5 Strategies For Effective Online NetworkingNetworking is one of the most important ways to invest in the future of your career, but it can also be pretty difficult. Not only do you have to find the right opportunities to network, but you also need to find the courage to speak to the people you want to impress. The good news is that there are various ways you can start networking today without having to attend expensive events and dinners. Online networking can be an excellent way to build a valuable community, without the stress. Of course, just like all forms of networking, you’re still going to need an effective strategy. Keep these tips in mind for effective online networking. Decide Where to NetwrorkProbably the most important part of building a successful online networking strategy is deciding where you’re going to connect with potential peers. Social media channels like LinkedIn are generally a good place to start, but you can also go further and check out places like Slack groups and forums specifically for your chosen industry. You can also find a lot of great people to connect with on places like Twitter. Keep your eyes open for digital and virtual events too. These are becoming increasingly popular, and they often come with chat rooms and networking spaces where you can reach out to others with shared interests. Connect with the Right PeopleAs tempting as it might be to build a relationship with influencers or thought leaders, the reality is that it’s important to think carefully about who you reach out to. Look for industry peers and people who can teach you something. Connecting with people who already have a strong presence in your industry or a link to the businesses you want to work with can be a good idea too. Keep an open mind when making your relationships online. You might be surprised to discover who can make a difference in your future career. If someone offers to introduce you to someone they think could help you, take advantage. Network RegularlyWhen you’re starting out in networking, schedule a few hours every week where you can check out what’s happening on social media, read up on the content shared on your favorite forums, and participate in conversations. You’ll want to have an active online presence if you want to make those connections count. Remember to check your news feed on a daily basis when you can, and at the very least try to update your LinkedIn status with a few relevant factoids or links to relevant news stories from your industry. The more people see you online, the more likely it is they’ll feel connected to you and want to strike up a conversation. Follow Up RegularlyIf you’re going to really grow a successful network online, you need to work harder at making connections than offline. You can’t expect to have the same emotional link to someone online as you do in-person, so you’re going to need to speak to the people you meet more often. Make a habit of regularly getting online and devoting time to following up with the people you’ve already met. If you’ve already spoken to someone on social media quite a few times and you want to strengthen the relationship, ask them to connect over the phone or meet with you on a video conference. The more connections you can make, the better Be Helpful and InformativeThe more you invest in networking, the more you’ll learn that people want to connect with others whom they believe can help them out. The more informative, helpful, and knowledgeable you are, the more valuable you become. This doesn’t mean you should be constantly asking your contacts if you can do anything for them but make a concentrated effort to share useful information whenever you can. On LinkedIn, you can write posts where you talk about your experiences in the industry. On forums, you can respond to questions being asked by other people in your space. It’s also worth looking for ways to be helpful in other ways too, like responding to emails where people ask for your input or getting involved with podcasts and interviews. Keep Working on ItKeep Working on It You won’t always be an instant success when you start networking with your peers. It might take a while for people to respond to you, and some might ignore you completely. The key to success, as in most things, is to keep working. Don’t let it get you down if you struggle with building your network initially. Keep focusing on your goals and practicing. Over time, you’ll learn how to become more effective at building relationships. What’s more, those relationships will help you to achieve your goals in your career. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. How To Become A Personal AssistantImagine a solopreneur advancing in his/her career and beginning to feel overworked. More often than not, s/he also misses spending time with friends and family. It’s time to hire a personal assistant. Hiring a personal assistant can free up his/her time to focus on the bigger picture, spend more time with family, or have more time to spend on other projects. As a personal assistant you will begin to manage the tasks that were time-consuming for your boss. More often than not, you will also be a second pair of eyes and ears. You will give your boss the benefit of someone working closely with him. Read This Before Interviewing As A Personal AssistantKnow your list of relevant skills. List them in your mind in the order of their strength. In this role, employers often begin with delegating the easy, repetitive tasks out of their schedule.
You must know the market value of your competencies. Be prepared to articulate and explain the value you bring forth to this business Employers create a budget for paying your salary. Have a realistic salary range in mind and be prepared to negotiate. Are you applying as an independent contractor, part-time, or full-time assistant? Will you be working locally, or remotely? Find out how much help is needed to begin with, and whether or not the support is needed in person.
