In this Internet age, it’s smart to have an online presence and there are easy – and safe – ways to do it.

One of the best sites is LinkedIn with more than 16 million users in the U.S. You can create a free professional profile where you control the content. Then your name and a link to your profile are indexed on the search engines like Google, Yahoo and others.  And because it’s known as a professional networking tool – unlike online job boards – you don’t have to worry that your boss will assume you’re job searching if or when they find your profile there. EBR has prepared an easy to follow guide for new LinkedIn users. Email us at info@EBRhrexperts.com for a free copy of our LinkedIn guide and to receive our newsletter.

LinkedIn is not the only site you should employ.  Create a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ that shows your accomplishments, where your strengths are, and what you can offer future employers.

Do you already have a Facebook or other social media page?  Take a critical look at them.  With the high costs of recruiting, training and retaining top talent – from entry level to senior executives – employers must be cautious about who they’re hiring. If a recruiter is considering two college seniors for the same position and she comes across an online profile for one of them that brags about rowdy parties and drunken escapades, she might think twice about that person – and will likely lean more toward the candidate who has a clean online profile – or none at all.

If there’s information on your personal webpage that you wouldn’t want your current or future boss to see, then change it and be choosy about who is allowed to post to your page in order to keep out questionable content.  If you Google yourself and find content you don’t like but can’t delete or change, be prepared to explain if asked.

Establishing your social media isn’t just about updating your Facebook page.  Most companies have a website of some kind these days.  Look up and like the pages of the companies you are interested in.  Many companies post their job openings on their websites, so make a habit of checking them every two or three days. Subscribe to Google Alerts so you can stay abreast of what’s happening with them and in the fields you are interested in.  LinkedIn has groups you can join that focus on different career fields, find some that seem interesting to you and ask to join.  And after you join, don’t just stalk around the edges of the group!

Have a plan for establishing your social media presence:  Create a relevant profile, actively network with others online, become known as a resource - answer questions, offer info about other relevant sites - give 4 times more than you get. It is not appropriate to ask these group members for a job, however.  If you get info about an opening, great, but don’t ask and put them on the spot. 

As well as LinkedIn, we recommend Indeed because it actively pulls job postings from other sites, which can give you an even broader overview of possibilities. 
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Successful job searches can take a while and they are work. The time you spend creating and maintaining your social media presence will be worthwhile and will bear fruit but limit your time on the computer. Job searching requires “in person” networking in addition to having an online presence. Don’t spend so much time online that you shut yourself off from the real world.

Negotiating your salary can be scary, but if you don't ask, you often won't get; and it turns out that negotiating is simpler than most people realize.  Not always easy mind you, but very simple.

Do you know that a majority of employers expect to negotiate?  That means that their first offer is not their best and you are leaving money on the table if you don't negotiate.   What if the employer you are talking with doesn't negotiate?  They will tell you that, and then you have to decide whether to accept their original offer.  But as long as you are negotiating well, it won't hurt to ask.

A good negotiation comes down to doing your research.  It doesn't matter what you made at your last job, how much your car payment is, or how much you want to make.  What does matter is the market value of the job that you are doing.  Finding that in the internet age is surprisingly simple.  There are a ton of sites that give salary ranges including Glassdoor.com, Salary.com and a recent addition, LinkedIn.com.  You can also look on industry specific sites and the Department of Labor.  

Don't forget to consider benefits when negotiating your salary.  Most will have a dollar value attached, and even those that don't will have value of some sort to you.

​Need help determining the specifics of your negotiation?  We'd love to talk.

2018 is officially here, and first quarter is traditionally a time of heavy hiring.  If you've been thinking about researching your employment options now is a great time to do so.

Figuring out how to get started is often the hardest part, so here are some basic tips for getting started.  Have specific questions, let us know.

