Improving your market value

We interviewed two of our consultants recently to see what advice they could give on improving your market value. And what we mean by market value? Well, how to sell your best skills and qualities of course! The information here provides you with an insight into some of the tricks of the trade...

What key advice would you offer in terms of how an individual can improve their market value?


Be clear about the target market you are aiming to improve your value in. Identify what that market is looking for by researching the industry, competitors and then ensure they are in a position to offer both technical skills and experience accordingly

Think of yourself as a product that needs to be continually upgraded. Ensure you are equipped with industry recognised qualifications and or certifications which are currently being sought by the market (your customer).

Is it important to have a structured approach to improving your market value?

Absolutely, anyone who is considering a career move or searching for a potential candidate will adopt a proactive structured approach. A clear understanding of your key strengths and potential development needs will help to improve the planning of the approach, show a potential employer self awareness as well as demonstrate what “you bring to the party!”

What aspects are often overlooked by individuals when assessing their value in the market?

Often individuals overlook their transferable skills and focus on their current role in their current organisation. Worth considering the last 5 years and previous experiences which have similarities to a role in a different market. For example graduates forget the huge amount of planning, organisational and team working skills they bring with them from their time at university when applying for their first role.

Individuals overlook the huge amount of information available through research as explained above and rely mainly on narrow sources of information such as job websites.

What are the essential dos and don’ts of improving your market value?

Essentially it is important to not only focus on developing your technical skills and look for opportunities to apply these as employers will be interested in specific experiences you have had applying these skills and these build your credibility. Don’t rely on just having the theory or knowledge – experiences are a more reliable indicator of what you bring to the market.

Interpersonal and other non-technical skills and competences are just as important. There is little point being a technical genius in your field if you are unable to work with others, communicate effectively, plan and make effective decisions for example. Make sure you are developing yourself in these areas and can demonstrate these with examples at interview.

Make yourself known in the industry –network with those who have a good reputation and get introduced to the those who have influence in the industry.

Ensure you are aligning yourself with the needs of the wider job market and not just the requirements of your organisation. Speak up at appraisal/development meetings to ensure you are getting the development you need to keep you current.

Finally use online networking to expand your knowledge, improve your research and increase your reputation through recommendations from those in the know

What methods or tools would you use to benchmark your remuneration package?

Use salary comparison websites, speak to colleagues in the industry/similar role, network with HR contacts and ask for input via online networking sites such as LinkedIn to assist you when moving sectors/position to benchmark your remuneration package,


For more information on creating the perfect CV and preparing for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Unleash the extrovert

It struck me over the last week that we have written a lot about networking on this blog (be it online or face to face) and whilst yes, indeed, it is a great way to build your connections and impress people, along with it a certain amount of confidence is required.

So if the the idea of networking fills you with dread then you are not alone! I consider myself relatively confident but the thought of talking to a complete stranger in a (somewhat forced) 'social' environment sometimes overwhelms me.

However, knowing that a great deal of opportunity can come from the most casual of conversation got me thinking... So, here are a couple of simple and easy tips could get you started and help ease some of those initial fears:

• Start small - go along to a casual lunchtime of after work drink event where the scene is relaxed, informal and intimate.  Getting a conversation going under these circumstances will feel much more natural.
• Role play - practice conversational pieces with friends and family
• Prepare - look into the event details you are due to attend and plan who you may want to talk to and about what. If you have prepared some basic questions/talking points your confidence will get an immediate boost.
• Not everyone is an extrovert - most people in the room probably feel the same as you! You will always meet people more confident than yourself, but with time will you will be able to develop your own style and create that expert approach.

Finally, you've only got to search on Google "Networking for Introverts" to get a whole host of other ideas too... plus the odd funny story! Why not give it a try, and of course, good luck!


Contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010, with more advice on preparing your professional self following graduation...

Avoiding the dole queue

With January almost a distant memory I am sure many of you still looking for that all important next-move will be thinking of ways to either avoid the dole queue or jump out of it!

In order to make that transition, you need to be fully prepared. Prepared. Prepared. We can't stress it enough... 

Some bright ideas are discussed by Venetia Reiney in this Guardian article, as Venetia writes on her own experience with the Job Centre and life since graduating.

