Internet 101: Effectively Using The Web For Your Career Marketing

IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

Over the years the internet has changed the way business does business. More and more, companies have increased their web presence and, in doing so, cut back on personnel and in personal contact. At job fairs, the phrase "you need to go on-line and fill out an application" or "e-mail your resume" is heard over and over again. Go to Target or K-Mart to fill out an application, and you are directed to a machine. But what business has failed to realize is there are many people out there who are reluctant to use this tool, the main reasons being the how's (as in how do I use this) and why's (if I'm looking for a job dealing with people, why do I have to deal with a machine). Let's look at a few ways to improve and to use this tool effectively.

Professional E-Mail

Time and time again, candidates hurt their chances in this new era of impersonal contact by using an inappropriate e-mail address. Now, "onehotbiscuit at whatevermail" might be true, but, if you really sit there and think about it, would you hire you if that was the e-mail you saw? What kind of professional image does that display? What about a person's judgment?

This is how companies that are interested in you will get their first impression. Is it a favorable one? With the plethora of free e-mail services out there, you can have one for family and friends and one for business. Just make sure that whichever one you choose for business will let you get your name and if you have to use numbers, don't use your birthday, anniversary, year graduated, or phone number (cause when you change phones, sometimes there is a porting fee to keep your number, the number should make sense, like an area or zip code). Don't us this e-mail for personal matters and it should not become inundated with spam. If it does, you know that company does not respect you as a client and you should feel free to use another company.

Getting To Know You

There are terrific ways to find out how your vast array of skills can play in today's workforce. But sometimes, finding out what those skills are can be a challenge in and of itself. Taking a free career assessment is an effective and efficient way to find out what you like to do and in what fields you can look for the right opportunity. One very good site to try is projectcareer.com. The questions are focused and the results are very through. It will break down your best results; discuss the industry, list sample job titles, interesting facts, and employment outlook. The report is comprehensive and even provides links for further career information. Or you could go to a search engine and take one or two. This way you can compare the results and see which one fits you best.

Not All Job Sites Are Created Equal

So now it's the time to post your resume. You go to Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com and follow the directions. And then you wait. And wait. And wait. They are the best ones for me, right? The biggest is always the best, right? Maybe. But what if you're looking for something different, like working on a cruise ship or a government job? Or what about working for a non-profit, where all your different skills could come into play, instead on a few specific ones. You could have a background in the military, where are opportunities listed for you?

Research pays off big time in this endeavor, as you can go to any search engine and look for specific job sites for your career goals. To help you along the path, here is a list of 12 worthwhile sites that you can try:
idealist.org (non-profit careers)gettinghired.com (career opportunities for people with disabilities)ecoemploy.com (environmental careers)funjobs.com (just what the name implies)diversityinc.com (companies looking to hire a diversified staff)greentogray.com (military to civilian opportunities)helmitstohardhats.com (same as above)backstagejobs.com (performing arts careers)showbizjobs.com (same as above)dice.com (technology career positions)jobsinhealthcare.com (you got this, right)usajobs.gov (federal government jobs)

The point is, there are hundreds of thousands of web sites out there. The biggest isn't always the best for your career growth and development. Try to find one that fits your career path. And avoid the sites that keep pressuring you for premium service. They are more interested in your money than your career.

Networking

Networking is a job seekers best friend. The people you know, both personally and professionally, provide valuable contacts that can help provide advice, job leads, and help alleviate the feelings of isolation that you can experience. So it's time to find the business cards you've accumulated, take out the Rolodex, find your phone book, and reach out. You'll find people ready, willing and able to help, once they know you're available.

Another way to network is to join professional associations relative to your professional goals. You can join local organizations in your community. This will get you out of the house, with a sense of purpose. And you need a way to reach out to your friends' friends.

While Facebook and Twitter are fun, these are social sites. And the information, photos and video's posted on these and other sites don't exactly scream "hire me." And as a point of fact, postings of your weekend escapades or what you did when you called out sick can ruin your professional reputation, affect your chances of promotion, and in some cases, can lead to termination as your supervisors will question your judgment. Just remember what a photo of Michael Phelps did for his marketability and reputation. If 14 gold medals and 7 world records don't cut someone any slack, how much can you expect?

One of the best sites for business networking is www.linkedin.com. Not only can you post your resume and other career accomplishments, the recommendation feature is a powerful tool. Past and present supervisors, colleagues, and peers can extol your value and virtues. True, they may not be specific to the opportunity you are targeting, but they have a genuineness, a believability about them. They are more personal, and since they are part of your network, a company doing a background search, sees the type of people you know and associate with. And like the "seven degrees of Kevin Bacon" game, you can find out who knows who, which can help get your foot in the door. It won't get you the job, but it could get you a chance to interview, and then the rest is up to you.

