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Networking Your Way Into The New Year

Networking Your Way Into The New Year
  • December 5th, 2024
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Many job seekers mistakenly believe that because corporations and organizations are closing their headquarters for the holidays, they are suspending their search for candidates for jobs they posted a month ago. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The fact is that even during the holidays, companies are looking for talent. After all, the new year is just around the corner, and most of them don’t want to be making up for lost time as the new year gets underway. What does that mean for you if you are on the lookout for a new job? It means you need to continue to look by networking throughout the holiday season.

It also means that there are additional networking opportunities that you may be overlooking. This is the time for parties, all kinds of parties—office parties, neighborhood parties, family get-togethers, and so on. There is no way to know where you might stumble upon news of an opening or meet someone who is in a position to introduce you to your next boss. You need to get out of the house and attend as many parties and gatherings as possible.

The great thing about the holidays is that there are even more opportunities to meet people in a relaxed setting than you have at any other time of the year. So take advantage of it! Here are four ways to network during the holidays.

Family Gatherings

People networking at a family holiday gathering

You may come from a large sprawling family with lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. Most of them are employed, and many of them are connected in one way or another with the human resources director of their company. They may know that the company is hiring but holding a posting for the first of the year. Wouldn’t it be great if you could glean that information from them in a casual manner over a cup of eggnog? You won’t get this information, however, if you stay at home as opposed to going to the family get-together. It’s a long shot, but you never know!

Attending these gatherings gives you the chance to spark conversations that might uncover hidden opportunities. Even a casual mention of your job search could prompt a family member to connect you with someone in their network. People love to help, especially during the holiday season when goodwill is in abundance.

Neighborhood Parties

People talking and networking at a holiday party

Parties are an opportunity to meet people, and you never know who you’ll meet. You could go to a party given by a neighbor and end up talking to the CEO of Company XYZ. Conversation leads to the CEO learning that you are currently available. “Hey, we could use a guy (or gal) just like you with your skills and experience! Send me your resume tomorrow and let me see what I can do.” Boom! You may be on your way to your next job. If you stay home, however, that conversation will never even have the opportunity to take place.

So, say yes to that invitation, even if you’re not in the mood to socialize. Approach every neighborhood holiday party with an open mind and a friendly attitude. Ask about your neighbors’ interests, share a bit about yourself, and let the dialogue flow naturally. The more approachable and genuine you are, the more likely you’ll leave a positive impression that could open unexpected doors.

Get Yourself Invited To Parties Where Your Spouse Or Significant Other Has Been Invited

People networking at a holiday work party

You aren’t just tagging along…you are the plus-one and you serve a purpose in that way. But you also put yourself in the position of being available to chat with people who know other people who might be in the market for someone with your skill set.

This is a golden opportunity to expand your network in a relaxed, festive setting where conversations flow naturally. Plus, the holiday spirit often puts people in a generous mood, making them more inclined to share introductions or advice. Again, if you stay at home, you won’t ever know, so you just have to find ways to get out and mingle with people—and make every interaction count.

Find A Toastmasters Group Near You

Man attends a virtual networking event during the holidays

Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization with local clubs all over the world, in over 126 countries, and with over 300,000 members. Toastmasters is a great way to network in a totally safe environment. You can find clubs near you by going to Toastmasters and selecting “Find a club.” Unless you live in the middle of nowhere (literally), you will find a club that meets at a time and location that is convenient for you.

Not only will you meet great new people, which will allow you an opportunity to network with folks you might not otherwise meet, but you will also have an opportunity to work on your communication and leadership skills. These are skills you will need on your next job no matter what type of job you’ll eventually land.

Networking is a must during any time of the year, but during the holiday season, you may find additional opportunities to get out of the house, meet new people, and network your way to a new job.

If you’re looking for additional networking opportunities in the new year, join Work It DAILY! Inside our platform, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals in your industry and geographic area. You can also network with professionals outside your industry all around the world.

Happy networking!

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5 Reasons Universities Should Provide Alumni Career Services

5 Reasons Universities Should Provide Alumni Career Services
  • May 14th, 2024
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With young professionals changing jobs every 2.8 years, the need for career services doesn’t end with graduation. And with 53% of recent grads unemployed or underemployed, […]

The post 5 Reasons Universities Should Provide Alumni Career Services appeared first on Blog Job Hunting Career Management Solutions | CareerShift.

