3 Fundamental Flaws with Networking in Recruitment

3 Fundamental Flaws with Networking in Recruitment Critical thinkers are a dying breed and logic is becoming a lost art. Ironically, we have more access to information than any generation. Whether it be at the gym, office or on the couch, we can readily access information, however we question the validity of what we read and hear less and less. If I had $1 for each time I heard some derivative of the phrase, “so you go and network and recruit people,” I’d never technically pay for my own lunch again. Between reading articles and speaking to job seekers and hiring companies, it’s become evident that many are misinformed about what is and what is not an efficient job search/recruitment strategy. By itself, networking is ambiguous and inefficient, as the simple act of networking lacks a clear beginning and end goal. 1. An intangible practice with multiple definitions: If you ask 10 people to define what networking is, you’ll get 10 very different definitions. If you ask the same individuals how they go about networking, maybe 1/3 of those individuals can provide you with clear steps that logically make sense. Officially, the word “network” has a multitude of meanings.   Some of which are in verb form (i.e. networking), others exist in noun form.   For the sake of relevancy, we’ll stay on the definitions that are career-oriented. According to dictionary.com, when used as a verb, the formal definition of networking is the act of cultivating people who can be helpful to one professionally (which is vague). Merriam Webster has a bit more robust definition and defines networking as the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. 2. Frequently used in HR and job search but rarely questioned: By definition, the phrase is very similar to recruiting. Therefore, to claim it to be a viable recruiting or job search strategy is technically being redundant. However recruiters are very rarely asked what their definition of networking is, nor are job seekers when they claim networking to be an effective job search tool. It’s almost like when you tell your child you’re busy, “doing business.” Because the connotation of the word seems official, productive and authoritative, the child will often refrain from requesting his or her parents attention. The lack of logical thinking is advantageous to lower quality HR heads and headhunters because it allows them to circumvent having to discuss recruiting practices and strategies in-depth, while still sounding productive and professional. Rarely is the phrase, “I’m consistently networking to recruit employees,” countered with, “what do you mean by networking?” 3. Attending professional events to socialize: In many instances, attending events such as trade shows or cocktail hours ceases to be professional and becomes a social event with business professionals.   A cocktail hour is the same as a happy hour; it’s just with business people. Have you ever heard Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg or any other billionaire attribute their wealth to their ability to network, or a group they found on websites that focus on meet ups? Rather, they had clear strategies for success that were well defined and executed upon those plans. In business, networking is a flawed wealth building strategy. The majority of individuals who attend a professional event to find a job do or obtain new business do so because it’s social in nature, and thus requires less focus (a key component to success) and 9 out of 10 times leave with business cards which amount to little. However, they waste a significant amount of the most valuable resource we have, which is time. Usage of the internet to recruit or search for a job is much more efficient and thus is the recruiting form of preference by companies serious about hiring based upon qualifications and skills. In the end: Due to the fact that  many people lack clearly defined strategies to reach predetermined goals, networking is going to sound professional, but prove to be inefficient. There is no question that networking as social interaction with other business professionals is interesting, enjoyable and healthy. However, in most instances, logic will tell us that there are more efficient ways to achieve our job-seeking or recruiting goals.

