A couple of weeks ago I attended an awesome presentation delivered by Bob Burg, the author of Endless Referrals, The Go Giver, and several other mindful books on learning not only successful sales skills but also how to be a business professional that others deem full of character and integrity. What I have discovered and love about Bob’s books and his presentation is that his message also works perfectly for job seekers.

Why? Because job seekers are acting as sales agents but instead of selling a product they are selling their own skills, experience and unique values they can bring to an employer. One of the many valuable points Bob made in his four-hour seminar at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan was that you can not make up other people’s minds for them. The decision ultimately is theirs. What you can do is provide exceptional information, examples and reasons why you are the right choice.

Employers and recruiters will not know you are the right choice unless you tell them. It is your responsibility as the job seeker (whether you want that responsibility or not) to get noticed by the right contacts. Sometimes that can be tricky. You have to be creative and relentless, especially in today’s economy, but if you put a plan into action it will be much easier to stay focused. Targeted contacts will get to know you not through a job board but through networking communities both on and off line and through the contacts you know and use as your trumpeters.

One way to stay motivated is to have a written set of networking and job search goals that you keep close and look at often. Keep the set of goals in your purse, briefcase, on your computer desk top or phone. Do whatever you can to keep moving forward towards accomplishing the goals.

What can you do to influence the decision makers? Give them what they want! To do this you will need to find out what they want. During Bob Burg’s seminar he advised (as he does in his books too) that if you want to develop strong referrals you must listen not talk to get noticed. With job seekers, listening involves reading articles, websites, blogs, and profiles of those that work at the company you’ve targeted. Find the influencers in the company and hang out where they do, find out what they need and are looking for and then figure out how you can be their solution.

Once you know what your target companies are looking for you can once again set goals to network with employees, recruiters and hiring manager affiliated with those companies. By participating in discussions, articles, or tweets that address and generate answers to their problems you can promote your value. Establishing common ground such as discussions within networking groups is a great way to break the ice and build a connection with contacts that can provide potential for opportunity. Even if nothing comes from the communications with the new contact you will have befriended someone in your arena – a relationship worth nurturing and maintaining.

I recently participated in an energetic and informative discussion with several colleagues from the Resume Chicks during an interview on Blogtalk Radio’s Career Success Radio program (@CareerRadio) with Australian career experts Keith Keller and Annemarie Cross. It was a fast hour that centered on two main areas of Career Management.

The first point addressed in roundtable discussion was on recommended strategies to strengthen resumes. Consensus among the group was that the resume should be extremely focused on the career objective at hand. It can not be merely a laundry list of all of your past work history but rather strategically selected keywords, achievements and successes that bring home your value proposition.

Including achievements and accomplishments that are fact-based and as quantifiable as possible will draw attention to a resume and was the second critical-must for successful resume development. For those careers that don’t use revenue or cost metrics, data such as customer satisfaction rates, time management improvements and recognition or awards works well to demonstrate significant contribution.

Using a format that is attention-grabbing, easy to read, and professional rounded out the top three resume improvement strategies. Since most resumes are looked at for only 20-30 seconds, the resume must immediately jump out and be noticed if it is to do its job properly. Developing a format that showcases the candidate’s values, and highlights the keywords and requirements the reader is looking for will generate interest and get the candidate noticed.

We also addressed social media and it’s relevance on a job search. Again the consensus was that networking communities such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and others are growing in effectiveness in an aggressive job search. Profiles or bio’s on sites such as LinkedIn allow for a deeper exposure and is often the first look recruiters take at potential candidates for a position they are looking to fill.

Currently more than 80% of recruiters use LinkedIn for research and as a database. For job seekers to utilize their LinkedIn profile it must include a strong achievement-based look at their work history and a summary that reaches out to readers with keywords to offer unique value. Often overlooked in the creation of a strong profile is the providing of a professional photograph, recommendations for current and past positions held, and taking advantage of the many applications now available on LinkedIn. Effective apps include linking your blog, twitter feed, slideshare or podcasts to your profile for maximum exposure.

Candidates’ online profiles and their resume and other marketing tools should compliment each other and should be congruent but not identical in their content. On the Career Success Radio program it was agreed that using both in conjunction with an aggressive job search is the most effective way for a candidate to land the right job. Tune in for the full interview at Career Success Radio

Shine On Job Seekers!

OK, so looking back over the last few weeks I realize I have been pretty lazy when it comes to maintaining my blog. I’ve got lots of ideas, and have even hand written partial articles while waiting for soccer games to start, but I haven’t finished any of the articles. Spring is a busy time for me, my kids’ sports are in high gear, school’s wrapping up, yard work is calling me, family gatherings, blah-blah-blah!

