Recruitingmaven.com

I understand the current economic situation in the world is tough.  It’s getting more and more difficult to find a job.  Many of the candidates I talk to lately are frustrated beyond belief and I feel bad that I can’t help them.  Even my significant other who has been unemployed for quite a while and it seems the longer he’s out of work the more stressed he has become.  It makes for a tense home life.

It’s extremely impossible to predict if there will be an end insight with more and more people losing their jobs and joining the unemployment line.  Finances are tight for those that are expected to take furloughs as well.

So, what do we do if the loss of the job happens to us? Some are taking action and asking for help from friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc.  Some are getting up off the ground, dusting themselves off and learning that there are opportunities in a situation like this.   Here’s a few ideas that could lead to wealth and freedom.

1. Direct Selling- Start your own business selling products made by other companies. Some examples: Tupperware, AVON, Scentsy Candles, Partylite.  These types have companies have allowed many folks to start their own businesses with very little investment.  They allow flexibility, freedom and the power to build their business however they want.
2. Blogging- This is very new to me but this little blog has already made me a little bit of money.  How?  Affiliate marketing and Google ad-sense.  It hasn’t allowed me to quit my day job yet but it’s paid for itself (hosting, domain, etc.)
3. Social Networking- Yes you can earn money by networking online by using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.  There are many companies out there paying people like me to “tweet” or “post” about their products and services.  Again I’ve only made a little bit here but it’s still something.  I truly think that if someone can devote more time they could make a pretty good living.
4. Start a business- quite a few folks effected by lay offs have made a living out of doing things they love.  Some examples, dog walking, day care, running errands for others, virtual assistants, free lance writers, jewelry making, and lots of other great businesses.  These cost very little to start and you have control over how things get done.

Remember even if you have lost your job do not let it get you down, try to think of some things that you can do to stay busy and possibly earn you some cash.   Pleasant events are usually followed by something positive, and it may be just the stimulus to change your life for the better.

What does your online image say about you?

I googled my name today, and guess what I found? I’m not as much of a novice to social media as I thought I was.  Victoria Shanen, said it first…Social media is HIP!

Sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter allow you to get in touch with long lost friends, share photos of your kids and pets, or just entertain ourselves (Farmville fans, don’t be offended…what is the point of having an online farm?) but social media can be a tool that will help build networks and possibly help land that position.

Social media is and should be a big part of your job search tool kit.  I’m going to be honest here, I’m a little late in the game when it comes to using social media as a recruiting tool.  Yes, I’m using it now and honestly it’s fun and I learn something new every day but I should have jumped on the band wagon a long time ago.  Don’t get me wrong I still love the phone and face to face networking but sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter have reduced some sourcing time and has brought FUN back to recruiting.

Why should you use social media like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter,  as a part of your job search?  Companies are Googling prospective candidates all the time now.  If you show an interest in a position once  a Hiring Manager or Recruiter has seen your application and  or resume, your name is popped into a Google search.  When they search your name, there should at least be a little something about you.  You don’t want them wondering if you’ve lived under a rock for the past 8-10 years.

How do you get started in social media?  First of all, it’s easy and it’s free!  Try this first, Google yourself and look at the results on the search engine results page.  What do you see?  What would you want to see if you were wanting to know about you?  It’s easy to get an account with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flicker, YouTube and my not so favorite MySpace.  Open accounts with these sites and others like them.  These sites allow you to post content about yourself and what you are doing.  Start with a professional profile on LinkedIn, don’t forget to include a resume here.  You can also use VisualCV.com to post an online CV or resume.  Remember that we want to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to post personal stuff, this will help you “brand” yourself online.  Remember Recruiters and Hiring Managers are people too and we want to know more about you not just your work.  The more you post the more you will get noticed in search engines like Google, MSN or the new Bing.

Wait, stop right there!  I just said to post personal content right?  Here’s a small caveat, have fun with social media but remember to post responsibly.  Keep the content real but at the same time don’t post things that you wouldn’t want your Mother to see.  If you went out last night and drank your heart out and danced on tables, keep that to yourself.  No need to share with the world that you were not being too responsible.  Posts like these will get some attention, not the job.

Use these tools and have fun in your job search, you never know who would be searching your name right now.

