Best Practices for LinkedIn – Using another growing form of social media to network ( BestLogic Staffing - www.bestlogicstaffing.com )
LinkedIn has emerged as the social media network of choice for professionals who would like to build their career oriented networks. As our previous posts have shown you, using a social media platform comes with personal responsibility, and LinkedIn is no different in this arena. However, because it has been created exclusively as a professional network platform, the stakes for maintaining a clean image are even higher.
1. Begin with your profile.
And keep it current. List all your former employers and schools – the more exposure you have, the easier it becomes to network.
2. Make your profile public, and include the link to it in your email signature.
3. Add a professional photograph of yourself to your profile.
Network contacts and potential employers prefer being able to put a face to a name. Having a professional photograph of yours uploaded to your profile increases your credibility and demystifies your professional persona.
4. Use career related keywords in your professional headline.
5. Personalize your network invitations.
We’ve all used the “I’d like to add you to my professional network” message, which is not always a good way to go. Include a short, personalized message that details your reasoning for seeking a new connection with that particular person.
6. Separate quality from quantity.
The difference between LinkedIn and every other social media platform is that LinkedIn is not about increasing exposure through numbers alone. When you begin expanding your network, try and remember whether you’re connecting with just anyone or connecting with the right people.
7. Build your network using your own Outlook and e-mail contacts and by adding your real friends.
8. Stay away from spamming and lying about how you know someone.
9. Be proactive about building your network.
10. Once you’ve established a basic structure for your new network, find groups on LinkedIn that relate to your career goals and sign on as a member. And once again, keep yourself visible and proactive.
Visit our Website: www.bestlogicstaffing.com or
www.assemblemyresume.com
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Effectively Using Twitter to Find a Job
Effectively Using Twitter to Find a Job (BestLogic Staffing www.bestlogicstaffing.com )
We can’t say this enough – using social media to find work is finding the balance between propriety, brevity and creativity; especially with a service such as Twitter that offers an extremely limited space for a status update.
The Internet is replete with stories of people finding jobs through their social media and Twitter networks, so obviously, it can be done. Having a positive attitude helps.
The first rule is “keep it short.”
The second rule is to use strategy and maximize the scope of Twitter’s reach for your benefit.
A simple “How To” and other job search resources for using Twitter:
Connect with recruiters online – You can find recruiters in your industry via TweepSearch, a site that indexes Twitter profiles. A simple search by us yielded over 11,000 results, so remember to be specific.
Sites such as TheTalentBuzz.com recommend following Twitter profiles like @JobAngels, @JobShouts and even TwitHire to find and post leads regarding jobs.
Follow Miriam Salpeter of @keppie_careers (who has been mentioned on Forbes.com) especially to gain insights and helpful tips for social media jobs and training.
Mashble.com has an exhaustive list of Twitter profiles by industry, job type, and region.
BestLogic Staffing - We use twitter to list all of our current positions or any news that would be helpful to anyone… Feel free to follow us: http://twitter.com/BestLogic
BestLogic Staffing – www.bestlogicstaffing.com
AssembleMyResume.com – www.assemblemyresume.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Five tips for using Facebook & MySpace for Job Searches
Five tips for using Facebook & MySpace for Job Searches
(By Neha Bawa -BestLogic Staffing – www.bestlogicstaffing.com )
Increasingly, people are beginning to turn more and more to online social networks to tap into their job search potential. And while they’re online, it’s easy to forget that an electronic trail is much harder to cover up than a paper trail, so establishing a few rules of decorum that won’t hinder your job search process or your employment possibilities.
1. Stay current
While it’s important to stay abreast of developing trends in your field, it’s also important to keep your own online persona active. If you’re in the market and looking for work, keep yourself in the public eye. You can’t be considered if people don’t know you’re around.
2. Keep your status updates relevant to your job search
This part of networking is rather flexible. We all tend to connect with friends and family on online social networks, so, as far as possible, keep your status updates related to your quest for employment and career. Mentioning your efforts to expand your qualifications is also noteworthy.
