Career Transition - Top 7 Tips For Visibility, Memorability, Credibility In Your Job Search Efforts
I encourage each and everyone to be ready for and open to opportunity.
Even if you wholeheartedly enjoy what you are doing right now you never know what transition is down the road for you either from your own initiative, environment or circumstances.
What is the best way to be ready? It's to do things that keep you visible, memorable and credible.
Know What Makes You Unique Whether you are looking to go into business yourself or open to new opportunities in the world of work, know what makes you so very unique.
Research people and companies that mirror your values and passion.
To identify what values you deem most important ask yourself this key question: What are three of your favorite brands and why? The AND WHYis the value to focus on.
It's not really important what your favorite brands are but it is important to know why you like them.
Those attributes are ones that you value and deem important which means they are values you possess, strive for and seek.
Dress For Inclusion Dress for success may not be your battle cry yet it is important that you dress for inclusion.
Whatever position you aspire for, make sure you look like you belong there.
Spend a little time seeing what people in those positions with companies that you admire wear daily.
This will help you to craft a look that speaks volumes that you "naturally belong".
Up-To-Date Resume Keep your resume up to date, always.
Success really is when opportunity and preparedness meet! Since recruitment efforts have and continue to become more present on-line, keep a copy of your information such as work history, experience, skill set, reference list, in a document on your computer.
When opportunities present themselves, you'll simply need to cut and paste and spend just a few moments on customization for the position and you're ready to be considered.
Another tool to include in your "preparedness box" is an on-line digital portfolio, digital resume or curriculum vitae.
You can do this yourself and host in on a web page, even a blog could be set up with all the same info, or you can utilize a host of online services that provide that, such as VisualCV.
Notify Your References It's not as important to have a lengthy reference list as it is important to have quality references.
Let them know that you are including them, get their permission to distribute their contact info and even get them to write a letter of recommendation.
With a letter of recommendation, you can highlight excerpts from it on your digital portfolio, blog or even scan it, convert it to a JPEG (picture) and post it on your online resume.
Also, let your reference know what your "proper name" is or the name that you're applying with.
There is nothing worse than them being caught off guard when they're contacted and respond with "I don't know who that is".
For example, a friend of mine applied with a pharmaceutical company and I knew her as "Diane" which was her middle name.
Her proper first name is "Margaret" which I had never known.
I was momentarily stunned when I heard the name and almost said "I don't know her" when I remembered my friend had said she had used me as a reference.
Say Thank You Ninety-seven percent of people do not say thank you.
If you want to be remembered, you'll send a thank you note 24 hours after you connect with or interview with someone.
You'll stand out in the top 3% plus it will require that they access your information again.
Anytime you can get someone to see your name of think of you again is a good thing.
Email thank you notes are good but physical thank you notes are best.
Type the letter if you're following up with a formal interview, hand write it if it's a great connection, meeting or someone within the organization helping to navigate your through and ALWAYS use a handwritten envelope.
Handwritten envelopes get opened first.
Be Found On-Line Google yourself and see what's already out there about you so you'll know what you need to address or work on.
If you want to be perceived as a professional, then create a professional bio on LinkedIn.
Of all the social networks, LinkedIn by far accesses more professionals in their professional role.
Make sure your bio is excellent, compelling and professional.
Garner some stellar recommendations from people who have worked with you not just those who've connected with you on-line.
Married women have to put forth extra effort to be found on-line because they have two identities - their life with their maiden name; and their life with their married name.
There are many ways I help my clients manage that and step one in that is to join a social network highlighting both your married and maiden name.
It's important for people to find positive professional information of you on-line as we use the internet more and more to know people we meet.
Follow Up Schedule You've heard it before: the fortune is in the follow up.
How do you plan on following up when you are interested in being considered? The most important follow up happens DURING the initial interview or meeting.
Ask the following questions: 1.
What happens next in this process?; 2.
