Quick Tips to Get New Readers

1. Tell a Story - Create a hook or theme for each of your articles. Incorporate a story that your audience can connect to or relate to instead of just plainly stating facts. How you choose to present information to your audience can make a big difference. A well-written story will attract more readers.

2. Speak to 1 Person - Use your article to communicate directly to a single reader. Focus on using "you" instead of "he", "she", "they", etc. This influences the readers perception that you are speaking directly to them and not to just anyone out in cyberspace. Plus, if it's your first impression with a reader, it's a great way to start forming a relationship for the future.

3. Provide Original Information - Deliver your story and information in a fresh and original way. Your originality is what will set you apart from other authors. Remember, quality still matters, and having an original article is just part of the equation. You also need to make sure your article is built soundly with proper grammar and punctuation.

4. Draw Inspiration - Use experiences in your everyday life for writing inspiration. Live in your niche and bring your personal experiences and stories into your articles. Try to write those ideas down that come to you right when they pop in your head. Then you'll have them ready for when you have time to write.

5. Be Creative - Tell a new story with every article you write. Break the mold and get creative. The more you incorporate your creativity into your articles, the more likely you'll start to gain a wider audience.

6 Tips to Help Young Professionals Fit In

1. Dress well
Even if the company is “business casual” you can’t be that way. You can’t wear the uniform until you’re part of the team. The best rule of thumb is to dress at least one step above whatever everyone else is wearing, and to wear a suit if anyone at the company wears a suit. Don’t just do in with a shirt and tie. Wear the jacket, too. Look professional.

2. Don’t text
Younger generations love to text. Generally speaking, texting at work should be kept to an absolute minimum. Texting while driving is incredibly stupid, illegal, and can get someone killed. Texting while at meals with another person is incredibly rude. The phone/computer should be turned off during any business meetings, any business lunches, or anytime you are supposed to be interacting with real-world people.

3. Work must be produced
We value you for the work you produce, not just for existing. This means you have to actually do something during the work day to get paid and get ahead. Some of you work very hard, and some of you don’t. This is to the ones who don’t. Unemployment is not fun. Neither is living with your parents until you’re 40.

4. Be respectful
You’re not dealing with someone who is a social equal. When you’re interviewing for a job, or working on a job, you’re dealing with someone who is your boss. Even if you have a friendship with him or her outside of the office, while you’re at the office you need to treat this person with the atmost of respect. If you cannot be respectful to your boss, you probably will eventually be looking for another job.

5. Understand life and work are not fair
You may think it would be fair for you to get highly applauded and given time off because you worked 80 hours this week. Life isn’t fair and neither is work. Learn it. Live it. Know it. If you get a “good job” for a job well done, you’re lucky. If you get a “thank you,” you’re even luckier. If your boss gives you time off to go snow-boarding or jump out of a perfectly good airplane, or whatever, you’re very, very lucky. Probably what will happen is you’ll get a nod, and everyone will get back to work. Your accomplishments won’t be celebrated. You aren’t going to get a parade. Live with it. The rest of us have been living with it all of our lives.

6. Manners, manners, manners
Behave yourself and remember your manners. A belch at dinner is not funny anymore. Shoving your way into an elevator before everyone is out is not acceptable. And so on. If you don’t know manners, buy one of the many great business etiquette books on the market.

11 job search tips for 2011

1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you're not qualified for or don't really want. It's a waste of time. Be truthful with yourself when evaluating job postings. If you had to begin the job tomorrow, do you have all the skills you'd need to succeed? Or are there areas of the job description that you don't have experience in? While it's always great to be willing to learn, most companies want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. Focus your time on creating great applications for jobs you are well qualified for instead.

2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job hunt may force you to ask yourself tough questions like: What kind of job am I actually after? And, what skills can I offer an employer? If you're unsure of the answer, make one list of the job skills you excel at and one of the skills you like to use most. Use these skills as search terms in your job search.

3. Reevaluate your skill set. If you feel like you've looked at each job posting on earth and you still can't find one your skills match up with, then it's time to get some latest skills. The good information for those who are unemployed is that it's the perfect opportunity to go back to school. You won't have to divide your time with your job obligations, and there's also the possibility that the economy will have recovered a bit by the time you graduate school -- giving you a double leg up. There are even government funding and programs available for out-of-work job-seekers that want to enroll in training or continue their education.

