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4 Leadership Tips You Need to be Project Manager

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Project management requires more than superior organizational skills; it requires the ability to lead as well. Much of a project’s success is based on the ability of the project manager to coordinate the efforts of many individuals, at times spread across a variety of disciplines. Additionally, they must also be capable of carrying the vast majority of the burden associated with the project’s completion.

Even if everyone’s leadership style is varied, there are certain fundamental qualities a strong leader possesses. And whether you have years of management experience or are spearheading your first project, everyone can use some guidance from time to time. With that in mind, here are four leadership tips you need to be successful in the position of project manager.

1. Strong Leaders Communicate Clearly and Often

Project managers encounter professionals from a range of fields and specialty areas. Additionally, they have to ensure that all of these professionals can work well together, or at least toward the same goal. And that requires effective communication skills.

Leading a project requires everyone to have a clear understanding of the overall vision, as well as a thorough knowledge of the objectives and performance expectations. And you must be able to explain these points to all parties involved.

Additionally, Being able to listen to team members to gain critical insight and having the ability to provide constructive feedback helps keep the project moving forward, and remaining on target, even when unexpected issues or delays arise.

2. The Right Attitude Goes a Long Way

Part of a project manager’s job is to maintain an air of confidence and enthusiasm regarding the project. Keeping a positive attitude helps other members of the team maintain one themselves and can increase overall productivity. Any doubt expressed on the part of leadership will impact the performance of the team, and may actually cause a fear regarding the project’s viability to become a reality.

Additionally, leaders are able to maintain a level of calm even when things go awry. Strong leaders don’t panic when the project isn’t going to plan, and they are able to convey a sense of cool collectedness to the other team members to help get things back on track.

3. You Can’t Do it All

At times, almost every leader is hesitant to delegate; instead, they try to manage every task within their purview on their own. However, a project’s success is often contingent on the collective skills of the members of the team and failing to delegate leaves some of that potential untapped.

It is important to assess the skills of the team and to give them the opportunity to work based on their strengths. Not only will this help keep the project moving forward in a timely fashion, but it will also lower the level of stress the project manager must take on personally.

4. You Must Be Decisive

Decision-making is a requirement in project management, and when a critical decision must be made, it is important to be decisive. Delaying a decision can have a negative impact on the project, and hedging means that team members might not have a clear idea regarding how they should proceed. When it comes time to pick a direction, manage your research quickly. Then, once a choice is made, make sure everyone involved knows the result.

Are you looking for a new job?

Successful project managers rely on their leadership skills as much as their technical ones and having the proper combination will help drive you toward success. If you are interested in becoming a project manager or are looking for your next opportunity in the field, Resolution Technologies can help you explore any opportunities that may be available to you. Contact us to discuss project management opening in your area.

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Career Guide

How To Craft Your Elevator Pitch

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Elevator Pitch

Looking for a way to sell yourself and your career experiences? An elevator pitch is the perfect way to showcase your talents to a potential employer. Your pitch isn’t limited to an elevator though; you never know where you may meet a future boss or coworker, even in the most casual of settings. That could be at a conference, on vacation, or in a coffee shop.

When someone asks you what you do, simply answering the question with “I’m a Salesforce Developer” likely won’t lead the conversation anywhere. You should instead use your elevator pitch to guide the conversation, quite possibly leading to new career opportunity.

The elevator pitch consists of three parts:

  1. The Benefit. What’s the reason someone should buy what you’re selling?
  2. The Differentiator. What makes YOU special from everyone else?
  3. The Ask. Is there an opportunity to learn more about this person or this company?

1. The Benefit

This includes the impact of what your product (yourself) can have on this person’s business.

  • “I was able to decrease inventory error at our company by 40 percent through a new initiative.”
  • “Through improvements to our information management system, I was able to increase efficiency and cut costs of $1.4 million.”

2. The Differentiator

This is what makes you different from everyone else. If there’s no differentiator, you’re selling anyone who has your position, not yourself.  There’s no particular reason to invest in YOU.

  • “I have over 15 years of expertise in this field.”
  • “I’m constantly looking for new certifications and courses that will help me perform my job better.”

