Gotta make that money, honey!

As we all know, the economy is still rebuilding and you may be looking for a job as we speak. Maybe you were laid off, fired or your company has indicated that you should probably start looking. Well...you're not the only one in this boat. Our resident HR expert has shared some insight on some things you may know and some things you may not already know about the hunt! The most important thing is to keep your head up, stay confident and try not to get too frustrated. Good Luck!

Contributed by: Joanne Coghill

www.ncogeto.com

Most people look for jobs the traditional way by searching the want-ads and using online job websites like Careerbuilder, Monster, and Craigslist. You'll email or send out loads of resumes which is not a bad strategy, however the employer can be overwhelmed by the amount of responses and may never see your resume since everyone else is doing this using this same method. Then you sit wondering what happened and getting frustrated with the lack of response.

The competition for jobs is extremely high due to the high unemployment rate. The employer is receiving an excess of responses that they can not review all resumes that coming in. It is important for the job seeker to think out of the box and stretch themselves on how they are networking and looking for a job.

Here are some suggestions to help you with your job search and build your network.

1. Mix it up! Check your local community newspaper or google to find local mixers, networking events, job fairs or workshops to meet people who can assist you in your job search as you build your network. Your church may also consider sponsoring a networking event or workshops to find those looking for a job, looking to change jobs or just to inquire and meet new people. You never know when you met someone and reach out who may know someone who is looking for employees. Bring your own business card (you can get free online business cards, you may have to pay for shipping) and exchange business cards so that you can follow up with everyone you meet at any of these events. Email or send them a note to follow up meeting them at the event. This is the start to building your network.

2. Using your networks - Another way to connect with your personal and business networks is to use online social and business networking sites. Some great sites to create accounts on are MySpace, Facebook, Plaxo, Twitter, Linked-in, Talkbiznow and Bebo. Create user accounts on these sites and let people know in each community what types of jobs you’re interested in finding. Again, you never know who can connect you to someone that has the perfect job for you.

*TheCircleLA TIP - You don't have to be a part of EVERY social network, just be sure that you use the ones you do use wisely and to their full potential. Pick 2-3 that you will focus on. Otherwise it gets confusing.

3. The Ol' fashioned way - To find new businesses listings that have or are about to open check in your local newspapers. You can find this under “fictitious business name” in the classified section. New businesses often need to hire new employees. Review these daily to you if there are new businesses opening that might be a good fit. Send them a note and a resume and follow it up with a phone call a few days later. Even if they’re not ready to hire, you’ll be first on their mind when they are ready.

4. What do YOU want to do? You may have a business that you want to work for. Call them up and ask if they are hiring. If they are not hiring ask them if they ever hire temps. During recession times many companies have have laid off their full time staff and they may be hiring temps to fill in where needed. You may get your foot in the door if they are open to hire you as a temp. Otherwise another options is to ask if they would be open o consider having a volunteer or an intern work for them for free. This would be another way to get your foot in the door on a trial basis. What do you have to lose? You have the time and they might be intrigued enough to take you up on your offer.

5. Tap Into the Community - There are many churches that are offering support for those who are unemployed. Talk to your church to see if they offer or willing to offer any type of support group and any help. Also check with your local community, check on line or in the neighborhood newspaper to see if there are support groups to assist those who are unemployed or looking for a job change.

6. Be proactive, assertive and friendly but not pushy or aggressive, when contacting a potential employer. People generally will find that when you are friendly, flexible, creative they are willing to talk to you and willing to go the extra mile.

7. Stay POSITIVE which will help reduce stress and keep you focused.

8. Start your mornings with daily prayer and meditation. This will help you focus throughout the day.

*TheCircleLA TIP - Revise your resume. No matter how good you think it is, look and look again. Make sure your experience stands out and highlight achievements in other positions. If you have gaps in your resume, be sure to continue to do any type of work, whether its networking, small projects, planning your own business. This shows that you're proactive and have been keeping your mind busy. Be smart with the time you have at hand.

*If you are interested in contributing to Netropolis, please contact us at TheCircleLA@Gmail.com

Making the (networking) magic happen!

The networking rulebook is not like Charlton Heston climbing the mountain to retrieve the ten commandments, there ARE no set rules. The bulk of creating connections depends on your conversation and relationship building skills. People who network a lot have a knack into reading a person's presence before they even talk about business. If you don't click with one person, it's okay. Talk it out and move on to the next person. The real goal of networking is to meet as many people as possible, if you take even one positive connection out of five potential ones; it may generate more results that you could have imagined.

When you make the decision to proactively network, just remember it takes time to develop a relationship. While some people may be an easy connection and fit, others may take weeks, months and even years to develop in ways that you never thought of when you first met them. Think of the other relationships you have in your life; friends, significant others, business partners...although the spark can happen quickly, it takes time to really contribute. Sifting through the LA networking jungle is not easy, so there are definitely some key points that you should keep in mind when you enter the world of networking.

To make it a little easier, we've put together 8 rough guidelines to never leave home without:

1) Be picky - just because you're getting out there to meet new people, does not mean that every event is right for you. Make sure you know what the event is about and that it leans towards your networking goals. If you're not interested in the event, you're not going to make your best effort to get involved.

2) Head n' Shoulders - no mess, no fuss! Don't be flakey, make a commitment to yourself and to an event. There is no pressure when signing up for events, it is best to commit only to the things that you can actually make it to. In the end you'll find you're more productive and have better time management.

3) Your mantra - Before going to your event be sure to set your goals and focus. What do you want to achieve? How many connections do you want to make? What type of connections do you want to make? Having this mindset beforehand will also play into your attitude and conversation while you're there.

4) Don't forget your business cards - I don't know how many events I've been to where people tell me they have forgotten their cards. WHY ARE YOU THERE? You may as well have forgotten to show up. Remembering your business cards should be as automatic as remembering your cell phone and car keys.

5) Introduce yourself to the event coordinator - Who do you think got all those people there? This is a step that many people miss. Introduce yourself and create a rapport with the event coordinator, if your conversation skills fail at the event; at least you know the person with ALL the connections.

6) The 1 minute pitch - This is something that you should have down cold. It may take a few tries to get it right, but you have very little time to make an impact and gain interest. Make sure you convey what you do, where you do it and who you do it for. Try to be sure to leave some kind of mental bookmark in their mind, with a tagline of the services you provide. Think Mickey D's "I'm lovin' it!"

7) Think 'relationship' - Each conversation is a delicate budding flower. OK, not exactly, but it does take time and effort to develop solid relationships. You never know when a contact will think of you and decide they have a referral or need your services themselves. It doesn't need to be ALL business, just be yourself and you'll see the rapport building naturally. ...and the most important of all of these things

8) Follow-up! - If you remember nothing else this is the one thing to remember. Follow up is the key to maintaining contact. I generally suggest following up as soon as possible so that your conversation or meeting with the person is still fresh in both of your minds. The more you remember about each other, the more likely you are to develop your relationship further.

Hey, networking isn't a science and as long as you keep your mind open to meeting new people and sharing information, the more you will get out of it. No one ever accomplished anything by doing it alone! Follow these guidelines and you'll be on the road to eternal happiness....maybe not, but you'll have a huge contact list to tap into and probably make some very useful friends.