Are You Using This Social Media for Your Job Search?

January 22, 2014 | Author: Arleen Bradley

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Most of every job searcher has heard of LinkedIn for their job search and are using it quite well.  There are some job searchers taking advantage of Twitter to find information about companies and openings as soon as the information hits the web.  Very few are using Facebook for their job search because they see it as a networking tool for young people.

But those not using Facebook are missing out on some wonderful opportunities to network and let people know they are looking for work.  Facebook encourages connections between family and friends; the two groups that will have the most interest in helping you succeed. 

 I have compiled some do’s and don’ts of using Facebook. 

 DO

  • Connect with family and friends. 
  • Join groups that match your interests.  Groups can include school alumni, places where you lived, organizations you belong to or did and so many more.  Not all groups are created equal.  Find the groups that are consistent with your brand and/or show your leadership.
  • Handle “likes” and “following” that support your brand.
  • Keep a tight control on who can see what you post by adjusting your privacy settings while you are searching for a job.
  • Check the events, some listed events either are or can be turned into networking events.
  • Post about things that inspire you, share your unique selling proposition, and anything that aligns with your brand.
  • Use a profile picture that is more on the professional side than the “had one too many at the party side.”  It doesn’t have to be a professional photo like LinkedIn, but keep it “hirable.”

 Don’t

  • Publicize your escapades that would turn off an employer in words or pictures.
  • Use language that is offensive, share political or religious views regardless if they are the most popular or controversial. 
  • Play games on Facebook, such as Farmville or Candy Crush.  While they are fun and ways to pass the time, letting recruiters know you have enough time on your hands to reach high levels sends the wrong signals about what you are doing with your time.
  • Put anything on Facebook that you don’t want a recruiter to see even for a second.
  • Be a bore, always complaining about something or posting what you ate at breakfast.

Even if you don’t want to use Facebook as a job search tool, it’s best to keep your profile rated G.  Some recruiters view Facebook profiles of potential hires.  Learning how to use Facebook as a job search tool can help you get a job.  It won’t guarantee you get a job, but it’s another place to look.

 

How can I help you in your job search?

 

 

Posted in social media for job search | Leave a Comment

5 Tips to Fight Ageism: Get Hired at 50+ Part 2 and List of Companies that are Friendly to the 50+

January 17, 2014 | Author: Arleen Bradley

You can have a job if you are over 50.

Wednesday, I told you how groaning and grimacing when you sit down can ruin your job search.  There are companies that are supportive of 50+ workers and networking is an effective way to get a job. Today, I will continue with the last 4 tips and finish with the list of Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

Stay informed and current.  Keep your skills and expertise up-to-date. Take relevant courses, watch how to videos, search out and join professional groups in LinkedIn and take part in the discussions.  Know about current technology in your industry and in what is used today-iPhone, iPod’s, tablets, eBooks, Wi-Fi, etc.  Talk to teens about what’s in.  Nothing says old like a type written resume on soft pastel resume paper.  There have been many changes in the job search process in recent years.   Use latest job search strategies.  Learn the age bias red flags and what you can do about them.

Use your age as your best asset in your résumé and cover letter.  Limit your relevant experience to 10 to 15 years.  Don’t include anything past 15 years.  Don’t lie. Focus skills and experience relevant to the position. Highlight your achievements based on percentages and dollar figures instead of a list duties.  Use the keywords throughout.  Consider using a functional or combination resume instead of a chronological.  Avoid terms, like mature, experienced, seasoned, etc.  Rather than an objective statement, use a professional summary that highlights your skills and experience that best match the qualifications and requirements of the job. 

Prove yourself at the interview.  Prepare for the inevitable age questions. One good way is to point out your up-to-date skills. Be able to back up your skills and achievements with PAR (problem, action, results) stories.  Emphasize how well you work in teams and alone.  Express you interest in the position.  Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Keep the salary issue out of the conversation as much as possible.  If it does come up, concentrate on the opportunity not the dollar amount. Use examples of how you made money, saved money or saved time in your previous positions.  Avoid the following: over selling, you run the risk of overwhelming or intimidating the interviewer; saying things like “back in my day” and using outdated jargon and terms; appearing desperate or depressed.

