Kinetix

Perspectives from the Kinetix team on HR, Talent Acquisition & Management, life lessons and whatever else we want.

Energizing the Workplace

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed." -Mark Twain

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What’s in your “personal” brand bank account?

This weekend I was reading an article by DMS of a similar name “What’s in your Brand Bank Account?” – and he got me thinking again how closely aligned proper PR and marketing focus is to job search today. In his post, he writes:

“Brands add to their accounts by creating things of value and giving them to people. For example, Apple has the genius bar and their free seminars. Corporate social responsibility is another form of giving (adding to your brand bank account).

Brands withdraw from their accounts through the attention that they demand from consumers in the form of television commercials, print ads and the like.” [Excerpt From Blog post by David Meerman Scott - Feb 16, 2010]

This is exactly the right advice for job seekers or anyone looking to “grow” their personal brand. The difference is in the execution and of course the cost. For corporate brands the focus is in giving it away, and that is also the essence of what works for a personal brand. In the case of job search the additions to your “account” could in the form of:

Referrals (other candidates or business connections)
Introductions
Sharing of information
Lunch or coffee as I noted in my last post
Forwarding articles or other items of interest to the recipient(s)

I hope you can see that any of these items could be adding to your brand account with a two-fold benefit (similar to what I mentioned in my last): the recipient will remember you, and you will have undoubtedly improved your brand with them – and potentially others that they tell.

So, as of this morning – what is in your personal brand bank account…and what are you doing to add to it? I am also interested in ideas to share about unique ways to add or build brand this way?

I’ll leave you with our music biz to showcase both a pretty strong view of how you can hurt your personal brand (Kanye) and help it (Beyonce) all in a few minutes. Way to go Beyonce!

Tags: behavioral interview, bio, career, career search, changing industry, job search, Job Seeker, job seekers, life lessons, LinkedIn network, Social Media, truth

03 Mar 10 | Employment, Get a Job, Talent Acquisition, job search | Read on | Comments (0)

Do I remember you?

The challenge that job seekers face in today’s world is very similar to that of most sales/marketing types, namely:

It can be very difficult for you to differentiate yourself
You often have 30 seconds or less to make that first impression
Invariably these and other reasons make it relatively difficult for the person you meet to truly remember you

Now if you meet someone in an interview process, that percentage should go up – but if you are not successful for that specific job…..regardless of the reason……..your impression is not likely to stick. That is unfortunate, given that most companies end up hiring similar or the same positions regularly or with some regularity and that everyone knows someone……

Most job search advice includes some component related to dealing with this: the need to STAND OUT

What’s a person to do?

4 things you can do to make yourself more “rememberable”. Ironically, the good news is this is really not hard…principally due to the incredibly low levels of consistent delivery on the following items.

“Flawless execution” => sweat the small stuff, no typos, be on time, bring a copy of your resume with you, etc. All the stuff you have heard a million times….with good reason! Fail on these and you may not have to worry about being remembered. I would call this the entry ticket. If I had a dollar every time candidates at every level were unsuccessful at achieving this….I would be long retired.
“Remember the ***** people” => in this process, there are countless numbers of people that will touch you and perhaps help you: from the receptionist, to the recruiter (internal or external or both) to the managers assistant, et cetera. Sad that I need to say this – pay attention…..your interaction with them could spell the difference between your getting any job or not…..act accordingly and treat any and all of them with the appreciation and respect you would expect if you are helping someone — because in a variety of ways that is what they are doing for you, and they are not “little”.
Follow through. Notice that I did not say follow up. While follow up is critical and should be done with what we like to call polite persistence. Begin by doing your research/homework: on the company, your interviewers, the industry; be prepared. And keep the energy afterwards — what I mean here is: if you offered/discussed anything during your interactions that you can send along to one of the players, do so. Even better if there is something interesting or helpful that you can email/send that was discussed or interesting to your interviewer.
The Biggie – to put you over the Top: Give them a reason to “talk about you”….in a good way. In a way this is an extension of the point above but take it a step further. Put your thinking cap on here – it does not have to cost money or if it does, very much but the key is in context and..you..got..it……memorable.

