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#JobSearch : Network without the Social Anxiety (my friend is an introvert). There are Ways to Effectively Network without Causing Stress. GREat REad!

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She said she would rather have a root canal than walk into a room full of strangers and be expected to talk. The thought makes her cringe. She just shakes her head and says, “No. Uh-uh. Nope. No.” 😅

Can you relate?

Now that we are getting back to face-to-face gatherings, for some, in-person networking brings on a host of feelings including anxiety, social awkwardness, and energy depletion.

However, networking is a big part of a career as an executive, so being reluctant or hesitant to take part in different networking events can be a problem. If you don’t put your name out there, the chances of them getting into the right hands decrease significantly. There are ways to effectively network without causing stress.

✅ Choose events wisely. Research to find out what companies will be there. Decide if it is something you’d really like to do.

✅ Get there early. Whether it’s a Zoom meeting or an in-person gathering, the earlier you arrive, chances are there won’t be as many people and you can chat with the few that are there.

 

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Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

✅ Don’t work the room. Plan on talking to five people–more if you are up to it. This way you know you have an “out” but still feel good that you talked to five people.

✅ Ask questions. If you don’t want to talk, listen! Most people like talking about themselves. This is networking without extending too much of yourself–yet the other person ends up thinking you are great!

✅ Observe body language and be approachable. Standing in the corner of a room with your arms crossed isn’t a good way to appear approachable. Look around and see what other people are doing. If you see someone handing out resumes and cover letters, approach them and do the same. A smile and a handshake are two of the easiest ways to be approachable, and neither require much effort.

 

✅ Always make eye contact. Simply making eye contact with another person shows you have confidence. And if you don’t have confidence just yet, make eye contact anyway. Faking your confidence over a period of time will eventually lead to you actually getting more confident.

✅ Who will be there? Research to find out who will be there. Who do you want to talk to? What do they do? How will knowing them help you?

Having a basic plan to “get in and get out” will alleviate networking stress and make the event more enjoyable for you.

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 – July 5, 2021

#JobSearch : This Summer May be the Best Time for Networking Ever! THIS Summer is Different!!

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As a rule, summer isn’t considered the best time to network, connect for a job opening, drum up new business, or make new connections. People typically are on vacation, traveling, and formal networking events aren’t typically planned. BUT—THIS summer is different!! People have been cooped up in their homes for months, travel hasn’t been happening, venues have been closed, and people are looking to get out and start moving around again. With that comes a desire to get back to some sense of normalcy.

People want to start connecting with other people face-to-face, get away from their screens, and have “real” conversations. This presents a great opportunity for avenues of connection that could prove to be more valuable. Here are some reasons why you may need to look at this summer as your chance to improve your personal branding, make some new connections, and revive some old.

People Want to Connect and Will Make Time

Since many businesses hit their slower months during the summer, you’ll notice people are more relaxed than normal. This means they should be more willing to connect with you. And with restaurants reopening, you can finally grab a cup of coffee or go to brunch. Taking a relaxed and casual approach when networking during the summer can improve personal branding for senior level managers more than you think.

Use Downtime to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Summer could also prove to be the best time to work on your executive LinkedIn profile. This year, companies are still looking for employees, so you want your LinkedIn profile to be complete and up-to-date when they reach out. Use your downtime to connect with those you haven’t connected with recently, join a LinkedIn group, or make some new connections. You can also job search through LinkedIn and use it to connect with companies directly. Take time to learn about all the tools available through LinkedIn to help in your job search or to find some great new connections.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Be on the Lookout for Networking Opportunities

The summer months offer some of the most unique networking opportunities when compared to other times of the year. You don’t have to be dressed in professional attire in order to make a connection. Listen to conversations at the beach, at sporting events, kids’ events, or anywhere else you may be. As much as people say they don’t want to think about work when they are at different places, many conversations will inevitably lead that way. You never want to miss the opportunity to work on personal branding for senior level managers.Professional Resume Services has plenty more networking tips like these to get you through the summer. Whether you need assistance with your LinkedIn profile development or identifying other networking opportunities, feel free to contact us at any time.

 

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 – June 4, 2021

#JobSearch : No Application Necessary- 5 Tips For Using Social Media To Land A Job In 2021. “It’s not that you should NEVER apply and optimize your resume – it’s about focusing more time on networking,”

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Millennial entrepreneurs Jonathan Javier and Jerry Lee learned the hard way that the traditional career search process rarely works, particularly when you’re searching in the ultra-competitive high tech company landscape. By the age of 25, they’d both landed offers (and worked for) tech giants Snapchat, Google, Cisco and Lucid even though they didn’t graduate from any of the typical coveted target schools. They soon left corporate America to found career search consulting firm Wonsulting with a mission of “turning underdogs into winners.” Their programs are based on a carefully curated strategy that they’ve used to help job seekers land those hard-to-get job offers.

Their techniques are based on the general premise that traditional application processes almost never work, and the smartest path to the job you want is through social media. During this particularly challenging job search market, they offer five specific steps for landing that lucrative dream job.

Their recommendations are based on what they call the “4-tiered job search strategy”—focused on elevating candidates from applying amongst thousands to being referred by someone in the hiring organization’s team or applying directly to the hiring manager (whom you’ve hopefully established some level of connection with already). With this ultimate goal in mind (which virtually anyone would agree would improve success odds dramatically), they offer five specific tips for landing a job in 2021.

Job Search Tip #1 – Develop an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Friendly Resume

The Jobscan article “8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems” explains that the vast majority of large (and even some smaller) companies use these systems to scan incoming resumes. The article explains, “Whether that human recruiter ever sees your resume could depend on how well your resume is optimized for ATS algorithms.” Wonsulting advises candidates to develop a resume that is specifically tailored to the job description and offers this template as an example of how each section should be defined. In an ideal world, a candidate would develop a warm connection with someone within the hiring organization and share their resume directly, but the ATS is such an important part of the process that skipping this step would be fools play. “It’s not that you should NEVER apply and optimize your resume – it’s about focusing more time on networking,” explains Lee.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Job Search Tip #2 – Utilize LinkedIn Search Functions

Boasting over 760 million users (and 260 million active users) reportedly, LinkedIn is a powerhouse social media platform for job seekers, but Javier insists that many don’t fully utilize its capabilities. “One easy way to connect with people on LinkedIn in your dream company is utilizing the LinkedIn search functions specifically connecting with alumni from your university or organizations you’re a part of,” explains Javier. He advises candidates to filter their connections search by company of interest, their location and their alma mater to find specific contacts at their target company with whom they already have points of commonality. With this newly customized listing, job-seekers are now positioned to send personalized invitations to connect.