Carefully review the job description. Try to clarify any ambiguity about the level of support that is needed and what qualifications or skills you may require.
Use the hiring process as an opportunity to learn about the operation. Think about a task (or tasks) an assistant would do regularly. During the interview, ask them about their business' internal process to achieve a certain goal or finish a task. Everyone can make a job description look impressive, but that doesn’t always mean that it really is the ideal job. Take the time to learn about how to be become a personal assistant. When you master the task that your boss wishes to keep out of his radar (like researching flights), you’ll save his/her time and energy to give to he/her business, friends and family, or personal growth. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Use a Personal Website in Your Job SearchIf you’re job searching, you may consider having more than a paper resume. Graphic designers and other creative types have been using personal websites for years. Today, the idea is becoming more popular. Two reasons stand behind this. The growing interest in remote work makes online communications more crucial. You will find that simple templates make it easy for anyone to produce a professional looking site without having to go to coding camp or art school. Impress prospective employers and stand out by showcasing your qualifications in a personal website. Consider how to create and promote your personal website. Create Your Personal Portfolio Website
Promote Your Personal Website
A personal website could make your next job search faster and more successful. It’s one more tool that helps you stand out from the crowd and show an employer how much you have to offer.
Pharmacist CVPharmacist resumes must have information of your experience relevant to the position in a quick and clear format. You already know employers are only interested in a highly qualified Pharmacist with a customer-friendly attitude. Apart from highlighting your qualifications, contact information, experience etc, the following points for a Pharmacist CV will provide resume writing ideas on how to prepare the resume for a Pharmacist position.
Use important keywords in your resume (i.e.: pharmacology, dispensing and compounding, medication therapy, pharmaceutical research, and in specialty areas like acute and critical care, ICU, nuclear pharmaceuticals, and retail etc. Narrate some of the main reasons why you should be called for the interview. For example:
Mention how you have reduced costs and saved money in your department or the organization in general. Highlight any other achievements that have benefited your department and your organization in general. Learn how to make your resume stand out. Below is a video of a sample Pharmacist CV for your review. Pharmacist CV
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Jobsearch SitesThere are many jobsearch sites readily available at our fingertips. Use "find a job near me" and you will quickly find a variety of josearch sites. All a person has to do on any of the jobsearch sites is open an account, fill up the necessary fields, and submit his/her resume. Jobsearch sites usually ask for pertinent information such as the person’s name and contact information. They will also ask jobseekers to add information about their educational background. Most importantly, employment history has to be mentioned which includes the job description and highlights the experience and accomplishments during a person’s career. A section in the account will also ask the preferred industry of work, if the person is willing to do field work or open to relocation and the expected salary, should one be accepted for the job. With all the information provided, jobsearch sites will then match your qualifications with the jobs available. This service is free and matches can be seen when the person logs on the account or gets a notice via email. CareerBuilder is a good example of this service. Don't forget to log into Indeed. Indeed is another good example. Below you will find various tips for making the most of your online job search. You will also note a list of jobsearch sites at the end of this article Help Emloyers Find YouAlways post your resume online. A study by ComScore found that job seekers who added their resume to an online database were twice as likely to receive a job offer than those who simply applied to specific positions. Always keep in mind that many employers never advertise their openings, preferring instead to search a pre-screened database of applicants. Employers overwhelmingly prefer this method to the alternative of advertising a position online and being flooded with hundreds of unqualified applications. If your resume is not in the database that your dream employer is searching, you’ve already lost out. You should also review the 12 ways to ensure that your resume gets read. See What Employers SeeMany online job boards have a section of their site where potential employers can conduct a free test search of their resume database. Before you post your resume online, use this feature to search for the type of job you want. There are at least three advantages to doing this:
Save Your MoneySome sites offer a service with a fee that will place the resume over other applicants giving that person more priority. But that is not a guarantee that the jobseeker will be hired anywhere. Don’t waste your money. First of all, you have no way to measure how much higher your resume will rank over non-paid resumes. Second, for the most competitive fields, thousands of other people have purchased the same package, defeating their purpose. Third, the biggest online job boards have publicly acknowledged that simply changing one word of your profile or posted resume on a regular basis will have the same effect (essentially getting you the outcome of the paid service for free.) Protect Your Identity & PrivacyUnfortunately, jobsearch sites have become a favorite way for scam artists to find victims. To protect your privacy and identity while still effectively making your credentials available, consider these steps:
Always Complete the Online ProfileAlways complete the online profile (in addition to attaching your resume). Why? Because when employers search the resume database, your profile is searched and shown before your resume. In fact, an employer won’t see your resume at all unless they first click on your profile and then scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen (which many won’t do). Knowledge is Power. Make sure you use it in your career search and don't fall through the cracks. Jobsearch SitesThe list below includes a wide selection of 62 jobsearch sites with various services for different needs and requirements.