4. Set goals. Yes, your overall aim may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Develop your networking skills, for example, by making January's goal to join a professional organization and February's to attend a college alumni event. Holding yourself accountable for achieving these goals will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information.

5. Try something new. If you're stuck in a job search rut, add a fresh strategy to your repertoire. Instead of only job searching online, try working with a recruiter and setting up informational interviews with industry contacts, too. A multi-faceted approach will get the best results.

6. Get a leg up on the competition. If you come across a job that seems just right for you, do something that will subtly help you stand out from the crowd. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who works in the same area, and send the person an e-mail directly. It's 2011, which means almost anything can be found online, including names and e-mail addresses. A LinkedIn search on the company should turn up a list of workers and their titles, from which you can select the most appropriate person. Then, search the company website or press releases for the company's e-mail format.

7. Get a hold of your online reputation: When an HR manager searches your name online (and they will do it) you can either take control what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the crawl search gods. Search results that are professional, consistent and that establish you as an expert in your area will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from Thanksgiving. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression.

8. Start a website: If you want to take your Internet presence one step further, starting a website will showcase your skillfulness and talents in a thorough and interesting way, and it'll add to your professionalism and provide you credibility. Plus

9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you're out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs, and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may impact your profession path. This will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you latest ideas about where and how to look for a job.

10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, particularly in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, "Why should I hire you," you can speak about how you're such a quick learner that you taught yourself Photoshop in a week and how your entrepreneurial spirit lead you to start your first lawn-mowing business at age 16. Be sure to leave the interviewer with the phone numbers of references who will back you up with glowing recommendations.

11. Keep that glass half-full approach, all year: A job search will always have its frustrating moments, because things don't always happen when or how we want them to happen. But instead of letting setbacks ruin motivation, take them as lessons. Your lack of interviews may mean it's time to re-evaluate your career path or skillfulness, which could lead you to a more fulfilling profession. This type of positive attitude will be much more productive in helping you find your next job.

Tips for dressing for the job interview

Do your homework.

Yes, dressing for the interview requires you to research the boss. If you are applying for a job with a young, trendy boutique, dress in a way that the interviewer can envision you in their shop servicing their clientele.

Stylish is better than funky.

Employers want to see that you will fit in with their business. However, be warned - stylish is better than funky. Too much "trend" can scare a potential employer away. Fine taste is more valuable than how avante-garde you can be. This is not the time to experiment. For the guys, the same rules apply.

Clean goes a long way.

Clean, pressed khakis or costume pants are preferred. Clean, appropriate shoes and accessories are essential (use a tie if it matches the employer's profile). No T-shirts with political satire, obscene graphics or logos.

Accessories.

Be frugal with jewelry - less is more. If your jewelry jingles, makes noise or can get caught on any of your clothes, leave it at home.

Keep your grooming simple.

Hair should be clean and neat, and nails clean and well manicured. Chipped nail polish will not make a fine impression. The applicant should look like they cared enough to shower. Go light on makeup. Heavy eye makeup or lipstick is a no-no.

Go easy on the perfume and aftershave.

There is nothing worse than causing your interviewer to have an allergic reaction.

Shoes need to be clean and in good shape.

No sandals of any kind - no matter where you live

Color is important.

Dressing for the interview also requires that you choose colors carefully.

"Color as part of your interview strategy is extremely main since it is a useful tool in conveying a powerful message - that said, make sure you're sending the right message,"

"Wear" confidence.

"Confidence comes from knowing who you are and what your values are, and most importantly being comfortable with them - whether or not you get the job," Your stage of confidence really does come across in an interview, so don't forget to come prepared and show it.

9 great interview tips

1. "Do your study. There's nothing worse than walking into an interview without knowing about the company. You should be able to clearly articulate why you're interested in that particular company and that particular position. Check the company's site, search for current news items featuring the company, read the company's blog and look for their Twitter or Facebook page."

2. "Know yourself. You need to be prepared for all sorts of questions about yourself, including your past experience, education, knowledge, skills, strengths, weaknesses, preferences and personal traits. Figure out how these things align with the needs of the employer."

