HELP WANTED but are you?

Over the past year I have met people in transition and have been asked the same question..."How do I stand out among the crowd?" When I answer that question with, "Do you have a job search strategy and a social media presence?," nine times out of ten the answer is no.

What is a job search strategy?

A job search strategy is a full-time job. Wake up every morning as if you are going to work that day, reply to and send emails, check the daily postings, setting up networking appointments and more. Welcome to your new job as an entrepreneur and administrative assistant. Here is a quick breakdown of tips to share from my experience as a recruiter.

1. Make your emails professional but personal. Address your email to the appropriate person and use the body of the email to tie your experience in with the company culture and capabilities.
   
2. Keep a log of the positions that you applied for. Here is a free sample from Microsoft. http://bit.ly/dgdeDy - Use this log to place follow up calls and as a reference when you received return calls.
   
3. Think outside of the box. In addition to job boards such as Monster, Careerbuilder, Hotjobs, and Dice, use social media such as Linkedin, Twitter, Meetup and more. (see Linkedin tips below in the second part of this blog)
   
4. Attend FREE or low cost networking events in your area of expertise or desired industry.
   
5. Create a professional, yet eye-catching business card that includes your skill sets, target employers or industries and contact info (phone, email, URL for Linkedin profile)
   
6. Have a professional email address for example, firstname and lastname@gmail.com, a clear and business appropriate voice mail message and ring tone on your cell or home phone. (this means no reverse ring tones such as Gin And Juice by Snoop Dogg - not that I am not a D-O-double G fan, but what first impression does this leave for the recruiter/employer?)

What is a social media presence?

As a recruiter, I am a firm believer in the power of social media for connecting with talent. Linkedin happens to have replaced our organization's use of job boards over the past 2 years. Here are helpful hints to get you started on a Linkedin profile or in maintaining an existing one.

Profile Dos
Complete your profile
Create an eye-catching headline
Keep your profile up to date with current experience and projects
Edit your public profile link to include your full name and add the link to your résumé
Add at least five specialties specific to your experience and search
Ask for at least 2 recommendations for each employer/project
Personalize your summary to show your character and personality

Profile Don’ts
Add a profile picture that is NOT a professional representation of you
Post a web link of your work or a blog that is not live
Ignore your inbox (there could be messages about a new opportunity)
Add too many past employers, keep it fresh and related to your current search

Additional Tips
Change your profile status often in order stay in the forefront of everyone’s mind
Add a Word doc or pdf of your résumé to your profile
Increase networking opportunities by joining Linkedin groups related to your search or community (you can join up to 50 and can change them up as frequently as you prefer)

At Escoe Bliss, we believe in living our Core Values including taking personal responsibility in our relationships and partnerships. We hope that this blog helps you start on the right path to securing your next career, project or gig. If we can ever be of assistance, please don't hesitate to call or email us. Contact info can be found at http://www.escoebliss.com/.

Wishing you the best success!
Jolynn Atkins, Manager of Consulting Solutions (and the rest of the Escoe Bliss team)