It’s easy to get side tracked and lazy with spring fever and not keep up with my blog. Where has my laziness gotten me? Nowhere! It has only removed me from my readers and kept me out of the loop. Choosing to be lazy in my blog maintenance only hurts me.

Being lazy is not the same as taking a break. Everyone deserves a break when working hard! If you need to take a break from your job search that’s fine. But the break needs to be planned and limited and when break-time is over you’ll have to pick up where you left off with your career plan if you want to be successful.

What do you lose by being lazy as a job seeker? You lose opportunity, income, confidence, a sense of accomplishment and the momentum and motivation to keep your search working for you.

Sometimes lazy doesn’t mean you are not doing anything, but that you keep doing unproductive things over and over. If your actions aren’t creating new opportunities then it is time to change what you are doing.

These rules apply to everything in life right? Whether it’s remodeling a room, searching for a new job, getting in shape, maintaining a blog, or any other goal you set. In order to achieve you have to put forth the right type of effort.

Boy, reading this article back I feel like I’ve written this just for me as a swift reminder to get motivated and keep moving towards my goal of sharing what I learn with job seekers to help you find the right jobs faster! Hopefully this article will get you re-motivated to take new action to reach your goals as well!

Shine on Job Seekers!!

Try Something New to Take the Insanity out of Your Job Search

I’ve gone to the same mall area shopping for Christmas presents three times in the last couple of weeks. Each time I have gone, I come home less and less satisfied with the amount of purchases I made. I just can’t seem to find what I am looking for at the stores available in that location. With just a week left until Christmas and with more than a few presents left to purchase, I decided to change my game plan.

What is the old Einstein saying; “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Well I decided to stir things up, not go insane and try and new shopping venue.

Wow! Was I excited to find new stores that had new ideas and gifts I had been looking for! I even went in to some of the same stores as the other location but they had a different variety of items to choose from and again was successful.

When the day of shopping was through, I had successfully crossed off every item on my list. I drove home thinking of how thankful I was to not have decided to give my usual stomping ground another try. Some times you’ve got to move away from routine to find the best deals.

Before you go insane in your job search, make sure to shake up your routine every once in a while. Take stock in the results of your efforts. If something isn’t working for you – try something new. Just because your friend was wildly successful on a specific LinkedIn group or networking event doesn’t mean you will immediately get the same results. Take hold of what Einstein said and try something else.

For example, if you are only working with job boards get involved in online groups in LinkedIn or one of the really great job search groups on Ning or Yahoo Groups. If you tend to visit more than network at networking groups try a new one, and develop a new elevator speech that accentuates your strengths and personal brand. Check out industry associations, newspapers, groups, or volunteer somewhere but try something new.

The most important thing to remember is to be creative and open to new ideas or suggestions, find what works for you and keep moving forward. Even with the Holiday season in full swing, now is still a good time to be setting up new year meetings and filling that pipeline with contacts and networking activities that target and work towards your goals. Keep your goals close and review them often to keep you focused and motivated. Save yourself the grief of driving yourself crazy by not trying new strategies, techniques, activities or groups to help you find the job you deserve.

For me, the favorite part of my job is helping my clients. I think I get more excited by being able to restore confidence and helping clients to regain a solid footing in their job search, than I do delivering an outstanding resume (although that’s not bad either). When I am able to answer questions, coach, suggest options, educate on a job search process, and give these people, many who have never been in this position before, someone to talk with, is when I remember how much I love what I do. It is so gratifying to help my clients make sense of the changes they are facing and the opportunities unfolding before them.

With the different personalities types you have different reactions toward layoffs and being let go. Some need order and start developing a plan immediately to keep themselves sane. Others are a bit more carefree and so they wander unsure where to go or what to do next. There are also clients that seem to feel that being out of work is something they have to take lying down, something they have no control over.

The different types of job seekers look to me for different kinds of help. On some days I am there to hold a hand and walk them through the process and on other days I am just someone to affirm that the job seeker is on the right track. Sometimes I am just a springboard for a job seeker to hear themselves think and bounce their thoughts off of. And, there are those that have fallen off the tracks and just need a little help getting back on board and a little push to get them going – then they’re on their way, picking up speed as they go.

I particularly love when I hear a change and calmness in their voice that I hadn’t heard before. It is an “a-ha” moment for them when they understand they do have some choices and some control in what is happening to them. Even if their control is only in the ability to choose how to handle things with a certain, positive mindset. I know I’ve helped them to regain their focus and now understand what their next move is.

I love when I know I’ve helped ease the uncertainty of how to maneuver through the job search process. So, thanks job seekers, for realizing I can help – and want to help to get you moving in the right direction with your eyes focused on a target and with a plan in hand.