Job Search Tip #3 – Send a Personalized Invitation to Connect

When sending invitations to connect, Javier warns against doing what everyone else does—sending a connection request without a personalized note. “By sending a personalized invitation, you stand out from the crowd,” insists Javier. He advises job seekers to customize the content of the invitation based on the point of connection or commonality. For example, he suggests this type wording for sending an invitation to connect to an alumnus from your college.

Sample 1 – Hi (Name), hope you’re well! I saw that you graduated from UC Riverside and currently work at Google as a Data Scientist. I’d love to connect with a fellow Highlander!

Sample 2 – Hi (Name), hope you’re well! I saw that you graduated from UC Riverside and currently work at Microsoft as a Product Manager. I also love your story about being a first-generation graduate coming from a POC background. I’d love to connect with a fellow Highlander who shares a similar story!

He also recommends referencing articles or posts they may have written, shared interests or other points of commonality in your personalized invites. The key is finding genuine points of commonality or shared interest and using that as a basis for connecting.

Job Search Tip #4 – Make “The Ask”

One of the benefits of focusing your energies on LinkedIn is that it’s viewed as a networking tool for business, and people often anticipate some sort of “professional ask” so don’t be shy. After all, it’s not Tik Tok or Instagram—people aren’t swapping recipes or posting kids’ cute dances (generally)—so don’t make the mistake of putting in all the effort of getting connected to the right people and then not asking for what you want. “Have an ask, but do it during a coffee chat,” suggests Javier. He encourages job-seekers to decide in advance what they’re really seeking—whether it’s mentorship, honest feedback on a company or a professional recommendation—then make that specific ask towards the end of the coffee chat.

Job Search Tip #5 – Check-In and Stay Connected

As much as we’d love to think that making a connection and maintaining or nurturing a connection are the same thing, they’re not. Don’t make the mistake of going through all the effort of finding the right people to network with only to let that relationship die a slow, virtual death. “The most important part of networking is staying connected with those who have helped you,” insists Javier. Wonsulting even recommends using a spreadsheet (like this sample reach out sheet) to keep track of your outreach—ideally every three months per their recommendation.

With unprecedented unemployment levels, 2021 for many will be their time to pivot into a new role, company or even industry. Finding a new job in this ultra-competitive environment isn’t just daunting but ridiculously stressful too. Indeed, t

Millennial entrepreneurs Jonathan Javier and Jerry Lee learned the hard way that the traditional career search process rarely works, particularly when you’re searching in the ultra-competitive high tech company landscape. By the age of 25, they’d both landed offers (and worked for) tech giants Snapchat, Google, Cisco and Lucid even though they didn’t graduate from any of the typical coveted target schools. They soon left corporate America to found career search consulting firm Wonsulting with a mission of “turning underdogs into winners.” Their programs are based on a carefully curated strategy that they’ve used to help job seekers land those hard-to-get job offers.

Their techniques are based on the general premise that traditional application processes almost never work, and the smartest path to the job you want is through social media. During this particularly challenging job search market, they offer five specific steps for landing that lucrative dream job.

Their recommendations are based on what they call the “4-tiered job search strategy”—focused on elevating candidates from applying amongst thousands to being referred by someone in the hiring organization’s team or applying directly to the hiring manager (whom you’ve hopefully established some level of connection with already). With this ultimate goal in mind (which virtually anyone would agree would improve success odds dramatically), they offer five specific tips for landing a job in 2021.

Job Search Tip #1 – Develop an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Friendly Resume

The Jobscan article “8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems” explains that the vast majority of large (and even some smaller) companies use these systems to scan incoming resumes. The article explains, “Whether that human recruiter ever sees your resume could depend on how well your resume is optimized for ATS algorithms.” Wonsulting advises candidates to develop a resume that is specifically tailored to the job description and offers this template as an example of how each section should be defined. In an ideal world, a candidate would develop a warm connection with someone within the hiring organization and share their resume directly, but the ATS is such an important part of the process that skipping this step would be fools play. “It’s not that you should NEVER apply and optimize your resume – it’s about focusing more time on networking,” explains Lee.

Job Search Tip #2 – Utilize LinkedIn Search Functions

Boasting over 760 million users (and 260 million active users) reportedly, LinkedIn is a powerhouse social media platform for job seekers, but Javier insists that many don’t fully utilize its capabilities. “One easy way to connect with people on LinkedIn in your dream company is utilizing the LinkedIn search functions specifically connecting with alumni from your university or organizations you’re a part of,” explains Javier. He advises candidates to filter their connections search by company of interest, their location and their alma mater to find specific contacts at their target company with whom they already have points of commonality. With this newly customized listing, job-seekers are now positioned to send personalized invitations to connect.

Job Search Tip #3 – Send a Personalized Invitation to Connect

When sending invitations to connect, Javier warns against doing what everyone else does—sending a connection request without a personalized note. “By sending a personalized invitation, you stand out from the crowd,” insists Javier. He advises job seekers to customize the content of the invitation based on the point of connection or commonality. For example, he suggests this type wording for sending an invitation to connect to an alumnus from your college.

Sample 1 – Hi (Name), hope you’re well! I saw that you graduated from UC Riverside and currently work at Google as a Data Scientist. I’d love to connect with a fellow Highlander!

Sample 2 – Hi (Name), hope you’re well! I saw that you graduated from UC Riverside and currently work at Microsoft as a Product Manager. I also love your story about being a first-generation graduate coming from a POC background. I’d love to connect with a fellow Highlander who shares a similar story!

