The Art of the Follow-up

The Art of the Follow-up Listen up.  I see this problem all the time. Keith Ferrazzi says if we want to be better than 95% of our competition, we simply need to follow-up.  In this video I show you how to use JibberJobber as a follow-up tool. Everyone knows this. Not many people are doing it. If you do it once, you are better than 95% of your competition. HERES WHAT THE TOP 5% ARE DOING WRONG: After they follow-up once, they dont follow-up anymore. When you think of follow-up I want you to think of nurture relationships.   This is a process that takes time, and has multiple touch-points. Sending one card as a follow-up is good, but having multiple communication points is BETTER. Im not talking about opting people into your newsletter Im talking about really reaching out to them, individually. If you only follow-up once, you arent doing enough. Overwhelming, isnt it? I know it is. You wont follow-up with most of your network contacts but you should strategically try to follow up with some contacts, regularly. Take this quote from Dr. Jim Wright (from Timothy Ferriss blog): “Consistency and moderation over intensity.” Take this quote from Mark LeBlanc: Consistency Trumps Commitment! Following up once is not consistent. (if you are overwhelmed with what this might take, jump on JibberJobber and use it as your follow-up tool) The Art of the Follow-up Listen up.  I see this problem all the time. Keith Ferrazzi says if we want to be better than 95% of our competition, we simply need to follow-up.  In this video I show you how to use JibberJobber as a follow-up tool. Everyone knows this. Not many people are doing it. If you do it once, you are better than 95% of your competition. HERES WHAT THE TOP 5% ARE DOING WRONG: After they follow-up once, they dont follow-up anymore. When you think of follow-up I want you to think of nurture relationships.   This is a process that takes time, and has multiple touch-points. Sending one card as a follow-up is good, but having multiple communication points is BETTER. Im not talking about opting people into your newsletter Im talking about really reaching out to them, individually. If you only follow-up once, you arent doing enough. Overwhelming, isnt it? I know it is. You wont follow-up with most of your network contacts but you should strategically try to follow up with some contacts, regularly. Take this quote from Dr. Jim Wright (from Timothy Ferriss blog): “Consistency and moderation over intensity.” Take this quote from Mark LeBlanc: Consistency Trumps Commitment! Following up once is not consistent. (if you are overwhelmed with what this might take, jump on JibberJobber and use it as your follow-up tool) The Art of the Follow-up Listen up.  I see this problem all the time. Keith Ferrazzi says if we want to be better than 95% of our competition, we simply need to follow-up.  In this video I show you how to use JibberJobber as a follow-up tool. Everyone knows this. Not many people are doing it. If you do it once, you are better than 95% of your competition. HERES WHAT THE TOP 5% ARE DOING WRONG: After they follow-up once, they dont follow-up anymore. When you think of follow-up I want you to think of nurture relationships.   This is a process that takes time, and has multiple touch-points. Sending one card as a follow-up is good, but having multiple communication points is BETTER. Im not talking about opting people into your newsletter Im talking about really reaching out to them, individually. If you only follow-up once, you arent doing enough. Overwhelming, isnt it? I know it is. You wont follow-up with most of your network contacts but you should strategically try to follow up with some contacts, regularly. Take this quote from Dr. Jim Wright (from Timothy Ferriss blog): “Consistency and moderation over intensity.” Take this quote from Mark LeBlanc: Consistency Trumps Commitment! Following up once is not consistent. (if you are overwhelmed with what this might take, jump on JibberJobber and use it as your follow-up tool)

