How to "Tweet" Your Way to a Job

In today's current economy, with unemployment at an all time high, job seekers should utilize every avenue accessible to them to seek and obtain employment. Technology has simplified the process for job seekers. Gone are the days of sending a hard copy resume to a potential employer on "fancy resume paper".

Twitter as well as many of the other social media sites make it easier for job seekers to have direct contact with hiring managers. For the novice Tweeter (Twitter User), you have 140 characters to represent yourself to a hiring manager. How can you capture the attention of a hiring manager in 140 characters, you ask? Here's how (http://bit.ly/dkpVBA).

As a job seeker, be sure to utilize every tool in your toolbox to aid in your job search. Happy Tweeting!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services, LLC
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
tturner@kapstonejobs.com

15 Tips for the Frustrated Job-Seeker

Looking for a new job can be very frustrating. As with any new adventure that you embark upon, you must have the tools necessary to be successful in your venture. Job-hunting is no different. Here's a short list of to-do's for job seekers (not in any particular order).

1. Get registered with a recruiter.


2. Have a killer resume (that includes "key words").


3. Get LinkedIn.


4. Search your network (for resources and referrals).


5. If you don't have a network...BUILD ONE.


6. Role play the interview with someone that will give you honest feedback.


7. Get daily job alerts emailed to you (Indeed.com, Google, etc.)


8. Do not post your resume on job boards (recruiters consider that low-hanging fruit).


9. Prepare a short story to intro yourself in an interview (information that is NOT on your resume).


10. Dress for SUCCESS!


11. Check out TwitterJobSearch.com.


12. Connect with Recruiters/Hiring Managers on Twitter and Facebook.


13. Learn how to market your transferable skills.


14. Stay focused and be disciplined.


15. Take a serious look at entrepreneurship!

Tammy Turner

President/CEO

Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

http://www.kapstonejobs.com

Working & Living Abroad

Having lived and worked overseas for nearly three years, I can attest to the many opportunities that are available for job seekers that are interested in living abroad. My transition to SE Asia in 2004 was phenomenal! I settled into my new home very quickly.

I highly recommend that job seekers explore opportunities overseas as an option. Depending on which country you go to and what company you work for, your salary could be tax free. If you have children there tuition could be paid for at a prestigious international school. How about your company paying for your housing...does that excite you? How about not having a car note or car insurance to worry about? Are you interested in having domestic staff (housekeeper, nanny, cook and driver)?

Well, if none of those things interest you, how about the opportunity to explore and become acclimated to another culture, another way of life uniquely different from your own? How about the chance to travel the world and experience different food and different customs? Still not interested? How about making a great salary in the process?

Now that I have your attention, here are some strategies for people looking into the possibility of job opportunities overseas (http://tinyurl.com/dembvc).

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Tammy's Tips for Mastering the Interview

Daily I coach job-seekers on how to make themselves marketable in today's tough job market. I review hundreds of resumes a day and conduct on average 15-20 interviews per week. Here's some sound advice that I share with my candidates:

1. Do your research. Take the time to research the company that you are interviewing with. Take the time to research the companies that you would "like" to interview with and take the time to research the "person" that you are interviewing with. Why? Because it gives you an advantage when interviewing. When researching the company that you have secured an interview with, jot down a list of questions to ask in the interview based upon your research. When researching companies that you are interested in interviewing with check their job boards and see if there is a job open for which you qualify. When researching the "interviewer," wow them in the interview by mentioning some of the things that you may have found that they are interested in. Example: You're being interviewed by David Carter. While researching the company you find that Mr. Carter was recently named employee of the month, or just received a promotion or orchestrated the company's volunteer effort with Habitat for Humanity. Casually mention it in the interview.
   
2. Network, Network, Network! Networking is one of the most important things that you can do to advance your career to the next level. Whether you are an entry level job-seeker, an experienced hire or a seasoned professional, the relationships that you build or have built will be crucial in how your career progresses. In today's job market there are millions of job-seekers. If you have someone that can put your resume in the hand of a hiring manager, CEO, business owner or recruiter, it gives you the leg above the competition who has only "applied on-line."
   
