Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

How to extend yourself at a professional conference or event

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I recently attended the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conference as part of the social media team. I thought about how to extend yourself — how to stretch to fit the networking situation to make it valuable. [Read more…] about How to extend yourself at a professional conference or event

10 tips to help you land the best work references

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When you’re busy job-hunting, you may not think about creating a list of people who are willing to provide recommendations for you. As with all things related to your search, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance so that you’re ready when a potential employer wants a third-party endorsement.

Here are 10 things to consider so you won’t be caught like a deer in headlights when you need a professional recommendation to land a new job:

1. Keep your eyes open. Stay on the lookout for good references, even when you’re not in the midst of a job hunt. Maintain an ongoing list of people who are able to speak about your professional qualities.

2. Don’t wait to ask for LinkedIn recommendations, even when you’re not in an active job search. This is especially important if you work with clients for short stints or if you have a great boss who is moving on to a new job. The best time to nail down a solid reference is when your work is fresh in the person’s mind. Use LinkedIn to collect written recommendations that can stand the test of time. Employers will likely want to speak to the reference, but if you have a positive, targeted reference on LinkedIn, it’s a great starting point to help the person to remember your terrific professional qualities.

3. Avoid reciprocal recommendations. LinkedIn endorsements are more useful if they’re not all the result of “you recommend me and I’ll do the same for you” deals. A reader may not give the recommendation as much weight if you post an endorsement for each person who highlights your strengths.

4. Select your top prospects. Your next employer will prefer references from your current or previous employers, particularly your direct supervisors. Alternatively, you may also want to include clients or customers you worked for in your current or previous job. If you’re a recent graduate or if you’ve just finished a class, consider asking the professor or instructor to vouch for you. And it’s not unheard of to have someone you supervised act as a reference, though it’s not a first-choice option. If you have had a leadership role in a volunteer organization, “supervisors” from that organization may also be good references.

5. Request permission. Never give an employer the name of a reference without first asking the person’s permission. If possible, ask in person or over the phone so that you can better gauge the contact’s response to your inquiry. If prospects seem hesitant, allow them to bow out gracefully. You don’t want to have people recommending you who don’t feel strongly about your qualifications.

6. Never send a mass email to your preferred contacts. If you can’t reach your references on the phone and do resort to email, then never email more than one person at a time to ask for a reference. Everyone wants to be considered special and important. Contact each person individually, and make a point to explain exactly why you value their recommendation.

7. Remind your contact about your work together. Provide an updated version of your resume, emphasizing skills and accomplishments the person can highlight when an employer calls. Be sure she knows when you worked together so there is no confusion about dates or details.

8. Prepare your references to highlight your best skills for the job. It’s especially important if you’re applying for a particular job to provide as much information as possible to help the person understand what makes you the best fit. Include a job description, your cover letter for the position, and specific information you may have learned at the interview. For example, if it’s clear your teamwork skills are important for the job, and you know your recommender can speak highly of your abilities as a team player, point that out and ask if he would be willing to mention those skills.

9. Vet your references. If you’ve often reached the final interview stages without landing the job, you should probably touch base with the references who hold the keys to your next position. Is it possible someone on your list isn’t as enthusiastic as you would expect? Or maybe you haven’t prepared them well enough to vouch for you? It’s difficult to know for sure what people say about you when a prospective employer calls, but if you’re suspicious, try mixing up your list.

10. Realize potential employers may contact people not on your list. As much as preparation is important, remember, it is very easy for hiring managers to identify people who may have worked with you, even if they’re not on your list. Hopefully, you can encourage potential employers to speak to your top listed references, but be aware, many will rely on their own networks to check out your qualifications.

Originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report.

photo by Roger Smith

 

5 ways to be sure you always have a job

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You are one of the lucky ones to land a job. But, conventional wisdom suggests that a job today is no guarantee of employment tomorrow. Our economy is changing, so you can’t consider yourself “finished” looking for work—even when employed. [Read more…] about 5 ways to be sure you always have a job

What is your unique value proposition?

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Have you ever been to New York City? Near Central Park’s south end, you will find hundreds of horse and carriage proprietors — each hoping you’ll sign up for a ride around the park. In a more recent addition in the last several years, there are also many peddling tours pulled by a cycling guide. With so many choices, how can anyone make a living?

It made me think about how important it is to identify and focus on a unique value proposition — for people seeking business from tourists in New York City and job seekers trying to differentiate themselves in a crowded job market.

Walking along Central Park West, I saw one horse-and-buggy driver who would have earned my business if I were planning to take a tour of the park. He let me take his picture (displayed here), but I noticed he wasn’t sitting at the curb for long — he was soon galloping around the park with customers in tow. What was different about him? As you can see from the photo, he went the extra mile in terms of his attire and that of his horse. Most of the drivers were dressed casually, almost sloppily in comparison to this one proprietor. Despite the heat, he went the extra mile to “dress up” his horse with a festive feather, matching his own purple vest. A top hat was the perfect addition to his look.

Finally, his carriage was special and a bit unique compared to the other horse drivers. I envision tourists considering their photo opportunities. A tour is an investment; why wouldn’t customers want the most for their money? If they assume most of the drivers are capable of providing a safe ride and basic, useful information, choosing a carriage clearly depends on aesthetic considerations, and this driver made the most of that fact.

This month, the Career Collective (a community I co-coordinate with my colleague Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter) addresses the question of the mid-year job-search check-up. There’s nothing more important than knowing what makes you special when you’re looking for a job. If you haven’t already spent time thinking about this important topic, the mid-year point is a good time to re-evaluate (Please click through to the links at the end of this post to my colleagues’ ideas about the topic.)