Some Things to Know About Writing Resume Summaries

Some Things to Know About Writing Resume SummariesWriting a resume is a very important task that must be performed on a regular basis. This is especially true if you want to land the job of your dreams. A job can be found anywhere in the world, but many people want to keep this option as long as possible. Unfortunately, there are other ways that one can land the job without necessarily the need to travel abroad.In order to get a job, you have to create a resume that has a high ranking in the mind of employers. This is the easiest way of doing so. However, you cannot expect that a great resume would immediately get you a job. You will have to prepare a great resume that will convince employers that you are worthy of the position.First of all, you should gather all of your personal information together. This includes your name, contact details, current and previous jobs, achievements, current company, and several other important facts that you think will help employers make a decision. Once you have done this, you should write a resume that explains the reasons why you are the best candidate for the job.If you are writing a resume summary, then you need to know how to present the details on your resume. Even if you know what you have written, it is best that you write everything at a lower level of detail. This will make it easier for you to gather the required information in a shorter period of time. There are a lot of types of resumes, and you should use one that is suited to your needs.There are two different types of resumes that you can choose from. The first type is the plain and boring resume. This type of resume summary is usually meant for people who lack the required skills and knowledge for the job. It is intended to give you the required impression that you are qualified for the job. The worst part about this type of resume is that it usually tells the entire truth about you.The second type of resume is the attractive and creative resume. This type of resume summary will show the employer just how talented you are in various fields of interest. It will also help you avoid any mistakes that you might make while writing your resume.When you are working on your resume summary, do not forget to mention some of your hobbies. This is another way of showing that you are capable of doing the job. This can make employers consider your skills and talents and eventually choose you over those who have not stated any hobbies or interests on their resume.Writing a resume summary is something that you should not take lightly. Many people, especially those who work for big companies, neglect to write a resume because they are afraid of writing one. However, by writing one, you will prove that you are capable of doing the job and thus be considered for the job. It will also prove that you have enough knowledge in the fields that you are applying for.

6 Things To Watch Out For When Reading An Employment Contract

6 Things To Watch Out For When Reading An Employment Contract Starting a new job can be daunting and exciting â€" especially if it’s your first full-time, graduate job. Whilst you should always respect your workplace and adhere to its rules and regulations, remember that a contract of employment is a two-way deal, and you can question and adjust certain stipulations without having to blindly sign the first document that’s placed in front of you. Here are a few things which you should watch out for, and make sure are consistent with your expectations. Probationary period You will most likely be joining a new company on condition of passing a probationary period. For new graduates this will often last for 3 months, and during this period you can be asked to leave the company for little or no reason, with a shortened period of notice (often a week).  Make sure when reading through the contract that you have the same rights as your employer.  If they can terminate the contract in the probation period at a week’s notice, you ought to be able to as well. Termination causes Whilst it’s common for contracts to allow there to be little or no reason for you to be laid off during your probationary period, you should think hard before signing a contract that will allow your employer to terminate for no cause in the long term. Also check the length of your notice â€" at least a month is normal.  And ensure that this applies to both you and your employer. Additional employment It is often a stipulation of a contract that you cant engage in any other employment (be this within work hours or outside of them) without the employers permission, and that your relationship with the company is exclusive. Whilst this is normal, if you already have a part-time or freelance job in the evenings or at the weekend, make sure you notify your employer and obtain permission for these before you sign the contract. Otherwise you’ll be inadvertently in breach of the contract from the moment you sign. After your time with the company ends Across various fields ranging from from manufacturing to recruitment, companies want to keep their trade secrets to themselves. This essentially results in a clause preventing you working in the same â€" or even a similar field for up to years after you leave the company. This is an extension of the exclusivity clause, and is one to watch for if your skills are in a specific area, as it can severely limit future career prospects. Holiday and leave stipulations Check how much holiday allowance you get.  Whilst there is a statutory minimum, different industries often have their normal amount, whether this is the minimum or a few days more. Also check any restrictive clauses on when you’re allowed to take this holiday. Some employers will have a specific couple of months when you’re expected to take time off, whilst others will stipulate that your boss chooses their holiday first and you must work around this. If you’ve already booked a holiday before starting employment, your boss ought to allow you to take this. Freelance work If you’re contracting yourself on a freelance basis there are a few other things to consider. How and when you’re going to be paid is important, with a time limit on this from the time the work is submitted. Also pay attention to the status of your intellectual property. What of your work does the company own? At what point do they own this and to what extent does their ownership of your ideas extend? Consider how this will impact on your other work if contained within a freelance contract. Alexandra Jane  is the writer and editor of  graduate careers advice  for Inspiring Interns, a  graduate recruitment  agency. Check out their website to see which  internships  and  graduate jobs  are currently available. Or, if you’re looking to  hire an intern, have a look at their innovative Video CVs.   . Images via pixabay.

