Archive for category job search
Are You Over-Sharing On LinkedIn?
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive recruiters, job search, linkedin, social media on February 6, 2012
LinkedIn—that all-purpose gathering place for professionals, recruiters, and employers—allows you to converse with like
-minded experts in your field, learn about industry-specific topics and events, post resume information, and send private messages to employers in hopes of securing that perfect job.
However, if you’re divulging too-personal details, or letting others have uncomfortably close insight into your job search, it can take longer to find a suitable job - or you can be blacklisted entirely by recruiters.
If you’ve started to confuse LinkedIn connections for your Facebook friends, it’s time to take a step back and consider whether you’re harming your job search.
Here are some signs that you’re wading too deep into personal territory on LinkedIn:
1 – Posting negative comments about your job search in a LinkedIn Group.
While it’s perfectly normal to be frustrated with a job search that’s taking too long, LinkedIn is not the place to blow off steam about prospective employers, HR contacts, or recruiters.
Yet, you can peruse Groups forums and find this type of activity nearly every day, with disgruntled professionals posting information about negative exchanges with employers, and the occasional rant against a particular company or hiring manager. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Tips to Fire Up Your 2012 Job Search
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in job search, leadership resumes, linkedin profile writer on December 31, 2011
Looking forward to your 2012 job hunt – or dreading more of the same old, same old?
If you’ve spent time job searching in 2011, or are facing a pending layoff, the start of a New Year might not seem exciting or even particularly inspiring.
However, there’s good reasons to reconsider what you might have read or experienced in 2011 – plus ways to drive your job search forward and stay focused on your goal for the coming year:
1 – Realize that companies ARE hiring.
As badly as you want to find the perfect fit in your next job, companies want to find YOU.
Don’t believe this? Run a Google search on the phrase “How to find candidates on LinkedIn.” Out of the 14 million or so results, you’ll see thousands of articles on recruiting.
What this tells you is that there are plenty of companies searching for your talent. Therefore, if you haven’t already optimized your LinkedIn Profile for key search terms, it’s time to get going. Read the rest of this entry »
Reconsider Saying No to LinkedIn Invitations
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in job search, linkedin, linkedin profile writer on December 15, 2011
In the midst of job hunting—but still refusing LinkedIn invites from others you don’t know? You could be hurting your job search (or even your career future) by doing so.
Here’s why: LinkedIn is built on the premise that we are each separated by just a connection or two. Nearly every invitation you accept can put you closer to someone you really want to know.
But there’s another twist as well. Outside of sending InMail (LinkedIn’s internal email), recruiters and employers aren’t able to reach out to you unless you belong to the same Group.
Only a limited number of InMails are included with every account type, which means that power users, such as recruiters, are continually trying to find ways of contacting you for free. Don’t you want to make it easy for them?
Besides, what’s worse about limiting your network is that you’ll encounter situations where YOU need THEM. If you’ve tried to run a closed network, but find that you now need an introduction to facilitate your job search, you’ll be forced to hunt through potential contacts to string together a chain of forwarding InMails (not the most efficient use of your time).
Proponents of using LinkedIn for real-world connections often argue that, unless you’re a declared Open Networker (accepting all invitations), it makes better business sense to restrain your volume of connections.
However, refusing to add someone to your LinkedIn network when you’re job searching can be downright foolish… especially if this person has a wide circle of influence themselves.
So, forget about the implications that seem to come with taking on a new connection (it isn’t “friending,” after all).
Unless you have a very good reason to ignore that new invitation, it’s possible that clicking Accept might put you closer to your career goals.
- Dedicated to Mark
How to Ace The Panel Interview
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive job search, interview tips, job search on October 16, 2011
Facing a panel interview? Prepare by anticipating the mix of personalities and questions you'll face
Had a call for a panel or group interview recently?
While you might be thrilled to make it to this stage of the hiring process, the mere thought of fielding not just one, but a whole TEAM of interviewers can be enough to put your stomach in knots.
However, the reason most employers conduct panel interviews isn’t to intimidate you; rather, it’s a time-saving way to meet with people that will likely interact with you in the new job, and gather their impressions all at once.
So, when you stride into that group interview, remember that the team is there to learn about you and your value-add, NOT to interrogate you or make you uncomfortable.
