3 LinkedIn Networking Strategies That Work

3 LinkedIn Networking Strategies That Work Over 500 million users can’t be wrong, but they can do things differently. Whether you are a veteran or a novice on LinkedIn, a networking strategy is beneficial. This article looks at the three major types of networkers on LinkedIn and what your options are. In case you want more information about LinkedIn, check out the posts on the basics and how to  maximize your profile. The three types of networkers on LinkedIn: 1. The roaring LIONs LION stands for Linked In Open Networkers, or open networkers. These users are open and will accept any invitation. The idea here is to connect to as many people as possible to reach out to more people. A more extensive network is particularly useful when prospecting for leads and doing research on people and companies. An open networker will publicize their LinkedIn URL at any chance to entice others to send invitations. As a LION, you will be expected to accept an invitation from complete randoms and usually their friends as well. If you are not comfortable with this, you will probably want to pick another strategy. Open networkers will have the most extensive networks, usually well over a thousand first connections. As you cannot see how many connections people have beyond the 500 mark, we can only guess how large some of the right LIONs networks are. Ron Bates claims to have over 44,000 connections, and if you are a prolific member of LinkedIn, I will venture to guess he has invited you as well (not sure how he does it!). 2. Professional networker This is what I believe LinkedIn was intended for, professionals connecting up to further each others’ careers. This would be the most typical LinkedIn user. A salesperson would connect to his or her clients, the client would connect to their suppliers, etc. You don’t have to have met the other person, but you will have dealt with them and deem there is a value being connected for both your careers. Professional networkers will generally have anything from 200 to one thousand connections. 3. Exclusive networker This category of people will only ever connect to people they know well, trust and respect. This type of network is likely to be very selective and can be drawn upon for passing on introductions and recommendations. You could say that the exclusive networker is not increasing their connections, merely storing them digitally on LinkedIn. There can be several reasons for wanting to be an exclusive networker, keeping your connections and activities confidential is undoubtedly a major one. While most recruiters are open or professional networkers, some choose to stay exclusive for the simple reason that they don’t want their clients to know what other clients they speak to or they don’t want to bring attention to hot candidates in the market by connecting to them. Yes, you can change your settings more private, but your connections can still see who you are connected to in common for instance. Exclusive networkers will rarely have more than 200 connections, remember that these are tight relationships formed over the years. A few points Whatever type of networker you choose to be will be dependent on what the purpose of your LinkedIn membership is. Some industries might favor one type; I wouldn’t expect anyone working for secretive government agencies to be open networkers for instance. I would, however, expect anyone that represents the “Canadian Pharmacy” we have all learned about in our webmail accounts to be a very open networker. It’s worth bearing in mind that if you put your LinkedIn URL on your email signature, blog or business card, you are expected to accept invitations from people you deal with. So in case you would like to be an exclusive networker, keep the URL to yourself. This goes for phone numbers, your primary email address as well. Even if you are an open networker, you will probably not want every random having your primary email and direct telephone number. It’s also worth noting that as with most things, most people start with the greatest intentions. They try and stick to exclusive networking at first. They then realize it takes time to build up a strong network this way and increasingly become professional and sometimes even open (LION) networkers over time. There is nothing wrong with any of the three strategies, as long as you know what the implications are. My experience I am an open networker although I don’t tell the world by sticking LION on my profile, mainly because I don’t think it looks very pleasing on the eye. When I was in recruitment, LinkedIn was something of a goldmine for information and being connected to more people meant I could reach out to and find candidates with particular skills. I continue to use LinkedIn daily and believe I get a lot of value out of my network in many ways. As with all social media, it’s all about being helpful and doing things for others that will allow you to get the most out of it. So if you have any questions about LinkedIn, I am happy to assist. What strategy do you use and why?