3. Resume Writing. Just because it's free doesn't mean it's good. If your mom, best friend or girlfriend wrote your resume, that doesn't mean it's polished and professional. While you can appreciate their effort to assist you, having an HR professional or Resume Writing company review, critique or reconstruct it, might be a good idea. Resumes are used to weed you in or WEED YOU OUT! Your resume is your first impression. Make sure it's a good impression and accurately represents your skill set.
   
   I would also encourage you to have multiple resumes and that they are specifically targeted to the job and company for which you are applying.
   
4. Interviewing Skills. Role play, role play, role play. I encourage potential candidates to role play their interview with someone. This will help to eliminate some of the nervousness by anticipating some of the questions and being able to better articulate your responses. I also encourage candidates to "prepare a short story." Oftentimes, interviewers will ask "Tell me something about yourself." They are NOT asking you to tell them things that are listed on your resume. They can read that. This is your opportunity to sell your "soft skills."
   
5. Follow-up. The "Thank You" note is NOT out-of-style. Follow up with the interviewer with a short note (via email or handwritten) thanking them for the interview and reiterating your interest in the opportunity.

Tammy Turner

President/CEO

Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services

http://www.kapstonejobs.com

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

References - Got any?

Ever been ambushed by your reference? Have you ever worried about what your previous boss (who you listed as a reference) would say about your past performance? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you need to view this link on "How to Bulletproof Your References" (http://tinyurl.com/dau2ms).

You should take special care in grooming your references....first and foremost by asking is it okay for you to use them as a reference! You would be surprised at how many reference checks I've done when the person on the other end of the phone says "wow, he used me as a reference?" and it's all down hill from there. Please note also that if you inform me that it is your previous company's "policy" not to give out reference information that I can contact HR to verify your employment, that is a HUGE red flag for me. Lots of companies have this policy, but how that reads to a recruiter is that there is something that you don't want me to know.

References can be a deal-breaker! Please make sure yours are bulletproof!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Love to Travel? Have your job pay for it!

Having traveled and lived overseas for many years I am a champion for overseas living. I love meeting new people, learning new cultures and eating great food. Now how can I find a career that will allow me to do all of these things and still pay me a comfortable salary? Take a look at this article: (http://tinyurl.com/crfh2w).

TEFL is a huge business overseas, well at least it was in Asia. Just think about it...2 years in Singapore, 2 years in Ghana, 2 years in Cambodia, 2 years in Indonesia. Sound exciting?? TEFL will allow you the freedom to do just that and make a comfortable salary as well.

For those of you that have an MBA, you may want to consider international opportunities with the UN (http://unicef.org) or the US Embassy or other international organizations such as CARE (http://care.org). It's a great opportunity for you to explore the world and have your company pay for it. Time to think outside the box!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Finding A Stimulus Job

So here is that word "Stimulus" once again. With President Obama pouring billions of stimulus dollars into the US economy it is guaranteed to create jobs. How can you find out about these jobs, check out this link: (http://tinyurl.com/cquaxc).

The steps outlined in this article are not applicable only in your search for "stimulus jobs." These are general practices that can be applied by the everyday job seeker that is looking for creative ways to secure an interview, research their industry and gain market knowledge.

I love "Follow the Money" and "Retrofit Your Resume." Great tips that will get results.

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
www.kapstonejobs.com

Jobs AND The Stimulus Plan

With billions of dollars dedicated to "stimulating" the economy, many job seekers are wondering what jobs/areas/industries are going to be hiring as a result. Take a look at this article: (http://tinyurl.com/cqa3zp).

Job seekers, ask yourself: Is your resume up-to-date? Are you ready to strike...while the iron is hot? Are you comfortable with negotiating your salary?

Success is when "opportunity" meets "preparation." Take a look at my previous blogs for interviewing tips, salary negotiations, etc. Happy hunting.

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
www.kapstonejobs.com