JibberJobber The Information Hub for your Job Search

JibberJobber The Information Hub for your Job Search On a recent user recently one of the attendees referred to JibberJobber as the information hub for the job search. I loved that for two reasons: When I started JibberJobber I wanted it to be the central place for your job search intelligence contacts, follow-up, target companies, etc.  Theperson describing JibberJobber as the information hub for the job search got what I hoped for seven years ago! Having others tell you how they perceive you is really critical.  To have THEM come up with those words, instead of me coming up with those words, is powerful for marketing. Yes, JibberJobber should be the long-term hub for your job search and all of your career management. My questions to you: How are others describing YOU?  Is it the way you want them to? If they talk about it about you the way you want them to, was that because you did something intentional, or is it just because? JibberJobber The Information Hub for your Job Search On a recent user recently one of the attendees referred to JibberJobber as the information hub for the job search. I loved that for two reasons: When I started JibberJobber I wanted it to be the central place for your job search intelligence contacts, follow-up, target companies, etc.  Theperson describing JibberJobber as the information hub for the job search got what I hoped for seven years ago! Having others tell you how they perceive you is really critical.  To have THEM come up with those words, instead of me coming up with those words, is powerful for marketing. Yes, JibberJobber should be the long-term hub for your job search and all of your career management. My questions to you: How are others describing YOU?  Is it the way you want them to? If they talk about it about you the way you want them to, was that because you did something intentional, or is it just because?

Your Job is Not Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Your Job is Not Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week, I was at a typical networking-style event. We signed-in, got drinks, and then found a group of people to mingle with. And then the inevitable questioning started: What do you do? This is the question that always drives me crazy at networking events.   It annoys me because most people answer this question by saying the job they do at the company they work at: Im a salesperson at XYZ corportation. This made sense 20 years ago when people stayed in the same job for decades. My grandfather spent almost his entire career at 3M. When he told people he was an engineer at 3M, that worked because that job description was his personal brand. As long as he did good work and wanted to stay at the company, 3M rewarded his loyalty with a guaranteed job. But today, I wouldnt recommend answering the What do you do? question with your job description. It is highly unlikely that what youre doing now will be the same thing youre doing in 3 years. In this economy, you might not even be doing that job in six months. (Either by your choice or not.) In this recession, the job market is especially volatile, but it wont get better. Yes, hiring will go up, but youll never find a job that will be secure for 20 years. Why is this? Many reasons, including the fact that the Internet, which makes it possible to work from home also makes it possible to outsource workeven knowledge work like marketingoverseas. And also companies no longer reward their loyal employees with the guarantee of a job. Immediate profits and stock prices are more important. Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the average worker will hold at least 10 different jobs before hitting 40 years of age.   Forester Research predicts that younger workers will hold at least 12 to 15 jobs. Average job tenures are hovering at about 4 years, but   Gen Y employees are now averaging 1.5 3 years at a job, and some IT professionals switch jobs every 6 months. Of course, both employers and employees are responsible for the rapid decline of time people spend at their jobs. Employers because its easy to lay-off workers when times get tough and workers because they dont feel pressure to stick around when something better comes up. For that reason, it is almost guaranteed (especially if youre younger) that youll be switching jobs within the next years. Thats why you should never, ever make your job into your brand at networking events. The job probably wont last, and you dont want contacts to only associate you with your current position at your current company. So resist the easy answer to What do you do? and concentrate instead on telling people more about your capabilities and the value you bring. Your current job can be a part of that description, but dont let it become the entire thing. Author: Katie Konrath writes about creativity, innovation and “ideas so fresh… they should be slapped!” at www.getFreshMinds.com.