Applying online is not only done through job sites. You can also check the websites of companies that usually have a section on careers to see what openings are available. You simply have to go through the process of giving certain information and uploading your resume.
Image by Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay;
How To Ask For Informational Interview
As we are going through The Great Resignation, many are considering the cost of a career change and looking for resources to help them learn about other related aspects of a career change.
If you’re also thinking about changing careers, talking to someone who does the job you’re interested in can give you insight into what you will — and will not — like about your desired job. For someone who hasn’t interviewed for a job in a long time, an informational interview can also provide valuable practice before applying for jobs and going on interviews. Informational interviews (also called information sessions, informational meetings, or research interviews) are interviews that are conducted to gather information to help prepare for a job interview and/or learn more about a specific job, industry, or company. However, an informational interview is not a job interview, and should not be confused with one. With an informational interview, you’re not seeking a job — you are seeking information to help you get a job. Anyone can conduct an informational interview, although they are most commonly used by new graduates and perhaps those who may feel they have been on a wrong career path. Below is a sample scenario to demonstrate "how to ask" for an informational interview. Asking For an Informational Interview
If there is a company you’d like to work for, use this script to ask for an informational interview. This can also be a script if you identify a contact who can give you information or help you network to a job.
Preparation:
Make the Call: Hi! My name is (your name) and I was given your name as the person who oversees the (name of) department or hires (job titles). OR [If you were referred to them by someone, mention that. Or, if you have something else in common — like your alma mater or a professional association, use that as your lead-in.] I’m looking to make connections in the ____ field. I know you’re not currently hiring, but I was hoping you might be able to provide me with some advice. Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions? [If no, ask if you can schedule a time to talk to them later.] [If yes, give a quick summary of your background and qualifications and then ask one or more specific questions]
Thank you for your time. How It Might Sound: You: Hi! My name is Melanie McIntosh and we’re both members of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). I’ve seen you at a couple of meetings, but we’ve never formally met. I’m looking to make connections in the public relations field. I was hoping you’d have a couple of minutes to provide me with some advice. Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions? I promise I’ll keep it short. Contact: Sure, I’ll try to answer a question or two for you, if I can. You: I’ve worked with a couple of agencies — I’m currently a PR Specialist with Be Bold PR and previously worked as an Account Executive for Stronger Brands for five years before that, specializing in pitching, account service, and media relations. I was wondering how your agency typically fills positions when they come open. Do you hire from within, do you advertise them, or do you work with recruiters? Contact: We usually put up postings on the PRSA job board, LinkedIn, and Indeed. We also work with recruiters — usually PR Talent and Recruiters Inc. You: Great. Can I ask how you got hired at Phantom Public Relations? Contact: One of my former bosses came to work here and he hired me away. They actually created a job for me, and then I was promoted into my current role two years ago. You: That’s great. I see from your LinkedIn profile that you’re well connected in the industry. Do you happen to know of any companies that might be hiring PR Specialists focusing on agriculture and farming clients? That’s my specialty. Contact: I don’t know of anyone specifically who may be hiring, but I am friends with Simon Bass over at Waypoint Communications and I know they have a couple of ag and farming accounts. You’re welcome to drop my name if you want to ask him about openings. You: Thank you. I really appreciate it. One last thing: Is there anything I can do for you? I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me today. Contact: No, I can’t think of anything. But do say hi if you are at next month’s PRSA meeting. You: Will do. Thanks again.
Having “inside information” about a company you’re interested in working for, or about a specific job you’re applying for can be very helpful throughout your job search. Getting "inside information" is the purpose of an "informational Interview". Hopefully the sample scenario above will help you to effectively leverage this strategy.
