The New Rules of Job Searching, Networking and Interviewing
The New Rules of Job Searching, Networking and Interviewing
Once upon a time, in a land far away where dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, people printed resumes and cover letters on nice bond paper and sent them to potential employers via snail mail.
Sound familiar?
In the scheme of things, it hasn't been that long since we conducted job searches over the phone and via the post office. But since the internet was born, it's revolutionized the way we look for jobs, build our personal networks, set up interviews, and reach out to potential employers.
In light of these developments, I sat down with Ruthanne Liagre, Vice President, Healthcare at Harvey Hohauser & Associates and 20+ year HR veteran, to get the scoop on the new rules of job searching. Here are the tips and tricks you need to know to make your job search successful:
Job Searches and Networking
NR: Technology has changed the way we all think about job listings, searches, applications, and interviews. What do you think the new rules of job searches are today?
RL: What I'm seeing is that individuals s are creating a professional presence online on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. It's about telling your story, laying out your history hopefully in a way that helps you stand out above other potential candidates. I think to a certain extent that people use these mediums to say "Here's what I'm looking for, do you know anyone in this field? This is the online way to network.
NR: So it's ok to use social media sites for networking.
RL: Absolutely. Job sites, like Monster and CareerBuilder, are not that effective, because there are so many people posting to them. It becomes what a friend of mine calls "posting and praying." But online networking, paired with face-to-face networking, is a great way to build your personal network. And it's estimated that 60-75 percent of jobs are found through personal networks.
Cover Letters and Resumes
NR: Now that many job inquiries and even interviews take place remotely, what's the story with the cover letter-is it in or out? It is ok to send a cover letter as an email with your resume attached?
RL: I think that cover letters and resumes are still appropriate once you make the initial introduction with a potential employer. And you can either use the cover letter as an email with the resume attached, or you can mail it in.
The main thing you want to do in a resume or cover letter, especially electronically, is tell the whole story on the top third of the page. People are in a hurry, so you want to make sure you get the crucial information to them right away.
Interview Follow Up
NR: What about follow up after an interview? Should you do it over email, over the phone, or in writing?
RL: I think it's essential to do the follow up in writing, and the writing can be in email. It shows a little more fortitude if you actually write a thank you note, but both are appropriate. A phone call, not so much. And it's really bad form to not write a thank you note.
Online Presence
NR: What do applicants need to know about their online/web presence as it relates to their job search? Do they need to be worried about potential employers viewing their Facebook, mySpace, etc. pages?
RL: Organizations have to be very careful about how they do their searches of Facebook and Linkedin. If they do it for one potential employee, they have to do it for everyone they're going to hire.
That said, if someone does look at your pages and they see something that might be objectionable, it is unlikely that you will an interview, much less the job. Remember, nothing is private once it goes online..
NR: So what's your advice to people who want to use social media outlets, but don't want to hurt their chances of getting a job?
RL: Think about the image you would want a potential employer to have of you and post accordingly. It's a really dangerous thing to do a lot of swearing, complaining, or putting up questionable pictures. It's just not smart.
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