Building Your Personal Brand When Things Go Wrong - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Building Your Personal Brand When Things Go Wrong - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Corporate and personal brand building is easy on sunny days when everything is proceeding on schedule. This is true, whether youre an employee, a self-employed professional, or a huge corporationlike one of the largest airlines in the world. The real test of a brands commitment to brand building customer service is when everything goes wronglike what happened in the C Concourse of Clevelands Hopkins International Airport last Thursday evening. Background When my wife informed me I would be flying United Airlines from Boston to Cleveland, and back, last week, I didnt have much of an opinion. In the past, I had frequently flown United Airlines, but United had neither a good nor a bad brand with me. It was just another large airline. Nothing stood out either way. However, all that changed late last Thursday evening, when my flight home was canceled because of a combination of a thunderstorm stalled over the airport for several hours plus a mechanical problem with the replacement airplane. Adversity builds a brand The brand-building began when the gate agent informed everyone what was going on, and how they planned to get us home that night. Score One for United: the gate agent kept us informed throughout the evening displayed concern. When it became obvious that the flight had to be canceled, she was apologetic and empathetic. She explained how and why the flight had to be canceled. Surprisingly, I felt she was as disappointed as the passengers were! She was genuinely empathetic when she made the announcement. United customer service center I expected the worst when we were told to visit Uniteds Customer Service Center; all day long, the lines had been long, because of the thunderstorms throughout the country. The line had grown even longer as the evening proceeded. When it was finally my turn, the agent was surprisingly empathetic. She was poised, professional, but concerned. She explained the status of cancellations and full flights on Friday, butagainshe acted as if she really cared. She also acted like I was her first passenger of the day. She found me a seat on the first Boston flight. She shared a few resources, and a distressed voucher for a discount at a local hotel. Not a perfect solution, but, Score Two for United, she did not make me feel rushed!   She did what she could without losing poise or patience. Summoned by intercom I left the gate, and found a quiet spot to sit down and regroup. A few minutes later, I heard my name being paged and was told to report back to the Customer Service Center. When I got there, someone met me at the edge of the line, and explained that because my problem was rooted in the mechanical issue, I was entitled to guest lodging. She had already made a reservation for me at one of the airport hotels. All I had to do was go to Position #5 outside baggage claim, where Id be picked up. Score Three for United! Having realized she had made a mistake, the customer service representative had gone out of her way, making extra work for herself, in order to make sure that I received what I was entitled to. Thats pretty amazing! Even more significant, having realized her mistake, because of teamwork, she was able to continue serving the person in front of her, because the supervisor stepped in to deal with me. To me, thats evidence of some pretty impressive team building on United Airlines part. Adversity can build brands The lesson , of course, is that adversity can help build your brand, especially when things go wrong. Somewhere along the line, Uniteds Cleveland gate agents and customer service representatives were given the training and motivation to treat customers with care and respect. As a result, during a stormy night at the Cleveland Airport, United went from no-brand to positive brand within a matter of a few minutes! I dont know the names of the United employees involved, but it seemed to be a team effort. Which is pretty rare these days. In fact, brand-building may even be easier when things go wrong because its more noticeableand the competition may not be as adept at handling customer service problems! What about your business What happens when things go wrong in your department or your business? Are you, and everyone involved serving your clients and customers, prepared to make things right? Do you have procedures set up for handling the unexpected oras in this caseseveral unexpected thing going wrong at the same time? Are you set up to turn adversity into a stronger brand? Are you and your staff willing and able to look behind the extra work thrown your way, and empathize with your client’s disappointment and frustration? And, if youre an employee, are you ready to step-in and build your personal brand, as well as enhance your value to your employer, by stepping up to the plate with exceptional performance when things go wrong? If you get a moment, please share your procedures for addressing client or customer problems in your business. Do you have written policies in place for handling complaints and problems? And, have you, too, ever changed your impression of a brand from neutral to positive by the way the individual or firm reacted to unexpected challenges and developments? Share your experiences as comments, below. Author: Roger C. Parker is an author, speaker, and coach who helps others write better for personal brand building. Get his free 99 Questions to Ask Before You Start to Write   workbook or ask him a question.