An example is in the picture here: from a candidate that got networked to me…for no particular job. She actually hit a double header in my book – a cute, memorable comment on the gift card (although the card not needed) and a hand written note – mailed to me. Because of the ease and ubiquity of email, the handwritten anything is memorable. Also, the relevant note, in context (since we did not discuss any specific jobs) and cute correlation to the gift card. I kept it, showed it to my colleagues…and am talking about it again, here. You don’t think out of the scores of people I meet with – you can see I remember her?

So, think about what you feel comfortable doing, get out your pen and make it happen. You can relate your effort to the person you are sending to, but doing anything like this – including sending an article or making an unsolicited introduction based on your conversations – will serve to differentiate you. Good luck.

Tags: career, career search, interview, interviewing, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, job seekers, thank you note, unemployed

25 Feb 10 | Employment, Get a Job, job search | Read on | Comments (0)

Make the most of your new Full time Job (getting a job)

This week I was talking with some of our Jumpstart my job search participants, and realized that there are some themes to the challenges and opportunities that they found, which are consistent whether they were just beginning their job search or had been at it for quite a while. So I decided to summarize 5 keys they found most impactful in getting their job search off the ground.

Treat it like a full time job
Organize yourself
Be Accountable
Network every day
Pay it forward

If you have been at your job search for a little while, or longer than you would like – revisit these 5 key aspects and ask yourself if you are working hard on each – if you are not, take the Thanksgiving holiday to rest up and hit the ground running next week. I can assure you, not focusing on these is part of what is slowing you down.

This is a full time job – In today’s environment, looking for a new opportunity takes a full 40-50 hours per week. Less than this will only extend your search. Look at this as a job, in as much as you know that it generally takes more work than the next guy to get ahead understand that this is no different and there are plenty of others competing with you right now. We even recommend getting up an hour earlier every day.
Organize yourself – As with any project, it is key to be organized and have your work segmented to maximize efficiency. Take a certain amount of time each day for your research, working on your resume or networking plan, going to networking meetings or coffee and doing the significant amount of follow up required to keep yourself top of mind with the network you are building.
Accountability – This is likely to be the most significant aspect between successfully shortening your job search and fumbling along thinking you are doing things right and not seeing progress. They say that what you want to monitor must be measured, the same could not be more true in job search. Everyone in career transition should have a job search accountability buddy or buddies that they meet with each week to review metrics related to successful job search: the number of calls, meetings and the like. In addition you should discuss what you are struggling with and what new goals you have set. By far this is the most critical requirement of a successful job search – if you are not doing this, change today!
Network – This should become part of your daily routine, and should not change even when you land. Besides meeting with new and current contacts in the networking sense, make sure you are open to new connections wherever they may be. After all, everyone is somebody’s somebody – so bring your cards with you everywhere and remember that the person serving you your latte, may have a contact that is important to you, get to know them.
Pay it forward – This can take many forms, but all have the same result – you will feel better about your self. Whether you contribute to a local food-bank, build a house with Habitat, or just share some of your newly discovered job search tips – this activity is important for a number of reasons. First, it takes the focus off you in this “all about me” time. Second, it helps you reaffirm your value and also helps you see in many cases how lucky you are. This is especially important in networking – I recommend that you attempt to give back to your community (networks) in equal or better proportion to what you get. So if you get 2 new contacts this week from your networking – make at least 2-3 introductions to those in your network in return.

For some these may seem basic, and they are, however – I have seen time and time again where job seekers only go part way, and fail to do all the work required to be successful. So be honest as you review these and make whatever small or large changes you need to get on track. Best of Luck & Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags: career, career search, FaceBook, HR, HR consulting, human resources, interview, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, job seekers, Jumpstart, LinkedIn, LinkedIn network, Outplacement, Resume, Social Media, Twitter, unemployed

22 Nov 09 | Employment, Get a Job, HR, job search | Read on | Comments (0)

Welcome to the REAL World

Those of you in the biz – don’t laugh: I received this response to a LinkedIn referral request for a specific type of position that this gentleman would know (I had also attached the link to our RPO client’s career site listing) :

Thanks for reaching out to me. Don’t take this personally, but I generally do not work with recruiters because 95% of them do not deliver. I really have no respect for any organization/business who cannot come directly to me.

