A common assumption is that November and December are the least effective months for job searching. While opportunities may not be as plentiful, this time can actually create advantages for the industrious job seeker. Consider that many companies are preparing for a new fiscal year (and budget), so many remain focused on staffing through the holiday season. So for those individuals willing to put in the extra hours, extending (or beginning) the job search through the holidays can prove fruitful. The benefits of continuing a job search through the holidays include less competition, expanded networking opportunities, and an uninterrupted focus.

Competition is Scant. Most candidates temporarily suspend their job search over the holidays, assuming there is no activity among recruiters and hiring managers at this time. This simply isn’t true. Granted, the hiring machine will be in low gear, but the holidays provides potential opportunities to get your name in front of hiring managers and possibly get a jump on the competition.

‘Tis the Season. Due to the holiday slowdown, many offices are operating with a skeleton crew to primarily provide phone coverage and customer support, which means you may have a better likelihood of reaching a live person than you would when operations are ramped up at full tilt. Another consideration is that the holiday season often produces a lighter workload and reduction in stress so recruiters and HR managers may be more receptive to inquiries. Similarly, often corporate decision makers take advantage of holiday work days to catch up and prepare for the new year. Unlike the rest of the year, this may provide them with the luxury of time to review a compelling resume. This can be the ideal time of year to network your way to a new job.

Networking Opportunities. Holiday parties and family gatherings offer a wealth of opportunity for networking. Networking well means effectively connecting with people so they remember you when an opportunity presents itself. Wherever the season finds you, hand out (and ask for!) business cards (ideally a “mini resume”), and then follow up to keep contacts fresh and ensure that your name and career goals are in front of everyone in your network. If you’ve recently interviewed, send a holiday card – with your business card – to the hiring managers. Do the same for recruiters and headhunters with whom you’ve been working.

Avoid Losing Momentum. Another argument for continuing a job search through the holidays is to avoid losing momentum. For some the break may be an opportunity to refresh and hit the reset button (often depending on the length of the search) but for others suspending the search for multiple weeks can be disruptive. Jump-starting the process after a holiday hiatus can sometimes feel as if you’re starting over. Being diligent in maintaining your momentum can help keep your search on track.

Contact Executive Resumes Atlanta for a high-impact executive resume that helps you access career opportunities through the holiday season and beyond.

Photo via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

noun 1. a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.

As a job-seeker, building a network is important. For an executive, it’s critical. Networking enables you to build and maintain connections that may well be the bridge to your next leadership role. Networking well is a learned skill that goes above and beyond simply making contacts, it’s effectively connecting with people so they remember you in the future when they become aware of an opportunity for which you may be a great fit.

Fellow NRWA member Gail Frank of CallFranklySpeaking wrote an article entitled Build a Network Before You Need One which encourages executives to reach out to their sphere of influence before it becomes necessary to seek a new position (whether voluntary or prompted by outside circumstances). Executive Resumes Atlanta would like to share this article, to provide insight into the importance of building a continuous network, even when you’re not actively looking for a new opportunity.

 

Build a Network Before You Need One

As Barbra Streisand sings, “People….people who need people…are the luckiest people…”

If you found yourself suddenly out of work, faced with empty days and the challenge of finding a new job, what would you do? Who could you call? In short, do you have a professional network of contacts ready to help?

WHY DO YOU NEED A NETWORK NOW?

If you think you are not in jeopardy of losing your job, think again. According to a recent survey by outplacement firm Lee Hecht Harrison, 50% of professionals laid off in recent months were caught unaware by the shocking news.

In these times of economic uncertainty and corporate scandal, virtually every worker needs a solid core of professional sources to tap in the event of sudden unemployment.

WHAT IS NETWORKING? (AND WHAT GIVES IT A BAD NAME?)

“Networking” is not a dirty word. However it has developed a bad reputation due to misuse by unskilled, insincere and needy people. We’ve all been in situations where someone who is “networking” is clearly desperate for our money, business, patronage, referrals or input. It makes us uncomfortable.

In spite of this, at least 60% of all new jobs are uncovered through people power—networking at its best. Indeed, that is the definition: casting a wide web or “net” and “working” it to the benefit of all members.