Three Things Every Grad Should Be Doing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Three Things Every Grad Should Be Doing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career As we enter the graduation season I’d like to ask  every graduate to consider these three things. For some people this is already part of their DNA and they’ve been doing them for years. For others they might be doing one or two of them regularly. I’m suggesting at this important milestone that you do all three … at least once. If they become habits that would be even better. Note: I’m not going to focus on the commencement speeches** Say Thank You There are countless people that helped you get to where you are today. Thank them. Take the time to share what they did for you and share at least one specific thing you appreciate about their efforts. A few to consider are listed below. This is a short list by design. Your list may be much longer. I hope it is. Teachers â€" There are likely a few of them that inspired, encouraged and pushed you. Parents / parental figures  â€" Whether they  are biological parents or anyone that played a role model for you. Anyone who got you here  â€" This is the list that can grow to be as large as you like. One thing to consider is getting started. Keep your initial list to a manageable size and get the Thank You’s started. Give Back Start thinking about it now. Because the time will fly by and before you know it you’ll be getting notes for the  10 year reunion. Your school They will call. Expect it. Plan on something. Save a little throughout the year. Give back what you can. Support your alma mater. Join a non-profit â€" It doesn’t need to be in your chosen industry. You might be passionate about sports, arts or something else. Find something, offer your assistance and give something back. You’ll likely find that your management skills and people skills improve as a result of working with others. This can be magnified when working with others on a volunteer basis. Look Ahead Wonder. Dream. Write it down. Make a conscientious effort to really think about your future. Ask: Where do I want to be in 1, 3 and 5 years? Then … Make it so. As with schoolwork  it pays to take the time to understand what it will take to be successful. Dont worry if you miss it a little. Thats life. Making plans is not a perfect science. The point of this post is to help those that are graduating step up their efforts with three simple, yet powerful things that will set them apart and help them stand out in their career. Those that do will already be  ahead of the game. Getting Started: Take the time now to do  an inventory of the the people that have helped you get to where you are today. Consider a few ways you can give back today and in the future. And, plan for what’s next. Those that do will stand out in their career and be off to a great start. Congratulations Graduates. Commencement Speeches  â€" Be on the lookout for the standouts: ** If you want to see incredible commencement speeches you will see those all over the TV news and across the interwebs. Some will make you smile, some will make you laugh, and some will make you think. There are always a few standouts. David Foster Wallace may have delivered one of the best ever. If you have never read, seen or heard it now would be a good time to do so.

Free Creative Resumes Templates - Why Companies Are Recruiting To Companies That Use Them

Free Creative Resumes Templates - Why Companies Are Recruiting To Companies That Use ThemNo matter what your current occupation, if you haven't built up a collection of free creative resume templates, this is the perfect time to start. Because there are many job seekers who are in the process of re-writing their resumes with more professional, and more effective information, many employers prefer them to their competitors.The reason for this is that they're not just using the free resume templates they can find, but they are going for original information as well. This is why people are now getting to hire that were once considered past their prime in the recruiting business.But even if you do decide to use free resume templates, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that the information you put on your resume matches your skills and accomplishments exactly. Most companies won't have the opportunity to look over an unprofessional resume before making a decision as to whether or not to hire you, so make sure to focus on getting exactly what you need to present yourself in the best possible light.One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to writing a resume is relying on the information on the website. There's no way to know for sure what information they've gathered, and the truth is that this is only the tip of the iceberg. You also have to take note of any job experiences, awards, degrees, certificates, and any other accomplishments that are being used to support your resume.A good resume can get you through the screening process in many situations, but if you skip this step, you're likely to be left feeling as though you didn't do enough. Any such job awards you may have received will always need to be included in your resume, and you'll want to mention them specifically in the skills section as well. This will help employers understand why you're qualified for the position that you're applying for.Speaking of qualifications, d on't write your resume on paper, or a word document. Word documents are usually considered an electronic format and are not approved by most employers. An electronic resume is a much easier to read the document and is much more likely to get you hired.In addition to this, you should never use a word document or other document as a resume. Even if you're using the Word document to create your cover letter, the word document doesn't have the formatting or content to make a good resume. It's more than likely that it has already been approved by the employer and won't match your experience or ability.This is why so many people are now turning to free resume templates, since these enable them to easily create a resume on the computer. They include all the formatting options you need, and any skills you might want to highlight, such as certifications or work experience. This is an excellent alternative to having to input your resume manually.