3. The Ask

Elevator pitches are short, so this isn’t meant to be an interview. Next steps would be setting up a meeting to find out more about this person or the company they work for. Again, this usually happens in a more casual setting as a social conversation, so don’t feel like you need to go for a hard sell strategy.

  • “I’d love to learn more about what you do. What’s your availability next week?”
  • “I really appreciate the conversation we’ve had. What’s the best way to get on your calendar?”

With practice, your elevator pitch can take you great places. Remember, keep it straightforward and simple. There’s no need to over-complicate the situation. Use this as a way to network with like-minded professionals and potential employers if you’re looking for growth in your career.

Once you’re ready to explore new career opportunities, check out our blog post “5 Tips for Beginning Your Job Search” to learn how to get started.

 

Click here to view our IT and business job board.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

5 Tips for Beginning Your Job Search

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Beginning Job Search

Looking to make a career move? Maybe it’s been a while since you last searched for a job, or you’re looking for a new way to tackle the search for your next opportunity. We believe in equipping you with the best tools to make you successful. In this post, we’ll outline our suggestions and tips for your job search. It’s important to equip yourself with the best knowledge in order to ensure a successful search.

Set goals.

Rather than jumping in and looking for any and every position available in your desired field, you should set specific goals for what jobs you’re looking for. Do you want to take a step up from your current position or look for the same position at a different company? Is there a certain geographic location you’re looking in? By narrowing your search with important details, you’ll make it easier to find a position that’s a perfect fit for you. Setting goals will slim down your search and make good use of your time.

Update your resume.

Before submitting your resume to a potential employer, make sure your resume is up-to-date with your most recent and relevant skills and experience. Upload your most current resume to career sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and Dice so recruiters and companies can find you based on the most accurate information. For more information about perfecting your resume, view our blog post “6 Things You Shouldn’t Put on Your Resume.”

Tune up your LinkedIn.

At the same time you update your resume, you should also check your LinkedIn to make sure you have all of your skills and jobs listed. Much of the job search has gone social, so recruiters and hiring managers are also looking for top talent on LinkedIn. Much like search engine optimization (SEO) for websites, having the right keywords on your profile will ensure that your profile comes up when decision-makers are searching on LinkedIn. We’ve got more tips for your LinkedIn profile here.

Conduct a self-assessment.

Required skills for a job may have changed since you last applied. Especially in an age of ever-changing technology, needs are always changing. Is there any additional training you’ll need for the job you desire?

Another thing that falls under self-assessment is your energy and passion for what you do. You’re likely to get asked during an interview who you are and what you’re about. They may also be wondering why you’re choosing to make a move to their company. Be ready to answer these questions so potential employers can learn more about why you’re a good fit for their company.

Brush up on your interview skills.

It’s not enough to just look great on paper. You may do a great job of selling yourself on your resume or LinkedIn profile, but in order to land the job, you’ve got to nail it in the interview. Example interview questions can be found online from credible sources. You can even find top questions related to your position or industry. Still not comfortable? Find a friend to ask you questions to make sure you’re prepared with the best possible answers.

The Bottom Line

Don’t waste your time by being unprepared. Treat your job search almost as if it were like another job itself. By getting yourself organized and setting proper goals, you’ll be ready to tackle your search effectively.

Once you’re ready for your first face-to-face interview, check out our post “How To: Dress for Interview Success” to learn how to put your best foot forward.

 

Click here to view our IT and business job board.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

Navigating Your First Week on the Job

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First Week

Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming to try and adapt to a new environment. Especially if you’re coming from a company that you’ve been at for a while, it can be difficult to get used to a new work environment with a different culture and team. With a ton of information coming at you from every direction, it’s important to know how to process it correctly. In this post, we’ll share with you our best advice for surviving your first week at your new workplace.

Be a sponge.

Your first week, you’re going to hear and receive a lot of new information about your new company and position. You’ll learn about company culture, preferred work and communication styles, new systems, top projects and customers, office politics, and company and department-specific goals. We could go on and on, but you get the point — information overload.

One of the best things you can do is absorb everything you can. Make sure to attend new hire orientation, team and office meetings, any other things that you think may pertain to your job. By sitting in on these meetings, you’ll start to understand what’s important to the organization and the part you play in the organization’s success.

