We all have points throughout our career where we stall out, hit a major bump, or things become stale. This happens due to becoming too comfortable in your current position, an economic or global crisis, or simply not knowing what direction you want to go. Using your
LinkedIn profile for networking purposes can help you find some direction and potentially lead to other opportunities. Though it is natural to stall out in your career, it’s also possible, and necessary, to move forward when you’re ready.
If you know you’re ready to advance your executive career, but can’t seem to find a spark to get you going, we’ve got some tips to help you out.
Let Career Detours Be Inspirational
If your career path isn’t headed exactly how you planned it to, don’t get discouraged. Everyone will have detours in their career. Instead of looking at those detours negatively, view them as inspirational and work harder to get back on track. Revisit your executive resume biography as a reminder of where you are now and where you want to be in the future. When your path changes, look for ways to grow from it and make any adjustments you deem necessary.
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One of the biggest sparks executives experience in their career is learning a new skill. Being able to add a new skill to your executive resume biography is motivating, so consider taking an advanced course or work on projects of your own in your free time. Now is the perfect time to take an online class or update that certification. The top resume writing services encourage people to step out of their comfort zone occasionally because it will lead to growth no matter what. Learning experiences are valuable for career growth, but you won’t experience any of them if you don’t take the first step forward.
Network with Like-Minded Experts
Networking can lead to many different opportunities and can be a big spark for your career. Simply talking with like-minded experts can give you new ideas on how to approach your career or certain projects to help you move forward. Be sure to have your LinkedIn profile updated, though, since you’ll likely want to reconnect with people you’ve met through the platform.
There are many reasons careers get stuck. If yours is, take the time to figure out why it’s stalled and where you want it to be in the future. Then set a plan of action to get there.
FSC Career Blog Author:Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.
FSC Career Blog | May 22, 2020
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Many executives don’t appreciate the importance of having a positive online presence. And some don’t understand their online presence should always be kept up-to-date. If you’re actively looking for a job, you’re putting yourself in a big hole if recruiters can’t find you online.
Having a clean and updated executive LinkedIn profile is a necessity today rather than a luxury. It’s worth hiring a professional LinkedIn profile writer if you’ve never developed one before, and there are plenty of other ways to develop and maintain a positive online presence. Here are some reasons why it’s so important.
Recruiters Always Look For An Online Presence
One of the first things a recruiter will do when they receive a resume is to conduct an online search for the person’s name. If you have a negative online presence, or no online presence at all, then your chances of moving to the next step in the hiring process are slim. At the very least, develop your executive LinkedIn profile to the point where it shows up at the top of the search results. That way, you’ll know exactly what recruiters are seeing when they search for your name.
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With the high level of importance of personal branding for senior-level managers, there is always room to improve your online presence. Being active on LinkedIn and other social media platforms will increase your visibility. You can also publish original articles to your blog or social media profiles. Joining LinkedIn groups and participating in discussions on professional forums can also help promote your name. Just be sure to think carefully about everything you post online, as anything you say can be used against you.
Monitor Your Online Presence Regularly
Once you feel comfortable with your online presence, you can’t get complacent. You should always be looking to improve your presence and brand. Monitoring your brand online is critical since anyone can post negative information about you. Do a search for your name periodically and see what results show up. While you may not be able to remove information completely, you can combat it by responding appropriately. You don’t want to let any negativity about you linger online for too long since it could tarnish your reputation.
Your online presence is as vital today as having a current resume. Recruiters and hiring professionals will search for you online before they offer an interview. It is imperative that your online presence shows your most recent achievements and activities. Do not make the mistake of letting your online presence become stale and out of date. It could cost you your dream job.
FSC Career Blog Author:Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.
FSC Career Blog | March 20, 2020
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This is a common question I hear, “I don’t know if this or that should be on there” or “I wasn’t sure so I just downloaded/copy/pasted my whole resume to my profile.”
While you want to establish the information you add is relevant to your brand and impactful, you don’t want it to be a duplicate of your resume. They are meant to complement one another. You want your reader to see a little more of a human side to you as well. Think of the LinkedIn profile as the friendly, humanized version of your resume.
Here are some things to think about when building and adding to your profile:
☑Fill out all the sections. Don’t leave anything blank. Fill in the volunteer, certifications, languages, projects, honors, awards. You can add PowerPoints, photos, samples of your work (I have these on my profile) coursework, and things you have done in your career.
