Postgrad Blog Rebooted University of Manchester Careers Blog

Postgrad Blog Rebooted University of Manchester Careers Blog One TWO, one TWO   is this thing on? Its been a long silence, but were back, with a great new act about to make her debut on the Introducing Stage. Job changes have sadly left me no time to nurture my beloved postgrad blog, but at last weve recruited a fantastic new postgraduate careers consultant, Dr Darcey Gillie, to take over the reins. Shes as much a fan of using social media and new technologies to talk to postgrads as I am, so shell be the one informing and inspiring you about all the amazing futures you could create after your postgraduate programmes (though I reserve the right to dip in have my say now and again). Darceys an experienced careers consultant, having worked or studied in universities in England,  Scotland and the USA, so talk to her, tell her what you want to hear about, ask her lots of difficult questions (postgrad careers consultants love a challenge) All Postgraduate postgraduate

A Guide to Sourcing on Instagram

A Guide to Sourcing on Instagram Last month I covered the topic: how to use Instagram as a networking tool. This month…. how to use Instagram to source potential hires. A lot of times when recruiters talk about using Instagram to source and recruit they only use the social media  platform to post a visual job ad a modern day version of post and pray on job boards. Before giving you a couple of examples of how to source candidates on Instagram, here are a few things to think about. Consider these points First, Instagram is different, it’s an opportunity to show both the professional and somewhat personal side of you. Try and cultivate a type of relationship you may not have with your potential hires like on LinkedIn. Second, imagine if a candidate spotted your Instagram account â€" would they want to connect and/or engage with you? If so, you’re off to a good start. Lastly, update your bio â€" easy to do- include your title [Sr. Recruiter] company name [Recruiting Social] â€" and info that relates to you â€" the recruiter. Back to the sourcing part 1. Searching hashtags for events or keywords. For example here is a hashtag used from a local coding school in Vancouver:  #lighthouselabs While in your Instagram account click the search function [magnify glass]. In the search box type:  #lighthouselabs This will give you search results for: coders, students, recruiters, founders of startups, and tech companies. From there, click on individual accounts to determine if these are ‘potential candidates’ whom you’d like to reach out to. For a much broader, less focused search, try: In the search box type:  #UX (this is a commonly used tech term for user experience) The idea here, we’re looking for any account talking about UX. Yes, this is based on a keyword, you will find worldwide search results- there are A LOT [91,947]. 2. Search by location   Now, let’s narrow down our search to a particular city [Vancouver] using a Boolean X-Ray Search string on Google. site:instagram.com ux (vancouver OR bc) -jobs -inurl:company This gives us 119 search results… much more manageable. 3. Click on an Instagram user you come across in your results. We may find in their bio or stream of photos: Where they work What they work on Who they work with Events they attend Go through the Instagrammer’s followers and see who they might be associated with; for example: UX designers, tech companies, CEO’s/CTO’s and other industry related professionals. Take that one extra [creepy] step further… click on the tags of people in the photo from an industry event that the user attended. You now have a new trail of potential candidates to explore. So, how do we reach out to our potential hires? This takes us us back to my previous post. For the everyday sourcer this may seem time consuming-out-of the-box way of finding candidates. For me, it’s simple source, connect/engage, find some commonality [passion for tech] introduce them to me and my company. Follow me on Instagram @abortolusssi. Editors note: We recently interviewed Angela about Instagram for social selling and recruiting:

Free Resume Writing For Free By A Professional

Free Resume Writing For Free By A ProfessionalA free resume writing for free by a professional is not a very productive way to go about things. Instead of going about creating a great resume, it's more likely that you will end up with a clumsy resume that looks like a page out of a novel or something else inappropriate. While there are free resources on the internet for you to get advice from, it's best to avoid this since you're not really going to get any help.These free resume writing for free by professional services actually take the work out of writing your resume and so you won't be able to create one yourself. You may be thinking that they are trying to charge you money to get them to do all the work for you. While it's true, but at least then you can enjoy all the perks of this service and still keep the cost at a minimum.A professional who offers free resume writing for free by a professional can provide you with all the help that you need. They can even let you submit your resume for free, which is an added bonus. If you like the results you get from their services, then you can pay them a little bit of money for more professional results.The main thing to keep in mind when choosing a service is whether or not you will get results from it. As long as you don't mind paying for more work than you will get, then you should feel free to use their services to help you with your resume. Your best bet is to go through their website and see if they have all the tools that you need to get your resume ready for an interview.Some other great resource for your resume is the forums available online. Using these can be extremely useful in getting a person to work with you and to provide you with the information that you need to make sure that your resume is done right. These forums can also give you the scoop on hiring agencies so that you know which ones are the best to use.Using a free resume writing for free by a professional is one option that is available. Ho wever, you will be limited in your ability to get the information that you need. Most professionals who offer this service do so because they want to help others make the most of their experience, and not to make a profit.In order to get the most out of this service, you need to choose a professional who is in touch with what you're looking for and has the tools that you need to write a great resume. Remember, some sites have a higher rate to pay for these services because they're charging for a great deal of work. If you don't mind doing the work, then go for it.The next time you're looking for free resume writing for free by a professional, you'll realize that you're in good hands. Take advantage of what they have to offer and make sure that you follow their advice. You'll definitely find a lot of results that you didn't even know existed if you stick with it.