3. Establish boundaries for social networking against professional networking.
The last tip is actually a great segue for this one. Yes, we all interact with friends and family on social networks, especially on Facebook and MySpace, but an online presence is very easy to track and research. Therefore, establishing boundaries between social and professional networking becomes essential. The best rule of thumb with boundaries is: “If you don’t want your mother to see it, then don’t post it.”
4. Don’t complain about your employer, internship, professor or colleagues. You never know when that could come back to haunt you.
A quick internet search will show you a lot of stories of people who have vented about their employers and colleagues online only to regret it with drastic steps taken against them. Yes, it’s possible to lose your job over letting out a little steam in the public sphere. So hold yourself back when the temptation to whine is high.
5. Limit the number of photos posted.
Being active online means considering the repercussions of every step taken. College students tend to post pictures of parties and drinking nights, which don’t reflect very well in the public sphere and they hinder the prospects of future employment. A future employer may not be willing to develop a generous opinion of you or your professionalism after stumbling across a photo-journal of a wild, drunk night of yours.
Make sure to Visit our websites:
BestLogic Staffing AssembleMyResume.com
www.BestLogicStaffing.com & www.AssembleMyResume.com
(By Neha Bawa -BestLogic Staffing – www.bestlogicstaffing.com )
Increasingly, people are beginning to turn more and more to online social networks to tap into their job search potential. And while they’re online, it’s easy to forget that an electronic trail is much harder to cover up than a paper trail, so establishing a few rules of decorum that won’t hinder your job search process or your employment possibilities.
1. Stay current
While it’s important to stay abreast of developing trends in your field, it’s also important to keep your own online persona active. If you’re in the market and looking for work, keep yourself in the public eye. You can’t be considered if people don’t know you’re around.
2. Keep your status updates relevant to your job search
This part of networking is rather flexible. We all tend to connect with friends and family on online social networks, so, as far as possible, keep your status updates related to your quest for employment and career. Mentioning your efforts to expand your qualifications is also noteworthy.
3. Establish boundaries for social networking against professional networking.
The last tip is actually a great segue for this one. Yes, we all interact with friends and family on social networks, especially on Facebook and MySpace, but an online presence is very easy to track and research. Therefore, establishing boundaries between social and professional networking becomes essential. The best rule of thumb with boundaries is: “If you don’t want your mother to see it, then don’t post it.”
4. Don’t complain about your employer, internship, professor or colleagues. You never know when that could come back to haunt you.
A quick internet search will show you a lot of stories of people who have vented about their employers and colleagues online only to regret it with drastic steps taken against them. Yes, it’s possible to lose your job over letting out a little steam in the public sphere. So hold yourself back when the temptation to whine is high.
5. Limit the number of photos posted.
Being active online means considering the repercussions of every step taken. College students tend to post pictures of parties and drinking nights, which don’t reflect very well in the public sphere and they hinder the prospects of future employment. A future employer may not be willing to develop a generous opinion of you or your professionalism after stumbling across a photo-journal of a wild, drunk night of yours.
Make sure to Visit our websites:
BestLogic Staffing AssembleMyResume.com
www.BestLogicStaffing.com & www.AssembleMyResume.com
Friday, March 19, 2010
Using Social Networks for Your Job Search
Using Social Networks for Your Job Search ( By Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
The good thing about social networking is that it allows you to create a brand or an image for yourself in a very public sphere with very little cost to you. At least financially.
With social networks expanding beyond the reach of teenagers and college students, creating and utilizing professional contacts is become easier and daunting at the same time. The key is to know how to separate the grain from the chaff. In other words, when you’re using networks such as Twitter, LinkedIn or even Facebook, begin with researching and following people in your industry.
Websites such as Twitter allow the option of creating lists that you can follow; therefore staying current with the industry becomes quite easy.However, for professional purposes, LinkedIn is probably the best place to begin because you can tap into your own network contacts, which can include your friends, employers and school networks.
About.com has a list of recommendations to follow when establish an online presence geared specifically for job searching. Bear in mind that creating a credible online presence takes a lot of time, effort, consistency (i.e., becoming a subject matter expert) and frequent updates. Although frequency is a relative and subjective term, an absence of longer than two weeks may become detrimental to your online persona.
