How to Reach Out to a Potential Employer on LinkedIn

How to Reach Out to a Potential Employer on LinkedIn With more than  500 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has established itself as the leading  professional social networking site on the web. LinkedIn’s strength lies in its capacity  for forging and promoting connections, making networking that much easier. From former coworkers to alumni from the same high school, users build their network through  connections, which can lead to insightful conversations about industries and companies, as well as interviews. In a competitive job market filled with multi-step online applications and automated emails, LinkedIn offers the chance for potentially beneficial human interaction. Here are five tips to help you make that initial contact with a potential employer: 1. Don’t be scared It may feel weird messaging a person you haven’t spoken to in a while or at all, especially when you  want to work at the same company. Yes, people may not always respond to your messages  or connection requests, but that should not deter you from reaching out and trying to benefit  from your connections. Remember: You have more to gain than lose! 2. Do make contact Connections are hands down the best way to land a job. If you see that one of your connections works or has worked at your dream company, ask him/her about it. Express interest in working for the company, and ask if your connection would be willing to tell you more about the company and share any advice for applying. As you learn about the  company through subsequent conversations, be sure to convey your interest and your  knowledge of the industry. If none of your connections work at the company, check to see if there’s a second-degree connection (your connection’s connection) who has a history with the company, and if there is, ask your connection to put you in touch. Again, express your interest in the company and your desire to speak to someone with inside knowledge to further your understanding. Lastly, in the event that your connections have no association with the company, you can  use the LinkedIn Alumni tool to locate any alumni who work there. 3. Don’t come across too strongly Never explicitly ask for a connection to help you get a job, especially not during the initial conversation. Conversations and messages with a connection are an opportunity to learn more about the company, so that you can present yourself as the most qualified candidate. Over the course of the conversation, you will probably gain a valuable contact who is willing to put you in touch with the right people, but do not try to force your connection’s hand too early. Keep your introductory message simple and brief; express your interest in the company without writing a manifesto. Sending out a message to a connection,  especially with whom you aren’t regularly in touch, can be uncomfortable, but as long as  your message is well written and well intentioned, you’ll be good to go. 4. Update your profile When applying for a job, your main objective is to make the potential employer see and understand how you are a perfect fit for the company. One of the easiest ways to convey this is by having your LinkedIn profile highlight the skills and qualifications the company celebrates. In order to uncover these desirable skills and traits the company values, scope out profiles of current employees and see how they describe their experience and skills. Using similar language and emphasis on your profile will help you come across as a more attractive and qualified candidate to your potential employer. 5. Don’t skip personalization Some people omit summaries in their LinkedIn profiles, which is silly because the summary section gives users the opportunity to express themselves in their own words and distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack. Summaries also allow users to  express their career objectives while painting a cohesive narrative with their job experience,  ultimately bringing life to a list of skills. In that same vein, including a picture can enhance your profile by adding a face to a page, but casual, unprofessional photos can serve as distractions. Choose a professional, flattering photo of yourself to accompany your profile. About the author: Mandy Fricke works in community relations for Earn MBA Degree. Outside of work Mandy enjoys biking, reading and traveling.

Statistics Behind What Happens in a Job Interview

Statistics Behind What Happens in a Job Interview You can never get enough of statistics. As an engineer and careers blogger, this is one of my favourite infographics. It throws some great statistics of what happens in a job interview process.  Some cool stats in this infographic complied by Come Recommended. The number one question most likely to be asked is: “Tell me about yourself”. The number one most common mistake at a job interview is: failing to ask for the job Takeway from what happens in a job interview infographic 33% of bosses claim they know if they will hire someone within the first 90s of the interview The infographic also mentions how playing with your hair is a common non-verbal mistake made during a job interview Another non-verbal mistake is the lack of smile. Since it doesnt cost you in time or money to smile, we recommend you smile through out your interview The infographic below shows in great detail on what happens in a job interview. And the statistics of what happens in a job interview are interesting to look at. Finally, to conclude, I would add that  its nice to see facts that can back up information on how to have a successful job interview, however interviewing is still an art. Use the information below to aid your interview dont just blindly follow it. And since we are on the topic of interviews. It is important to note that it is not only important what happens in a job interview, but also how you prepare for an interview and what happens after the job interview. We have written a small informational post on how to prepare for an interview at before, during, and after stage of the interview itself. P.S. If you are not getting to the interview stages, maybe you need to look at the updating your CV and cover letter. To help you in that, we provide free CV templates and cover letter template that you can download for FREE from our site. P.P.S If you like this post, please do not forget to like or share the post using facebook or twitter! ?? 1K

