What You Can Do With Those LinkedIn Recommendations

I would really like to draw every job seeker's attention to this article by Jason Alba, CEO of JibberJobber.com, and my owner personal LinkedIn Guru.

Jason Alba: "What to Do With LinkedIn Recommendations"

One of the points he makes in this article is just so important for job seekers to hear: "As a marketer, what do I do with it??"

He's absolutely right! Once you get those lovely recommendations on your LinkedIn profile, it is time to put them to work!

Here are a couple of ways my clients have utilized their recommendations:

• Right on the resume. - Yes that's right. This is a very stylistic new tool that I've learned through the National Résumé Writers' Association, and I wish I could tell you how effective it has been!
• In cover letters. - Again, another great place to grab a decision maker's attention. Let other people sell them on how fantastic you are!
• Portfolio (hard copy, not online) - If you've worked with me before, you've already heard me talk about your "marketing materials." Think of these as the promotional materials that a salesman would have to help sell his product. Beyond your resume and cover letter, this could include a personal bio, examples of projects and methodology, and you can also use these recommendations to replace those old, tired "Reference Letters" that haven't been updated in years.
• Web Portfolio, other social networking sites. - Managing your online brand is so vital to your job search. Recommendations from others carry much more value than you realize.
  

Jason also lists a few other suggestions such as your email signature, your business card, and your (professional) blog. All fabulous ideas!

One caveat: In the comments section of this article, several people suggested going back to the original person who gave you the recommendation and asking permission to publish it elsewhere. This is just proper Internet etiquette and I strongly agree with this advice!

Finally, one little shout out to Jason Alba's LinkedIn Training: If you have ever wanted to learn more about LinkedIn, this is the guy to listen to! Check out this website to get his LinkedIn for Job Seekers DVD.

“So, Tell Me About Yourself.”

A huge thank you goes to Elizabeth for forwarding this link to me! It’s fabulous and I just had to share it with all of you! And muchas gracias to Elizabeth for her notes from the video as well!

New Grad Blog: "Tell Me About Yourself!"

If you have gone through my interview coaching sessions, you know that one of the first questions we review is the dreaded “So, tell me about yourself.” It’s common practice for an interviewer to use this question to break the ice and get the interview started. When done well, you can use this opportunity to set the tone for the entire meeting, which gives you the control to guide the process down paths that sell you most effectively!

My advice is to always answer this question as if the employer really said this: “So, tell me about yourself professionally.” Interviewers don’t really care so much about your personal life at this point (other than to make sure you’re not hiding human skulls in your closet).

What they want to hear is how you are the answer to their problem. When they ask you this very simple question, what they are really saying is:
• “Please tell me why I should hire you.”
• “Why are you better than the five other shmoes I interviewed this morning?”
• “What can you do for me?”

Some of you might have also worked with me on your “30 Second Commercial” or “Elevator Speech.” Again, the exact same concept applies.

This particular video is fabulous because it breaks the process down into easily achievable steps. There’s no reason to be intimidated by or dread this question any more!

How to Address the Interview Question: “So, Tell Me About Yourself.”
1. Brief intro
2. Your key accomplishments
3. Your Primary strengths (demonstrated by these accomplishments)
4. Importance of these strengths to the potential employer. How do these strengths fit the potential employer’s needs?
5. How do you see yourself developing these skills for the new employer?
6. Tie-in. (Turn it back around to the interviewer, putting the ball in their court). Asking them a related question, for example.)

I strongly urge each and every one of you to complete this assignment this week. Cover each of these steps and prepare your answer to this question. This is one of the most common interview questions out there, so you’ll really appreciate it when you walk into your next interview!

Julie Mendez

Motivate Your Way Through a Blizzard

I'm watching the news guys. And I'm thinking of all you job seekers who are stuck under those mountains and mountains of snow.

I can just imagine what is going on in your heads right now. You're wanting to kick back, snuggle up, let your guard down, and take a break from the job of your "job search." After all, everyone else is, right? Other folks are getting a "snow day." Heck, the federal government even shut down. No one is really caring about that email of yours in their inbox right now, so why not relax while everyone else is?

NO WAY! This is your golden opportunity!

I hear the scepticism rolling around in your brain right now. So listen to this carefully.

This is YOUR chance to get ahead. Do you hear that? This is YOUR chance to get ahead.

You've got time now, to:

• Work on connecting with others via LinkedIn,
• Improve your resume or other written marketing materials,
• Practice that 30-second commercial until you can say it in your sleep,
• Work on your SMART stories, or
• Get some extra interview practice sessions in.

How about:

• Researching the top ten companies on your target list,
• Figuring out networking connections at each of those companies, then
• Sending emails asking how they're doing and inviting them to meet for a cup of the warm beverage of their choice.
• Fill up those inboxes with messages, so when the world starts turning again, you will be turning right along with it!

Now is also a good time to:

• Catch up on industry-related reading,
• Writing white papers and blog articles on topics of interest and importance, and
• Filling your calendar with upcoming networking events to attend (after you dig out of your igloo that is).

You've GOT to keep busy, and keep motivated. Keep digging away at your job search, just as much as you've got to keep digging at the snow.

I'd love to hear stories of how you are keeping motivated during your job search! I plan to use them in an upcoming blog article - just email me at JulieMendez@jsmcareer.coaching.com,