Letter of Interest for a Job How To Write [+ Samples]

Letter of Interest for a Job How To Write [+ Samples] That awful feeling after going through countless job postings with no luck. Nothing fits. Nothing is available.Sound familiar?A lot of people have been there.The job search can be stressful and exhausting and can feel fruitless. No matter how hard you try, there seems to be a closed-door in the way.A letter of interest may prove to be the key that unlocks this door.By the end of the article, you will have all the information that you need to write a great letter of interest on your own.What is a Letter of Interest?People may often mistake a letter of interest for a cover letter, but we will explain the distinctions.A letter of interest (also known as a “letter of inquiry” or “prospecting letter”) can be sent to a company that may be hiring but just doesn'thave a specific job listing relevant to you yet.It is an unsolicited attempt to get your foot in the door at an organization.Sending a letter of interest is a fantastic way to at least get you on the radar of your potential employer, and can even lead to employment.Applying for jobs that are not posted yet will involve a lot less competition.If you write an effective letter of interest, you might be rewarded with a job that others didn’t even know existed.Most employers are interested in locating strong candidates.Even if there isn’t a job open at the time, you can get your foot in the door.A letter of interest is one of the best ways for you to accomplish this when a job opening is not formally posted.The worst that could happen is that the letter will get discarded.However, if it lands you a job, that was definitely time well spent.Letter of Interest vs. Cover LetterA cover letter is a document that you send with your resume when applying to specific jobs.Those specific jobs will have openings and an advertisement.You explain why you are a good candidate for that specific job.A letter of interest can be submitted at any time to any company. The organization does not need to have jobs open, or eve n to be hiring at the time.You can see it as a means by which you can introduce yourself to a company.As opposed to applying for a specific job, a letter of interest seeks to demonstrate that you would be an asset to the company in general.(If you need information on how to write a cover letter, check outHow to Write An Amazing Cover Letter.)How to Write a Letter of InterestA poorly written letter of interest is not going to harm your future prospects, but it will be time wasted.Invest your time wisely, make a good impression with your letter of interest, because a first impression is crucial in this case.What You Need Before WritingObviously, you need to have the specific contact information of your recipient. An example of who to contact may be an executive in the department that you are interested in.You can find this information through LinkedIn, the company website, their social media presence, or through networking.Additionally, if you have a contact within the company, it wil l be very helpful for them to give you a recommendation on who to contact. Being informed about the company, its competitors, targets, ethos and similar will only prove to be useful.Do your research!How to Start a Letter of InterestThe best way to begin a letter of interest? With a hook.Just getting in touch is not enough.You have to show that you are worth the time.If you submit a letter with a bland opening, it will be put to the side.Remember that the recipient is not expecting to hear from you.Catch the attention of your reader right away.A short and powerful statement is more than enough.As an accountant, the following sentence makes perfect sense:“I have worked as an accountant for 12 years. I am driven, a good team-player, detail-oriented, focused and hard-working.”But this is a lot more eye-catching:“I spearheaded a 60% raise in efficiency in my department.”As a teacher, it might be easy to say this:“Over the years, I have gained a better understanding of what work s and what doesn’t work.”But it is a lot more appealing to just put a number out there, like this:“I improved the average exam grade of my students by 35%.”The rest of the letter doesn’t matter if it is not read.Save fine details for when you have more words.So it is crucial to make it obviously worth reading from the start.Top Tip: Are you having a hard time thinking about a good hook? Look at your resume and see examples of your key achievements.What to IncludeThe quality of your letter of interest will be the crucial difference between getting your foot in the door and remaining behind it.Because of this, here is a list of things to remember when writing your letter of interest:Know the needs of where you are applying. By knowing the needs, you can show that you are the ideal fit to meet all of these needs. It does not help you to just give bland allusions to your skills. Show exactly how you are a great fit. Back up what your skills with specific proof. Always tailor y our letter to the recipient. It may not be on the same level as a cover letter applying for a specific job. However, you have a recipient, so write with them in mind. Concentrate on value. Show that you add value, and show why they value the skills that you have. Show that you check the boxes. Ensure that the letter has a clear intro, body, and conclusion. If everything that you write is not arranged in a correct and tidy format, you