From the exam hall to the office starting a new graduate job University of Manchester Careers Blog

From the exam hall to the office â€" starting a new graduate job University of Manchester Careers Blog Im Jamie, I just graduated with an undergraduate degree in Music, and a few weeks ago I started my new job here at The Careers Service. My final year at The University of Manchester was a strange one indeed. Final year is without a doubt the most stressful the workload piles up, the exams are worth more than ever before, and the pressure is on to figure out what to do after your degree. At the same time though, you’re probably at your most comfortable. You’ve spent three or four years getting used to the student lifestyle and truly making Manchester your home â€" at least that’s what it felt like for me. The most daunting part of applying for jobs and graduate schemes is that you don’t really know what to expect. Going from university into a job is probably going to be the biggest jump out of your comfort zone since you came to uni in the first place, once again having to meet new people, get settled into a new routine, maybe even moving a to new city and not really knowing anyone. Graduating on one of those rare sunny Manchester days The job search After trawling through job site after job site, applying to a bunch of graduate schemes and internships that I’d be interested in, I stumbled across this role on Careerslink â€" a job at The Careers Service as Student Communications and Marketing Assistant. Looking at the job description, there were some things I felt comfortable with â€" the design work, working with social media â€" and definitely some things I didn’t. Not really having much experience in marketing, I felt a little bit out of my depth but regardless, I was really interested in the job so I spent a couple of days working on a cover letter and sent off an application. The interview I remember when I got the call â€" I was in the middle of an assessment centre for another job I’d applied for (talk about great timing!) when my phone went off. Luckily we were on a tea break. I’d been invited for an interview. Cut forward to a week later, a load of interview prep  and research under my belt, and having spent an inordinate amount of time picking out the right tie (not too dull, but nothing too garish), I’m sat in the interview room. Half an hour flies by, and of course I focus straight away on what I think went wrong. The questions I think I didn’t answer well, how I spent too long talking about irrelevant things, the awkward silences that seemed to last an eternity before I started talking. Oh well, it’s all good interview experience, right? The job To my surprise then, I got the job! It’s great to be able to see the University from the inside, effectively â€" seeing the inner workings of the Careers Service, and getting to know some of the exciting things I’ll get to work on this year. Of course I was pretty nervous on the first day; wondering if I’ll fit in, if I’ll know what I’m doing, if I’m out of my depth, but everybody here has been hugely welcoming and offering me their support and advice should I ever need it. Also, there’s a tonne of cake. Never a bad thing. From day to day I’m doing things that Im pretty familiar and comfortable with, like designing banners, flyers and promo material for events, as well as posting on social media on behalf of The Careers Service. I’m also doing a lot that’s completely new to me, like working on marketing plans and strategies, creating newsletters and even writing careers-related blog posts (yes, like this one!). One thing I’ve quickly caught on to is that you’re always learning, whether it’s being shown a new skill, learning from your mistakes, or even just how to have a good telephone manner when you’re on the phone to IT for the tenth time in a week trying to get your email account set up… Starting your first steps after university whether it’s chasing after that dream job, starting on a graduate scheme, or going on to postgraduate study is definitely a daunting prospect. I’ve learnt that the first step is the hardest â€" the step to push yourself out of your comfort zone and do something new and unfamiliar. Throughout the year I’ll be regularly blogging on here, so keep an eye out to see how I’m getting on in the new job! All Graduate Student blogs Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted

Arts, Languages and Cultures graduates University of Manchester Careers Blog

Arts, Languages and Cultures graduates University of Manchester Careers Blog Top online resources for Arts, Languages and Cultures graduates To give you a helping hand as you head out into the big bad world of job seeking I thought it would be useful to list our top 5 online resources for Arts, Languages and Cultures graduates. I hope you find them useful. General sites for all Prospects ‘options with your subject’   Includes a range of job profiles and information on typical employers, work experience and a breakdown of what graduates in this area have gone on to do in a range of subjects. Starting Point Series A range of helpful job seeking resources including help on applications, interviews and specific   help on careers in publishing, museums, journalism the music industry and information on careers using languages . Sector Pages Really useful information and links to further resources and job sites. Get an insight into different sectors such as advertising marketing, creative cultural and translation interpreting.  Creative Industry sites                                     Creative Skillset   Provides information and advice on a range of careers in the creative industries including advertising, film, publishing, radio and TV. Creative Choices Provides industry insights, case studies and a range advice and information to help you develop your career in the sector. Specific Languages resources Institute of Translation Interpreting Useful information for those thinking of a career in this area including advice on how to advertise your skills. Multilingual job vacancies   Search for vacancies according to your language skills, preferred sector or location. Remember although your studies are over your contact with the Careers Service doesn’t end now. As a graduate youll receive full services for the next 2 years. This will include information, advice and guidance as well as access to vacancies and events listed in Careerslink. Find out more about eligibility and services here. Graduate

Online Professional Resume Writing Services Include Government Jobs

Online Professional Resume Writing Services Include Government JobsThe search for the best online professional resume writing services has now expanded to include government jobs. The job market is very competitive, with hundreds of thousands of positions available every year.Government jobs are not normally advertised in the conventional job search method. Often they are provided through a public works agency. The best candidates are then interviewed to determine if they meet the qualifications.The federal government agencies often hire directly from an employee's previous employers. This allows them to develop their own qualifications and experience. A specialized resume service would help to attract qualified applicants to the position.There is no requirement for applicants to have any kind of qualifications. The specific duties that a candidate is required to perform is the criteria that must be met. Other factors that are not as important include educational requirements. No aca demic background is required.There are no standardized standards when it comes to the amount of education or experience required, and the job description and scope are not necessarily listed in a standard industry requirements. An online professional resume writing service will be able to provide more specific information.A word to the wise: It may be helpful to emphasize past work experience and education in your resume. These skills are important to employers. Some of the most important and cost effective job skills that are used by the majority of companies are written clearly in resumes.To summarize, there is nothing wrong with emphasizing past experiences and educational background. Your personal experiences and successes will be put before other qualifications and experience. Personal branding is important.The idea is to put forward something that shows you have a certain type of skill set and expertise. One that is easy to understand and demonstrate to an employer.

Show investors that you care about more than just profits - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Show investors that you care about more than just profits - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I found this researching my next book, Leading with Happiness. At the 2008 Southwest Airlines Shareholders Meeting, CEO Gary Kelly ended his presentation with this wonderful story. February the 27th we had flight number 1218 preparing for departure from Dallas to Las Vegas via Austin and as the customers were taking their seats our Dallas flight attendant Robin Hopkins was approached by a customer who Ill refer to as Janice. Janice was asking for help with her cellphone and she didnt know how to turn it off. Robin assisted Janice but asked if she was okay because Robin can tell that she had been crying. Janice answered that she was on her way to Las Vegas to identify her only son at the medical examiners office. Upon hearing this Robin informed the two other flight attendants Melissa Smith and Lisa Christian as to what was going on and our flight attendants comforted Janice. Melissa and Lisa handled the entire flight from Austin to Las Vegas while Robin sat with Janice and she learned about her son and she was there to provide comfort. They talked for the rest of the flight. When they landed in Las Vegas Candace Robinson and Brandy Fuller who are Las Vegas in-flight supervisors met Janice at the gate and they took over. Brandy handled all of her immediate needs while Candace went on to get her own car to drive Janice. Candace was also able to secure a hotel room next to the funeral home. There was no one there for Janice except for Southwest Airlines people and this is just one powerful example of our people in action and it happens hundreds of times every single day and most of which we never hear about. But they dont do it for the recognition, they dont do it for the money. They do it because they care and at Southwest Airlines we are blessed to find and to hire and to keep people who care. I dont know if you can teach people how to care but you cant encourage it you can support it and when you know about it you can certainly recognize it. This is amazing story and I love the fact that the CEO told it at the shareholders meeting. This clearly shows investors where Southwests priorities are and that they can expect the company to continue to treat its employees and customers well. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Beyond technical skills IT pros need to show these characteristics to land the best jobs

