Forward My Resume Please

Networking for Mutual Benefit is a key part of the job search.

Introducing yourself to others who may be able to introduce you to good job opportunities can only happen if you network well. This activity is important to get your resume in front of the right person. Especially since over 80% of all jobs are not published. Your friends, family and growing network contacts are the path to these jobs.

Here are some tips for doing this:

1. Make sure the person you are talking with learns enough about you.
You do not want someone to talk about you unless they know enough to be able to introduce you to the right people. They do not need to know your life history, but they do need to know the key points about your skills, experiences, passion and career goals.

2. Ask them to review your resume so that they know what it says.
You may have told them one thing, but your resume may say it differently, or include something that you did not tell them. Talking with you about your resume content can help make sure they are better informed to share your resume with the right people (not organizations, but people).

3. Have your networking contact only share your resume where it is relevant and with people they know.
There is no value to the job seeker to use networking as another means of getting your resume scattered around town. This is what Monster, Careerbuilder, Ladders, LinkedIn and the other Job Boards are for. Having your resume delivered directly to someone who can benefit by seeing it is far more important and successful to both the job seeker and recruiter/hiring manager. Also, anyone knowing the true value of networking for Mutual Benefit will not flood their contacts with random and irrelevant resumes. This is rude and can tarnish a good relationship.

4. Ask that your networking contact to tell you where they plan to send your resume before they do so.
This is important for the job seeker for a few reasons. You may not want your resume shared at a business where you do not want to work, especially if you are still working and the business is a sister or partner company. Additionally, you want to be able to follow up afterwards and talk directly with the person your resume was forwarded to.

5. Thank your networking contact anytime they share your resume.
A good honest thank you followed by an offer to help them in any way goes a long way to nurture the relationship you have with a new contact as well as a long time friend.

You need to use Networking for Mutual Benefit to get your resume in front of the right people. Do this right and you it works.

This article is from Teddy Burriss’s blog @ http://www.ncwiseman.com/

Teddy Burriss

Networking Strategist at Burriss Consulting, Inc.

http://tlburriss.com/

Cast a Wide Net

Wherever you go, there you are, right?

That being said, can you be in two places at the same time?  Or three?  Or fifty????  Probably not, if you think conventionally.  However, if you just realize that every day you meet people.  Whether at the grocery store, gas station, post office, hospital or wherever.  Every person you meet is an opportunity to make a connection; to learn about them, and to share about yourself.  When you are looking for a job, it is important to get the word out to everyone you meet.  I don’t mean just run up to perfect (and not-so-perfect) strangers and say, “HEY!  I need a job.  Can you help me?”  But, you can briefly mention in it as a part of your conversation with that person.   Likewise, if they are looking for a job, or a new car, or a restaurant, they will ask you!  And you will do your best to help them get their answer.  We all do that for each other.  Or, at least most of us do!  So, know that when you tell someone you are looking for a new job or career, they are taking that information with them.  And sharing.  And those they share it with are sharing.  And sharing.  And so on.

Remember that you are never alone.  It just feels that way sometimes.  But, believe me.  Somewhere, someone is helping you.  You just don’t know it!

Sandy Jolley

Employment Specialist

Casting A Wide Net

Wherever you go, there you are, right?
That being said, can you be in two places at the same time?  Or three?  Or fifty????  Probably not, if you think conventionally.  However, if you just realize that every day you meet people.  Whether at the grocery store, gas station, post office, hospital or wherever.  Every person you meet is an opportunity to make a connection; to learn about them, and to share about yourself.  When you are looking for a job, it is important to get the word out to everyone you meet.  I don’t mean just run up to perfect (and not-so-perfect) strangers and say, “HEY!  I need a job.  Can you help me?”  But, you can briefly mention in it as a part of your conversation with that person.   Likewise, if they are looking for a job, or a new car, or a restaurant, they will ask you!  And you will do your best to help them get their answer.  We all do that for each other.  Or, at least most of us do!  So, know that when you tell someone you are looking for a new job or career, they are taking that information with them.  And sharing.  And those they share it with are sharing.  And sharing.  And so on.
Remember that you are never alone.  It just feels that way sometimes.  But, believe me.  Somewhere, someone is helping you.  You just don’t know it!

Sandy Jolley

Employment Specialist

The 60 Second Elevator Speech

The job search process has changed.  Networking is more important than ever.  One must be ready to go out to network.  My biggest rule on networking is to BE THERE.  You must be at functions and must be there mentally.  In order to have a successful networking session, you should:

a) have a goal and a plan

b) be ready to “practice” your plan

c) have a positive attitude.

The first part of your plan should be your 60-second elevator speech.  Who are you?  What do you do?  What is unique about you?  What are your special skills?  Where would you be at your best?
Now practice that on your friends and family…..I find that dogs make the best judges…they are so positive.  So if Rover likes the speech, you’re good to go!

Tempy Albright

Job Developer

Do Your References Know That They Are Your References?

It is imperative when you are job searching that you alert your references, personal and professional, and tell them that you need their support. Remind them that you are job searching, tell them why you chose them, and make sure their contact information is updated. Although we are now deeply immersed in a world of texts, emails and social media, a phone call is still a very accepted means of communication. So do yourself a favor and call your references and thank them in advance for helping you to land a job and prepare them to be an effective spokesperson for you.

Tanika Hawkins

Career Connections Coordinator

Prosperity Center