know nothing makes me want to connect with someone more than them thanking me for the help I’ve already provided. Perhaps also include that you looko forward to returning the favor (an extension of Alba’s third point).
- Customize the invitation. Sending a canned invitation looks unprofessional, and you have enough issues to overcome without starting off on the wrong foot. Start by putting the relationship into perspective from the beginning (even if you already know the person).
- Tell the person where you know them from. Whether you know them from a networking meeting, just heard their name mentioned or found them while searching on LinkedIn, it is helpful to someone who is wondering if you are a spammer or not—this needs to go in the invitation text.
- Tell the person why you want to connect. As the recipient of invitations, just saying why you want to connect lets me know that you are a real person and there is a reason we should connect. The canned invitation doesn’t say this, and connecting “just because” doesn’t give me confidence that our LinkedIn relationship would be a mutually beneficial thing.
- No strings attached. You are asking someone to connect to you and shouldn’t have any strings attached. If they connect, great. If they don’t, no problem. You shouldn’t use this request as an invitation to give an unwarranted recommendation, etc.
Parents and the Job Search→
In this economy many college grads have moved back home. That can only mean one thing - dealing with parents. Entry Level Careers Examiner shares the advice of John Salveson and Sally Stetson, of the Salveson Stetson Group, on how to use your parents to your advantage when job hunting:
- Visit your parents in the workplace. Go to work with your parents, and determine what you like and dislike about their jobs. Use that knowledge to help guide your own job search. From the office setting to the amount of social interaction, figure out what will make you happiest. Look for a job that suits your personality. Just because you do well in math classes doesn’t mean that you should be an accountant.
- Think of yourself as a commodity. Parents are the toughest critics. Practice promoting yourself to them. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses and how you can best emphasize your skills. Don’t tell an employer what you want from them; tell them what they can gain by hiring you. Sell yourself.
- Recognize the transition taking place. This can be a frustrating time for you and your parents, particularly if you have moved back home. Be patient, and know that looking for a job is a challenging, possibly long-term process. Use your parents as a support system, and understand that your job search is difficult for them, as well.
- Get into the conversation—network. Finding a job is a contact sport; face-to-face interaction is crucial. While the Internet can help you research, it most likely will not get you a job. While your parents may not be able to find you a job, they can provide valuable contacts for you to meet with. Expect to network with at least 50 contacts. Remember to send thank you notes after every meeting, and stay in touch with your contacts. Maintaining relationships with your network will be beneficial throughout your career.
- Utilize LinkedIn. The social networking site is a simple way to view and become familiar with your parents’ network of friends. Sign up together, and look for contacts that might be useful for you to connect with. Post your résumé, and join relevant groups to develop a network.
- Create a contract with your parents. It is easy to lose motivation during this frustrating time. Sign a contract with your parents detailing the specific things that you will do during the job search, including factors such as how much time you will spend every week looking for a job. Additionally, promise to maintain a set routine for weekdays including waking up early in the mornings, dressing in business casual attire and limiting relaxation time in front of the television or computer. (Note: “Get into a healthy, work-minded routine” and “Calm your parents’ frustrations with your job search” might be good articles to read as an extension of this tip.)
- Tell your parents how they can help you. Decide what role you want your parents to play in the job search process, and try to keep them informed of your progress. It can make your life easier to let them know how much you want them to be involved.
- Set up a regular appointment with your parents. Choose a time on a weekly basis to meet with your parents to discuss your job search progress. Have an agreement that this is the only time that you will discuss the search with your parents. This will allow your parents to feel involved without becoming nags.
- Prepare with your parents. Your parents have most likely been through the job search and interview process. They will have valuable tips and advice based on personal experience. Talk to them about their experiences. Practice mock interviews with your parents and draft answers to potential interview questions. Planning ahead of time can help you to control your nerves and remain confident.
Linking it Up - 7/28/2009
1. Interviewing? Look for quick thinking, not ‘right answers’ from VentureBeat. Nice little read for both interviewers and interviewees.
“I’m not interviewing for the right answer to the questions I ask. Instead, I want to see how the candidate thinks on their feet, and whether they can engage in collaborative problem solving. So I always frame interview questions as if we were solving a real-life problem, even if the rules are a little far-fetched. I’ll then act as their “product manager” who can ask questions of imaginary customers to learn what they think. (I also act as their combined compiler, interactive debugger, and QA tester.)”
“My experience is that candidates who “know” the right answer do substantially worse than candidates who know nothing of the field. That’s because they spend time trying to remember the “correct” solution, instead of working on the problem together.”
2. 5 Ways to Fix a Tarnished Online Reputation - Alexandra Levit talks about managing an online brand.
- Listen and respond to online conversations before an issue reaches critical mass and damages your reputation. The best protection against negative comments and gripes is to build a positive reputation ahead of time.