These 5 tips can help you feel more in control of the process while facing a group of interviewers—with a professional, enthusiastic demeanor that helps win the job: Read the rest of this entry »
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You Sent Out Your Resume – Now What?
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in cover letters, executive job search, job search, linkedin on August 30, 2011
Rather than taking a passive role in your job search, take proactive steps to influence your success
Sending out a resume is almost an emotional action. You’ve read the job description carefully to find a match with your skills, prepared your resume and cover letter, and then hit the Send button…
And now you’re hoping that the company will see you as a good fit and call you for an interview.
However, instead of hoping, waiting, and leaving yourself to feel dejected by a lack of response, it’s time to take action!
These 3 post job-application steps will help you feel more in control of your search – with better results: Read the rest of this entry »
A Job Search Model Bound to Fail
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive job search, job search, personal branding, social media on January 24, 2011
In my Sunday Denver Post, I was intrigued to read a story in the Business section that detailed the woes of 2 job seekers. Each of these women had been on the job hunt for months, with no end in sight (until one of them obtained retraining in another field).
One of these women relayed her story of spending 5 to 6 hours per day on Internet job searching and networking, and the other mentioned sending more than 300 resumes out to posted ads.
Maybe you also read the same story, and thought that this was a prime example of how bad the job market really is out there. Or perhaps you could relate to the journeys that these women had taken in their quest to find new work.
I read something different.
In fact, I was amazed to hear the details of both stories, and here’s why: sending your resume to posted job ads is the worst possible method to use when unemployed.
This method not only pits you against the largest volume of competition possible, but also forces you to play a numbers game, where your resume might be number 501 in the stack–but the employer has stopped looking after the first 500 entries.
What’s astounding to me is that time-tested advice on the right way to look for a job (by targeting desired employers and creating an irresistible pitch) are everywhere, including this recent how-to job search article from Erin Kennedy.
In addition, I was shocked to learn that each of these job hunters had a sales background! This means that they probably possess fantastic, door-opening abilities to cold call and penetrate accounts at a decision-making level.
Why not use those abilities to follow up and find an actual person on the end of each inquiry?
What about using sales databases or other company data (Dun and Bradstreet, Hoovers, etc.) to find contacts at local companies? Even the Harris Infosource Directory can be had for free at any Denver public library.
In addition, neither job hunter mentioned how she used social media to advance the job search, so I did a little investigating. There, I found that one of these people had populated her LinkedIn Summary with a cover letter. (How do I know this? I wrote it. Yep, that’s right – all 2,000 characters are my cover letter, save for about 5 words.)
It was lifted from a letter that I developed for another job seeker, who must have passed it along. (So, not only is the profile written for someone else, it uses copy that wasn’t optimized for LinkedIn!)
Is it possible that these job hunters had never heard of the proper way to use LinkedIn?
I find that hard to believe, given the volume of data published by the careers industry on a daily basis. Ask The Headhunter, Tim’s Strategy, Career Rocketeer, CAREEREALISM, Secrets of the Job Hunt, and Job-Hunt.org all do a fantastic job of educating job seekers on social media topics, as well as fresh, innovative ways of getting out from behind the computer to make an impression on employers.
Now, I know that job search isn’t easy, but the techniques and tools needed to make things happen are totally different in 2011 than they were even a few years back – and there’s plenty of help for anyone that trolls the Internet to find it.
I’m just amazed that the word hasn’t gotten out to those that really need it.
Job search strategy: How carving your own path leads to success
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive resume writer, job search on August 21, 2009
If you’ve read my book, How to Get Hired Faster, you know that I’m a strong advocate of finding your niche and “selling it” to prospective employers.
Now, this New York Times article features a Denver executive job hunter who did just that: he found, as many do, that job boards don’t produce fast results and that he needed to widen his network.
He notes that, along the way, he became more involved in maintaining business connections. At the urging of a key contact, he initiated a dialogue with hiring authorities about an open position, even though it seemed beneath his level.
This is a key strategy that I advocate to anyone in the job market ! You’ll never know if a company realizes that YOU are the solution to their business needs until you make an attempt to COMMUNICATE this message.
In the end, he was hired at a Denver-area company as a result of his conversations and connections with the CEO–after convincing the firm that his expertise could produce the business results that they sought.
What a great success story! Of course, this is proof that you can influence employers to take note of your unique skills–without chasing down job leads or relentlessly pushing the Send button to distribute your resume.