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4 Things To Do After Joining A LinkedIn Group

4 Things To Do After Joining A LinkedIn Group
  • May 3rd, 2024
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There are lot of specialized groups on LinkedIn that professionals can join in an effort to boost their networking strategy. However, just joining a group isn’t enough. Much like managing your LinkedIn profile, making the best use of being a member of a specialized group comes down to activity and management.

If you want to take full advantage of being a part of one of these LinkedIn Groups, here’s what you need to do.

Get Others To Take Notice

One of the easiest ways for others to take notice of you on LinkedIn is through discussion, and it’s the same for LinkedIn Groups.

Take part in the group discussions by posting a question of your own, providing an intelligent comment to other posts, or sharing relatable information with the group. No one is going to notice you if you’re just standing on the sidelines observing what goes on in the group.

Inform Others Of Your Passion And Expertise

Man on phone and laptop connects with someone on LinkedIn

Going along the first point above, as you consider what to post, comment, or share, make it relevant to your profession because it will help display your expertise on a particular subject matter. It’s not about leaving a generic comment or random post but building on the personal branding message you want to leave with people.

Remember that when companies are searching for potential job candidates, the more activity you have the better your ranking will be in LinkedIn’s search engine.

Search For Jobs

Young professional on laptop looks at job opportunities within her professional LinkedIn Group

Many employers, hiring managers, and recruiters will join professional groups on LinkedIn to help source talent and they will post any new job openings there.

When you find a job opening you like in a group, you already have a slight lead over other job seekers who are simply relying on the traditional job boards because you can now make direct contact with the person who posted the job and share the fact that you are both part of the same LinkedIn Group.

Make One-On-One Contact

Man on laptop checks his phone for a message from a LinkedIn connection

The beauty of joining a LinkedIn Group is you can now message any other member who’s joined the group. Start a one-on-one conversation with the individuals you admire and who you believe can offer valuable advice to help you through your job search.

When you approach individuals genuinely, most will openly respond. This is not to say you have to send an invite for them to join your network. Just simply get the conversation started.

LinkedIn clearly has many advantages to helping job seekers but knowing how to manage your LinkedIn profile and what activities to take part in are important to the process of making it work for your job search efforts. Follow the tips above to make the most of any LinkedIn Groups you decide to join. Happy networking!

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Back To Work? 10 Tips For Relaunching Your Career

Back To Work? 10 Tips For Relaunching Your Career
  • April 24th, 2024
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So, you’ve been on a career break. How long has it been? Three years, five years, more? Whether you took time off to care for your children or travel the world, relaunching your career is a major undertaking, especially these days. Just sending out a bunch of resumes won’t do the trick.

Here are some effective tips and steps for relaunching your career that you can start doing immediately to help you reach your goal of getting back into the workforce.

1. Get Your Story Straight

Man writes down his story to relaunch his career

Prospective employers are going to ask you what you’ve been doing for the last few years. Make sure you have the story down pat and can tell it confidently. Don’t be sheepish. Taking a break from work, whatever the reason (save incarceration), was a choice you made—and you don’t need to apologize for it.

Everything you say should be true, of course, but you choose what the takeaway of the story is. Second, you’re going to need to have a good answer to the question of why you’re getting back into the workforce. Note: “I have a mortgage to pay; gambling debts; or momma needs a new pair of shoes,” are not good responses. You don’t want to seem needy or desperate.

To come up with a good answer, think about those things you loved about your job before you took your break. Talk about the passion you had for your career, about your craving for intellectual stimulation, about your ambition.

It’s also important to think of these things in the context of each job you’re applying for. Why do you want to work for this specific company? What problem do you want to help them solve? How do you connect with their mission and values as an organization?

Asking yourself all of these questions will help you get your career story straight before going into your first job interviews.

2. Stay Connected (Or Reconnect) To Your Career

Woman on laptop and phone stays connected as she relaunches her career

When you take your break, you don’t have to turn your back on your career altogether. Look for opportunities to stay connected. This can mean consulting, volunteering, or freelancing. It’s a matter of keeping at least one toe in the work realm.

Kelly, for instance, worked as a graphic designer for a major newspaper until she decided to leave the daily grind to care for her young son. To stay connected to her field, Kelly began freelancing every Sunday for her former employer. She also kept her skills honed by designing a monthly newsletter for her moms’ club. Through these efforts, Kelly remained close to her profession and continued to build her portfolio even while on a career break.

