The Twitter Job Search Guide: Find a Job and Advance Your Career in Just 15 Minutes a Day by Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan, and Deb Dib (JIST, 2010) is hitting bookstores this month. 

                                                           

If you're venturing out into the Twitterverse as part of your job search efforts, I recommend you heed the authors' advice in the following 5 areas:

1. Don't be a downer.  Avoid focusing solely on your job search, appearing needy, over-sharing personal information and problems, whining about frustrations, or boss bashing. These are not appealing to potential employers.
2. Don't forget your 15-minute-a-day plan (as outlined in the book).  Don't let feeling overwhelmed stop you from starting, and once you're in, don't get sucked in or lost in the stream.
3. Don't expect Twitter to "work" (in this case, land you a job) in 1 day or even 1 week or 1 month.  Relationships take time. Be strategic; allow serendipity.
4. Don't forget to ask!  Two great examples: Know of great companies in Philly for project managers? What's the best advice on the dreaded "weakness" interview question?
5. Don't forget to follow recruiters.  Engage in conversation and share information with them. Search #splits and send them candidates. They'll love you!

In exchange, be worthy of following. Engage in interesting conversation and generously offer help, information, job postings, inside leads, lessons learned, shout-outs, retweets, questions, Follow Friday lists, and more. It's also smart to shoot for a 75/25% ratio of professional to personal tweets. Interviewers will review your stream. People get hired for who they are, not just what they do. Remember that your digital footprint is an extension of your resume.

If you're intrigued and want to read more, I recommend picking up a copy of The Twitter Job Search Guide. It promises to be a great resource packed with Twitter-specific job search advice from more than 100 contributing authors, recruiters, successful job seekers, and career management experts (myself included).

Now, go off and tweet.  Or.... may the tweet be with you!           
Okay, okay, corny, I know.  I'm sorry!  Couldn't help it. 

        

As a member of the Career Collective community of resume writers and career coaches, this post is one of many today offering advice to job seekers discouraged by an unsuccessful job search and/or to help job seekers overcome the negative aspects of job search. I encourage you to visit other members' responses linked at the end of my post and follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

                                                    

Let's face it. The day in and day out of job searching isn't always fun. Add to the mix the present employment market with a fewer number of opportunities and a greater number of qualified candidates, and the resulting reality is rough for many today.

I interact with clients daily. Some email or call to tell me of interviews or job offers, while others talk of their frustration. Days turns into weeks, weeks turn into months, and you hit a point when it may seem things will never turn around. You are not alone. What suggestions do I offer clients?  First, never forget your attitude is key to the health and success of your search. With that in mind, here are three ways to keep believing your glass is half full:

1. Recharge, regroup, reenergize. As with any intense schedule, you need breaks and downtime to maintain optimum efficiency. Ideally, allocate time for exercise into your schedule daily - a walk around the block, some time on the tread mill. The time spent away from your job search will refresh your body, mind, and spirit.
2. Find a job search buddy. You should not have to go through this alone. Find someone to listen. Everyone's preference is different. You may want to bounce ideas off of someone; you may want someone to listen to you vent; or you may be looking for someone to give you a push. Who's the right person to do this?  That can also different for many people. It may be confiding in a loved one - a spouse or parent.  It may be joining a local or virtual job search group to find someone with shared experiences. It may be a good friend who knows you well, or it may be enlisting the help of a job search coach or therapist. The right answer is different for everyone, but be sure you have someone who will listen to you. You need a sounding board to verbalize your frustrations and concerns. Keeping that type of emotion bottled up is not healthy long-term.
3. It's all about numbers. Remember your successes - and put them into perspective. Job searching is a numbers game. Your luck may turn around at any moment with the next phone call, email, or interview. When a job search gets us down, it's easy to start feeling overwhelmed and begin thinking things will "never go our way."  One of the best ways to get out of this rut is to break your search down into smaller, more manageable pieces and get back to basics.  Earlier this week, Tim Tyrell-Smith blogged about a great strategy to start your week off on the right foot. He walks through a process of writing down all the possible items (as specific as possible) you could be doing in your job search this week and then selecting those items that you will actually do this week as a combination of big and small items. It's all about taking baby steps, feeling like you're making progress, and appreciating your successes, large and small. Give Tim's strategy a try next week and see for yourself.