Another great article we found this week actually comes in the form of Executive job search, but the principles are the same. Here's our take:

1. Shout about your strengths, and use this time to develop your weaknesses
2. Think positive. Act positively.
3. Be persistent - as the old saying goes "Rome was not built in a day"...
4. Get your 30 second commercial in order so you are prepared for that all important interview.

For more information on getting yourself and your CV prepared for tackling the job market, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Thinking off the page

We have reported on this blog a few times about the value of using tools like LinkedIn and Twitter to help get a virtual step up in the job hunting world but there are still so many people who use a paper based CV to approach a prospective employer...

A BBC report from 16th January explores Virtual Job Hunting and highlights one individual who successfully took his CV off the page and onto screen!

Not all of you will be too comfortable in front of a camera so here are some other ideas on how to get yourself noticed...

Not only can you use social networking (we can't stress this enough! 5% of all jobs are now found in this way), but there are such places you can host your CV online too.

First lets look at the basics: Get your CV right, fill it with the information you need to tell an employer about. Write it down. Then put it online (Monster and LinkedIn are still great ways to get the attention of head hunters and recruiters).

Next think about developing your CV from the conventional and consider more design based or interactive CV's.  Think of your CV like a fashionista's outfit! You don't need to be in uniform...

Now, here comes the exciting bit. Promote yourself. Web pages like About.me can help provide you a platform to create an online business card. Add links at the end of your emails to drive traffic to it. The more forward looking you are, the more chance you have of being in the right place at the right time!

Some ideas on the perfect CV:
Create a dynamic online CV with Innovate CV
Examples of the standard CV in many different designs spotted on JobMog blog.

So, if all of this seems too easy, or maybe you are doing it already, maybe today is the day you take the plunge and make a video too!

Have you had a recent success? How did you do it? Share all of your stories, good and bad with us here.

In the meantime, if you would like more advice on getting your CV in order and how to prepare for an interview contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

Top career Tweets: 12/01/11

If you have been busy applying for jobs all day (well done) and not come up for air, then fear not! We have been scouring Twitter to provide you with a review of the best from the rest across the web....

@Interview_Best  Tell Me About a Time When (Behavioral) Interviews – How to prepare http://bit.ly/hvAAXG #jobinterview

@GradJobsUK_vmg Not too late to visit all the recruiters at the National Graduate #Recruitment Exhibition at the NEC visit us tomorrow- http://bit.ly/cKk9cM

@GradFutures_UK Do you know what preparation you should be doing to apply for a graduate job? Part 1 - Deciding Who To Apply To http://ow.ly/3B18V

@creativeconomy Independent: CIPD calls for interns to be paid minimum wage of £2.50 per hour for internships lasting 3 mths or longer http://ind.pn/hAUems

@gradulthood @GuardianCareers Q&A on using social media for a job hunt tomorrow at 1pm http://bit.ly/f0yek4


Articles of interest:
Job interview preparation is not about memorising interview questions and answers.
How to prepare for an interview
Essential resources for job seeking graduates

For more information on preparing yourself for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Building your resources

As we steam ahead into 2011 some headlines go unchanged... It can be off-putting to hear the bad news, so we are here to share some good!

Whilst you are sifting job sites, writing cover letters and refining your CV it would be wise to consider some of the ways you can build further on the resources you have at hand...

People
Simply put: People, buy from people! Not only do you have to position yourself properly, but you should make use of your contacts to help them position you too.

Have you created a blog recently? Put your CV online? Share it with those people you consider valuable contacts, even if it is your group of mates you spend a Friday night with, your neighbour or your relatives... Get yourself and your CV out there.

Websites/blogs
To help you keep up to date on movements within the job market; keep a log of all the websites you have found most useful, inspiring, motivational over the last few months (we hope this is one of them!). Visit them regularly and get involved in topics and conversations.

Importantly it is wise to engage yourself with your target industry blogs, and websites. Who are the key commentators? What can you add to the conversation? Start connecting!

Companies
Who do you want to work for? Which companies offer a grad scheme (if this is of course what you are looking for)? Is location important to you? Research the company culture, is it what you imagined?

Knowing what your ideals are, and matching them against the reality of the workplace, will enable you to determine whether you would be a good fit in that particular organisation, help target your application more specifically, and stop you potentially wasting time on places and roles that aren't that suited to you... or you to them.

Don't let the competition stand in your way... Whilst job availability is increasing, and David Cameron encourages small and medium sized businesses to open more vacancies, you will still find yourself up against other graduates plus the experience of those who have lost their jobs through redundancy. How do you stand out from the crowd?