There is no need for a third party to get involved with Linked In now days. Besides, you guys are not interested in my best interests. . . You are only interested in your company’s best interest. I don’t see the point in getting all excited over absolutely nothing. Its generally a waste of my cell phone minutes and a waste of your time as well as my own. Best wishes to you and your organization.

Ok, after I stopped alternating being pissed off or snickering, I felt sorry for the guy. He clearly had both misunderstandings about how the recruiting world works, and may have been mislead as well. So for his sake I thought I would share some real world basics.

NEWS FLASH: 3rd party recruiters work for COMPANIES!!!!!! If this is confusing to you, note that in every business I know, generally the “customer” is the one who pays the bill. If this is not you, then clearly you are not the CLIENT, act accordingly. The only person the recruiter is delivering for is their client.
Also – smart companies today are outsourcing all their talent acquisition to RPO companies like us – so in that case, we are the company (2nd News flash!).
Key: recruiters work to place the best, qualified and cultural fit candidates for positions their CLIENT has. If they do not pick you, it is likely because you either were not the most qualified, or the best fit.
Also – you may be chosen by the recruiter as a viable candidate - but not by the client…..for no apparent reason – I cannot tell you why, sorry. [But the high quality firms will be honest with you even if this is the answer in this case or the prior]
Finally – as in any business, there are good and ethical people and there are bad ones. Only work with businesses that deal with integrity and ask around to confirm. However, don’t generalize an entire industry for your bad choices in relationships, grow up people…..we could tell stories about bad, unethical candidates and clients.
One more reminder that “she who pays the bill” is the client so if you are a candidate (and presumably not paying a bill) - realize your role and opportunity and the potentially important role the recruiter plays – treat them with the respect you would the hiring manager (this is a big mistake by many job seekers). Understand that the ONLY person whose job it is to find you that next great job….IS YOU.
Finally – if you are a job seeker and you want to build a relationship with a few quality recruiting firms, a great way to do so is to send them your best referral candidates – you will be seen as a giver and one who is well connected. It will also keep you top of mind for them when that perfect fit opportunity opens up.

Welcome to the real world, sorry if I burst your bubble.

Tags: career search, employment verification, job search, Job Seeker, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, truth

08 Nov 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Talent Acquisition, job search | Read on | Comments (3)

To Tweet or Not to Tweet?

If you’re like many, you’re standing by observing this social networking frenzy – nothing short of a blitz – and wondering, what IS this stuff?? And why would I want to “follow” my local TV station anyway? It’s a big waste of time, right? Not so fast…

The simple fact is, there may soon come a time when having a Twitter account will be as critical to a business person as having a Blackberry. No longer an option, but a necessity. So get past your disdain for that which you’re not informed about and just dig in! After all, there’s reason so many people are using it. Here’s the real bottom line: if you have anything to sell and you resist having a presence on Twitter, you’re missing a valuable opportunity to generate interest in your product or service. And if that “product” is YOU?….hello? Well, let’s just say if you’re looking for work today you need all the help you can get. This is about building your personal brand so others know who you are and what you do.

So just what is it, anyway? Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, “What are you doing?” by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called “tweets”, to your friends, or “followers.”

Think of twitter as a river of commentary that you can dip into as needed to either get or share information or thoughts. The unbounded nature of Twitter offers a myriad of opportunities and resources that can be effective if leveraged properly.

How do I get started? Answer: in 3 easy steps – plus a bonus

ONE: Begin by watching 2 videos here by Michael Long (also known as @theredrecruiter) these videos do an awesome job of patiently walking you thru getting your account and settings – in the first video, together with tips on how to use it and what the main aspects of getting around on twitter and tweeting in the second video.

TWO: Sign up. It’s free. Go to http://twitter.com. Choose a username. USE YOUR REAL NAME. It will lead to better connections with people and will keep you from any temptation you may have to use something “cute” or otherwise not appropriate for your job search. And this is part of your overall personal branding, so who do you want them to see?

