5 pointless job search tactics

Below is an article that was published recently recently on Yahoo Hotjobs. I do not have the link, as someone forwarded me the pdf. The article makes some good points.

The Savvy Networker
Liz Ryan, Yahoo! HotJobs

In case the 2010 job-search experience doesn't already have enough in common with pushing a huge

rock uphill, here's another jolt of bad news. Lots of conventional job-search activities are a complete

waste of time--the job-hunt equivalent of trying to cure warts by swinging a dead cat over a stump at

midnight. They just don't work. Here's our top-five list of pointless job-search activities:

Resume-blast services

There are vendors who will blast your resume out to zillions of employers for a fee. Only problem:

employers are deluged with resumes already. Your unsolicited, uncustomized resume is the last thing

they want to see. Skip these services and conduct your own research, using search engines and

LinkedIn. Then write to hiring managers directly with targeted overtures.

Job fairs

When I was an HR person, job fairs were a fantastic way to hire highly qualified people. Today, job fairs

have devolved into thankless, confidence-crushing cattle calls. Save the money you'd spend on dry

cleaning and parking to attend a job fair; instead, contact employers one by one after researching their

businesses.

"I'm job hunting" messages on discussion boards

I moderate a few online discussion groups, and I always feel bad for the folks who join a group to post a

message that says, "I am seeking an accounting job" to the other members (that is, total strangers). The

odds of getting a job lead that way are slim to none.

We need to know the people we refer for job opportunities. You're better off spending your online community time making one-on-one connections, or following up via phone or in person.

Video resumes

Imagine the hiring manager sitting at her desk swamped in resumes, cover letters, reference lists,

portfolios, and unanswered emails from job applicants. What's her incentive to watch your video resume?

There isn't one. Video resumes are a solution in search of a problem. Craft a killer resume and get it out,

along with a pithy "pain letter" that explicitly shows how your background makes you the perfect person

to relieve a business's pain, to hiring managers instead.

Spray and pray

Applying to every job in sight with the same, uncustomized resume is a job-search non-starter.

Employers hire people they believe can solve their problems. That belief comes from the understanding

of the problem that the job-seeker demonstrates in his or her pitch. Research is the key!

So, how do people get jobs? They do it through thoughtful, well-crafted letters, resumes, phone calls, and

LinkedIn overtures--sent in response to posted job ads or sent to employers who don't currently have

jobs posted but who may well have business needs anyway. They do it through networking, and through

careful follow-up with the people they know and the new people they meet during a job search. "Hey, I

need a job" is not a compelling pitch--but "I think I understand what you're up against, and would love to

talk about solutions" most definitely is.

Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, a former Fortune 500 VP, and an internationally recognized expert on

careers and the new-millennium workplace. Connect with her at www.asklizryan.com. (The opinions

expressed in this column are solely the author's.)

Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

Excellent article - 7 tips for networking

Having just participated in a workshop on Power Networking, this article not only reinforces the importance of networking but also gives some good suggestions and reminders. Original posting with comments can be found here:http://m.entrepreneur.com/blog/223468

7 Tips for Networking

By Colleen DeBaise|May 3, 2012

Networking goes hand in hand with running a successful business.

But many of us dread walking into a room and introducing ourselves to a bunch of strangers.

I've been asked to share my best networking tips at a meeting today of the National Association of Women Business Owners in Philadelphia. Here are the most valuable tips I've come across – and put to work myself – over the years:

1. Resist the urge to arrive late. It's almost counter-intuitive, but showing up early at a networking event is a much better strategy than getting there on the later side. As a first attendee, you'll notice that it's calmer and quieter – and people won't have settled into groups yet. It's easier to find other people who don't have conversation partners yet.

2. Ask easy questions. Don't wait around the edges of the room, waiting for someone to approach you. To get the conversation started, simply walk up to a person or a group, and say, "May I join you" or "What brings you to this event?" Don't forget to listen intently to their replies. If you're not a natural extrovert, you're probably a very good listener – and listening can be an excellent way to get to know a person.