If you haven’t stayed connected to your career throughout your break, it’s not too late to reconnect. In fact, reconnecting should be a key part of your career relaunch strategy. Immediately start accepting projects—even if it’s free work for friends or nonprofits. It will pay off in the end. Don’t pass up any opportunity.

3. Revise Your Resume And Get It Online

Man reviews his resume as he tries to relaunch his career

It’s time to dust off your resume. First, fill in the gaps with all that good work-related stuff you’ve been doing during your break. Even if it was a volunteer project, list it just as you would any other work experience (though you don’t necessarily need to use the word “volunteer”).

Do some research to make sure your resume will get past the ATS. Many experts these days, for example, recommend ditching the “objective” portion at the top of the resume and instead replacing it with hard skills and keywords mentioned in the job description that you have developed in your career.

To find pertinent keywords, do a little research. Look at online job postings and see the types of words that employers are using in their posts, then use these words in your resume. Once your resume is keyword-optimized, you can then focus on customizing it for each job you’re applying for, to give yourself a better chance of getting an interview.

4. Network

Woman networks with coworkers to try to relaunch her career

First, reconnect with your former colleagues and professional friends. Meet for coffee. Talk shop. Let them know you’re looking for work. Don’t be shy about telling family members, friends, and acquaintances that you’re looking for new opportunities. Most people get jobs through personal connections.

Then, widen your circle. Try to attend a business networking event every week. Even a remote networking event can open new doors. Much has been written about how people should approach networking, and a little research on the topic may be helpful. In general, remember that your goal for networking isn’t instant gratification. Many experts will tell you not to expect (and never, never, never ask for) a job at a networking event. You’re there to meet people and build relationships. Eventually, it will pay off.

To find networking opportunities, ask people you already know or search on the internet. A simple Google search (city + state + “networking opportunities”) should turn up results. Also, try websites like Meetup and Eventbrite.

5. Use Social Media

Woman on phone relaunches her career by using social media

More and more job seekers are using social media websites for networking, and employers are using them to find out about job candidates. Use social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, to build your personal brand, make new connections, and further your relaunch efforts.

On LinkedIn, it’s important to optimize your profile and make sure it matches your resume. Also, avoid making common LinkedIn headline mistakes. With a strong social media presence, you’ll stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, and they’ll see how proactive you are in trying to relaunch your career.

6. Get Involved

A group of people talk about relaunching their careers

Look for opportunities, above and beyond attending networking events, to get involved. Start a blog related to your field. Check out existing blogs and online forums and comment on posts. Share your opinion. Offer advice. Establish yourself as an active member of the community. Host a networking event, or take on a volunteer position within a networking group. Take a class. These things will supercharge your networking efforts.

The more you’re involved in your community and industry, the more others will view you as an expert in that field. Don’t be afraid to start something new. Get out there, get involved, and make a name for yourself!

7. Cast A Wide Net

Man on laptop looks for opportunities to relaunch his career

When looking at job opportunities, think outside of the box. Don’t think of yourself in terms of past work experience alone. Assess your skills, and determine how they can be applied to different jobs. These are your transferable skills. They can be extremely helpful when trying to relaunch your career, especially if you’re making a career change.

Know what you can do, and be ready to tell prospective employers how your skills can benefit them—even in a position you’ve never held before. Think about what jobs have the best potential for career happiness.

8. Don’t Pass Up Opportunities

Woman talks to a coworker after successfully relaunching her career

Sure, you’re looking for full-time work. But as you relaunch your career, don’t pass up part-time, contract, or freelance opportunities, as long as they move your relaunch efforts forward. (Part-time at the local mini-mart, for instance, wouldn’t do much good.)

A contract position could lead to a job offer, and in the meantime, you’re gaining new experience, building relationships, and adding to your resume.

9. Prepare For The Interview

Man trying to relaunch his career interviews for a job

Eventually, the day will come: A prospective employer will want to meet with you.

A job interview can be particularly daunting to someone who’s been on a career break. The best remedy for a case of interview-related nerves is preparation.

Think about what questions will be asked, and how you will answer (remember tip number one?). Research the company online. Formulate some smart interview questions to ask in return. Have a friend help you practice with a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.

10. Keep At It

Happy woman on laptop tries to relaunch her career

The best advice for relaunching your career? Don’t give up. You didn’t get to where you were before your career break without hard work and perseverance. And it will take those qualities to get back to where you want to be.