As a bonus 4th point, I'll leave you with the following mantra that's very popular in my house: "Bad dreams, bad dreams, go away. Good dreams, good dreams, come this way."  Around here, it's used to settle in at bedtime, but as I was saying it last night, I realized it applies equally well to rebalancing your attitude for a productive job search.

Read more advice on overcoming the negative aspects of job search from my esteemed colleagues in the Career Collective:

@MartinBuckland, Job Search Made Positive

@GayleHoward, Job Search: When It All Turns Sour

@chandlee, Strategy for Getting "Unstuck" and Feeling Better: Watch Lemonade

@heathermundell, Help for the Job Search Blues 

@heatherhuhman, 10 Ways to Turn You Job Search Frown Upside-Down

@KCCareerCoach, You Can Beat the Job Search Blues: 5 + 3 Tips to Get Re-Energized

@WalterAkana, Light at the End of the Tunnel?

@resumeservice,Don’t Sweat the Job Search

@careersherpa, Mind Over Matter: Moving Your Stalled Search Forward

@WorkWithIllness, Finding Opportunity in Quicksand

@KatCareerGal, Job-Hunting in a Weak Job Market: 5 Strategies for Staying Upbeat (and Improving Your Chances of Success)

@ErinKennedyCPRW, Dancing in the Rain-Kicking the Job Search Blues

@keppie_careers, What do do when you are discouraged with your job search 

@DawnBugni, It's the little things

@ValueIntoWords, Restoring Your Joy in Job Search

@JobHuntOrg, Just SO VERY Discouraged 

@BarbaraSafani, Making Job Search Fun (Yeah, That’s Right!) 

@GLHoffman, How to Overcome the Negativity of a Job Search 

@expatcoachmegan, Dealing with Job Search Stress: Getting to the Source of the Problem 

        

Have you pulled out your outdated resume lately to update it?  Read these five points and see if your resume is hip...or little too retro:

1. Headers and footers... The first word up top reads "Resume"  or you have a "Page 1 of 2" footer inserted on page one.
2. State your objective. Objective statements are passé. Nowadays, it's preferred to lead with a branding statement in the form of a headline paired with a summary section and list of core competencies or areas of expertise. Highlight what you bring to the table, not what you're looking to get.
3. Are ...

<< MORE >>

                                        

With the blizzard roaring outside today, I settled in to my office and caught up on several resume assessments and questions received from clients and friends. One question posed was whether someone who has changed careers should include jobs from their "previous life."  If not, would the gap in years look odd on a resume?  

My response?  Yes, the person's earlier experience should be included. The gap would look too odd. I suggest downplaying and pushing it onto page two (assuming the resume is two pages), possibly as an "Early Career" or "Additional Experience" section in paragraph form with minimal detail rather than a typical job entry. To leave it off entirely would be misleading or deceptive. The paragraph as an "Early Career" or "Additional Experience" section is just one idea. You can brainstorm other ways that would best complement your particular resume style, but the gist would be to include it without highlighting it or detracting from the focus on the new career.

To your career success!

        

Most interviewers won’t come out and directly ask "What's your top strength?" so as you prepare and practice your answers for standard interview questions, it’s important to remember that a number of questions are designed to assess what differentiates you from other candidates — in other words, what are your strengths. These can include:

• Tell me about yourself. 
• Why should we hire you?
• What would an old boss say about you?
• How would you add value to this department? 

With this in mind, as you prepare for an interview, identify your top two or three strengths as they relate to the job position and aim to convey these points to the interviewer before the interview concludes. That way, 20 minutes into the interview, when you're asked "What makes you different from our other three candidates?" you can pull from a short list of key strengths that haven’t been discussed yet.

Also remember to personalize the strengths you plan to highlight as your leading qualities. Telling the interviewer that you're hard working, a quick learner, or a people person is boorrrrinnng. These phrases do very little (if anything) to differentiate yourself from other candidates. These concepts have become so overused that you are wasting an opportunity to show a potential employer what you bring to the table, be it analytical abilities, negotiating skills or the ability to lead fractured groups.