If you get invited to happy hour, lunch or coffee with your fellow coworkers, don’t be afraid to say yes. Even if it pushes you outside of your comfort zone, you’ll start to make friends that you can count on at work. Being a part of a team requires everyone to participate, so saying yes will show your excitement and enthusiasm to be part of this new group.

Ask questions.

If you’re unsure of a project or process, it’s better to ask questions than to stay silent. As you receive new information, taking detailed notes will help you remember what you’ve learned and will give you something to review in the future. Writing something down will also ensure you don’t ask the same question twice.

Offer help.

The first few days of your job, you may have a lot of down time while you’re trying to adjust to your new role and environment. Your boss may also still be getting together your tasks and responsibilities. Instead of just sitting there with nothing to do, show initiative. Volunteer to help a coworker on a project. Even if someone doesn’t have something for you to do, offering help will show that you’re willing to put in effort to better the team.

Find a mentor.

When you’re the newest employee in the office, it can be difficult to start making connections and understanding how everything works. Find someone who has been at the company for a while and has good understanding of what’s going on. By having someone to talk to with more experience and knowledge of the company, you’ll make an easier transition. This can be a team leader or manager that others look up to as well. He or she will be able to help you make more connections within the company and give you advice to get started in your new role.

Good luck!

Even though these are tips for your first week, you should carry on these habits through your first month, year and beyond of your job. By being an engaged employee, you’ll showcase your dedication and commitment to excellence. Better work habits lead to better performance, so take the steps today to make yourself a valuable hire for your organization.

Want to join the Twitter world as a professional? Check out our blog post, Should I Be Tweeting Professionally? to learn more about using this social media platform in your job search and networking.

 

Click here to view our IT and business job board.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

Should I Be Tweeting Professionally?

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If you’re looking to gain a competitive edge in your job search and want to stay up-to-date with industry trends, the answer is yes. With 302 million monthly active users and 500 million tweets sent daily, Twitter is one of the strongest and well-known social media platforms out there.

You’ve probably noticed your favorite celebrities and brands are on Twitter posting engaging and entertaining content, because it’s a place to showcase things you’re passionate about. It’s also a great way to showcase knowledge. By creating a professional Twitter account, you can read and post about industry news, trends, and developments.

Interested in learning how to grow your professional network with Twitter? Read more below.

It’s important to identify yourself appropriately.

When choosing what you want your profile to look like, think of it as a resume. What do you want people to know right off the bat? Choose a Twitter handle that will make it easy to search and recognize who you are. That can be your name or the title of your blog if you have one. Include a professional photo, a link to your website, and a short description of who you are and your experience/interests.

Professional Twitter Example

Here’s a great example of what your Twitter profile should look like.

Tweet about professional topics and interests.

Now that you’ve created your Twitter profile, you can start posting updates. You can create original content or share/retweet from other sources, but make sure to keep it professional, engaging, and entertaining. It’s ok to have a personal twist — it shows that there’s an actual person behind your tweets. Just make sure you only post professional content.

Follow relevant users.

You’ve created a Twitter and posted content, but now it’s time to build your network and find accounts that interest you. Depending on your goal, that can be colleagues, industry leaders, your favorite brands, or companies you would be interested in working for. Using the search feature at the top of the page, it’s easy to find an account you love. If the person or brand you follow likes your content, they might even follow you back.

New Tweet

You can also tweet at the account with a simple greeting to introduce yourself.

Keep up with trending topics and #hashtags.

A hashtag is the # symbol followed by a word or two that relate to a topic or event. Formerly known as the pound sign, hashtags allow Twitter users to search for specific content. You can search #socialmedia, #Twitter and #jobs, and you can find tweets that relate to these topics. If you’re at a networking or professional event, they’ll often have hashtags relating to the event. You can live-tweet the event using the hashtag; you may get retweeted by the organizer of the event, leading to more retweets and new followers.

Stay organized.

It’s important to tweet consistently, but not constantly. You don’t want to tweet 25 times a day, but enough to show that you are staying up-to-date and generating thoughtful content. Applications like TweetDeck and Hootsuite help you schedule content in advance and create feeds that allow you to see and respond to tweets in a user-friendly way. Because 80% of Twitter users are active on mobile devices, it’s easy to keep track of all your information on-the-go.