Beyond technical skills IT pros need to show these characteristics to land the best jobs Beyond technical skills: IT pros need to show these characteristics to land the best jobs In the current job market, technology professionals are in high demand â€" but that doesn’t mean tech candidates get a pass when it comes to their interview conduct. Just like every other job search, IT pros need to leave a good impression and make every communication count. So to find out more, I talked to John Reed, senior executive director of leading IT staffing company Robert Half Technology. He shed some light on the skills that get candidates hired, and he gave some of the most common (and avoidable) oversights. According to John, the candidates who get the most positive feedback display these characteristics in addition to their technical skills: 1. Strong soft skills The candidates who have honed their communication skills can demonstrate flexibility in different working environments and with various technologies. Those who showed they could toggle between being a team player and acting as a leader also set themselves apart during the job search. 2. Tailored résumés Each position will have its own requirements, and a great candidate customizes his or her résumé and past experiences to demonstrate an ability to take on the job listed in the description. Taking the time to understand what an employer wants and presenting that on the résumé â€" your first point of contact â€" will certainly help a candidate rise to the top. 3. Maintain manners A top candidate remembers their social graces during the interview. Remaining cordial throughout the interview, even if youre not thrilled about a role, will leave a good impression regardless of whether or not you take the job. 4. Positivity about the past Even when previous experiences weren’t ideal â€" maybe they were downright unpleasant â€" a good interviewee should never speak negatively about past employers. Instead, they should discuss their contributions and highlight the positive aspects of prior roles. Now, my favorite part, or, as I like to say: Cut the Crap! There are some repeat blunders that impact how candidates are being perceived by hiring managers. Here are some of the usual suspects that Robert Half Technology sees and how to fix them: 1. Coming to grips with gaps Lengthy spaces in employment history will not be brushed over by a hiring manager, but time and again candidates don’t have a strong answer for questions around the topic. This can trip up even the most qualified candidate. Try this: Gaps in employment aren’t deal-breakers for hiring managers, but it’s important to be well-versed in the narrative around your work history. Were you taking classes? Doing freelance work that you didn’t document? Be sure to explain yourself and always be honest. Try role-playing with your recruiter or a friend to make sure you’ve got the explanation down. 2. Rambling Résumés A common error among the tech set is not trimming down the skills and technologies they put on a résumé, meaning it’s not crafted for a specific position. And because it’s so innate for them, technology professionals tend to use industry jargon with a heavy hand, which will only confuse â€" not impress â€" the hiring manager. Try this: Assess the requirements of the role and ensure that your résumé addresses those requirements. Only pick out the most relevant items to share for the position you’re applying to, and use your interview to get into further detail around your unlisted skills. 3. Clumsy Communication Soft skills are often overlooked by candidates, yet highly valued by hiring managers. Interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, and analytical savvy are increasingly important traits among technology professionals. Some repeat offenders only speak broadly about their experiences, leaving out key details that give color to their contributions. Employers aren’t looking for a laundry list of what you’ve done: they want a deeper understanding of your impact on a business. Try this: Before an interview, think about specific projects you’ve worked on â€" focus on measurable results, and then include the technologies you leveraged to achieve those results. Use anecdotes to paint a picture of your contributions: these will be the memorable differentiators that make a meaningful impression with potential employers. I met Diana Smith, division director at Robert Half Technology, who is always interfacing with candidates. I asked her what she would improve if she could wave a “magic wand” over a candidate prior to entering an interview. Smith said, “Given the power, I would make it easy for candidates to highlight the right skills, cite their best work without hesitation, and expel any nerves that may come with the interview process.” There, readers. You have just heard from one of the top technology recruiting firms in the country! I hope you pause, review your job search efforts, and make significant adjustments wherever you need to.