It’s also important to beef up your answer up with an example that conveys your strength — a time or a situation where your strength was of particular value. Offering an example does three things: (1) distinguishes your answer, (2) makes the answer more memorable, and (3) provides concrete "proof" of your strength. You’re not just telling someone you have exceptional time management skills, you are providing an example. 

So there you have it — three ways to avoid getting tripped up on routine questions: (1) strategize to work your top strengths into other  questions that differentiate you from others, (2) customize your strengths for the position, and (3) incorporate stories to solidify answers - and make them memorable.

        

                                                

Here are three bookmark-worthy blog posts from the past week.  Enjoy!

1. Nick Corcodilos of Ask the Headhunter wrote another entertaining post about The Ladders' questionable business practices. Read it and decide for yourself.  All I'll say is, "Buyer:  Beware."
2. Heather Eagar has a great post on JobDig about how numbers can enhance your resume. I am always, always, always trying to pull more numbers out of my clients. They can make a huge difference on a resume in helping your story, as Heather writes, "become that much more vivid."
3. A guest post by Nikki Ruth at Sweet Careers has a great list of the top 10 worst and most common interview mistakes. These are very helpful to review if you're in the job market and actively interviewing.

 

        

The New Year is about starting off on the right foot and establishing new traditions.  In the spirit of the New Year (and I can technically say that since it's still January!), I'm introducing a new feature on my blog - Three for Friday.  

                                                    

I subscribe to many (too many!) career, recruiting, and HR-related blogs, and I'm constantly bookmarking and flagging entries to share with colleagues, clients, and friends.  In Three for Friday, I will share three blog posts from the past week that were particularly compelling, insightful, or value-added. Consider it your Cliff Notes for the past week's careers blog space. My gift to you.

So, to get us started:

1. J2B Marketing blog - Marci Reynolds wrote about how to effectively combine LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging for a successful job search. I could not have written about the topic any better. Utilizing just one or two of these online tools is okay, but marrying your efforts across all three platforms is exponentially more effective and worth the investment of time.
2. Meg Guiseppi on her Executive Career Brand blog wrote an excellent post about reconnecting with and reviving your existing network. She shares tips on how to break the ice at networking events and ways to nurture your contacts. I find Meg's posts to always be packed with ready-to-use tips and resources.
3. and last but not least, Tim Tyrell-Smith of Tim's Strategy - Ideas for Job Search, Career and Life wrote about job seekers' frustrations while waiting for the elusive "more positions" to become available.  I particularly like his list of five tips on how to remain visible and attractive to hiring managers for when positions do become available.

Enjoy! 

        

The following are important points to keep in mind while preparing for your next interview. The first three apply before you even shake hands with the interviewer since from the moment you arrive, you are making an impression on your prospective employer. The second set of three kick into gear once the interview gets started and you develop a dialogue and rapport with the interviewer.

                    

1. Arrive at the receptionist’s desk approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time. Not much earlier and preferably not later than that. With a smile, give your name to the receptionist. Make a strong initial impression by speaking clearly and distinctly and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. The expression “you’ll never get a second chance to make a good first impression” rings true in the interview process – including receptionists, assistants, and secretaries.
2. As you wait in the lobby, envision a great interview happening. Visualize being a strong candidate for the job. Picture yourself as a contributing member of the company’s team. Achieving success is easier once you have it firmly implanted in your mind. This is the power behind visualization.
3. Keep cool under pressure. If you are kept waiting or encounter any stress before the interview, maintain your composure and self control. It may be a unavoidable schedule delay or it may be a test. Either way, remain calm and flexible to changes.
4. Speak in a rich, self-confident manner. Answer questions with energy and conviction. Vary the tone of your voice during the conversation. Don't be afraid to show emotion and enthusiasm.
5. Eye contact is a powerful form of communication. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power. Employment personnel are wary of the honesty of someone who cannot make direct eye contact. You don’t want to ‘stare down’ the interviewer, but good, consistent eye contact indicates self assurance and poise. 
6. Determine and adapt to the interviewer’s communication style by listening and observing how he/she walks, uses body language, and dresses. Observe overall mannerisms and behavior and do your best to mimic that style. In the final analysis, most people hire people they like and job candidates who are similar to them.