☑Add a profile photo AND a background cover photo (get rid of that blue LI background!). This makes it uniquely you. I love seeing customized background cover photos on LI profiles. They definitely add personality and/or help brand the client by having a photo of the company, service or product they represent.
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☑ Write a headliner that sizzles. Instead of “Account Executive”, write “Account Executive specializing in the development of groundbreaking sales and service strategies internationally”. Add a little zing to it. Get your reader interested. Some even call the headliner “prime real estate” meaning it’s a great place to add keywords and branding that help direct LinkedIn’s algorithms to your profile. Get as clear and focused as you can. Add buzzwords if you know what they are. Not sure? Find jobs that interest you and notice the same words listed over and over? Add them. Don’t neglect this section.
☑ Create an About section that speaks to the reader. That section used to be more formal and many people wrote theirs like a biography–3rd person, boring, etc. These days, it’s all about the conversation. Get them interested in what you have to say. Write in the first person. It’s OK to be a little more human here. People expect it—and love it.
The About section should be engaging, interesting, and conversational. Think of it as if you are speaking to someone at a networking event. How would you speak? What would you say? You’d keep it professional but interesting, right? You want to tell a story about why you do this type of work and what makes it interesting. Be enthusiastic.
☑ Add Content! Make sure to add descriptions of what you do at your job. Add your daily responsibilities as well as your accomplishments. This is where I see clients fall short. They add their company and job title but nothing else. LinkedIn rewards content. While you don’t want to copy and paste chunks from your resume, you also don’t want to leave critical information out. Rewrite those areas but make sure to add content to your roles.
What were you most proud of accomplishing? What projects have you worked on that added value? What is interesting about where you work?You can also add numbers and percentages. If you are hesitant about sharing exact figures, you can say, “increased revenue 87% in two years”. Adding numbers adds to your credibility and gives the reader a glimpse of what you have done.
☑ Get a recommendation. A recommendation or two on your profile livens it up and gives you more credibility. What good do thousands of connections do for you if you don’t have one recommendation? It might feel awkward, but once you’ve asked it’s done and guess what? You’ll most likely get that recommendation!
☑ Create an endorsements section. Complete the skills and endorsements section and pin the top 3 that related to your job hunt. Again, these are key with algorithms and recruiter searches as well.
When all of this is done, remember the key to a strong LinkedIn profile is engagement. The more you use LinkedIn, the more it rewards you by showing your profile in recruiter searches. Reach out, plan on getting on LinkedIn 10-15 minutes every other day and watch it go to work for you.
FSC Career Blog Guest Author:Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.
FSC Career Blog | March 3, 2020
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A lackluster or copycat profile will work against you when you’re trying to create a powerful first impression and build relationships on LinkedIn. And with LinkedIn membership moving closer and closer to a billion, standing out is absolutely essential.
Here are five of my favorite tricks that will give you an edge in this crowded yet vital digital space.
1. Double Your Message
Your headline is one of the most important aspects of your LinkedIn profile. Why? Because it acts like the headline of an ad. Its job is to attract attention and get viewers to want to know more. However, the challenge with this element is that LinkedIn only gives you 120 characters to attract viewers – that is, if you use the desktop version of LinkedIn to create or update your headline.But, when you use the mobile app instead, you get double the amount of space for typing those crucial words. That’s right, instead of the 120 characters, you get 240 on the app. It’s likely just a programming a glitch, so this spacious upgrade may not be valid forever, but right now, you get more space to introduce yourself than you thought.
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In most summaries I have read, people start out by repeating themselves. “I’m the director of marketing for xyz corp.” There are two things wrong with that. First, you have already established relevance with your headline – it should clearly state your current role and company. Don’t waste space repeating it right below. Second, you do nothing to get someone to want to know more about you if your summary focuses on job titles. The latest iteration of the LinkedIn profile format only shows viewers the first two or three lines of your summary. A viewer needs to click “see more” to get the whole story. So skip the credentials and kick off your About with something interesting, provocative or intriguing. Here are some of my favorite “About” kick-offs.
