Archive for the 'Tools' Category

 

Problem Getting an Interview?

Jul 03, 2009 in Interview Questions, Tips, Tools

Are you having a problem getting an interview? It may be that you are not selling yourself in your resume and cover letters in the way the employer wants to hear.

The key is for you to tune into the radio station they are listening to (WIIFM) which stands for What’s In It For Me. You need to be focused on the the key things (needs) that the employer is interested in having by the person who they are looking to fill this position. You need to convince the employer that that person is you.

The best way to do this is by using ROC Power phrases. ROC is Result Oriented Communication which is describing your most compelling accomplishment in a concise, descriptive way, that is memorable and impactful to the listener.

If you would like to learn how to do this I am partnering with another Career Coach and offering a 6 class tele-seminar series geared to accelerate your career success.

You can learn more at: http://www.careersintransition.net/

Why not make the investment in yourself and get the interview and the job. We can do it and we can help.

Free LinkedIn Webinar for Job Seekers

Mar 04, 2009 in Tips, Tools

Are you a job seeker looking to learn about LinkedIn? Well if you are or even if you are not I just came across this great free Webinar hosted by Jason Alba. It is being held today in a couple of hours. I know this is a little last minute but you don’t want to miss out on this learning opportunity.

Here is the link to register for the webinar https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/129381970

It is being held today March 4th at 1:00 EST so hurry to the link and register. You will be glad you did.

Leverage Twitter for Your Job Search

Nov 21, 2008 in Networking, Tips, Tools

I just could not wait to share this fantastic blog post with you from a twitter friend of mine Darren Rowse (ProBlogger) on the advantages of using twitter for your job search. The post written by Miriam Salpeter from Keppie Careers and she shares some tips on using Twitter to help you in your job search.

I never considered using Twitter as a networking tool but it makes perfectly good sense. Twitter allows you to comment and meet people in a non-time centered environment. You have the ability to share knowledge and comments that help others who you follow and who follow you. It is an opportunity to develop a relationship and leverage the relationships that other people have in their networks in a passive way that can work out to your benefit.

You can check out the entire post of Leveraging Twitter for Your Job Search on Darren’s blog by clicking this link. Best of luck to you in your job search.

Your Career Change In Color

Sep 22, 2008 in Tips, Tools

Would you base a career change decision on a set of color preferences? A friend of mine shared the Dewey Color System test with me and I was so impressed I just had to share it with you. This test suggests the careers that you are best suited for based on a series of color preferences that you make. Now I know this may sound a little crazy but it is a real test and it really worked.

Like you I was very skeptical that what seemed to be a childlike game could reveal personality traits and help you see which types of positions you would be best predisposed to do. Well funny enough it seemed to have worked for me. According to the Dewey Color System (not to be confused with the decimal system with the same first name) I am a:

CREATOR
Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY
You’re a PERSUADER

Key Words: Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.

I think I am a combination of the Creator and Persuader. But don’t take my word for it. Take the test yourself and you may discover a new colorful career. Just click this link. Then select the color you like best and you are on your way.

5 Tips You Must Know To Get Your Foot In The Door

Sep 11, 2008 in Tips, Tools

I was listening to Good Morning America and heard a fantastic interview with Tory Johnson that I just had to share with you. She spoke about the 5 things that you must do to your resume to improve your chance to getting an interview. I smiled as I listened because these are the things that I am always talking to you about in my post. Customizing your resume is one of the first things that I always recommend.

If you like pepperoni pizza and that is the only type of pizza you like, if someone offered you a pizza with the works you would not want it or eat it. The employer you would like to interview with wants only pepperoni pizza, so give them what they want, nothing more and nothing less. How can I do this you ask? I can teach you how to Master the Art of Selling Yourself and be successful in identifying exactly what the employer wants.

Read the entire article by Tory Johnson and learn about the other 4 tips by clicking this link

Learn more about Mastering the Art of Selling Yourself and how you can place these tips into action for yourself by clicking this link

Make A Resume In Word – Video

Sep 05, 2008 in Tips, Tools, Videos

This is a great video for those of us who are technically challenged when it come to using a computer or making our own resume. It is a great place to start and offers a number of suggestions during the development process. Combining these tips with those that you cam learn for Master the Art of Selling Yourself will place you on the road to successfully getting your next dream job.