A Research Tool

Since most companies have a web presence, researching the companies that you want to work for is now easy. You can find the company history, products, services, personnel, stock prices, what's been written about them by whom, and who there competitors are. Armed with this information, you can better state your qualifications and what you bring to the table. Doing research shows more than just interest, it shows you care about making an informed decision.

Last Thoughts

The internet is a tool whose value increases when it is used effectively. Creating a presence on the web takes careful planning. And the positive results that can come of it are worth it, both personally and professionally. Information is available anytime, at your fingertips, to help you make the right choices. Make sure you choose wisely.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to learn how to present your skills more effectively? If so, I recommend my book "Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide for the 21st Century." which is currently available at https://www.createspace.com/3710544

The Importance of Space

IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

You would think a person that has four dogs - three of whom seem to think they are lap dogs - would not have space issues; but you would think wrong. I'm funny about my space; the thing is I like my own space.

When my son moved out I ripped up the carpeting myself and repainted the entire room a bright, bright, spring green with white and purple accents. Does this tell you anything? I've always identified with the KT Oslin song "Live Close By, Visit Often". I like my space.

But space is also important within your space. Having a decluttered environment helps calm your mind and allows you to appreciate the items you have selected to remain within your space. In decorating having appropriate space actually accentuates the pieces you want to show off.

In networking personal space is sometimes neglected and can stop a connection before it even gets the opportunity to begin. I have come to accept that circumstances do not always allow for the appropriate allotment of personal space. However, it can be a tricky thing entering into someone's personal space - it can come across as rude or intrusive; it can be uncomfortable for the other party or worse your intentions could be misread. Respecting personal space is important.

Space is a good thing.

Too often I see a total disregard for space on resumes. It seems to go in extremes - either there is no white space or there is too much. The question then becomes what is the right amount of white space in a resume.

Let's start with margins. The general rule is acceptable margin settings are between.5 inch and 1 inch equally around the page - it gives balance. Sometimes you can fudge a little and have.5 inch top and bottom and.75 on the sides. Just make sure there is a nice balance.

Within the resume is where it can get complicated. First - the font should normally be 11 or 12 point font - which is easiest for the reader. Using a 10 point font makes the words too small and the reader might have to strain to read what you have presented. Any larger and it will look like you are trying to take up space with a larger font because you do not have any valuable content to fill the page.

Letterhead and headings should utilize a larger font - this can normally be 13 or 15 font; something that will make it stand out a bit more. Of course using bold, borders, italics etc will also help set these items apart. They should be set apart which means there should be at least a blank line before and after a heading.

I normally do not recommend a space in between bullet points because it spaces it out a bit too much; remember your bullet points should not take three lines to begin with so the additional space is unnecessary.

There should be space between each position to create a visual break for the reader. Sometimes people get so wrapped up in "it has to be one page" that they cram everything on one page. This actually does more harm than good. The type is too small, the margins are too wide and there is not enough white space for the eyes to relax and take a break while reading.

By the way - one page or two seems to be a big debate. When I ask hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals about their preference the overwhelming response is basically they don't care - as long as the information they are looking for is there, easy to find and read. People do have personal preferences but I can guarantee you that even if they prefer a one page resume if your squeeze a two page resume down to one page they are not going to be very pleased to read it.

One way to see if you do not have enough white space is when looking at your resume on your computer minimize the size of the document to about 45% so you can see the entire document at one time. Do not try to read what you wrote just get a feel for the visual. Listen to your gut and it will let you know if more space is needed.

If you have the problem of too much space then perhaps it is a content issue. Go back to each position and start listing out every single thing that you did for that position; this will help the ideas start to flow. Once you have done this then you can go back and begin to identify skills that you utilized when performing your duties.

For example if you utilized problem-solving, conflict resolution, analytical, communication, organization or any other number of skills this is the time to write those down along with the duty.

Then you can go back and add to your descriptions including not only the duty, but the skills used and the value that was added by you performing the task.

When writing your resume respect yourself enough to give appropriate attention to the important items by surrounding them with white space which will naturally bring the readers attention to those items. Also, respect the reader in utilizing enough white space in order that it becomes a document they want to read rather than must read.

We are all naturally drawn to things that attract us. When I was a kid my mom used to take us to the library every week. I remember opening books and flipping through and deciding if I was going to take it home or not based solely on the "feel". If the pages were edge to edge words packed in then that one got returned to the shelf. If the words were not as cramped, there was breaks or pictures or anything more visually attractive then that was the book I chose.

We really have not changed in our first instincts as to what we want to read. If I am given a resume that has very little white space I unconsciously have a negative reaction - it looks like a pain to read so therefore I am already starting off without reading one word with a negative attitude.