3. Prioritize Pictures Over Words
The way your profile is displayed, people see your multimedia more than your text. If you want to influence people who are checking you out, establish your multimedia strategy for your profile. Do that in these two ways:
Add images to your About. As I said above, when someone looks at your profile, they only see the first two or three lines. And what they see in addition are multimedia content that you added to your About. You can include things like videos of you speaking or images of you doing your thing or PDFs of whitepapers you have written.
Replace the boring blue standard background with an image that expresses your unique promise of value. It’s the easiest way to make your profile one-of-a-kind. Create (or have a designer create – you can use services like Fiverr or Upwork to get it done very inexpensively) a custom image that helps you exude your personal brand.
4. Write An Article
You may not be focused on building your thought leadership or perhaps you think you don’t have anything to say, but take it from me: having at least one article in your LinkedIn profile is extremely valuable for two reasons. First, it shows that you have something to say. Use it to help showcase that for which you want to be known. Second, it features prominently on your profile – it’s the fourth content box – before your Experience. That’s some pretty important real estate. Both the title and the image are visible. Even if people don’t click on it, it makes your profile look different, adding some visual appeal.
5. Lead With Your Most Important Skills
When someone checks out your profile, they only see the top three skills for which you have received the most endorsements. You need to make sure that the top skills in your profile sit at the intersection of these two criteria: You actually possess them and they help position you for what’s next. That means they need to be both authentic and aspirational. So take a look at your profile and ask yourself this question: Are my three featured skills the ones that will be most helpful to me? If the answer to that question is no, don’t worry. Here’s a trick. When you’re in edit mode in LinkedIn, you can change the order of your endorsements so the most important skills show up on top. Just go into editing mode, click the pencil icon in the skills section, and then you’ll see three horizontal lines on the right of each skill. Reorder them so you lead with the ones that will be most helpful to you.
These five tips will have a big impact on the power of your profile – without having a negative impact on your time and energy.
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LinkedIn’s newest change is one that many people might overlook. That is a mistake. Hiring managers and recruiters are paying attention to this new change, so you need to be too.
Baby Boomers have created a LinkedIn profile that may have lots of skill endorsements, but LinkedIn is now taking it all a step further with their Skills Assessment.
According to new LinkedIn research, more than 76% of professionals wish there was a way for hiring managers to verify their skills so they could stand out amongst other candidates.
As a Baby Boomer, you now have a way to validate your technical skills. These will make you stand out to recruiters and dismiss the myth that Boomers aren’t as technically gifted as younger workers. Of course, if you are like me where you have more specialized industry or soft skills, then you won’t benefit much as I don’t write programming code and I’m not an ace on Excel either. LinkedIn says they are working on the non-tech skills assessment so I’ll be sure to make you aware when they come up.
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The new feature calledSkills Assessments is short, multiple-choice tests that users can take to verify their knowledge in areas like computer languages, software packages, and other technical work-related skills. If you have any of these strengths, you can take a skill assessment and if you pass you get a badge to add to your profile. This will appear as a button in the skills and endorsements area of your profile.
These assessments were created by professionals who are subject area experts already working with LinkedIn, such as those folks who create content for LinkedIn Learning.
Ken, 56, is a technical director for a large Insurance company. We were working on creating his LinkedIn Profile, and I asked if he wanted to bring extra attention to his coding skills. These are skills recruiters seek so Ken plans to take the skills assessments and if he passes (earning a 70% or higher) he’ll get a badge for his profile use. I mentioned that since he has coding skills, he might want to emphasize these in this new way. These tests measure your knowledge in specific areas, in his case C++, Java, and MS Project. When he passes, he gets a badge that can broadcast to any employer who is looking for people with those skills. The skill assessment is an honor system when taking the tests, but LinkedIn assumes most people will be honest and take the test themselves and not look up answers on the Internet.
What if you fail?Not a problem.No one knows. You have three months to wait before retaking it. LinkedIn will try to upsell you. You will get offered LinkedIn Learning classes to improve your skills. If you have a library card, check to see if you have free access to Lynda.com which is now also called LinkedIn Learning. That way you can brush up on classes at no charge.
For those who pass, they will need to retake tests every year to keep their badges and credentials up to date.
