Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Archives for September 2008

Networking for Success…Think Being, Not Doing

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Today, columnists JT O’Donnell and Dale Dauten of JT and Dale Talk Jobs included a quote from me in their Best of the Month – Career Resources Worth Checking Out:

J.T.: A lot of job-search advice boils down to more and better networking. That assertion always frustrates people who aren’t naturally outgoing. Those who think of networking as mere “schmoozing” will always struggle. Networking is about sharing information, about being genuinely interested in what you might learn from others and what others might learn from you. You don’t need to be a smooth talker or the life of the party to network properly. There’s a great discussion of this in a blog written by a fellow career coach, Miriam Salpeter. Find it at www.KeppieCareers.com. I particularly like this quote: “I try to think of networking as a way of BEING instead of something to DO.”

In light of today’s economic situation, it has never been more clear how important it is to network effectively and with goals in mind. Stay tuned next week for more about how to network well, including a post about people who actually found their jobs using Twitter!

(If you haven’t started using Twitter, NOW is a good time to start! Feel free to “follow” me at: http://twitter.com/Keppie_Careers.)

If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you via email! Prefer to subscribe in a reader? Click here for a link to receive Keppie Careers’ feed sent to the reader of your choice.

We can help you with a successful job hunt. Need a great resume? Career search advice? Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services: www.keppiecareers.com.

photo by vasta

Suddenly Unemployed: What Steps to Take Now

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It is a sad state of affairs when previously top-rated and well-respected firms go belly up and leave a slew of dedicated, talented, but unemployed workers in their wake.

I worked on Wall Street and survived one lay-off before deciding to change industries. My department and ultimately the firm was subsequently swallowed up, so I feel particularly empathetic. Many who believed that a Wall Street job was their golden ticket must now take a deep breath and figure out plan B.

In light of today’s situation, and in particular for Lehman and Merrill employees (and AIG…), here are some action steps to consider:

Pause, but don’t stop.

If you don’t have a great network and job search materials at-the-ready, facing an unexpected job loss can be very overwhelming. Take a moment to take stock, but don’t take a month. Consider potential next steps. Assess your skills and figure out what you offer that is unique and special. In an environment where many people are looking for opportunities at once, you need to be able to identify what sets you apart.

In a post for the Wall Street Journal, “Dealing with a Job Search When You Least Expect It”: Toddi Gutner notes: “Despite the need to mobilize a quick job search, ‘you don’t want to send out a bunch of things into the marketplace without any thought behind it,’ says Mr. [Doug] Matthews [CEO of Right Management Consultants]. Take some time to create a thoughtful and measured approach to your job hunt. Be specific about the position you want and target the companies where you want to work.” (Hat tip: Lindsey Pollak)

Clean up your digital footprint.

Especially if you’ve been thrown into a job search unexpectedly – IMMEDIATELY clean up your social networking profiles so that they are professional and wouldn’t cause any potential employer to think twice about hiring you. (Including your photos – make sure you are dressed like you are ready for work in your highlighted pictures.) Set a Google alert so you know when your name comes up online. With 1 in 5 employers researching candidates online, an un-professional comment or picture may be the difference between getting the job and being the #2 choice.

Network smart.

You already know. Network, network, network. But, do you know how? If you’re not familiar with social networks (linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, etc.), now is the time to get familiar!

When you are planning your networking, focus on information gathering and sharing. Don’t ask for informational meetings to discuss your need for a job. If that person doesn’t have a job to offer, he or she will probably not want to meet with you and will suggest you contact HR.

The key with your networking is to expand your group of “loose contacts” – people who don’t know you well, but are willing to do what they can to help you achieve your goal. If you can present yourself as talented and skilled and make a personal connection, you will get much further with your job hunt.

Job hunt full time, but don’t be a workaholic.

Make a plan. Get up, get dressed, make appointments, keep a to-do list. Have goals for your job hunt as you do for your work life. I don’t have to tell you that this is a stressful time, but don’t feel the need to be job hunting 100% of your day. Take time to enjoy yourself and seek supportive groups to help you get through this tough time. Take time to vent and to be angry, but try to achieve a positive outlook, as that will help you in the long run.

Consider the cost benefits of seeking career advice.

The fact is, most people don’t have a very good resume and have no idea how to search for a job in today’s economy. In a competitive environment, your job seeking materials (this includes your linkedin profile and web 2.0 presence) will be even more important. Money may be tight, but hiring a coach and/or a resume writer might be just the boost you need to propel your search. Anita Bruzzese, career advice columnist and author suggests,

“If you don’t think you can afford a career coach, consider giving up some of the extras in your life (a gym membership, eating out, cable television, etc.) which can can help you pay for a coach.”

Consider the cost of unemployment and the fact that you are much more likely to land a job in a timely way if you have a great resume, understand how to market yourself and are well prepared to interview and negotiate.

The list of things to do when suddenly facing a job hunt is very long…Those who make a plan and  methodically move toward their goals are most likely to achieve them.