10 Personal Websites That Furthered Their Owners Career

10 Personal Websites That Furthered Their Owners Career A personal website that extols your professional credentials, experience, and strengths is probably the single most important career development tool you can have. Whereas on a resumé or CV, you’re limited to a page or two of static text that may not get read all the way through, a website offers the chance to engage prospective clients or employers in a way that’s truly engaging, unique, and appropriate for your talents. In 2010, graphic designer Jacob Cass was trying to find a job and keep from being kicked out of the country. Ultimately, it was the combination of his personal website, online portfolio, and social network activity that enabled him to land a great gig and return to NYC. He talks about his experience in the TED video, below: Your personal website can truly become whatever you wish to represent you on a computer screen.  Need to show a portfolio? Demonstrate thought leadership in a given subject? Show success stories from past jobs or projects? Prove how different you are from the rest of the flock? These are the types of things that simply can’t be accomplished with a resume, no matter how carefully manicured it may be. Plus, a personal website can be the centerpiece of your all-important “personal brand” which is increasingly important to differentiate you from all the other job seekers out there. Here are 10 personal websites that helped boost the careers of their owners… 1. Sam Cooper,  www.samshouses.com  (real estate): At first glance, Sams site doesnt look like anything special.  Its plain, has dull colors, and looks simple.  But if you research a little more about Sam, youll find some interesting facts about him and his site. First off, real estate is a hyper competitive field with agents aplenty proliferating every little town and large metropolis. And while real estate agents often work at agencies, their job is still very much an individual endeavor. Sam has managed to earn his website top search engine rankings on the Google search term “real estate agent columbus ohio,” which has given him a great deal of visibility in his market and a ranking within the top 1% of selling agents in central Ohio. His site, meanwhile, offers quick access to his listings, contact information, and a number of tools to help potential buyers research neighborhoods and listings. 2. Jacob Cass,  www.justcreative.com, (graphic design) A graphic designer, Jacob shows his work and demonstrates his considerable subject matter expertise in a variety of ways on his website. This site is a great example of the “if you got it, flaunt it” mentality when it comes to personal branding and promotion. He’s got it, and he’s not afraid to show it off. Whether it’s a front-page picture of him giving a talk at TED or a listing of his considerable publication credits and awards, he posts it. All of it works to enhance his image and value. And top Google billing for “graphic designer NYC” doesn’t hurt, either! 3. Joseph Stark,  www.joestarkcpa.com, (certified public accountant) Joseph is an independently practicing CPA in the Indianapolis area. He’s looking for new clients, and when they find him via Google or other means, he serves them up a nice blend of his personal career history and services offered. He presents himself openly and candidlyâ€"an appropriate strategy for a professional whose success hinges largely on trustworthiness. One addition that might help in this regard is including customer testimonials. 4. Daniel Stark,  www.danielstarkphotography.com, (wedding photographer) Daniel and Lindsay are a husband-and-wife wedding photography team in Portland, OR. Their website does a great job demonstrating their capabilities via a portfolio of their work, and client testimonials that allow prospective customers to get to know them as people firstâ€"an important consideration since they’ll be a major part of the big day. Their website also helps facilitate the hiring process by answering frequently asked questions and providing several ways to get in touch. 5. Milt Webb,  http://www.miltwebb.com/, (web designer) Milt’s website has about everything you would want on web designer’s home page: an impressive portfolio of past work, services listing, testimonials, and a host of additional information useful to anyone considering a designing or redesigning their website. Combine that with a knowledgeable, yet personable attitude portrayed throughout the site, and you have one web designer who won’t be hard up for work anytime soon 6. Andrea Mann,http://www.andreamann.com/, (writer/jazz vocalist/photographer) There is that occasion when you come across a talent that can’t be relegated to traditional categories, and all you can really do is call it like you see it. That’s what this comedy writer/jazz singer/shutterbug has done with herself on her personal website. The result? A very interesting read that makes you wonder how this ridiculously prolific and accomplished human being fits it all in. 7. Cat-Rabbit,  http://catrabbit.com.au/, (textile artist): One can’t help but draw parallels between Cat-Rabbit’s technique with fabrics and Picasso’s way with paints. This Aussie specializes in creating one-of-a-kind stuffed animals that seem tailor-made to debut on an animated series someday. This website does a great job showcasing her work while presenting her ongoing artist narrative via her blog. 8. Tara Gentile,  http://www.taragentile.com/, (microbusiness consultant) Tara isn’t your typical business-suit-donning, Excel-chart-wielding business consultant who dreams of nabbing a big Fortune 500 client. She’s much more at home working with individuals working out of their homes on their own microbusinesses. Her pitch is “Maximize your impact. Minimize your effort.” She offers a number of ways to make that happen from business plan development, access to microbusiness communities, and coaching. Her website does a great job at presenting these various ways to engage with her. 9. Jonathan Harris,  http://www.number27.org/, (technology consultant) Jonathan is another talent that’s difficult to pigeon-hole, but with his overall mission being to work on “…projects that reimagine how humans relate to technology and to each other,” he’s certainly relevant to the times we live in. His website does a good job presenting his body of work, thinking, and capabilities. 10. Adam Barone,  www.adambarone.com  (marketing/advertising) In the advertising and marketing industry, projecting a strong personal brand and message is vitally important since that’s precisely what prospective clients are looking for you to do for them. A Boston-based copywriter, Adam chose to go with a minimalist design that kept graphics to a minimum while featuring his creative, unique way with words…both on the site itself and in the client work he features in his portfolio section. Along with an organic SEO link-building campaign he executed years ago that continues bearing fruit, he’s been able to nab front-page listing for the Google search “copywriter boston,” which has greatly enhanced his visibility. Set Up Your Personal Website Today So whether youre hunting for a job, wanting occasional freelance projects, or seeking a flow of new clients, why wouldnt you create your personal foundation online, as Cass outlines in his TED Talk? Just a few hours of setup can provide a powerful platform for your professional future. The sooner you begin, the sooner youll create the results youre seeking. Good luck!