make your letter less appealing and attractive. Quality over quantity. When choosing what to say, it is better to give highlights than an extensive list. Key accomplishments are preferred to a lot of smaller details.These details are not complicated.They make a huge difference, though.Remember these, and you will certainly be in a great position to write a letter of interest that actually works.What Not to IncludeThere are many ways in which you can make your letter of interest a bland read.With a limited word count, every word has to matter.You shoulda voidthe following at all costs when creating your letter of interest:Too much text. For a note that is not expected, the recipient is incredibly unlikely to read what you write if you are very long-winded. Keep things clean and concise. Being vague about details. You are trying to convince the reader that you are the ideal fit for a position that may come up. Therefore it does you no favors to be vague. Say exactly how you are an ideal fit, say how you are exactly what they need. Irrelevant details. Your two years working as a barista when you were in your early twenties is great. But when you are in your late thirties, writing to the VP of Finance, you have no need to go into these details. Being vague about the recipient. Do not address the letter “to whom this may concern”. You are not getting any bonus points that way. Also do not address it to “Dear Mr/.Ms. Manager”. Being boring or lazy. Mistakes or bland content are not going to help your results at all. Not tailoring your letter of interest. It is a short letter. If it appears to the recipient that it is the same document that you sent to multiple companies, it will harm how it is received. Show that it is a letter written specifically to the one recipient.Keep your letter of interest concise and to-the-point.How Long Should a Letter of Interest Be?You do not need to ramble for a long time. In fact, doing so would be detrimental. Find a balance between conveying the essential information, and keeping it brief.However, you still want to show that you would be a great addition.It is not useful to sell yourself short, but a letter that is too long will put its reader off.Consequently, it is advised to keep your word count to about 200 words.How to Prepare If This Leads to an InterviewYou should look to close your letter of interest with an invitation to talk.If you are taken up on that, be prepared.On the occasion that the company wants to know more about you, be ready to substantiate any claims t hat you have made.Also, be ready to provide a more extensive background on yourself.In addition to this, you definitely want to prove that you have done your research on the company.It is a lot easier to look like you have done your homework in a 200-word document than in a conversation.It may not be the same kind of interview as one for a specific job, but you can still expect your individual credentials to be explored.(For more assistance on preparing for an interview, read our article Common Interview Questions: 50+ Questions and Answers.)Letter of Interest SamplesBefore we provide a number of letters of interest templates, we have a few last things for you to bear in mind.Throughout your letter, consider if it would catch your interest.If you don’t personally think it is engaging when proofreading it, you cannot expect the recipient to feel differently.Ask friends and family for their opinions as well.These letters of interest examples will help you prepare a document that is eye-catching.Additionally, remember that this does not mean that you should end your hunt for a job.Sending a couple of letters is not an acceptable reason to stop looking through postings.In the section below, you will see an effectiveand an inadequate methodof writing a letter of interest.General Letter of Interest SampleHere is a sample of an effective letter of interest:? Download Letter of Interest Template in Word?In the above letter, allof the guidelines are followed.The letter of interest immediately hooks the reader with a key achievement.It backs up the achievementand shows an understanding of the employer’s needs.It shows that the applicantcan fulfill this need.Towards the end, the applicant seeks to arrange for the conversation to continue.There are clear guidelines to followwithin your letter to boost your letter’s effectiveness. They areas follows:Dear [Name of recipient],[Insert your hook to catch attention.][Back up your hook and show an understanding of the need s of the employer.][Show that you can meet that need.][Use bullet points to highlight accomplishments.][Ask for the conversation to continue.][Thank them for their time, say you hope to hear back.][Sincerely/Kind Regards]For comparison,here is an ineffective and inadequate letter of interest sample:It just doesn’t work.There is no hook. There is no proof.When the claims are substantiatedin this letter, it is with feeling rather than fact.The company’s needs are not shown to be understood.At the end of the document, saying “let me know” puts the power entirely in their hands.Imagine the next step like a carrot on a stick. Show that you can meet their needs, and then say that you would love to have the opportunity to talk more.Even though the inadequate example is shorter than the effective example, the effective example is more inticing to read by far.White space, bullets, and an eye-catching hook make the effective example a far more attractive read.Keep