Job Relocation Checklist: Moving For Your Career
It’s hard enough crafting your resume, searching for jobs, writing cover letters (relocation cover letter examples) applying, interviewing, and changing careers. When you decide to take a job in a new city, you’ve opened up a whole new set of challenges. While relocating for a job can be a fairly intimidating, life-changing shift, cities around the world can provide countless opportunities that your hometown may not offer. That said, you’ve done the hard part — you’ve made the tough decision. Now it’s time to take the leap and make a smooth transition into your new career in a new place. If this is the first time you’ve ever moved for a job, the checklist below will help you prepare for this new chapter.
Discuss A Relocation Package
Before signing any offers, know that some companies provide relocation assistance for new employees. This might come in the form of a lump sum of cash, reimbursement, or through a third party. You can inquire about and negotiate terms with your employer before moving. These agreements may include:
Visit Your New Company and Town
Free visits may also be included in your relocation assistance package. How will you know if this is the right career move or the right city for you if you’ve never been there? Your employer wants you to be confident in your decision to relocate, so some will fund a visit. Tour the building and speak to potential coworkers to get a feel for the job. Also on this visit, you can explore the surrounding neighborhoods, restaurants, and activities to make sure this is a place you’ll want to live in long-term.
Arrange Housing
Before you start packing boxes, make sure you have a place to live in your new city. Do your research to find a safe and suitable neighborhood for you and your family. Then, search for houses for sale in your desired neighborhood and work with a REALTOR® to schedule tours. If you’re struggling to find a home, don’t worry. Oftentimes, companies will offer to find or fund temporary housing for new hires and their families until they can establish a permanent residence. So, feel free to reach out to your employer for assistance or to take advantage of their connections with local moving services.
Network In Your New Community
A new career comes with a whole new collection of people to get to know, bounce ideas off, and seek guidance from. Expand your network by introducing yourself to your new coworkers and taking advantage of any opportunity to be involved. Join groups or organizations and attend events within your field to network with other professionals, especially if you’ve accepted a job in a different field. Lean on your teammates and look for chances to learn and grow.
Moving for your career can be a scary decision to make, but with the right amount of research and preparation, you can walk into the first day worry-free and ready to kickstart your career.
Jobs In Retirement
Do you go online and search for Jobs for retirees near me? If you’re a retiree looking for another job to help shore up your bank accounts or buy something extra, or just to be around people, these options might work for you. Remember that you can change your entire direction if you want to, or you can leverage what you learned working and become a Consultant. These twelve great jobs for retirees will make you want to get started now and you can easily start near you.
1. Photographer – You can become a Photographer in a few ways. Many companies that need someone to take school pictures offer equipment and training for people. But you can learn to become an adequate photographer on your own today by taking a class through LinkedIn Learning, Udemy.com, or even locally.
2. Temp Event Staff – In your local area, there are probably events that need people to handle a lot of set-up, teardown, and organization such as parking. You can sign up for these types of jobs through various temp agencies in your town or go directly to the venue that puts on the events to ask. 3. Substitute Teaching – Even if you have never taught or have a degree, in some locations you can become a substitute teacher. You must seek proper training and you will find that your new skills are always in high demand. A good sub can work full-time hours in a large district. 4. Child Care Provider – Another way to be around kids and make some money in a job for retirees is to work at a daycare center or start your own daycare in your home. If you work at a center, you’re likely to make minimum wage, but you can often arrange to work only a couple days a week in the room you want to work in, such as the infant room. 5. Freelancer – Another way to work is to become a freelancer. You can work online as a virtual assistant, content writer, graphic designer, and other positions as a freelance contractor for a variety of business types. 6. Drivers and Delivery Drivers – Rideshares and personalized delivery are very popular right now. They give you an excellent opportunity to make money in your retirement, working only on the days you want to work. Sign up with Instacart.com, Uber.com, Lyft.com, and others to find out more. 7. Life Coach / Consultant – There is a massive opportunity for you to use the experience you already have to help others. You can become a business consultant if you have that experience or you can become a life coach assisting others in succeeding at something you did. 8. Pet Sitter and House Sitter – Do you love pets and you want to choose your own hours? You can start this as a side business if you want flexibility. You can also find plenty of jobs run by others who need help and make about $18 to $20 an hour. 9. Author / Writer / Blogger – If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a writer, there is more opportunity than ever today. You can write your book and publish it on Amazon. Their Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is free. You can publish straight to Kindle, and with just a little bit more work Amazon will also publish your books in print. You can also write for the internet as a blogger or for clients who need website content. 10. ESL Teacher – Companies like VIPKid.com allow those with teaching experience of any kind to sign up and teach English to children all over the world. You do need a college degree. 11. Real Estate Sales / Property Management – There are many opportunities in real estate, from sales to property management. You can even manage other people’s rentals; it’s up to you what you want to do. 12. Insurance Sales – It’s relatively easy to get a license to sell life insurance and liability insurance. Plus, it pays residuals. Many retirees like getting involved in this second career, which is very helpful for building a better portfolio. These great jobs for retirees are opportunities that you may not have considered. Before you run out and get a job, consider the lifestyle you want to live first. It’ll help you make a good decision about the job.