If you want to relaunch your career, just know that you can and will. Half the battle is having the right mindset. The rest is all about strategy. Follow these 10 tips to successfully relaunch your career, no matter how long you’ve been out of the game.

Need more help with your career?

Become a member to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

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Creating a Network from Scratch

Creating a Network from Scratch
  • March 21st, 2024
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If you are new to job search and you are turned off by hearing you should network, you should know this. You have been networking all along, but you just didn’t call it that. Take the focus off of job search and you’ll feel better about “networking”. The Harvard Business Review wrote this piece on how […]

The post Creating a Network from Scratch appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search
  • March 20th, 2024
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Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.

In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.

For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.

Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach

Man thinks about/reevaluates his job search approach/strategy while unemployed

Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:

  • How did I learn about this job?
  • How did I apply for the job?
  • Did I earn an interview?
  • What was the ultimate result?

A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:

Negative Trends

You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.

The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn’t to say that job boards don’t serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations, and you can’t run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there’s a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.

One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.

The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.

This is a great way to network your way onto a company’s radar.

Positive Trends

You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.

The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview. This indicates that you’re leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.

The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback, and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.

Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.

The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn’t right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.

Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention

Woman on laptop writes and formats her resume to get it past the ATS

Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.

Let’s start with resumes!

Every resume should be tailored to the position in order for it to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually less work than submitting the same resume over and over again and never hearing back.

The reason why it’s so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you’re applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.

Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you’re a potential candidate for the position.

While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.

As for writing a good cover letter, the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter. When you write a disruptive cover letter, you’re basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.

If your resumes and cover letters aren’t unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.

Build Your Personal Brand

Just because you’re looking for work doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand.

Ask yourself, “How do I want other professionals to view me?”

Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.

By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven’t spoken to in years, or making new connections.

You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people’s radars. So, when you’re cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.

Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search

People exercise during their job search

Your job search is important, but it’s even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.

There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:

  • Grab coffee with a friend – It’s good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
  • Volunteer – Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you’re asked about it during a job interview.
  • Continue to focus on other passions – Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you’re in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle, even better!

Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you’re struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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How To Get A Higher-Level Job

How To Get A Higher-Level Job
  • March 12th, 2024
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How To Get A Higher-Level Job

You want a job that’s one or two levels higher than your current job. How do you apply? Well, definitely not through an ATS.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are designed to find exact matches, and if you are trying to land a higher-level job, you are not an exact match. But the good news is I can give you a workaround.

Lots of people get hired into higher-level positions, but not through applying online.

2 Steps To Get A Higher-Level Job 

Step one in this process is to learn to go around the ATS. You need to connect with people who work at the company. Not the recruiter. Not even the hiring manager. You need to connect with people who would be your peers in the organization.

Then, you need to focus on step two, which is to tell a great connection story. A connection story is how you feel connected to the mission of the company. What would get you up out of bed every day and want to crush it for them? You need to identify with these people who would be your future peers.

After you’ve found a handful of future peers to connect with, put together this connection story and send it to them via LinkedIn. Ask them to connect. Here’s an example of what that connection request message should look like:

“Hey! Can we connect? I have a story I’d love to share about your company.”

Then, when they accept, message them and share the story about why you’re a huge fan of the company, and that’s why you’re really interested in the XYZ position, the higher-level position.

This going to prompt them to check out your LinkedIn profile and more than likely just forward it to the hiring manager, saying something like, “Hey, this person reached out to me. They’re interested in the job you’ve posted.”

Why does this matter? Because the ATS is run by recruiters who are told to find exact matches, and they’re going to screen you out. If your LinkedIn profile gets forwarded to the hiring manager from a person who works in a totally different department, you’re not going through that same screening process as other applicants who apply online. In fact, they’re elevating you because they’re saying, “This person made the effort to reach out and tell me their story. You might be interested in them.”

Now your story gets in front of the hiring manager, and the hiring manager thinks, “Oh, love the story. Looks like they might be able to do the job. Let me pass them to the recruiter.” And then the recruiter sets up an interview because even though you’re not a match, they were told by the hiring manager to do so.

I’ve seen a lot of people get higher-level jobs when they follow these two steps. But let me be clear: When you’re applying online, there’s no resume fix or cover letter or LinkedIn profile tip that I can give you that’s going to get you through the ATS and get you a shot at that job because you don’t meet the requirements.