Other resources VisualCV TweetMyJobs
For more information, go to our websites:
www.bestlogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
The good thing about social networking is that it allows you to create a brand or an image for yourself in a very public sphere with very little cost to you. At least financially.
With social networks expanding beyond the reach of teenagers and college students, creating and utilizing professional contacts is become easier and daunting at the same time. The key is to know how to separate the grain from the chaff. In other words, when you’re using networks such as Twitter, LinkedIn or even Facebook, begin with researching and following people in your industry.
Websites such as Twitter allow the option of creating lists that you can follow; therefore staying current with the industry becomes quite easy.However, for professional purposes, LinkedIn is probably the best place to begin because you can tap into your own network contacts, which can include your friends, employers and school networks.
About.com has a list of recommendations to follow when establish an online presence geared specifically for job searching. Bear in mind that creating a credible online presence takes a lot of time, effort, consistency (i.e., becoming a subject matter expert) and frequent updates. Although frequency is a relative and subjective term, an absence of longer than two weeks may become detrimental to your online persona.
Other resources VisualCV TweetMyJobs
For more information, go to our websites:
www.bestlogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Writing a thank you letter
Writing a “Thank You” Letter
(Written by Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
Writing a thank you letter after a job interview is absolutely necessary. Really, we can’t over emphasize the necessity of sending a thank you letter to your interviewer within an appropriate amount of time, which usually should not exceed 24 hours.
Not only is a thank you letter courteous and respectful, it also reinforces your intention for seeking that particular position.
The format for writing a thank you letter is the same as for writing a cover letter. And just like the cover letters, thank you letters need to be customized for their recipients as well.
Begin your letter with thanking the person who interviewed you.
In the second paragraph, reiterate the particulars of the job that make you a good candidate for it, and once again, but briefly, remind your interviewer of your skills and achievements and state any achievements of yours that you may have neglected or forgotten to mention at the interview. Once again, keep your letter extremely brief.
If you are short on time and need to respond immediately, then sending an email to thank your interviewer is acceptable. Keep in mind that if a panel has interviewed you, then a letter needs to be sent to each individual at the panel.
Make sure to check out our websites:
www.BestLogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
(Written by Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
Writing a thank you letter after a job interview is absolutely necessary. Really, we can’t over emphasize the necessity of sending a thank you letter to your interviewer within an appropriate amount of time, which usually should not exceed 24 hours.
Not only is a thank you letter courteous and respectful, it also reinforces your intention for seeking that particular position.
The format for writing a thank you letter is the same as for writing a cover letter. And just like the cover letters, thank you letters need to be customized for their recipients as well.
Begin your letter with thanking the person who interviewed you.
In the second paragraph, reiterate the particulars of the job that make you a good candidate for it, and once again, but briefly, remind your interviewer of your skills and achievements and state any achievements of yours that you may have neglected or forgotten to mention at the interview. Once again, keep your letter extremely brief.
If you are short on time and need to respond immediately, then sending an email to thank your interviewer is acceptable. Keep in mind that if a panel has interviewed you, then a letter needs to be sent to each individual at the panel.
Make sure to check out our websites:
www.BestLogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
Writing a cover letter
Writing a Cover Letter
(Written by Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
A well-written cover letter should answer the question that’s foremost on every employer’s mind: why should I hire you? And it’s a really good question to ask, especially since every single applicant is competing for the same opportunity.
A good cover letter doesn’t get you the job – but it does get you to the interview. And that’s all you’re striving for in the first stages of your job search.
To begin with, the format is important. The header should be left-indented and include yours and the company’s identifying information. For example:
YOUR ADDRESS (City, State and Zip Code)
YOUR PHONE NUMBER (xxx-xxx-xxxx)
YOUR EMAIL
TODAY’S DATE
EMPLOYER/HIRING MANAGER’S NAME
TITLE
COMPANY NAME
ADDRESS
DEAR (Mr./ Ms.) EMPLOYER: (Salutation)
While writing a cover letter may be daunting, or even overwhelming, it’s easier to write one if the whole is broken down into its parts, paragraph by paragraph.