Almost everyone I know is on Facebook or Twitter these days?  Even my Mother is on Facebook.  I know it’s strange to think that my Mom is seeing my posts, it’s almost like she’s peeking in my diary.  (If I had one.)

Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are all about who you know.  But you can use these online networking tools to your advantage. Why?  Because there could be people out there looking for you.

It’s ok to Tweet about your job search.  With the current unemployment rate at an all time high it’s best to get yourself noticed.  I know quite a few folks who spend their day looking for old friends, relatives, colleagues, playing games, etc.  Why not spend some time talking about your job search? Hal Thomas did an excellent job of creating a “Tweet” that landed him a social media content manager position at BFG Communications.

There are many Recruiters (like myself) searching Twitter and Facebook for potential candidates.  I’m pretty new to Twitter so my following is not to high yet, but I am using these tools as a way to reach out to candidates that might not necessarily be checking out my open positions.  In most cases Recruiters will have a link to their company website.  Check out these sites.  See if you know some of the Followers of said Recruiters.  They might be able to tell you whether or not you should consider connecting with them.

There are several Twitter Job Resources out there:

• Tweetmyjobs-  It is a service that brings Recruiters, Hiring Managers and Job Seekers together on Twitter.  It’s instant messaging for job postings.
• Jobsearch accounts- there are specific Twitter accounts that provide listings for specific fields, industries and occupations. (@attjobs – Jobs at AT&T, @juicyjobs – Green jobs, @socialmediajob – Jobs in social media)
• Twellow- The Twitter yellow pages
• Just Tweet It!- Directory for Twitter Users.

Remember to create an online presence that is professional.  Remember your Mom is probably on Facebook or Twitter now, it’s probably safe to say that if you wouldn’t want Mom reading your posts, you should refrain from posting it.

When the job market tightens up, and there are less opportunities for job seekers, job searching becomes much more competitive. Rather than it being a buyers market, where you can pick and choose between job offers, there are fewer jobs available and more candidates, so employers can afford to be picky. It’s at this time that it’s important to make sure that you stand out from the crowd and show the hiring manager that you are a candidate who definitely should be selected for the position you are interested in.

What can you do to get noticed? It’s not as hard as you might think.

Write a Targeted Resume
I know this is harder to have more than one resume for every job you apply for, however, it works. Taking the time to edit or rewrite your resume so it matches the qualifications for the job you’re applying for will show the hiring manager that you have the credentials for the job and should be considered for an interview.  It also shows you care and you have initiative.

Write a Targeted Cover Letter
Write a cover letter that shows, at a glance, why you are a strong match for the job. Highlight your professional qualifications that match the hiring requirements. You only have seconds to catch the Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s attention; it’s your job to keep it.

Build Your Professional Brand
Sometimes, recruiters Google candidates even before they schedule an interview. You will want to make sure that everything they find when they search and everything related to you on the professional and networking sites (like LinkedIn and Facebook) is information that is presentable to the public.  If you wouldn’t want your Mother to see it, than don’t have it out there.   Also, be sure to edit your profile on LinkedIn so your connections know you are available for career and/or job opportunities.

Use Your Connections
Don’t be afraid to use your connections.  If you have connections at the company you just sent your resume to reach out to them.  They may be able to give your resume a boost and help you get an interview. You can also use your connections to find out more about the company.  In a tight job market, your connections are an even more important resource, just keep in mind you have to give to get.

Be Proactive
Remember that old saying “He who hesitates is lost” – it’s true. Employers don’t wait forever for applicants to submit their resume (I just talked to a candidate today that said he had alot of personal issues to take care and would complete his application next week. What?) so when you find a job listing that’s a good match, apply immediately. Set up job search agents on the job search engines and/or job boards so you get new positions sent to you via email as soon as they are posted online.  If you wait you might lose out on a great opportunity.

Boost Your Job Search
If your job search seems to be stuck, try some new initiatives to get it started, so you can get back on track to find a new job, sooner rather than later.

Practice Makes Perfect
Practice before you go for an interview. Review typical interview questions and research the company so you are well-prepared to interview.  Have interview clothes ready (dry cleaned, shoes polished, etc.) so you’re ready to interview professionally at a moment’s notice. That way, your first impression will be positive and that’s the impression you want to make on everyone you meet when you’re job searching. Have questions ready for the interviewer as well.

Having these tools will help you be more prepared and ready, but remember that it’s all up to you to make an impression.