3. "Prepare questions in advance. When an employer asks ‘Do you have any questions?' always ask questions. It shows you're enthusiastic and interested in working for the company."

4. "Practice, practice, practice! Visit Career Services for a mock interview, where we simulate the actual interview experience and provide you with feedback afterward. This is a great way to ease your nerves and boost your self-confidence before a true interview."

5. "Dress for winner. Any time you meet with a potential employer formally (through an information session, workshop you attend or a career fair) or informally (through a family friend or for a casual informational interview), always dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner."

6. "Before you arrive, put the mobile phone away, change your shoes and attire if necessary and put away your water bottle miles away. You never know who you can run into."

7. "Shake his or her hand and look him or her in the eye, even if you're nervous. No one expects perfection, just professionalism. Nonverbal cues are just as important as what you tell."

8. "Have extra copies of your resume with you."

9. "Always, always send a follow-up ‘thank you,' either as a card or e-mail. Follow-through is a main transferable skill to exhibit."

Ten Tips for Career Changers

1. Understand what’s behind your desire to make a change.

Maybe you are starting to become disillusioned with your job. You’re bogged down. Perhaps you’re no longer on the way up. This is the time to step back and start to think about life more broadly. But be warned, career changers can go into mourning. All of a sudden, you realize how you miss their old career, and you’re not really open to replacing those things.

2. Get your life in order.

Get physically and financially fit. Change is stressful. When you’re physically fit, you have more power and are mentally sharper to face the challenges ahead. Starting a fresh career later in life takes an incredible amount of strength and energy.

3. Be practical.

If possible, make your move in stages. You may need to upgrade your skills and education, but take one class at a time. If you’d like to go to graduate school, maybe start by taking a night classes. You don’t have to enroll in a full-course load. You can include more classes as your direction and motivation become clear.

4. Find a mentor.

Ask for help. Seek advice from people who have been winning in the field you are interested in switching into from the start. Everybody likes to be asked for counsel.

5. Be prepared for setbacks.

It’s not all-smooth sailing, but if you’ve laid the correct groundwork, you’ll get through the rough patches. Having your family or partner at your back for support will help tremendously. They don’t have to own your dream, but be supportive.

6. Volunteer or moonlight.

You might try on several jobs before you find the one that’s correct. Anne Nolan, executive director of Crossroads Rhode Island, the state’s biggest homeless shelter, started as a volunteer. She didn’t know what she wanted to do when she lost her executive-level career. She had a year’s salary and time to think her options through. She decided to volunteer at the shelter–not because she dreamed it would turn into a full-time job.

7. Research. Look for jobs that leverage experience.

Check out job web sites like encore.org, retiredbrains.com, workforce50.com, to get a flavor for what others are doing and what jobs are out there at the present. Investigate fields like healthcare, the clergy, eldercare and education that have a growing demand for employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good reference.

8. Don’t lock yourself into a must-have salary.

Salary is the biggest roadblock for most career changers. Chances are when you start-over in a new field or move to a nonprofit, you will need to take a salary cut at least primarily. If you have an emergency fund to buy you time, you can to do a more thoughtful job hunt. Pare back your discretionary living expenses to reflect a more realistic view of what you’ll earn. What are the things that are main in your life? What things are actively giving you pleasure that you might have to give up?

9. Keep your hand out of the cookie jar.

Don’t dip too deep into your core savings. Of all the mistakes older employees make in launching second careers, this is probably the bad. Would-be entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily raiding retirement accounts to launch businesses, but they’re tapping home equity and other savings, and that has obvious implications for retirement safety.

10. Do something every day to work toward your goal.

Changing careers can appear overwhelming. Don’t struggle to find an ideal initial point or perfect path, is great advice I gleaned from Clearways Consulting career coach Beverly Jones, a second-acter herself. Once you have some picture of where you want to go, get things moving by taking small steps toward that vision. What really matters is that you do a little something on a regular basis.

Quick job hunting tips

Networking is the greatest way to find jobs. Talk to family, friends and acquaintances, attend job fairs or business events, use the Web or volunteer.

Research workplaces. At least know their history and mission before the job interview.

