Handling Your LinkedIn Information When You're Employed but Looking for Another Job

Check out this recent Wall Street Journal article for advice on doing your job search while still employed.

What a Way to Explore!

Take a look at TED for "riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world." TED is a non-profit organization devoted to exploring and spreading ideas, especially in the domains of technology, entertainment and design. Most videos are in the 20-minute range.

A much longer one is of Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, talking about "really achieving your childhood dreams."

Dan Ariely asks whether we're in control of our own decisions in a 17-minute segment.

Explore!

Free Access to MIT Course Content, No Kidding!

MIT has made materials (notes, videos, tests, etc.) for over 1900 of its courses available online for free--and not just science and engineering courses. You'll find sociology, literature, management, history, writing, and a plethora of other subjects.

For those of you who are self-learners, it's worth a serious look.
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm

Advice from Recent Successful Hires

Last week I attended a panel discussion of people (three men, two women) who had recently landed mid-to-higher level professional jobs. Here, in no particular order, are comments and advice from the panelists.

• Katherine's story was noteworthy. Katherine wanted to continue her career in financial communications after a layoff. She read an article in the St. Louis Business Journal about a company that was acquiring a northern California firm. Katharine knew that communicating to shareholders about this acquisition would require a special set of knowledge and skills. She wrote the CEO of the acquiring company and suggested that she might be able to help. After their initial meeting, Katharine was offered some contract work. Three months later she was offered--and accepted--full-time employment. Wrapping up, she stated that when she wrote to the CEO there was: No job; No screening; No interview; and No competition!

• The most important factor and valuable use of the panelists' time was connecting with others: for information gathering, generating referrals, and uncovering opportunities--networking. Not the job beggar, desperate "do you-know-of-any openings" humiliating and irritating version unlocking the hidden job market. But the "meet people, uncover opportunities, and help others" version of connecting with others.

• Resumes were far less important than a focused marketing/networking document containing three sections: Summary/Objective; Selected Achievements; and Industries/Companies you're interested in. Several panelists advised against simply handing out resumes. One even commented that resumes stop the process of building connections with others.

• 6:30 to 8:00 A.M. is a good time to reach high-level people. Their assistants aren't in yet.

These panelists landed jobs in difficult times. They invested time and energy. They ran into obstacles and hurdles, and they had days of worry and frustration. But through developing a focus and reaching out to others in a professional and dignified way, they found new employment. AND they are now ready to pay it forward.

Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door
Harvey Mackay's new book is full of practical, well-written advice: not just piecemeal techniques, but a mindset, examples, realistic, encouraging, and creative. Well worth a full read or even a perusing. Take a look.
If'd you'd like in-person help in your search, contact me.

Career Lessons from the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien Conflict

I ran across this article, in of all places, the Harvard Business Review online. Great career lessons!

'Tis the Season' . . . to Land a Job

It's tempting to take a break from your job search around the holidays. Oddly enough, though, it's a great time to continue both your informal and formal connections with potential employers.

For one thing, most job seekers falsely assume "nobody's hiring" at this time of year; thus, they believe it's a waste of time to keep looking. By reaching out at a time when others job searchers are taking a break, there are fewer competitors for opportunities.

Second, the people you wish to contact may be more relaxed and open to get-togethers. Whether or not you discuss current openings, you're on the radar screen as the new year--and potential hiring--emerges.

Third, hiring doesn't vanish for the month of December. I know from experience. Years ago, I interviewed for my job at Webster University on Dec. 15 and was offered the job on the 19th. More recently, a client interviewed in early Dec. and began her job on Dec. 26.

If you're tired and want to give yourself a break, admit it; just don't hide behind the "nothing happens in December" excuse.