Our bi-monthly "Mentorship & News" newsletter - always features news for people in transition.
If you work with an Executive Outplacement or EAP firm, or if you represent a company facing layoffs and would like assistance in preparing your staff for their transition, please click here.
Up To Speed: Career Transition
No job is secure. Your career safety net depends as much on your personal
network - the people you know - as it does on your experience. But the
demands of the high-speed digital workplace have left many professionals
without sufficient time to develop and nurture these essential relationships.
At Bristall Morgan we have been speaking about this topic for almost 20 years.
BUY THE BOOK: Up To Speed: Resources for Professionals In Transition - a 60-page
e-Book filled with tips on company research, Web 2.0, résumé
preparation and time management for people facing or undergoing career
change. This guide delivers the latest information on today's job-finding issues, such as:
* Making the most of the key features of Jobsites such as Monster and Workopolis
* Learning which other jobsites are available for your business and level
* Using social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Ryze, FaceBook, FastPitch and others.
* Understanding the significance of Web 2.0 to your jobsearch.
* Taking full advantage of the internal job boards of companies
* Taking full advantage of Internet Search tools
* Locating the Hidden Job Market
* Learning key networking skills
* Managing time during periods of unemployment
* Techniques for maintaining a balanced life during unemployment, including warding off depression, lethargy, and other negatives.
* Tips for preparing yourselves for interviews
* Resources for resume preparation
* Understanding blogs in job search - why you should use them and why you should have one
* Understanding the multi-generational workplace - how does this affect your employability
* and much more.
A No-Nonsense 12-words-or-less summary of Web 2.0 platforms Check back regularly, as this section will be updated on an ongoing basis. Do you have an entry or a request for entry on this section? Use the contact Us information below to send us your suggestions.
LinkedIn: Business-oriented networking and job listings.
Facebook: Social interaction, primarily with friends and family.
MySpace: Allows creation of personal websites. Used by bands, artists, musicians.
Ning: A social website based on groups rather than individuals.
Plaxo: an online address-book. Allows your contacts to update themselves so that remains current.
Naymz: another social networking site
"I Found My Job On Twitter! Great article from CNN Money. Click here to read.
Writing a better LinkedIn/Résumé profile Great article from The Huffington Post (thx to Beth Berglund). Click to read.
Recommended Readings
A great book by Jeffrey Fox, Don't Send a Résumé And Other Contrarian Rules for Landing a Great Job discusses the notion that although résumés are not the job search dealmaker. Instead he suggests you craft your own pitch: identify a company you would like to work for even one that doesn't know it needs you yet, identify its pain point, and craft a pitch to the right decision maker. This is a great book on the art of hunting your success.
Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey Mackay is an excellent book on networking. It actually predates the public use of Internet which makes it more relevant, not less. A strong network the best insurance policy.
This annual classic, by Richard Bolles always contains great advice and fact about the art of job hunting, including eye-openers such as the completely opposite way in which job seekers and hirers operate, which results in reduced chances for connecting. This book is full of must-know information for anyone currently looking.
This is not a book about secret societies; The Secret Handshake, by Kathleen Reardon is instead about learning how to read between the lines in terms of business relationships. Are people really saying what you think they're saying, or is there something more to their messages. And are you in tune enough to know? A compelling book about the fine art of human communication in the career race.
The best way to learn is not through theory, but through history. Learn how others did it and you can carve your own path. Lessons From the Top is a book that presents mini-biographies of some of America's top CEO's.
HAPPEN Workshop Q&A.
Here are some of the questions asked at our recent HAPPEN LinkedIn workshop. If you have a question that is not answered, use the Contact us form below.
Q: Do you recommend adding a photo to your LinkedIn profile? A: Yes. A photo helps to warm the relationship. People like to know who they're dealing with. They can also be very useful to help people find each other when having first meetings or interviews in public places such as coffee shops. Anything that you cna do to add a human touch to your relationships is always helpful.
Q: Is it possible to "unlink" from a connection on LinkedIn? A: Yes. From the LinkedIn homepage, click on the Contacts tab. A list of your current contacts should appear. Click in the small check box to the left of the person's photograph. Once you have finished selecting the person or people to be unlinked, click on the Remove Connections link at the top right. Take note: the people being unlinked will not be notified of this activity. Note also, any conversations and other text correspondence between you and the unlinked person is likely to remain elsewhere on the LinkedIn servers.
Q: How do you create a blog? A: Setting up a blog is easy and free. There are many free blog hosting sites available. I have worked mostly with Blogger, which is hosted by Google. Full instructions are on this slideshow below. To maximize this slideshow for full-screen viewing, click on the icon with the four arrows pointing outward. Click on it again to minimize when finished.
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