- In the event of a crisis, you or your leader must take responsibility in order to recover corporate reputation.
- Explain your solution to the crisis/issue and then carry the solution into action.
- Set up specific online destinations to solicit negative comments and deal with them separately. Bank of America set up a Twitter rep to deal with customer complaints.
- To change how you appear on the Internet, push down the relevance of negative results and give the search engines positive new content.
3. Why LinkedIn Recommendations Really Are Valuable is a short read where Jacob Share (of JobMob) talks about why LinkedIn is important to use and get recommendations on. Here are his ideas on the topic condensed:
- The job search process is a sales process
- The relation between the recommend’er and the recommended is what matters most
- LinkedIn is reliable
4. Does HR Read Resumes? Probably not but cover letters help you stand out:
“The one thing that will catch my eye and make me look at a candidate that does not have the experience I need, a cover letter addressed to me. Yeah, my own name catches my eye; I bet $10 you’re the same way.”
5. How to Behave: New Rules for Highly Evolved Humans is a new feature from Wired Magazine. Here’s one for you to sample:
Seek Out Your Coworkers on Facebook - So you finally scored a new job and you’re wondering if you should connect with your colleagues on Facebook? Go ahead. Yes, even with all those embarrassing photos linked to your profile. (No, don’t delete the ones from spring break ‘97, when you hooked up with a beer bong every night.) Friending your coworkers actually makes good business sense. According to London Business School professor Lynda Gratton, companies in which employees feel they know each other personally tend to be more innovative—it helps them jell as a team. In any case, not friending people won’t protect you from mortifying revelations. We’ve all been blogging and Flickring and tweeting for quite a while now; anything potentially compromising about you will eventually make the rounds. So own it. Revealing awkward photos and posts yourself is the best way to limit their impact. Show that you don’t take yourself too seriously and you’re less likely to invite ridicule.
6. How to Write a Personal Bio is another nice little read from the brand yourself blog.
Linking it Up - August 6, 2009
1. Colleges Need to Teach Personal Branding from the personal branding blog. This should probably be included in a short 8 week course every college should have about resume skills and interviewing techniques.
2. From Michael VanDervort comes 15 Job Search Ideas for Uemployed Workers
- Utilize non-traditional search tools. I recommended a number of job aggregators and local boards outside the big 3 - Indeed, SimplyHired, workforce50, Linkup, jobshouts, etc.
- Network in non-traditional groups (tech, social media) to break challenge age perceptions
- Consider other opportunities – contract, consulting, – look for work places like elance
,Guru, Sologig, odesk, and others. Consider teaching at colleges or on-line at schools like Webster or the University of PHX. - Get over the idea that you have to work in a certain business sector. Stretch boundaries. Consider non-profit, etc
- Increase your geographic reach. Consider New Orleans, for example. Relocate if necessary, and if possible. You can always move back where you left down the road if you want to
- Increase your voice wherever possible, with relevance. People will see it. It might help, and certainly can’t hurt!
- Spend time on new things just for you. Be assertive about your job search, but don’t let it consume you.
- Be sure to post your job search on locations like LinkedIn and Facebook so your extended network is aware, but don’t be annoying or appear desperate.
- Open your mind. Be receptive to any opportunity, and don’t let preconcieved notions turn you off to any potential opportunity.
- Consider reading HR blogs for job advice. You can find over numerous bloggers and contacts by visiting just two sites, HR Alltop and HRM Today.
- Join (or start) an “accountability” group—3 or 4 people who meet once a week and hold each other accountable for job-search commitments.
- Volunteer. The United Way, for example, can place you in a position that requires your skills. Broadens your network.
- Seek a “hold-me-over” job before you need to dip into your savings. It can be a one-day-a- week job in retail. An evening job bartendering.
- Seek opportunities to get out of your comfort zone.
- Build a personal brand. See the slideshare presentation Me 2.0 by Maurene Grey.
3. Would I Hire Me if I Were You? From careerealism.com comes a short piece on looking inward when job hunting:
Introspection is a critical part of your job search. Before you send your résumé to every opening you find, you should sit quietly and ask yourself whether YOU would hire YOU if YOU were the hiring manager.
4. Making An Entry Level Salary Work from gradversity.com talks about what you should do after you land your job.
5. Nick Armstrong discusses creating a cover letter from scratch and talks about:
- How to analyze a job posting
- How to figure out if the job is a sham/the company is cheap
- How to know if you’re qualified
- How to properly research the company
- How to begin your cover letter
- What to say in your cover letter
- How to end your cover letter
- What to do after you’ve sent your cover letter
6. Overqualified and Underpaid Workers states the obvious:
Because of the tough job market, most job seekers are willing to accept positions they’re overqualified for even if it means taking a paycut and a demotion.
Sixty-four percent of workers who were laid off over the last 12 months said they have applied for positions that were below the job level they had held previously, according to a survey by Career Builder.
