With the fall months upon us, its time to take advantage of the last few weeks of warm weather and the network opportunities that they provide. The spring, summer and fall months often bring vacations, weekend plans and hyperactive social lives, but they also bring a myriad of networking opportunities. Many businesses tend to slow down once the summer hits. However, that doesn’t mean your networking has to as well. The seasonal downtime you might have at work combined with your increased social activity outside of the office can pay huge dividends for your professional network - especially if you take advantage of these networking tips.→
Everyone working for a startup will tell you that the “old way” of searching for a job is dated – after all t-shirts and dogs are acceptable at the office. The reality is that most recent graduates will find employment at a traditional company. Sure, you may have a stocked refrigerator and pool table, but the normal rules of interviewing still apply.→
Students returning to school may bring back memories of your time at college – or even high school. However, the only people who truly want to reminisce with you are fellow alumni. The good news is that alumni events take place around the country – and offer prime employment networking opportunities.→
As a recruiter since 1988, I have helped nearly 700 people secure their next job. It all started with an electrician named Don, who was my first placement.→
Why am I a recruiter? It sounds cliché, but I really enjoy helping people. Recruiting is an emotional job. The first person who I placed in a new job cried, which made me cry. It is an unbelievable experience to help someone land a new position. And the journey to get to that point is different with every candidate. Some of my candidates get new jobs within days and for others it can take weeks or months.→
Picture this: you’re waiting for the elevator at work. The doors open, you walk inside and someone follows behind you. As you turn around you realize it’s none other than the CEO of your company. The doors close and the elevator begins to move. You know you want to say something but what should it be? Should you introduce yourself, try to make a positive impression, maybe even be so bold as to tell him a joke? Unfortunately, as you’re figuring out how to capitalize on this opportunity, the elevator stops, the doors open and your chance walks out the door.→
You’ve got a pressed suit, fully-vetted resume and stellar interviewing skills, yet you’re not getting offers. What’s happening? Job seekers must realize that they are in sales.→
Starting a new job at any point in your career is exciting, refreshing, and another chance to keep improving. However, maintaining that same level of initial excitement isn’t always that easy. Overtime, your work environment and your personal life can undergo change, both of which can significantly impact your attitude towards your job and the work that you do every day.→
It’s a new year, which means it’s time for a new you. Whether you’re unemployed, employed, a recent college graduate or an experienced worker, your professional identity is something that should always be a top priority. Revamping your skill set is a great way to keep your professional persona on track and ahead of the game. And doing some professional network maintenance from time to time not only benefits your future opportunities, but can also open some new doors in your present circumstances.→
A recent column from The New York Times points out that the jobless rate for college graduates younger than 25 was 8.2% in 2013, compared with 3.2% for college graduates age 25 and older. While there are certainly many factors at work causing this disparity, the younger graduates’ relative lack of interview experience, business professionalism, and communication skills are often what keep these younger people from landing jobs.→
We’ve all heard the saying that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. In reality, however, opinions are influenced heavily by our first impressions. In the case of a job application, the recruiter’s or hiring manager’s initial reaction can make the difference between getting an interview or being passed over. A well-crafted cover letter is the perfect tool for shaping those first impressions.→
When the credit crisis hit in September 2008, every industry was affected. But in no sector was the impact as swift and complete as it was in the architectural staffing industry. Seemingly over night, every development project was put on hold, and every day you’d hear about another round of massive layoffs.→
These are two of the leading questions at any social event. Wouldn’t it be great to use this lead-in for job prospecting and networking? Make it happen. Some of the easiest ways to do so include prompting questions:→