When Should You Connect with Recruiters on LinkedIn

When Should You Connect with Recruiters on LinkedIn The recruitment climate has become predominantly online based over the recent years due to the introduction of new business technology, and  social media plays  a central role in both job search and sourcing candidates. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter amongst other sites are all commonly used to seek out career opportunities and potential candidates,  through scoping out who is hiring and who is on the hunt for a new job; though  LinkedIn is probably  the most popular social tool for career development, being a principally professional network. From the job seekers perspective, connecting with recruiters and corporate headhunters on LinkedIn can really boost your chances of finding suitable job opportunities, whether youre actively searching for a new job or just keeping your options open; however it is best to be selective about who you connect with and you want to keep in mind some simple guidelines for communicating with recruiters. Here are some pointers  about which recruiters you should connect with on LinkedIn and how to make the most of your network. Make optimum  use of your profile: Dont rush into connecting with recruiters until your profile is complete and you have made best  use of this  opportunity to really sell your skills and experience. Your profile should highlight your previous work experience, achievements and education. Listing your professional skills,  both general and industry specific, will help recruiters to pin-point you in their searches for roles you may be suitable for.   Take advantage  of your about me section, as it gives you the chance  to promote any achievements you are particularly proud of and to build a positive representation  of yourself as a person. Including a photograph of yourself on your profile is also beneficial, as people feel more comfortable engaging with somebody when they have and idea of who they are talking to. You may also wish to attach a resume and some examples of your work  to support  the information on your profile. Identify your niche: When youre on the hunt for a new job, its easy to be lured in by a recruiters promise to give you a step up in your career, however you should avoid connecting with just any recruiter on LinkedIn. Identify what niche you fit into, what kind of role you think you would be suitable for and how you could help a specific company or department.  It  will only be of real benefit to connect with recruiters who work in your target industry, who will have a proper understanding of what you are after and will be able to match you up with appropriate opportunities.   Help them and they will help you: Working with a recruiter can be a  two way street and by helping them, they are more likely to feel inclined to help you in return.  Think about  how can you make their jobs and their lives easier. If you know someone who may be suitable for a role that they are working on, make recommendations.  If you are not adding value to those you connect with, they are not going to remember you or use their network to get you where you want to go. Grow your network: Although  I advised against connecting with just anyone on LinkedIn, having a big network can only work to your advantage  when making connections who are  relevant to your career. Once you have completed your profile, connect with as many people as possible who work in your industry  or could possibly  help you to get where you want to be. Dont be afraid to reach out to people, as you never know how your connections may be able to help you or  what lending a helping hand could lead to. RELATED: How NOT to Connect with a Recruiter on LinkedIn

