Feb. 15, 2016 "Job Search 2.0": I cut out this article by Heather Struck in 24 News on May 6, 2013. It turns out it's on the Globe and Mail website and the title is "Tweet, blog and network your way to a new job":
Welcome to Job Search 2.0. In today’s challenging economy, employers aren’t waiting for you to click on an online job listing or drop your application into their inbox.
“A résumé is not enough any more” even if you post it on all the right websites, says Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career, and a promoter of what she calls “disruptive” job hunting.
Hiring managers scroll through hundreds of profiles a week on LinkedIn.com, the social networking site with a professional bent. That means that job seekers need to be aggressive about building their own distinctive brands and promoting them on networking sites as well as in blogs and e-mail.
Creating a personal brand
When you build, the trick is to highlight personal details that could connect you to recruiters or raise your profile. If applying for accounting jobs, for example, don’t assume your passion for playing piano is irrelevant – it could paint you as a patient, creative and disciplined.
“You have to be willing to show who you are,” says Shara Senderoff, founder of InternSushi.com, a website for people searching for internships that allows users to create profiles that may be browsed by potential employers.
The idea is not to multiply the number of social networking accounts, however. It is to use the social tools on the Web to leverage and promote key details about yourself.
That’s what Margaret Jung, a New York University film student, did when she started looking for a summer internship. Last November, she uploaded a one-minute animated video onto InternSushi.
“I grew up learning that promises and deadlines are two of the most important things to keep,” she says in the video. It became one of the website’s most popular profiles, garnering 1,500 clicks. It also led to a dozen interviews, and eventually an internship at Mark Gordon Co., a Los Angeles-based film producer.
Getting started
Even less technically savvy folks can start at LinkedIn. Use your profile to anticipate and answer key questions before recruiters ask them: What do you love to do? How can your passion be turned into something that can make or save money for a business? What do you want to do in the future?
Develop an e-mail signature with a link to a personal blog or website. Use those spaces to present articles about your topic of interest or attractive images of your visual work.
My opinion: I'm doing that already.
When venturing into social media, be sure to understand the privacy features of each site. Facebook and Google+ allow users to assign their online friends to different groups and prevent some groups from seeing particular personal content.
Use Twitter to establish legitimacy in your field. You can follow and retweet experts, and you can use your tweets to highlight articles and developments of interest to people in your chosen industry.
“We follow people who are authentic,” says J.T. O’Donnell, a workplace consultant and founder of Careerealism.com. “When you really care about a subject, your passion comes through.”
Be personal, but not too personal
Here are some tips for introducing personal information in a way that could enhance your job-hunting prospects.
- Details that illustrate your relatable interests, like marathon running or an interest in Web design, are good to put out front. They create an authentic image of you, and they may touch on areas where you’ll unexpectedly meet recruiters.
- Twitter and Facebook should be used as spaces to show a deep passion for your career choice. Frequent fanboy tweets about Lady Gaga are not going to convince anyone that your passion is your career; leave those for your personal circles.
- If you are on Facebook and you choose to keep it separate from your professional life, that’s fine, but don’t forget that friends and family often offer good professional connections too. Join groups that reflect your career interests and post some status updates that relate to your chosen field.
- Consider keeping multiple Twitter accounts. Your “MichaelJacksonFan” screen name might give you credibility with pop music fans, but it could turn off recruiters. Finally, don’t be afraid to walk away from your device. Sometimes old fashioned in-person networking is the ticket to your next job.
Ann Rafalko was a Web editor with a blog about gardening and a passion to match. She found her dream job at a charity dinner, when a casual conversation with another guest turned into an on-the-spot job offer. The other guest turned out to be Gregory Long, the president of the New York Botanical Garden, and Ms. Rafalko is now the organization’s online content director.
“I have the best job in the world now,” Ms. Rafalko says. And her casual conversation with Mr. Long? It was about Web branding.
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Tweet, blog and network your way to a new job
‘A résumé is not enough any more,’ says author of Getting from College to Career
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"How Tweet it is to be employed by you": I cut out this article by Lauren Marinigh in the Metro on Jul. 30, 2014. It's about getting a job in social media.
Strong writing skills: You have to create effective and engaging content if you're behind the brand's online presence.
Dedication and passion: You will have to be online all the time. Fans and customers will be there.
Willingness to learn: You have to be current because social media is often changing.
My opinion: It seems pretty hard to work for social media.
"Take these career tips into account": I cut out this article by Riana Topan (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Sept. 10, 2014. It's about getting a career in accounting. However, when I read this article, it seems pretty generic that you can apply these tips into other careers:
Identifying the skills that lead to success in accounting will not only increase your job satisfaction, but also make it easier for you to build towards your long-term career goals.
