LinkedIn Groups and The Hidden Job Market

LinkedIn Groups and The Hidden Job Market Im in Phoenix speaking and in strategic meetings this week see my speaking schedule here. Have you heard of this elusive hidden job market?  You know, the one that is hiding right under your nose? What LinkedIn Groups do you think you should join to find the hidden job market? When I instruct job seekers on their LinkedIn Group Strategy, I suggest they find Groups that are relevant to them, based on location, profession (think: job title) or industry. I dont recommend they find a bunch of Groups for job seekers.  In fact, Im so focused on encouraging them to find relevant Groups that I never talk about joining job search Groups. I say this even though I have a JibberJobber Career Management Group on LinkedIn.  And many of my friends have Groups for job seekers on LinkedIn. Perhaps you can get some good value out of those Groups, but if time is an issue I encourage you to focus your efforts on Groups that are relevant to you, where you could network with employed (and unemployed) professionals in your area, profession or industry. You can get that from the job search Groups, of course, and if you have some extra slots open, join them.  Youll notice the conversation is quite different between these two types of Groups, though. (need help with Linkedin? Get my LinkedIn for Job Seekers DVD) LinkedIn Groups and The Hidden Job Market Im in Phoenix speaking and in strategic meetings this week see my speaking schedule here. Have you heard of this elusive hidden job market?  You know, the one that is hiding right under your nose? What LinkedIn Groups do you think you should join to find the hidden job market? When I instruct job seekers on their LinkedIn Group Strategy, I suggest they find Groups that are relevant to them, based on location, profession (think: job title) or industry. I dont recommend they find a bunch of Groups for job seekers.  In fact, Im so focused on encouraging them to find relevant Groups that I never talk about joining job search Groups. I say this even though I have a JibberJobber Career Management Group on LinkedIn.  And many of my friends have Groups for job seekers on LinkedIn. Perhaps you can get some good value out of those Groups, but if time is an issue I encourage you to focus your efforts on Groups that are relevant to you, where you could network with employed (and unemployed) professionals in your area, profession or industry. You can get that from the job search Groups, of course, and if you have some extra slots open, join them.  Youll notice the conversation is quite different between these two types of Groups, though. (need help with Linkedin? Get my LinkedIn for Job Seekers DVD)

Objective Samples For Resume Writing

Objective Samples For Resume WritingObjective samples for resume writing must be carefully taken into consideration. The elements of an objective, as defined by the concept of visualization, should be incorporated on the resume in order to have a powerful impact. Here are some ideas regarding an objective for your resume.First, it should be made with general statements and relevant accomplishments, as opposed to detailed statements which may be irrelevant. Be sure to draw out two or three things that you wish to say on your resume. These can be inspirational statements that will be included on your resume as well as bullet points that you can use to highlight your success.Secondly, you should have no surprises on your resume. This means you will have to carefully manage the format of your resume so that it is properly formatted and that you can include all the elements in a neat manner. Include a three-line summary of what you hope to accomplish with your career.Thirdly, you need to have accurate performance evaluation to your resume. Simply put, you will want to state the objective you wish to accomplish with your resume, as well as the types of positions you hold and any awards you have received for your job performance. Make sure that you put emphasis on the time frame within which you will be able to accomplish your objective.Finally, state your major goals that you wish to accomplish within the ideal time frame. This can be a way for your employer to know what you expect and want from your work experience. You can achieve your objective by working hard and achieving what you set out to accomplish.These objective samples for resume writing will help you make your resume appear impressive. It will give employers a sense of your leadership ability and success while at the same time making it clear to them what type of person you are.Each and every employee have a certain objective that should be written down on their resume, but this should only be done as a summary or a description. Your resume as well as your interview will be defined by the position that you hold. By leaving your information at the end of your resume, you are letting your employer know more about yourself and the things that you expect from your job.Making your resume to show what you can do for an employer while staying within your employment requirements will help you get a higher salary and improve your chances of getting the job. Even though this may be hard to do, it is something that you can do and will provide you with the opportunity to be successful.

