New Year = New Career! Part 1

Happy New Year to all! Good news! There is a buzz from the pipeline that contract, temp, and direct hire placements are on the rise. Are you ready for your new career? We will have a series of tips to get you geared up and ready to go! If you are not using social networking, start! Most recruiters and hiring managers are using social networking sites such as Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter in addition to the job boards to find talent. Today we are sharing the basics on how to get started on Linkedin.

Part 1 - Creating a Linkedin profile as an alternate resume to snag a new career or project

Profile Dos:
1. Complete your profile
2. Create an eye catching headline
3. Keep your profile up to date with current experience and projects
4. Edit your public profile to include your full name and add that link to your resume
5. Add at least 5 specialties to your experience and search criteria
6. Ask for at least 2 recommendations for each employer or project
7. Personalize your summary to show your character and personality

Profile Don'ts:
1. Add a profile picture that is NOT a professional representation of you
2. Post a web link of your work that is not live
3. Ignore your inbox (it could contain messages about a new opportunity)
4. Add too many past employers - keep it fresh and related to your current job search

Additional tips:
1. Change your profile status often in order to stay in the forefront of everyone's mind
2. Add a Word doc or pdf of your resume to your profile (use the Linkedin application)
3. Increase networking opportunities by joining Linkedin groups related to your search and community

You can view a sample profile here.

Hope this is a helpful tool for you to get started. Please feel free to post your questions below and we will respond accordingly.

Building Up Your Community: A Building Block for Your Career

Community - noun

1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
2. a locality inhabited by such a group.
3. a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually prec. by the): the business community; the community of scholars.
4. a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.

No matter how you describe it, define it, or say it, we all are part of one, a community. Whether you're employed or in search of your new career, becoming part of community is a great way to learn from others, establish new relationships, and give to or for others. In a previous blog on defining a job search strategy, http://bit.ly/9TVa0y, we noted the importance of not only social networking but actual face to face networking. SO if you are going to network, why not choose a group or cause that you are passionate about and have an opportunity to give back to your local community?

Last week, I had the opportunity to do just that! Escoe Bliss is a member of the California Staffing Professionals (CSP) http://www.cspnet.org/, a non-profit membership organization which provides products and services to its members within the staffing services industry. CSP successfully influenced the passage of several state assembly bills that deregulated employer-paid agencies to the less restrictive control of local statutes, eliminating the Bureau of Employment Agencies. It fought oppressive I-9 requirements. It confronted the Legislature, protesting unfair competition by a publicly funded entity. On a turnaround trip with my CSP community from all over including, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and areas of Northern California, I had the pleasure of going to the state capitol to discuss with our legislators how we can and need to get the unemployed in California back to work. It was most impressive the way the legislators and staff set aside time to listen to our concerns and ideas. They even took time for a quick photo opp! (see photo below with Assemblyman Chris Norby)

Another stellar example: I recently learned of a story about an unemployed office administrator who is currently offering freelancing services and time for a veterinary office. I was so moved when she shared the reason behind it. This kind-hearted vet was by her side when her 14 year old border collie was having health challenges and even made house calls. When the office administrator was given the opportunity to return the favor, she didn't even blink and jumped at the chance.

Just to demonstrate how volunteering can not only fulfill a giant need in your community but lead to a personal story in your job search strategy, we have another example for you. Escoe Bliss' Regina Gormanly was a personal shopper at the Men's Day of Self Esteem for Working Wardrobes last fall. On this day she was partnered with another energetic volunteer. After getting to know each other, they were both in awe that Escoe Bliss' capabilities and her skill set were a match! She was a freelance Instructional Designer looking for a new contract. Regina introduced her to me and the rest is history! The Instructional Design consultant is now on a 12 month contract with our client.

Whether it is my recent experience to Sacramento, a personal experience of your own, or story shared about a perfect stranger helping someone they never met, hopefully you will be inspired. There is so much value and importance in finding a network and engaging in an activity that cannot only bring you and others joy, but be a step in the right direction of finding a new career or contract.

We are always looking for ways to build our community and volunteer. If you have an organization that you are passionate about please feel free to share in the comments section below.

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)