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

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

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