By building on these resources you have you give yourself a competitive edge; stay up-to-date on current trends, get creative, share what you know...

For more information on preparing you CV and for an for an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Selling your value

With a new year we may have hoped for some new news... unfortunately the plight of young job searchers is still very much a hot topic.  So, new year, new approach as we discussed in the last two posts but what exactly can you be doing to help sell your value? We believe it goes further than the perfect CV and interview techniques... So, read our top tips on increasing your market value and how to get the best out of the jobs market this 2011.

• Identify what that market is looking for by researching the industry, competitors and then ensure they are in a position to offer both technical skills and experience accordingly.
• Think of yourself as a product that needs to be continually upgraded. Get equipped and stay equipped, if you are in a position to, consider studying for professional qualifications or taking a short course.
• Use STAR to help you get a clear understanding of your key strengths and potential development needs. This will help to improve the planning of your approach.
• Transferable skills are important to highlight, you may have only your degree under your belt at the moment but don't forget about the huge amount of planning, organisational and team working skills you bring with you - these are invaluable for your first role.
• Interpersonal and other non-technical skills and competences are just as important. Sell yourself succinctly with a pre-prepared 30 second commercial.
• Make yourself known in the industry – network with those who have a good reputation and get introduced to those who have influence in the industry.
• Ensure you are aligning yourself with the needs of the wider job market and not just the requirements of the company you are applying to.
• Finally use online networking to expand your knowledge, improve your research and increase your reputation through recommendations from those in the know...

For more information on how to prepare your CV and yourself for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

2011: New job, new approach

Image found via Google search courtesy of vol25 on Flickr

The smart social networker...

For those of you about to embark on a new career post graduation you might want to consider some of these useful tips about using social media professionally...

Social media has become an increasingly important career management tool. It has fully crossed over from just the personal into professional lives. But, for many, there is a lot of anxiety and reluctance to embrace this technology and engage. So by not, what do you miss? Becoming smarter, faster, better. Social media provides us with an incredible gateway to experts, research, innovative ideas, best practices, trends, competitive information, etc. But it isn't simply a repository for data. By engaging - and that means sharing your ideas, your insights, your expertise, your questions, your favorites - you have a tremendous opportunity to learn, collaborate and elevate your own performance. Here are a few tips to help raise your comfort level if you're still feeling some angst:

• DO be aware that content you post will remain in the public domain indefinitely
• Carefully consider whether you should mention the company you work for at all in your profile
• DO be mindful that you are a representative of your company and your conduct on social media sites should be consistent with your organisation's code of conduct.
• DO NOT provide information that is proprietary, confidential or commercial sensitive to your organisation.
• DO NOT reference clients or vendors without seeking prior approval.
• DO NOT make discriminatory remarks, threats of violence, use personal insults, obscenity, instigate fights or engage in any conduct that would be unacceptable in the workplace.
• DO NOT attempt to degrade any dissenting opinion.
• Apply common sense. Are your comments something you'd feel comfortable with your boss reading? Will your post reflect positively on your organisation? When in doubt, don't say it.
• And manage your privacy settings so that any information you want private isn't public!

Remember, your online reputation is just as important as your personal and professional reputation so take care to manage it well. With that in mind, you will no doubt shine in front of your new employer and retain your personal perspectives...

Good luck and welcome to the new year!

For more on preparing for a new job and behaving professionally contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

The turning of a decade - Happy New Year!

This time of year inevitably brings the sombre words of bloggers from across the world wide web to talk about the months gone by and reflect on pros and cons of the last year... Now we are about to enter a whole new decade so those reflections start to wash over you in bulk! That's certainly how we have been feeling anyway... Both personally and professionally, now is a good time to take a moment and reflect but most importantly set some new goals for the year/s ahead...

Over the last ten years you will have changed significantly; school, teenage angst, uni, relationships, jobs... It will most likely all change again, which puts you in prime position to really start to craft your future. There is no limit!

For us, right here on this blog, we are taking the opportunity to introduce a new perspective. Lifestyle plays a big part in how people now measure the careers they opt into.... Work-life balance has been increasingly promoted and new job seekers are actively looking to maintain that balance. So, with that in mind we will write a series of posts about lifestyle, for no matter what stage you are at. From money issues, to weekend's away, from cooking V eating out, to time with friends and family.  We'll aim to cover it all.  Plus, and this is an exciting one, we will run "A day in the life" for several different occupations across all sectors and industries... These will give you an insight into what you can really expect from a variety of job roles and a point of reference as you assess your own career path.