THREE: Next, start following relevant people. Use search.twitter.com either to find people, recruiters and other career professionals, people who work in and around your industry or people who work at the companies you’re targeting. You can use this site to search by “hashtag” (you’ll learn more about that after you sign up!), any kind of terminology, or user name if you know it. If you are looking for a job opportunity, follow and connect with these people to learn what it’s like to work at your target companies and whether they may be hiring.

FOUR: Download Tweetdeck as well – to receive your tweets – it’s an invaluable tool to help you organize them and also to search for relevant people. Most important, it allows you to see when you are mentioned or someone is talking to you (easy to miss in the stream of Twitter). In addition it allows you to also filter the people you follow into “groups” – important if you follow those in divergent areas or for different needs. For example, you could have a group for your work/job interests, one for your hobby (scuba perhaps?) and one for your kids’ schools and extracurricular interests.

Twitter is just like anything else; you get back what you put into it…and maybe a little more! If you’re looking for a quick fix, Twitter isn’t it. If you truly embrace it, your Twitter community can introduce you to a whole new world of connections and opportunities. Build relationships. Add value. Be open to the possibilities…You just might be amazed by what happens.

PS – you can start by following @kinetixhr

Tags: career search, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, Twitter, unemployed

24 Oct 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Uncategorized, job search | Read on | Comments (0)

Reflect, rethink, and then revitalize your job search!

Wondering why you haven’t gotten a single call back after scouring the job boards and applying to all those positions? It’s likely due to several reasons. First, understand that when a company posts a position Monster, CareerBuilder, or any other big job board, they do so expecting an onslaught of applicants – and today that’s what they inevitably get. There often is just one recruiter pouring through the responses, and that person’s objective is to make it as easy as possible to identify the people best-qualified for the job, and therefore, is looking for reasons to disqualify candidates quickly. At best, he or she is scanning each resume for key competencies which, if not immediately apparent, lands it in the ‘disqualified’ pile. It should go without saying that if your resume contains grammatical errors or typos, it will be discarded immediately. But most important, if you’re sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring, you’re operating in a reactive mode to begin with.

Applying on-line may be one strategy to employ in your job search, but today it can’t be the only one. If current statistics are correct, since you have a less than 10% chance of getting your job from applying to a posting, you should spend a commensurate amount of time using this avenue. If you’re counting on getting the interview using this approach, you’re expecting a recruiter to find that proverbial needle in the haystack. Studies show networking is still the best route to a job; uncovering the “hidden” job market occurs most often by talking to people…and talking…and talking! Step back and reflect on what you’re proactively doing to advance your search. Ask yourself:

Am I networking effectively, letting everyone I know what I’m looking to do next?
Have I contacted former colleagues who may be in a position to provide me with job leads in my area of expertise?
Have I asked an expert to critique my resume or for other help? Do I customize it for each opening that I am going for?

Rethink your goals and how best to achieve them. Be clear about what you want and then make good use of technology available to help you get it!

Now’s the time to take stock of what you’re really good at. Make sure the job you’re going after is a good fit for your skills and interests. Take advantage of free online career assessments at www.livecareer.com or www.rocketcareer.com
Is there a gap between your abilities and the type of work you’re seeking that may be holding you back? Is your best next step to enroll in an on-line class to strengthen your marketability?
Utilize social media to the fullest to market yourself. Create profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and any others relevant to your field. If you have an affinity for writing, consider blogging about important information you know in a certain field. The key is to enhance your visibility.

Now that you’ve reflected on what’s not working, thought through your goals and what tools are available to help you to reach them, outline a new marketing plan to revitalize your job search. Remember to lean on your family and friends for support, seek advice from a professional if needed, and network, network, network!

Tags: career search, FaceBook, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, LinkedIn network, Social Media, Twitter

06 Oct 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Uncategorized, job search | Read on | Comment (1)

Unemployment’s No Fun, but You Will Get Through It

Being laid off is a blow to the ego, no doubt. The good news for today’s victims is that they’re in good company. Economic declines are always accompanied by job loss, but in this unprecedented downturn, it’s rare to find someone unscathed. Still, like losing a loved one or going through a divorce, job loss brings with it a grieving process. It’s important to recognize everyone must move through the stages of grief and that they’re not linear; that is, you’ll move between the various stages throughout the grieving process.