Boss Drives You Crazy Heres Why

Boss Drives You Crazy Heres Why So you know that your boss drives you nuts….but you’re not sure exactly why. It’s not that you outright dislike him. And he’s certainly not an unreasonable guy. And even though you often find him difficult to work with, it’s not like you have a horrible boss story to share with the world. So just what is it that makes working with him so challenging? Your Boss is Nothing Like You Ever heard of behavioral styles? Chances are that your boss â€" or anyone else you work with who drives you nuts for reasons you can’t determine â€" has a significantly different behavioral style than you do. We generally make the mistake of assuming that others interact and think in the same way we do. But that just isn’t the case. You have natural propensities that affect how you do things. Your boss also has them. If his natural propensities are similar to yours, the two of you connect easily. In this case, he’s not regularly driving you nuts. But if they’re not similar, you may regularly experience conflict or frustration. Or maybe you just find that interacting with him drains you, even when the issue at hand isn’t particularly challenging. The Four Dimensions of Our Behavior Instead of digging too deep into the science and methodology of the DISC Behavioral Style Model,  let’s keep things simple. First, understand that in this model there are four dimensions of human behavior: How we handle problems and challenges How we handle people and influence others How we handle change and pace How we handle rules and procedures set by others Along each dimension is a spectrum, ranging from one extreme to another. If your natural style is at one end of the spectrum and your boss’ is at the other, you’re going to have issues. For example, let’s look at how you handle problems and challenges. At one end of the spectrum is a person who exhibits driven, ambitious behavior. At the other end, is someone who performs peaceful, agreeable actions. In the middle you’d find a person described as responsible and conservative. None of these behaviors â€" or their descriptors â€" are bad. Or wrong. They’re just different ways of approaching a challenge. And if you take some time to consider where your actual behaviors fall, compared to your boss’, you’ll begin to see some specific differences. Maybe some significant differences â€" some that provide a clue about why he rubs you the wrong way without even trying. Even if you are both completely reasonable folks, are working toward the same goal, and really want to progress without any conflict, these significant differences are going to have you driving each other a bit nuts. So take a look at this list of descriptors for all four categories: How you handle people and influence others One extreme: inspiring, magnetic Other extreme: critical, moody Mid-range: optimistic, reflective How you handle change and pace yourself One extreme: relaxed, resistant to change Other extreme: impulsive, flexible Mid-range: steady, stable How you handle rules and procedures set by others One extreme: careful, cautious Other extreme: arbitrary, careless with details Mid-range: independent, open-minded How you handle problems and challenges One extreme: driven, ambitious Other extreme: peaceful, agreeable Mid-range: responsible, conservative Again, analyze where you and your boss fall along the spectrum in each area. You might find it useful to have a co-worker’s input. Especially since we don’t always see ourselves the way others see us. Remember, the point of this process is to discover your natural differences. Differences you weren’t aware of. Differences that had you subconsciously throwing your hands up and proclaiming to yourself, “He just drives me crazy!” But here’s the most important (and unexpected) part. You’re not alone. Guess What? You Are Driving Your Boss Crazy As soon as I learned about natural behavioral styles, I had an epiphany regarding my former boss. He had driven me crazy the entire time we worked together. What I realized was this: I likely drove him completely BONKERS. Now I can look back and see just how mismatched we were. He’s energetic and lively, with everything urgent. I’m methodical, analytical, and show little emotion. He’s impulsive, and I’m resistant to change. I’m cautious and policy-oriented, while he is innovative, and breaks every rule in the book. It’s funny to think that while I was focused on how crazy he was making me, that I was doing the same to him. And with the two of us thinking that the other was entirely wrong in their approach to just about everything, our working relationship didn’t last long. We didn’t attempt to understand or appreciate each other in any way. But we sure invested a lot of energy in proving each other wrong, resisting each other’s way of doing things, and trying to convince other team members to take our side. How to Stop This Crazy Cycle Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to break the unproductive cycle of driving each other nuts. Acknowledge that his natural behavior is just that: natural. He’s not being that way in order to drive you up the wall. After analyzing his behavioral tendencies, you can better anticipate how he will respond in the future. Consider his perspective. Once you’re convinced that your boss isn’t actively trying to annoy you, it’s easier to see things from his point of view. Even when you completely disagree, seeing his perspective will help you understand his actions or decisions a little more. Adapt to his behavior. At this point in the process you might still think that he should be making an effort, too, but you’ve got to take the first step. Even little things like adjusting to better match his pace, his energy level, or his risk tolerance will catch his attention. And even lead to more productive interactions down the road. Staying focused on how crazy your boss is making you doesn’t accomplish much. But if you make the effort to figure out his natural behaviors compared to yours, you might just find a way of working together that makes you both happier. Good luck!  Image courtesy of Alisha Vargas.

The Dos and Donts of Dress Codes in the Workplace

The Dos and Don’ts of Dress Codes in the Workplace Setting  workplace dress codes can be tricky and it can be difficult to know where to begin. So that you are able to create a work wear policy that everyone is willing to get on board with, keep reading. Do set some basic rules Regardless of whether you expect your employees to turn up suited and booted each day or your view on workplace attire is a little more relaxed, it’s important that you at least set some basic rules for your personnel to abide by. As a minimum, you may want to establish that you expect your workforce to look clean and smart at all times, and if necessary, you should stress the importance of this when in contact with customers, clients and the general public. If you’re struggling to decide on some basic work attire rules, you could solve the problem by providing your employees with clothing to wear. For example, you could insist that your employees wear company branded t-shirts. This will help to reinforce your company image, and its possible to choose from a number of garment finishing techniques. For example, personalised t-shirts from Fire Label can be embroidered or screen printed to achieve the look you are going for. Don’t over complicate things When you’re putting a dress code in place, it’s crucial that you don’t over complicate it. Ideally, you should provide a clear list, detailing examples of what you consider to be appropriate work attire, as well as mentioning what is not acceptable. By keeping it brief, simple and to the point, every employee will understand what they are required to wear. You should also ensure that your dress code policy is easily accessible to all members of staff. For example, it could be kept in the company’s employee handbook. Do set a good example As a manager, it’s important that you’re aware of the influence you can have on your employees. So, if you’re going to enforce a specific dress code, it’s vital that you adhere to it. If you’re seen to be ignoring the rules, but you expect your workforce to dress in a certain way, you could find that other people start flouting the code.. Being a leader, you have the opportunity to set the standard of how to dress for work, so you should aim to lead by example. Don’t overlook health and safety In Your Dress Codes Health and safety is as aspect of company dress codes that you can’t afford to ignore. For example, if your staff members work around heavy machinery, they may need to wear steel capped boots to protect their feet, or if they operate outdoors, they might require high visibility garments to ensure they can be seen clearly at all times. By keeping these dos and don’ts in mind,  you should be able to put together a dress code policy that suits everyone. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Why Having Talent Isnt Always Enough