Twas the week before Christmas University of Manchester Careers Blog

Twas the week before Christmas University of Manchester Careers Blog Apologies in advance to any lovers of this classic poem. Twas the week before Christmas, and through Crawford House Not a student was stirring (but we’ve still got a mouse!) The job ads were placed on CareersLink with care In hopes that some applicants soon would be there. The CVs were polished and QQA checked With transferable skills they were fully bedecked To be printed and posted with cover letter Showing employers that “I’m a go-getter!” Posted off before the deadline date Then, with fingers crossed, begins the long wait, Filling the time as a keen volunteer To add more skills to help find a career Then finally the letter comes through door “So far we’re impressed and we want to know more” Now it’s the time for smart suit and socks And head to Careers to ask about mocks. Assessment centres? Banish all hope! No, come to a practice and learn how to cope. Be calm, speak up and work as a team That’s the way onto a graduate scheme But in many sectors the jobs are just lurking So learn how to find them with clever networking Make use of your contacts, it isn’t forbidden And can be the way in when the jobs are all hidden And if you’re successful, please do tell We love to find out when you’re doing well “I got my dream job” is what we want to hear Merry Christmas to all and we’ll see you next year! p.s. If you want some more sensible Christmas blogging, I highly recommend Natashas 12 Days of Careers Christmas post. All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted

Job Termination Turnaround Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Job Termination Turnaround Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Whether it’s “your fault” or not, being let go is a traumatic experience. It invariably produces emotions ranging from disbelief and rage to guilt, shame, and depression. It generally creates financial stress, which can lead to serious anxiety and conflicts within families. And the sense of uncertainty and loss of control that goes with being fired can make it more difficult to manage a job search in an intelligent, energetic, creative fashion if you let it!. There are entire books that focus on the trauma of job loss, along with career counselors and psychologists who specialize in helping layoff victims cope and regroup. Clearly, all the issues associated with job loss can’t be addressed in a few paragraphs. Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions. First, remember that in today’s job market, the stigma of being let go is much, much less significant than ever before. The continual waves of mergers, spin-offs, company launches and closings, downsizings, expansions, and re-engineerings that have marked world industry over the past three decades mean that a lot of people  have been laid off at one time or another. And those who haven’t been fired are well aware that they’ve escaped the ax only by good fortune. As a result, no one really looks down on people with one or two layoffs in their past. Instead, layoffs are viewed as par for the course. Try mentioning being fired the next time you’re at lunch with half a dozen other working friends. Rather than glances of disapproval, you’re more likely to see nods of understanding and hear comments like, “I’ve been there.” Of course, this doesn’t apply if you’ve been fired repeatedly, or for a cause like lying, stealing, or punching your boss. But most people who are o ne-or two-time losers in the job wars have little difficulty moving on to their next opportunity if they dont take it personally and understand its just business. Second, you can minimize the psychological and career damage of being laid off by handling the process intelligently. Here are some of the steps to take: Negotiate a fair severance package. Rather than simply accepting the company offer, request a couple of days to consider it. Then talk to peers and former bosses and colleagues. You may find you can get the company to increase your final pay package, extend your health and life insurance benefits, or provide you with services such as career counseling. Try to analyze objectively what you did right and wrong. Examine your history with the company. Could you have handled your job better so as to extend your tenure? Were there warning signs you ignored? Make a list of work and people skills you intend to improve in your future jobs. Start your next job search promptly. Don’t spend weeks watching NetFlix or feeling sorry for yourself, or spending your savings on a vacation or some other consolation prize, even if you can afford it. The loss of psychological momentum you’ll suffer can be harmful. Don’t be embarrassed about losing your job. Develop a simple, neutral, accurate, one-sentence explanation for why you lost your job. For example, you can say, “The company reorganized, and mine was one of several positions that were eliminated.” Using this or a similar sentence to spread the word among your friends and acquaintances will maximize your chances of hearing about a worthwhile opportunity. The great automobile entrepreneur Henry Ford said, “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” His words apply to getting fired. Don’t waste time and energy bemoaning what you’ve lost; focus instead on the new horizons in your future.

