Personal Branding

Networking: How to choose a group

Wendy Terwelp 2 Comments

I know. You heard it over and over – “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know that gets you hired.” That translates to networking. When deciding on which networking group (or groups) to join, I recommend people join at least three types of groups: 1. Professional Group: Many professional groups for your specific field have job boards accessible only to their members. Professional groups also give you an opportunity to build a network within your field and often you get a chance to put a small bio on their website in the members section. This helps you build your online brand – as 77% of employers now Google candidates prior to interviewing them. 2. Peer Group: When you’re in job search mode, groups like 40+ can provide support and brainstorming. Make sure your group is proactive and positive. Groups that become “downers” are not going to help you with your search. Employers often hire attitudes over skill sets – and that means positive ones.  3. Common Activity Group: Groups like Toastmasters are a good example. You not only network, but you learn a skill that enhances your career at the same time! Now, go on, pick your group and get active!

Job Fairs: Matchmaking 101

Wendy Terwelp 4 Comments

Job fairs – a big speed-dating festival for job seekers and employers seeking their “one and only” who will be a perfect match…

Here are some tips to get the most out of your next job fair: 

1. Know what you want. As a job seeker, what kind of position do you wish to target? What kind of employer? Is that employer represented at this job fair? Find out by reviewing the ads for the fair – check out the sample companies represented at the job fair. Are they companies with whom you wish to work? 

2. List and research all the companies where you wish to work. I recommend creating “cheat sheets” for each company listing the following: company name, space for contact info (get a business card from each booth you visit so you can follow up), one or two things you learned about the company from your research, and three questions you want to ask them at the fair. This helps you stay on track, targeting the companies of your dreams, and also enables you to follow up with recruiters at the fair. Only one in 300 people ever follow up, so be the one who stands out. 

3. Dress professionally – just because recruiters are there doesn’t mean your attire can be sloppy, ill-fitting, and wrinkled. Recruiters get first impressions too. Make them good ones. 

4. Be prepared for a brief interview. As a former recruiter who’s attended lots of job fairs, we often had positions to fill immediately and were able to interview job seekers at the fair in a sectioned off interview area. Many of the other companies at the event did so as well.  

5. Have several CAR stories at the ready that demonstrate your ability to handle the job. CAR stands for “Challenge, Action, Result.” Since the majority of interviewers ask behavior-based interview questions, you want to be able to address them with specific examples of your expertise. 

6. Bring along several copies of your current resume. (No typos please.) Even if it is a job fair that provides an electronic copy of candidates’ resumes to each booth at the fair, the candidate should have plenty of resumes with him or her. Instant gratification is never a bad thing. And you’re prepared, in case you get a chance to interview on the spot. 

7. Smile. Just like dating, people are drawn to those who smile in a warm, friendly manner. And smiling keeps your attitude positive. As one HR manager told me, “I hire for attitude. You can always teach a skill.” 

Now, go get ’em. And let me know how your next job fair turns out. Good luck!  

Craigslist – a new way to get hired

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Courtesy of Susan Joyce, Job-Hunt.org

I’ve run Job-Hunt.org since 1998, and I’ve been collecting job search success data off-line since since 2004. I keep a rolling total of what is working, although I haven’t published it on Job-Hunt. It helps me keep Job-Hunt focused on reality.

As you know from the other replies, most jobs are found off-line rather than online – more than 80% according to my data.

However, WHEN a job site is mentioned as the source of a job for “average” job seekers (professionals, entry level to mid-level, and lower level managers), the one mentioned is Craigslist! Literally, 20 to 1 over Monster. In the last 18 months,
CareerBuilder was not mentioned once, except as a source of spammy/sales messages. None of the niche sites was mentioned either. One of the people I interviewed landed a mid-level management job at a Verizon subsidiary (via Craigslist), but most of the jobs in the last 18 months have been below that level.

Craigslist is not perfect – it’s free for employers in all but 11 cities ($75 to post a job in SF, $25 in 10 other major metro areas, and free everywher else). That brings abuse from scammers and junk postings. Craigslist tries to limit the junk, but it’s definitely there. Communities can self-moderate, but some do a better job than others.

I have a guide to using Craigslist to find a job posted on Job-Hunt.