Fashion Resume Design - Tips and Advice For Creating Yours

Fashion Resume Design - Tips and Advice For Creating YoursA fashion resume is an outstanding way to get a job. It will be a very visible part of your resume, as you are allowed to include specific information regarding your work experience and hobbies. While the general concept behind a fashion resume is that you can put in the specifics about your clothing choices that you have worn, there are several things you must remember when creating one.One very important thing that you must realize when designing a fashion resume is that you can put only certain pieces of information on it. In other words, while it is perfectly fine to list the number of fashion design work you have done, you should not list how many times you dyed your hair or bought your own underwear. These are extremely personal items and are best left to the people who know you best.The clothing that you wear must be a personal preference. You should be able to list your favorite outfits on the resume, but this will not be very helpful. The best way to do this is to go by the descriptions that you hear and read about fashion design from the fashion industry magazines that you visit. If you only notice that you wear a certain style of jacket or pant suit when you are watching television, then you are not wearing them because they are fashionable.When you are listing your favorite outfit, you should always remember that your fashion resume is not for public consumption. If you want to be on an employment resume, you must try to provide only the most up-to-date information.If you have found that you are interested in becoming a fashion designer, then you will also have to find a good location to work from. Fashion designers are expected to work from their homes, which makes the idea of a physical work environment quite impractical.If you are truly interested in a career in fashion, then it is a great idea to study up on the ins and outs of the industry before you begin working. This will give you the ability to have a job at a top fashion store when you graduate, or if you are a local designer who has built up a very successful career in the fashion industry.If you do choose to get your training at a design school, make sure that you are enrolled in a program that is accredited. When you are able to complete an accredited program, you will find that your resume will be accepted at more than just one fashion design school. The fact that you are pursuing a degree in design will be something that shows that you have the necessary skills to be a professional in the fashion industry.If you are looking to get your foot into the fashion industry, then there are several things that you should consider doing. The first thing that you should do is ensure that you design a fashion resume that is complete and comprehensive. Having a fashion resume will allow you to show that you have a lot of information to offer, especially in the fields of fashion design and fashion merchandising.

Why Every Woman Needs Business Cards

Why Every Woman Needs Business Cards If you’re a career woman on the move, your purse should be full of business cards. No exceptions. And if you don’t have a stack of personal business cards at your disposal, do yourself a favor and order some business cards within the next seven days. I know you’d probably cringe at the thought of adding another task to your to-do list, but this action is worth your time. Purchasing business cards could lead to a larger income, enhanced opportunities, and valuable relationships that you don’t want to miss out on. If you’re a millennial who grew up in the digital world, professional business cards may appear to be a fancy relic of the past, like rotary dial phones and cassette tape recorders. But in today’s fast-paced work culture, you never know where you will find your next employer, employee, or client ­ and you can’t rely on LinkedIn to seal the deal after a 30-second elevator ride. Most people will probably forget your name and overlook connecting with you on LinkedIn after you depart from the conversation. Be prepared for any situation with a stack of quality business cards that reflect who you are and the value you add. Here are three reasons why everyone woman needs business cards, even if they have a LinkedIn account: Nobody is Digitally Secure Here is the truth:  not everyone you meet will  have a LinkedIn profile. Even if they have subscribed to the professional networking site, they probably dont use LinkedIn to its full potential. Or worse, they dont even remember their password. Don’t miss out on creating valuable connections just because you don’t have contact information available for non-LinkedIn adopters. Maximize Your Networking Experience If you’re an introvert who would rather be in the comfort of your home reading “The 4 Hour Work Week” instead of attending a networking event with people you don’t even know, a stack of business cards might just save you from your anxieties. A memorable business card can do all the talking for you. Add items to your business card that will ignite curiosity. Whether it features a catchy slogan or a creative design, your business card can take your conversation in the right direction. It can also earn you brownie points among the people you meet. And for all of you extroverts who have a mouth load of things to say, a business card will give someone a chance to follow up with you and continue the conversation at another time. Share Your Social Media Profile How many people are going to remember that your Instagram account name is @jamesjohnson5789? What if they lose the small piece of paper that shows your twitter handle is @jamesjohnson2406? Make it easy for your supporters to connect with you. Give them a business card that includes your social media information. And please don’t tell anyone that you are still a social media ghost. Your activity on social networks may determine your relevancy in the marketplace. Social media is becoming the new career frontier. Those who don’t embrace social media may suffer from extinction in the workplace; it’s the most effective brand building tool. Social media may determine how many people see your message and what you can offer. . Image credits. Main.  Card.  

