I was asked to speak at a Job Networking session to a group of Information Technology (IT) Professionals. I was asked to talk about an effective ‘Elevator Speech’ or any other aspect of Networking that I’d like. For the past 23 years I’ve been a Recruiter specializing in placing IT Professionals, and one thing I know, is that with few exceptions, most IT pro’s hate the thought of ‘Networking’! It’s a different story if we...

When you’re networking, how do you know if you’re blowing it?If you ask everyone you talk to if they know of a job for you...you’re probably blowing it!– Instead ask: “Who do you know that would be good for me to network with?” They may not like being put on the spot about a job, but may be willing to refer you to others. You want to keep that networking chain going! If you don’t bother to contact people that have been refe...

It’s a tough job market...no question about it! People that previously seemed to be able to jump into a new job fairly quickly after a lay off, are having much longer stretches of unemployment these days. I had a person in one of my job search classes recently who was downright angry that his previous job search method wasn’t working. The last two times he had to look for a new job (both during booming economies) all he had...

Too many people treat their job search as if they had an MBA from Harvard. They send their resume or apply online for an appropriate job opening and wait for the phone to ring.Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that highly valued sheepskin, or some other ‘bell ringer’ that will jump off the pages of our resume to reliably cause recruiters or hiring managers to call. So the rest of us have to be more proactive in our searc...

Twitter can be a tremendous, fast moving tool in your Job Search Toolbox. Here are 5 ways to get the most out of it.1. Follow and read job search experts. The amount of excellent ideas, tips, leads, news, informative articles, and best practices going by all day long is amazing. Use Twellow’s directory for Employment > Career > Job Search to find excellent people to follow. You’ll find outstanding advice that applies to you...

Twitter can be a great asset for your job search. There are people to meet that you probably wouldn’t get to meet otherwise. There is real-time industry and job field information that is hard to match. There are helpful opinions and advice to be found everywhere. There are job postings, as well as company information. Twitter is unlike anything else.However, here are five things people do that keep them from getting any wor...

As a job seeker, have you had an interview with someone that doesn't know how to conduct a good interview?This is not an uncommon problem, and depending on how you handle it, can work to your advantage or disadvantage. In order to make sure they know you're the right person for the job, you may need to subtly take control of the interview yourself.The first thing to do? Give them some grace!If you're meeting with a hiring m...

There’s a saying I’ve heard and used over the last several years...“Making money as a recruiter can be very volatile. When the economy is good, there’s almost nothing better, and when the economy is bad, there’s almost nothing worse.” I’ve been a recruiter for the last 23 years and have gone through multiple recessions in that time. I’ve been fortunate to begin my career during a recession. It actually taught me how to oper...

Two of the most difficult things for most people in their job search: Maintain a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), and Networking.One tool to help with both of those issues: Volunteering!Particularly in today’s economy, there is a tremendous need for volunteers in all kinds of excellent service organizations. With a little digging, you can find opportunities to do virtually anything that interests you, that can serve others...

How long will it take for you to find a new job?I don’t know!How’s that for an answer? There are a lot of factors:* What’s the unemployment rate where you live?* Are you willing / able to relocate?* Are you willing to take a job that requires travel or odd hours?* How much demand is there for what you do?* What’s your job history like?* Are you realistic in your salary expectations?* What’s your attitude like?* Are you usin...