Networking with strangers can be a terrifying experience for many people, especially when it's in-person. What do you say? What if you're awkward? What if you don't make a good first impression?
Related:9 Tips For Becoming A Successful Networker
Don't worry - prepare! Check out these quick tips for more confident networking from Adam LoDolce, founder of SexyConfidence.com:
1. Know How To Break The Ice
Struggling for ice breakers? Instead of trying to memorize one-liners, keep things simple.
"A simple 'Hello, my name is ___' is more than sufficient if said with a smile," said LoDolce. "Or, my favorite, 'So, what brings you here?'"
2. Get Warmed up
Don't start batting without a few practice swings! Make sure you talk to a few people before you hit up your main target - it will ease your nerves and make you feel more comfortable.
"The moment you walk into the room, just start chatting it up with someone to warm up a bit," LoDolce suggested. "Before you know it, you'll feel comfortable chatting up the big time CEO across the room."
3. Be Aware Of Your Body Language
Did you know that 93% of communication is non-verbal? In order to give off a positive impression, LoDolce suggests doing the following:
Don't cross your arms
Keep a strong smile all night long
Hold strong eye contact
Feel weird keeping eye contact? Try just staring at the bridge of the other person's nose instead.
4. Ask Great Questions
"If you are uncomfortable doing the talking, then ask interesting and thought provoking questions," LoDolce suggested.
Here's an example: "Oh, you're an architect? What's it like building something that you know will be around for hundreds of years?"
5. Have Fun
Whenever you attend a networking event, above all else, focus on having a good time. People will be attracted to your good attitude.
"If you're enjoying yourself, people will enjoy your company," said LoDolce.
And, even if all fails, at least you can say you had a great night!
This post was originally published at an earlier date.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Recently, I attended a local job fair and spoke to several of the employers to solicit their response to the following question: "If you were to offer one tip for job seekers attending a job fair, what would it be?"
The two answers given most frequently? "Dress professionally" and "Communicate what you want and what you have to offer." This seemed like common sense to me, but considering how many employers mentioned these two things, it occurred to me maybe it goes beyond common sense and falls into the category of "you don't know what you don't know."
So, for those who don't know, here are 10 valuable tips to help job seekers find success at job fairs.
1. Dress Professionally
The general rule of thumb is to dress one level above the job for which you are applying, or what the usual dress code is for the companies you're interested in. For some, this may mean a suit and tie; for others a pair of khakis, polo shirt, or button-down collar. It's not okay to "pop in" to a job fair on your way home from the gym or grocery store. Plan your attire carefully. Choose a color that accentuates your best features and make sure it is comfortable. Sneakers and flip flops are never acceptable.
2. Communicate What You Want And What You Have To Offer
Employers are amazed at how many people attend job fairs hoping the employer will play the role of a career counselor or engage in a game of "20 Questions." Prior to attending a job fair, prepare a 30-second introduction and career overview, also known as your "personal branding statement." Include the following:
The kind of work you do
The number of years of experience you have and in what industry(ies)
Some of your areas of expertise and/or key skills
What you hope to find in your next job/do next in your career
Write it down and practice it until it rolls off your tongue and feels comfortable.
3. Know What The Company Does
Look up the sponsor(s) of the job fair, find out which companies will be there, and do some research. What is their product or service? Who are the customers they serve? What kinds of positions exist within the company? What skills are they looking for? Find out which employers are the best match for your skills and experience and target them before you arrive.
4. Plan Who You Want To Talk To And In What Order
You probably will not have time to talk to everyone. Look over your research notes and decide in advance which companies would be the best match for your skills and experience. Plan to visit the "maybe" companies first and save the really important ones for last. This way you can work through some of your nervousness before you present yourself to the companies that really matter.
5. Bring Your Resume
You should bring sufficient copies of your resume for the employers you plan to target. Make sure your resume is customized for the kind of job you are seeking, focuses on accomplishments, not responsibilities (quantify your work experience), and is two pages or less. Several employers I spoke to mentioned receiving resumes that were as long as five to ten pages! Do not fold your resume or place it in an envelope either!
6. Ask Questions
The main purpose of attending a job fair is to gather information, network, and establish a connection with your target companies. What do employers look for in an employee? What are some of the current challenges they are facing? What kinds of positions exist within the company? How do they screen and make their hiring decisions? If you attend a job fair hoping to walk away with a job offer, you will probably be disappointed. If you attend to gather information, you will always walk away a winner!