How to express your true self at work

How to express your true self at work It is harder to know who you are than it is to be who you are. Everyone says, The important thing is to be yourself! I say that when I give them career advice. People like you better when you are being authentic. Gay people do better in their careers when they are out of the closet. Women do better at work if they are feminine at work instead of trying to be like the guys. But there is very little advice on HOW to be yourself. 1. Dont be boring. On the way to our board meeting today, it was me, and Ryan Paugh, and Ryan Healy, in a car, running late. Ryan Healy told me not to write about him on the blog anymore, but I think only because I used to write about him like he was my little brother or something. At this point, Ryan Healy is COO of the company, so I think I can write about him because really, how can I undermine him when Im agreeing to report to him? So Im riding in the car with Ryan and Ryan and I finished my needlepoint and I didnt have anything left to occupy my hands during the board meeting. I know that as a board member, and the majority shareholder in the company, Im supposed to be enthralled at these meetings, but honestly I find them largely very slow and repetitive. (I know I am not the only one who feels this way because another board member went to the bathroom and when he came back and found out that we waited for him, he was disappointed.) Anyway, I was in the car with them and I was panicking that I didnt have anything to do in the board meeting except listen to the board meeting. Then I said, I think Ill pop a Xanax. And no one said anything. Ryan and Ryan are largely bored with my antics. But when Im anxious Im chatty, and they had already said no to playing the license plate game. So I said, just to make casual conversation, What do you guys think would go well with Xanax, because I dont think this is working. And pharmaceuticals have been such a disappointment to me. Ryan Healy said, ?You sure are a late-bloomer to this. By the time youre going to board meetings youre supposed to be done with this stuff. In fact, I am enthralled with mixing pharmaceuticals off-label. I am also enthralled with trying new things, learning what Im like with new things so I know who I am. But it gets old. Not knowing who I am. And anyway, its boring for other people when you dont know who you are. I know that because when I was dating the twenty-five-year-old with the perfect butt and long, thick, curly hair, he had no idea who he was and it got boring, very boring very fast. (Links about boringness: People do not want to know all of you. Some of you is interesting, some of you is boring. This is why confessional blog posts mostly stink. And its why you need to omit most of your life from your resume.) 2. Try a range of tools to express who you are. I like to think that I know myself well enough to present a consistent and insightful portrait of myself. And when Eva, from Songza, emailed me to see if Id put together a playlist that they could use on their music streaming site, I said sure. (By the way, if you want to get me to do something, make it fun. People ask for posts all the time, but few people ask for playlists.) So I start doing my playlist and I think: People judge other people by their playlists. (Which is why Ramones t-shirts outsell Ramones albums ten to one.) I want people to think Im fun and edgy and self-confident. (Ad for my company: It think about this issue a lot because my company, Brazen Careerist, is basically a tool to let people know who you are by showing your ideas and potential. The tools on the site encourage you to display your best self in a professional, online setting. And every time I pitch my company, I end up telling people that you cant show your true self if the tool youre using is wrong for who you are.) 3. Understand how people perceive what you put out there. I picked Moby and TruSkool for edge. I picked Beastie Boys and Arrested Development because I read that people who like hip-hop tend to have high self-esteem. And I picked Fergie for fun. I think when people say shes for girls, they mean that she makes guys think of girls dancing while they watch. Then I picked Lilly Allen, Regina Specktor to say that I didnt feel too much like an old-school Gen X-er. I picked Kings of Leon because Lilly and Regina are both girls. It turns out that I would have done fine just picking out all Miles Davis, which would have probably been my instinct, but I thought it would be boring and pedantic (which is almost redundant but mildly nuanced instead, I think). It would have been just fine because people have positive impressions of people who like jazz. This is surprising to me because people do not have positive judgments toward blog posts that are like jazzcomplicated and difficult. In fact, my editor will probably slash this whole paragraph because it is off topic and difficult to read and jazz is not writing and so what if my brain runs like an Ornette Coleman composition? When I sent my song list to Eva I asked her to analyze me. I said, I bet you read song lists like I read resumes, so can you tell me what you see? She said she usually doesnt see such a wide a range of songs on one list. On a resume, lack of focus is bad. And in a life, doing many different things at once is bad. And in fact, Im a stickler for focus because I love knowing one thing well, so its counter-intuitive to me that I would have such an eclectic list. In fact, its the result of me being scared to just be who I am and accept that Ill be judged for it. But P.S. Heres the playlist I made at Songza. And heres my favorite Miles Davis CD.