Here’s what you can expect if you find yourself in this situation.

Denial- It’s not uncommon to be shell-shocked when you get the news of your release. Like a spouse who won’t sign divorce papers, you may be inclined to protect yourself from the pain by resisting it. The sooner you can come to terms with the situation the sooner you’ll begin the recovery process. For job seekers we often see that they will not change their LinkedIn profile or send out updates to say they are looking.

Anger – Playing the blame game is typical, and while it’s not productive, it’s important to let yourself move through this stage rather than pretend all is well. It’s okay to feel angry and perhaps betrayed; just don’t let it control you.

Bargaining- In an effort to retain your position, you may be tempted to offer to reduce your compensation, go part-time, or become a contractor for your current employer. While these may be viable options, it’s likely your employer considered them before moving to a layoff. It doesn’t hurt to ask, but don’t be surprised if the response is no. And ultimately, would you really be happy under these new terms? If you’re honest with yourself, probably not.

Depression- Feeling blue is to be expected in this situation. The important thing is that it not become debilitating. If you find depression persists, seek professional help. A key to this aspect for job seekers is to get out often and surround yourself with positive people – not get together with those that sit around to cry the blues.

Acceptance- Eventually, you’ll make peace with the change and embrace the future. It’s in the Acceptance stage that you’re confidence will return and you’re most likely to land your next opportunity. Remember that when one door closes, often it is another, perhaps better one that opens – albeit not always apparent at first.

Remember, being laid off isn’t the end of the world. In fact, people typically report being in a better place as a direct result of their job loss down the road. You could be offered a much better job or follow your passion and start the business you’ve always dreamed of that you’d never have had the nerve to pursue had you not lost your job! Finally, understand that being released from a job isn’t about you, it’s about your employer’s financial condition. It can happen to anyone, and like hundreds of thousands before you who’ve experienced it, you too will get through it. Good luck!

Tags: career, career search, changing industry, job search, Job Seeker, unemployed

01 Oct 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Uncategorized, job search | Read on | Comments (0)

Being Unemployed Doesn’t Have to Mean Going Broke

Perhaps the most painful aspect of sudden unexpected job loss is the hit to your wallet. No one likes to have to watch every penny they spend, or worse, lie awake at night wondering how to pay the electric bill. Financial experts suggest having at least 8 months of living expenses in cash to safeguard against financial ruin if unemployment strikes. Many people react to this as laughable, but having a solid foundation of reserves is important. So if you’re not saving enough, now’s the time to start.

If you’ve lost your job, finding a job becomes your new full-time job until you land your next opportunity. And you’ll likely have to invest some money in your job search at a time when you can least afford it. A scary place to be, no doubt, but the good news is with a little fiscal discipline, you’ll be surprised at how little you can live on.

Take these three important steps to stretch those precious dollars:

1. Take stock of your current finances. List all your expenses and income from all sources available to you. Don’t be surprised if the outflows exceed the inflows!

2. Look for places to cut expenses. Be prepared to make painful decisions.

For most, dining and entertainment is one of their biggest cash drains and it’s likely your best place to reduce expenses. We all like to dine out and go to the movies. Remember, you won’t have to give these pleasures up forever!
Stop other discretionary spending. Each time you’re temped to spend money in a retail store or browse EBay, ask yourself “Do I really need this…or do I just want it?” You’ll find there is very little you actually need. If you have a penchant for shopping, make it easier on yourself: stay out of stores!
Too much credit card debt? Negotiate a new minimum payment or reduced interest rate. Consider consolidating balances to the card with the lowest interest rate and most favorable payment terms. Be wary of organizations offering to absolve you of your debt for a fee.
Give up shopping at that boutique food market and begin comparison shopping. Find coupons at http://www.coupons.com and the websites of your local grocery store before heading out to shop.