How to Use Instagram To Increase Your Personal Brands Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Use Instagram To Increase Your Personal Brands Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Having a well-planned social media strategy is an important part of building your personal brand online. Using the best platforms to their fullest potential is also important for visibility and sales. Instagram is one of the top social networks today that builds a larger audience and following online, which makes this a must-engage tool for brands. Posting stories, images and videos that your audience will love is just one part of the success formula. Utilizing the right hashtags and captions for both promoted and organic posts can be very effective in getting your brand noticed, and this involves careful attention to quality and the right message. Here are several ways you can help your business stand out from the rest: Promote your brand  In the mix of your existing posts you take advantage of promoted or sponsored posts right from the Facebook Ads Manager or inside your Instagram account. This is always changes and improving its features as the mobile platform includes as the use of targeted hashtags, enhanced photo filters, audience targeting, ect. Become an affiliate While your blog is still a great resource to connect with and mention other brand products or services, there is even more potential to increase sales right from your Instagram profile. Its best to narrow your focus to a niche that is relevant to what you are posting about, include specific hashtags, and add the geo-location of where someone can find what you are mentioning. Bring in sales for your branded products or services If you happen to have a consulting business, run a counseling agency, have a physical or digital product, or have published an eBook these items can be sold right from account. Its a good opportunity to include your sales page or website links as well, especially with the new Shoppable Posts feature. Offering a clear call to action in an image will help bring more attention to your posts. Partner with leaders in your industry A credible brand on Instagram will open the doors and provide an opportunity to tag and promote influencers. You can create content that drives visitors to their profiles and helps generate more publicity for what they are offering for a set fee. This is all dependent on the number of followers you have, the level of engagement, the type of influencer, and so on. Use Instagram as a tool to bring more sales to your personal brand as well as a place where people can be directed to your website and other social networks. Take full advantage of all of the various features this platform has to offer such as stories, live video, and promoted posts. There are many tools and apps available to help you create and schedule your content, most of which are free to use. This is one of the best social networks where your brand can show a more personal side and build loyal brand followers.

