Online job search for success

Back in January we wrote a post dedicated to the new year and how professional networking could help you land a job (when used in the right way)!

Three months into the month, we thought a quarterly review would be useful! At Right Management we are big fans of sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. And we are not the only ones... There is an increasing number of individuals who we work with who now find new jobs on social networking sites (approx 5%). This is a big jump from less than 2% in just a couple of years, and it is still growing.

Sites like these are useful sources of information, great for job sourcing and making new connections.

Increasing numbers of employers are advertising jobs only in this way too, feels rather exclusive doesn't it? Well, this way companies can talk often talk direct with candidates informally and get a grasp of their experience and qualifications too. So, for them to find you - are you online?!

Follow @RightUK on Twitter this week as we unveil details of a new role available with Career Transition Partnership (CTP)...


For more information on networking, CV building and interview preparation, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

In the spotlight: LinkedIn

It's a firm favourite of Right Management's and our individual clients come to us for advice on how best to make the most it... For you, we give you a streamlined version of the practical steps to get started.

Why use LinkedIn? It's simple, online networking (as we have discussed here many times!) has become an important tool for any job seeker. There are currently hundreds of millions of active users of online networking sites so, despite some sites hyping themselves up as being the total answer to your job seeking problems, it should be a vital part of your overall strategy.

Ten steps to LinkedIn success.

1. Let's start with the obvious - create an account!
2. You need a comprehensive profile. Tips include: publish your 30-second commercial, upload information about your skills and experiences, add key words to grab attention, change the public profile URL to your name so that you appear in Google searches, add a photo (but not one of you with your mates on a night out! Keep it professional) and remember that privacy is still important so be careful not to divulge too much personal information, except maybe for a business phone number.
3. Invite people to join your network - think more along the lines of building professional contacts, this should not be an extension of your Facebook profile.
4. Ask for recommendations - this is valuable as it can help validate your authenticity.
5. Search LinkedIn's job postings.
6. Join groups - this can range from professional associations or past (or future) employers.
7. Be proactive - approach potential networking contacts by using the search facility to find people in your area of work who you may need to know!
8. Check out applications, accounts and settings - you can add a blog to your profile, connect your Twitter feed and even share presentations... Just make sure it is all interesting and relevant.
9. Use LinkedIn for company research.

Online networking is a time-efficient way to be visible and accessible, identify subject matter experts, and find contacts in target markets and organisations.

To summarise, make online networking part of your overall strategy and don't forget that whilst this along with other's is a fabulous tool, it can never replace going out and talking to people - face to face!

Get networking, enjoy and good luck!


For more practical tips on job searching, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

"The Graduate"

For you film buffs out there, no we are not in fact refering to the 1967 film with Dustin Hoffman.... Today we'll tell you about a little radio programme we stumbled upon aired on BBC Radio 4 (which of course you all wake up to in the morning!) This two part programme tracks a year in the life of four students, from Leeds Universities, post graduation.

In this first programme we hear about the trials, tribulations and successes of their first 6 months.  They discuss the approaches they are taking, and review the effectiveness.

Hopefully you can take some ideas away from this and maybe try some of the approaches for yourself.

Quick recap, we see three key ideas for applications and speculative aproaches:

• Twitter - one grad finds success in landing unique positions posted only online for a dream role
• Face-to-face - an aspirational theatre technician shares her approach
• Contacts - 'it's not what you know but who you know' for one budding sales executive

Once you've listened for yourself, why not share your thoughts right here with us?  We'd also love to hear your personal stories... Post a comment, email or tweet and tell us how are you getting on.