In the first paragraph, identify yourself, the position you’re applying for and why you’re interested in that position.
The second paragraph of your cover letter should address exactly why you’re qualified for that position. That is, use that space to highlight your specific skills, achievements and experiences. The key word here is “specific”. According to the Trinity College cover letter writing handout, you can cite specific jobs and accomplishments associated with your experiences. But, be careful to not quote your resume word for word.
Finally, in the last paragraph, refer to the enclosed resume and specifically state when you will follow up to inquire about an interview.
For example:
“I have enclosed my resume and references for your review, and I will follow up with your office in one week to discuss the possibility of scheduling an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)”
In short, to help you get to the interview, a cover letter should: -
· Be short, specific and simple,
· Bring forth your experience and talent in a paragraph or two, and
· Highlight your writing and communication skills.
Make sure to check out our websites:
www.BestLogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
(Written by Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
A well-written cover letter should answer the question that’s foremost on every employer’s mind: why should I hire you? And it’s a really good question to ask, especially since every single applicant is competing for the same opportunity.
A good cover letter doesn’t get you the job – but it does get you to the interview. And that’s all you’re striving for in the first stages of your job search.
To begin with, the format is important. The header should be left-indented and include yours and the company’s identifying information. For example:
YOUR ADDRESS (City, State and Zip Code)
YOUR PHONE NUMBER (xxx-xxx-xxxx)
YOUR EMAIL
TODAY’S DATE
EMPLOYER/HIRING MANAGER’S NAME
TITLE
COMPANY NAME
ADDRESS
DEAR (Mr./ Ms.) EMPLOYER: (Salutation)
While writing a cover letter may be daunting, or even overwhelming, it’s easier to write one if the whole is broken down into its parts, paragraph by paragraph.
In the first paragraph, identify yourself, the position you’re applying for and why you’re interested in that position.
The second paragraph of your cover letter should address exactly why you’re qualified for that position. That is, use that space to highlight your specific skills, achievements and experiences. The key word here is “specific”. According to the Trinity College cover letter writing handout, you can cite specific jobs and accomplishments associated with your experiences. But, be careful to not quote your resume word for word.
Finally, in the last paragraph, refer to the enclosed resume and specifically state when you will follow up to inquire about an interview.
For example:
“I have enclosed my resume and references for your review, and I will follow up with your office in one week to discuss the possibility of scheduling an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name
Enclosure(s)”
In short, to help you get to the interview, a cover letter should: -
· Be short, specific and simple,
· Bring forth your experience and talent in a paragraph or two, and
· Highlight your writing and communication skills.
Make sure to check out our websites:
www.BestLogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
How to Prepare for an Interview (By Neha Bawa – BestLogic Staffing)
The Pre-Interview stage
Preparing for an interview begins with good research. You sent out your resume, you received and interview call, but there’s still a long walk to getting the job. Showing up unprepared for a job interview is not a good idea because you can shortchange yourself despite having all the required skills for the posted job description.
Remember to recount your stories of success at work. Did you ever lead a special project? Or negotiate a tough sale? Were you able to resolve an issue between coworkers without awkwardness? Did you meet a deadline despite continuous challenges at the work place? Keep all the stories handy – they prove how well you’re able to meet and resolve challenges instead of succumbing to them.
Before you walk in, make sure you’ve tried to find everything you possibly could about the company’s goals and objectives, their mission, their successes and their presence in their field.
Tip: - Always bring extra copies of your resume with you.
Professional experience
When you’re being interviewed, the information on your resume has to corroborate with the information you’re providing the interviewer. Are your technical skills true or have they been embellished? Did you really work on 5 different projects at the same time? Can you answer the questions about the Accounting software that you’ve mentioned in your resume? In other words, you have to be in person who you say you are on paper.