reading to see good letter of interest examples for some other positions or in some other contexts.Teaching Letter of Interest SampleHere is a sample letter of interest that a teacher can use:As with the good example above, all the bases arecovered.For a school that wants to improve achievement, a teacher coming out and plainly saying that they have already accomplished that is a lot better than taking a chance on someone else.Letter of Interest for a PromotionSampleNow we get to letter of interest examples that are a bit different.You are either already working in the company you are writing to, or have little to no previous work experience.Do not fret. There are examples just for you as well.Below is an example of what a letter of interest for a promotion might look like:See how this is different?More emphasis is placed on how you have already added value to the company.Not just that, but the achievements listed are geared towards what they are applying for. In this case, these achievements are leade rship-oriented.You are not someone off the radar trying to catch this employer’s attention.You aren’t just on the radar, you are already employed.That is why it was said earlier that your letter of interest must be tailored to who will be reading it.Letter of Interest for an Internship SampleAs a student, your work experience is likely quite limited.However, you can still have key achievements.From volunteering to university societies, remember to talk yourself up!Below is an example of how you may do this:Like the other samples, this example is flexible.Are there potentially administrative apprenticeships at a certain company?Then base your letter of interest on this example, and tailor it to your recipient.ConclusionTo briefly sum up the key information that we have covered:Tailor your letter of interest specifically to who will be reading it. Include a hook to make your letter eye-catching. Substantiate every claim you make. Show a clear understanding of the company’s needs , and how you can fulfill it. Invite them to continue the conversation.And that is it!You are now informed as to how to submit a quality letter of interest that can lead to a potential employer wanting to see your resume.Need to brush that resume up?Find My Profession is a fantastic resume writing service that can help provide high-quality resumes to help land you that next job.

Top 5 Ways to Hire Effective Leaders CareerMetis.com

Top 5 Ways to Hire Effective Leaders â€" CareerMetis.com These 5 Things Can Help You Bring the Right Leadership Talent Onboard Finding great senior-level talent is nothing short of a miracle.The right leadership is critically important and formidable for the growth of the company. You cannot afford to make a hiring mistake here, because if you do, it’s going to cost you big.It’s an arduous task, but it can be easier if you do these 5 things to weed out inefficient talent easily.These 5 Things Can Help You Bring the Right Leadership Talent Onboard1) Optimize your Recruitment Processa) Define the RoleevalevalBefore you rush off to find someone, think carefully about what the role is, the actual requirement of the job and how they fit into your business and your plans. Write a job description to help you clarify the purpose, tasks, and responsibilities of the position. Use a job description template to help guide you.b) Effective Recruitment ProcessHaving an effective recruitment process in place will minimize the time spent on searching, interviewing, hiring and training the candidate. A robust recruitment process builds a positive image in front of your customers, competitors, and peers.2) Assess the Leader’s ResumeFor any managerial position, there is a set of competencies that lay the foundation of a good manager. Leadership takes center stage where an effective leader ensures your projects don’t get delayed, you don’t miss deadlines, and employee morale stays high. Evaluate the candidate’s resume based on these points:a) Experience at a Managerial LevelHiring an individual who has had experience at a managerial level will help create and sustain a culture of accountability and be able to provide a compelling vision to motivate employees at an individual level.b) Awards and AchievementsLeaders are often awarded and recognized for their efforts and hiring an individual who has a proven track record of achievements unveils characteristics of self-motivation and the need to work productively. Additionally, leaders show loyalty and stay with their organization since they know that their hard work is valued.evalc) Special Skills or KnowledgeYou also need to be on the lookout for candidates with the right skills set and knowledge that ensures they can take on managerial positions. The following skills are a must-have in an administrative level candidate:Interpersonal skillsCommunication and motivation skillsOrganizational skillsProblem-solving and decision-makingDelegation and mentoringd) Promotions in Reputable OrganizationsSelf-driven individuals are the perfect fit for any company or team. They seem to know what needs to completing even before the company leaders do. Exceptional performers maintain a balance on both the task at hand as well as make space for the bigger picture. They are also in tune with the people around them and can sense when something needs attention. Such employees always seem to be ahead of the curve. Aim at hiring candidates who have received at least 2 promotions with 2 reputable