Thoughtful Ways to Use LinkedIn

Aug 08, 2008 in Tips, Tools

This WEB 2.0 Platform is one of the best ways to share information, ideas and network in a professional forum. Find out more by listening to the pod cast on Kare Anderson’s blog. If you are not familiar with LinkedIn or have not had the opportunity to use it to the best potential, then I urge you to check out this podcast. Then go in and register for your own LinkedIn account. It is free and a number of employers have exclusive job listings on LinkedIn. Don’t be left out, check out LinkedIn and develop your professional relationships. To hear the podcast click here

SAVE GAS & INTERVIEW TOO

Jul 19, 2008 in Networking, Tips, Tools

Do you want to get a new job with a progressive company but the running around is time consuming and gas prices have got you down? Well the Wall Street Journal has got the answer: A Virtual Career Fair. You have never had an opportunity to get a job interview this easy. You will get immediate access to the decision makers who can hire you without traveling any further than you have already (Your Computer), no gas required. :-)
At the Wall Street Journal Virtual Career Fair you can: (more…)

Virtual Career Fair April 1st No Fooling

Mar 24, 2008 in Tips, Tools

The Wall Street Journal is sponsoring a virtual career fair for candidates and recruiters live on April 1 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Registration is free for candidates and allows the potential employees and future employers to meet in an interactive online environment that offers all of the features of a physical job fair with out any of the hassles. This Virtual Career Fair will provide you immediate access to decision makers who can hire you. All you need is your trusty computer to explore career opportunities, drop off a virtual business card and resume, interview by live chat with company representatives and more. You can even take a tour of the show floor online.

This is no April fool joke but rather an opportunity to get your career moving in the right direction during the month of April. If you miss the April 1st date do not worry, the virtual career center will be available for the entire month of April. Why wait, just click the link to check it out. Who knows, you might find your next employer online through this virtual career fair. All the best to you in your search for your next dream job, please feel free to call the phone number of my feedback line if you found this information helpful please leave an audio comment at the following number: 1-214-615-6505, ext. 9819 we would love to hear from you.

Are You Linked In ?

Jan 18, 2008 in Networking, Tools, Videos

You may have heard a lot about various social networking sites on the internet. A number of these sites allow you to develop a network of people you know. Linked In is a social networking site with a job related focus. It is a place where you can market yourself to prospective business clients and employers. The advantage to using Linked In is the power of networking in an electronic environment. The hidden value of using this network is the common bond that we share between people we know that know each other.

Each person in your network has people that they know in their network. Some of these people you both may know and will be common in the network you share and others will be individuals exclusive to each of you. Linked In uses this knowledge to allow you to contact a person who you do not know in your friend’s network who may work at a potential future employer or may be a future business prospect. The person who knows you can offer an introduction to the person they know that you would like to meet. This person will be more open to communicating with you since they know the person that introduced you.

Sounds simple and it really is that easy to use. I found a great instructional video on Linked In and how to use it. You can watch it by clicking this link. Best of luck to you in your campaign to market yourself and happy networking on Linked In.

Lost Your Job Now What?

Jan 09, 2008 in Tips, Tools

Why do they call it loosing your job? You know where it is and so do they, but they just asked you not to come there anymore. What do you do? You have become use to coming in and doing your tasks at this same location for a number of years, and now you feel like you have no where to go. That is where you are wrong. You are talented and have a number of skills to offer your next employer.

The first thing you must do is get rid of the defeated mentality that you might have picked up when they let you go. I like to saying, “Let you go” because it gives you the notion that you can move forward to new opportunities. There may be a better job out there for you than the one you just had. But you will never know unless you go out there and find it.

Stop holding yourself back, get out there and start networking. You have to let your friends, and people you meet know what type of opportunity you are looking. This is where your 30 second promotional pitch comes in. Some people call this an elevator speech because you must get the person you are speaking with interested in what you have to say and able to remember it in about 30 seconds. We will discuss this more in depth in future posts.

Remember, do not be discouraged. You have been let go for a reason, and that is to find a more fulfilling position that will allow you to use your talents and gifts, providing you the opportunity for you to be more passionate about your job. It is this passion that you have which will fuel your desire to be the best you can be, and everyone in your presence will know it. If you are looking to find your passion at work I would recommend signing up for the monthly newsletter at: http://www.findyourniche.info/ by clicking this link. You might have lost your job, but now you can find your passion.

Your Career Goals For the New Year

Jan 02, 2008 in Tips, Tools

It is a new year and it is time to review your career goals. Are you satisfied with your current position? Do you think you would like to do more at work or try something new? These are good questions to ask yourself when thinking about the future of your career.

Sometimes we become too comfortable with where we are in our lives to take the time to prepare for the future. Taking the time to prepare for the future is what all successful executives and business leaders do, and you should too. It is not hard, but it will require that you set time aside to complete the task. If you are like me with a number of competing priorities you may find it easier to schedule the time on your calendar to work on your career goals. This is not something that you would want to put off, because the benefit of this type of self evaluation can be almost immediate.

For example, you would like to obtain a higher salary in the organization or industry that you are working for, but you realize that you need to obtain a certification as a requirement of this job. By doing your self assessment now you may be able to find an opening in the class that you need to take before the end of this month. If you procrastinate you might have to wait until June or September for the same class to be offered.

I recommend reading the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson. In this short story you will obtain insight why you should not become complacent in your job or career and be in constant pursuit preparing for your next job opportunity. You will find a link to this and other valuable resources on my suggested reading page. Schedule the time this week to review your career goals; you’ll be glad that you did.

What Is More Important Than Money ?

Dec 14, 2007 in Tips, Tools

Job seekers in today’s market believe that personality and management style of their supervisor is more important than money. Don’t get me wrong. Money is important, it pays the bills and feeds the children but today’s job seeker is interested in the quality of their work life. Think about it, you spend a least one third of your weekday life at work. The relationship that you have with your supervisor is one of the keys to your success at work.

Establishing a good work relationship with your supervisor is very important. How can you do this by finding out their top 5 strengths? The Gallup Management Group has a book they recommend called “Now Discover Your Strengths”. I friend of mine who is a world traveler and international speaker give me this book as a gift and it helped change my life. By reading it I gained insight into who I was and how I thought. More importantly I learned how to play to the strengths of people around me. I recommend that you read this book.

When you go on an interview mention the book in conversation and see if your potential boss is aware of it. If they are not you they may realize the value that you would be bringing to their organization and if they are ask them to share their top 5 strengths with you. This will provide you with insight to how your potential boss looks at solving problems. Sharing your top 5 will do the same for them. At the heart of this encounter is establishing a relationship during the interview.

You can read more about what current job seekers prefer in this article from the Gallup Management Journal by clicking here. You can also order your copy of “Now Discover Your Strengths” and have it delivered directly to your home. Discover your strengths and become a better interviewer. It is more important than money.

Do You Have A Job Search System ?

Dec 13, 2007 in Tips, Tools

Everyone who plans to be successful in doing anything establishes a system to make it happen. You need to do the same for your job search. One of the first things you need will be an agent. Yes, you can have your own personal job search agent that will work for you when you are sleeping identifying potential positions of interest to you. All you have to do is go to a job board, like Monster.com and set up your agent. You tell the agent what you are specifically looking for in a position, location, title, type of job, then how often you would like to receive notices of the vacant positions. When you get up the following day and check your computer you will find that the agent has delivered to your e mail a number of potential job offers. Depending on the response you receive you can make adjustments to your agent to provide you with a broader or more tailored response. The choice is yours.

Getting an agent and setting it up is absolutely free and is one of the best ways of reducing your time hunting on job boards for positions that appeal to you. You can learn more about this and other tips to help you establish a job search system by clicking this link. Remember, you are hunting for your dream job, and it is smart to maximize your time developing and working a productive job search system.

Know What You Are Worth !

Dec 10, 2007 in Tips, Tools

Have you been on your job for 10 years or more? Have you received regular increases in salary annually? You know what you are currently getting paid but is you salary keeping pace with other available jobs in the market? These are three important questions that you need to know the answer to, especially if you are job hunting. The best way to get the answer is to click this link. It will take you to an article on Salary.com that will help walk you through the process. It will take a little time to complete but the reward will be well worth it. The goal is to get your dream job at the best salary possible. We can do it, just take the time.