He also recommends referencing articles or posts they may have written, shared interests or other points of commonality in your personalized invites. The key is finding genuine points of commonality or shared interest and using that as a basis for connecting.

Job Search Tip #4 – Make “The Ask”

One of the benefits of focusing your energies on LinkedIn is that it’s viewed as a networking tool for business, and people often anticipate some sort of “professional ask” so don’t be shy. After all, it’s not Tik Tok or Instagram—people aren’t swapping recipes or posting kids’ cute dances (generally)—so don’t make the mistake of putting in all the effort of getting connected to the right people and then not asking for what you want. “Have an ask, but do it during a coffee chat,” suggests Javier. He encourages job-seekers to decide in advance what they’re really seeking—whether it’s mentorship, honest feedback on a company or a professional recommendation—then make that specific ask towards the end of the coffee chat.

Job Search Tip #5 – Check-In and Stay Connected

As much as we’d love to think that making a connection and maintaining or nurturing a connection are the same thing, they’re not. Don’t make the mistake of going through all the effort of finding the right people to network with only to let that relationship die a slow, virtual death. “The most important part of networking is staying connected with those who have helped you,” insists Javier. Wonsulting even recommends using a spreadsheet (like this sample reach out sheet) to keep track of your outreach—ideally every three months per their recommendation.

With unprecedented unemployment levels, 2021 for many will be their time to pivot into a new role, company or even industry. Finding a new job in this ultra-competitive environment isn’t just daunting but ridiculously stressful too. Indeed, the key to success may not be searching harder but instead searching smarter.

Forbes.com | February 10, 2021 | Dana Brownlee

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch -The 8 Best Online Tools For Your Job Hunt In 2021. A MUst REad!

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I’ve always been a lover of history. I think the past offers something beautiful and mysterious, a connection to those who came before us and their ways. I sometimes catch myself daydreaming about what things were like many years ago. And as a career coach, I inevitably drift over to wondering what it must have been like to look for a job in the past.

Many things about the job hunt haven’t actually changed much with modern technology. Networking and developing your skills have always been integral to finding the right job. Networking, after all, is just a version of cooperation or helping one another out. These types of social supports date back to ancient times to when the stakes were much higher than a salary negotiation. Many experts believe that our social structures have not changed all that much since we were living in small communities as hunter-gatherers, fighting for survival. Networking is part of that survival process, and the desire to connect is hardwired inside all of us.

But obviously new technology has afforded job seekers infinitely more potential to optimize their searches and find the perfect job. While a select number of remote jobs posted in 2020 were location-specific, 80% were available to workers in any location.

I’m sure we’re all grateful that we don’t have to circle classified ads anymore. But what are the best tech tools at your disposal for finding the perfect job?

Here are 8 of the best online tools to help in your job search. 

1) LinkedIn

This is almost such a no-brainer that I didn’t include it. But then I had a thought: how many job seekers are really utilizing LinkedIn to its fullest? LinkedIn offers some amazing features that may not be known to most users.

For a lot of people, LinkedIn is kind of a weekly check-in type of site. You might log on, scroll a bit, give a quick “like” to your middle school friend who got promoted, check your messages, do a casual job search, then migrate over to something more stimulating, like a Buzzfeed listicle or the latest celeb gossip.

If that sounds a bit like how you’ve been using LinkedIn, it’s time to step your game up.

To start, did you know that you can add media to the “Featured” section of your profile? Creators, I’m looking at you. Maybe you’ve done a killer brand video, or you want to share a reel of media appearances you have made. Or perhaps a photo from a keynote you made at a conference.

All of these will make an impact and boost your LinkedIn profile up from being a dusty online billboard of your resume, to a compelling advertisement for your skills and accomplishments.

Having trouble uploading a video because it’s too long? You’re in luck, there’s a work-around for that.

Are you wishing there was a way to combine your networking connections from LinkedIn with your other work contacts? Did you know that you can export your LinkedIn connections as a spreadsheet?

Most people who are doing job searches on LinkedIn just plug in relevant keywords and locations. But the search features on LinkedIn have much more to offer. You can save searches and set up alerts for relevant postings.

If you feel that searching for jobs on LinkedIn is turning up results that are too general, don’t match your specific skills and desires or don’t relate to your connections, you can utilize the LinkedIn advanced search features to filter for much more precise searches for listings.

Even if you treat LinkedIn as your first and last stop in your job search journey, it is worth spending a little more time on the site to really get comfortable with the ins and outs. It can truly be your most valuable online tool.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2) Glassdoor

Glassdoor is another immensely valuable asset to anyone in the job search, and I absolutely loved my recent interview with their CEO right here. This tool is especially useful when researching potential jobs and employers, or when entering into the interview stage and considering offers with a certain company.

If you are unfamiliar, Glassdoor is a database for jobs listings and applications, as well as a portal where current and former employees can anonymously rate their experience in working for a certain company across many metrics, and provide information like salary and potential interview questions. Through analysis of this data, Glassdoor creates ratings and metrics on specific companies.

If you are interested in the company culture, revenue or size of a potential employer, or you are looking for an inside perspective on what it’s like to work for a certain company, Glassdoor should be your first stop.

In recent months, Glassdoor has also risen to the challenge of addressing the very pressing issue of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. With new products and features, Glassdoor has begun allowing users to share demographic information and rate a company based on its handle of issues of diversity within the workplace.

This is such an essential issue, and Glassdoor is a leader in creating greater transparency and accountability when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion in the job search and in the world of work.

Large influencers like Glassdoor have the power to change workplace culture, and establish new norms in society. It is fun to see them caring about these big issues and taking action!

3) Jobscan Resume Scanner

If you’re reading this article, I have a feeling you’re someone who has put a lot of time into your resume. But did you know that often, when you’re applying for a job, your resume may not even make it to a real person?

This is because many recruiters and hiring managers are utilizing an application track system (or ATS). In my recent book You Turn, I actually refer to applicant tracking systems in a header called “Applicant Tracking Hell”—and there’s a reason for this! Navigating the ATS is challenging, and knowing your resume may never even encounter a human being is disheartening. As a matter of fact, data shows that up to 75% of resumes never make it to a hiring manager.