Here is the list of skills they have assessments for:
Skill Assessment List
· Angular· AWS · Bash · C · C#· C++· CSS · GIT· Hadoop · HTML · Java· JavaScript· jQuery · JSON · Maven · MongoDB · NodeJs · Objective-C · PHP · Python · Ruby · Ruby on Rails · Scala · Swift · WordPress · XML · Adobe Acrobat · MS Excel · MS PowerPoint · MS Project · MS SharePoint · MS Visio · QuickBooks
Advertise your skills
Scroll to the skill section of your profile and select one of the available Skill Assessments you’d like to take. Any results are kept private to you, and if you pass, you will have the option to add a “verified skill” badge to your profile. If you don’t pass, you have complete control over the visibility of the results and can brush up on your skills so you can pass the next time. When you’ve passed an assessment for an in-demand skill, LinkedIn will also send you relevant job recommendations as soon as they are posted.
It’s a new trend moving towards skill-based hiring where LinkedIn hopes to play a significant role. 83% of hiring managers agree that skills and credentialing are becoming more critical for hiring talent. However, 77% of hiring managers agree that it’s hard to know what skills candidates possess without a skill assessment. Recruiters and hiring managers can utilize this new Skill Assessment tool to more effectively pinpoint which candidates are a good match based on proven skills.
LinkedIn Skill Assessments will be ramping to all English speaking members globally over the next few months on both Mobile and Desktop versions.
I am a career counselor that helps clients land jobs. I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services. I’ve appeared on Oprah, DrPh…
Forbes.com | September 18, 2019
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With a healthy labor market, record low unemployment and steady wage growth, U.S. job seekers are in the driver’s seat of their careers. Employers are eager to show you more than the basic job description. They are beefing up their employer branding, benefits, perks and insights into their company culture to attract you to their open jobs.
InMail messages are private messages that allow recruiters, hiring managers and head hunters to contact you on LinkedIn without an introduction or contact information.
Receiving an InMail from a recruiter can make you feel special and in-demand, but like so many things in life, you only get one shot to make a great first impression. Sure, your profile and maybe your resume caught their eye on the social platform, but how you communicate when a recruiter reaches out to you is key.
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Seasoned recruiters have a keen eye and can spot red flags like dishonesty, misrepresentation and job seekers who are “wishy-washy” on whether they’d consider the opportunity. Therefore, whether you’re interested in the job or not, how you respond can speak volumes. Here are some tips on how to best respond to a recruiter’s InMail message.
[Insert commonality or compliment here, such as, “Thank you for reaching out with this awesome opportunity” or “It’s great to connect with someone at XYZ company — I’ve admired your work]!”
I’m interested in [company’s] open [job title] role, would be interested in [hearing more about the opportunity, learning the specifics of the role, applying formally]. I’d love to get your thoughts on [your experience at the company, what the team is specifically looking for, why you felt I’d be a great fit]. Would you be open to [hopping on a call, answering 3-5 quick questions]? It would be so appreciated.
Thank you,
[Your name]
Why This Works: With this response, you show genuine interest in both the company and the role and show that you are proactive about suggesting next steps. Sure, it’s a job seekers’ market, but there’s no need to play hard to get. If you’re interested, then show it and don’t hesitate to share your interest and preferred mode of communication.
I’m pretty happy in my current role at [Company name], but I’d be open to discussing this opportunity with you. This role and company look to have some exciting potential and I never turn down a chance to chat about [insert compelling aspect of the jobs/company/industry].
Would it be possible for us to connect via phone next week?
I look forward to speaking!
Best,
[Your name]
Why This Works: Sure you’re satisfied in your current job, but if you’re open to the right opportunity, this response allows you to be both honest about your current feelings and leaves room for the possibility of a new role. It signals to a recruiter that you’re open to being sold on the role and considering a new company.
If You’re Interested in the Company, But Not the Role:
Hi [Name],
Thanks for reaching out to me for this role! I am actively exploring new opportunities, but would ideally like to find a position that would allow me to [work from home, expand on my marketing experience, step into the nonprofit space, earn at least $X annually, etc.]. It sounds like this particular role isn’t quite what I’m looking for, but do you happen to know of any other opportunities that may be a better fit? If so, I’d love to connect! [Or include a sentence with a link to another job opening at the company.]
I’ve attached my resume for your review and can be reached directly at [your email address and/or phone number] moving forward.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why This Works: If your dream company reaches out to you for a role that’s less than ideal, get your foot in the door by sharing exactly what you’re looking for. Don’t be shy about telling them you’re interested in the company and use the introduction as a way to explore alternative opportunities.