Linking it Up - August 17, 2009
Only 2 posts today because we wanted to include all of the details:
1. What Not to Eat or Drink Before a Job Interview from GlassDoor.com:
- Just say NO to beans: ‘Beans, beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you toot’, or so the rhyme goes…in other words beware of a bean’s after effects. Last thing you want to worry about is controlling flatulence as you’re trying to sound witty and smart. NOTE: the same rule applies to high-fiber cereals.
- Keep it slow on the joe: Sure, most of us need a little pick me up in the morning or after lunch, but don’t overdo it. You want to walk into that interview with a sense of calm, confidence and clear thinking, not with a mad rush of thoughts and concepts you are dying to share with your interviewer. Or worse, you don’t want to be overwhelmed by caffeine jitters, which can keep you from pulling together a concise thought or sitting still and being an active listener. Caffeinate in the a.m. and opt for water while onsite (just watch the limits – see below).
- Watch the water: Water is a good thing: no calories, no fat, no carbs and keeps your brain healthy (according toSportsandCooking.com). But with water comes the need for bathroom breaks. Don’t let too much water cause you to nervously wiggle in your seat during the interview. Take the advice your mom always told you and ‘go before you go.’
- Don’t become known as ‘Dragon Breath’: We love garlic in food, but it doesn’t inspire warm fuzzy feelings when experiencing it through another’s breath. According to Wikipedia, “Allyl methyl sulfide, a gas found in garlic, is absorbed into the blood during the metabolism of garlic; from the blood it travels to the lungs (creating bad breath) and skin where it is exuded through skin pores.” Uh, no thank you. A Glassdoor stat finds that 43% of job interviews include either a 1:1 in person discussion, group/panel interview or a presentation, so keeping your body fresh and breath minty fresh can truly make a difference. Bottom line, avoid garlic the night, or for some of you the morning, before a big interview.
- Control your spiciness: Testing your stomach the night before an interview with a 5-alarm chili or hot curry that makes your forehead sweat and your bowels grumble is not a good idea – trust us. And do you really want to find out what the after-effect of that hot spicy meal will be during your interview? We didn’t think so.
- Gum can be sticky thing: Don’t pop a piece of gum into your mouth before the job interview because if you forget to take it out and are snapping away, it might not communicate the right message about your seriousness in wanting the job. In this situation, go with mints if you need a quick breath freshener.
2. Lindsey Pollak gives 5 Steps to a Fantastic LinkedIn Profile:
- Include keywords in your summary statement. The Summary portion of your profile provides a chance to share the highlights of your bio in your own words. It’s also a place to include key words and phrases that a recruiter or hiring manager might type into a search engine to find a person like you. The best place to find relevant keywords is in the job listings that appeal to you and the LinkedIn profiles of people who currently hold the kinds of positions you want. Check out LinkedIn’s Company Pages feature to search through the profiles of employees at your dream employers. And remember, it is absolutely fine — crucial, in fact — to include unpaid or volunteer work in your Summary. If you are a current student or recent grad, you can include relevant coursework and extra curricular achievements as well.
- Write for the screen. LinkedIn, or any website for that matter, is not the place for long-form prose. Present your summary statement in short blocks of text with lots of white space. Bullet points are great, too.
- 3. List all experience. One of the most valuable aspects of LinkedIn is the way it connects you with former colleagues and classmates—which, as we all know, are some of our best networking contacts. It would be a shame if a long lost former colleague or classmate, who happens to be a recruiter now, couldn’t find you because you hadn’t listed that shared employment in your LinkedIn profile.
- Collect diverse recommendations. Nothing builds credibility like third party endorsements. The most impressive LinkedIn profiles have at least one recommendation associated with each job a person has held. Think about soliciting recommendations from professors, internship coordinators and colleagues, employers, classmates with whom you shared an extra curricular activity and professional mentors.
- Share your news frequently. The best way to stay on other people’s radar screens is to update your status on LinkedIn (the box near the top of your profile) at least once a week. Tell people about events you are attending, major projects you’ve completed, professional books you are reading, successes you are celebrating or any other news that you would tell someone at a networking reception or on a quick catch-up phone call.
Linking it Up - August 23, 2009
1. 7 Quick Rules for Networking To Your Next Job from JobMob:
- Become familiar with the social networking tools like LinkedIn, FaceBook, and Twitter
- Don’t wait until you need something
- Seek to help and support others
- Be personal and genuine
- Have a confident attitude
- Thank those who help you
- Pay it forward
2. Another JobMob article on Job Interviews: How You Can Benefit By Asking Questions. The post has a nice video but the real meat is in the list of questions candidates should ask during the interview:
- Tell me a little bit about what you are looking for in your candidate or new hire, tell me about the last one you hired, or why is the position open?
- What was it that you think held the other person back from being successful?
