Expanding Your Network

Whether you’re self-employed, employed, or looking for work, it’s important to maintain a network of contacts. Your personal network is comprised of friends, family, co-workers and others individuals who are supportive of your professional endeavors. Expand your network beyond your inner circle by stretching to make new connections.

 

 

 

Assess your resources. Some people in your network may be a great source of encouragement. Others may provide leadership and mentorship. Still others may offer valuable industry and career insights. Any of these individuals may be a resource when you need a referral or recommendation. Evaluate your network to determine what kinds of contacts you may be lacking, and then go in search of people with the potential to provide the support you need.

 

Connect online. Use a twitter account and online blog to add to the public discourse. Tailor your musings to information that relates to your industry or expertise. Maintain your LinkedIn page to include your skills, abilities and current projects or interests. Make sure all of your online identities are linked and add value.

 

Attend local functions. Look for local gatherings of like-minded professionals. You can seek out a group that is directly or indirectly related to your industry. For example, you might attend a meeting of your local chamber of commerce to meet business owners in your area. Or you can join Toastmasters to hone your public speaking skills and connect with others hoping to do the same.

 

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Renée A. Hanson, CFP®, CEP®, CDFA™, CFS, is a private wealth advisor with Hanson, Ayala & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Her passion is in helping women achieve their dreams and financial goals, regardless of life’s many obstacles. Renée is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI. Please visit: www.reneehanson.com to learn more.

 

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

 

© 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jamie's Career Tip of The Day

Jamie's Career Tip #4:

When starting a new job, make sure you are the first one in and one of the last people to leave for the day. You will be admired for your efforts and it is much easier for employers to promote from within.

3 Myths About Older Job Seekers

Reposted from MSN Career

Big Foot roams the woods of North America. The Loch Ness Monster lurks below the water's surface in Scotland. Hiring younger workers makes more sense than hiring mature ones. Which one of these myths is most widely believed?

Big Foot and "Nessie" may be out in the wild somewhere, but mature job seekers are just as attractive job candidates as their younger counterparts. More experienced, more mature, more reliable -- mature job seekers are the total package when it comes to hiring. So why do employers buy into the notion that their age is a drawback? Learn how to bust three common myths about older workers and get hired.

Myth No. 1: You're out of touch
Perhaps the most common myth is that mature job seekers struggle to keep up with technology and industry trends. The truth is that it's every job seeker's responsibility, regardless of age, to ensure he has the experience and skills needed for the job he wants.

While younger job seekers may receive the most current education, mature job seekers can take advantage of this opportunity, too. If your job search isn't yielding much interest, it may be time to consider attending a workshop or seminar in your field. Tailor your résumé to the job posting's requirements. Research the company and mention specifics in your cover letter. Also note your skills and experience, including your technology capabilities. You can beat this myth and market yourself as the total package. You have experience, judgment and dependability on your side.

Myth No. 2: You'll expect a leadership position
The experience, judgment and dependability that make you the total package may also make you appear to be a high-maintenance job seeker or somebody who expects a leadership position.

Combat this assumption in your cover letter by explaining that you're interested in the specific position and that you look forward to joining the team. You may be moved into a leadership position soon after starting, but don't expect a warm reception if you mention a leadership position as a requirement to being hired. Instead, explain your leadership qualities and how they apply to the job for which you're interviewing, as well as how you'll fit into the company culture.

Myth No. 3: You'll retire soon anyway
The classic "Where do you see yourself in five years?" question makes an appearance at most job interviews, though for mature job seekers, this question may sound loaded. Will you still want to work in five years?

While younger job seekers may respond with a positive answer about how they hope to still be working with their team, mature job seekers may need a more specific answer. Hiring managers may worry that more mature job seekers are looking for a pastime before retiring. Make it clear that the age of retirement is rising and you're looking at this position as an important part of your career. Share how you've previously met your professional goals and how this job will contribute to your other goals. Then, transition to the company's goals and how you're a great match.