True and successful networking is all about relationship building. Your network of contacts can be an effective sales force and referral base for you…as long as you build sincere relationships.

PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

Luckily, you can learn to become an outstanding networker, and grow your own safety net. Follow the 4 Golden Rules for Networking:

1)     “Givers gain.” Help people, and they in turn will want to help you. Focus on others and look for opportunities to help them without worrying what is in it for you.
2)     Don’t confuse “great” networking with “effective” networking. Everyone knows a “great” networker—they seem to know everyone! However, knowing people and being effective in helping others build their business are not the same thing. Effective networkers deliver business results.
3)     Be sincere. Nothing is worse than a person who offers help in order to get something in return. People can sense when they are being used. This is why it is easier to build a network before you need one; then you really can be genuine in your willingness to help others without needing anything in return right away.
4)     Commit to spending the energy. Networks do not suddenly appear. Because they are built on relationships and shared experiences, they need attention, time and nurturing to blossom.

STEPS TO CREATE YOUR NETWORK NOW!

1)     Evaluate the strength of your current network. List your contacts: all the people you know. Start with personal contacts: neighbors, friends, schoolmates, relatives. Don’t forget people like your doctor, dentist, lawyer, hairdresser and dry cleaner. They know everyone! Then list your professional contacts: current and former colleagues, subordinates, vendors and clients.
2)     Ask yourself, “If I were laid off today, who could I call?” Develop a strategy and set some goals about who should be in your network.
3)     Get involved. Mine your interests, whether you love jazz, running 5K races, homeless pets, or working in a soup kitchen. You’ll meet like-minded people and build relationships based on common values and interests.
4)     Look for events and organizations in your current or desired field. Have you joined the relevant associations? Often you have chances to meet others, get information on the field, obtain a directory of members, attend conventions and local meetings, and receive professional publications and mailings.
5)     Remember the important events in others’ lives. Send birthday cards or emails, clip and mail relevant articles, or send a holiday greeting with best wishes. Become the one who stays in touch with those who have impacted your life. Surprise someone you have lost touch with by dropping them a note.
6)     Learn to converse comfortably. Good conversationalists know the secret is in asking questions and getting people to open up. This often leads to points of commonality and interesting discussions. Study Katie Couric and Oprah Winfrey and watch them guide conversations by asking questions and putting people at ease.
7)     Look for chances to refer others to people in your professional network. When you link together people who can help one another, you help both parties plus yourself.
8)     Build your 60 second commercial about your future professional direction. It might be something like, “Right now I am in real estate, but my real dream is to someday own a restaurant.” Share your goals, dreams and challenges with people you meet—you might be surprised at the response.
9)     Write thank you notes. Become a great thanker. Everyone loves a thank you note, yet most people don’t bother to write them. Look for reasons to thank people, and send off a quick handwritten note.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

The traditional Letter of Introduction (aka Cover Letter) is a standalone document which is typically three-quarters of a page to one page in length and is submitted in tandem with the Resume as an expected component of the foundational career marketing documents. The primary purpose of the Cover Letter is to serve as the front-line introductory document providing a brief overview of the candidate’s professional background and key selling points (experience, expertise, competencies, accomplishments, industry recognition, advanced or specialized education, etc.).

The New Trend in Cover Letters, the E-Note

A new trend in online job searching techniques is the e-note, a short, concise, and focused email letter, which is used when submitting a Resume in response to a posted position, an inquiry to a targeted prospective employer company or reaching out to a network contact or recruiter. An e-note is a concise, condensed version of the traditional Cover Letter which provides in the body of the email (to which the resume is attached) a brief overview of your background and key selling points. Brevity is the key in an eNote; the objective is to deliver a short (300 words or less) easy-to-read career synopsis within one or two brief paragraphs, or three to five bullet points.

Brand Yourself in the Subject Line

The subject line should not only clearly state the reason for the email (executive seeking a new opportunity) but should also capture the attention of the screener or hiring manager by including a key selling point (experience, expertise, specialized education, etc.) with a branding statement, e.g. “20-Year Award-Winning Marketing Executive Seeks Director of Marketing Role.” Career Coach Lei Han suggests 6-10 words that highlight your best qualifications will increase the likelihood that your email (and attached Resume) are read.