6 Key Traits for Working in a Team

6 Key Traits for Working in a Team Teamwork â€" it’s a vital skill to have with the success of every business relying on the teams of people that work there. It’s no wonder that so many businesses invest a lot of time and effort into recruiting new team members.By working in a team we can play to our strengths, be more innovative and learn from each other. Great teamwork can boost everyone’s success and it’s down to each member to contribute and make an impact.Teamwork can also be fun!evalFor some teamwork skills come quite naturally while others find that they need to put in more effort. The good news is that we all have the potential to be excellent team players, you just need to know what skills and traits to work on.Career Expertshave put together the infographic below highlighting six key traits that you need in order to be an effective team player. These include:PositivityCommunicationRespectDedicationWillingAdaptabilityTake a look at the full infographic to discover why these traits are so important for teamwork and how you can develop them.Implementing even a few of them into your daily life will make a significant impact on your current team.Infographic Credit â€" Careerexperts.co.uk

6 Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Yourself During Job Search

6 Questions You Absolutely Must Ask Yourself During Job Search 6 Job Search Questions To  Ask Yourself Have you been searching for a job, but your phone just isnt ringing? Chances are, you arent doing enough of the most effective  job search activities. Yes, some job search activities get better results  than others.  Its time you invest more time and energy in the activities that get you the  best results. WARNING: you will have to work on doing things you may not like to do. Job search requires you wear many new hats! 6 Job Search Questions To  Ask Yourself Throwing your resume up on more sites, applying to more jobs or meeting more people might make you feel productive. But the best way to re-prioritize your search is to determine what isnt working. Start by answering  these questions to improve your  job search. 1. How Many Jobs  Did You Apply To Last Week? If you dont know the answer to this question (or the ones below), start now. You should be logging every single application you send out. You need to  keep track of the resumes and cover letters you use.  And keep a separate folder with  your customized resume, cover letter and the job posting. Of course you realize that you must tweak  your materials for each  job opportunity. A resume that doesnt match the job description will be overlooked. Before you applied, did you look for someone inside the company you could speak with or use as a referral? Referred candidates are the most likely to get hired. After you applied, did you follow up with human resources or someone inside the company to find out when the interviews would begin? Finally, and most importantly, how many calls have you received as a result of submitting the applications you sent out? If the companies youve applied to havent contacted you, its pretty clear that your resume and cover letter are the problem. Invest time in revamping these materials and get  feedback from trusted, knowledgeable resources. 2. How Many New People Did You Meet Last Week? Purposefully reaching out and meeting with people is a great way to expand your network and gain valuable information and advice. If you did meet with people, how many have you followed up with by sending a thank-you note or connecting with on LinkedIn? The answer for both questions should be all of them. If not, it isnt too late. In order to gain value from your network, you must keep in touch with the people you meet. Your first meeting is like a first date. In order for the relationship to grow, you will need to stay in touch and have a second meeting. The next logical question is how many people did you re-connect with last week? If you dont reach out after the initial meeting, people are likely to forget about you. You need to stay top-of-mind. Professional association meetings or group events can be beneficial for meeting new people in your profession. Have you attended any? Check your local paper or talk with people in your profession to see which groups they recommend. Job search must involve human contact. Your goal is to incorporate more of this into your search. 3. Where  Are You Searching For Job Leads (besides the job boards)? Not every job is posted to a job board. Have you created a list of companies you would like to work for? Most companies post jobs on their own website under a career or jobs page. Are you following these companies on LinkedIn and Twitter? Do you subscribe to their company blog? More companies are using social media to connect and engage with potential employees. Following a company on social media can help you learn more about the company and meet people online who work there. If you havent created a list of companies, you may be missing opportunities posted on their website or shared through social media. 4. Are You Using Third-Party Recruiters? Some companies prefer to work with outside recruiters. Have you contacted any third-party recruiters that specialize in filling jobs in your field? In case you didnt know, third-party recruiters work on behalf of the company, not you, so dont expect them to find you a job. You can identify appropriate recruiters by talking to people in your profession and ask which recruiters they would recommend. It is important to follow up with recruiters after youve submitted your resume, just as you would if you were applying any other job posting. If recruiters arent contacting you after youve submitted your resume, you may not have enough of the right experience or you may not have made the right first impression. Either contact the recruiter and ask for feedback or diversify the pool of recruiters you are reaching out to. 5. How Many Interviews Have You Had? Chances are, youve had one or more in-person interviews. But how many times were you invited back for a second interview? In todays market, it is unrealistic to think that every interview will convert into a job offer. However, if nobody calls back after a phone screening or in-person interview, it usually means you need to work on your interviewing skills. Polish your skills by role-playing with a colleague. Even practicing your interview answers out loud can make a difference. 6. Are You Using Social Media? Social media is a big part of job search today. Do you have a LinkedIn profile that is 100 percent complete? A strong LinkedIn profile is one way more people can see who you are and what you are capable of. Do you have more than 100 connections on LinkedIn? If not, your limited network isnt as likely to be helpful. Expand your connections to reflect the number of people you already know in real life. Are you using any other social networks? Do you have a personal website or blog? An online presence is very important. When you have your own website, it helps ensure the RIGHT information is found. Have you included links to your profiles and personal website in your email signature? Companies are either researching you or searching for you online. You want to make sure they can find an appropriate representation of the professional you. If you dont know the answers to some of these questions, its time to start tracking your activities and results. You cant fix your job search if you dont know whats broken. Here are two tools  to use for managing and tracking important job search activities! This post originally appeared on US News World Report