Resume Writing Services

Resume Writing ServicesWhen looking for the best resume writing services Dallas TX, it is important to understand how and where to search for them. You want to look for a company that provides quality services and the best qualifications. Most professionals are extremely busy trying to find new clients and begin building new careers, so it is necessary that you make your job easier by giving yourself as much freedom and flexibility as possible.A good resume should be unique and creative. In order to become the best in your chosen field, you must write your own unique resume that is eye-catching and stands out from the crowd. This is your chance to make a great first impression on all of the hiring managers that you may have in mind. The process of creating a unique resume begins with the creation of a short resume.The first step in creating your resume should include an objective statement that summarizes the specific reason that you are looking for a new job. You may include a gener al statement that states, 'I'm looking for a new job.' This can serve as your opening paragraph to help you get your career on track. A good example of an objective statement could be, 'I want to use my resume to help me land my dream job.'The next part of the document should be the skills and experience section that outline your career path. Look for opportunities to highlight your strengths as well as highlight areas where you may need assistance. Write down the skills you possess that are specific to your area of work. You should also list any special education and training you have received to assist you in your field.Next, you should highlight any training you have received to better prepare you for your positions that may need further education or specialized training. Be sure to note any voluntary or paid volunteer work that has made a difference to your career. Also, take the time to highlight any special talents or abilities that can make you an asset to your potential empl oyers. Being confident and personable is a great selling point. Most applicants become nervous when they speak in front of an audience, so avoid this by making an effort to appear warm and genuine.Lastly, review your personal statement. Review it for errors and make sure it makes sense and is free of grammatical and spelling errors. Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell a lot about you and how you can benefit the company you are interviewing with.After you have completed the sections listed above, you should make sure your resume contains the proper formatting. It should read smoothly and clearly so that the hiring manager can quickly scan it and determine whether you meet their needs. The best thing to do to ensure the accuracy of your resume is to proofread it yourself to see if there are any mistakes that you can correct.Before you select the services you will use for your resume writing services Dallas TX, you should find out what standard formats are offered by mo st companies. Many professionals that offer this service are a combination of people with a variety of backgrounds in both resume writing and corporate management. By making sure that you find a professional that is able to meet the standards set by the majority of companies, you will increase your chances of getting a great resume.

4 Things You Need to Know About Unlimited Vacation Policy Before You Accept the Job Offer

4 Things You Need to Know About Unlimited Vacation Policy Before You Accept the Job Offer http://lifehacker.com/5900335/tell-your-boss-unlimited-vacation-actually-increases-productivityAn increasing number of North American companies have started to offer their employees Unlimited Vacation Policy to boost morale, and also as a recruiting tool to draw more candidates.There are different variations to the policy and it is referred to by multiple names â€" “Take What You Need Policy” or “Discretionary Time off Model“or “Results Only Work Model” or “Flexible Schedules Policy” or “Unlimited PTO” â€" it is essentially the same thing. The Policy allows employees to take as much vacation as they please In some cases, if you are a smart candidate you could negotiate your vacation time before accepting the job offer.However with the popularity of Unlimited Vacation Policy, and the increasing number of companies that are adopting it â€" it provides every employee in the company a level-playing field. For instance,you no longer have to work 3 years to earn anothe r 3 days of vacation.Here is a list of companies that offer an Unlimited Vacation Policy.One important thing to note that most of these companies are Tech companies. In a study conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management