Key Words and Phrases Reign Supreme

Hiring managers look for key words and phrases related to experience and expertise that is directly aligned with the requirements of the posted role. The Cover Letter should provide examples of the experience and expertise that communicate why you are a viable candidate for the target role. And like the Resume, the Letter of Introduction should include position- and industry-specific key words and phrases. Targeted key words are critical in the technology age, as it’s become a standard process for most employer companies to enter resumes into an applicant tracking system which matches the candidate with key words and phrases from the open position. A Letter and Resume lacking key words is in jeopardy of never making it past the electronic screening system to reach a live screener.

For development of custom, accomplishment focused and keyword-rich Executive Resumes, Letters, and eNotes that can help you land your next leadership opportunity, contact Colleen at Executive Resumes Atlanta.

A LinkedIn recommendation is a comment written by another LinkedIn member to recognize or commend a colleague, business partner or student. Viewers of your profile will often view the recommendations you’ve received to see what other people have to say about your work. If your profile is lacking recommendations, you can always reach out to your contacts to see if they’ll write you one. But what’s the proper protocol in asking? Here are a few tips about asking for LinkedIn recommendations.

Write One for Someone Else

The best way to get a recommendation from someone on LinkedIn is to give one. When you recommend another user you are attesting to their job qualifications and everyone loves being recommended. Most people will reciprocate the gesture, and you both benefit. Additionally, your other contacts will be able to see that you wrote a recommendation for someone, and they might reach out to you at a later date to do the same.

Ask for a Reference

LinkedIn users can also ask for a recommendation using the messaging system. When you request a recommendation from another user, be sure to keep it personal. Avoid any of the following mishaps:

• Don’t make the mistake of asking people you don’t know or didn’t work closely with. Trying to write a recommendation for someone you don’t know well (or at all) is frustrating because you have no concrete details in which to offer feedback.
• Word your request politely. Let them know they’re not obligated to write you one and that you respect their time with an addition like “if it’s not too much trouble” or “I understand your time is valuable.”  Offering to reciprocate is another way to help them feel comfortable with the request.
• Provide suggestions of what you’re looking for. If the person is especially busy, by providing them with specific details of your work together they can formulate a recommendation much easier and are more likely to do so.

Don’t Forget a Thank-You

Lastly, and possibly the most important rule of all in regards to asking for LinkedIn recommendations: don’t forget to send your contact a thank-you note. It doesn’t have to be long; just a quick response that you genuinely appreciate their time and effort in helping you out.

Having three or more recommendations will help trigger second and third connections on LinkedIn. By building your recommendations, your contacts will be able to see firsthand your strengths and qualifications, and that will ultimately help boost your job search. For additional help updating your LinkedIn profile before reaching out to other users for a recommendation, contact Executive Resumes Atlanta.

When it comes to advancing their career, many senior-level executives find themselves looking for an executive recruiter in addition to updating their resume to help them with their job search in . Having an executive recruiter in your sphere of influence is advantageous to your job search because if you have a good relationship, they may think to contact you first when they come across a search assignment that matches your particular background.

Don’t Wait

For the best results, don’t wait to connect with a recruiter until you’re ready to start a new job hunt. By reaching out and letting your relationship develop naturally, you take the urgency out of your relationship and your recruiter will feel more at ease with you, and most likely, be quicker to refer you for a new opportunity when it arises.

Be Honest About Your Past

Be as truthful as you can about your past accomplishments. Many recruiters will check job hunters’ backgrounds and if they discover a false statement or accomplishment on your resume, it can hurt your reputation as well as his or her own clients. For best results, offer three solid references with contact information when you send recruiters your resume. Having references can help boost a recruiter’s desire to represent you.

Maintain Involvement

As a best practice, contact your recruiter once a month to reinforce your relationship. If they send you an interview, be sure to share feedback on how the interview went so they can adjust their efforts. Be sure to let them know if a job isn’t a good fit, and why. Additionally, offer a list of companies that you consider a strong fit as a guideline to help them find you the perfect job.

If you need assistance with finding an executive recruiter for your job search, let the team of Executive Resumes of Atlanta  know so we can help refer you to a recruiter that fits your career goals.