One word of caution: this is not the time or place to ask "What do you pay?" or "What are your benefits?" These topics are best discussed when an offer has been made or is pending.
7. Be Aware Of Proper Etiquette
From the moment you enter the job fair, you're "on stage." Don't smoke or chew gum. If there are refreshments, save them until you are ready to leave. Don't bad-mouth your current or last employer. (When one employer asked a job seeker why they were looking for work, they were shocked when the job seeker answered "Because <employer name> is a real #! @.") Give a firm and confident handshake. Smile. Make eye contact. Turn off your cell phone. Don't monopolize the employer's time.
8. Make Your Objectives Known
Employer's report many attendees seem to be "just browsing" or are there to collect the free promotional items. Approach employers confidently. Introduce yourself and express why you are there. Ask questions and take notes. Express more interest in the company literature than the key rings, Post-it notes, and candy bars.
9. Collect Business Cards And Take Notes
Jot down notes while the employer is talking with you. Ask for the business card of everyone you speak with. After leaving the employer's table, make a note of what you spoke about and what follow-up actions you need to take after the fair.
10. Follow Up
Send a thank you note within 24 hours to each employer you talked to at the fair. Remind them of which position(s) you spoke about and stress your interest in scheduling a follow-up interview. It might also be a good idea to enclose another copy of your resume or a personal business card (if you haven't already given them one) that will remind them of your skills and provide them with contact information.
Keep these three objectives in mind when you attend your next job fair: you are there to network, gather information, and solicit an invitation to an interview. Try to relax and be yourself. Employer's hire people they like. Focus on being likable and you can't lose!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
You're unhappy at your current job, so you start looking for a new one. At first, you're hopeful. With your skills and experience, you'll find a better job in no time. But after a few days of searching job boards and applying for positions you're really not excited about, you start to get frustrated. Why does it seem like there are no good job opportunities available? How can you find the right job for you in such a competitive job market?
If you relate to this struggle, you're definitely not alone. A recent FlexJobs survey found that nearly half (48%) of job seekers are frustrated in their job search because they can't seem to find the right opportunities. So, what can you do?
Here are three tips to follow if you're frustrated with the lack of good job opportunities in your job search.
1. Create An Interview Bucket List
As a professional, you need to have an interview bucket list—a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. This is true even if you're not actively looking for a job. Are you passionate about a company's product or service? Do you feel connected to their mission? Can you relate to their values and beliefs as an organization? Think about these questions as you make your list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a purpose beyond just "getting a job." Simply put, your job search will have a foundation upon which everything else will be built. It'll make the job search and interview process so much easier.
For example, let's say a company on your interview bucket list has a job opening that you're interested in. When you go to write your disruptive cover letter, you'll stand out from the other job applicants because of your connection story, and you'll ultimately get the attention of the hiring manager. And, chances are, they'll want to give you a call.
2. Don't Rely On Job Boards
Job seekers often rely solely on job boards for finding employment opportunities. This is not the most effective way to find a job, never mind a good one.
When you decide to look for a new job, don't make job boards a primary part of your job search strategy. Everyone else is doing that, and competition is not only fierce but most of the "good" job opportunities never actually get posted on those sites (ever hear of the hidden job market?). Companies prefer to post jobs internally before using a job board to find qualified candidates. They may also reach out to previous applicants whose resumes are already on file.
Focus your efforts on gaining access to the hidden job market where the best job opportunities are usually found. How? Well, that brings us to our last point...
3. Network Your Way Into Your Dream Companies
A targeted and proactive job search, one that is built on an interview bucket list and also doesn't rely on job boards, is not complete without a clear networking strategy. If you ask a frustrated job seeker whether they've prioritized networking in their job search, they'll probably mutter "no." And there lies the problem.
Networking is essential to your job search. It's arguably the most important factor in getting job opportunities and growing your career. To find a good job opportunity, network your way into your dream companies, the companies on your interview bucket list. Reach out to current employees of these companies. Connect with them and start a conversation. Explain why you'd love to work for their company one day, but don't ask for a job or for any favors. Just focus on growing your professional network and providing value however you can. When a position opens up at one of your bucket list companies, you'll probably be the first one they contact.