Keep in mind, the employer is hoping to like you, that your skills and strengths are a match with the job's needs, that you will fit in with the existing personality of the group.  No one wants to have to interview a long stream of candidates to find the right one. With that in mind, prepare thoroughly and present yourself well to put your best foot forward and ace that interview!

        

Job searching is one of those topics where everyone thinks they're an expert and likes to toss in their opinion, which means many misconceptions get circulated and unfortunately perpetuated.  I wanted to take a few minutes to discuss some common misconceptions making the rounds among job seekers. 

                                                    

1. I’m currently employed. If I put a profile up on LinkedIn, it’ll look like I’m looking for a job. FALSE.  LinkedIn has become the default online business networking site for professionals, without regard to employment status. There are slight nuances to well-written profiles that help convey to the reader whether you are happily employed or open to opportunities. When you are happily employed and not using LinkedIn for a job search, your profile can read like a bio to position you as an industry expert.
2. My resume should be one page.  FALSE.  So false.... Your resume needs to be only as long as to effectively sell yourself for the position you're considering. If I were to generalize, one-page resumes are most appropriate for new or recent graduates or young professionals. Beyond that, most resumes for mid- to senior-level professionals tend to be two pages, but even that is just a benchmark. The only “rule” when it comes to resume writing is to treat the space on a resume page as expensive real estate. Use words sparingly and carefully. Write tight. Edit and consolidate every sentence. Each line or phrase should add value. If an item does not further your brand or message, then consider removing it. A resume is not a personal history, but rather a marketing document to win interviews.
3. Yeah! I got called for an interview. I can't wait to see if the position will be a good next step for me.  FALSE.  Are you scratching your head?  This is one is tricky. I know that's what you're thinking when you get an interview, but when it comes to strategy, your goal needs to be to impress upon the employer why you are the right candidate for them, how you can solve their problems, make them more money, or do things better. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. Who will seem like a stronger candidate to you?  Candidate A who sells himself as excited to join their team, who asked a series of thoughtful questions, and sounds ready to hit the ground running on day one or Candidate B who couldn’t stop asking questions about what’s in it for him – the hours, the vacation time, the benefits, the bonus structure? Trust me. I know these factors are important, and there will be an opportunity to review all of that, but make them fall in love with you first.
4. I will find a new job in 2010.  TRUE.  Did you really think I'd be Negative Nellie and walk you through only false concepts? I didn't have the heart to do that to you. My glass is always half full.  If you are active in your networking and targeting efforts, you will develop new contacts and learn about the companies in your space. If you are consistent and thorough in your efforts, you will see results. If you set daily and weekly goals in your job search efforts, the diligence will pay off.  For inspiration, read this post from Tim Tyrell-Smith from last week that’s worthy of being printed out and posted on your refrigerator or mirror.  

 

        

                                                      

The next two weeks are a hectic time of the year for nearly everyone, but the expectations and events of the season can easily place extra stress on jobseekers. Penelope Trunk wrote an excellent post yesterday on how to deal with unemployment in the face of holiday cheer where she shared five morale-boosting tips to help jobseekers make the most of the holiday season. Based on the comments section, her encouraging points comforted and resonated with jobseekers. As Penelope admits, answering the simplest of questions, "How are you doing?" can be a land mine for someone wrestling with a period of unemployment. 

What stood out (for me, at least) was Penelope's 4th point addressing how December and January are strong hiring months. So true!  And so easily forgotten!  A recent post of my own offered several suggestions on how to effectively job search during the holidays, and the Career Collective, of which I'm a member, did an awesome job earlier this month of addressing the same topic. I urge you to read through the advice of my esteemed colleagues as well.  

The bottom line:  It is all too tempting to take a break during the holidays with your job search efforts, but the smarter move is to recharge and revitalize your search and continue forward. Let your competition take a break while you continue to network and connect with decision makers at your target companies.

To your career success in 2010!