Update your appearance and stay healthy.  This doesn’t mean you need to dye your hair to its original color.  It means you need a flattering style that suits your face and a modern hair style.  Gray isn’t all bad.  Think Jamie Lee Curtis with her short, gray hair. When it comes to make up, less is more.  Your wardrobe should be age appropriate but current as well as your glasses.  Shoes need to be comfortable but stylish.  Today there are many such styles to choose from in different price points.  Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising are the best ways to maintaining a natural healthy glow.  If you have health issues, watch and take care of them.

You can fight ageism and win.  It’s been done, and you can do it.  I know you can!

 How can I help you in your job search?

 

As I promised you yesterday the AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 for 2013 are:

Scripps Health

Cornell University

National Institutes of Health

First Horizon National Corporation

West Virginia University

The YMCA of Greater Rochester

Atlantic Health System

Mercy Health System

Bon Secours Richmond Health System

The Aerospace Corporation

WellStar Health System

MidMichigan Health

City of Glendale, Arizona

Massachusetts General Hospital

Pinnacol Assurance
Stanley Consultants

Central Florida Health Alliance

National Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc.

The Univ. of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr.

Brevard Public Schools

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pinnacle Health

TriHealth, Inc.

Cianbro Corporation

Securian Financial Group, Inc.Lee County Electric Cooperative
Manheim

Monongalia General Hospital

George Mason University

Nevada Federal Credit Union

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Michelin North America

Saint Vincent Health System

University of Massachusetts Medical School

University of Southern California

Cabell Huntington Hospital
Virginia Commonwealth University

Ochsner Health System

FCCI Insurance Group

Saint Barnabas Health Care System

ACUITY, a Mutual Insurance Company

S&T Bank

University of Pittsburgh

West Virginia University Hospitals

Eastern National

Avera McKennan Hospital & Univ. Health Ctr.

DentaQuest

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind

Kaiser Permanente

Posted in 50+ job search, AARP, age as an asset in job search, age bias, age discrimination in job search | 5 Comments

5 Tips to Fight Ageism: Get Hired at 50+ Part 1

January 15, 2014 | Author: Arleen Bradley
Age is only a number

Age is only a number

I don’t know how many people come to me complaining about how their age is hindering with their job search, but it’s a large number.  They feel defeated even before they have even looked at a job posting.    You are not alone, if you are over 50 and are looking for a job but feel like your age is working against you.  There is a subtle or not so subtle ageism that prevents you from getting hired.  You experienced ageism if you have been told you are overqualified.  Or maybe you are not the “right fit”.  Those two terms are used to tell a candidate they didn’t get hired.  Both are vague and in this litigious time can’t be quantified. 

If you are discriminated against by a company for your age, do you honestly want to fight it?  Even if you could fight it successfully, the company culture would be hostile toward you. Rather than go through that and then find yourself in a job search with a stigma against your name, concentrate on companies that welcome older workers.  Every year AARP publishes a list of Best Employers for Workers Over 50.  The entire list will appear Friday at the end of the 5 Tips to Fight Ageism: Get Hired at 50+  Part 2

The 5 tips you  to get hired if you are over 50 are use your network, stay informed, use your age as your best asset in your résumé and cover letter, prove yourself in the interview, and update your appearance and look healthy. These tips will help you compete in today’s job market.

 Networking is the most effective way to a new job.  Regardless of your age, networking is responsible for over 80% of all obtained jobs.  Network with friends, relatives, former colleagues, former managers, customers, suppliers, competitors, and people you come in contact with every day.  Manage your network with LinkedIn.

Stay informed and current.  Keep your skills and ability up-to-date. Take relevant courses, watch how to videos, search out and join professional groups in LinkedIn and take part in the discussions.  Know about current technology in your industry and in what is used today-iPhone, iPod’s, tablets, eBooks, Wi-Fi, etc.  Talk to teens about what’s in.  Nothing says old like a type written resume on soft pastel resume paper.  There have been many changes in the job search process in recent years.   Use the latest job search strategies.  Learn the age bias red flags and what you can do about them.

Coming up on Friday are: use your age as an asset in  your résumé and cover letter, prove yourself in the interview, and update your appearance and look healthy. Along with the list of 50 Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

How can I help you in your job search?