only 2 percent of US companies have formally adopted such a model. About 60% to 80% of Bay Area startups offer an Unlimited Vacation Policy. Recently non-tech companies such as General Electric and Grant Thornton have adopted the model.I can imagine how you as a candidate are excited about accepting the job offer because of a company’s Unlimited Vacation Policy. But before you make a decision, I want you to really understand how they actually work, what the pros and cons are,etc.My goal is to make this post an educational article for you to understand how an unlimited vacation policy works, so that can make make an informed decision before you accept that coveted job offer.1. It’s not really UNLIMITEDevalOK, let’s be realistic here, and you probably already sensed this. Just because it is unlimited does not mean that you take all Mondays off. You don’t get to make every weekend a long-weekend. And you can’t take months off on end. There are some limits and this is within reason.Look at the Unlimited Vacation Policy as a flexible work schedule. In most companies that have adopted the model â€" employees can time off as long as they have worked it out with their managers peers. Another important caveat is that you actually get your work done before you can actually take time off.Employers expect that you work your ass off, and use the flexible vacations to recharge â€" so you return to work and be more productive.2. Employers Save MoneyevalEver sent a vacation request to your boss. No matter what the size of your organization is â€" they usually have some type of software/system to manage vacations. To build implement a system like that costs significant amount of money. So there is an immediate cost savings for a company d ue to the fact that it does not have to invest in new systems. In some cases, workflows and vacation request systems can cost upto tens of thousands of dollars.It typically takes managers some time to administer the vacation requests. This time does add up depending on the number of people in his/her team. It is hard to calculate lost costs because of administrative functions. However, it is a cost that can add up over time.Plus, traditional organizations have to payout employees accrued or unused vacation times So on paper â€" it looks good for a prospective employee. It seems that the particular employer cares about their well-being and treats them as responsible adults.4. Your might never take Unlimited time-offI mentioned above that there are financial benefits for employers when they offer unlimited vacations.There is another point that is rarely discussed.Companies that offer an unlimited vacation policy do so because they know for sure that their employees won’t take much t ime off.evalThere are lot of reasons why employees don’t use all their vacation time. Sometimes it is a demanding work environment, peer pressure, fear,etc.In a 2014 Glassdoor survey, it has been revealed that only 1 in 4 employees took the total alloted/accrued vacation time. And about 15% of employees never took a day off.Even if they are on vacation, does not mean that they are necessarily off work. Most of them get access to work through their smartphones or computers.About 28% surveyed are afraid that they might not get ahead if they are not constantly working.About 17% are afraid of losing their jobs â€" so they work even on their days off.So even if a company institutes an unlimited vacation policy â€" it does not mean people are necessarily taking time off. Kickstarter had to curb their unlimited vacation policy and go back to offering their employees a finite (25 day) vacation policy. Evernote decided to provide their employees $1000 to Disconnect from work from take a va cation.As a quick summary, I would like to highlight that there are benefits for Employers to offer an Unlimited Vacation Policy. It provides them immediate cost savings. It improves workplace morale, thereby reducing turnover.For employees, there is an increase in morale knowing that their workplace offers them with more flexibility and trust.However, as the studies have shown that â€" just because it is offered does not mean most employees make use of it.Perhaps, a particular workplace is a high-pressured and stressful workplace. And the demands, expectations internal competition is high. And these things are hard to determine by just reading the Benefits Package.In the end, it should not be the only reason you choose a prospective employer. Before you make a decision to join the organization, I strongly encourage you to spend time to learn a little but about the internal culture.If the ideas studies resonate with you, feel free to share your thoughts below!!