Intimidated by Your Job Hunt Enter the Career Search Organizer -

Intimidated by Your Job Hunt Enter the Career Search Organizer - Do you ever feel that even resources that should be the most useful for your job hunt may actually make the job of looking for a job seem overwhelming? For example, the vast amount of information available online is both amazing and intimidating. If you are lucky enough to be faced with an array of jobs to consider, it can be a blessing (Wow so many great jobs!) and a curse (Do I really need to target a resume for each of these jobs?) Sometimes, you just need a great checklist and a method to organize the myriad of information and paperwork that youll need to plow through for a successful search. Enter Lauren Hasson, who calls herself The Resume Girl. Lauren specializes in working with college students and recent graduates, but her new product, The Career Search Organizer is full of useful information for any job seeker hoping to help keep track of everything needed for a successful search. With checklists, tips and a place to keep track of resources, contacts, follow-up, research and more, the Career Search Organizer is a great tool for any job hunter. I particularly love the level of detail offered right from the start. The Getting Started checklist goes so far as to suggest that job seekers identify a same-day dry cleaner (in the case of a fashion accident as you are preparing for an interview) and notes that it is a good idea to locate the nearest overnight mail service in case you need to send something urgent at the last minute. When I coach job seekers, one of the first things we discuss is how important it is to manage the process and not to let it manage you! The Organizer is one-stop shopping for anyone looking for a method to track what can become job hunting madness. With each job requiring targeted materials and research, job seekers can easily lose direction. Think of the Career Search Organizer as job search GPS for anyone who plans to drive his or her own career bus! So, after reading all of my blog posts about goal setting and getting organized, you have a clean desk, all the right tools and youre ready to go? Still need a great resume? Some help to write the perfect cover letter? Im here to help! Write to me. If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you!