If you believe you can do the job, you’ve got to tell a connection story and talk to other people in order to get in front of the hiring manager.

This job search strategy works. If you don’t believe me, sign up for Work It DAILY where I’m working with thousands of job seekers right now—and these tips are working. Try us free for seven days.

These tips will help you conduct a proactive job search. It is a game changer, and it’s really needed in this job market, especially if you’re trying to get a higher-level job. You can do it, but you need new and better techniques to succeed. And I would love to teach them to you.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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4 Ways To Take Advantage Of Being Unemployed

4 Ways To Take Advantage Of Being Unemployed
  • March 8th, 2024
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Unemployment: It’s a situation that many fear that can lead to financial hardship and high levels of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. For anyone who has been laid off, had their employment terminated, or quit their job, facing down the barrel of unemployment is a scary prospect.

For whatever reason you are out of a job, being unemployed is no time to be complacent. Instead, look at your period of unemployment as an opportunity to reassess yourself as well as reinvent yourself. They say that as one door closes, another door opens. Use this period wisely and that other door may be a giant leap forward in your career path.

There are many strategies you can use to help you empower yourself, take control of your situation, and make the most of the time you have on your hands.

Here are four ways to take advantage of being unemployed.

1. Volunteer

Unemployed professionals take advantage of volunteer opportunities

Take an interest in what is happening in your community and get involved. Join one or more local community groups and volunteer some of your time and expertise. Volunteering always looks good on a resume and showing an active interest in your community will be positively viewed by employers.

In addition, volunteering gives you the opportunity to network with people from all walks of life, and this, in turn, could lead to your next job.

Good points of contact are your local Lions or Rotary clubs.

2. Learn New Skills

Unemployed young woman on laptop takes advantage of her free time by updating her resume and learning new skills

Keep your mind active by learning a new skill. Potential employers will look positively on the fact that you have been using your time wisely to keep up with industry changes or develop a new skill.

A great place to start is with free or low-cost online courses. If you find the courses you want to take cost a good amount of money, think of them as an investment in yourself.

In addition, pay attention to any industry developments in the news so that when it comes time to apply for that dream job, you are prepared to discuss not just your role but the industry at large and how the skills you’ve developed will help you succeed in that role.

3. Work Out

Unemployed man works out

At such a stressful time, you need to take extra care of yourself. There’s no excuse now for putting off starting an exercise regimen because you don’t have the time. You have plenty of it.

You don’t have to join a gym or get a personal trainer. Take up running or cycling, go on expeditions to explore your local area, or simply create your own at-home daily exercise routine and stick to it. You’ll look better, feel better, and feel less stressed—all of which will boost your confidence.

4. Rework Your Resume/CV

Now is definitely the time to update and polish your resume. If you’ve been in the same job for a long time, it might be a good idea to research the best way to optimize your resume so it gets past the ATS.

In addition, start improving your online presence by creating or updating your LinkedIn profile and joining professional industry groups. This is all a form of networking and a great way for you to find opportunities that may not be widely advertised.

Also, sign up for daily job alerts and make your interview bucket list. The more targeted your job search, the easier it will be to find a job.

So, are you feeling a bit better about being unemployed? We hope so! If you want to take advantage of being unemployed, you just have to follow the four tips above.

Remember: Don’t view unemployment as a setback. Think of it as an opportunity to improve your career—because that’s what it is!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Add Social Networking to Your Job Searching Portfolio

Add Social Networking to Your Job Searching Portfolio
  • March 7th, 2024
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Social networking (using social media to interact and share information) isn’t just about finding posted jobs…it is about building relationships. Your job search requires you to do more than just apply for jobs online. Learning how to use social networking sites will help your long-term strategy – by creating new relationships to open doors now […]

The post Add Social Networking to Your Job Searching Portfolio appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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What To Do When Your Email Goes Unanswered

What To Do When Your Email Goes Unanswered
  • February 9th, 2024
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What To Do When Your Email Goes Unanswered

Some people experience anxiety when their emails go unanswered. Anxiety from unanswered emails is especially prominent in job seekers.

At least once a day, a client contacts me in a frustrated panic because the email they sent days ago to a colleague, perspective networking contact, online application, recruiter, and so on hasn’t been answered. Each time, I walk them through the three tips that should be followed to increase the chances they get a response.