Whatever the next decade holds - let's hope it is one of hope, prosperity and challenge...

Wishing you a very happy new year, from the team at Right Management.


In the meantime if you would like a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010, feel free to get in touch with us for more info. 

Don't be affraid to lose

Image found via Google search, courtesy of http://www.stdmfg.com/neon.html

Ok, so losing has a bad reputation. But any of you who have been watching The Apprentice over the last few weeks will know that many key lessons can be learned from not getting to the top straight away.

The con is that having been through an interview process and not been successful can highlight a weakness, but the pro to this is that it actually gives you time to re-assess, and go away and work on them.

When you come to the next interview you are likely to be asked what your key strengths and weaknesses are, but the trick is to turn it around...

For example:

A weakness may be "poor presentation skills". It may be a matter of confidence, or simply not giving yourself enough time to prepare... BUT if you can successfully show willing to take steps to correct this (or discuss clearly how you are doing this already), then you quickly turn your weakness into a development area. Do your personal SWOT analysis, and think SMART!

If you are feeling depleted at the end of this year, after no doubt some highs and lows in the job-search market, then try looking at where you may have lost in a different way and start turning those weaknesses, into opportunities.

For more practical advice on preparing for an interview, please contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

Double the applicants. Double the competition.

PWC reported last week that they have seen a vast increase in the number of graduate applicants.. There are huge opportunities still available and with the 2011 graduate scheme applications now open there is seemingly a race for first place!

You have to think differently about how you sell yourself and how you might be approaching the job market.

Our world is changing: with an ever increased digital world a lot of job seekers are moving towards online trends to and land that perfect role.

If you are one of the many young people hoping to get onto a grad scheme (with any employer of choice) then why not take some advice from the grads we interviewed (as part of a focus group to help build the GradGuide**) earlier this year: "When you are applying to work for large organisations, think about where you might like to work that is not London, or another large city... This may increase your chances as placements are available around the UK, and there is a huge number of people all hoping to get a placement in London. I actually picked Reading and started on an accountancy scheme this year!".

We are not saying it is a sure thing of course, but could be just another angle for you to consider. Moving away from your home town (or even staying in it) can seem like a big challenge, so look for alternatives. This thought process may indeed help you decide what is more important to you... the job itself, or is it more of a case of location, location, location?

Finally, make sure to get in and apply as early as possible... There will be set time frames for each company when their graduate scheme enrolment opens and closes. It pays to do your research.


**For more information on what your options are post graduation and practical advice on preparing your CV and for an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010. 

C is for...

Image found via Google. From Flickr, courtesy of Jeremy Stockwell

We stumbled across this article today, which talks about the success of a networking event at Lambeth college. It's designed for students studying at varying levels and seems to have given them a boost in the right direction; i.e. landing work experience and internships at very prestigious companies, gaining valuable experience and ultimately landing a job.

The key message here rings most true in the words spoken by David McQueen: "The three main things to remember when you have ambitions to be successful is 1) be Confident, 2) be Connected, and 3) be Committed.”

No matter what industry you are pursuing a career in, take every opportunity to network you can and approach your goals with an air of professionalism and dedication.


For more information on networking for job search success please contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

A jobseeker's guide to advertising

You may have already read about the 30second commercial; a short sharp pitch which tells your prospective employer all about how great you are!

We Brits tend to have a slightly more modest approach and tend not to do this so well, or at least without some encouragement in the right direction... For a flash of inspiration check out what this recent applicant did in order to grab the attention of a company she wished to work for, by clicking here.

We are not suggesting you bombard all applications with something like this but it certainly is a spark of creative 'advertising' that we could all employ when trying to get what we really, really want...


For more ideas and advice on preparing your CV and for an interview, contact us for a copy of our FREE GradGuide2010.

Creative Christmas: the travelling laptop!

As advent is now well and truly upon us be careful not to relax (too much) but instead get creative in how and where you spend your time...