Resume Follow Up Call
You have sent your resume in response to a particular job advertisement and you are interested in the job, but you are not sure how to follow up, what to say, or even when to follow up.
SITUATION: RESUME FOLLOW UP CALL Use this script to follow up after sending a resume to see if interviews are being scheduled. Preparation:
MAKE THE CALL Be prepared to leave a voicemail message if you don’t reach the person directly. Be sure to leave a phone number, but know that you may not get a callback. If you leave a voicemail, follow up 2-3 days later with an email. Hi! My name is (your name). [If you have a mutual connection or were referred to the position by someone specific, mention it. For example: “Jane Jones suggested that I speak with you.” People are more likely to take the time to talk to you if you mention a mutual friend or acquaintance, so always mention the common connection.] Do you have a minute? [If no: “When would be a good time for me to call back?”] I submitted (my resume/an application) for the position of (name of job) on (date). (Provide a one- or two-sentence summary of your qualifications and what you can offer to the company in this role.) I wanted to make sure you had everything you need from me to consider me as a candidate for this position. And I wanted to ask if you have a date when you expect to start interviewing for this role. [If yes: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you today.] [If no: Is it okay if I check back with you in a (timeframe – for example, a week)?” HOW IT MIGHT SOUND: You: Hi! My name is Jim Adams. Our mutual friend, Jane Jones, suggested that I speak with you. Do you have a minute to talk right now? Hiring Manager: Yes, but I have another call in 5 minutes, so I’ll have to make it quick. You: I understand. This will only take a minute or two. I submitted my resume for the Public Relations Specialist role last Tuesday. I’m currently working for Acme PR and, as you require, I have 10 years of experience in pitching, account management, and media relations. I wanted to make sure you had everything you need from me to consider me as a candidate for this position. And I wondered if you have a date when you expect to start interviewing for this role. Hiring Manager: No, we’re still accepting applications at this time. If you submitted your application online, I’m sure I have it, but if you want to send your resume to my email, you can do that too. My email is KarenSampson@macpr.com. You: Ok. Would it be okay if I also check back with you again at the end of next week? Hiring Manager: Sure. You: Thank you, I’ll check back in on the 15th then and I’ll email you my resume. Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you today.
Job Hunting Without A College DegreeAre you tired of reading job ads that sound like a great match for you, only to find out that they require a college degree? You might start feeling like you’re the only one who didn’t finish college. The truth is that you have plenty of company. Two thirds of American adults lack a bachelor’s degree, according to the US Census Bureau. While higher education is enriching, it can also be difficult to afford. You can have a satisfying career without a four-year degree. Learn how to continue your education or find high paying jobs with the qualifications you have now. Finding Jobs That Don’t Require A Bachelor’s DegreeA growing number of employers are reconsidering the degree inflation that occurred in recent years. Some major companies no longer require a bachelor’s for certain positions. You can find many opportunities if you know how to look. Keep these tips in mind:
Continuing Your EducationOf course, you may want to continue learning for your own personal and professional reasons. Additional studies look impressive on your resume as part of your accomplishments and help you to lead a richer life. These activities will help you to continue learning:
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are just two famous examples of how to succeed without completing college. Higher education can be an excellent investment, but there are other paths to a rewarding career and meaningful life.
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AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. Archives
May 2024
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