The 4 Most Ridiculously Obvious Reasons You Are Not Employed Right Now - Part 2 of 2

The 4 Most Ridiculously Obvious Reasons You Are Not Employed Right Now - Part 2 of 2 The 4 Most Ridiculously Obvious Reasons You Are Not Employed Right Now Part 2 of 2 Part 2 of 2: In a recent LinkedIn Group discussion among Career Experts, we were all astonished that we feel compelled to repeat so many basics over and over again. “If only candidates followed half of our advice, they would be employed by now” said a well-known expert. Frankly, it feels as if the discipline of job search has taken a turn for the worse. It’s a new job search era, candidates. Not only are hiring managers using technology to screen, but there are fewer jobs and more applicants. The competition is fierce, hiring managers are feeling more pressure to hire the best, and those who are hunting to WIN a job are landing quicker. After 30+ years in sales and marketing positions in Fortune 500’s, I’ve interviewed, hired and coached thousands during their job search. Some common “crap” prevents a candidate’s success. 4th Top Reason You Are Not Employed Right Now: Unwilling to describe and be passionate about what job you want 3rd Top Reason You are Not Employed Right Now: Not Making the Time Commitment 2nd Top Reason You are Not Employed Right Now: Silver Platter Syndrome Yes, you are talented, you have solid experiences, you deliver great results, and you’ll be a great hire for some lucky hiring manager. Having said all that, the good ole days of someone contacting you to apply for a position are over. (Now, I believe those days will come back in a very different way. In the future, companies won’t even post a position; they will recruit from LinkedIn and use search engine key words. But that’s for another blog.) Today, candidates, you need to go aggressively after posted positions. And you need to go after multiple jobs at one time vs. one at a time. Build a pipeline of at least 10 job opportunities and hunt to win! Write a powerful, customized cover letter that spells out why you are the best candidate for their position. It’s all about them! You are the product and you need to appeal to them; not the other way around. Check your ego at the door and pivot your background around the job description and company’s needs. Finally, another symptom of the Silver Platter Syndrome is your coolness barometer. If you are judging jobs, industries, hiring managers or companies based on how “cool” they are, then you have just limited your available job market for all the wrong reasons. I worked in office supplies, container shipping and other industries, but got amazing experiences under world class leaders. 1st Top Reason You are Not Employed Right Now: Not meeting Maslow’s hierarchy of hiring managers’ needs. The needs are really quite simple, yet most candidate’s mistakes in the below categories are glaringly enormous. Hiring Managers’ Needs Why is this Important? 1. Candidates need to write with excellent grammar and no spelling errors. On the job, you will be expected to write, so your communications are a sample. 2. Formal, proper communications. Written, verbal, presentation, non-verbal. On the job, you will be conversing and writing with senior executives, customers, vendors. 3. Passion and energy for their job opportunity. Hiring managers want to hire eager, positive people, who are passionate about their space. You are joining a team. 4. Basic Business Protocol Being on time, taking notes, doing research, having extra copies of your resume, being appropriately-dressed and more are all signs of a job-seeker who is well-organized and will perform appropriately in the job. In close, “crap” comes in two forms: excuses and mistakes. Both prevent you from winning the job you want in a quick timeframe. Come back to https://wwwDanaManciagli.com for the #4 and #3 two Most Ridiculously Obvious Reasons You Are Not Employed Right Now. Good Luck!