Be specific when listing technical skills on resume. Don't say, "I have computer skills"; write, "I am proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel."

Make sure resumes and cover letters have no mistakes. Ask three to four other people to review them for errors and clearness.

Don't send the same cover letter and resume to each company, and don't list every skill or past job. Tailor the resume to showcase which of your talents and skills fit the job description. For manufacturing jobs, for instance, highlight machining abilities and training. For consumer service, focus on social skills and experience.


Ask one to three question during the interview. Also ask when you may expect to hear back from the employer.

Send the interviewer a hand-written thank-you note by the day after the interview. If the interviewer is hours away and a hand-written note isn't possible, send a mail.

Put contact details on the cover letter and include that you'll follow up in one week.

10 tips for boosting your career in 2011

1. Look out for number 1

Take responsibility for your own career growth. Many big organizations have scaled back on training and development a regular outcome of the economic downturn and small companies can rarely provide significant support.

2: Be strategic

Have a long-term career strategy, or at the very least, a sense of where you’re headed. Ask yourself, “What do I actually want to do?” or “Where do I see myself in 5 to 10 years?” Seek people in similar roles and ask for their advice.

3: Work in step with your company’s goals

Connect the dots from your role to your company’s vision and key objectives. How does your work align with the organization’s aims? What can you do to maximize your contributions?

4: Be customer centric

Whether your clients are internal or external, know their wants and needs and be fervent about meeting them. Bring the voice of the customer into your day-to-day job and let it enhance your decisions and deliverables.

5: Collaborate

Working with and through others is requisite to innovating, creating, and producing business results. Adopt a mindset for teaming and collaborating and put it into every day practice.

6: Hone your communication skills

Communication skills can make or break careers. Pick one part that needs your attention considering skills such as listening, presenting, influencing, persuading, or distilling messages and commit to development. Take a class, practice with a trusted friend or colleague, or join a group such as Toastmasters.

7: Cross over functionally

Many winning executives have risen through the ranks by taking cross-functional roles, such as moving from finance to sales or from marketing to IT. Follow their lead and you can develop your skills, your network, and your political capital.

8: Expand your experience

Volunteer for special projects or assignments that are outside your daily role. Discuss your aims with your boss, an HR representative, or a senior leader and ask for help in finding opportunities to broaden your experience base.

9: Find a guide

Mentors can serve as influential role models and provide important guidance for your career. Reach out to a potential mentor within your company or industry and see if he or she would be open to mentoring you for a particular purpose and timeframe.

10: Network now

The best time to raise your network is today. Starting at the present, get involved in groups such as professional associations, charitable organizations, or even sports leagues. Step into leadership roles and make your expertise known.

10 tips to improve your interview skills

1. Know the job, and know the company. "If I've got a place open for a nuclear engineer," told Laura Paddock, talent acquisition manager at TVA, "do they understand that I'm a utility. Do they understand what TVA does? We're always surprised to hear public say, 'I don't know a lot about you, other than that you make electricity.' "

2. Be willing to do what it takes. Brad Pope, vice president of human resources at Memorial Health Care System, told knowing that a candidate has the willingness to do the job for which he or she is interviewing is the No. 1 thing he looks for during a conference.

3. Be on time. Or early. And if you're kept waiting, be gracious about it. "We've had candidates who have complained," told Kathy Reid-Papson, talent acquisition manager at BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

4. Be honest about your experience. "Don't lie, either on your resume or during the interview," Paddock said. "Don't oversell yourself." Speak accurately to the roles you had in previous jobs.

5. Turn off the cell phone, or better yet, leave it in the car. You want to focus on the interview, not on what is ringing or vibrating in your pocket.

6. Address the interviewer by the right name. "It seems like many candidates don't go to the trouble, when setting up an interview, of listening to hear with whom they'll be speaking," told Reid-Papson. "Maybe it's one person, maybe it's three, but they need to know who they are and what their titles are, so ask that when the interview is being set up."

7. Look and act the part. Be professional in dress and demeanor. "Can they articulate?" said Paddock. "Do they provide professional responses, regardless of the position?"

8. Don't talk to the interviewer about your personal problems. "If a person's looking for a job, obviously they need and want to work," told Reid-Papson. "But if they start getting into too many details about not liking their former boss or their husband doesn't want them to go to work, anything that's personal can become a turnoff pretty fast."