Shine On Job Seekers!

Wednesday’s Q & A

Question – Does social marketing help job seekers get noticed?

Answer – Absolutely! Social marketing is moving so fast that it is often tough to keep up with. New sites, blogs, videos and social networks are being introduced daily. “What to use”, “how much to use”, and “is it worth it since my job search will hopefully be short term”, are questions I am often asked.

Social marketing helps brand you as an expert in your field, position, and industry. It also gets you noticed. As others see you writing

and answering with relevant content and participating in helpful discussion on your industry, you will get noticed and will be seen as someone who knows their stuff. I’ve said it before (and heard it even more), it’s not who you know but who knows you!

What to use? I would first and foremost get on LinkedIn. It is just too good not to use! Establish your profile and then get out there! You can join groups or add your own, ask questions, answer questions, search out companies or contacts, search for jobs, add your resume and more, more, more!

Twitter and Facebook are other places to establish a professional presence and start meeting people. You can again join groups, search out company or contact information and learn from others on how to do it well. Also check out the Yahoo groups or Ning groups – they seem endless and available in every possible profession.

Sign up for local and online networking groups, join associations or set up a blog and become an expert in your field – and bring them to you! Social marketing and personal branding go hand in hand.

While you are building your online and in person identity, make sure you steer your reputation in the right direction. Join reputable groups and association and post information, comments, articles, tweets, and videos that promote the type of professional image you want for yourself. The choice is yours.

You don’t have to join every group out there but I’d join many and then spend some time weeding through them to find several that fit you well. Then, really make a contribution either online or in person. It is a commitment but well worth the outcome.

Not only is the time you spend in social marketing worth it during your job search but it is an excellent tool to maintain after you’ve found your job. It helps manage your professional brand and reputation and will be the perfect place to start looking for future opportunities a few years down your career path.

If you’ve found this post you are on your way!

Shine On!

Job seekers looking for information, experts and direction, will definitely find it at this week’s blog review. I am excited to share with you CareerRocketeer.com, a new site that offers top-quality career search, career development and personal branding information.

Many of you have already heard of it due to its rapid growth and escalating reputation. I first became aware of the CareerRocketeer LinkedIn group last fall and was immediately impressed with the membership, discussions and information being shared. Its following grew quickly and soon the LinkedIn group beckoned for a site of its’ own. This past May, the CareerRocketeer blog was launched as a broader platform for the LinkedIn group.

CareerRocketeer.com is the idea of Chris Perry, an MBA graduate from the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary and a career search and personal branding expert. Both the LinkedIn group and the CareerRocketeer blog have seen tremendous growth with more than 3,000 members in the LinkedIn group and more than 15,000 unique monthly visitors to the CareerRocketeer site.

The blog has several unique features it offers job seekers. First, it has daily expert contributors from a variety of career areas including resume writing, networking, social media, career coaching and personal branding. These guest experts including Harry Urschel (@eExecutive) and Anne Marie Cross (@annemarie), contribute weekly to the blog offering fresh articles, information and advice to job seekers. Along with the team of contributors, the blog also has many guest contributors offering insight through articles on many different career related topics.

The Profession Confession section of the blog reveals an inside look at career industry professions.  I was honored earlier this summer to be the first to contribute to this interesting page. Experts from different fields within the career industry answer a set of questions about their industry, their personal branding efforts dedicated to building their expertise, and a little personal insight into each expert.

With the enormous success of this blog, many new features are in the works. Two I can share are The Global Directory of Career Websites which will be very extensive and free to job seekers, allowing you to search for professionals by industry and service area. The other awesome feature is the Fair Frog which will calendar upcoming career fairs nationally.

I highly recommend CareerRocketeer for job seekers on the move that want to keep informed and learn from the experts. Whether you’re working, laid off, changing careers or just getting started, this site should be your first stop and with such current content, should be visited often.

Looking for a new job can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Many job seekers search through the job boards like CareerBuilder, Monster and Indeed and find nothing that stands out. It may feel like there are no jobs that fit what you have to offer. Fortunately there are jobs available that are right for you; you’re probably just looking in the wrong places.

I’m sure most of you have heard the term hidden job market? There are articles, books, and TV programs devoted to this topic. I’ve found talking to clients that many job seekers are intimidated by the term and so together let’s enter the hidden job market zone and find out what it’s all about.

What and where is the hidden job market?

The hidden job market refers to those jobs that aren’t being publicized through job boards or even the career pages of the company. These jobs take up an estimated 75% of the jobs currently available and I would assume the number is a little higher in this economy.

Why are the jobs hidden?