10 Tips Ease Job Search In A Troubled Economy - Hire Imaging

10 Tips Ease Job Search In A Troubled Economy - Hire Imaging Media headlines continue to be dominated by news of layoffs and company closings. What does this economy mean for the active job seeker? Even the most optimistic job seeker can be disheartened and reluctant to hit the streets. Job hunting in todays economy requires the job seeker to pull out all the stops, take the basics to a new level, and really work at the mindset and process. These tips and tools can help expedite your search during these challenging economic times: Focus on what you have to offer. The key to staying positive during a job search and interviews is to remind yourself of what you bring to the table. Make a list of situations (jobs, volunteer or other) where you faced challenges, what your actions were, what the results were and how this translates to value for the employer. Did you make money? Save money? Streamline operations? Nurture relationships? Get business? Keep business? These are your success stories. They are at the heart of why you are marketable. Practice your success stories so that you become more comfortable promoting yourself. To avoid the appearance of bragging, a concern of many, focus on citing the opinions of others, using testimonials and documentation in a portfolio, or simply reporting the facts. And remember that while your potential employer is evaluating you, you should be evaluating them too. This is a collaboration not an interrogation. Its all about finding a fit for both sides. Polish your written image. Show your resume and marketing documents to a professional resume writer or contact. Many resume services offer critiques free of charge online. Make sure all documents are free of errors. Tweak your documents to mirror back qualifications to the job target a one size fits all does not yield results statistically. If youre applying for jobs not in your industry, consider using a skill-based or functional format. Better yet, use a hybrid format that focuses on your most relevant qualifications but also shows the reader a clear idea of your path to get where you are. Dont forget that a bio, LinkedIn profile, or a suite of thank you, follow-up letters may be in order to maximize your success. Make sure that your online profile is professional. Do you have content on Facebook or other social networking sites that is not professional? Clean it up. Google will find you. Use a targeted job-search campaign. You can glean details in any job-search book or online post, but in a nutshell, a targeted job search is one in which you have chosen the job title or industry in which to focus. With this goal in mind, you identify specific companies and department managers to contact about jobs that may not be advertised. Smaller companies are especially likely to have openings that arent posted. Take control. No, you cant work 24/7 job searching, but do at least one thing (ideally more) every single day in support of your job search. Purchase a tiny notebook or pad that can fit in your purse, briefcase, or pocket. Mark down at least one thing you do daily for your job search. Did you make phone calls? Refresh or send your resume? Network with parents in your childs playgroup? Research potential employers? Log every thing you do. Write, write, write about what youve done to follow up. Everything counts. Treat your Career Diary with exceptional care. It is pen to paper on your goals, actions and results. Shake up your network. Realize that you probably need help. Make sure you have a professional network and a non-professional network. Connect with family, friends, former co-workers, professional associations in your industry, the clerk at your favorite grocery store, people at church and in the groups you volunteer with. No one is off limits. This is not about them getting you a job. They may not have the power to hire you, but they can use their voice to tell your story. There is power in this! Its the domino effect! It flows to the point where before long, many people know of your need and your talents! Become a salesperson at heart. In this market, unless you are one of the few lucky to be courted, you simply have to sell yourself. Always think of yourself as the product and the employer as the potential buyer. You must market yourself every step of the way resumes to interviews. Inventory your success stories. Put them in writing and articulate them in conversations. Yes, you will get rejected. Yet, in sales there are yeses for nos. You are going for those yeses! Commit to applying to a minimum number of jobs a day. Call employers to ask about what other opportunities they have or may have down the line. Remember the important sales and marketing secret. Once youve committed to being your own salesperson and following through, remind yourself of the rule that sales and marketing executives share that it is rare to close a deal on the first try! The rule of thumb is that the average prospect needs to be exposed to your sales message at least seven times before becoming a motivated buyer. No, it doesnt mean that youll get a job if you call the recruiter or employer seven times! But it does mean that persistence pays. Remember to follow up with all job opportunities, because it is likely you will not be offered a position on your first try even second or third. But statistically and historically, persistence really does yield rewards! Do your homework. Some industries are prospering despite the recession climate, while others were in trouble long before the economy took a downward spiral. If possible, concentrate your job search in growing industries; try to avoid focusing on jobs in a dying field if you can. Healthcare, security, repair businesses, green/environmental services, etc. There are always businesses that survive even thrive in economic downturns. Research the market and possible employers that are a fit and hold promise of success in a rough market. Manage your mindset and expand your search. Abandon assumptions, excuses and non-serving habits. Accept that a job search in a tight market requires you to do things that make you uncomfortable. You will need a plan and commitment to work that plan for a few hours each day. Be open to possibilities and dont limit your choices to one job, one career, one industry, or even one geographical location. Balance your dream opportunities with open-mindedness. Be willing to explore opportunities outside of your usual scope. Be honest. If you lack the skills for your job goal, get training. If you need experience, find it at a lower level to get your foot in the door. Be flexible. Yes, you should certainly focus on what jobs will make you happy. Sometimes, however, you will need to make money. If youve been searching for your dream job and are not making progress, consider the possibility of biting the bullet and taking a job that youre qualified for even if its not your passion or dream job. It might open the door to other opportunities. It might give you an arena in which to hone skills, cultivate contacts and earn a paycheck until that dream job opens up. Consider it a bridge or stepping stone job not the end of the line! And dont limit yourself to one type of position. Think about five or more different positions you can pursue simultaneously. And dont forget about new twists to old jobs. If youve been a graphic designer in a corporate environment, can you start promoting from-home graphic design services? As a chef, can you start a small-scale catering operation? Stay professionally refined. From your resume to your clothes and grooming, dont ignore a single detail of your image and brand. You will face more competition than ever before. Be absolutely sure that at all times, you look and act like someone an employer would want to hire. You never know where your paths will cross. From haircut to nails to language, clean it up.

Maintaining a Professional Distance

Maintaining a Professional Distance One place where many people fail at work is in maintaining a professional distance between them and colleagues. This is primarily a problem for young and inexperienced workers because they are not used to being in a business environment. This can be especially problematic for those looking for a new job. Its normal to look to those you work with for friendship. By working at the same company you already have many common interests and expectations. You know the same people and likely work on the same projects. The problem is that very often your coworkers are also competing with you for promotions, bonuses, and even a job in the event of layoffs or cutbacks. There is a natural competition that goes on in a work environment to be the best and to be the one that gets the promotions. If you have been overly liberal in complaints, for example, the person you were speaking with just might use that as a means to get ahead at work. Its better to save your complaints for non-work friends. Its especially advisable to maintain a professional distance when you are looking for a new job. More than one person has made the mistake of letting those at work know he was looking for something better only to find out that the boss was not happy to hear about it. Worst case scenario is that this can cause you to lose the job you already have before you find a new one. While networking is important in your job search, keep those you work with, even your friends, in the dark about this.