Host a yard sale to make a few bucks, and reduce your clutter in the process!
Carpool, use public transportation, or Rideshare
If things are still too tight, it’s time to make hard decisions and part with some of your toys….like those jet skis you bought for the lake that rarely see the light of day.

3. Last but not least, create a budget and stick to it. This is a good practice regardless of our employment status, but few of us summon the discipline. Look at this time as your opportunity to become more fiscally responsible. You’ll look back one day and be glad you did!

Tags: career, career search, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, unemployed

28 Sep 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Uncategorized, job search | Read on | Comment (1)

The Importance of a decent photo in social media – especially in job search

How you present yourself online is critical, as it can be very beneficial or detrimental when it comes to your career. With the wide acceptance of social media and the growing number of job seekers on the market, public profiles (Facebook,Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn) and resumes (iResume) are being viewed many times daily. Recruiters, hiring managers, and colleagues in your professional network are seeking you out online, with or without your knowledge.

We have all heard the horror stories about someone claiming they were sick and then posting pictures on Facebook of the party from the night before. Or the guy on Twitter who slammed a company that had just offered him a job – a job offer which was then rescinded. This brings us back to the topic of pictures…You should be aware that what is on the internet is not private, and first impressions can help or hurt you in this age of social media.

One area where few people spend a lot of time to thinking about is their profile photo. Many times this is a small photo, anywhere from 48×48 pixels to something slightly larger. It is hard to find a good photo of yourself that works well in this format. Plus, many people don’t like photos of themselves… This is understandable. We often prefer to be behind the lens than in front of it, but it is important to have a good photo of yourself to create a good first social media impression.

Many times, the wrong kind of photos are being chosen. Don’t choose your mug shot (or something that resembles one) or a full body shot that provides no facial recognition or professional appearance. These photos don’t work in small formats and make your online profile look sloppy.

You do not necessarily have to use a standard “corporate” style headshot…often, something more unique is preferred…But the main thing to remember is to present yourself in a professional and interesting manner at the same time. Remember that the first thing most people are going to see in the job search process is your profile photo. Do you want your potential boss having a first impression of you holding a beer? How about being hugged by two girls in bathing suits? OK guys, this sounds great! But don’t miss the point…potential employers might not get the right idea.

Articles are coming out daily sharing that more and more employers are searching the internet (using Google or Bing to search your name, searching Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) as a part of their vetting process for new hires. When they do find you on a social media site, what will be their first impression?

On many social media sites, you may choose to display a family photo, which can be very tasteful. On more professional sites such asiResume and LinkedIn, a head and shoulders shot is much more appropriate. It can be off center or black and white (as long as it is not too dark) to add variety but still provide a professional appearance.

So, should you hire someone to take a professional photo? Not a bad idea! You can find someone locally that can shoot your photos from $50 to $150 dollars. We suggest taking several setups such as wearing a suit to something slightly more casual like a white shirt and jeans.

But, if you are looking to save money and have a friend that can help, you can have them can take photos for you. But know that self-portraits (sometimes abbreviated as “sp”) don’t always turn out as nice. People tend to create weird angles or perspective or develop a double chin. At a minimum, have someone else take it, even if it’s a spouse or girlfriend or friend – just have someone else take it. So when I say “hire” it doesn’t mean necessarily paying someone, if you can find it free, go for it.

Revisit your social media profile photos and ask yourself “is this the right photo?” If not, make the effort to get one taken. Remember, people beyond your friends and family may view it, and in this competitive market, you want to standout in a positive way.

Happy picture taking and happy job searching!

-Allison

This entry was co-authored by Frank Lazaro, an experienced marketing executive, BS from Kean University, MBA from Coles School of Business, and founding board member of Atlanta photography and arts-based not-for-profit, Atlanta Photography Exhibit.

Tags: bio, career, career search, changing industry, employment verification, FaceBook, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, LinkedIn network, online resume, professional, Social Media

10 Sep 09 | Employment, Get a Job, Uncategorized, job search | Read on | Comments (3)

Job Seekers: 5 Steps to do Today to Complete Your LinkedIn Profile!