At the end of the day, it's all about who you know.
If you're frustrated with the lack of good job opportunities available, don't give up. By following these three tips, you can and will find the right job opportunities. Try out your new job search strategy today and finally get the good job you've wanted all along!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
Understanding your target audience is critical as this information will define every strategy you execute. This article will go over what a target audience is, the importance of a target audience, and the difference between a target market vs. a target audience with examples.
What Is A Target Audience?
A target audience is an ideal customer who wants to purchase your product or service. Targeting a specific audience does not mean that you are excluding customers who do not fit your criteria. Instead, it allows you to focus your dollars and message on the right people who are most likely to buy from you. This is the most effective way to reach your audience while maximizing your spending.
Importance Of Target Audience
Here is a sad statistic: 80% of consumers don't think brands understand them as a person (Source). Customers want a brand that understands their challenges and provides solutions for them. Focusing on your target audience gives your company numerous benefits.
Builds Strong Relationships: To build strong relationships with your target audience, you need to know as much about them as individuals as possible. Understanding customers' needs and providing them with solutions will build strong relationships.
Make Your Brand Stand Out: You can quickly frustrate your customers by sending them irrelevant content or talk about your brand vs. being customer-center. 51% of consumers believe brands send too much irrelevant content (Source). Make your brand stand out from the competition with focused support and messaging.
Higher Customer Satisfaction: 80% of consumers say they are more likely to do business with a brand that offers personalized interactions (Source). Customers expect personalization and unique experiences. Your customers will feel more valued when you show them you understand them.
Spending Efficiency: Targeting your audience and messaging means you're not wasting time and resources. You'll be more effective and efficient with your spending.
Increase Conversions: When you target a specific audience and area, you increase your chance of conversion.
Target Audience vs. Target Market
You've probably heard the terms "target market" and "target audience." These are two separate things to keep in mind. A target market is a group of customers for which a product or service is aimed at. A target audience is the ideal customer most likely to want your product or service.
For example, you make Graco car seats that help provide safety for newborns to toddlers. Your target market is newborns to toddlers, however, they aren't the purchasers of this product. Your target audience is parents. When developing your strategies, keep your target market in mind, but sell to your target audience. In most cases, these two are the same group of people, but as you can see in this example, sometimes they are different groups.
Here's another example: your target market is digital marketing experts living in the U.S. whereas your target audience is SEO specialists with web coding expertise living in the U.S. In this example, the target market and target audience are similar, however, the target audience is more detailed.
In summary, the power of your brand relies on your ability to be focused. Take the time to identify your ideal target audience to strengthen your brand and transform your business. You've got this!
One of the greatest struggles in life is finding your passion—the one thing that lights up your soul more than anything else. Society often tells us we should tie our passion to a job, something we can make a career out of and support ourselves on. The reality is that finding your passion and pursuing it is much deeper than that.
If you're feeling stuck in the pursuit of your passion, here are seven thoughts about finding your passion in life, from the popular self-help book What Color Is Your Parachute?
1. "Passion" Is A Very Broad Word. Each Of Us Chooses To Define As We Will.
It may vary from "work that gets me excited" to "this is why I believe I was placed on this earth." When we are talking with someone about this subject, each of us may think we know what the other means. But often we are wrong. If we use it, we need to define what we mean by it.
2. "My Passion" Is Related To, And Dependent Upon, Self-Knowledge.
Show teenagers, for example, a list of possible careers, and ask them which ones they feel any passion for, and they are liable to answer "None." Come to that same person ten or fifteen years later, and they have gained in knowledge of the world of work. More importantly they have gained in knowledge of themselves. Now they know, from experience, exactly what they like or don't like. We, who are trying to help, may speed up that process by asking them to do a self-inventory. At any age. Typically, they will want a template for doing such an inventory.
3. "Passion" Has Seven Parts To It.
The most helpful self-inventories always turn out to be those that correspond to the parts of a job. That is to say, every job has seven parts to it: it requires certain skills (do), certain knowledge (know), certain goals (reach), certain people environments (surround), certain working conditions (enable), certain locations (find), and a certain level of responsibility (chart). Thus, a helpful self-inventory covers all these parts: what do you most love to do, what do you most love knowing, what are you most trying to reach, who are you most trying to surround yourself with, what most enables you to do your best work, where do you find such places, and what project, plan, or challenge, do you most want to help chart? One example of a seven-part inventory is chapter five in the 2013 edition of What Color Is Your Parachute? However, there are shorter inventories (on O*NET, for example) that omit some of these seven parts of one's passion.