You’re ready to tweet.

This will give you some guidance to get started, but don’t forget a few simple rules. Give your content some personality. Post things that are interesting, but don’t be afraid to add a personal spin. Also, make sure to NEVER post anything you wouldn’t want your managers or coworkers to see. You may think you can delete something once you’ve posted it, but it’s actually out there forever. Now, get ready. Get set. Tweet.

Want to learn more about using social media professionally? View our blog post, How To: Use Social Media In Your Job Search to understand how you can use other social media platforms to get a step ahead.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

 

Career Guide

How To: Dress For Interview Success

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How To Dress for Interview Success

You’ve landed an interview and now you’re struggling to decide what to wear. The old saying is true — perception is reality. Your first impression to a recruiter or employer can occur the moment you walk in the room. What you’re wearing can tell a lot about who you are, so it’s important to dress your best and present yourself appropriately.

Tips to dress your best

  • It’s always best to be overdressed than too casual. A well-fitting business suit is your safest and best bet.
  • Make sure you have your clothes cleaned and pressed.
  • Prepare your outfit the night before so you don’t waste valuable time the day of. Don’t be late!
  • Wear makeup and jewelry that are appropriate.
  • Avoid wearing strong perfume or cologne.
  • Make sure any facial hair is well-groomed — get a haircut if you need one.

Men’s Interview Attire 

  • Suit (solid color – navy or dark grey)
  • Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
  • Belt (that matches your shoe color)
  • Tie
  • Dark socks, conservative leather shoes

Interviewing Dos and Don'ts - Males

Women’s Interview Attire

  • Suit (solid color – navy or dark grey)
  • The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably.
  • Coordinated blouse
  • Conservative shoes

Interviewing Attire Dos and Don'ts - Females

Dress smart, get hired

A sharp suit alone isn’t going to get you the job, but your chances of getting a job are higher if you dress to impress. Having a well-prepared interview outfit shows that you care about yourself and can even reflect your job performance.

Paying attention to the little details can not only reflect your personality in your outfit, but can also transfer to how you handle tasks at work. You want the recruiter or hiring manager to take you seriously, so take the steps to take yourself seriously. Best of luck in your next interview! Have confidence, dress sharp, and adequately prepare yourself in order to get you to the next round.

 

Looking at connecting with recruiters or employers on LinkedIn? View our blog post, How To: Create the Most Effective LinkedIn Profile to revamp your profile before you connect.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

6 Things You Shouldn’t Put on Your Resume

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Resume (2)

Formatting your resume can be tough. Sometimes, it seems like there are a billion ways to create a resume and there’s really no right formula to do so. Although you should create a resume that best reflects you as a candidate for a position, there are things that could hurt you in your job search if they’re included.

You could be up against a handful of other candidates, so it’s important to make sure you take your time to take a hard look at your resume to remove any errors or inconsistencies. A resume is often an employer’s first impression of you, so you have to create a resume that stands out and doesn’t get tossed aside. Below, we’ll outline SIX elements that should NOT be included in your resume.

1. A list of references

When writing down a list of references or saying “references available upon request,” you’re wasting a valuable line of your resume. Unless an employer or recruiter specifically asks for you to list references on your resume, you should leave them off. If an employer wants to speak with your references, they will most likely ask you to provide that information separately.

2. Personal information

Don’t include things like your height, weight, marital status, and religious or political preferences on your resume. Not only is this irrelevant and inappropriate, it’s also illegal for an employer to ask this information in your interview. You should leave room for professional experience instead.

3. Pictures or images

A headshot or other pictures of yourself or work takes up valuable space on your resume to talk about past roles and experiences, but it’s also inappropriate. Including images on your resume makes it appear less formal. If you have work or projects that you’d like to showcase, prepare a portfolio that you can offer to show recruiters or employers in addition to your resume.

4. False information

Even when you’re trying to expand upon your experience, it’s important to keep it as true as possible. You don’t want to say you’re an expert at a certain software or platform, get hired, then not be able to use it in your new job. Be honest with recruiters or employers and let them know, “Hey, I’m not extremely proficient in using this software, but I’m willing to learn.”