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Why Having Talent Isn't Always Enough Lets say one day you and your co-workers decide to form a basketball team to get a little exercise after work and maybe form a tighter workplace bond. But then one day LeBron James shows up and offers to play for the team. Thats a no-brainer, right? You grab the chance to catapult your team to a winning season, led by the Miami Heat star. Once hes on the team, you dont say much other than great job! and get out of the way. But then lets imagine James begins to show up late for games. He cant get along with any of the team members, and he begins tomake the game a whole lot less fun. But you dont do anything. Why? Because its LEBRON JAMES. Enough said. The problem with such stellar talent, whether its a professional basketball player or a whiz kid from Harvard who could be the next Mark Zuckerberg, is that they are human. So even though theyre crazy good at what they do, they can still do dumb things. Thats why even themost talented employeesneed to be careful they dont make boneheaded moves that can hurt their career in ways their brilliant minds never imagined. (Oh, and in case these brilliant minds think they can always stay one step ahead of the boss, just consider Yahoos CEOMarissa Mayers checking VPN logsand discovering how telecommuting workers were slacking.) Here are some ways talented employees can derail their careers: Whining. Just because youre smart and make the company a lot of money doesnt mean you have a special pass that allows you to openly criticize others in a demeaning manner and whine until you get your way. You still have to do the work to present the hard facts about why your way is better. You still have to collaborate and not drag your feet like a 5-year-old about to be sent to bed early. Not accepting feedback.Super-talented employees often believe they should be providing the feedback, not accepting it. Give-and-take in the workplaceis expected, and if you dont want to accept comments that others have to offer, go live in a cave somewhere. Running a sideline on company time.Reports were that Yahoo employees working from home were spending much of their time and energies launching their own enterprises. Its not unheard of that talented employees may have some independent works on the side, but dont use company resources or do it on company time. In addition, syphoning off customers for your own business is a good way to get yourself fired before the end of the day. Ignoring the boss. Gifted workers often feel they have the best ideas and they often do. That doesnt mean they can treat the boss as if he or she is a potted plant. Bosses do not take kindly to being ignored and can make your life miserable no matter how much talent you have if you ignore their instructions or input. You have (read more here)

Who Does Not Benefit from an ITIL Certification

Who Does Not Benefit from an ITIL Certification Photo Credit â€" itic.com.auThe Information Technology Infrastructure Library For individuals lacking an IT background, ITIL is not for you â€" simply because it will be difficult for you to catch-up. Every individual seeking an ITIL certification must have some knowledge in the basic concepts of Information Technology.ITIL is a career-based certification, and it is designed to benefit those who are seeking to perfect the art and science of IT. This also means that individuals who do not qualify for any IT related job will not benefit from ITIL.Many will argue that this aspect does not count, because the certification program starts from the foundation that covers basic concepts. However, while the training starts from the foundation of IT, it will be difficult for someone who lacks an IT background to understand the technical terms and methodologies.Also, keep in mind that the introduction is only geared towards the rest of the course and is not an introduction to Information Techno logy as a whole.2. Individuals not seeking a specialized career in IT There are instances where individuals obtain a basic knowledge in IT through parallel interests. Again, if you are not trying to build a career in IT, then ITIL is not the certification to consider. For example, some colleges and universities strive to provide basic IT classes in an effort to build a student body that is computer literate.Therefore, millions of individuals have an introduction to Information Technology as a default. But if you will not be building a career that is specific to an IT department, it is best that you do not waste your time or money by taking ITIL examinations. The benefits of the certification will not be exercised in a non-IT job environment.3. Personnel partaking in software development Software development, under software management, is responsible for planning and developing applications. This function is not dependent on an ITIL certification. Some IT related courses or job descr iptions do not require the an ITIL certification.evalFor example, while many think that anything to do with computer software is IT related, and an ITIL certification will come in handy in promoting efficiency and performance, not every software job requires an ITIL-certified individual. However, those looking to venture into software maintenance will benefit greatly from an ITIL certification.4. Individuals planning to partake in the ITIL foundation examinations only There are different certifications for ITIL and the very first starts with a foundation level ITIL Certification. Many people with an IT background who are seeking to develop their career and are just starting out understand the benefits an extra certification. This is a good idea until you realize that your entire class, as well as millions of others, are thinking the same thing. So any advantage you can get is diluted by the oversupply certification holders.If you are thinking of only obtaining the ITIL foundation ce rtification, do not even start the process. ITIL benefits only come in handy to those looking to go all the way. It is not enough to simply get to the start of a race and not move.If you are looking to provide a competitive edge that speaks volumes about your IT skill, then it is recommended that you at least get to the Managing Across A Lifecycle If your profile matches any of the ones above, ITIL benefits do not trickle down to you. This certification is IT dependent and persons with no interest or background in the field should seek alternative career-boosting certifications.