Tips When Transitioning From Education to Writing a Resume

Tips When Transitioning From Education to Writing a ResumeA lot of people assume that if they have recently earned a degree and are transitioning to writing a resume, they will lose some information that is appropriate for the job that they are applying for. While this is true to a certain extent, there are ways to get back what you have lost.In education, students do not typically have a writing experience with which to compare themselves. Therefore, when they are transitioning to writing a resume, they may wish to remove some information that is personal or pertaining to their professional life. This can include items such as where they studied, which classes they took, what type of information they submitted for work samples, and what position they held in the previous job. Having this information available, they can make sure that their resume matches the positions that they are currently applying for.In writing a resume in education, you do not want to focus on things that are m ore formal. If you do, your resume will look sloppy and it could put your education on the defensive. This can make your resume look unprofessional, which can turn away the people who need to see it in order to decide whether or not they want to contact you.To avoid looking like you are focusing on your educational experience too much, take some time to read over your education documents. Also, look for gaps that you can fill with more information. As long as you don't end up with a resume that is full of outdated information, you won't have a problem. However, if you are still unsure about how to begin, look for some tips at career websites.When you transition from writing a resume in education to writing a resume in another field, it is very important to be able to write in the required format. Make sure that you are comfortable with the information you use on your resume. In other words, you should be able to write a resume without error.The resume should clearly state your job t itle, the date you began working, your location (if applicable), and any experience you have that could be helpful to the person seeking to hire you. It should also include the name of the position you are currently working in, along with the contact information of those who will be handling your responsibilities.When you are transitioning from education to writing a resume in another field, you should take the time to add some content that could help your resume stand out among all the other resumes out there. This includes topics that could make your resume stand out from the others in the pool of applicants. A good place to start is by identifying how your education has prepared you for the job that you are currently applying for.When you are transitioning from education to writing a resume in another field, you should think about what the person seeking to hire you may be looking for. Be sure that you include these specific details, so that you can offer something unique to the person who is reviewing your resume. While some fields may require you to have extra experience, they may be willing to overlook this if they think that you have relevant experience.