Pick up your laptop and park yourself in a cool place you feel you can work from... Whilst some of us may not have the fab surroundings of a quirky office space (like lucky Bangkok students have at their fingertips, seen on Cool Hunter last month) to get our creative juices flowing, you can certainly think further afield and break the monotony of your student house or parents spare room! Maybe it is your local coffee shop or bar (of course the one with free WiFi), or maybe there is a library or art gallery you would feel more at home in...  A small snapshot of ideas from across the UK, just to give you a jump start, think about:

• Brindleyplace, Birmingham - a host of bars and cafes and restaurants next to the river, which tends to be quieter during the day.
• Leeds Library - quiet and peaceful, they have study rooms and stunning architecture!
• London South Bank - an artistic workspace and coffee shop, the open arena gives you a buzz without taking away from the job in hand.

It is also the perfect time to re-assess your skills and attributes. Stock take on what has and hasn't been working so well over the last few months and see how you could improve on your interview technique.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, try and enjoy the next few weeks, and set yourself up to hit 2011 running!


For more practical career advice, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Plagued by choices

A short but perfectly formed post today...  I have been contemplating 'choices'.  As a fellow Gen Y'er I know that we have grown up in an age of instant gratification... We want it all, and now! And, for the most part whatever we have chosen has been available to us on a plate. Our personal life choices are met, which ultimately creates our future expectations as the ideas we have continue to elevate our thinking/desires/needs.

When it comes to jobs however, we need to have more of a considered plan. Focus and direction would not go-a-miss. Planning ahead as early as you can, will help refine what the future looks like for you. Use this time to consider the choices you have; tailor your applications, analyse the offers and choose the direction you wish to take.

It may not be entirely in your own hands but you still have overall control over the final choice... Go forth, and most of all, enjoy!


If you would prefer more practical advice on preparing for your next career move, why not contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Alternative perspectives...

2010, the year of graduation (for some of our readers!)... It's your year, to celebrate, shine, get connected, be professional... Now? Well, 42% of you reading this blog have told us that you have graduated and currently job searching, are you still out there?

So, as much as you feel like your life may have been turned upside down already, start turning your perspective on its head and why not try something new...

As opposed to using your time applying for more jobs, how many of you would prefer to be your own boss? Running your own business the way you want? If yes, then read on!

There are plenty of statistics out there which suggest that the reason that small start up businesses fail in the early years, this is not because the business idea is down to a lack of great ideas, but it’s more that preparation and planning (which is vitally needed) has not been done.

Unfortunately this is not the glamorous part (!) but below outlines the steps you need to take to help achieve your ambition – if you get them right it can help to achieve the success you are looking for:

1. Put together a 'plan for your business'
This is to help put structure and focus into your business. At the least it should identify: product/service, potential clients, business costs, pricing structure.

2. Business structure
Sole trader or Limited company? Consider cost implications of each including tax and legal issues.

3. Registering for VAT
Do you need it? Check out this site to help you determine if you think it is likely or not.

4. Choosing business advisers
You may be surprised at your own knowledge of accounting and insurance but it is a good idea to speak to the professionals first to ensure you begin on the right foot.


For a boost in the right direction, check out these videos about successful start-up's on the BBC website.

"Do less, achieve more"

We mentioned last week that there were two posts, simple yet brilliant... and this indeed, as promised is the second!
"Do less, achieve more": Since hearing this for the first time a couple of weeks ago, it's been ringing in my ears... How can this be good advice? After a week away you naturally consider your own fate on heading home and hitting the ground running again, and I wanted to approach things in a different way, this little gem has actually turned out to be a serious piece of advice and ultimately it has given me the perfect opportunity to try a new approach...

Let's see: Are you looking at a pile of work, a to-do list you don't know where to start on, or just running around in circles trying to keep up? Yes? You are not alone!

Some simple tips to help you try and step back from the mass and look at one thing at a time:

• Give yourself a daily goal. Stick to it.
• Break this down into small manageable tasks (if needed)
• Make sure to take a break!
• Allow yourself time to be sidetracked - set a few minutes every couple of hours for example to have a snoop on Facebook or use it constructively of course, like following us on Twitter?!

What else you can take from these four simple words is; to take things one-by-one. Hour-by-hour. Day-by-day. Not only will this give you clarity but it may improve the quality and efficiency of your work overall.

Try using this technique at home now, in the middle of your job search, calls, emails... and also, try taking it with you when you start that all important role.