Obviously, for the job seeker, neither attire (nor a top hat!) are necessarily distinguishing factors. (Although, make no mistake, how you dress can and does make a big difference in how you may be perceived.)

Aside from aesthetic features, what can a job hunter do to help him- or herself stand out?

Discover Your Hook

What is special about you? What skills and accomplishments set you apart from every other person in the room? In your industry? It’s not easy to determine what makes you special and unique, but it’s important to think about it if you’re going to market yourself. Think about your work. What do you accomplish better than anyone else? (Or, better than most people?) Have you been able to solve a problem and come up with solutions no one else could? Think about the results you create; how do you make a difference?

If you don’t know what makes you stand out from the crowd, it will be difficult to convince anyone else why they should hire you.

Context of Your Target Audience

Once you begin to focus on what makes you special and unique, don’t forget to consider how you fit into your target employer.

You will find out the employer’s needs via research, informational meetings and networking. Don’t forget to investigate industry conferences. Many post their speaker programs online, so even if it is not feasible for you to attend, it’s easy to learn your field’s major pain points. How do your skills and accomplishments help address the topics top-of-mind to people in your field?

Can you help the organization:

  • Earn more money?
  • Handle their work more efficiently — saving money?
  • Attract more customers?
  • Solve some problem?
  • Create a new product or service?

Focus on the target audience’s needs – not on what YOU want

Think about it…If someone approaches you and starts talking about themselves and what they want, how closely will you listen? Statistics demonstrate that people don’t typically have very long attention spans to listen to other people talk.

Now, think about talking to someone who focuses on YOUR needs. A little more interested? I bet you are! Who doesn’t want to hear someone describe how he or she solves your problems!

The lesson for job seekers: when you identify your unique value proposition, be sure it isn’t all about YOU!

Big brands like Disney decide what they offer before they create and place their advertisements.  When they want to advertise Disney World, they appeal to families and parents’ need for an affordable, yet magical vacation.  Their brand is all about magic and family fun.  Their television ads appear on shows with a high viewership of people Disney targets.

If Disney didn’t consider what they offer, they wouldn’t be able to target their marketing.  By defining themselves and what problem they solve, they can offer a hook (an affordable family vacation).

What is brand YOU all about?  What makes you special and unique?  Think about what you offer an employer.  Consider your top five work and personal accomplishments.  Write them down and think them over.

Marketing Brand YOU

It’s great to know your value proposition, but if no one has heard of you, it won’t do you much good!

Make sure you put together a 360-degree marketing plan, including a high-quality resume detailing exactly how you are a good match for the position. Optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords and a story that makes people want to learn more about you.

Consider creating an online profile, or a social resume — YourName.com — to showcase your expertise and value. The site may include a blog focusing on your insights and accomplishments, or it may simply serve to help you own your name online and give you the opportunity to highlight what you want people to know about you if they search for you online.

Create a Google Profile. This has always been a good idea, but with the introduction of Google+, it is even more important, since Google+ draws on your profile information. (I haven’t had a chance to write about Google+, but it is a new social network combining elements similar to Facebook, Twitter and several other networks. Learn about it HERE. It’s still new, and not available to everyone, yet. The jury is still out regarding how useful it will be for job seekers, as right now, only early adopters have jumped on. Stay tuned for more information about Google+, but create a Google Profile even if you never plan to use the new social network.

Evaluate your Twitter and Facebook presence. Are you using them to your advantage? I could write a book about how to make these networks work for you…In fact, I did! 🙂

My book describes how to use social media tools (including Twitter and Facebook). The basics:

  • Be sure your profiles are suitable for anyone to view and represent the best, professional YOU.
  • Don’t waste the opportunity to connect with new potential colleagues.
  • Learn what you can via social media channels about what is happening in your field or industry Following Twitter hashtags during conferences is a great way to accomplish this.
  • Share what you know online to demonstrate your expertise and attract people to YOU.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, landing a job is a lot harder than donning a top hat and a purple vest, but with some planning and a real focus on what you have to offer your target audience, your mid-year career check-up couldn’t come soon enough. Let me know if I can help.

Here are links to Career Collective member responses!

 

4 Summer Strategies to Step Up Your Job Search, @DebraWheatman

Putting Your Job Search Up On The Rack For Inspection, @dawnrasmussen

Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: Are you wasting your time? @GayleHoward

It is Time for Your Check-up Ms/Mr Jobseeker, @careersherpa

Mid-Year Career Checkup: Are You “On Your Game?” @KatCareerGal

How to Perform a Mid-Year Job Search Checkup, @heatherhuhman

Reposition your job search for success, @LaurieBerenson

Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: What’s working and What’s not? @erinkennedycprw

Mid-Year Job Search Check-Up: Getting Un-Stuck, @JobHuntOrg

Mid-Year Check Up: The Full 360, @WalterAkana

5 Tips for Fighting Summer Job Search Blues, @KCCareerCoach

Are you positive about your job search? @DawnBugni, #CareerCollective

Where Are The Jobs? @MartinBuckland, @EliteResumes

Mid-Year Job-Search Checkup: Get Your Juices Flowing, @ValueIntoWords

When Was Your Last Career & Job Search Check Up? @expatcoachmegan

Is Summer A Job Search Momentum Killer? @TimsStrategy

Is It Time for Your Resume Checkup? @barbarasafani