9. Don't ask about salary out of the gate. "That's a bit of a red flag," said Paddock, "because it sends the message that the person is only interested in the salary and not in the bigger picture."

10. Be specific. Employers are interested in hearing examples of your successes and failures. Rather than just saying, "Yes, I have management skills," tell the recruiter about a project you led and what you learned.

3 Tips for better job-searching

Move away from the traditional resume.

You were taught in college to create a resume out of a Microsoft Word document. Times have changed, and you need to create a virtual resume instead. First, complete your LinkedIn profile by filling out each field and asking for recommendations. Then, turn your profile into a resume by going to www.resume.linkedinlabs.com.

Brush up on your soft skills.

A fresh Kelly Services research study of 100,000 people identified verbal communication as the most important skill for professionals. I also recommend having a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, problem-solving skills, team building skills and the ability to be flexible in work environments.

Network online — the right way.

Using social networks to get a job is a great idea only if you invest time in connecting with the right people instead of updating your status with the final meal you ate. Forty-four percent of people said that they unfollow in Twitter because they get too many updates, a SmartBrief.com report told.

Job Hunting Tips For The New Year

•Narrow your search. You are wasting your time applying for jobs that you're not qualified for or don't truly want. Instead, focus on the jobs you're well-qualified for.

•Do something to stand out from the competition. If you come across a job you want, send the hiring manager an email directly. Chances are the data can be found online.

•Check out your online reputation. That HR manager will. Better you take control of what the search of your name will bring up before that happens.

•It may help to start a Websites. It's a fine way to showcase your skills and talents. Websites aren't as expensive or difficult as you might think.

•Stay current. Keep in touch with what is going on within your industry. It may help you when that job interview comes.

Tips for Quality Teamwork

Team work is a significant for an organization or company. It is essential to have effective task and logical end. Teamwork is the cornerstone that can either make or break your department. As per Bill Bethel words: A successful team is a group of many hands but of one mind. Tips to get out the best work in team.

Effective communication: The communication between the team members should be free flowing, well channelized and directed towards achievement of project success.

Efficient assignment: Assigning responsibilities is as important as ensuring it is fulfilled perfectly. Therefore, it is essential to assign work as per the capability of team members.

Common goals: The focus clearly is attainment of common goals. Therefore, it is vital to set aside personal points of view, be aware of organizational goals and work towards achieving targets together.
Respect: To work in coordination, it is essential to understand and respect others in the team.

Trust: A term vital for any relationship also applies to a team-oriented environment. Team secrets, details of new projects or any new development within the team shouldn’t be divulged unless it is in the interest of the organization.

Site a good example: Each team member, through his work, should set an example for others to follow.

Four New Year's Resolutions to Fast Track Your Career

1. Upgrade your autonomy.

Specialists in the uber-trendy field of positive psychology have identified the #1 barrier to your happiness (the cultivation of which is surely a valuable New Year's goal). The culprit? Lack of autonomy (as anyone with a micromanaging boss can tell you). This current year, find ways to flex your mojo by choosing, to the extent possible, when and how to do your work. Two excellent strategies are lobbying for more flexibility in your list (as with Best Buy's "Results Only Work Environment"), or, at minimum, aiming to reduce the number of soul-sucking meetings you're subjected to (check out these tips for reasons to call off meetings and some positive alternatives you can suggest).

2. Take more lunches.

Networking maven Keith Ferrazzi famously instructed us to "Never Eat Alone" (the title of his excellent 2005 book) as a method to build connections. The advice becomes even more urgent, however, when coupled with research from Stanford University business school professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, who investigates how executives cultivate power. As he notes in a latest Harvard Business Review blog, "If you're in a position to bring together unrelated groups of individuals who benefit from being in contact with each other, that's a form of power." In short, the path to success is becoming a "broker" who fills holes, transmits information and cultivates connections.