5. Links to unprofessional content

Many individuals are beginning to create professional social media accounts on sites like Twitter and LinkedIn. If you’re tweeting or posting professional content that relates to your industry or the job you’re looking for, feel free to provide your Twitter handle or LinkedIn profile link on your resume. However, if you have a personal account that might have inappropriate pictures or content, it’s best to leave this off your resume.

and the biggest mistake of all…

6. Grammatical errors and typos

Always make sure you read and re-read your resume before you send it out. You can even ask other people to look over it for you to check things you missed. Grammatical errors will show an employer that you don’t pay attention to detail and could get you automatically rejected for a position. Also, make sure your contact information is correct. You’ll want the employer to be able to get in touch with you in the best way possible.

Ok, so what’s the big takeaway?

At the end of the day, creating a resume is all about presenting the best version of yourself. You want to include valuable information that will get you hired and keep off the things that won’t, because every inch of your resume is precious space. Recruiters and employers often look at hundreds of resumes a day. You don’t want to make a mistake that will get yours tossed in the trash. Pay close attention to detail and spend some time creating and perfecting your resume — it’ll be worth it in the long run!

 

You’ve perfected your resume and now it’s time for an initial phone interview. Check out our blog post for 5 Tips for Your Next Phone Interview! To apply for one of our latest IT or business positions, visit jobs.resolution-tech.com.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

5 Tips for Your Next Phone Interview

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TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT (2)

You’ve successfully made it through the resume submission, and now the company is interested in taking the next step by setting up a phone interview with you. A lot of people think that an interview over the phone is easier than face-to-face, but it’s important to take this step seriously in order to make it to the next round of the interview process. Below, we’ll outline 5 tips to help you be successful during your phone interview from start to finish.

1. Research the company and the interviewer

By looking at the company’s website and checking out your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile, you can be knowledgeable about recent happenings, latest awards, the company’s culture, and more. If you have a better understanding of how the company operates and performs, you’ll be able to better connect during your interview and show that you’re interested in joining their team. Spend an hour or so before your interview to familiarize yourself. Since it’s a phone interview, you can keep your laptop open in front of you to reference the company website or an interesting article.

2. Be ready to take the call

Plan to be ready for the call at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time in case the interviewer calls early. You don’t want to be caught off guard if you’re not in a private area. To make sure you have optimum reception, you may even consider taking the call from a landline instead of your cell phone.

3. Have the proper materials

Make sure to have a copy of your resume in front of you, as well as the job description and any notes and questions you have about the position. Your interviewer will have your resume and may ask you to walk them through your prior experience. By having your resume on hand, you’ll be able to answer questions with specific experiences that relate to the job you’re interviewing for.

4. Sell yourself in the best light

The last thing an employer wants to do is hire someone with a negative attitude. It’s important to avoid negative comments about a former job or an employer. The past is the past, so it’s important not to dwell in a bad experience or job.

Also, be sure to not exaggerate any of your technical experience. It’s important to be open and honest about your abilities or lack thereof. You could say, “I know what that is and know what it does, but I don’t have work experience with it. I would love the opportunity to learn it and have the ability to pick up new skills quickly.”

5. Ask the important questions

Allow the interviewer to run the interview and save your questions for the end. Don’t ask anything that you already know — salary, location, etc. Make sure you have a list of thoughtful questions about the position or the company. By asking questions that make your interviewer think, you show that you’re serious about your job search and finding a position that’s the best fit for you.

You’re ready!

Now that you have a few tips for your interview, you’ll be able to make a positive impression and move on to the next step of the interview process. Next steps typically include a face-to-face interview, technical aptitude screening, or even an offer if they think you’re the right fit for the job. Be prepared, keep a positive attitude, and answer every question to the best of your ability, and you could be on your way to a new position!

