Hireway.com

Resume Builder, JobsInsider, and Portfolio Display 

There is no such thing as a “magic bullet” in job search.  It takes daily dedication, determination and a great attitude while networking outside of your comfort zone.  That said, there are new tools that help make smaller tasks a bit easier.  I’ve written and spoken about the benefits of LinkedIn for a couple of years now and the tool continues to evolve and thrive in the job search, business development, networking and staffing arenas.

Check out 3 LinkedIn Tools and Apps:

1. Resume Builder:  Start with this link:  http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/.  For this app to work most effectively, you need to have a fairly complete profile as it automatically pulls your profile information into a resume display.  You can then toggle between 11 template styles including Classic, Executive, Business, Law and others.  Then, Outline Mode allows you to rearrange or delete categories. 

Advantages: The builder is quick and easy to use.  It converts to .PDF which means it is portable and can be used, sent and uploaded outside of LinkedIn.  I do like that it formats your profile information in a resume style which can give you a fresh perspective on how your content may be coming across to viewers.  That said, I believe the cons outweigh the pros on this one. 

Drawbacks:  To edit the resume content you have to edit your actual LinkedIn profile which creates a mirror image of the two.  In other words, there’s no way to have a resume that isn’t basically an exact replica of your full LinkedIn profile page.  Also, the template types do not make good use of available space and organizing principles.  And overall, it doesn’t eliminate the typical problems associated with resume templates.  More importantly, you cannot customize your LinkedIn Resume for specific positions of interest.  For greater versatility, you should also attach your existing Word and .PDF resumes with the Box.net application instead.  Biggest drawback of all:  feedback I’ve solicited directly from recruiters in my network regarding this tool have been quite poor.     

2. JobsInsider:  This is a Toolbar app.  You can find it easily by Googling “LinkedIn JobsInsider” or click here.  It works with MS Outlook, Internet Explorer and Firefox.  Essentially, it “links” at a glance who is in your network that works at a company featured in a job posting on Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, Dice and others. 

Looking up and connecting with company insiders through LinkedIn has been advisable for years now.  This widget provides a shortcut. Once the toolbar is installed, visit one of the job search sites listed, pull up a posting of interest, and look for the JobsInsider window that opens alongside the posting. 

It will list how many of your LinkedIn connections exist at that company with direct links to the company’s profile as well as the individual profiles of those who work there.  This feature was already available for jobs posted within LinkedIn; now, it’s linked to external postings as well. 

3. Creative Portfolio Display:  For those requiring portfolios or simply to “go the extra mile” to showcase your talents visually, the Portfolio Display application comes in handy.  Similar to the SlideShare app, signup is free and easy with email opt-in verification.  You create a custom URL for your new Behance portfolio and build your new profile.  Current drop down choices are specific to creative fields such as Production Artists, Digital Imaging professionals and others. 

These 3 apps can be explored further to either take your job search to a new level, to jog creative ideas of your own and to jumpstart your networking efforts.  None of them are a “job search cure-all”.  For job search success you still need daily dedication to networking, company research, and active outreach through prescribed application channels.   And follow up, always follow up.  You can do this.  Good luck!

-Lisa

 Need more help?  Visit http://changeyourjob.us

Job Search Strategy Issues – Enable Your Success

How long have you been searching for a new job? Are you getting requests for interviews? Are you getting job offers?

Let’s face it: you are an expert in your field, but that doesn’t automatically make you an expert in job search strategy. Here are diagnostic tools to help you pinpoint the problem: ratio of applications to interview requests, conversion rate of phone interviews to in-person interviews, and number of job offers from number of interviews.

Diagnose Your Job Search Strategy Problems with 5 Questions:

1. What is your #1 job search activity? If you are like most job seekers out there today, you answered “search online for jobs”. In this economy, there are fewer job openings than there are job seekers. Not all jobs are posted. So why are you chasing online leads along with 10 million other people across the globe? You have other options. For starters, pick better online job posting sites like Hireway.com – highly recommended.  Also, limit your online job browsing to no more than 1 hour per day or 10% of your total job search time. Online job boards are GREAT for conducting additional company research but don’t use them as your all-encompassing search strategy. Apply online but don’t stop there – find company contacts, learn more about the company culture.  Your #1 search activity should be networking to find and build positive rapport with company insiders regarding the #1 thing you do best in the world. Period.

2. Is your Resume drowning in mediocrity? Basic, generic resumes rank right up there with no-name brands, automated telemarketer phone prompts, one-size-fits-all T-shirts, public access television, and no-fuss haircuts. There’s nothing wrong with these items; but they cannot effectively compete with their nicer-looking, better-crafted neighbors. I review between 50-75 resumes per day. Out of those, only 4-5 really make me pause and read deeper. I also provide free Resume IQ Scores through my website. The average score is, well, average. The resume leads to the interview process. Rise above!

3. Is your Cover Letter all about YOU? Your cover letter will get the attention it deserves if a) your resume stands above the competition to begin with, and b) you use your letter to show how well you understand the company’s needs. Make your letter more about the company than you. Limit statements starting with “I” to no more than 3 per letter. Job search is not about you, it’s about finding a company need that you can fill better or easier than the rest.