Posted in 50+ job search, AARP, age as an asset in job search, age bias, age discrimination in job search | 4 Comments

The Interview and The Flu: What to Do?

January 11, 2014 | Author: Arleen Bradley

It’s flu season.  If you are a job searcher with an interview scheduled, nothing could be worse than getting the flu at that time. You will do your candidacy more good by staying home than going to the interview. The people you are scheduled to meet will appreciate you’re not sharing your germs.

The flu and an interview don't mix well.

Don’t interview when you have the flu.

However, canceling an interview is a delicate procedure that may lead to jeopardizing your candidacy. When you cancel an interview, you aren’t guaranteed it will be rescheduled. The interviewer has the option of rescheduling if the cancellation is for good cause

Call to cancel your interview as soon as you know you won’t be able to make it. A day or two in advance would be ideal, but if that isn’t the case, call as early in the day of the interview as possible. Don’t leave a message. Keep calling until you are able to reach someone. The people you should call are the interviewer, the interviewer’s assistant, the person who arranged the interview or your contact in human resources. Leaving a message isn’t a good idea because it may not be read right away.

When you reach a person to talk, you want to let them know that you are unable to make the interview. You can give them a brief reason for the cancellation, but don’t go into personal details; keep it professional. Apologize for the inconvenience and thank them for the consideration. It’s the right thing to do, and you want to keep the inconvenience as minimal as possible. Doing anything less is closing the door to your candidacy at the company.

After you have spoken to a person, or if you have tried several times but have failed to reach a person, send an email. In the email, apologize for the cancellation; state a brief reason, name of the interviewer, time, date, location of the interview and the job title. Be polite and respectful in all your communications with the company.

You will, of course, want to reschedule your interview. When you do reschedule, be flexible and consider the time it will take to recuperate. If you reschedule by email, give 2 or 3 times you will be able to interview. If you are calling on the phone, ask the interviewer for a time that is suitable for the interviewer.  Apologize again for the inconvenience and thank them for accommodating your needs. Follow up by sending an email to confirm the date and time of the interview.

The best thing you can do is avoid the flu, but if you do get the flu, rest and drink plenty of fluids. To your health and job search success!

How can I help you with your job search?

Image:  freedigitalphotos.net Michel Marcol

Posted in Interviews | Leave a Comment

The Key to Networking Success

January 8, 2014 | Author: Arleen Bradley

They key to networking success is follow-up.

 

Networking is claimed to be the best way to get a job.  It is said that over 80% of jobs are obtained through networking.  That should take the sting out of networking.  It is a high impact job search activity that many people try to avoid. 

Networking involves meeting many people and finding out who they know.  It’s about developing relationships.  However, relationships need regular contact to grow.  A relationship that is not nurtured goes nowhere.  People will forget about you, and the connection is weakened.

Did you make new contacts during the holiday season?  If you did, now is the time to follow-up.  The holiday stress and busyness are over.  People are getting back to work and to their routine.  They are packing up the decorations and along with them memories of the people they met once at a party.

If you want to succeed in networking, you need to follow-up.  People can’t be expected to remember you if you don’t stay in their mind.  If they do remember you, it’s likely that you aren’t on the top of their mind.  It’s something they will get to eventually. 

Follow-up maybe is as painful as the networking for you.  But it has to be done.  The key is to want to work more than you dread the follow-up.  Start off with an email recalling when and where you met. Say something about what you talked about. Include that you would like to get together for coffee and will call in a few days to set it up.  It only takes a few lines.  A catchy subject line will get your email read. 

Wait a few days and then make the phone call.  They have been warmed up by your email, so your call won’t be a total surprise.  Be flexible as you can to accommodate their schedule.  And then after you meet, you have another follow-up; send a thank you note. 

If they gave you any suggestions, follow-up on those.  Make the connections, do the actions, attend the events they recommended.  Let them know your results and show your appreciation for their ideas. 

Follow-up is the key to networking.  Meeting people is only the beginning.  It’s what you do after the meeting that will affect your success.  People can lead you to events, activities, and other people, but if you don’t act, the information is useless.  You wasted your time and theirs.  By taking their advice, they will be more willing to continue helping you.    

How can I help you in your job search?

 

 

Posted in networking | Leave a Comment