Archive for the ‘Job Searching in 2011’ Category

Expand linkedin for full benefit

Posted on: February 3rd, 2011 by jobTopia No Comments

Linkedin is an effective networking tool when you build your first level contacts.  You have to sign up as many first level connections as you can to get the full benefit of linkedin.  I see many people in my network that have less than 10 first level connections.  That isn’t enough.    At the time of this writing I have 1,700 first level connections, 560,000 second level connections and 13 million third level connections.  My goal is to have 2,000 first level connections by year end. Puzzle

Here are a few tips to expand your first level.  1. Join my network.  I accept everyone except other recruiters.  2. Include your email address in your linkedin profile name. For example: look at my name in linkedin.  I edited my first name to be my first and last name and my last name is my email address. Look at my name.  Folks can send you  an invite to connect to their network without depending on the linkedin referral program.  3. Look for people who have included their email address in their name and send them an invite to join you.  They too want to expand their network, so there is a good chance they will accept your invitation even though they don’t know you.   If you don’t know how to invite people to join your linkedin network, spend a moment on the linkedin website.  It is easy.  Just click the “expand your network” button on the home page.

If you want more advanced tips read on.  1. Complete your profile to include every company you worked at and linkedin will automatically send you people to invite who worked at the same company.  2. Do the same thing for your education.  I went to UGA.  When new UGA grads join linkedin, linkedin brings those contacts to me for free!  I send them a note and ask them to join.  Some people decline, but many accept.  3.  Go to advanced search and search for people you know and invite them to join.

Grow your first line contacts and you will get the most out of linkedin.

Stop sending resumes to HR

Posted on: January 24th, 2011 by jobTopia No Comments

 

Getting your resume noticed is difficult. HR professionals receive more than 1,000 resumes per job listing.  “Don’t you dare send that resume to HR” was the first piece of advice I heard  15 years ago from the top salesman/recruiter in my office.  You know what?  He is still right!   Sending a resume to HR is not an effective strategy.  Can’t you just imagine their inbox on Monday morning?

You need to find a connector or an internal champion to connect you to the hiring manager or executive making the economic decision.  Research, prioritize and organize companies and industries that NEED your skills; locate and connect with a coach; create a resume that resonates with the decision maker; prepare a script to introduce yourself, practice handling mock interview questions and become a better salary negotiator.

Be sure to use all the available business tools, news outlets, on-line connectivity and business meetings to add people to your organized approach.

Stop sending resumes to HR. Build a network to reach the decision maker.  After you determine you have no connection or link or warm affiliation with the “target” company and have exhausted all other options then send your resume to HR (and hope they read it and respond).  I am sorry HR, but this is true.  You are inbox is too cluttered.  Go direct to the hiring manager.  Or better yet, call a professional search firm (mine specializes in Finance and IT careers).

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Strategy Overview

Posted on: March 23rd, 2007 by jobTopia No Comments

1: join linkedin and read how to get the most out of linkedin.  I am not a paid endorser for linkedin.  I am just a user.  You will find a web tool on the main page to help you link to the site.  Next you must begin addingPuzzle_2  people, everyone you can find, to join linkedin.  Start with me.  Send me an invitation.  I have a network over 5,000,000 people right now and it grows everyday.  Add folks from your office, past employer, school, friends and any one who will listen to you.   

2: create an indeed search for job titles you are interested in, but DO NOT SEND YOUR RESUME TO HR (well you can but you know what will happen..no response) and sign up for email alerts.

3: subscribe to the Atlanta Business Chronicle on-line version (or the one for your city).  All relevant Atlanta (your city) news is found inside.  You will find a link on the main page for this as well.  You will read stories about companies downsizing, expanding their presence and so on.  The editors even drop names, the very names of people you need to meet and get networked with and eventually send a resume to!  Here is the great part.  Go to linkedin and search for that persons name.  Ahhh.  You may find them and can create a link to them.  If there is another paper in your town sign up for the on-line version. Here in Atlanta we have the AJC. 

Pogo 4: consider buying a subscription to Hoovers on-line.   You can research companies in your city and in your niche.  I have bought a Business Wise subscription for about $12,000 a year for my business.  Hoovers is much cheaper and you can use it month by month until you find a job.   

5: compile a list of companies and draw from your personal linkedin connections, the Business Chronicles, Hoovers and the local paper and the INDEED job postings that look interesting. 

6: research these companies.  You can use the company website, Hoovers and Yahoo finance.  Create an organization chart for the firms you are interested in.  List the people you have found.  Can they be found on linkedin?   

7: Join your industry association!  You will meet peers, make friends, learn best practices and get great job leads.  Attend general business meetings in your city as well.  Pick events that 1. you will enjoy the subject matter and 2. may be attended by these very people you have researched.  3.  Find out the HOT BUTTONS for this industry or group.  You will use this information in your resume later.  Attend regularly.  Common  sense will lead you to good shows, conferences, trade shows, general business meetings.  Stay away from the "lead generation" events.  If you are required to bring a lead every meeting you are at the WRONG event.  Every city is loaded with events.  Some are free others cost $20.  Spend the money, and if you can expense the meeting because it is a show or meeting in your industry take advantage of the opportunity.  It will be a learning experience AND you will meet a few people. 

8: network at these meetings.  Relax and be yourself.  Exchange business cards.  Build  relationships and think "what can I do to help this person?"  A good networker enjoys helping others.  DO NOT PASS OUT YOUR RESUME.  This is not the time.  Focus on gathering intelligence.

9: create a resonating resume that will appeal to your target company.  You will know what is important because you have researched the company, attended industry-related meetings, spoke with an internal coach you found through linkedin and you discovered the current business and industry trends.  Your resume will resonate if you convey you can solve these issues.  You are their solution! 

10: get connected to a coach or connector who can get you introduced to the hiring manager.  Again common sense can help here.  If you are an accountant chances are you want to get connected to the accounting manager or controller.  Just call the company and ask "who is the controller?"  Tell the receptionist you need to send a letter to the controller and want to get the name spelled right.  Use linkedin to search for the controller and who they are connected to.  who else works in the company you can get connected with? 

11: get referred and have your resume hand delivered to hiring manager.  If this does not work, send your resume through the MAIL, not email, to the hiring manager.

Officespace1_2 12: phone the hiring manager and when you catch them "live" tell them who you are and why you are calling and how you got connected to them. I will cover this topic in greater detail later.

13: continue this strategy for all companies on your list and add/drop companies as you learn more information.  Continue reading the Chronicle and attending meetings, adding folks to linkedin.  You will get networked and introduced.  This is better than just sending a resume to HR.

14: create a follow up program in excel to track hiring manager names, phone numbers and status of progress.

15: you hit a road block and cannot get around it, send your resume to to HR.