You may have done a great job of highlighting your professional experience on your resume, but you’re just using the wrong words or formatting. This is where Jobscan comes in. Jobscan uses algorithms and AI to scan your resume and compare it to a specific job listing, giving you feedback on how to best tweak your resume to work well with an ATS.

Here are some things that you might find out have been preventing your resume from getting through the ATS filters:

  • Descriptions of your work experience do not match up to the job descriptions.  Even if you are super qualified, if your resume doesn’t match up with keywords in the job description, you could be preemptively disqualifying yourself. I tell job seekers in my online courses to make sure they sprinkle terminology from job descriptions as though it’s fairy dust throughout their resume. Sprinkle away!
  • You’re not using standard formatting. While clever and inventive ways of formatting your resume may show off your aesthetic acuity, and your creativity with design, they may also prevent your resume from making the ATS cut. Non-standard formatting can confuse the AI, and lead to your resume being processed incorrectly, or not at all.
  • Too much flowery language. You may think that using headings like “Selected Professional Engagements” and “Secondary School and Collegiate Alma Mater” makes you sound smart. But, I hate to break it to you, complicated and word descriptions are not working in your favor when it comes to ATS. Stick with standard headings that will ensure that the ATS processes your resume correctly. Think: “Work Experience” and “Education.”

Trust me, Jobscan ATS will definitely give you a better shot at acing your resume for a specific job description. They even provide excellent resume templates for various careers and roles.

4) Slik email finder

Slik is an amazing AI-based service that was originally designed for those working in sales as a tool to find leads and connect with prospective clients. Slik has become a major asset for many sales professionals, including those on sales teams from Dropbox, DocuSign and Slack. And if the major players in tech-based work solutions are using it, you know it must be good!

Slik offers a range of data-finding services, but one that I’ve found particularly helpful, and is certain to be an asset for you in your network, is their email finder tools.

Gosh, I just love a quick little email finder. I must be a career coach, huh?

Slik allows you to search emails and other data sourced from LinkedIn profiles. You can save searches and compile data. This information can be extremely valuable if you are a salesperson, but also fantastic for anyone who is hoping to connect with a specific person or department while doing exploratory networking or in the hopes of sending a letter of interest.

5) Shapr

One of the hardest things about networking is that you never really know if someone you are reaching out to will be happy to connect, or if they’re truly interested in making the connection and lending a hand in your career journey.

Shapr is an amazing social networking app that takes the guesswork out of networking. It’s designed to connect professionals and help users network in their field with others that are excited and willing to connect.

What makes it so valuable for networking is that all of its users are opting in with the intention of meeting new connections and sharing their ideas and insights. So no more wondering if the person on the other side of the LinkedIn chat is rolling their eyes and exhaling deeply. On Shapr, everyone is there for the same reason: they are excited to network.

Shapr works kind of like some of the major dating apps. Don’t get too excited, this one is for professional connections only! You create a profile that highlights your interests, skills, location and relevant information about your career. You can browse other profiles or search for people that match specific criteria.

From there, a connection is made in a way that will be quite familiar to a lot of folks. You swipe on profiles that you are interested in connecting with. If there is mutual interest, you have a match! From there, you can chat with your new connection, and see if a great professional relationship blossoms.

Shapr is a fresh and modern take on networking, and an excellent way to bolster your professional network.

6) JobSeer

Are you tired of pouring through page after page of jobs that are close to what you want and qualified for, but just not quite right? Well, Jobseer will help you pinpoint the right jobs for you, cut through the wrong ones and stand out from the pack. And, bonus: they help you easily get access to people’s email address!

JobSeer is a free Extension app for Google Chrome that is compatible with most of the popular online job boards. The beauty of Jobseer is that it uses AI to streamline your online job search.

Once you’ve created an account, you can input information into your Jobseer profile that will help you find jobs that are a good match. The first step is your resume. You can upload your resume, or even multiple resumes, that will be scanned by Jobseeker for relevant skills, experiences and qualifications, and compared to relevant job listings to help you find the perfect fit.

Your resume will be utilized in a customized “smart search.” You select job titles that are relevant to your search, and input your skills to help with the specificity of your job search. Jobseer also recommends skills that are matched with the job titles you are searching. You also select other parameters such as location, experience level and job type.

All that sounds pretty standard, but once you start searching, you’ll see the magic of Jobseer.  For each job you select, Jobseer will give you a customized score based on how well you fit the job description. Additionally, you can look at which skills are aligned with the job description, and areas in which you do not fit qualifications.

The information you gather from Jobseer will be relevant not only to help you find job listings that are a great match, but also in tweaking your resume to fit specific job descriptions.

As if that wasn’t enough for incredible features, Jobseer also gives you insightful information about the job and company, including insights on the companies’ size and revenue, as well as a projected base salary for the role that you are exploring.

Jobseer also offers you access to five free email addresses per day, attached to their insights on the job listings, which will allow you to reach out to recruiters and even employees that you already have a connection to.

Check out this quick video to see how Jobseer works, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be quickly adding it to your browser. It will definitely level up your job search game and help you optimize your chances of matching with the right job.

7) Idealist.org

These days, it feels more important than ever to be working for a company whose values reflect your own. If you’re someone who is hoping to work within the nonprofit sector, or to find a mission-driven job, Idealist is a great place to direct your search.

Idealist is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with the goal of connecting individuals to jobs and careers at nonprofit organizations that focus on charity work and social impact.

Their site functions much like other job boards, however, all of the listings they post are from verified nonprofit organizations. You can search for listings based on keywords or get more granular with specific metrics about what types or listings you are interested in.

Idealist also offers resources for those who are hoping to level up their career goals within the social impact space with a higher degree. They have resources for those exploring graduate school, with information to help candidates navigate the application and selection process, and details of programs to assist individuals in finding graduate schools that fit their interests and aspirations.