- What are the tasks in this job that are really going to define success for this person?
- What are the next steps?
- When will I hear from you?
- Do you have any reason why you would not consider moving me forward during the (hiring) process?
- Are there any other folks who will be interviewing me later?
- Will it be a panel interview?
- In the typical day, how many hours do you work on the road?
- How does the travel program work?
- With your clients, what do you think is the #1 obstacle to success?
- What do you see in the field with sales representatives that stops them from being successful?
- Which product line of yours is your lead line? (i.e. the one that everyone should buy)
- Which product line should they probably not buy?
- What do you like about working here?
- Among the other candidates, how do I rank?
- Are there any questions that you have for me?
- Do you see how my experience at XYZ (past company) translates well into this position?
- Do you agree with me that a Bachelor’s degree in Biology is not necessary for this position, that it seems like it’s a sales process that really requires someone that can understand the product well enough, but can also understand the customer and their business process?
3. America’s Fastest Growing List of Private Companies via ResumeBear
Linking it Up - August 30, 2009
1. Liz Ryan has ten ‘boilerplate phrases’ that kill a resume (via Cheezhead):
- Results-oriented professional
- Cross-functional teams
- More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience
- Superior (or excellent) communication skills
- Strong work ethic
- Met or exceeded expectations
- Proven track record of success
- Works well with all levels of staff
- Team player
- Bottom-line orientation
2. CareerTV talks with Lindsey Pollak in a segment called Campus to Career
In our first five-minute segment, we’re answering viewer questions about finding jobs on Twitter, connecting professionally on LinkedIn and surviving when you move back home with mom and dad (hint: lay off the frozen yogurt).
3. 5 Career Questions You May Be Too Embarrassed to Ask
4. Another resume pet peeve from “ Jeff Altman, from Concepts in Staffing (NY) who complains about the “same” resume”. Listen or download.
Daily Links - September 13, 2009
- Holidays are great for networking
- Thank You Notes
- Spell your name wrong in LinkedIn? (Tips to help other find your profile)
- What I learned at my best job
- How to Prepare for a Job Fair
- 10 Ways to Make a Bad First Impression — and How to Recover
- 5 Career Questions You May Be Too Embarrassed to Ask
- Value of Negotiating Salaries
- Could You Be an Interim Executive?
- How to Check Your Own FICO Score (Use option 2 for free to know where you stand)
Daily Links - October 1, 2009
- Ask Heather: Two simultaneous internships, connecting with HR on LinkedIn
- Engaging Today’s Entry-Level Talent
- Q#307 – I Can’t Sell Myself, Am I Destined to Be Unemployed Forever?
- Advice On Changing Your Cover Letter Intro
- The Truth About Lying During a Job Interview
- Has Your Network ABANDONED You? (10 Tips to Win them Back)
- Have you chosen a top job?
Daily Links - October 13, 2009
- How to hire in uncertain times
- Google ramps up hiring amid recovery - Are others also?
- 5 Ways to Stand Out in Your Interviews
- The Job-Seeker’s Secret Weapon: It’s Pointed
- Guest post: Do something new for your job hunt, PT II
- Phone interview tip #8 via JobRadio.fm
- How One Man Found His Dream Job Through LinkedIn
Daily Links - October 24, 2009
- Resume Length
- Hot Industries for Job Seekers
- How to write your LinkedIn profile
- Job Descriptions Can Be Stupid
- How to Be Indispensable
- Starting a New Job
- Blog For Jobs: Your Blog Is Your Extended Resume
- 5 Ways to Go Green With Your Job Search
- How to Get A Fair and Competitive Job Offer; Don’t Answer the Salary Question
Daily Links - November 6, 2009
- New podcast show features Gen Y guests making a difference
- “Millennials” - HR Nightmare, or Breath of Fresh Air?
- Helping Teenagers Find Their Dreams
- The “Millennials” Are Coming
- How Staffing and Recruiting Firms Are Using Social Media
- Résumé 2.0 – Down & Dirty On What to Include
- Ten Reasons To Run From A Job Opportunity
- Tough Job Search? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions!
- 4 Ways NOT to Run an Internship Program
- Gradversity Quick Tip #17: Learn To Sell
Daily Links - November 16, 2009
- 5 Linkedin Groups for Jobseekers
- Interns Fare Better in the Job Market
- Can Recent Grads be Underemployed?
- Improving Your Job Search Through Social Networking
- Landing a job like getting into Harvard
- How To Tell The ‘Story of You’ In A Job Interview: Part 2 – Plots
- Are you making one of these 10 facebook job search mistakes?
- How To Shoot Yourself In The Foot While Conducting A Job Search
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About This Blog
The blog for funnelthru.com - a job board dedicated to honest entry level jobs. We discuss interview tips, hiring trends, videos we love, and anything else we think you might find useful or fun.