Jobs are hidden for many reasons. The most common is that new jobs aren’t in the company or department budget. The long process of getting approval to hire new candidates can put the search on the back burner. Some companies wait to hire new employees when new projects are about to begin or before new product is launched. Others have recruiters searching quietly for potential employees. Finally, many companies attempt to hire from within first before moving outside the company to find new talent.

How do candidates find these jobs?

It is important to keep in mind that companies and recruiters are always looking for potential talent. Whether they are in need or not it would be unwise for a company to not keep “feelers” out in the market for new candidates. If they aren’t actively looking then you need to go to them to get noticed. Finding out who needs you, your talents, skills, and experience will take research. You will need to research the industry but more importantly the individual companies you feel have the right stuff.

This is where knowing your strengths and your personal brand is really important. Once you know your most sellable strengths then you need to go out and market them. This starts with research but it also includes networking and the age old “cold calling”. By participating in social networking groups online and in your community you can search out contacts for the companies you have targeted.

Developing relationships with these contacts will feel awkward to most job seekers. This is normal but overcoming it means leaving your comfort zone and making new acquaintances. Keep in mind that even if they can’t help you, you’ve met a new colleague or friend. It is still a win-win situation.

If you can’t find contacts then cold-calling is your next step. These days you can start by sending a letter of intent followed by a resume and cover letter. With computers being a normal part of business, email is acceptable. You can do the same thing through the U.S. mail. If you are really ambitious you can visit the company in person. This is a risky situation and should be handled with caution and professionalism but can be quite effective too.

Hidden jobs are there for you to find and conquer – it just takes determination and a little guts. Your alternative usually isn’t an option if mortgages and insurance bills are coming due. Let that motivate you! Be bold, prepare and go after the jobs that really are your perfect fit.

With excitement and anticipation last night I watched Sunday Night Football. The pre-season game gave the new players a chance to show what they’ve got and their contribution potential, in short… their value.

It wasn’t an unforgettable game but it was just fun to watch. Usually at half time I switch loads of laundry, check emails, or click to other channels. I am glad I kept the game on and was able to catch the tribute to John Madden and his years as an energetic and passionate announcer.

After halftime, I was even more excited to see the newly retired and new addition to the announcing team, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts. I am just thrilled he will join Al Michaels and John Madden’s replacement Cris Collinsworth, as part of the Sunday Night Football Announcing Staff. I look forward to hearing his wisdom and viewpoint every week.

Conversation flowed from his retirement to future plans and eventually landed on his relationship with Michael Vick. With the completion of his 2 year sentence at Leavenworth, Vick is working through the process of making a comeback into professional football. Dungy has agreed to mentor Michael Vick during his reemergence into the sport of football. I believe Dungy is there for emotional and spiritual support for Michael Vick the man as much as the football player.

Vick will have to prove his physical and mental strengths all over again to the coaches, players and football fans. To a new team he also has to prove he is a good fit.

The same holds true for the job seekers. Knowing you have the skills and experience is important but your “fit”, character, and reliability is even more critical to landing a new job. Watch other job seekers, watch Michael Vick, and see how vital your personality and character are to a decision maker trying to find the “right” person for the job.

Before you start applying to and interviewing with new companies know your strengths, what type of position is right for you, and what value you offer to potential companies. Research companies until you can honestly say, “This is the company for me” and then Go For It!

Monday’s PMA

When I’ve worked hard at something – really knowing I’ve given my all but still things didn’t work out for me, I might be disappointed with the outcome but not with myself. There is a big difference! Knowing that I’ve put 100% into doing the best I could makes good outcomes feel great and bad outcomes feel…a little less bad.

When moving through your job search you will feel the same way. The more effort you put in, the more results you’ll have – good or bad. But knowing you’ve really tried and not just went through the motions and then complained to everyone that you “just can’t find work” will boost your confidence because you’ll be continually striving to achieve your best.

This is key because people notice a confident job seeker! Your go-getter attitude will get noticed by new contacts, recruiters, interviewers, and hiring managers you meet.

When you put all your energy into what you are doing you discover many things about yourself. You will discover what you are capable of; your strengths, weaknesses, personal preferences, ways you handle accomplishments and achievements, how you communicate with strangers at different professional levels and more. The more you learn about yourself, the more comfortable you will be with yourself and again will be reflected in true confidence.

Employers look for and hire employees that are confident in their abilities and sure of what they can accomplish. If you’ve never pushed yourself to work at 100+% capacities you might not really know… and it will show.

There is no down side. You will get to know yourself really well, build character, work harder at your job search and this will get you noticed, all of which will help you to find the right job faster.

Try this Week to Give 100% and Shine On!!