Executive Resume Lessons from American Idol
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive job search, executive resume writer, executive resume writing, job search on February 28, 2009
It’s happening again this season: the pool of candidates is being narrowed, and the judges are listening intently to find out what differentiates them from each other.
Of course, I’m referring to American Idol (not your job search!)–but what does this nerve-wracking contest have to do with YOUR resume?
That’s an easy answer for anyone who has studied resumes. Like Idol hopefuls that are soundly criticized for not finding their own style, too many executives play it safe with their resumes, ignore the reaction they’re producing, and then wonder why they’re quickly eliminated from consideration.
Read on for some signs that your resume may have experienced Idol-contestant affliction, and some targeted steps you can take to address it:
Refrain from copying others’ style.
It happens all the time – your friend has the same job, and you swipe a few sentences from his resume. While this is technically plagiarism, there’s worse news for anyone who does this: your friend’s resume ISN’T about you.
Keep in mind that an executive resume is really a marketing document, and YOU are the product.
Just like a singing contestant who tries to copy Whitney Houston (ouch!), finding out what sets YOU apart is a crucial step in the resume process–and one that should be done before you write a single word.
Gauge your audience reaction and learn from it.
The most unsuitable candidates for any kind of job (singing included!) are those who ignore the response they’re receiving. Similar to those who fail to see the confused looks on their Idol audience during a performance, taking the same tone and actions with your resume will continue to get the same results.
If you’re not getting the response you want in your job search, then it’s time to take a different strategy with the style of your resume (again, without copying content). Look at executive resume samples from reputable websites or books to get a feel for the flair you could inject into your document.
Some executives seek out help from colleagues or professionals when they find that their desired audience (the hiring manager, of course) is passing them over for roles that they should have landed.
Solicit constructive criticism to get the best feedback.
Putting yourself out there for judgment is much like the experience of having Simon Cowell’s brusque once-over. However, constructive feedback is the best type of information you can get IF you want to improve your situation.
If possible, I recommend showing your resume to others who are familiar with your leadership style and attributes. This may elicit some negative comments, of course, but hopefully your colleagues or friends can shed some light on what you’ve missed about yourself.
Take this type of advice to heart, and incorporate constructive information about your work contributions and reputation throughout your executive resume. After doing so, you’ll find that it represents your value much more clearly.
In summary, put that competitive mindset to work, not only the next time you tune into Idol, but also when you get ready to send your resume to an employer.
You just might spot some areas where you, too, can stand out as a winner among intense competition.
Peter Weddles’ Take on Executive and Professional Job Hunting, Realism, and Effort
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in executive job search, job search on January 8, 2009
I’m absolutely enthralled by Peter Weddle’s newsletter today, in which he takes on the not-so-easy task of pointing out that a job search is really work.
In “You’re Only Kidding Yourself,” he says that recent studies found that unemployed professionals were spending only minute amounts of time per day looking for work–less than an hour per day, despite facing an uphill battle that demands plenty of time and resources.
This, he says, is less time than most people spend watching TV or showering. Unbelievable!
His major points were as follows:
“Whether the economy is in recession or firing on all cylinders, whether you’re starting out in your career or have years of experience under your belt, whether you’re a skilled tradesperson or a senior executive, looking for a decent employment opportunity is the hardest job you will ever have.
It will take every bit of knowledge you can muster, every insight you can gain, every piece of wisdom you can acquire, and even then, it will take pluck, determination and plenty of hard work.”
Well said! To read more and sign up for Peter’s newsletter, visit Weddles.com (which I wholeheartedly endorse in How to Get Hired Faster.)
Denver Executive Resume Service featured on Secrets of the Job Hunt – Laura’s Interview with Chris Russell
Posted by Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer in denver resume service, executive job search, job search on December 29, 2008
Spilling resume secrets to Chris Russell at Secrets of the Job Hunt here…
In case you have yet to visit SOTJH, you’re in for a welcome surprise. Career experts (including yours truly, of course) drop by frequently to give extensive, in-depth, and HELPFUL advice on all aspects of job hunting.
Frequently featured on accompanying online radio site JobRadio.fm, these are high-profile authorities on resumes, cover letters, interviews, LinkedIn profiles, and just about any topic you can encounter in today’s competitive market.
Put this advice to good use!
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