6 Tips for Advancing Your Science Career CareerMetis.com

6 Tips for Advancing Your Science Career â€" CareerMetis.com You have worked hard for many years, going to university and getting your degree, and working in your chosen field of science. But now, like lots of people when they hit a certain point in their career, you feel a bit stuck in a rut. You know you need to and want to advance and take the next step on the ladder, but you are not quite sure how to go about it.The key to this is to look at yourself and your career as a business. This can be difficult to get your head around, but think of it this way: sure, you are a scientist, but what you can offer is similar to what a business offers it’s clients: your knowledge, degree from the University of Nevada-Reno, skills, and expertise in return for a monetary reward.evalAs you move up your career ladder, you need to be offering new things to people to get them to ‘buy’ you. You need to be on top of the latest developments and advancements in science and technology and show a willingness to educate yourself and grow â€" just as a business would. Businesses that spend a little time marketing and promoting themselves attract new, higher-profile clients. Spend some time marketing yourself â€" working on your resumeand applications â€" and you too can land yourself a job with a new, higher-profile employer.If you are still finding it hard to get your head around â€" as many do â€" here are some tips to help you to look at yourself as a business to advance your science career.1) Focus on the One Skill that Sets You ApartAll of the scientists in your chosen field will have vaguely the same skills and knowledge, so to really stand out in the crowd, you need to have something a little bit special, a skill that sets you apart from the rest of the potential candidates. This is your USP â€" unique selling point. All businesses have one, and so should you.Once you have identified this, spend some time really honing it and making sure it is the sharpest tool in your toolkit and something that really makes your application shine. 2) Think BigEmployers appreciate big, bold thinkers. They want to be ahead of the game, and to do that, they need people working for them who are ahead of the game and not afraid to be bold and confident.You need to be realistic about what you can achieve in a particular period of time, of course, but do not be afraid to think big when it comes to what you can offer. If it is something that you maybe can’t do right at this time, but will be able to in the future, tell them. Tell them and show them the steps that you are taking to be able to do this.3) Consider DiversifyingIt is, as we said above, important to have that one skill that sets you apart from the rest of the applicants but be prepared to show some flexibility and consider diversifying. The skill that you have now may become obsolete in the future, so being able to pull something else out of the bag is always a good idea. This is what businesses do all of the time to ensure they stay relevant to the current market. The p roblem sometimes is knowing where to start with doing this, and the best way is to surround yourself with various sources of information.evalRead, read, and read a bit more about things going on both within your chosen field and outside of your discipline and attending seminars and conferences. You never know â€" you might find that you want to move into a different area of science at some point!4) Do Your ResearchNo, we don’t mean research within your field, but research and find out more about what potential employers are looking for in their candidates, and what it will take for you to be the one that they choose over others. You have to understand what your ‘customers’ â€" in other words, employers need. Businesses undertake market research, and so should you.Pour over job descriptions and specifications, and don’t be afraid to make some calls and send some emails. You may not hear back from most if you are just asking questions, but some may give you some great informat ion, leads, and even job openings!5) Build Your BrandevalIn Western societies, we are encouraged to stay humble and not to brag about our skills and our achievements, but when it comes to both business and advancing your career, this can be quite harmful. You have done well to get where you are and achieved great things â€" be proud of them and shout about them. You are your brand â€" you need to publicize and market yourself, and modesty is not your friend here. Cast an eye over your resume â€" have you downplayed yourself?If you have, rewrite it! Clearly articulate what value you can bring to the table. If a business didn’t shout about what they can do, they wouldn’t get very far, so take a leaf out of their book! Have some business cards printed out with your credentials and hand them out when you meet new professional contacts.6) NetworkSuccessful businesses spend time networking with otherswithin the industry, even if they are seen as direct competitors. It gives them the o pportunity to find out what others are doing so they can stay one step ahead of the game, and a group of like-minded people to turn to for support and advice. This can be going out to events such as conferences, seminars and exhibitions, and finding support online in Facebook groups and forums.The sooner that you start looking at yourself and your career as a business â€" something that needs to be invested in â€" the quicker you will advance your career and climb up that ladder to dizzying heights!

Summary Sunday Job Search Is All About Connecting

Summary Sunday Job Search Is All About Connecting Whether you are actively looking for a new job or are considering a change in the future, what you need to know is that a successful job search is all about connecting. Building relationships is the most important step you can take during your career. These relationships will open doors to future jobs, I promise! I hope the following weekly summary will help you build better lasting relationships and find that new job sooner! LINKEDIN 17 LinkedIn Ninja Tricks Experts Haven’t Taught You Yet [2017 Edition] by Melonie Dodaro This has a lot of great tricks, except #2 didnt work for me. This could be a glitch or it could be due to some recent changes LinkedIn made. Learn how to search LinkedIn better and send follow-up emails when someone connects with you! I hope you enjoy some of these! NETWORKING Ten Networking Mistakes Most Job Seekers Are Still Making by Barbara Safani on LinkedIn These mistakes are too common! Networking isnt job hunting. It is information gathering and relationship building! Learn what not to do and how to fix your networking. Heck, if you do it right, it can actually be fun! JOB SEARCH How to Use Google for Jobs to Rock Your Career by Donna Svei | Avid Careerist In case you missed the news this week, Google launched their job posting search function. It isnt a job board, but a job posting aggregator and it doesnt search Indeed. Read how to use it in this article Donna wrote. When Your Dream Career Is Elsewhere: Ten Ways To Find A Job In A New Location by  Caroline Ceniza-Levine | Inc. Relocating to a new city is often the best way to expand your job search. Follow these steps to learn how to get a job elsewhere. PERSONAL BRANDING Here’s Why You Should Take Your Personal Branding Seriously by Susan P. Joyce | FlexJobs In a nutshell, building your personal brand takes time and planning. So the best time to start is now (before you are job hunting). Susan shares personal branding success stories  and summarizes the personal branding process in 3 steps: 1) Find your keywords 2) Find your voice 3) Find your audience. Craft a Unique Personal Brand In case you missed it, Ive created a free 30-minute course on how to craft your personal brand.