Thank you for your note about [insert job title]. While the role seems interesting and the work your company is doing is impressive, I really love the company I currently work for. That said, if I am looking to make a change in the future, I will certainly be in touch.
Thanks again,
[Your Name]
Why This Works: For the sake of your professional brand and to show common courtesy, do not just ignore the recruiter. Even if the opportunity isn’t a right fit now, being humble and thankful are important traits when turning a recruiter down. There’s no need to dwell on why you’re not interested, or to provide excuses. Be direct and clear with your position, and like any smart professional, leave room for continuing the relationship down the line.
If Your Dream Job & Company Present Themselves:
Hi [Name],
Thank you for your note. Based on your description of the role, it sounds like a great job and aligns with where I’d like to take my career. I’m eager to learn more.
As you may have seen on my profile [or resume], I have [number of years] experience in [field/industry]. I’ve been consistently committed to [specific goal, skill or trait the new job entails]. In my current role at [Name of current employer], I recently [impressive accomplishment that relates to the new job] and [add mention of management experience or soft skills.]
Could we discuss this opportunity in more detail? I’d welcome the opportunity to learn more about the role and share how my skills and experiences would benefit [Name of potential employer].
I’m available to talk by phone on [List of dates and times you’re available]. I look forward to speaking with you.
Best, [Your name]
Why This Works: While you may be jumping up and down with excitement because your dream company and job appeared in your inbox, there are better ways to convey your excitement than by sending a response full of exclamation marks and smiley-face emojis. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role by responding with a carefully crafted note that reflects both your skills as well as your understanding of the company’s business needs. This combo will show the recruiter that you’re absolutely worth an initial interview.
Remember, when speaking with recruiters on any medium, here are a few general tips: 1. Spark their interest. 2. Be natural. 3. Be direct. 4. Share insight into your decision. 5. Customize your templates.
It’s easy to get overconfident when a recruiter reaches out to you, but it is very important to leave a positive impression in every interaction.
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Summer is the perfect time to focus some attention on your career success. Why? Because work inevitably slows down a little then; people take vacation and leave early on Fridays. In most industries, it’s a time for relieving some of the pressure.
You too need to use your vacation time to recharge and get some perspective, so don’t miss the beach and backyard barbecues. But while you’re at it, make time for some career-focused action that will give your personal brand a boost when the workplace is back to its bustling buzz in the fall.
Here are four things that will help you and your brand blast into September.
1. Prepare For Your Annual Review
For most companies, the (often dreaded) annual review process happens some time in the last four months of the calendar year. Don’t wait for the email from your boss scheduling your review meeting. Prepare now so you can ace it. Here’s how:
Do an inventory of your wins to date. Think back over the first half of the year and document your biggest contributions. Focus on the ones that are really important to your manager and help you showcase the value you deliver to the team and company. Document them using this formula: C-A-R.
C is for challenge. Describe the challenge you sought the resolve.
A is for action. Describe what you did to solve the problem or meet/exceed the need.
R is for result. Record the specific, measurable results of your action. How can you measure the value of your contribution? If you can quantify it, all the better.
Get input and feedback from others to help you make your case. Collect your fan mail and accolades, especially from senior leaders or people respected in your field.
Think about what you would like for the coming year. More responsibility? A leadership role? An international assignment? Put together the pitch that will convince your boss to help you make it happen.
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If you want to demonstrate that you’re leadership material, take on the role (official or not) of managing the summer intern(s). You’ll feel great about helping a junior-level colleague build skills that will be helpful to their career success. In many companies, the intern is not given a lot of direction, support, feedback or mentoring. That creates an opportunity for you to become known as someone who leads the way.
3. Put Your Q4 Social Media Calendar Together
You know how you always say, “I wish I could be more regular with my social media. If only I had more time.” Well, with the summer here, you have a little more time. But instead of just upping your social media contributions in the summer, prepare a plan for the fall that will ensure that you’ll be visible, valuable and available to the people you seek to influence. Then:
Identify the most important social media platform for increasing your visibility with stakeholders.
Determine what you’d like to say. What’s your message and point of view and how can you best express it?
Create evergreen content for the platform you selected. If you chose LinkedIn, for example, write articles for your LinkedIn Blog. Commit to writing four so you can publish one each month—September through December. They need not be long, just make sure they deliver value to the community you seek to influence.