The Questions YOU Ask in an Interview can Knock You Out of the Running

The Questions YOU Ask in an Interview can Knock You Out of the Running The Questions YOU Ask in an Interview can Knock You Out of the Running Susan had an hour long interview at 8am with the hiring manager, Joseph, for a position he really wanted. She did some research on the company, re-read the job description and brushed up on her top strengths and weaknesses. She was on time and did well during the interview. Until the last 15 minutes. Joseph asked “Well, Susan, what questions do you have for me?” Susan displayed “crap” in the form of mistakes that sabotaged her odds of winning this job. Mistake #1: She didn’t have any questions prepared. Solution #1: Prepare your questions, write them down, and bring the piece of paper in with you to the interview. Mistake #2: Susan asked “What is the starting salary?” Solution #2: Never ever, ever, ever talk salary, even in ranges. Your mission is to get an offer in hand. Once you do, you can ask questions and possibly negotiate. Not before. Not to the Human Resources (HR) person, a recruiter, or to any interviewer. Mistake #3: Susan asked “Is there a training program or structured on-boarding process?” Solution #3: Think about the story or perception the interviewer is creating with your questions. Put yourself in their shoes. In this case, they may be thinking “wow, she needs hand-holding, and may be too high-maintenance for me. I need someone who knows how to do this.” Mistake #4: “What does your division or company do?” Solution #4: It is still shocking how many job-seekers don’t do their research. With the web, calling people you know, and many other resources, there is no excuse like “I didn’t have time”. By the way, in the U.S., one of my favorite resources that I have referred thousands of job seekers to is your local city’s Business Journal, both their online resources and receiving their publication. Look up American City Business Journals online. The keys to great questions are the following: How can I show a strength through the question? How can I convey something to the interviewer that we haven’t already covered but it’s important for him/her to know about me? How can I avoid inadvertently showing a softness in a skill they are looking for? Is the question relevant to the interview? You are there for a purpose. Your questions should focus on helping you understand the job or the team you will be joining. Examples: Don’t ask “what are Boeing’s top challenges as a company?” when you are interviewing for a job in a certain department under a hiring manager who is looking for a very specific set of skills. First, you’re burning up valuable time, you can read those online or in the papers, and it’s not relevant to the job unless you are interviewing for their CEO or CFO position. What are the best questions to ask in an interview? There are many, but I’ll share my four favorites. I’m very self-motivated. How will you measure the success of the person in this position after one full year? The first 30 days is very important for me to meet as many team members as possible. How will you recommend I do that? What are the top 3 skills or experience you are looking for that may not be mentioned in the job description? The position we are discussing is something I am very excited about. Can you give me feedback on how I am meeting your qualifications and if I will proceed to the next level of the hiring process? (This is called “going for the close” or “asking for the order” in sales). Congratulations that you got an interview! Now, you are on stage from the minute you step into the door through the minute you depart. Everything you say and do can be in your favor. Or not. The more you prepare, the better you will do. So, “Cut the Crap, Get a Job”. See more help at www.DanaManciagli.com or www.CutTheCrapGetAJob.com.

Branding You for Career Success -

Branding You for Career Success - In some circles, branding sounds more like something you do to an animal than a topic for a career column.   Others nod silently, recognizing the conceptSelf branding, actually thinking of yourself as a brand like Coke, Disney or Nike, is a career strategy. If you recognize that a resume is nothing more than a marketing document marketing you thinking of yourself as a brand can actually help you focus on what you have to offer an employer. You need to know yourself to sell your skills.   Think about it:   What makes you special or different?   Can you succinctly talk about it in 15 words or less?   How about in a 30-second infomercial for yourself?   Otherwise known as the elevator pitch, having something short and sweet to say that describes you (your brand)  is key to networking and job searching. Once you clearly and efficiently describe what is unique about you, you are on the road to defining BRAND YOU. Stay tuned for more on personal branding in future blogs! _______________ Looking for a job, but you need help figuring out what makes you unique?   Cant put your finger on what skills you have to offer?   Keppie Careers can help!   Well transform your resume and support you every step of the way! Our mission:   to advise, encourage and enlighten job seekers!

How to Find a Resume Writer Who Will Write a Professionally Designed Resume

How to Find a Resume Writer Who Will Write a Professionally Designed ResumeThe term 'Resume of Someone Over 50 Years Old' would usually mean somebody who is married or has a few children and wants to join the corporate world. If you are seeking employment in this field, you can try your luck by writing an effective resume. This article will help you find a reliable resume writer who will write a professionally designed resume.First you have to determine whether you are going to hire a professional resume writer or go through the standard method of filling in the necessary information and submitting it in a resume. This latter method is the usual method of finding a reliable resume writer. But there are a few drawbacks involved in it. There is no guarantee that a resume that you write will actually get you the job you want. If you have no money to spend on writing a resume, then the next best thing to do is simply copy down the data from the resumes you have come across and let your i magination run wild.If you are simply a person who is looking for a job in the corporate world, it may be more cost-effective to just do your job as a computer programmer and make a resume from scratch. This way you get the chance to write the resume you really want rather than having to ask your friends for recommendations. This is because the resumes that your friends write are not as good as the ones you have made yourself.But how would you find a resume writer who is willing to write your resume? You should look at the standards of professional resume writers and also look for those who have written many resumes.The best way to find the right resume writer is to consult with friends who are both unemployed and professionals. Then you can use the recommendations of their former employers and compare their resume samples with yours. Since resumes are very important documents that need to be well written, getting a resume that has been written by someone else may turn out to be ver y expensive.The second step is to locate a professional resume writer and start looking for one that you know you can trust. Try asking your relatives and even your friends. Then you can start checking out the resume writers that you like and get acquainted with them and decide which of them can help you get a job in the corporate world.Once you have found a resume writer that you are comfortable with, start writing your resume. Make sure that you focus on important aspects like experience, educational qualifications, skills and other relevant aspects. If you concentrate on these aspects then you can be sure that your resume will get you hired by the hiring company and get you the job you wanted.