"the key difference was in their ability to engage"

Dwayne Melancon writes:

For me, the candidates that really stand out go beyond cursory research.  For example, I've encountered candidates who have prepared a document with their thoughts on our company's strategy versus our key competitors' - with recommendations for how to make our company more competitive.  I've also run across people who have called our company asking for information from our Sales team to see how we position ourselves, what business problems we solve, and how we engage with prospects.

The difference wasn't in what these folks knew or that they'd put forth the extra effort (though that tells you something about a person).  No, the key difference was in their ability to engage in a meaningful discussion during the interview process.  They behaved like informed members of my team, which made it even easier to envision what it's like to work with them.

Read the full posting from Dwayne here


There will likely be at least one session to help you prepare at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1.


Register here to take part:

 

Defy gravity

Try defying gravity! Go to Hopkinton; learn, share, network and then defy gravity on your job search!



There will likely be at least one session to help you defy gravity at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1.

Register here to take part:

Please share with your network!

Now that you have found Job Search Jam Sessions, I hope that you will want to spread the word about this event to your network and encourage them to attend as well.

• Use the post email feature to send to a friend or two or three
• Post the website link and some valuable insights to your Alumni Group on LinkedIn

Encourage your friends to subscribe via email or RSS Reader via the links on the right column.

Show them the schedule outlined for October 1 and/or make a suggestion for a session either that should be conducted or one that they/you would be willing to lead here.

View the brief video tour of St John the Evangelist Parish Center or find the directions to the center via Google Maps here.

And of course, encourage them to register for Job Search Jam Sessions. They can either purchase a ticket via credit card (via a safe online transaction) or register to pay at the door on the day of here. Registration helps us plan for the proper amount of food and drink for the day.

What will the day be like? Let them know that they'll get a bunch of information on the day including background information on the unconference format that we'll use here.

Ronni Ann Shares Interview Clues To Consider Carefully

Ronni Ann writes:

There is of course no way to know for sure whether to accept an offer from just a few interviews – and any of the potential red flags I mention could turn out to be inconsequential. But at the very least…remember you’re there to see if this is a fit for you as much as to show them how amazingly utterly perfect you are for them. If your gut signals “uh oh” even a little…listen. It may simply mean you need to ask more questions or nose around a bit (search engines, other employees, word on the street) to see what’s really going on at the company. Could be it’s a good opportunity after all.

Read Ronni Ann's full posting on the red flags to consider here:
http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2010/09/06/8-interview-clues-to-consider-carefully-before-you-decide-to-accept-an-offer/


There will likely be at least one session on Interviews at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1.

Register here to take part:

Neal Schaffer provides three tips

Neal Schaffer provides three tips on using the "Follow" feature for LinkedIn.

1. Follow companies
2. Follow thought leaders
3. Follow your competition

Read the details on Neal's post here:

How to Use the LinkedIn Follow Feature? Think Outside of the Box.

There will likely be at least one session on LinkedIn at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1.

Register here to take part:

 

Jason Seiden says "Use your story to make an impression"

Jason Seiden, one of the key resources of valuable networking and job search information, shared this presentation on "Live your story"

You can find the link to the latest information Jason shares in the Resources column along the right edge of this website.

However you begin your story, with your elevator pitch or something else, your story should contain the elements of every successful story.

What are the components of a successful story?
Jason outlines them here:

Live Your Story!

View more presentations from Jason Seiden.

What is your story?

There will likely be at least one session that will help you tell your story at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1. Register here to take part:

18 Ways to Build Confidence While Finding a Job

Tim Tyrell-Smith writes:

The process of finding a job can suck the life out of you. It can drain your best parts. When you need them most. Here are ways to get them back.

Of course to embark on the “getting them back” journey, you have to realize that you’ve lost them in the first place.

That’s the first hurdle. Because losing confidence doesn’t happen all in one day. And it doesn’t get reported on a computer screen as if you were playing a video game.

There’s no “confidence bar” that tells you when you’ve lost 25 or 50 percent of your strength after a piece of bad news or a bad interaction with someone in your network.

Tim goes on to list 17 ways to build your confidence during your job search:
http://timsstrategy.com/17-ways-to-build-confidence-while-finding-a-job/

I'll add one to Tim's listing - participate in the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1. Sharing what you have learned, learning from others, and adding new connections to your network will help provide confidence to your next step on your job search!

Register here to take part:

Making Memories Technician

Greg BD has a new job. He calls himself a "making memories technician."

Isn't that a good title? It says a whole lot if you think about it.

Kirk is a Chief Morale Officer.
Mignon is "The Grammar Girl"
Phil is the "Make it Great" guy
Scott is know as "That nametag guy."


What would your new title be? Have you thought about it?


There will likely be at least one session that should help you determine your next career opportunity at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1. Register here to take part:

Up on the tight rope

The job search is not an easy task.

You need to network (that can be hard for folks).
You need to be positive (that can be hard when all is gloom and doom).

It is like walking a tight rope, high above the crowd in a circus.





If you have a buddy group, they can act as a safety net. They can keep you from a free fall!

There will likely be at least one session on buddy groups, to help you 'walk the tight rope' at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1. Register here to take part:

Networking

Jason Seiden, one of the key resources of valuable networking and job search information, shared this presentation on "What is Networking?"

You can find the link to the latest information Jason shares in the Resources column along the right edge of this website.

Networking

View more presentations from Jason Seiden.

There will likely be at least one session on Networking at the upcoming Job Search Jam Sessions, October 1. Register here to take part: