80% find new jobs through networking

Yes, it really is true – 80% of job seekers find their positions through networking.  We all know that networking is powerful, yet many of us neglect it not only on a daily basis, but also for months or even years.  Then we find ourselves in the midst of a career transition and feel as if we just don’t know anyone anymore.  As if we were caught up in a time tunnel and thrown out the other side with know one in site.  Ugh… an ugly feeling indeed.

So, just how can you go about keeping your network humming?

Get back in touch:  First off, if you’ve ignored your network for a while you will need to re-ignite it.  You don’t want to wait until you ‘need’ something to start this process.  Believe me that is a bad idea, so start now.  If you’re not a member of LinkedIn then signup – this is a great way to get things rolling again and you’ll be amazed at how many people will join your network.  If you’re already LinkedIn then send out a message to your network – subject:  Checking in after a long hiatus… (you get the idea here – let them know you recognize it’s been a while).

Stay in touch:  These days it isn’t hard to stay in touch and just a quick email can do wonders.  But, don’t rely on ‘mass’ messages to your network to be the only link you’ve got.  Plan to send ‘one’ email a day to someone within your network.  If you follow that basic idea you’ll touch base with 30 people a month, nearly 100 people per quarter.  Maybe you’ve got more people than that in your network, but hey – how often are they hearing from you now?

Plan ahead:  Make sure that networking is something on your ‘to do’ list.  Perhaps you’ve got to move something over to do that (i.e., washing the car, mowing the lawn or sleeping in…maybe we’ll skip that one!).  But, be sure that it floats to the top of your list.  You never know when you may send out an email needing to know whether someone knows the person you’ll be interviewing with, or perhaps want some inside scoop on a sales pitch.  Networking is important – just like exercise, you’ve got to do it to stay ahead.

Fill a need:  Change your mindset around networking – how can you help?  If you think of networking as a tool that you use only when you ‘need’ something then you are missing the most important ingredient – connection.  Make it about how you can fill a need and you’ll be amazed at how many of your own needs are met.  It’s the old adage “you get what you give”.

Be a resource:  Pass on useful information and tips that you believe may be helpful to others.  I’m not talking about spamming here – your contacts don’t need a tip of the day from you.  I’m talking about meaningful information that you come across that has helped you in some way and you believe it may benefit others you know.

Remember – people want to help:  When you do have a need or require information let your network know.  Although, this should not be the way you introduce yourself to your network, or recharge your network it is a beneficial way to get your needs met too.

There is so much more to say about networking and what a terrific resource it is.  Did you ever see the movie Field of Dreams?  Then you’ve heard “build it and they will come”.  The same goes for your network.  Start now, join LinkedIn or Ryze and have some fun watching how many will come your way.

About the author:

For over 15 years Robin has taken her entrepreneurial spirit and teamed with executives in rapidly growing startup companies in the Silicon Valley, creating HR teams who helped to build incredibly talented organizations and mold strong collaborative, goal aligned cultures.  Additionally, as a Career Management Consultant for a Fortune 500 career management firm, Robin has coached and trained hundreds of individuals in their quest for new career opportunities. As Co Founder of FiredUP Careers, Robin brings her entrepreneurial talents, along with her broad range of expertise and insight to those who seek career advice.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Looking for a job and need help? Lakeshore can help you with your job search or if you are employer we can fill a position for you.

Avoid Common Resume Mistakes

The flexibility of temp work is an obvious benefit to those workers seeking an environment with little accountability, stress, and commitment.  Short term and varied assignments, help workers to meet their financial needs without worrying about long term job concerns or plans.  Temp assignments can last anywhere from one day to months at a time, allowing job seekers to find the right amount of work that best suits their work/life needs.

Temp work is not limited to short assignments, however, and can lead to deeper and more involved positions within the hiring organization.  This variety of assignments means that workers can “take a peek” inside a company to see if they would like to pursue a permanent position there in the future.  The job seeker has little to worry about regarding benefits, as most agencies provide quality comparable health coverage to their temps.

Developing an excellent employee profile with multiple agencies can almost guarantee a steady paycheck if that’s what the job seeker looks for.  Temporary employees often think of themselves as “independent contractors” in control of their own destiny.  Staffing managers and recruiters are rewarded by helping you find a job.  So knowing that you have someone looking out for new opportunities for you on a full time basis can help ease the stress of job hunting and almost always ensure some type of employment with a variety of companies.

Staffing agencies provide temporary work, temporary to hire work (where the employee works for a pre-determined amount of time, with the possibility of being hired onto the staff permanently by the company), or direct hire opportunities (where the employee is immediately hired onto the staff permanently by the company).  Registering with an agency can be an excellent resource for those people looking for work, no matter what your situation is.

Making a Career Change

In order to make a career change, you must determine:

1) Are you committed to making a change?

2) What industries interest you?

3) What are your strengths and transferable skills? How can you utilize those in a new position?

4) What types of positions are you most qualified for? And, out of those, which spark the most interest?

5) Are your salary expectations realistic for the position in which you are interested?

6) What training do I need to qualify for positions?

The next steps to making a career change are most important in helping you achieve your goal.

1) Craft your resume to emphasize transferable skills.

2) Include all work history emphasizing how past experience relates to the position.

3) Submit a cover letter with your resume explaining why you want to make a career change.

4) Prepare to answer questions as to why you are looking to make a career change.

5) Practice mock phone/in-person interviews to help build confidence.

6) Have a list of your employment dates, key accomplishments, and goals near your phone.

7) Recruiters will conduct a phone screen to determine your employability, and you want to be prepared. Keep it brief, always upbeat, and informative; use impact adjectives.

Register with a staffing firm to gain experience and exposure in a variety of industries. Lakeshore offers complimentary online training for software applications, and career counseling for transitional employees.

9) NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Seek out job clubs and networking groups that will not only help with career guidance, but will also keep you focused, and motivated.

10) Use the internet – you’ll find countless articles offering tips and recommendations to job seekers.

MAKE YOUR JOB SEARCH YOUR JOB UNTIL YOU LAND YOUR JOB!

http://robertpeek.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/the-real-reasons-employees-quit/

Ideally, the mutually-accepted final salary structure will be the outcome of a successful interview process. However, your expectations must be realistic. A little research on deciding upon the expected salary will be helpful.

A realistic assessment should be done to calculate your worth as an employee, which should be tested against the present market or industry standards. Several factors such as type of industry, kind of work, geographic location, supply and demand, or simply the growing need for a professional workforce in a specific industry play an important part in salary considerations.

After preparing yourself in these areas, it will be helpful to follow a three-point formula for the actual salary negotiations during the interview.

Never Be the First to Bring Up the Topic of Salary

Do not rush to bring up the matter of salary in your interview. First, let the employer decide whether you are suitable for the position. Eventually, the topic will come up in the interview – but avoid starting it if possible.

You will blow your credibility if you start the discussion by asking for a particular figure. This gives the impression that salary is your major consideration in applying for the job.

Just as in a card game, it is always best to hold your trump card until it’s time to play it. Announcing your anticipated salary early in an interview may very well eliminate your chances of getting the job, especially if the figure turns out to be too high. If you have set your limit low, it eliminates the opportunity of getting a higher figure if the employer is already thinking of one.

Therefore, it is best not to include salary expectations in your resume unless salary has been specified in the job-opening announcement.

Do Your Homework

Some research is needed before you go on the interview. Explore details such as average salary for that position in the job market, and evaluate your experience, expertise and educational qualifications. Other factors to take into account are the reputation of the company, the hierarchical status of the position offered, and the geographic location.

The perks that come with the salary, if any, should also be considered. Feedback from friends working in that company or colleagues working in the same industry is helpful in getting such details.

Don’t overlook websites that deal with employment and job opportunities.

Do Not Jump At the First Salary Offered

Don’t grab the first offer instantly. Take time, a couple of days perhaps, to consider the offer. Consider some hitches that might go unnoticed. Review the offer; consider all the possible aspects as well as your chances of getting ahead in the position before accepting it.

If you find it doesn’t meet your expectations, let the employer know the salary you anticipate and justify it by pointing out the requirements of the position and your experience and expertise for earning it.

This may not always result in getting you your asking salary; it’s entirely likely that you may need to negotiate and come down a bit. Even if that happens, you will come into the position with your own self-worth established.

Like marketing, successful closing is important in an interview. If you are marketing your worth in an interview, make sure to successfully close the deal and negotiate your salary.

Do’s http://www.interviewtips.org/job-interview-tips/job-interview-tips.html

and

Don’ts http://www.interviewtips.org/job-interview-tips/job-interview-tips-7.html

Recession Proof Jobs

Washington-based job listing company Jobfox, compiles a monthly list of the professions in demand by recruiters and other employer agents. The data taken over the eight-month period of November 2007 through July 7, 2008 was compiled to a list of the 20 jobs with the best median rankings.

View 20 recession proof jobs.

• Don’t arrive late for an interview.  It is a good rule of thumb to arrive at least 10- 15 minutes early.
• Don’t ask the interviewer to tell you about the position or company.  It is your responsibility to do as much research as possible to make a fantastic first impression.
• Don’t ask questions until you are invited to do so.  Interrupting the recruiter may come across as pushy or aggressive.
• Don’t inquire about salary, work hours, vacation or benefits- at least not during the first interview and in some cases the second.
• Don’t exaggerate your previous experience or skills.
• Don’t sound confused about where you’re heading.  Provide a clear understanding of your career goals.
• Stay focused and interested. Avoid yawning, or staring out the window.
• Never leave your cell phone on or answer it during an interview. (Turn it off before the interview or don’t bring it at all).
• Don’t discuss your personal life or negative things that may be going on.
• Never talk negatively about a previous employer.
• Don’t post inappropriate materials to your social networking site.  Sometimes recruiters access these sites to learn more about candidates.  It is important to keep your profile looking extremely professional.
• Don’t forget to thank the interviewer before you leave.
• Don’t forget to ask the interviewer about the next steps in the process.
• Don’t forget to send a thank you note or letter to everyone you met.

Keep in mind that landing an interview isn’t easy, so make sure to devote time to interview preparation.  More specifically, focus on researching the company and position you are interviewing for and review the top don’ts of an interview process.  Adequate interview preparation will help contribute to a successful interview.