What do I possess that you see fitting in this position (or endeavor, organization, or project)? This will help you craft what to highlight and the timeline to effectively follow-up.
Even if you wholeheartedly enjoy what you are doing right now you never know what transition is down the road for you either from your own initiative, environment or circumstances.
What is the best way to be ready? It's to do things that keep you visible, memorable and credible.
Know What Makes You Unique Whether you are looking to go into business yourself or open to new opportunities in the world of work, know what makes you so very unique.
Research people and companies that mirror your values and passion.
To identify what values you deem most important ask yourself this key question: What are three of your favorite brands and why? The AND WHYis the value to focus on.
It's not really important what your favorite brands are but it is important to know why you like them.
Those attributes are ones that you value and deem important which means they are values you possess, strive for and seek.
Dress For Inclusion Dress for success may not be your battle cry yet it is important that you dress for inclusion.
Whatever position you aspire for, make sure you look like you belong there.
Spend a little time seeing what people in those positions with companies that you admire wear daily.
This will help you to craft a look that speaks volumes that you "naturally belong".
Up-To-Date Resume Keep your resume up to date, always.
Success really is when opportunity and preparedness meet! Since recruitment efforts have and continue to become more present on-line, keep a copy of your information such as work history, experience, skill set, reference list, in a document on your computer.
When opportunities present themselves, you'll simply need to cut and paste and spend just a few moments on customization for the position and you're ready to be considered.
Another tool to include in your "preparedness box" is an on-line digital portfolio, digital resume or curriculum vitae.
You can do this yourself and host in on a web page, even a blog could be set up with all the same info, or you can utilize a host of online services that provide that, such as VisualCV.
Notify Your References It's not as important to have a lengthy reference list as it is important to have quality references.
Let them know that you are including them, get their permission to distribute their contact info and even get them to write a letter of recommendation.
With a letter of recommendation, you can highlight excerpts from it on your digital portfolio, blog or even scan it, convert it to a JPEG (picture) and post it on your online resume.
Also, let your reference know what your "proper name" is or the name that you're applying with.
There is nothing worse than them being caught off guard when they're contacted and respond with "I don't know who that is".
For example, a friend of mine applied with a pharmaceutical company and I knew her as "Diane" which was her middle name.
Her proper first name is "Margaret" which I had never known.
I was momentarily stunned when I heard the name and almost said "I don't know her" when I remembered my friend had said she had used me as a reference.
Say Thank You Ninety-seven percent of people do not say thank you.
If you want to be remembered, you'll send a thank you note 24 hours after you connect with or interview with someone.
You'll stand out in the top 3% plus it will require that they access your information again.
Anytime you can get someone to see your name of think of you again is a good thing.
Email thank you notes are good but physical thank you notes are best.
Type the letter if you're following up with a formal interview, hand write it if it's a great connection, meeting or someone within the organization helping to navigate your through and ALWAYS use a handwritten envelope.
Handwritten envelopes get opened first.
Be Found On-Line Google yourself and see what's already out there about you so you'll know what you need to address or work on.
If you want to be perceived as a professional, then create a professional bio on LinkedIn.
Of all the social networks, LinkedIn by far accesses more professionals in their professional role.
Make sure your bio is excellent, compelling and professional.
Garner some stellar recommendations from people who have worked with you not just those who've connected with you on-line.
Married women have to put forth extra effort to be found on-line because they have two identities - their life with their maiden name; and their life with their married name.
There are many ways I help my clients manage that and step one in that is to join a social network highlighting both your married and maiden name.
It's important for people to find positive professional information of you on-line as we use the internet more and more to know people we meet.
Follow Up Schedule You've heard it before: the fortune is in the follow up.
How do you plan on following up when you are interested in being considered? The most important follow up happens DURING the initial interview or meeting.
Ask the following questions: 1.
What happens next in this process?; 2.
What do I possess that you see fitting in this position (or endeavor, organization, or project)? This will help you craft what to highlight and the timeline to effectively follow-up.
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