3. Lose weight.

You didn't think I'd leave off this perennial favorite, did you? Unfortunately, this advice applies only to the ladies out there, as you'll see in this Wall Street Journal piece. For male execs, corpulence correlates with high pay up to the point of obesity, when their salaries begin getting docked. For women, shedding pounds can be lucrative: if you weigh 25 pounds below average, you'll bring in over $15,500 more than your "normal" peers and nearly $30,000 more than overweight women. (I'm officially noting my socio-political revulsion, but I'm sure the researchers are correct.)

4. Spend more time with your family.

And alas, this one's just for the gents. This interesting Harvard Magazine profile of Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy discusses her study into perceived warmth and competence on the work. Mothers, it turns out, are seen as nicer and less competent in the workplace, Cuddy reports, while "fathers experience the 'fatherhood bonus.' They're viewed as nicer than men without kids, but similarly, if not more, competent. They're seen as heroic: a breadwinner who goes to his kid's soccer game once in a while." So dads: time to hit the stands and begin cheering.

Tips to Boost your Interview Skills

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these strategies to enhance your interview skills.

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication:

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview.

Dress for the Job or Company:

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

Listen:

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

Don't Be Too Familiar:

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

Don't Be Cocky:

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

Take Care to Answer the Questions:

When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

Ask Questions:

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

Don't Appear Desperate:

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach; you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

Job Hunting Tips for your New Years Resolutions - Reactive Search

Tip #1 - Know what you want and where to look.
Before starting to look, do a good assessment of your preferences and priorities. Know what you are looking for and where you won't go. It is better to begin by identifying your bull's eye job and expand from there than to apply for anything and everything you find online. If you know you and your significant other have no intention to move to Iowa, don't begin applying for jobs there. If you know that you would prefer to work in marketing or PR, don't start applying for jobs in logistics. More times than not, you might get these jobs, only to be left having to launch another job search after you confirm what you already knew (i.e. you don't like to live in Iowa or like working in logistics). Being able to articulate your preferences will also be invaluable to keep your supporters and network updated about what you like and how they can help you. Also, know that hiring managers are busy and want to make sure that they get the most bang for their buck. Therefore, they will avoid big job boards and instead will advertise their jobs on industry-specific job boards. For more information about responsible job boards, see my earlier post on where to find job postings in Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Enterprises, and Non-Profit Management.

Tip #2 - Focus on quality over quantity.
Hiring managers are too busy to parse out what on your resume is most relevant to the work you are applying for. Furthermore, many times, your application will not be reviewed by a hiring manager right away. Instead, it will be scanned by a software programmed to assess whether 60-80% match in words appear between your resume and the job posting. If you do not meet that requirement, your resume will be discarded even before any human being has a chance to evaluate your credentials. Therefore, when applying for jobs, make sure that your tailor your resume (and cover letter) to highlight your most relevant qualifications and education using when possible the same terms as those provided in the job description. Of course, you need to remain truthful and accurate about your experience and education. The more you can highlight how close your profile is to the ideal candidate described in the job posting, the higher your chances to get the interview.

Tip #3 - Be pleasantly persistent.
Applying for the job online is only the initial step in converting your application into an interview. Within 10 days of your application, I would recommend that you conduct informational interviews with people who work at the organization to learn more about the organization's culture. Learn as much as you can online, and then connect with friends of friends, friends of mentors, or alumni from your alma mater who work in the organization. Tell them about what you have learned online that make you interested about the organization, and ask them about their experiences at the organization. If they ask if you are interested in a job, you can say yes, but focus the conversation about their experiences at the organization, taking notes about how these conversations further strengthen your interest in the organization. About 10 days to 2 weeks after you apply, send a follow up email or call the hiring manager to ensure that s/he received your application, and to reiterate your interest. Then include 2-3 additional points from your conversations with people from within (provide their name and their title as well) that make you even more interested in the opportunity. Then follow up with them every 10 days to two weeks if you don't hear from them. Always remain pleasant in your conversation, reiterating your interest, asking if the person has any insights regarding the hiring time line for the position, or needs any additional information regarding your application. As compared to the vast majority of other candidates who might not have followed up or taken the time to learn more about the organization, this step might become your differentiating factor. Most importantly though, this step will also enable you to find out whether this organization is the right environment for you.

Five ways to risk failure and improve your career

Don’t let it sting.
If you try something new and difficult such as applying for a “reach job” and then you miss the mark or get rejected, don’t think of it as stoppage. As my mother used to say, “Failure is just a perception.” Pat yourself on the back for taking the risk, and move on.