4. Update Your Digital Brand
Egosurf. That’s what it’s called when you google yourself. Then check out what shows up on page 1. Ask yourself what people would think about you if they hadn’t met you and were just forming a first impression of you from your Google results. Then determine what changes you’d like to make to align that first impression with your real-world personal brand.
Pay close attention to your LinkedIn profile. It will likely show up toward the top of your page-one results. If your headshot is out-of-date, update it. If your About section is missing some of your latest wins, edit it. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile conveys your authentic credibility and likability, and make sure the answer to this questions is yes: Would someone want to get to know me after reading my LinkedIn profile?
How’s that for a list of Summer Camp activities? When you complete it, you’ll feel accomplished, and you and your personal brand will be prepared to make the final quarter fruitful.
I’m a personal branding pioneer, motivational speaker, founder of Reach Personal Branding and cofounder of CareerBlast.TV. I’m also the bestselling author of the definit…
Forbes.com | July 18, 2019
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When applying for a job, you may be one of the hundreds or thousands that are all going for the same position. It can be a real challenge to get recognized and land that job that you are so fiercely competing for.
With a little effort, however, you can learn how to stand out from the crowd and win that employer over. Whether by using creative techniques such as creating a personal brand video and leveraging social media, or by going the more traditional route of showcasing your experience and developing strong communication skills, there are several strategies you can use.
For the best strategies, we asked 13 members of Forbes Human Resources Council to share their input on the most effective things job candidates can do to get noticed by recruiters.
1. Be Perceptive
If a candidate can show they are really perceptive to what the real need is in the job description, they can stand out. This is beyond just repeating buzzwords or listing the same skills. It’s truly ensuring the resume is reflective of how they can make a difference by demonstrating they understand what it will take to be successful in the role and can be the solution the role is designed to address. – Hafiza Gujaran, AlixPartners
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What’s the one requirement employers list for every job? Good communication skills. Candidates who can demonstrate this in their emails, conversations, resume, cover letter and application materials are already ahead of the game. In addition, those with an interest in writing and whose communication skills extend to blogs, articles and social media posts truly set themselves apart from others. – John Feldmann, Insperity
Regardless of level, companies look to hire individuals who can replicate success and bring innovative solutions to their organization and industry. Candidates should consider showcasing their ideas and thought leadership by writing an article on a relevant industry challenge or topic. This will increase your visibility and demonstrate you have a point of view. – Geline Midouin,McCann Health
4. Leverage Your Network
Do your research and see what connections in your professional or personal network may lead you to a great contact within the organization. Ask for introductions and referrals. If you don’t have a connection to someone in the organization, consider reaching out to someone on the recruiting or hiring team to establish rapport and express your genuine interest in the company and role. – Alina Shaffer, LivingHR, Inc.
5. Customize, Customize, Customize
Candidates must customize their resume for every job. The day of a single resume for all applications is outdated. For every application, the candidate must review the job description and then customize their resume to the exact specifications listed. Frontline recruiters are looking for the candidates that best fit the initial parameters. – Ben Weber, Vendor Resource Management
6. Focus On Outcomes And Impact
Most resumes are a list of responsibilities. Stand out by including what outcomes you have achieved and what impact you have made by doing the things that you have done. Don’t just say that you lead a team of 20 people. Talk about how you have taken your team from a 20th percentile engagement group to a 90th percentile engagement group. – Lotus Buckner, NCH
7. Showcase Your Skills In Relevant Ways
Showcasing achievements in unique ways can really help candidates stand out—like the candidate who submitted her resume in chocolate or the engineering graduate who built his own portfolio platform to land a job out of college with NASA. A portfolio approach is relevant across industries, differentiates candidates and helps them prove their skills while demonstrating organizational fit. – Jeff Weber, Instructure
8. Quantify Accomplishments
One way to stand out from the crowd is to ensure that your accomplishments are quantifiable. They should be expressed in terms of numbers, percentages or time frames. Then be prepared to answer follow-up questions on specifically how you accomplished that feat with compelling examples that you could replicate at another company. – Sherrie Suski, Tricon American Homes
9. Voice Your Interest Directly