How to get into public relations

How to get into public relations As managing director of award winning PR agency Motive  Steve McComish receives hundreds of emails every year asking for work experience but can only offer placements to a handful of candidates. Here are his top tips for getting your request noticed and making the best first impression.   Entering the job market with some valuable experience under your belt is more important now than ever. With hundreds of applicants applying for entry level roles, work experience is a must for those aspiring to break into the PR sector, but getting your foot over that all important threshold is the first hurdle to overcome. Say hello in an email   Emails are a great way of contacting agencies quickly, but ensure that your request is clear and succinct. When emailing a PR agency to ask for work experience your email is your covering letter so attach only your CV. Although previous work may be important, avoid attaching large files such as scans of published work. These will clog up your recipient’s in box and won’t be popular. Do your research Don’t just blind copy hundreds of agencies. Research half a dozen or so you’d really like to work with and target them. If they all comeback with a no then find another half dozen. Yes, pasting hundreds into the BCC is easier â€" but a lot less impressive. Your email should be to one named recipient. Address the email to a real person Be sure to address a real person. You should read the PR agency’s website and find out who the directors are. Phrases such as ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ and ‘To Whom This May Concern’ won’t be warmly received. Send your email to the main man or woman and address it to them personally. And make sure you spell their name right. Be creative If you really want to get noticed you should consider sending in something a little different from a bog-standard CV. Because almost everyone else will send in a boring CV it’s easy to stand out from the crowd by showcasing your creativity and sending in something a little different. I have seen examples of candidates sending in shoes with their contact details on them (to get a foot in the door), CVs on pizza boxes and even a chicken and an egg (to see which one came first!). At the very least you should take the time to design and create a CV which speaks of your unique creative personality. Tell them why you want to work in PR    â€" and what you can offer Many applicants don’t actually understand what PR is so it’s surprisingly easy to stand out from the crowd and prove you know your stuff. Tell them why you want a job in PR, why their agency has attracted you, and (most importantly) what you can offer. It seems obvious but many candidates forget to address these basic points. The majority of approaches we receive  focus on why the experience would be good for them (the candidate) â€" not why it could be good for the agency. Give real reasons and avoid wishy-washy comments like, “I have always wanted to work in the world of PR.” List all relevant experience   The more the better. This is evidence that your interest in PR is long-standing and genuine rather than simply a flash in the pan. Give details of results and what you’ve concretely achieved. Even if you don’t have any professional experience yet, tell them about the experience you do have. Experience in student media, or clubs are good examples of important skills used in PR â€" even designing a flyer for your school’s chess club tells us you can do something useful. Don’t be a sycophant   So many applicants fall into the trap of thinking they have to suck-up to get noticed. That’s why many of the approaches we receive say things like, “I am aware of your undisputed reputation as one of the UK’s leading agencies…” Remember the person reading your email is highly media savvy. They’ll know if you’re being sycophantic. If you want to praise, show them you’ve done some real research and comment on some work the agency’s done. But avoid unreferenced praise for praise’s sake and don’t just comment on the recent case studies on the website. Use the spell check And make sure it’s in British English. That means try to avoid American spellings like ‘realize’. While such slips aren’t likely to kill your chances, any real spelling mistakes will. That includes saying “your” when you mean “you’re” and “there” when you mean “they’re”. It might seem petty but remember, you are applying for a writing job here. Your application is the first chance you will get to show off your communication skills and will be promptly deleted if any careless mistakes are made. Avoid coming across as arrogant You wouldn’t believe how many people write in with the attitude that they are doing the agency a favour. Example: “My highly developed communication and language skills will clearly enhance your agency.” Will they really? A little humility is always a winner. But be confident. The key is to balance humility with confidence. Don’t just claim to have skills the  agency needs. Say something which supports your claim and offer that to the agency. If it is something the agency needs, they’ll let you know. For example, instead of writing “My highly developed communication and language skills will clearly enhance your agency,” try, “I am fluent in English and Italian and have experience of translating documents.” Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone It’s amazing how few applicants bother to telephone these days. Remember this is the communication business, and oral communication skills are imperative to success. So if you’re not afraid to pick up the phone, following your email with a phone call will make you stand out from the crowd and you’re much more likely to succeed. Paper can still be a winner In these digital times it’s easy to forget to even consider sending in an old fashioned paper letter and CV. But because so few do, it might just be what you need to get noticed (in the past year we have received only four or five paper CVs compared to hundreds by email). Also a hard copy CV is likely to stay on the desk of the recipient for much longer and is harder to ignore or delete than an email. But just remember to do your research and address it to a named person. Of course, all of the above still applies. Work experience will give you a real insight into the workings of a  PR AGENCY. It may have the reputation as a glamorous industry, filled with lunches with clients and rendezvous with journalists, but the reality is often very different. PR can mean long hours and hard graft, yet efforts are very often rewarded with great results. Of course, there are exciting networking opportunities and every day is different, and work experience will give you the chance to experience this in this dynamic and fast paced industry first hand.

Things to Avoid When Writing a Resume

Things to Avoid When Writing a ResumeWhen applying for a job, one of the first things that you need to do is to prepare a resume. This will give you a good start in applying for jobs and getting called for interviews. It also gives you a chance to show employers the information they need about you.So, here are some things to avoid when writing a resume: don't overuse keywords, use spelling mistakes, or use abbreviations to great effect. In fact, even the most professional person will at some point make errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. The most important thing is to learn from your mistakes and move on. The mistake doesn't have to be significant to be disastrous.A well-written resume should have a lot of details. It should tell the employer about your work experience and educational background, as well as where you went to school and what your major was. Make sure to keep your resume clear and concise. In some cases, employers may simply read a long resume in order to make their decision about hiring you.You can make your resume stand out from others by including writing samples, awards, certifications, and other accomplishments that have given you a positive effect on a job. The more detailed the better. Don't leave any gaps in your resume for employers to use to either get your attention or figure out if you really exist.Resumes are not just for college admissions people. They are used for many different types of situations. Especially during a recession, your resume will be a tool for helping your employer find you. Remember, during this economic downturn it's important to get noticed.Don't hire a resume writer to write your resume for you. For one thing, you want to know that the person who is doing the resume writing is competent. If they charge too much for their services, then they will probably be rushed to write something that is substandard. Or, worse, they may end up writing things that are confusing, unprofessional, or even self-serving.I nstead, take advantage of the skills of a resume writer. You can learn how to prepare a resume yourself. You can learn how to make your resume stand out. And you can learn how to be as specific as possible in your information about yourself, whether it's a job title, previous work experience, or educational background.Avoid these things when writing a resume. Make sure that you are prepared to give a compelling reason why you are the best person for the job. And make sure you follow the guidelines that apply to writing a resume, whether that means sticking to standard spellings, using simple sentences, or keeping your resume brief and to the point. Your resume is an important part of your application and should reflect your personality and your skills.