Idealist is also a great site to visit if you are not necessarily looking for a new job, but want to get more involved in community work or contribute to a cause. They also have many listings for volunteer opportunities, with many options to meet you where you are in your desire to commit time and energy to volunteering. You can even find remote or virtual volunteer work.

Idealist also helps connect users to mutual aid networks. While you might have been hearing this term a lot more over the last 12 months, the spirit of mutual aid goes way, way back. In a sense, it’s about neighbor helping neighbor. There are many different types of mutual aid networks, but this is the common thread: they are spaces for people to connect and share resources. You might financially contribute to a fund in order to support those with need or who have been affected by a crisis, or you can find information on how and where to make helpful donations. Given the challenges of the past year, we would all be served by lending a helping hand to one another.

8) Google

I saved the most obvious one for last. In fact, Google is so obvious, that I think its features are often overlooked in the job search.

To start off, when you enter the job market, you have to be aware of how you appear on a search engine. You should expect that a hiring manager will look you up online, especially your social media. Data shows that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates. Coming across badly online can really hurt your job prospects, with 54% of hiring mangers admitting that they eliminated a candidate based on their social media presence.

But if you think plugging your name in the Google search bar, like we’ve all done more times than we’d like to admit, is enough, you had better think again.

To start with, you should log out of your Google accounts, and go into “incognito mode,” or a similar private browsing option on your preferred web browser. Google saves your search data, and will give you a specifically tailored Google search based on your past searches and location. You want to see what a stranger would see if they put your name into google.

According to online presence management specialists at ReputationDefender.com, you should Google yourself once a month—that way you can keep track of your online presence, and if something should appear that reflects you in a less than positive light, you can get on it quickly.

Beyond keeping track of how you appear online, Google can actually be a great asset for staying organized and on top of your job search. Google Jobs is actually a super functional job platform that allows you to search for jobs, save specific listings and searches and even set alerts based on job criteria. Google Jobs aggregates listings from most other job platforms, making it the best of all worlds.

However you choose to go about your job search, I hope this brings you up to date on the latest resources to help you put your best foot forward in the brave new world of online job hunting. Dive on in, and happy hunting!

 

Forbes.com | February 9. 2021 | Ashley Stahl

 

#JobSearch : How To Get Noticed By A Competitive Company When You Don’t Know Anyone. Avoid Application Portals & Bypass the Competition

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I’ve never been one of those super-connected people with a Rolodex of contacts on speed dial. So, it has always bothered me when people would say getting a new job is all about who you know. 

As a career coach who’s helped corporate professionals land interviews and roles at competitive companies like Google, Vogue, Deloitte, iHeartMedia, and an array of other companies in dozens of industries without any secret connections, I know that not having a huge network doesn’t have to exclude you from landing a great role at a competitive company.

But, when you don’t know anyone, you have to know how to approach your job search in a way that helps you skip the line and get ahead of the competition. Here are a few tips to help you get noticed by a competitive company, even when you don’t have a huge network.

Avoid Application Portals & Bypass the Competition

In 2019 alone, before unemployment surged last year, Amazon received more than 18 job applications per minute and more than 200,000 online applications for 30,000 open spots. That’s just one example of the number of applications rolling into competitive companies on any given day.

If your only strategy for getting noticed by a competitive company is applying online, then you are not giving yourself every opportunity to get noticed. Instead of sentencing yourself to the black hole of rejection, as I call it, you need to bypass the competition by reaching out to hiring managers directly. This will help you ensure that your application doesn’t get lost in the application portal and will help you get in front of other job candidates.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Get Good at Knowing Why You’re Good 

It’s not enough to reach out to hiring managers directly, you also have to know exactly why you believe you’re the right person for the role you’re pursuing. Reaching out to the hiring manager without a clear pitch on why you’re the top candidate for the job can still cause your outreach to get tossed to the side.

To get good at knowing why you’re good, you need to take a step back to evaluate how your previous positions have prepared you for the next role you desire. You need to know the stories, accomplishments, results, and examples that showcase the value you can bring to the position. And, you need to be able to communicate those things as easily as you can tell someone your phone number. Some of my clients have even gotten responses in less than 24 hours after reaching out directly to hiring managers because they mastered this, without any secret connections. When you study yourself just as much as you would study the job description, you’ll increase your chances of getting a response from hiring managers, without a referral.

Create the Connections

Lastly, just because you don’t currently have connections doesn’t mean you can’t create them. But, rather than feeling like you have to hit the connect button on LinkedIn 15 times a day or awkwardly send people your resume when they didn’t ask for it, you can do things a different way. Focus on building authentic relationships by thoughtfully reaching out to people you would genuinely like to get to know, simply because they’re like-minded professionals you find interesting.

Don’t focus on how they can help you when you’re establishing these relationships. Pay attention to how you can help them and learn from them instead. Recently, one of my clients followed this approach, and she found out about a position at a competitive company that wasn’t even available online yet. And the best part? She didn’t have to ask or beg for the person to put in a good word for her, the person offered on their own.

Getting noticed by a competitive company and landing a new role doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. When you’re willing to approach your job search strategically and thoughtfully, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and hired at a top company you love.

Author:  Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Grab her free guide.

 

Forbes.com – January 27, 2021

#JobSearch : Networking is a Critical Part in Finding Your Next Job. If you Didn’t Understand the Importance of, or Need for, Networking Before 2020, you Probably Do Now!

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I can say that 2020 was an unprecedented year that hit many of us where we work! The number of people unemployed for at least part of the year is staggering. For some, that unemployment became permanent. Job searching through online vehicles became more important than ever, with social distancing and lockdowns in place.

If you didn’t understand the importance of, or need for, networking before 2020, you probably do now!