Standing out can be difficult, especially when competition is high. One common factor for hiring managers is time. Even with technology supporting applicant reviews and rankings, hiring managers still have functional areas to run, so a little creativity goes a long way. Candidates should consider contacting the hiring manager directly to express their interest and value they bring to the position. – Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Cantata Health & Meta Healthcare IT Solutions
10. Create A Short Personal Brand Video
Applicants should create a short personal brand video that gives an employer a sense of their skills, achievements and personality, then link to it at the top of their resume or provide it in an online application. Ensure the video is professional, clean and culturally appropriate to hiring companies. That way, employers can quickly gauge an applicant’s work and demeanor to see if they’re a fit. – Genine Wilson, Kelly Services
11. Use Social Media To Connect
Join social media groups that pertain to your career choice and follow the company (or companies) you’d like to work for. Then, interact with the company on Twitter and Instagram in a positive and professional way. This gets your name in front of them and shows the hiring manager your personality before they even meet you. – Greg Furstner, SkillPath
12. Create A Stellar LinkedIn Profile
There’s nothing more disappointing than getting inspired by an awesome resume and then visiting that candidate’s LinkedIn profile to see unprofessional pictures, date and job discrepancies with the resume and nothing else of interest. Seeing the causes they care about that may align with our company’s mission definitely (in addition to a stellar resume) elevates that candidate’s status compared to peers. – Rachel Lyubovitzky,EverythingBenefits
13. Add Colors To Your Resume
Adding different colors to your resume can make a big difference. Different behavioral styles respond to different colors—notice that many large companies use colors in their logos. However, using too much color or creativity could be distracting. So use good judgement. Make sure the resume is formatted correctly and spelling is correct. Have a few different people review it for you. –Frank Molinario, Security First Insurance Company Inc
Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only, fee-based organization for senior-level human resources executives across all industries. Find out if you qualify a…
Forbes.com | June 17, 2019
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Whenever I deliver my LinkedIn workshop, I get a lot of pushback on the following point: How to write your headline on the social network.
A LinkedIn headline is the line directly under your name–on your profile page, in the sidebar of people similar to you, and what people see in search results when they type your name. It’s the thing that people view the most after your name and headshot.
But most people don’t exploit this opportunity. Instead, they fall back on LinkedIn’s default settings–which copy and paste your job title and employer into this critical field.
A JOB TITLE TELLS YOU NOTHING
My “official” title is president of the Jonathan Rick Group. But if I’d put that on my LinkedIn headline, most people will probably look at it and have no idea what that means.
Sure, the word “president” may be impressive, but it doesn’t give you any clue about what the job involves or what I can do for you. As much as I’d love to flatter myself, it’s unlikely that a prospective client would see the headline, “JRG president,” and instantly think, “This guy can solve all my digital marketing needs!”
I’d go so far as to say that the same thing would apply to my previous jobs, such as “senior strategist at Rock Creek Strategic Marketing,” and “senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.” You may have heard of Booz Allen, but unless you’re a senior consultant at Booz Allen, you probably have no idea what my responsibilities looked like.
There’s a simple solution to this–customize your headline. Instead of meekly recording your title and company, try following the tried-and-true strategy of describing what you do and who you help. This is your elevator pitch in 120 characters.
Here are a few examples:
I help trade associations raise mountains of money.
I help Fortune 500 CEOs and tech entrepreneurs navigate and influence Washington, D.C.
Whatever the subject, I’ll make your message UBER: Understood, Believed, Enjoyed, and Remembered.
Earlier, I said that some folks rebel at the idea of a personalized headline. Let’s review their four strongest objections.
1. “MOST PEOPLE DON’T CUSTOMIZE THEIR HEADLINE”
This is true–but it’s because most people don’t know any better, just like they might not know the difference between a hashtag and a handle.
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2. “A CUSTOM HEADLINE TYPICALLY MEANS THE HEADLINER IS UNEMPLOYED”
Yes, plenty of people position themselves as consultants when in fact, they aspire to be consultants. An image I recently saw on Twitter captures the point poetically.
Don’t let that put you off, though. Let’s not let these self-proclaimed influencers/evangelists/whisperers ruin a good thing. After all, puffery tends to dissolve upon impact: Spend a few seconds scrolling through someone’s profile, and it’ll be clear whether they’re living up to their title, or whether they’re lying about it.
3. “THEY’RE TOO FLOWERY”
I’ve also heard plenty of people claiming that while a custom headline may be a good idea, in theory, people use it in off-putting ways. In short, they think that these made-up banners are too flowery or pretentious–and often both.