No matter your age, you can bust these three myths and present yourself as the total package. Prove that you're keeping up with industry trends, make it clear that you want to be a part of the team, and share your career goals to show your commitment.

 

Resume Tips: Writing Accomplishments

You often hear that your resume should list your accomplishments, not your job duties. And it’s true—accomplishment statements are the best way to showcase the amazing things you’ve done at your past jobs, plus show prospective employers what you can do for them. Your list of weekly assignments? Not so much.

So why do the majority of resumes out there still look like job descriptions? Well, because turning job duties into accomplishments is a tough concept to grasp. But once you get it—I promise, you’ll have smooth sailing in your resume-writing future. So grab your resume, and sit down with our step-by-step guide to ditching the duties and making those bullet points sing your praises.

1.       Know the Difference

 

Plain and simple, a duty describes what you did and an accomplishment describes how well you did it. For example, “planned events” would be considered a job duty, whereas “raised $100,000 by selling out tickets to a 200-person charity event” is an accomplishment. 

Why is this so important? You want to tell the person reading your resume something she doesn’t already know. For the most part, hiring managers will understand what duties are associated with your job titles. It’s common knowledge that, for example, an Executive Assistant will answer phones, manage files, and provide customer service. So, putting those statements as bullets on your resume only uses up valuable space. On the other hand, by including accomplishments, you paint a picture of your abilities—one that will sell yourself.    

So now that we understand the difference, how do you make the change?

2.       Make a List

Get started by compiling a list of all the things that set you apart. For each of the positions on your resume, ask yourself the following:

·         What did I do that was above and beyond my normal job duties?

·         How did I stand out among other employees?

·         Was I ever recognized by a supervisor for a job well done? When and why?

·         Did I win any awards or accolades?

·         What new processes did I implement to improve things?

·         What problems did I solve?

·         Did I ever consistently meet or exceed goals or quotas? 

·         Did I save the company money?

·         What made me really great at my job?

 

3.       Paint the Picture with Numbers

 

Then, take your list, and add in as many facts, figures, and numbers as you can. How many people were impacted by your work? By what percentage did you exceed your goals? Instead of saying you effectively managed a budget, list how much money you managed, and how much money you saved.

By quantifying your accomplishments, you not only make them easier to understand, you really allow the hiring manager to picture the level of work or responsibility you needed to achieve this accomplishment.  

4.       Add the Benefit

 

Then, take each statement one step further and add in what the benefit was to your boss or your company. By doing this, you clearly communicate not only what you’re capable of, but also the direct benefit the employer will receive by hiring you. And let’s face it, everyone wants to know what’s is it for them!

 

So, say you have “created 20 client reports each month” on your list. Instead, write something like “created and prepared 20 weekly and monthly status reports to ensure clients consistently received timely and complete information.” Reading that, a hiring manager will automatically see that, if she hires you, you’ll be able to develop ways to provide great service to their clients. When you include the benefit, you more effectively sell the tangible things you can bring to the company. 

A resume full of accomplishments is the best way to show off what you can do and set you up for your next success: landing a great new job.

Amy Michalenko, Fresh Start Women's Resource Center Director and Career Guru

 

Jamie's Career Tip of the Day

Jamie's Career Tip #3:

Dress for the position you want, not the job you have. Management notices the persons who go above and beyond.

Jamie's Career Tip of the Day

Jamie's Career Tip #2:

 

Looking for a job is a job in itself. Determine a time to start and a plan of action for  5 days a week.  Tell others including family and friends that you are not available to avoid interruptions.

Jamie's Career Tip of The Day

During the month of February we are going to be giving you expert tips and resources to help you in your Job Search!

Every day we will have a blog article written by an expert filled with useful information, resources, and inspiration just for you!

And there will be a daily career tip authored by our very own Career Guru Jamie Starner, Fresh Start Career & Programs Manager, M.Ed, VCED, GCDF

Career Tip #1:

When networking, contact two levels above the position you desire.