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Depending on where you are in your career, here are some aspects to networking for you to consider:

  • Start early. If you’re fresh out of college or if you’re trying to get a foothold in a new career move, the sooner you start making those connections, the better off you’ll be. Reach out to classmates or find student chapters of professional societies. It is easier to maintain relationships that you already have than to start out cold. If you’re freelancing, cultivate more connections whenever you possibly can, from fellow freelancers or from your clients themselves.
  • Choose wisely. Unfortunately, a down job market also brings the scammers and fly-by-nighters out of the woodwork. They know that there are job seekers (and sometimes clients) who are bordering on desperation. They might be out to take advantage of you, or they might be looking for a pawn to help advance a cause of some sort. You don’t want that hung on you, so tread carefully and make good decisions.
  • Cast a net wide. Don’t limit yourself to just your field or to people with tastes, interests, or skills to your own. It’s easy to make this mistake and to just have associates that are in your “comfort zone.” What happens if your industry takes a nose dive? You will need to consider pivoting to something new, and those connections in other fields can be an asset. Remember that the wider your network of people, the more resources you can have to fall back on if things go sour.
  • Quid pro quo. Networking is a two-way street. If there’s anything you can do for your associates in return, whether it’s job referrals, professional references, or anything else, don’t hesitate to do it. It will pay off for you in the long run.
  • Go online. Make a plan to utilize your social media to network with potential connections every day. LinkedIn is the #1 professional networking site, so ensure your profile is up-to-date and set for recruiters to find you.

With record numbers of job seekers vying for every open position and hiring managers overwhelmed with resumes, this is a challenging time to be in a job search. That’s why networking is even more important today than ever before.

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 |  January 12, 2021

 

#BestofFSCBlog : 5 Ways To Update/Change Your LinkedIn Profile For A Career Change. Holiday Season is Prime Time for Networking! MUst REad!

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If you hope the new year brings a new career, you’ll want to promote your background in a way that translates to your new target field. Your LinkedIn profile is a powerful tool to reposition yourself for a new industry, role or both. LinkedIn is public and searchable, so not only prospective employers and recruiters might view it, but also potential connections who can offer information, leads or other support.

LinkedIn is a social network, and we’re still in holiday season – prime time for networking! Therefore, updating these five aspects of your LinkedIn profile so that it supports your career change should be a priority:

1 – Rewrite the Headline for your new target industry and/or role

If you don’t customize the phrase that appears right below your name, it can default to your current title and company. That’s sufficient if you want to continue working in the same industry and role. However, if you aspire to change careers, you don’t want your old industry and/or role to be the first thing potential connections and employers see. (Your headline may be the only thing employers, recruiters and other potential connections see if you appear in search results, and people decide not to click since your headline isn’t relevant.)

For example, let’s say you are currently a marketing manager at a bank, but you want to do marketing for a media company. You could change your headline to include your marketing expertise overall – e.g., Marketing Manager | Partnerships | Direct Mail | E-commerce. This takes the focus away from banking, which isn’t relevant, and highlights your marketing expertise, which still fits.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

 

2 – Highlight new activities in the About section

Similarly, when you summarize your background in the About section, open with the most relevant and substantive qualifications for your new field, even if your experience in previous industries or roles is lengthier. You want to catch the reader’s attention early, since they may not read everything, or even if they do, once they see you in the old industry or role, they won’t see you as a potential fit for something new.

For example, you might have 20 years of experience at the bank, but you could still open with your enthusiasm for the latest media trends. If you are working at all in your new industry (even if it’s a side consulting project or volunteer work), highlight that first. If you have certifications or are an active member of a relevant professional association, that can also legitimize your interest in the new field. If instead you open with a laundry list of your old experience, expertise and skills, by the time they get to the new stuff, they will see you as a newbie and therefore a hiring risk.

3 – Showcase your new expertise in your Activity

In addition to the About section, your Activity – e.g., posts you write, comments on other posts, videos or presentations you attach – can be tailored to the new career and showcase your expertise. Being active in your new field is also a good way to make and expand your network in that field. An insider may take note of your insights and make introductions for you to others.

For example, you could summarize insights from books or courses you are taking to learn about your new field. If you conduct informational interviews (and you should), you could highlight key takeaways from these meetings. You don’t need to produce content from scratch – you could follow executives in your target function or dream companies and comment on what they post.

4 – Include substantive consulting, part-time or volunteer work in Experience

The work experience you include in the Experience section doesn’t need to be paid or your primary job, as long as it’s substantive. Yes, you could also put volunteer work in the Volunteer section, but then it might be overlooked. Your goal is to catch the reader’s attention early before they have formed an opinion about you as being too deeply embedded in your old career.

This also includes how you organize the description about your current job — if some aspects of your job are more relevant to your new career than others, highlight these first. For example, a client of mine made a career change from financial services to education. It seems like a big pivot given she had decades in her original industry. However, in her last job, even though the bulk of it was financial, she also had some mentoring and training activities which she listed first.

5 – Speak to your new audience with relevant keywords

Whether it’s your headline, summary, activity, experience or other section, review what you include and how you describe it from the perspective of your new target field. Avoid jargon that only applies to niche areas. Generalize your skills so that multiple industries can see your value.

For example, I had a client in the transportation industry switch out references to passengers for customers. Another client in healthcare switched out patients for clients. A seemingly small change does make your profile more welcoming.

Put your LinkedIn URL in your email signature so your entire network has your updated information

Of course having an updated, career change-friendly profile is meaningless if no one sees it. Putting your LinkedIn URL into your email signature (your personal one, not your current work!) is an inobtrusive way of attaching your background to every correspondence. While it’s presumptuous to send people a resume (and people who don’t know you well may not open an email with an attachment), posting a URL gives access to the same information but more subtly.

As a career changer, most of your network will likely be in your old career rather than your new target, so your existing connections may not know all your adventures in your new career. Pointing them to your profile in each and everh email is an ongoing reminder of what you do and how much you’re working towards something new.

 

Forbes.com – December 30, 2020 – Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : How To Land A New Job In Tough Times. What Is the Ideal Strategy to Land a New Job? A MUst Read!

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Yesterday a Baby Boomer called me with a question that many of you might be tossing around. Sandy asked, “I really dislike my current boss, and I want to leave this job, but should I just be grateful I have a job and not try for a new one? The pandemic has caused so much bad news about company closings, reduced hiring, and my brother just lost his job. It has got me down, so should I stop complaining, suck it up, and hang on for another year or two until times are better?”