4. Are you presenting yourself as a jack-of-all-trades? Know your quintessential sales pitch. Recognize that in this economy you need to sell your #1 talent or strength. It is your strongest asset and what you will be able to talk about most passionately and confidently. You’ll be able to rattle off one example after another that demonstrates the expert you truly are. A related item here is in not presenting yourself as one thing clearly enough. Or being so vague that people wonder why you’ve sent your materials in to them at all. People are not going to guess – spell it out for them. Your sales pitch must be consistent and focused from applications to interviews.

5. Are you well-connected? Build and leverage strategic connections. This is where many job seekers fall down or are just scratching the surface. 10 solid contacts who directly influence hiring in a company of interest outrank 5000 faceless friends. Evaluate your connections and separate names into categories of: preferred company insider, recruiter, hiring manager, business owner or other person of influence. How many contacts fall in to each category? How strong do your contacts look now? Pretty weak? Don’t fret, because now you KNOW where to focus your connection energies. Conveniently, it also takes care of item #1 and rounds out your reference list.

Last but not least: be methodical, consistent, professional and patient. If these traits don’t come naturally to you: Get help. Ultimately, you need to assess whether the lack of job search success is rooted in your materials or your job search approach – and chances are the answer is “both”. You also need to vary your approaches to be able to measure which approaches work better. The good news – these are things you can control and do something about.

-Lisa

2009 In Review:
We have just come through a really tough year. People have been impacted in numerous ways. Whether you have lost your job or watched those closest to you struggle to find work, you have no doubt experienced financial and emotional havoc. If you have been fortunate enough to stay employed, you are not likely to have done so without real fear and anxiety about what could happen. And to top it off you may be rather exhausted from being one of too few remaining to get the job done.

Taking Control in 2010:
Approaching a new year can fill people with optimism and hope for real and positive change. That sense of anticipation can give you a boost of energy and creativity which are necessary to combat fear and anxiety. Channel that sense of purpose and determination into a single and clearly stated objective. Visualize what you want to happen. This is important, though often underrated.

Kick off the new year by assessing your situation with a calm, objective eye. Make a list of the activities you have performed, the steps you have taken, to realize your dream. Next to each item, note the impact each has had toward your goal.

Certainly, there are things beyond our control. The trick is to focus on what we CAN.  Start with these fundamental questions with answers of Yes, No, or Not Sure:

• Does your resume need work in order to stand out and be competitive? If not sure, get it evaluated (and edited) by a professional. Unless you are truly skilled in persuasive writing, using proper spelling and grammar, and understanding not only the mind of a hiring manager but the way automated applicant tracking systems work, don’t rely on a do-it-yourself resume. This need not be costly: see your college career center, your local workforce center, and the services of ethical and affordable career coaching professionals. Get a second opinion. Excellent help can be found for under $30.

• Do you have a well-written and professional base cover letter that conveys your talents and aligns yourself squarely with the needs of the companies to which you’re reaching out? If not, refer to the advice in item 1.

• Are you conducting search activities that align with your qualifications, industry, and geographic location? Or are you contributing to what I call the “great chase of 2009″ where you apply for anything and everything that’s posted and think it is just a matter of time until you get lucky? That is not an effective approach. Stop immediately and get help in re-vamping your search approach.

• Are you doing more of the necessary legwork or are you counting on others more than yourself? Making positive change comes from the heart and mind, yours, and no one can do for you what you must do for yourself – not entirely. Work with ethical recruiters. Take advantage of community resources. Seek out expert advice. But you still need to be taking on the bulk of the direction and control of your search efforts.

• Are you truly putting yourself out there in terms of networking and self-promotion? Are you meeting at least one new person per day who can help you succeed? Are you portraying yourself in a positive and energized way? Are you actively listening to employers and others in your community about problems they are trying to solve and offering solutions? What image are you presenting to the world? And how is your presentation coming through in terms of your conversations, your networking opportunities, your resume? Not sure? Ask. Get objective feedback. Start with your college career center, local workforce center, professional association, or career coach.

• Are you getting enough sleep? Enough exercise? Enough calm in your surroundings necessary to weed out distracting mental clutter? Take steps to keep yourself healthy, mentally and physically. You may need to take control of your surroundings and your physical being before you can focus adequately on your search. Find or create a calm, uncluttered space in which to carry out your plans. Seek out healthy ways to re-charge. Exercise is free – it costs nothing to use your living room floor or the street outside to get your blood pumping. Take an hour or two and research healthy solutions.
• Do you find yourself unable to cope or make basic decisions? Is a sense of hopelessness taking over your daily activities? Do you find it very difficult to function day-to-day? Depression happens – please seek out professional help. You are worth it!

Now that you have your own answers in front of you, come up with one or two action items to support your success in each area. Take control. Keep your hope and faith alive. You can do this!

Happy Holidays!
-Lisa