Find a problem.
If your job feels unfulfilling, find a difficulty at work that needs solving. Then work on finding the solution. This is also a basic recipe for identifying new business ideas. If you don’t succeed, figure out why and try again.

Get unstuck.
If you hate what you’re doing, fix it. Take on new tasks at work, for example, or learn a new things. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll fail. More likely, though, you’ll figure you why you’re stuck.

Surprise yourself.
Do something completely out of character. Apply for a job in a foreign country. Sit in on a meeting in a different department. Open your mind to new career possibilities by taking a chance at something unknown.

Easy does it.
Many people get all worked up trying to come up with ways to forward their careers. Great ideas often come when you stop trying so hard. Pay attention to your daydreams and the things you read or see on TV that truly interest you. There might be a future career or business idea there.

5 Tips for making sure you can find a new job

1 .Get involved in networking organizations. Look for networking groups that have a broader membership than those in career transition: ExecuNet, which has chapters across the nation, is a group that brings executives, recruiters and business leaders together for discussion in person and online. Leadership organizations can also be large networking groups.

2. Use your alumni network. The term “alumni” can apply to different groups: your college, high school, sorority/fraternity or people you worked with at a previous employer. Mobilize the m all. Alumni associations can give a wealth of contacts and resources for job hunters. Have you caught up with a college roommate lately? Use LinkedIn or Facebook to find out how they are and where they’re working. You could find a potential advocate for a target employer. If not, you’ve at least reconnected with an old friend.

3. Volunteer your expertise. Use your knowledge in a field to help others, and it can advantage you in your job search. Employers want to hire people who are well regarded in their fields. Volunteering provides the opportunity to build a reputation in an industry while making key contacts.

4 .Be curious wherever you go. As you’re networking or just running errands, be aware of what’s going on around you and ask questions. Curiosity generally leads to discovery. That can mean meeting someone who will lead you to a potential job. If you’re shy about touting yourself, asking people about their works, careers or interests can be a way to expand your network in new and surprising ways.

5 .Remember, it’s a little world. With so many people in so many industries displaced in the recession, it’s highly likely you will know people at potential employers. earlier work experience with someone on the inside can be a major advantage.

How to Get the Top Jobs

1. Get varied experience
Don’t get stuck in your job, role, or even field of work–try at least two or three job functions over a period of time. Human resource chiefs and recruiters typically look for people with varied knowledge when hiring for the top job. Even having worked in different cities or countries counts, because it shows how adaptable you are.

2. Specialize
This may sound contrary to the point above, but experts say that ideally you should be a expert in at least one role. That goes a long way in earning respect from your peers and juniors.

3. Get more education
Getting a mid-career education can help leapfrog your occupation.
What you study depends on your aim.
One obvious option would be to sign up for an executive or full-time management program, where you can learn about strategy, business development and so on. Or, you could do a expert course on leadership-development, or people-management, skills essential for a top-level manager.

4. Take risks
One easy way to get noticed by the bigwigs is to sign up for tough projects. Maybe the organization is looking for someone to begin a new initiative in a remote town, or you have an out-of-the-box idea that could help raise the productivity of your team.

5. Join a start-up
If your present organization doesn’t give you the chance to be bold or try new things, your best bet might be to join a start-up. This is an extreme case of risk-taking, because it could mean lower pay (if at all) and the chance of failure is large. But it’s a great way to learn a lot about running a business, managing people and several other things in a short period of time.

6. Keep up with the world
To achieve the top, you need to know a lot about what’s happening in your industry, and even related industries.

7. Networking
Everywhere in the world, networking is key to career achievement. This is particularly true for high-profile jobs, which are often not advertised openly. If you know the correct people, and enough of them, it will be easier for you to learn of vacancies when they come about.

Job-Hunting Tips For 2011

1.Keep your social networking alive, well and professional.

If you've been neglecting your Linkedin account and playing Farmville instead, it's time to switch gears and look at social networking as one more step in the successful job search. It's okay to have accounts for personal social networking, but spend less time on those and lot more time on the profiles you have that relate to your past, current and future career. Get involved in local groups on Linkedin, update your professional blog every day and follow professionals in your field on your Twitter account.