Many people, when creating a profile on LinkedIn, leave out certain information because they aren’t too sure why the info is needed or unsure on how to utilize the info correctly.If you are job searching, this can be dangerous, in that what you don’t do can hurt your chances of being found. Posting or editing certain aspects of your profile can help you be found more readily to those who are searching both within LinkedIn and those doing Google type searches. So consider these tips like search engine optimization (SEO) for your LI profile, which in the long run, will make it easier for someone to find you, and hopefully get that next great opportunity.

These five steps will help you navigate through LinkedIn to produce a more complete and importantly, findable profile.

Step 1: Make Your Email Visible To Everyone!

On LinkedIn, if you use the free version, there isn’t really a place to have your email for people to contact you except through the “Send a message” link. So your best bet is to post it, especially somewhere everyone can see! Follow these four steps to post your email under your name.

Go to “Edit My Profile”
Click “Edit” next to your name
Under “Last Name,” instead of putting your last name, put your email.
Wondering where your last name will go? Put it in the first box with your first name or before your email.

FYI this is not in compliance with LinkedIn as they would prefer you use the pay version for this purpose. You can also include it in your Header, your summary, specialties or description, but make sure it is up top and easy to find.

Step 2: Create an Easy-To-Search Public Profile

When you first create your profile, you are given a crazy long link that is impossible to remember. To update your link into a more easy-to-search link, follow these three steps:

Go to “Edit My Profile”
On the right side, click “Edit Public Profile Settings”
Customize your address; try your first and last name or a value proposition.

Step 3: Add Websites to your profile (with Anchor text)

Have a Website, blog, or RSS feed, etc. and want people to view these sites? Post them onto your profile! Importantly, do not use the generic text they give you (“My Company, My Website, etc)!

This is how you do it:

Go to “Edit My Profile”
Click “Add Websites”
Add any kind of website, whether it is your personal, or company website, your blog, or the website of a workshop you are hosting in a couple of weeks.
Be sure to use “other,” dropdown at the bottom of the list and insert a custom tag. This will allow those who use Google search to find your website, as well as your LinkedIn profile.
Finally, list the complete URL of the website.

Step 4: Create an Interesting Header (not just a job title)

The header goes under your name (and email) listing your current position, but not everyone’s job title matches the actual job description, previous experiences, or personal expertise. To create a custom header:

Go to “Edit My Profile”
Click “Edit” next to your current position
Under “Professional ‘Headline’”, insert key words of your job description, experiences, value proposition or areas of expertise; anything that will help you to stand out.

(If inserting more than one description, title, experience, or expertise, separate the information with special characters, like,│ or | )

Step 5: Update Your Status, Every Week!!

On of the most important things you can do, while you are job searching, is to update your status on LinkedIn. When you update your status, preferably at the end of the week (this will allow you to be close to the top of the update email sent by LinkedIn), an email will be sent to your contacts.

First of all, people aren’t mind readers, they will not know if you need a new opportunity unless you tell them (so keep your profile updated and use this area regularly). Second, today, your best bet to finding a new job is through either networking directly, or through the so-called “hidden job” market. As an example, before reaching outside the company’s walls, most employers will ask current employees if they know someone good for positions, rather than posting it on Monster and getting thousands of responses.

Go to “Edit My Profile”
Click “What are you working on?”
Be honest. If you are looking for a job or going to a job-searching workshop, SAY IT!

*Some examples you can use to your status update include:

Jennifer is looking for a architecture position. Do you know anyone who’s hiring?
John is interested in some freelance opportunities in finance. Let me know if someone in your network needs help.”

These steps will help you create that complete profile, but you mustn’t forget that to get a job on LinkedIn or any other social media site, you must of course, utilize it and all it has to offer, however, social media sites will never take the place of face-to-face relationships and connections—just think of LinkedIn as a way to supercharge these and stay top of mind with your network. Remember, neither LinkedIn nor anyone else will find a job for you. Good Luck!

Tags: HR, HR consulting, job hunt, job search, Job Seeker, job seekers, LinkedIn

13 Jul 09 | Get a Job | Read on | Comments (4)

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