Some links that might be useful:

If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you via email! Prefer to subscribe in a reader? Click here for a link to receive Keppie Careers’ feed sent to the reader of your choice.

We can help you with a successful job hunt. Need a great resume? Career search advice? Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services: www.keppiecareers.com.

RSS Feeds for Jobseekers

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It is important to balance the time you spend looking for jobs on job boards with other targeted job hunting plans, such as networking.

That said, this link to the “Best RSS Feeds for Jobseekers,” courtesy of  Kelly Kilpatrick at BestCollegesOnline.com, looks like a very comprehensive list for those who wish to simplify their search online.

At the very least, it is a great idea to use these job descriptions to learn what skills and experience employers are seeking in your field. Don’t be discouraged if the detailed job outline seems to describe someone who is super-human! The fact is, employers don’t ALWAYS expect to find an exact match for their list of millions of skills. However, if you apply for the job, they do expect you to make connections between what you offer and what they want to find!

Stay tuned for more online resources to consider for your job hunt!

If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you via email! Prefer to subscribe in a reader? Click here for a link to receive Keppie Careers’ feed sent to the reader of your choice.

Need help with your hunt? Did you know we offer a resume consulting service? We advise, you write! Or, hire us to write your resume for you. Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services: www.keppiecareers.com.

Loose Ties Bind for Your Job Hunt – Expand Your Network for Success

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We’ve all heard it…Network your way to a job. 80% of jobs are found via networking. Many may incorrectly think that this means everyone finds a job via the proverbial brother-in-law connection!

In fact, statistically, weak ties are very useful for the job hunt.

Maybe you have a story that proves this is true. I have a friend who learned about her job from another mom while attending a story time for her son at a local bookstore. She didn’t know the other mom, but struck up a conversation and found out about a job opportunity that turned out to be a perfect fit!

The New York Times recently published an article, The Brave New World of Digital Intimacy, which emphasizes the importance of expanding your network beyond your immediate circle:

This rapid growth of weak ties can be a very good thing. Sociologists have long found that “weak ties” greatly expand your ability to solve problems. For example, if you’re looking for a job and ask your friends, they won’t be much help; they’re too similar to you, and thus probably won’t have any leads that you don’t already have yourself. Remote acquaintances will be much more useful, because they’re farther afield, yet still socially intimate enough to want to help you out.

Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point (an excellent read for those interested in being connected) also reminds us of how important it is to expand your network beyond your immediate circle.

What does this mean for the job seeker?

Don’t discount connections on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and other organized social networks. I’m amazed at the open and giving nature of interactions online. I think that the bottom line is that many people LIKE to help others. This is a message I’ve been sharing for years. “People are flattered when you ask their advice,” I tell my clients. “Wouldn’t you be happy to share your insights about your profession with someone if asked?” I’ve never had anyone argue that they would NOT be happy to help.

So, don’t worry if your brother-in-law isn’t influential in your industry! Seek “weak” ties. They may be more binding for your career plans!

What “weak tie” stories do you have? Share them in the comments section!

If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you via email! Prefer to subscribe in a reader? Click here for a link to receive Keppie Careers’ feed sent to the reader of your choice.

Need help with your hunt? We can help you get your job hunt in gear! Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services: www.keppiecareers.com.

photo by melissambwilkins

Remembering 9/11

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Although I was safely sitting in my office at Emory University in Atlanta the morning of 9/11/01, when a student from NYC came in, looking stricken, and asked to reschedule her appointment because a plane had struck the towers and she was worried about her friends, I felt transported right back to my Wall Street office that overlooked those beautiful towers. All I could think about were my friends and former colleagues in NYC.

One friend worked in the towers. I had attended her wedding weeks earlier. One friend had just started dating someone who worked in the towers. I thought of a childhood friend’s father.  I knew that many former Wall Street colleagues worked across the street from the towers, or in connected buildings. Having lived in NYC and having worked in that neighborhood, I felt personally connected to the tragedy. It was a connection none of my Atlanta colleagues shared.

I raced home. Should I make calls? What if no one answered? For more distant friends, would I be bothering them when they’d want to be connecting with family and closer friends? Heart racing, I was so fortunate to reach everyone I could think of or their friends. They were alive. Their stories? Running. Losing shoes. Many of their friends were not as lucky.

Sadly, many of us rely on a horrible, defining moment in our lives – a catastrophic event, a death, an accident – to re-focus on what is important and real.

If you’re in the midst of a job hunt and/or out of work, you may be focusing all of your energies and efforts every day on getting a job. The stress of sending resumes and not getting replies. Preparing for interviews. Writing letters. All of these tasks can easily mask the big picture of what is most important in your life.

While I would never want to suggest that the stress of the job hunt isn’t real and difficult, it is useful and important to stop and to take a step back from the process…Focus on the things that you ARE fortunate to have. Take a break from your job hunt to slow down and re-evaluate. Re-assess your plans and refocus your energies.

Whether it is slowing down for the long term or just sitting down for a minute…Being grateful for the here and now is a lesson to re-learn everyday.

www.keppiecareers.com