Connecting Spaces To Faces!

[Nate Stockard]

Don Osborne suggested a question for you guys: what is the best way to connect spaces (jobs) to faces (people)?

There are many people looking for jobs at this point, and a good how-to would benefit your friends and the entire country. Please respond with successful things you have done, seen accomplished, so on. We will compile all of the responses into a "How-To" guide to distribute. Everyone who responds with quality answers will get credit in the guide!

[Nate Stockard]

LINKEDIN!
Linkedin is a great resource for finding a job. An job-seeker must complete their profile as much as possible to increase searches to their profile. Next, they should kindly let everyone they connect with they are looking for job opportunities, but they must be VERY specific. Don't tell everyone, "I'm looking for a job in Houston." That will not tell anyone how to help you. By stating, "I am looking for a graphic design job with a small firm, because I have 3 years of design experience," you let people know the perfect opportunity to share with you! Finally, use linkedin to connect with groups and people that may be a source for the job you are seeking. Read discussions, job postings, and so on to find opportunities.

[D. Drayden]

First, there are many many ways to land a great job or new career! In my experience, I have sourced many great talents from various networking events, job-boards, and job-fairs. When looking for a job, I highly recommend that you stay within your niche. The idea is to remain specific to your skill-set, so as to NOT land in a pile of "average" resumes. Attend functions in your industry, network with groups that gear to your background. In this day in age, it's not always what you know, or your credentials, but it can also become a matter of who knows you! There are some outstanding job boards that are industry specific such as Vault.com, Indeed.com, Dice.com, and JobFox.com.

Secondly, as a recruiter, I see many profiles and resumes cross my desk. I must remind you that it is very important to keep your resume up-to-date and current, as well as free of grammatical errors. Depending on what your niche or industry is, should determine the design of your resume; ie..chronological vs. functional. I have seen both prove successful. STAY POLISHED!

Third....Every professional keeps a business card on hand....You, as the job-seeker, should always have copies of your resume handy. Whether it be on a CD/DVD or a printed copy. We conduct business and meet prospects in many forms and fashions, so should you! I can't tell you how many times I have been more apt to remember an encounter with an unforgettable professional candidate, than I would an email received in my inbox. You NEVER know when or where you are going to meet your future employer!!

Finally, stay active within your industry. Even though you may not be currently employed in the industry you choose, it is best to remain involved. Whether it be continued education, community organizations, public speaking, volunteering, or any other form, the more experience and knowledge you maintain, the more marketable you remain. It is always impressive when I see a candidate who may have had a gap in tenure, but has volunteered or remained actively involved in their niche!

If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know!

[Martin G Meyer]

I have found in the past when working with recuiters make sure you keep your name in front of them. Remind them at least once a week you are still available. Recruiters see a lot of resume accross especially at times like these, so an email or phone call once a week can work wonders.

Attend networking events, you never know if you will meet a potential employer, or someone who knows someone who is looking for what your skill set. I do recommend if you do attend networking events, remember why you are there and that is to network, not spend your time eating appetisers, or drinking beer or wine. You are representing yourself to potential employers or people who may know someone who needs you, if you get my drift.

Last person I want to talk to at a networking event is someone who has had too much to drink, or is eating on the appetiser buffet like a well you know.

Now the most important thing of all when networking bring business cards. Vista print offers free business cards, and have templates that are easy to use. Make sure you list all you major information on there(how to contact you) and tell someone what you do. I have an accouting degree, and am looking for an accounting position with a etc. Also, spend the couple of dollars to remove the vista print ad off the back. Being a professional bookkeeper I understand cutting costs but that is not the place to do it, and use the better paper. Do not use dark business cards they are difficult for us older persons to read, and black glossy cards with silver or gold writting create a glare and extremely difficult to read.

Most important never give up, there are jobs out there.

[Lela Donelson]

Nate this is such a good idea! Here are things I have done in the past:
1. Contact personally everyone you know in your industry, profession or specialty
2. Send your resume to all of your contacts so they may immediately forward it if they hear of an opening
3. Be sure you are on all the online job sites like Monster
4. Contact all of your online friends and contacts on Linkedin, Twitter, Small Business Coalition etc.
5. Network, Network, Network
6. (what I did in the '80's downturn and never looked back) Be open to this as an opportunity for you to finally do
something you have always wanted to do like start your own business or change industries.
7. Get more training and go to seminars that have an educational content in the area you are interested in
Good luck with this worthy endeavor Nate!