3. Ditch the sales pitch. Remember, networking is all about relationship building. Keep your exchange fun, light and informal – you don't need to do the hard sell within minutes of meeting a person. The idea is to get the conversation started. People are more apt to do business with – or partner with – people whose company they enjoy.

If a potential customer does ask you about your product or service, be ready with an easy description of your company. Before the event, create a mental list of recent accomplishments, such as a new client you've landed or project you've completed. That way, you can easily pull an item off that list and into the conversation.

4. Share your passion. Win people over with your enthusiasm for your product or service. Leave a lasting impression by telling a story about why you were inspired to create your company. Talking about what you enjoy is often contagious, too. When you get other people to share their passion, it creates a memorable two-way conversation.

5. Smile. It's a simple – but often overlooked – rule of engagement. By smiling, you'll put your nervous self at ease, and you'll also come across as warm and inviting to others. Remember to smile before you enter the room, or before you start your next conversation. And if you're really dreading the event? Check the negative attitude at the door.

6. Don't hijack the conversation. Some people who dislike networking may overcompensate by commandeering the discussion. Don't forget: The most successful networkers (think of those you've met) are good at making other people feel special. Look people in the eye, repeat their name, listen to what they have to say, and suggest topics that are easy to discuss. Be a conversationalist, not a talker.

7. Remember to follow up. It's often said that networking is where the conversation begins, not ends. If you've had a great exchange, ask your conversation partner the best way to stay in touch. Some people like email or phone; others prefer social networks like LinkedIn. Get in touch within 48 hours of the event to show you're interested and available, and reference something you discussed, so your contact remembers you.

Readers, what's your best networking tip?

© 2012 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. Mobile | Standard

A torch for the server room - A start-up story

When my partner Mark and I started the company in his house deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we converted the newly rebuilt garage - it had burned up the previous year- into a server room. Not your typical server room with raised floors, white tiles, sub-zero temperature and cables neatly arranged, but rather rows of racks in a poorly lit, dusty - well - garage! Inevitably, due to this rather rough environment servers would go down.

We all learned to "reboot", including Manni, our data analyst, who had recently moved here from England. It was getting dark when a server went down and Manni offered to go reboot. He was back in a few minutes.

"Mark, have you a torch for the server room?"
Mark looked at him with great consternation. "Manni, I know the server is down, but do you really want a torch? Isn't that a bit drastic? Manni, please, can we talk about this first?"

Laughing, I handed Manni a flashlight. Yes a torch would have been a bit drastic.

Makeuseof website - love it

There are several websites that I troll regularly to find cool new stuff. Here is my most favorite one:

The contributors evaluate new technology, give you a good overview of the products and having tried them, their opinions. There are also instruction manuals you can download, for instance an in-depth guide to LinkedIn, etc. And when it gets way too serious -look at some geeky fun:

The site also publishes a daily newsletter you can subscribe to. Try it, I am sure you will find some cool stuff too.

Infographic Resumes?

Infographic resumes seem to be gaining traction as a way to visually show achievements and skills. Good article by Erica Swallow listing four programs.

Here is my take on the ones I have tried so far:
kinzaa http://kinzaa.com/EvelynAEspinosa 
5* for ease of use and layout. Good design. Wish I could add my ScrumMaster certification in the education section. No way to add recommendations but has the ability to add a video.

re.vu http://re.vu/evelynaespinosa
This site really forced me to come up with quantifiable results and prominently displaying achievements. I wish I could change the font sizes, it makes the page a bit clunky looking.

facebook's brazen http://brazen.me/u/672173205
My least favorite app, no control over what is displayed, weird Career Success score calculated by how many badges you have - very strange. Changes to the display only show up if you make changes to linkedin. Can not figure out how to delete it.