Take Time To Ask and Answer Tough Questions About YOU!

Take Time To Ask and Answer Tough Questions About YOU! Before embarking on a trip of any kind, there are certain things you do to prepare.   If traveling by car, you at least make sure youve got gas in your tank.   You may be one of those people who also checks the oil and makes sure theres air in the tires.   But the single most important step in a successful trip is that you know where you are going. In job search, this translates into a self-assessment and personal branding. Have you taken the time and energy to really determine where you are going? Defining your personal brand doesnt mean just coming up with a snazzy tag line.   It is so much more than that.   And, by the way, it is really tough! (If it isnt difficult, you probably arent doing it right!) In the post I wrote for the JobMob bloggers contest, I referenced a post by Executive Career Brand.   Meg Guiseppis post 10 Steps to an Authentic, Magnetic Personal Brand walks you through the tough questions!   I dare you! Go check it out! Here are just some of the questions Meg asks you to answer: 1. What are your vision and purpose? 2. What are your values and passions? 3. What are your top goals for the next year, 2 years, and 5 years? 4. Do an assessment of your top brand attributes. Read the rest here! By the way, if you would like to help me win the JobMob Bloggers contest, all you need to do is go and visit my post: 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Boost Your Job Search. Feel free to share it with friends, family, or those that might find it helpful. I recently met Karen Dworaczyk, a Marketing professional, who created this presentation-   The 7 Ps of Personal Branding. I liked it because it visually shows you how to create an authentic personal brand! Circle You The 7 ps of Personal Branding View more presentations from Karen Dworaczyk There is certainly no shortage of GOOD information on Personal Branding.   You can check out my sidebar for a listing of some of my favorite Personal Branding sites!

Navigating Corporate Culture Gender Stereotypes at Work

Navigating Corporate Culture Gender Stereotypes at Work In 2009 do gender stereotypes still play a role in the modern workplace?   A recent article in the college magazine Jungle Campus, called Watch Your Step highlighted that although women have made significant leaps in the business world; they lag behind men in pay and leadership positions.Are you being held back by stereotypes in your career?   Many women say yes.   The article highlights a 2004 study by Catalyst, in which 46 percent of women chose gender-based stereotyping as a top barrier to advancement compared to only five percent of men.Weigh in on the issue and comment (below).   I did.   As part of the panel of experts quoted in the article, I agreed with some of the stereotypes and disagreed with others:Stereotypes I Agree With:Women are less aggressive I  have coached many of my female clients to aim higher when asking for a raise, promotion or more responsibility.Women underplay their professional accomplishments Many times I have had to quote author Peggy Klaus and remin d my female clients that, Its not bragging if its true.   Unfortunately when women achieve great success they are afraid it will threaten others.   In reality, people are impressed by your achievements when presented in a factual way.   It can demonstrate confidence and self-assuredness, which only help your career!Stereotypes I Disagree With:Women are catty with each other The women Ive worked with in my corporate career have been just as helpful as the male bosses and coworkers.   It hasnt been about gender but about finding supportive mentors willing to help me succeed.Women cant take criticism I think this is a misconception because women tend to question the criticism and want specific examples.   Its good career development to understand feedback you receive.   How else are you supposed to improve?Read the article (on page 11) and hear from other experts such as Gail Evans, former CNN  executive and author of Play Like  a Man Win Like a Woman and Barbara Adachi, Chief Talent Officer at Deloitte and national managing partner of their Initiative for the Retention and Advancement of Women (WIN).I invite you to comment on your experience with gender in the workplace and if you agree or disagree with the stereotypes.   You can also call into SIRIUS  112/XM 157 at 866-675-6675 on Tuesday Dec 8th, 2009 at 3:30pm ET. Ill debate gender stereotypes with host Mario Bosquez on Living Today.   Click here for a free 30-day trial of SIRIUS  radio.Also coming up a Making a Living Holiday Special Thursday Dec 10th, 2009, 4pm ET.   Ill focus on proper business etiquette during the holidays.   Judith Bowmanll join me, author Dont Take the Last Donut. Happy Holidays!