They are…

1. Wait One Full Business Week Before Following Up

While it feels like months to you, to the person you sent the email to, a week feels like a day. If they didn’t answer you yet, it just means you weren’t viewed as needing an immediate response. It doesn’t mean they are saying “no” to your request, they are just saying “not now.”

2. Never Send A Nudge On A Monday

Professional on laptop shows signs of stress and frustration on a Monday morning

Even the happiest people feel a little off on Mondays. We call it the Weekend Flu. You might call it the Monday Blues. Regardless, it puts people in a mood to say “no” more quickly.

So even if it’s been a full business week, if it’s Monday, don’t do anything.

3. Send Value Next Time, Not Another Request For Help

A job seeker holding her laptop gets a good idea about a follow-up email

When you finally do follow up, don’t send a “Just wanted to check in and see if you got my request” note. That’s like taking a hot poker and pushing it in their back. They know they haven’t responded to you, and they most likely don’t feel good about it. They don’t need you to point it out.

Instead, find an article online that you think they would find interesting and pass it along with a simple note like this: “Saw this article and thought of you—hope you enjoy it!” That’s it. You’ll be respected for your restraint from asking the obvious. Moreover, you’ll be appreciated for offering up something of professional value.

As they say, “You gotta give to get!” Follow the tips above and I guarantee more of your emails will get answered. While some may still ultimately say “no,” or never respond, the chances the folks who failed to respond initially will finally follow up increases when you are patient, polite, and, most importantly, focused on helping them too.

Whether you’re waiting for a response on an online application, job interview, or networking request, the combination of patience and strategic persistence will serve you well.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Reasons Why Job Boards Could Hinder Your Search

3 Reasons Why Job Boards Could Hinder Your Search
  • February 7th, 2024
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3 Reasons Why Job Boards Could Hinder Your Search

At one time, job boards were the way to go for job seekers. It’s where you can post your resume for employers and recruiters to view and apply for job openings. But today, it’s a different story.

The modern-day job search has changed, and finding your dream job (or just a good job) is about personal branding and leveraging your professional network.

Imagine you are a hiring manager. Would you be more likely to take time to interview a candidate you don’t know except for what’s been given on a submitted cover letter and resume or someone who’s been referred to you? A referral has much less risk, and that’s why networking has a higher success rate than job boards when it comes to securing a position.

This doesn’t mean that job boards are dead because there are plenty of niche job boards worth going to as a job seeker. But you can’t build an effective job search strategy around applying for jobs on job boards.

Here are a few other things about the limitations of using job boards when you’re a job seeker.

1. Recruiters May Never See Your Cover Letter And Resume

Just because you apply for a job on a job board doesn’t mean an actual person will ever look at your cover letter and resume.

More than 85% of companies are now using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to review and rank resumes according to skills, experience, and keywords. The simple fact is that companies use internal algorithms, so ensuring a strong ranking is extremely difficult. A recent HR manager told me that they get an average of 400 resumes for each position and only look at the top 10-20—meaning 380 resumes are not even reviewed.

In many instances, before a job posting goes up on the job board, it’s already been shared around internally at the employer and by trusted sources. So, it’s likely hundreds applied before the posting even made it to the job board.

2. Many Job Openings Don’t Get Posted On Job Boards

Office space with employees

Big job boards can be overwhelming with job postings (both relevant and irrelevant to you). This is a similar perspective for the employer when they get an overwhelming number of applicants for the job opening posted on a job board.

It’s also the reason why some may prefer to work solely with recruiters or find other means to source the right talent. If you’re not networking with the right contacts, you’re missing out on opportunities that will never be found on job boards.

3. Recruiters Have More Resources To Find Talent

Recruiters/hiring managers talk about job candidates during hiring process

Recruiters and hiring managers have professional networks too! Whether it’s a professional acquaintance or reaching out to their own workforce, they can put together a list of potential candidates before even posting a job.

In addition, many recruiters also use LinkedIn to find talent.

Resumes that get posted to job boards are still viewed, but there’s a good chance the information is outdated, which is one reason why hiring managers and recruiters are relying more on LinkedIn where information is generally more current.

Networking is the answer!

The best way to get a job is to put together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and network your way onto that company’s radar before they even post a job opening.

However, if you do want to apply for a job that you come across on a job board, make sure you go the extra mile to get past the ATS. Instead of applying to the link on the job board, do some research, find out who the hiring manager is, and take steps to get your updated cover letter and resume in front of them.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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