Here are the top 6 skills that will help you to stand out as an egg-cellent accountant. We’ve included some tips to help you start developing these skills while you’re still in school, but don’t be afraid to look for other opportunities as well!
1. Organization
Accountants are important people. They manage a lot of responsibility, which means that they generally stay pretty busy.
To be a good accountant you need to have a system to keep track of those responsibilities – such as any portfolios you manage, the transactions you handle, and any important dates and deadlines you need to meet – to ensure that you fulfill all of your duties to the best of your ability.
You can make use of tools like calendars, alphabetized folders, day planners, colour-coded post-it notes and highlighters, and apps and programs designed to help you stay highly organized and in the short- and long-term.
Being well-organized is a great way to demonstrate to your coworkers and manager that you are reliable, competent and able to get the job done. Start honing your organizational skills now and by the time you begin applying for jobs, you’ll be able to discuss your organizational skills with confidence.
Tip: Not sure where to start? Try creating a study schedule for each of your classes, using a day planner for your daily to-do list and starting a filing system for your notes.
2. Time management
Good time-management skills go hand-in-hand in with strong organizational capabilities.
A system for managing your workload is only effective if you also know how to budget your time. As an accountant, you’ll need to manage competing priorities and juggle myriad tasks – while completing everything on time.
The ability to work within deadlines and to continually re-prioritize your to-do list will take you far. Not only will it impress your boss, co-workers and clients, it will also help you to maintain a healthy work/life balance and keep your day-to-day productive.
Tip: Give yourself blocks of time to complete certain tasks. Got an exam coming up? Allocate four or five 2-3 hour windows to get your studying done, and make a list of what you want to accomplish during each study session.
3. Adaptability
The accounting industry is highly dynamic, so accountants who are able to adapt quickly and easily are at a distinct advantage.
In addition to being able to provide better services to their clients, adaptable individuals are more likely to learn and grow in their careers because they see each new challenge as an opportunity to learn and test their skills.
Embrace change – learn to make the most of every curveball that your work throws your way.
On a related note, it’s also great to be proactive. Although it takes a bit of extra effort to be informed about changes as they happen, it definitely pays off: it will keep you on the cutting edge of the industry, earn you the respect of your peers and ensure that others look to you when planning ahead.
Tip: Next time something unexpected happens, look for the opportunity in the situation. If you have to work with a difficult classmate at school, for example, focus on your his or her strengths and use the situation.
4. Communication
No matter where you work, what your job entails or who you work with, strong communication skills are incredibly valuable. Being able to communicate well in writing and in person will help you to get a job, work as a team with your colleagues, interact with clients and, with time, advance professionally.
Well-developed interpersonal skills will also be useful for networking. Whether you have to attend a corporate function or are simply welcoming a new coworker to the office, the ability to assert yourself when meeting new people in order to establish profitable relationships will serve you well. Never underestimate the importance of making a good first impression.
Tip: To start with, work on your smile, your handshake and your posture. Then move onto practicing communicating clearly and tactfully with family and friends, and memorize a short list of questions to ask people about themselves when you first meet them.
5. Openness
Honesty and integrity are highly valued in the accounting world.
Accountants – and the firms they work for – pride themselves on adhering to the strictest ethical standards. It’s why the public, other businesses and the government know that they can trust accountants to always look out for their best interests.
Being transparent when making decisions and giving advice has the added benefit of improving your working relationships. It will make teamwork easier and will help you to foster an environment that is respectful and collaborative.
Many accountants work on larger teams, so the importance of being trusted can’t be overstated. Get into the habit of thinking about the consequences of your actions each time you have to make a big decision.
Tip: Ask yourself the following questions: What are my reasons for coming to this decision? Who will benefit from this? Who stands to lose? What is the short- and long-term impact of this choice? Be honest with yourself about your motives for making particular choices and see what you learn.
6. Leadership
Being a good leader means knowing how to mentor and teach, and making yourself approachable and available to the people you’re responsible for. You have to balance being a role model and the person in charge while still being part of the team. It also takes confidence, patience, and the ability to delegate – traits which don’t come easily to most people.
In accounting, leadership skills also include strategic thinking and long-term planning. Many accountants provide consulting services, which means that they offer advice and business solutions to help companies improve their operations, so the ability to look ahead is key.
The top players in accounting are generally known for being visionary – for making logical decisions that also involve a bit of creativity. To be a successful accountant, you need to be able to show your clients that you’re working to improve their present and future.
Tip: There are inspiring individuals in all walks of life. Read up on some of the more prominent leaders in history to see what made them unique or talk to a real-life role model about what they think makes a good leader. If possible, sign up for a leadership position at school or in your community so you can practice the skills you’ve read or heard about.
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6 Skills You Need To Succeed In Accounting
Ready to explore some of the top career skills you'll need in accounting? Start here!
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