Sandy’s fear is understandable. She thinks that few employers are hiring, which is not valid. I never advocate for anyone to remain in a miserable work situation. Understanding she needs a paycheck, I suggested that she test the hiring waters to see if her skills are in demand. I reassured her that I’ve just had four clients get hired for great paying jobs. Two were Baby Boomer professionals making over six-figures. Another was a 2020 grad getting an excellent opportunity to launch his career in a field he wanted. Lastly, the mid-level client who got the remote job he wanted.

There are new opportunities available. So, don’t assume all the bad news means you can’t land a better job – YOU CAN! It will take more time than before. You must use some job search savvy and know what is effective and what doesn’t work. You need to take the calculated risk and see what develops. I think you’ll be surprised by the positive results if you implement the right job-hunting strategies.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

What is the ideal strategy to land a new job? The answer is being referred to the company and the hiring manager by an employee or colleague they know.  Jobvite, a talent acquisition system reported that employee referrals only make up about 7% of potential candidates, but the number of those referred candidates hired is 44%. 44%! That makes this well worth the effort to try and locate a connection to someone inside the company. LinkedIn is the ideal place to search for contacts and obtain a referral.

In today’s challenging economy, people who learn and use networking techniques will be those that succeed. But for some people, the task of networking is hard to do. Ken was a Program Manager for a tech company who had lost his job because of the Covid pandemic. He became a client and told me he had no network to speak of. Ken had no LinkedIn profile and did not belong to professional or civic organizations. An introvert, Ken disliked the idea of networking, but he did email a few colleagues and his old boss, but no one had any job openings, so he stopped. We started our career counseling sessions by educating Ken on what today’s job search involved.

First, I wrote him a powerful resume, and then we developed a complete LinkedIn Profile. I gave him the mission to make connections with a target of obtaining at least 300. Next, we worked on having him learn some effective networking strategies. He was surprised by the fact that according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale University report, 70% of all jobs are found through networking. Learning more effective techniques, he began again. The changes he made worked. Recruiters contacted him, and an old colleague he found on LinkedIn passed on his resume for a great job opportunity at her company. The employer called, and after several interviews, he was selected and hired for a terrific new job.

Today’s job market requires you to approach the job hunt differently than before. Here are a few tips to get started.

Increase your contacts. LinkedIn has become the place to collect contacts. An excellent way to farm for connections is to think about all the people you have worked with. Note former bosses, coworkers, colleagues, vendors, anyone you interacted with at your last job, and other positions you have held.  Many people add their company’s Executive leadership team too. Next, invite your friends, neighbors, family, and college alum friends. Then branch into your professional associations and connect with those folks, especially the group’s leadership team, and board members. When it comes to networking, the more connections you have, the better.

Do not waste a contact. Do not approach people until you are ready. A common mistake is to frantically call EVERYONE you’ve ever met and say, “I’m looking for a job – do you know of one?” Huge error! You must clearly articulate the specific job title, company, and kind of company you want to work for. Instead, you can reach out to connections individually. Calls are great, emails work, and if you don’t have those, use LinkedIn to send them a message. Tell the contact you are job hunting. Be specific on the job title you seek. Ask them what is happening in their company. Don’t expect them to know of a job, but some will and usually share that information as they want to help you. Another thing to ask is if a job comes up at their company, would they pass on your resume. Most times, the answer is yes.

Have Your Resume Ready. The goal of your resume is to secure interviews. Is your resume updated and downright the best it can be? Will it get through the employer’s Applicant Tracking System? Is it full of accomplishments and the results you achieved on the job? Will it stand out in a crowd? Find out before you network. A useful Forbes article to read to ensure your resume is topnotch and will impress employers is: Employers Ignoring Your Resume? 5 Mistakes To Avoid.

Dig deep so you can use a Referral. When you hear of an opening or find the opportunity online, go to LinkedIn and search “the employer’s name” and use the “people” drop-down tab. This will bring up anyone in your online network who works there. You can also see 2nd connections and who you know that may know someone at that company. Reach out to the person and tell them about the opening you plan to apply for, and would they be willing to pass on your resume to HR or the recruiter. Some companies pay their employees for any referred person they hire, so this might help your contact too. Forward on your resume. Just to cover all bases, do apply online for the job opening also. You want to be found in the employer’s system if the connection doesn’t come through. (Most do, in my experience).

Know What to Say. Be able to offer a concise intro about your skills and experience when talking to connections, recruiters, and eventually hiring managers. A technique I call the 60 Second Sell (outlined in this Forbes article Best Way To Open An Interview To Secure A Job Offer) gives you the easy formula to create your persuasive elevator speech and verbal business card. You want to quickly outline experience, your top strengths, and some key outcomes you’ve achieved on the job as you only have about one minute to impress them.

It’s a whole new job market, so you’ll move ahead of the competition if you use these strategies.

 

Forbes.com | December 1, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : Where to Search for Today’s Jobs -Finding Your Next Opportunity. It Might Seem Counterintuitive, but the More Experienced you Are, the Longer it May Take You to Find a Job.

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Finding the perfect job takes time, patience and the right resources. It takes people around nine weeks, on average, to find a job once they start searching, according to Indeed.com. The time it takes for you may vary depending on your industry, location and level of experience. It might seem counterintuitive, but the more experienced you are, the longer it may take you to find a job, because employers may see you as overqualified.

But there are some ways you can make the search more constructive.

1. Network.
One of the most powerful things you can do when searching for jobs is actively network. It can be awkward and, for people who aren’t naturally outgoing, requires a bit of courage and initiative.
  • Start with friends and people you know. Get a feel for creating rapport with those you are already comfortable with in order to have some ice-breakers ready to go when you expand beyond your social circles.
  • Find people who have similar jobs to the one you are seeking. Let them know you would like to learn more about their jobs and see if they know of any openings in the industry. The more you make connections, the easier it will be to gather intel on what is available.
  • Force yourself out of your comfort zone. Start reaching out beyond your immediate circle once you feel like you have a good rhythm. You don’t need to contact 10 people right out of the gate. The first couple of cold calls are always the hardest.
  • Know that people genuinely enjoy your interest in them. Don’t feel like you are imposing on people by asking about their jobs. Steve Dalton, author of the “Two Hour Job Search” told us, “It’s an old maxim that ‘interested is interesting.’ They take a reciprocal interest in you because you have good taste in who you listen to speak, and that’s where jobs come from.”

