        |
Executive Resume Writer - Packaging YOU as THE brand employers 'buy' |
 |
 |
Articles How and When to Follow
Up During Your Job Search How to Ask for a Raise Rev Up Your Résumé: Expert Secrets to Add Power, Punch, and Personality Our Clients Peter R. - New Jersey "Calling to let you know I am now the new CEO of a $300 million investment corporation. Your résumé opened doors that were closed to me before." Private - Cincinnati, OH "Just wanted to let you know I found a position here in Cincinnati, OH. I am very excited about the opportunity as it is exactly what I wanted down to the last detail. As I shared with you before, your résumé support was AWESOME! I sent the letter to upladders.com as well as reiterating in my closeout letter to them regarding how exceptional your service is and how pivotal your résumé writing work has been to my success. Thank you again and again. Much love sent your way and take care." FREE Newsletter - The Gilbert Gazette Stay updated on job-search trends, new interview skills, and little-known secrets to gain the competitive edge. Privacy Policy: Your email address will never be sold, rented, or given to anyone. |
 |
 Networking: Key to a Successful Job SearchNo matter how popular and how easy it is to apply for jobs online, the vast majority of people still find jobs the old-fashioned way: by talking to people they know and making personal connections to people who can hire them. Don’t believe it? According to a 2002 New York Times survey, 64% of people found their jobs through networking. Only 15% credited either the Internet (4%) or ads (11%) for their jobs. If this news surprises you, then it’s time to put your network strategy into high gear — and devote most of your energy to the methods that really work. What is networking? Networking is nothing more than talking to people. When you’re looking for a job, you should talk to anyone and everyone who can give you ideas, leads, suggestions, and referrals. You should not expect that most people you talk to will have real job leads, but everyone you connect with can refer you to one, two, or more people, and the cycle goes on. Your goal is to build a knowledge and support system that will eventually lead you to the right person at the right time. What should you tell your contacts? What you say and how you say it is important. You will need to prepare and practice your message so that it is clear, concise, and lets people know how they can help you.
Follow up on every lead. If your contacts have been helpful enough to give you some names and phone numbers, be certain you follow up quickly and professionally, even if at heart you don’t think the referrals have much value. For one thing, you never know — perhaps your contact’s cousin has an “in” with your target company. For another, it’s good etiquette, and you’ll be able to go back to your contact for more help only if you’ve done as he or she suggested. Get organized. Networking involves lots of names, phone numbers, and cross-connections. Set up a good system so you can accurately track how you got someone’s name and how that person is connected to others in your network. Take notes every time you talk with someone, and schedule your follow-up activities on your calendar so you don’t forget. Keep your contacts in the loop. Periodically, send a brief status report to your network. At that point you might be able to ask for more help with a new, specific request. As long as you are polite, professional, and never ask for something your contacts can’t provide (like a job), your phone calls and emails will be welcomed. Let people help you. A lot of job seekers are hesitant to reach out to their network and, beyond that, to strangers they’re referred to. For some reason, it’s much easier to give help than to ask for it! Understandably, you don’t want to be a bother. But put yourself in your contact’s shoes. Wouldn’t you be willing to spend a few minutes trying to help a friend or the friend of a friend? Don’t you get a lot of pleasure from helping others? It’s best to get over your reluctance and open yourself up to the help that others want to give. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by how helpful and generous people are – whether your own friends and colleagues or people you don’t even know. This discovery is one of the true joys of networking – and once you experience it, you will certainly be a helpful network contact for your friends as soon as you land your next job. Marty Weitzman, NCRW, CPBS, IJCTC, CPRW For further information please contact Gilbert Résumés With an Expert Résumé Writer as your "career growth partner," success is just an e-mail or phone call away.
|
 |
|
