How to improve your online profile to help your job search
Online job search has become the norm now. How to protect yourself and maintain a professional online profile to leave a good impression for any prospective employers? Here are some great tips:
- For starters: Google yourself and see what comes up. Are there any things that you need to be proactive about addressing?
- Next: Do a sweep of your social media accounts. Delete anything objectionable. Manage the individuals and businesses you are following or who follow you. Change your settings to private.
- Moving forward: Start engaging thoughtfully online. At the end of the day, engage respectfully with others online. Think of social media as a tool that can enhance your job prospects as well as increase your connections with others.
You can find out more by checking this how your social media activity impacts your job search.
What’s a good way to “break the ice” with new co-workers?
When you start a new job, it’s a whirlwind of introductions, training, and figuring everything out. You likely have a whole new team of people you need to get to know.
Personally, I like to ask “How long have you worked here?” It’s a good way to learn more about your colleague, and can open up the conversation.
Here are 51 other get to know you icebreakers.
What do you talk about when meeting a coworker for the first time?
Online connections can happen very organically to boost your job search and career growth.
It feels lonely sometimes being in your current role in a company or doing job search. There are not as many people around you at work or in your personal circle who can truly understand what it takes to do your job. Or what it takes to grow your career. This is when I found the online communities very helpful. I personally learned a lot about the career challenges and accomplishments it takes for various professional roles and paths.
Like this great question @Alexandria Simpson raised about how to succeed in a waitress job. So many wonderful comments and helpers sharing their own experiences. That is a great opportunity to connect with many helpers here that can become great professional connections and even mentors to help with your future job search and growth!
You can also learn more tips about how to connect with people you don’t know. Your next mentors or job leads can be right around the corner 😉
What are the best ways to build connections via email?
If you're interested in making new professional connections, start with email networking. You can grow your network when you reach out to people you know, acquaintances, mutual connections, and strangers. Here are some ways to grow your network via email:
Ask your current contacts to make an introduction: I’ve done this a lot when I was job searching. I’d check in with my existing work contacts and share my goals and interests. Then ask them to make recommendations or connect me with someone they know. My network definitely expanded when I was actively connecting with new people.
Follow up after an interview or a social event: this is the most typical email connection method. We have lots of templates on thank you emails to leave a great impression not just for your job leads but for long term professional relationships.
Research the company and simply reach out: this might seem like cold calling but you never really know what could turn up. Usually people working in talent acquisition departments are willing to connect with new talents so it never hurts to reach out.
Learn more about how to build professional connections through emails. What have been your go-to approach to build connections through emails?
How many references do you need to land a good job?
Sometimes the job application will indicate how many #references you need. If you're unsure, aim for three quality references. Here's how to approach picking your references:
- Determine the type of role you're looking for
- Consider individuals you may know at the company
- Identify connections between your network and someone who works at the company
Did you know you can make connections right here on Jobcase? Go to a users' profile and click "Connect" -- this is a great way to build your professional network. #connections #jobsearch
Why you should Praise someone on Jobcase 🏆
Did you know you can endorse Jobcase users with a Praise? You can go to a user’s profile, click the “Praise” button, then shout out a friend or Jobcaser.
Why is this valuable? Getting a “Praise” is an endorsement you can use to get your next job. Your Jobcase profile can be a link you send to prospective employers 🤔
So how can you “Praise” someone at Jobcase??
An outstanding achievement. If there was a significant assignment that you were a part of that you’d like to showcase to future employers, ask a colleague or manager to include some highlights of the work you contributed in their praise.
A skill you developed. Many times, we learn and develop new skills at work. Suppose you have a specific area of expertise or talent that you acquired during your time at a job. In that case, you can ask the individual to emphasize its importance on your overall performance.
Soft skills you excel with. Soft skills, also known as transferable skills are naturally learned traits that are typically non-job specific and can be used across any profession. They include things like leadership, communication, empathy, and time management. These skills can be challenging to highlight on a resume, so praises can be beneficial when conveying your impressive abilities!
Now go forth and Praise someone that deserves it! #connections #Praise #NextJob
Can I ask my coworkers to be my job references?
Work-related references are commonly used to support job applications. These are people you've worked closely with, such as a co-worker or employer.
They've seen you in the workplace and can talk about your responsibilities, abilities, and behaviors. If possible, your work-related reference should be a person you've worked with recently.
You should always ask permission before using someone as an academic reference. It’s a good idea to ask your professor or teacher for a one-page reference letter, as you can include this with applications. Get help with our free reference letter template.
Learn more about how to choose a reference for your job application.
Have you ever asked for a letter of recommendation before?
Why is it essential to have a letter of #recommendation when interviewing for a job? The employer doesn’t know the candidate and they are looking to others who may be willing to vouch for them.
An essential part of the letter is telling a personal story. The personal story should cover specific areas where the applicant stands out. While it is a personal reflection, use professional examples to back it up.
What else should be in the recommendation letter? FIND OUT HERE!
Why a reference can make or BREAK your Hiring decision…
Choosing quality job references should be at the top of your priority list, especially if you have a short work history.
A professional reference is a person who can vouch for you in the workplace. They should be able to genuinely recommend you for the position.
A positive reference from a co-worker, former boss, or current employer could be the key to securing a new job.
Here are 3 types of references…
Work-related references, work-related references are commonly used to support job applications. These are people you've worked closely with, such as a co-worker or employer.
Character references, a character reference is someone that can speak positively about your personality, qualities, and any experience they are aware of. A character reference could be a friend, community leader, coach, minister, or supervisor. You should never ask a family member to act as a reference.
School or training references, a professor or teacher with experience in the industry will be able to give a rundown of your performance during training or course studies.
Learn how to connect with powerful references that will help you get HIRED at Job References and CONNECTIONS that Matter!
10 tips to build your professional network
Connecting to build your professional network is a key part of the #jobsearch process. If you have a trusted friend or colleague that works at a company you'd like to join, you have a HUGE advantage. Someone vouching for you should at least get you an interview...
So how do you start? Focus on the right people! The first step you’ll want to take is looking at your inner circle. Odds are you’ve already made some valuable connections throughout your career that you may not have considered. These could be former colleagues, schoolmates, or even your friends and family. Identify who in your existing network you want to stay connected with. Discover all 10 tips here.
Did you know you can connect with people here at Jobcase? Simply go to the profile of the person you want to connect with, and click “connect.” This is a great way to keep track of the amazing people you encounter on Jobcase! #connections #BuildYourNetwork