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

2. Start your search with online job boards.

Looking at online job boards is an efficient way to find opportunities. Most employers use one or more of them to find candidates.

Glassdoor: Glassdoor is known as a resource for researching a potential employer. You will find ratings and reviews of different employers on a range of topics, such as compensation, company culture, how generous benefits are, and what employees think about top executives.

Indeed: Indeed’s main function is as a search engine for jobs. It also happens to be one of the most popular sites for job candidates, which makes it attractive to employers trying to cast a wide net in search of potential candidates. It has other value-add offerings, such as a salary comparison tool, allowing you to look at compensation trends among different industries. It also allows other users to review companies, providing insights into what it might be like to work for or interview at certain companies.

Ladders: The selling point of TheLadders is that it only features vetted jobs with annual compensation of $100,000 or above. It offers a well-curated index of jobs by industry and skill specialism. It also allows you to filter by the highest-paying companies in each industry.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn markets itself as a “professional social network” where, aside from job listings, you can potentially reach decision makers at the companies you wish to apply to. Candidates can get an edge by looking at the profiles and posts of those who they might be interviewing with for insights into their career paths. Since users’ profiles are always available to view and the platform is used for networking, LinkedIn allows potential employers to find you whether or not you are actively seeking a new job. This sets it apart from other job sites.

SimplyHired: This site can flag job openings to you based on your location. It also offers a resume-building tool with a number of templates and formats specific to your career. Employers aren’t charged to post jobs on SimplyHired, so the quality of the jobs may not be quite as high as on other boards.

Upwork: If you are looking for freelance gigs, there are a wealth of job opportunities on Upwork, particularly if you have technical or design skills. The platform is well designed for bidding on jobs and communicating with those commissioning the work.

ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter’s key features include an option to message with employers through the site and a one-click application option. The platform will also let you know when employers are looking at your resume.

Key takeaways from job boards

  • Different boards have different features, so it makes sense to use more than one to take advantage of the resources they offer.
  • Researching a potential employer can help you decide where you want to work.
  • You can streamline your search using boards that cater to certain pay levels, or based on employee and interviewee feedback.
3. Get an inside track by joining a professional organization.

Professional organizations can be a useful way to network with people in your industry and give you access to jobs that might not be widely found on the job boards we mentioned above. JobStars has a list of professional organizations you can use as a starting point for finding one relevant for your search.

4. Get someone to be your job advocate. Work with placement agencies and job recruiters.

Agencies and recruiters can maximize your search potential by actively looking for work for you. Once they have familiarized themselves with your skills and experience, they can be an additional resource pounding the pavement to help you land your dream job.

Keep in mind agencies and recruiters will receive a fee from the employer for placing you, and companies only work with a preferred list of agencies and recruiters. This can work both for and against you, depending on whether the job you are hoping to get is one they have been approved to recruit for.

You can find lists of recruiters and agencies by industry on JobStars. Other websites where you can find recruiters include SearchFirm, Online Recruiters Directory and Recruiterly. For creative jobs, a great place to look is Aquent.

 

WSJ.com | November 11, 2020 | Anthony DeRosa

#JobSearch : Insider Gives Top Resume Tips For Older (40 & Up) Job Applicants. “Yes, Ageism is Real,”

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“Yes, ageism is real,” said Ron Visconti in a recent career guidance webinar geared at applicants aged 50 and older. Visconti, the founder and executive director of Phase2Careers, a nonprofit organization assisting workers over age 40, knows a thing or two about ageism in the workplace. He has worked with small and large organizations, both public and private, on recruitment and career transition issues.

When it comes to the resume, Visconti says job seekers must understand the negative perceptions and bias directed at older workers. When applicants know the barriers they’re up against, they can craft their resumes to defuse those stereotypes and dismiss fears. 

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Article continued …

Visconti offers these guidelines to increase interview opportunities and, if all goes well, a solid offer.

  • Recruiters are overworked and don’t have time to analyze your resume for possibilities. They want to see evidence that you can do the job. That’s why it is critical to ensure that your career story is a perfect match for the position.
  • Most resumes go back ten years; however, older candidates typically have valuable experience beyond that. If that experience is relevant to the position you seek, you can add the heading other relevant experience at the end of your career history. Include the name of the company and your title, but do not include the dates of employment.
  • Don’t oversell yourself. Candidates with 20 or 30 years of experience are inclined to emphasize that experience. If a vacancy requires 8 years of experience and you have many more, write that you have 8+ years of experience. Otherwise, you risk experience discrimination if recruiters and hiring managers consider you overqualified.
  • Do not submit a resume longer than two pages. If you require two pages, make sure the content is relevant to the job you seek. Use language that is current and relevant to your industry. And, if you are skilled in outdated technologies, don’t include them in your skillset.
  • Recruiters spend an estimated seven seconds per resume. Make your resume pleasing to the eye with the use of white space. Highlight skills that align directly with the role near the top of the page, emphasizing metrics.
  • COVID has made remote work the new normal. Show relevancy by including your work-from-home setup and familiarity with critical applications such as Slack and Zoom. If those applications are not familiar to you, find someone to mentor you so you can include them in your skillset.

“Your resume shouldn’t be about responsibilities,” Visconti said. “It should be about your achievements and directly relate to the job you are applying for.” 

While there may be stereotypes in the workplace that make it harder for older applicants to get noticed, following these guidelines will increase your visibility to talent scouts.

References to older technologies feed the stereotype that older applicants are not in the game. As an example, Visconti warns applicants never to use a Hotmail or AOL address as a contact.

“Get a Gmail account and don’t feed the myth!”

To join Visconti in a future free job search offering, check out his events page and register.

Forbes.com | November 17, 2020 | Sheila Callaham