4. "Passion" Is Found In An Overlap Of Your Present Work (With Only Some Of The Seven Parts).
For example, if I find a place where I am surrounded with the kinds of people I most love to work with, using the knowledge I most love to use, and tackling the challenge or problem I would most love to solve, I may feel I have found my passion in life. But if, as time goes on, there's more of an overlap of my work with all seven parts of me, I will more and more feel I have found my passion in life.
5. Taking Time To Define Your Passion In All Seven Of Its Parts Increases Your Awareness Of The Missing Parts When You Do Stumble Over Them.
Doing a self-inventory of these seven parts increases what you're listening for, even if your current job is only a partial overlap.
6. "Passion" Is Energy.
The more you find your true passion in life, the more energy you will feel when you're at work. Thus, as we grow older, and our physical energy begins to diminish, it becomes all the more important to replace it with the energy that comes from having found our passion.
7. Finding Your "Passion" In Life Is Only A Means To An End; The End Should Be Com-Passion.
Defining your passion in life is not a sufficient goal for any life. That can be very selfish and inwardly-directed. This makes me excited; this makes me happy. So what? Let us suppose you were out of work for two years before you finally found meaningful work. What does that leave you with? A hope you will never go through such a period again? Yes. But is that all? Let us say you have now arrived in some function where you need to hire people. Do you reach out and go the extra mile, now, to help someone who has been out of work for two years? Or do you turn them down, and say, "Sorry, we don't hire people out of work as long as you've been"? You haven't grown until you have wrung every bit of compassion out of your own experience and used it to feel and show empathy toward someone in a similar predicament. Compassion, to find and feel our ties to all other human beings, should be our real passion in life. Passion; does it teach you compassion? That's the acid test of any life.
Need help building a career you're passionate about?
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
On average, hiring managers spend fewer than 10 seconds looking at your resume. So, using bullets on your resume is an important way to make sure people see what you want them to see—as quickly as possible.
Using bullets requires a careful balance, though. Too few bullet points and you'll have unappealing, difficult-to-read blocks of text. Too many bullet points can have the opposite effect and look more like a laundry list. To develop a clear structure to your resume and present bullet points with impact, follow these tips:
1. Use Bullets Points For Accomplishments & Success Statements
In most instances, bullet points are used in the "Work History" and "Additional Experience" sections of your resume. For example, under the information for your current employer, job title, and employment period, write 3-5 bullet points that directly highlight your accomplishments and success on the job.
2. Be Selective About What You Highlight
Consider what experience, skills, and accomplishments are important for the job you're applying for and select the most relevant points that will detail what you've done, how you've done it, and what results you achieved. Use bullet points on your resume to bring attention to something, but when you go beyond five bullet points for each position, it can look like a laundry list. Each bullet point also shouldn't need more than two lines in length. Keep it tight and succinct!
3. Begin With The Most Impressive Point First
Remember that most hiring managers will only spend a few seconds on each resume, so you want to immediately catch their eye. Start with the most impressive point first.
4. Start Each Bullet Point With A Results & Action Verbs
When writing your bullet points, remember to start with the results rather than the how. For example, which of the following two bullet points is more likely to capture the reader's attention?
Developed daily and weekly goals to achieve 133% of sales quota
Achieved 133% of sales quota by developing daily and weekly goals
If you answered the second bullet point, you've got it.
5. Apply Numbers To Your Bullet Points
For greater impact, apply numbers to your bullet points. This is called quantifying your work experience, and it's something every professional should do on their resume to stand out in the hiring process. You want to put the information in context and show results. For example, "Increased sales 300% within the first two years of product relaunch."
6. Use Bullet Points To Highlight Awards
Relevant awards are always worth highlighting on your resume because it helps distinguish you from other candidates who might have the same experience. If you've been recognized as "Salesperson of the Year" or something similar, use it in your bullet points.
An effective resume informs the employer of your experience and skills, but it also provides insight into how good you are as a business-of-one, saving or making companies money. The correct use of bullet points can help you deliver the message!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