Again, I sympathize with this viewpoint. But just because someone else’s headline is fluffy doesn’t mean your headline needs to be. I’ve long railed against what I call the “laundry listers” (who can’t decide who they are, so they throw in everything) and the “keyword stuffers” (who use jargon instead of English to seduce the algorithms).
Here are some examples of a straightforward and not flowery headline:
Public policy advocate for the greater protection of our civil liberties
Licensed mental health social worker, treating trichotillomania and OCD
CPA, with 20 years of experience, specializing in real estate
To me, these lines sound far more intriguing and substantive than an unclear job title at a company people might or might not have heard of.
4. “I WORKED HARD TO GET HERE”
This objection seems to be one that people are extremely passionate about. If the first thing someone learns about me is that that I work at, say, the White House, he’s more likely to browse through my profile than if he sees I work at the White Group.
People argue that if they spend their days at a prestigious place, they shouldn’t obscure this accomplishment. After all, it takes talent to land at Goldman Sachs or Google, and isn’t LinkedIn all about showcasing that?
There are two issues here–one technical and one philosophical. Both revolve around prioritization.
The thing is, a custom headline doesn’t replace your title and company. The latter still very much forms part of your profile, at the top of your “experience” section. They’re just not the first thing people see.
When you value the institution over the individual, you also convey your insecurity. This mind-set suggests that you tie your professional identity to the company you work for, and that where you work is more important than what you do.
Instead of yoking yourself to your employer, cultivate your own identity. Recognize that your worth doesn’t require external validation. Your business card doesn’t bind you. It’s great to say, “I went to Harvard,” and that’s definitely something you should be proud of. But don’t let it define you. You’re much more valuable than that.
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You know, the ones where you post pictures of your latest vacation, share what you had for dinner and occasionally tag your friends in memes. Why, you might wonder, would a recruiter possibly be interested in viewing things like that?
As it turns out, those personal details are precisely why recruiters and hiring managers keep tabs on applicants’ social media accounts, says career coach Hallie Crawford. “It can help them get a more accurate idea about who you are outside of your resume — a more personal view into your life,” she explains. “A resume can tell them your qualifications, but your social media profile can help them determine your personality type and if you would be a good fit for company culture.”
Plus, recruiters are looking for red flags — risqué photos, bad language, signs of drugs use — that would show them you’d be a less than ideal man or woman to have in their offices.
So now that you know why they’re looking, how about knowing what they’re looking at?
Facebook
According to Crawford, recruiters and hiring managers are concentrating their efforts on two sections of your Facebook page — your “about me” section, and your photo albums.
About Me: “They will want to see how you describe yourself and if it matches up [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][with] how you have described yourself in your cover letter and resume,” Crawford says. Any discrepancies could cost you points pre-interview. What’s more, Crawford says, “they will also be looking for proper spelling and grammar” in this section, to see how seriously you take those skills.
Photos: When it comes to your photos albums, “a hiring manager will be checking not only your photos but also your descriptions,” Crawford warns. “A hiring manager wants to see if you represent yourself in a professional way.” To come off in the most positive pre-meeting light, “you will want to avoid using profanity, sexual or drug references,” Crawford says.
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Who You’re Following: “Recruiters like to see if you have any mutual connections and if you are connected with others in your industry,” Crawford explains. Following others in your industry is a smart thing to do no matter what — watching their feeds can give you a scoop on a new job opening, company announcements, the latest tech and much more.
Tweets: “Recruiters will be checking to see if you share useful information, if you share information relevant to your trade or if you just use tweets to fight with others,” Crawford says. If you’re applying for a job, take a look at your tweeting history and consider deleting anything that won’t show your best — and most thoughtful — self to a potential employer.
Instagram
Followers: Recruiters will check out the kind of followers you attract, Crawford says. Plus, they’ll want to see “how friendly and social you seem to be with your followers,” she says. What you say to them and what you say back, she explains, “can also give them insight [into] your personal relationships and if you would be a good cultural fit for the company.”
Pictures: You probably figured this, right? But recruiters are looking to see more than your photography skills (or lack thereof). “They will want to see how you represent yourself,” Crawford says. For example, “if you are at a party, do you represent yourself in a dignified way?” Crawford asks, or, “do you post things that others would consider inappropriate?”
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