 

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

Career Guide

How To: Create the Most Effective LinkedIn Profile

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linkedin blog (1)

In the age of the Internet, social media is becoming a vital tool for finding your next job and networking with employers. The most powerful business networking tool out there right now is LinkedIn. With over 350 million users from 200+ countries, the networking possibilities are endless. In this blog post, you’ll learn why LinkedIn is important and how you can create the best profile to grow your personal brand.

personal branding (1)

Your personal brand is how you distinguish yourself against other candidates and relay to a potential employer why you’re the best for the job. Because your name is searchable on the Internet, your personal brand also reflects the information that’s available on search engines like Google and your social media profiles. In order to use this to your advantage, it’s important to build a LinkedIn profile that accurately reflects your personal brand.

LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to connect with other industry professionals, share content, join discussions, and create and build valuable business relationships. If you’re serious about building your personal brand and using social media to do so, LinkedIn must be a part of your social media mix. Let’s discuss some tips for creating the best LinkedIn profile to get you noticed by potential employers.

Key Elements of a Great LinkedIn Profile

  • Professional headline— Below your name, there’s room for you to create a tagline for yourself that will show up not only on your profile, but also on LinkedIn Search. You’ll want to include keywords that will make sure recruiters can find your profile when they search for professionals in your area. Here are some examples:
    • Software Developer at ABC Company
    • Sr. Network Engineer at Technology Corp.
  • Photo— Upload a professional headshot to make your profile stand out. Recruiters are more likely to view your profile if you have a photo. Make sure to use a photo that is business appropriate.
  • Background— Choose a creative background that reflects your personal brand. If you’re familiar with a Facebook cover photo, the LinkedIn background is very similar.
  • Contact info— Once people connect with you and are interested in your profile, they’ll need a way to contact you if they think you’d be a great candidate for their available position. There is a LinkedIn direct message feature, but there’s room on your profile to add your email, phone number, address, website, etc. Provide whatever information you’re most comfortable with sharing.
  • Showcase your work (adding media)— LinkedIn allows you to add elements of your portfolio for your connections to see. This is a great way to display documents, photos, presentations, or videos that you’ve created. By showing examples of your work, potential employers or recruiters can get a better understanding of the work you’ve done. You can even add your resume to your profile.
  • Recommendations— Have a previous manager or co-worker that knows a lot about your skill set and how great of an employee you are? LinkedIn allows you to request written testimonials that show up under the respective company or position. This has the potential to be one of the most powerful aspects of your profile.
  • Skill and endorsements— Adding skills to your profile showcases your strengths. It also creates keywords that recruiters and employers will find when they search your profile. Your connections can even “endorse” you for your skills. Here’s an example of the skills section:

Screen Shot 2015-06-05 at 11.16.30 AM

The number and photos correspond to your connections who have endorsed you for a certain skill.

Staying Active on LinkedIn

The name speaks for itself — if you’re going to create a LinkedIn profile, it’s important to be active and stay engaged. One of the best ways to build relationships and grow your network is by using the website’s “people you may know” section to find former classmates, coworkers, or others in your industry. You can also run an advanced people search and find alumni as search tools to add connections.

Joining groups is another way to stay active in your network. There are millions of groups for LinkedIn users varying from IT Professionals, Young Professionals, and Your Local Alumni Chapter. Groups exist to share content and ideas, as well as bring people together. You can even build your own group if you can’t find one you like. Within a group, you can participate in discussions about hot topics, ask questions, and even share your own content, like blog posts or your favorite articles. Which brings us to our next point…

Generating Original Content

LinkedIn used to be a platform to strictly make connections and search for jobs. It has now become more social and allows for users to share their own content. You can publish your own blog posts and become a thought leader in your industry. If you had something to share, you can share it on your own feed to your connections, as well as to groups you are a member of. This is a great way to showcase your expertise and show that you’re keeping up with the latest trends. You never know, someone could read your blog post and contact you about an available position. Just be sure to keep your content appropriate and professional. Publishing original content can lead to a stronger personal brand.

So, what’s the biggest takeaway?

We’ve shared a lot of information with you about creating a LinkedIn profile to build your personal brand. This will get you started, help you find connections, and allow you to gain valuable exposure in your network. However, the most important thing you can do to get noticed by recruiters and employers is STAY ACTIVE. Don’t let your profile just sit there and take up space in the LinkedIn world. Create a profile and then fill it with as much information as you can about yourself and your professional experience. Your LinkedIn profile serves as a visual resume, so use this to your advantage. You might just find your next career challenge if your profile is strong enough and used to its greatest potential.