A Rare Story A Great Employee Meets a Great Employer

A Rare Story A Great Employee Meets a Great Employer The other day I was at the playground watching my two girls run around and play. I struck up a conversation with another parent there and we started talking about her career go figure! She told me a wonderful story Well, I quit my job 6 months ago! Im in business development and I oversee one of our largest accounts. Over the last two years I grew my companys market share from 35% to almost 75%. My boss and his boss were ecstatic. In some ways, I thought their praise was too much because I really enjoyed what I did and some days it didnt seem like work! Unfortunately, once I hit that goal, the job became routine and it wasnt challenging me any longer. So I walked into my bosss office and told him that I was quitting because I needed to find a job that provided what I missed so dearly a challenge. I said, This isnt about compensation or salary. I accomplished what I set out to do and want to move on and find that fire again. My boss replied, You cant quit! Give me 36 hours before you do. I agreed. 24 hours later my boss presented me with a brand new role one with global responsibilities and plenty of fun-sounding challenges. The new job came with a higher salary as well, even though I said it wasnt about compensation. Most importantly, it was great to hear my boss tell me how valuable I was and how important my contributions were. He wasnt about to let me leave, especially not for the reasons I gave. Now, 6 months later, Im awfully happy! I may not wake up every morning and scream, I love my job! but I never get negative feelings about my job. My hours are reasonable. Most weeks, I can slip out early one day and hit the gym or go for a run. I spend my weekends with family and I feel financially secure. I feel very lucky but, at the same time, I feel like I dont really deserve this and it wont last. Im prepared for the day when this will end but, in the meantime, I really appreciate where I am. Find the Right Job As a career coach, this is the place where we strive to take all of our clients: Find the right job that aligns with your skills, interests and values. At times, the job doesnt feel like work and your lucky employer sees amazing results. Proactively identify when a change is needed, come up with creative solutions, negotiate from a position of strength and continue moving towards your long-term career goals. This woman is a career management success story. Not only did she find a job that matched her skills and values but also she took a proactive step in managing her long-term career vision. I wish I had been a part of her career development but I still feel very fortunate to have heard this. Im also glad she agreed to let me tell you her story. My message to her is that you earned everything that you received. Being grateful and feeling lucky are completely natural but theres no reason to fear change. Continue to set those big, audacious goals and then knock em out! Even if this job changes or goes away, your track record will keep you in high demand and give you access to lots of fun and exciting challenges. Listen to your gut and follow your instincts when it comes to managing your career and youll always find yourself in a rewarding career.

What to Know Before Creating Your Resume Bullet Points

What to Know Before Creating Your Resume Bullet PointsThere is a very good reason why resume bullet points are usually overlooked by employers. Those who submit resumes to jobs and other companies without using them rarely get calls back. One of the best ways to make yourself stand out in your search for a job is to apply with your own resume bullet points. There are many great tips to remember for writing them, but what do you need to remember before you start?You must first understand what you want to convey through your work history. Do you want to give a short history or do you want to include your achievements? For example, are you looking for a job as a secretary or a sales representative? Knowing your wants and needs will go a long way in preparing the best resume bullet points.When creating your resume bullet points, try to think about what you have accomplished. Use your experiences to explain your accomplishments. While they may not all be directly related, if you use examp les that are relevant to your experiences, they can help to create a better overall look. It will be easier to write these examples using more words because you have knowledge of them. The goal here is to make your bullet points more appealing and interesting.You will also want to follow a well-written resume bullet points with a good cover letter. Using these will go a long way in your application process. A lot of these letters contain your resume, but this letter should also include some information that makes it stand out. This will ensure that the employer who reads your letter is interested in hearing more from you.When preparing these cover letters, make sure you follow the directions that are on the company's website. Most will offer sample letters that you can follow for this purpose. Make sure that the letter you write is clear and shows that you have a nice personality.This will give your employer something to read through and appreciate such information. As a part of you r cover letter, make sure you are leaving a message. This might be a simple 'thank you' or it could be something like 'appreciate your time'best wishes for the future'. Anything that shows your intent to be contacted and that you mean business is acceptable. Also, make sure that you let the employer know that they will have the opportunity to contact you if they need any more information.Don't forget to provide a well-organized resume and cover letter that contains your best resume bullet points. Be sure to list your experience in chronological order as well as summarize in the most positive way possible. Also, use direct eye-catching headlines to the right of your resume. Also, list all of your certifications to increase your chances of being called back for an interview.While it might seem a little confusing, remember that you can learn the best practice for writing your resume bullet points. While there are many other tips that can be used, nothing beats practice. Make sure you c reate a resume that will leave an impression and then use your resume tips wisely.