7 Tips to Handle a Last Minute Sick Kid

7 Tips to Handle a Last Minute Sick Kid If you work and have a family, someones going to get sick. When its you, you often suck it up and deal with it as best you can. When its your kids, you spend the next 24+ hours trying to help them feel better while also trying to keep up with your responsibilities at work. Those things are always going to happen, and theres nothing you can do to avoid it. What you can do is acknowledge that its going to happen at some point and make sure you are prepared for it. 1. Plan Ahead If you work and have kids, theyre going to get sick. Theres no way around it. So walk into your job knowing that its a possibility and that youll require some amount of flexibility from your boss. Children younger than two years old typically get 8-10 colds each year. Depending on the situation, a bug may be enough for them to have to stay home. And heaven forbid another child at school or daycare comes down with pink-eye! If the kids are going to get sick, you need to have a plan set up. There are a lot of options, so make sure you have a solid, detailed plan. 2. Make Sure Theyre Actually Sick There are times when kids dont want to go to school or have some minor issues that arent actually an illness. A rash might not be contagious, a bout of diarrhea could be from too much juice and the runny nose might be from allergies, not a cold. Its not an issue to have your kids want to stay home from school, but if they arent sick, then its probably not reasonable for you to take off for them. Instead, try and get them in and let the daycare or school know what you think the issue is. Also let them know if theres anything they can do to prevent calling you, like limiting juice intake. 3. Know the Laws Depending on the state you live in, there may be laws on the books that require your employer to give you some days off to care for a sick family member. This is different from the Family Medical Leave Act, which is nationwide, and depends entirely on your state. If you are lucky enough to live in somewhere that provides you with time off for mild illnesses, make sure to talk to your boss about them when you get hired or as soon as you can. It is part of their job to know, but theyre still likely to be put-out if you or HR springs it on them unexpectedly. 4. Have a Back-up Caregiver If you can arrange a plan to have a temporary, on-call babysitter, then do it. Most often this job falls to family members who are home or retired during the day. Whatever the plan is, make sure you also inform your boss about it. If your child gets sick and your Aunt can only watch them until early afternoon, your boss needs to know about that before you ever need to use your backup plan. They will never be as mad if you can give them plenty of advanced notice. 5. Bring Your Child to Work Day! Depending on the office you work for, you might be able to get away with bringing your child to work. If you do that, handle it just like you would if you took off work. Call and check with your boss first, make sure that its ok to do so, and then try to make it as easy as possible for your boss, your coworkers and your child. Older kids will be easier to deal with in this situation than a toddler would be. In either case, it might be best to try and only come in as long as you’re needed. Your child already feels crappy and keeping them there longer than necessary won’t help. If you can, try taking a day to work from home. This can be more difficult, especially with a sick child, but do your best to stay focused when you do. Your boss has already given you a leg-up with telecommuting. They won’t do it again if they see you posting on Facebook instead of working. 6. Tag Team If you have a partner working with you to raise this child, then it shouldn’t be all your responsibility to take off work. There may be times when it’s simply more convenient for you or your partner to do so, and it’s ok to switch off. It works even better if you both have the option of telecommuting, because then whoever stays home can still get some work done. 7. Take Time Off Sometimes, everything just goes wrong. If you know your kid is sick, your partner cant step in, theres no one to watch them, and no chance of bringing them with you, then you might just have to stay home for the day. It happens sometimes. But you need to handle it properly with your boss. Start off by telling them as soon as you possibly can, and dont apologize for it. Handle it like you would any other professional delay and let them know youll get as much work done from home as you can, if possible. Dealing with sick kids is part of having a family. Theres no way around it, so you should take as many steps as you can to be prepared for it. Getting your boss on board is paramount since theyll be your biggest challenge or your biggest advocate, depending on how well you handle the situation. Every workplace is different, and some jobs are just not as flexible as others. Keep in mind that your case will always be a little different. Do you have an unusual solution to dealing with a sick child on a workday? Let us know about it! And while youre at it, sign up for more ideas about handling your work-life balance and climbing the social and career ladders Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.