 

Want to learn more about using social media in your job search? Check out our recent blog post to learn how!

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.

 

 

 

Career Guide

How To: Use Social Media In Your Job Search

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social media blog

Just a few years ago, finding a job was as easy as looking at a job board, submitting a resume, and waiting for a recruiter to pick up the phone and give you a ring. These days, that’s unfortunately not the case. It seems like everyone is on social media, from your co-workers to your great-aunt. While some may think it’s smart to avoid social media when looking for a new job, it’s becoming an important tool that connects job seekers with potential employers.

Not only can you use social media to learn more about a company’s culture, you can also use your social media presence to become more connected with your industry. In this post, we’ll outline the importance of social media in your job search, as well as the “do’s and don’t’s” of using social media to land your next job.

Why Use Social Media?

Employers are starting to recruit potential employees through social media platforms as a strategic tool over conventional job boards. By using the connections you have, you can utilize the networking aspect of social media to find jobs at specific companies or in geographic areas that most interest you.

Being online not only connects you with vast amounts of information, it can also open you up to a wide network of professionals. Networking is crucial to your job search — it’s all about who you know. By making connections, you’ll be able to showcase your expertise and skills to those in your network that can connect you to opportunities that may not otherwise be posted online.

Now, let’s talk about what’s right and what’s wrong when it comes to using social media to take the next step in your career.

Social Media DOs

  • DO set up a LinkedIn account if you haven’t already. LinkedIn is THE go-to social media platform for professionals. This website serves as a visual resume where you can upload your portfolio of past work and current projects, and it also allows you to connect to other professionals and see their profiles and experience. LinkedIn even suggests jobs that they think you’d be interested in. We’ll go into more detail about creating a LinkedIn profile in a later post, but the key is making sure your profile is complete. If you have an empty profile, you’re not using your profile to its full potential.
  • DO showcase your expertise in your industry. Join groups on sites liked LinkedIn for professionals that also work in your industry. Social media is all about interacting, so join group discussions about the latest trends and get engaged.
  • DO follow companies in your industry or others that you’re interested in. By following a company on social media and knowing what’s going on within the company, you’ll be able to speak to your knowledge of the company during an interview. This shows that you’re serious about working for them. Don’t be scared to tweet at them either — they just might respond!
  • DO share articles relevant to your industry on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. This shows potential employers and others in your industry that you’re engaged with the latest trends and will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening.

Social Media DON’Ts

  • DON’T post anything you wouldn’t want an employer to see. Everything you put online stays on the Internet forever, so be careful about what you post. Employers often hire third-party companies to perform a search of a candidate’s social media presence. Don’t post anything that could come back and haunt you later, especially photos of alcohol and wild parties.
  • DON’T create an account and let it sit there. Social networking involves interaction and attention. If you take the time to create a profile, make sure you devote some time to commit to being active and staying engaged. There are many powerful tools behind social media that will be wasted if you don’t take advantage them.
  • DON’T use a photo on your LinkedIn profile of you at the bar with your friends. If you’re going to use professional social networking, keep it professional. Again, what employers can see online speaks of your character and impacts your personal brand. Put on a button-up shirt or a dressy blouse for your photo that shows you clean up well.
  • DON’T talk badly about companies or other people on social media. Everyone’s watching what you say. Make sure to keep the content clean. If someone sees you bashing others online, that could reflect the kind of employee you could be in the workplace. It’s important to keep the content you post neutral, so be careful when posting about touchy subjects like religion or politics.

Social media can be a powerful tool when conducting your job search if used in the right way. If you take the time to set up a profile, build a network, and engage in conversations, you could find yourself presented with a job opportunity that you never thought you’d have.

 

Here at Resolution Technologies, we understand that serving our clients and consultants is what matters most and promise to never lose sight of that! We take the time to understand your individual needs through face-to-face interaction and strive to always make sure your objectives are met. Resolution Technologies is a full-service Information Technology Staffing firm offering flexible solutions for our clients ranging from contract, contract-to-perm, and direct perm placements. Whatever your needs are, we promise to provide unrivaled quality and service.