organizations since they think strategically and can anticipate what needs completing.e) Corporate Office and Industry ExperienceevalBe on the lookout for candidates with experience of working in an office environment as well as industry experience. The exposure to working in a corporate office helps sharpen a candidate’s interpersonal and communicational skills, where managing your time effectively plays a significant role. On the other hand, industry experience develops valuable soft skills like perseverance, discipline, teamwork, leadership skills and problem-solving in a leader.f) Taking Career RiskAn individual who has taken personal risks in career decisions or has made significant personal investments where they have started their own business or made anIndustry change reflects the characteristics of true self-development.3)Look out for These 5 Personality Traitsa) Integrity:People want to work with someone who is ethical. They know that if their leader acts with integrity, they will treat them right and make decisions th at are good for the business.b) Will:evalA leader should possess the will to progress despite facing obstacles. The ability to maintain perseverance, resilience, determination, and motivation in the face of challenges is one of the defining traits of a leader. A quality that employees will notice and likely adopt.c) Maturity:A great manager helps to reduce stress in the workplace by creating a healthy environment, which means maintaining a positive attitude in a stressful atmosphere.d) Fearless Decision Making:Great leaders are good at making decisions that have a positive impact on themselves and their employees. However difficult a determination may be to take, leaders know how to deal with anxiety and stress, putting the best foot forward even in unfavorable situations.e) Emotional Intelligence:Leaders who are emotionally intelligent foster environments where the employees are allowed to voice their opinions. Being emotionally intelligent motivates individuals to maximize product ivity, resolve conflicts and manage change well.4) Ask the Right QuestionsSuccessful interviews are not just about having the right answers; they are also about asking the right questions.Given below are some questions you can request a potential leadership talent:How do you define leadership?What would you do if x problem arose?How would explain your management approach?Given the information I have during the interview, what do you believe to be the best course of action to achieve heightened results from the individuals whom you will be managing?5) Find out if the candidate is a motivational fitMeasuring a candidate’s motivational fit can also prevent a bad hire. Even though you may have had a great conversation with the candidate who possesses the right skills and experience you looked for, a candidate’s motivational fit will help you make the best judgment when learning if their beliefs and values are in alignment with that of your organization’s.A common way of judging a candidate’s behavior is adopting the technique of behavioral interviews. This includes asking hypothetical questions for instance, “Describe a time when you were under a lot of pressure and how did you react?” Asking similar open-ended questions allows you to understand how well a candidate would fit into the culture of your organization or how interested they are in the position.

The happiest olympic worker - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The happiest olympic worker - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Olympic games not least because Denmark for the first time ever won more medals than any other Nordic country. So suck it, Sweden! But I especially enjoyed this clip of a London Olympic volunteer having fun with a megaphone: That seems like a very British way to be happy :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

The Secret to Finding the Right Job - Hallie Crawford

The Secret to Finding the Right Job Sometimes finding the right job or career can seem like a very big puzzle. But even the most intricate puzzle can be completed piece- by-piece, one step at a time. However, many of us want to know every single step we need to take to land the perfect job in advance. And we want all pieces to fit in exact sequence. Often, we won’t even take the first step until we have the entire path mapped out. Somehow it feels safer that way. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, neither life nor career transition usually works out that neatly. There is no one-size-fits-all road map for finding the perfect job. So when my clients want to know all of the steps before getting started, I suggest we first start putting the puzzle together piece-by-piece. Once an idea begins to form, we  move in that direction. For you, I suggest: Follow your gut instinct. Take a step in a direction that feels right. Allow yourself the freedom to explore options as you move forward. Part of this process is trusting that you’ll be able to figure out how best to make the transition as you go. You just need to take a step in one direction and things will become clearer; then, as you take another step, things become even more clear, and so on, until the puzzle emerges as the full picture and you find your dream job. You’ve heard it before: it is a process, a journey. For some it’s short; for others it may take a little longer. It just depends on your starting point and your willingness to keep on stepping.