If it works (or not) then write and tell us about it! Plus if you have any quotes or mottos of your own we'd love to hear from you!


If you are interested to read more practical advice on supporting your job search contact us for a full FREE copy of the GradGuide2010. 

Don't give up!

(Image found via Google from sodahead.com)

Whilst on holiday recently, I came back with two, simple but, great phrases... this blog post will discuss the first: "Don't give up!"

It's hard to accept that graduation is now so many months behind you. And whether you are working part-time or using all of your time to continue looking for that dream job the pressure can start to take its toll.

At Right Management our consultants assist individuals every day who have been made redundant and help them to re-assess where they want to be and (most importantly) how to get there. The most valuable piece of advice is: "looking for a job, is a full time job". If you give up too early, you could be missing something that is waiting just around the corner.

You will hit highs and lows during your search but try to stay motivated with your 'eye on the prize'!  So, don't give up on what is important to you and stay focussed and you could have your dream job sooner than you think.

For more motivational and practical advice, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Is it all about the money?

A new article in XpertHR, has suggested that the average starting salary for a graduate is £22,550. Whilst it is a substantial amount of money to leverage yourself onto the career ladder, for some it may seem small. But what are the benefits of taking of a job for money versus a job for pleasure?

I remember my first job... it paid £9,000 per year, and it was not that long ago! However, what I gained from that position was experience and my first taste of freedom. This salary also meant that I could negotiate higher for my next position... and so on.

Those of you still looking for that all important career step, that may not be in the secure warmth of a grad scheme role, may wish to evaluate what you really want from your first job.

For me it was experience. Now I think more about overall job satisfaction, and of course salary has something to do with that because: the greater the salary, the greater your quality of life can be outside of work too. A good work-life balance has become so important and research suggests that us GenY’s are not just about the money at work, it is also about the hours we work and the social side of the industry we are in...

Asses your values and drivers; what makes you tick? The moral of this story is merely: do not be put off by small starting salaries because a show of ambition, effectiveness and knowledge can help leverage you further in roles to come.

Twittering through the (st)ages

Follow. Tweet. Direct Message. Favourites. Lists. Re-tweets... 140 characters!

Whether you are brand new to Twitter or au fait with it's quirks, we thought it would be handy to highlight some key stages which you are likley to come across along your way.  For new grads, Twitter can be an excellent way of job searching, meeting other grads and maybe even as a way into your dream employer! Whatever you are looking to get connected for, Twitter can have a benefit for you and by reviewing these simple stages; you can identify where you are at - or where you want to be!

1. The Follower – Research
Be a voyeur and watch others at work. The beauty of Twitter at this stage is that it can be mainly used as another research and job search tool, in addition to the traditional methods, plus it's super useful for gathering information. Now, where to start?

• Companies – to find out about news, culture, developments, career opportunities
• Job sites & Recruiters – to hear about and respond to jobs early or as soon as advertised. Some jobs are even posted on Twitter exclusively.
• Industry Leaders & Newswires – to be kept up to date and informed about relevant developments in your market of interest/profession.

2. The Re-Tweeter – Networking
At this stage you look to broaden your network. Find, locate and network with thought leaders, recruiters and industry professionals. This will increase your visibility and help leverage your knowledge and experience.

• Research relevant people/leaders/companies appropriate to your sector or location
• Retweet interesting and significant tweets, this is both a commendation of the original author and communicating to your network what is important and interesting to you
• Direct Message (DM) people to cement an informal connection. If appropriate encourage other connections too (i.e. email – LinkedIn etc)

3. The Expert Tweeter – Personal Branding
Now, here is where you can start to present yourself as an expert in your chosen field – particularly appropriate for artistic/design or technical industries and those who occupy leadership or are self employed consultants. Building your 'online brand', with a view to having such an impact, you may then begin to attract job offers.

• Tweet regularly about your ideas, success, challenges, with a view to being followed by people interested in your skills, experience, ideas, offering.
• Hashtags are a way to follow and contribute to trends on Twitter, adding your voice to such trends or topics of discussion increases your visibility and broadens your impact to others.
• Link your Twitter account regularly to a personal blog where you can explore your thoughts in more depth.

So, how are you getting on? We'd love to hear your Twitter successes, or any tips of your own, please feel free to comment below!

If you liked the sound of this and fancy reading more information on job searching and professionalism, contact us for a copy of the FREE GradGuide2010.