Talking about yourself
Most interviewers will ask you to tell them a little about yourself. Some people may feel stuck at providing the right answer, or they may stumble their way through. Or, they may even begin rambling. Remember that if you’re asked this question, this is an opportunity for you to reinforce the idea of your skills and professionalism – not a gap to fill with a miniature biography of your own life. Leave the personal details at home.
Your personal appearance at the interview
While the company may have a “casual Friday” dress code, showing up in your jeans and a t-shirt to your interview is definitely not a good idea. Not only does it negate the corporate standard, casual dressing also reflects poorly on your preparedness and interest in the position that you’ve applied for.
Your attitude
The person, or people, interviewing you will try to determine whether you’re a good fit for the job or not, and sometimes, the conclusion has to do with more than professional experience and technical skills or certifications.
Do you exude positivity and a “can do” attitude? Or do you only see obstacles instead of opportunities?
According to the blog, How to Prepare for an Interview, hiring managers look for a person who: -
1. Has good communication skills, especially listening.
2. Is optimistic and believes that he/she can make a difference.
3. Conveys honesty and openness.
4. Is a logical intelligent person who doesn’t “shoot from the hip”.
5. Can make a commitment and take responsibility.
6. Appears healthy, attractive and tasteful in dress.
7. Has compassion for others and is not egocentric.
8. On the whole is an interesting enthusiastic person who people want to associate with.
A lot of the times the interviewer will conduct background checks to understand whether you’re a “team player” or not, which means that at your interview, you need to find as much as you can about the culture of the company.
www.bestlogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
The Pre-Interview stage
Preparing for an interview begins with good research. You sent out your resume, you received and interview call, but there’s still a long walk to getting the job. Showing up unprepared for a job interview is not a good idea because you can shortchange yourself despite having all the required skills for the posted job description.
Remember to recount your stories of success at work. Did you ever lead a special project? Or negotiate a tough sale? Were you able to resolve an issue between coworkers without awkwardness? Did you meet a deadline despite continuous challenges at the work place? Keep all the stories handy – they prove how well you’re able to meet and resolve challenges instead of succumbing to them.
Before you walk in, make sure you’ve tried to find everything you possibly could about the company’s goals and objectives, their mission, their successes and their presence in their field.
Tip: - Always bring extra copies of your resume with you.
Professional experience
When you’re being interviewed, the information on your resume has to corroborate with the information you’re providing the interviewer. Are your technical skills true or have they been embellished? Did you really work on 5 different projects at the same time? Can you answer the questions about the Accounting software that you’ve mentioned in your resume? In other words, you have to be in person who you say you are on paper.
Talking about yourself
Most interviewers will ask you to tell them a little about yourself. Some people may feel stuck at providing the right answer, or they may stumble their way through. Or, they may even begin rambling. Remember that if you’re asked this question, this is an opportunity for you to reinforce the idea of your skills and professionalism – not a gap to fill with a miniature biography of your own life. Leave the personal details at home.
Your personal appearance at the interview
While the company may have a “casual Friday” dress code, showing up in your jeans and a t-shirt to your interview is definitely not a good idea. Not only does it negate the corporate standard, casual dressing also reflects poorly on your preparedness and interest in the position that you’ve applied for.
Your attitude
The person, or people, interviewing you will try to determine whether you’re a good fit for the job or not, and sometimes, the conclusion has to do with more than professional experience and technical skills or certifications.
Do you exude positivity and a “can do” attitude? Or do you only see obstacles instead of opportunities?
According to the blog, How to Prepare for an Interview, hiring managers look for a person who: -
1. Has good communication skills, especially listening.
2. Is optimistic and believes that he/she can make a difference.
3. Conveys honesty and openness.
4. Is a logical intelligent person who doesn’t “shoot from the hip”.
5. Can make a commitment and take responsibility.
6. Appears healthy, attractive and tasteful in dress.
7. Has compassion for others and is not egocentric.
8. On the whole is an interesting enthusiastic person who people want to associate with.
A lot of the times the interviewer will conduct background checks to understand whether you’re a “team player” or not, which means that at your interview, you need to find as much as you can about the culture of the company.
www.bestlogicstaffing.com & www.assemblemyresume.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)