When in doubt, print off your resume and ask a friend to look at it - do not give it to them to read, just hold it and ask them how it looks. Then watch their reactions - don't just listen to them say, "Fine". You can gauge the appropriateness of your white space based on their initial reaction.

The content is the most important element of your resume - it should be your main focus. The look and feel can be modified after you have created a solid sales statement for yourself. Once you have done that then the fun begins - play a little with fonts, margins, headings - after all this is your personal sales statement so you should like the way it looks!

"Helping those looking for the right job look right for the job" - this is how Lisa K. McDonald of Career Polish, Inc. describes her purpose. Lisa is a pre-employment/transition strategist and Certified Professional Resume Writer who separates herself by focusing intently on the strategy of job searching.

This strategy includes many vital tools including resumes, cover letters, business communication, networking, social media and personal business branding. Central in her work is teaching clients how to emphasize or re-discover their strengths and be able to communicate them effectively in order to implement a successful job search strategy.

Lisa's passion for teaching and belief in giving individuals the right tools and the knowledge to implement these tools is always a central theme and extends beyond her work with individual clients. She teaches multiple workshops; is a requested speaker to various groups, organizations and businesses; consults with companies who are downsizing; and partners with companies to develop their sales force.

To learn more about Lisa K. McDonald and Career Polish, Inc. please visit http://www.careerpolish.net/.

Job Hunter Likeability

IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

My mission involves restoring people's dignity and optimism during these troubling times. I do this through the delivery of online training that teaches them how to find jobs faster. Unlike traditional job search training, I don't teach people the mechanics of how to look for jobs (credentials, cover letter, resume, networking, or interview skills). Experienced job hunters already know those things. However, employers are not recruiting for skills required to look for jobs, but for skills required to perform jobs.

I teach people how to create their success mindset to persevere until they can find jobs, which enables them to perform well to get the job offer, despite the emotional turmoil associated with being unemployed. Good mental skills are required for success when looking for jobs, and they are essential for success after you start a job.

Job hunters who learn how to create a success mindset understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, performance, and impressions. They are predisposed to think about their difficult circumstances in a non-negative manner. They do this intentionally to fuel their best performance and desired results, which in turn causes the best impressions and increased likeability.

By self-regulating how you think to perform well despite your circumstances, your right mindset helps you demonstrate emotional stability or increased hope, optimism, and resilience to persevere despite the difficult economy. According to researchers from the Brookings Institute, and the National Bureau of Economic Research, employers are attracted to job hunters with an optimistic mindset because they believe this makes them smarter, more personable, and more productive in difficult work conditions. Interviewers refer to job hunters who function with the right mindset as self-starters, super-stars, peak performers, or as having entrepreneurial spirit and fire in their belly.

What do these super star job hunters look like? The right mindset causes job hunters to stand out from the crowd, particularly when the majority of their competition includes people who unknowingly function with the wrong mindset. They smile, stand taller, and hold their heads higher. They are appropriately humble but have a confident swagger about them, and they seem genuinely optimistic despite their circumstances. No matter what happens, they stay calmly enthused about what they want and how they go about getting it, as if they already have their job.

What do job hunters with the wrong mindset look like, and why are employers reluctant to hire these people? Listed below are three examples of the most common wrong mindsets. Employers strive to avoid these people even if they simply suspect they may have one of these wrong mindsets:

Defeated Mindset- When setbacks begin to occur (competition, rejections, delays, uncertainties, etc.), you allow yourself to start thinking negatively and innocently create the worst emotions. You unintentionally cause yourself to feel beat down, afraid, uncertain and unmotivated to perform well. Interviewers may also refer to this as a loser mindset.
Victim Mindset- Rather than accept responsibility for how your thoughts caused your down feelings or your inability to perform well, you blame others, which is easier. Everyone else is the cause of your problems: incompetent coaches, uncaring recruiters, slow and indecisive employers, the failed economy, bad references, poor interviewers, your parents, lack of jobs, education or experiences, shrinking bank account, etc. You look for excuses to explain the problems you innocently helped to create by how you think. Interviewers may also refer to this as a blaming mindset, or that you lack personal accountability for your attitude and actions.
Scarcity Mindset- Rather than intentionally create favorable thoughts by imagining already having a job, you unintentionally allow yourself to dwell on problems associated with needing and lacking a job. Without realizing it, your unfavorable thoughts cause you to feel needy and desperate, which is how employers perceive you. The wrong impressions created by desperate thinking (pleading, grasping and clinging) repel

Jeff Garton is an ASTD best-selling career author, coach and columnist for Military.com whose background is specialized in leading the global staffing for Kraft Foods and Miller Brewing. He developed the concept and published the first book and training resources that teach people how to create their success mindset to find jobs faster and keep them longer. Get the training - Break the cycle. For more information visit: http://www.successmindsettraining.com/, (847) 607-8854.