2.Find a job with Twitter.

Twitter is helpful for far more than to-the-minute updates on the personal lives of your favorite friends and/or celebrities. Twitter can help land you a fresh job. First, follow influential folks in your field. Keep up with what's going on. Participate. Be part of the profession even if you're still looking for a job. Second, use a Twitter search device to look for jobs, conferences and networking opportunities with people in your field

3.Polish up your resume.

Social networking is a great way to get the contacts you need, but most often you'll still have to send in a resume for those job applications. Don't send an outdated resume in after you've updated your online presence. Make sure that both your resume and your online profiles are current and the best representation of your job experience and education.

4.Get active even (especially) if you're unemployed.

Local connections are one of the most powerful ways to find a job; and you'll only get depressed if you sit at home in your sweats every day. Join local organizations, volunteer and get involved in your community. Use your expertise to help other people out. Offer free seminars in your church or community association, write articles for the paper or mentor someone who's new to the field.

5.Look for ways to be an expert.

If you're a fresh graduate looking for your first job, then that whole "job experience" section of the resume is often a painful subject. You may not be able to fill it up with years on the job, but do what you can to establish some expertise in your part. Attend conferences and seminars, take classes and get certifications.

The big switch: Eight practical steps to making a career change

1. Review your history.
You know the saying: You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. So think back, way back, to that third, fifth and ninth job and write them all down. For one, it’ll explain you how far you’ve come, and, if you’re like most Americans, it’ll illustrate just how many different tasks you’re capable of carrying out. Don’t forget to include volunteer positions.

2. Make a list. Or three.
Write down all the skills you mastered at each of those jobs, even the seemingly trivial. That major makeover you pulled on the office lunch room may seem inconsequential, but it may be a clue that you have a hope in interior design. On another page, list your interests. The things you like to do when you’re not earning a paycheck.

3. Find a direction.
The lists you made are clues to a new way, but you have to have the right tools to decode the signs. Soloway suggests using professional career and personality tests (check out careermaze.com as an example) to figure out what your skills and interests are telling you. Career counselors at JVS use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, among other tools, to narrow down the types of careers that fit your individuality and talents

4. Try on some shoes.
You’ve narrowed down your options. Now how do you select between pastry chef and greeting card designer? Dig in and find out everything you can about your prospective career: which skills are needed, which degrees are required, what is the pay, what the job conditions are like. Simple online research can fill in many of those blanks, but for the real dish, you have to network face to face.

5. Stay busy.
Spending days at a time in your pajamas, rotating laptop, Blackberry and TV screens in front of your face will not only drag down your feel, it’ll sully your resumé. utilize your free time wisely to show prospective employers that you are active, resourceful and willing to work, even without a paycheck as motivation. Volunteer at your synagogue, a local shelter, school or food bank. Bonus points if you do something that’s relevant to your field of interest. Look for internships, freelance opportunities and other ways to get your foot in the door.

6. Hit the books.
To snag certain jobs, like an X-ray technician or an electrician, you’ll have to sign up for a vocational school. For others, you may be able to fill in the educational gap with classes at a community college, an online course, or some how-to books: i.e. Bartending for Dummies, Day Trading for Dummies, Event Planning for Dummies. Educating yourself shows initiative and drive, and even if the most important thing you study in your creative writing class is that you can’t string a sentence together, at least you can cross Romance Novelist off your list of potential careers.

7. Take baby steps.
Going from school psychologist to web designer is quite a leap, so consider making the transition in several steps. Soloway encourages clients to get “stepping stone jobs” that move them one step closer to their desired career. For instance, our psychologist can apply for a job writing content for the LAUSD website to gain some basic knowledge of what makes a site appealing.

8. Recruit cheerleaders.
Job hunting, particularly for career shifters, is incremental in nature and may take years to achieve the final goal. You’re going to require a cheering section, with verve, and stamina for the long haul. The career counselors at JVS are there to hand you cups of water and granola bars throughout the marathon, Soloway says. But you can recruit your best friend, your daughter, your neighbor – whoever will be genuinely interested – to keep track of your progress and help you focus on the positive.