• Start by setting a goal.  Why are you looking?  Is it for more money?  More flexibility? Better benefits?  A different culture?  If you haven't defined what you are looking for, finding it will be difficult if not impossible.
• Build your dream job.  Figure out what that looks like and write it down!  Writing it down is important because it helps to organize your thoughts.  Some things to consider include:  pay, location, industry, benefits, travel, and daily tasks.  Be specific and don't worry about how reasonable your desires are when putting this together.  That will come later.
• Update your resume.  It should be focused to your dream job.  And remember, your resume is a brochure, not a catalog.  You don't have to include everything.  Keep it relevant.
• Create a game plan.  Filling out online applications will only get you so far.  While I do recommend you spend some time doing that (I like Indeed and LinkedIn), you need to spend time searching off line as well.  Who can you reach out to within your family, friends and colleagues?  Research companies that meet your requirements and find out who you know that can help you get your foot in the door.  Update your LinkedIn profile.  Network, network, network. 
  
• Get started.  As much as creating a plan helps, don't get stuck in it.  Get to work and adjust as necessary
  

Happy Hunting! 

The lines between appropriate and inappropriate business attire have become so “fuzzy” these days that it’s hard to know what to do.

Business casual can mean five different things to five different managers. Here are some pointers that can help you navigate these tricky waters.

• · Dress for the job you want. Old but extremely sound advice; but even if you know that tennis shoes and jeans are OK where you plan to apply, you should still kick it up a notch for an interview.
• · Your shoes should be made of leather, and don’t forget to polish them, little details can make a big difference.
• · Smart (usually black) trousers are great for men or women. When you can, buy a well- made pair. Good quality clothes are timeless and last much longer.
• · Dressing for success doesn’t stop at the interview! What you wear can affect how others perceive you and how they treat you.

Good grooming is essential for a successful interview. Although how you dress depends on what you are applying for, it is essential that you come in looking neat, tidy and well dressed.

For women, it is important that both your neckline and your hemline be appropriate: avoid short dresses and low-cut revealing necklines. With a bright colored dress it is even more important that it cover you appropriately.

Both men and women want to be sure they are well groomed. Having a nice hair style, clean polished nails and a fresh face can make a huge difference.

​Many things can influence getting hired or promoted, but your clothes and grooming are things that you can easily change and improve

You get called into the bosses office and given a choice.  Quit, or be fired.  So which is the better choice?
This scenario is far more common than it should be, but the right answer isn't universal.  As with so many employment situations, it depends.
Why are you being separated? If you've had multiple conversations with your manager about your performance, termination could be the next step.  Is the company you work for being bought out, or going bankrupt, or undergoing major management changes?  
Before you make the decision to resign or wait until you get fired, know these things:

• Do you have an employment contract?
• Would you be eligible for rehire?
• Will you be eligible for unemployment compensation?
• Is there a severance package if you are terminated?

If you have decided to wait until you are fired, remember that you will be asked why you were terminated during your future job interviews. It's hard, but telling the truth is always the better route.
As always, my advice pertains to Texas and Federal law. Before making a personal decision, you must weigh the facts of your situation.
~ Krystal Yates

You've been job hunting for a while, but you can't get any traction.  How do you figure out why?  Most job seekers come to me for help with their resume, but what if your resume isn't your problem?
Perhaps you are a little out of touch with the most modern ways to make yourself stand out in your job search. 
Are you getting phone calls?  If you are getting initial phone calls, or even interviews, but the search is stalling there then your resume isn't the problem.  Your interview skills are.  Find someone to practice with and see if you can figure out where the problems lie.  Try having a friend interview you, or attend a job seeker group for practice.  Of course, you can always purchase some one on one time with a professional as well.
Are you applying non stop but not hearing from employers?  In this case, it might be your resume, or it might be that you are applying for positions that you are not qualified for.  Make sure your resume reflects your ability to do the job you are applying for.  Use a cover letter when applying online, and network your way to the hiring manager when possible.

Some other things to consider during the job search:
Can a potential employer find you on the internet?  In addition to being found on a search for your name, you also want to be found when a recruiter is looking for someone with your skillset and accomplishments.  This is also a good time to make sure there isn't anything out there that you wouldn't want your next employer to see.  Your entire online image needs to be professional.
Do you have a poor Linked In profile?  Do you even have a LinkedIn profile?
LinkedIn offers an opportunity to showcase your accomplishments as well as demonstrate that you understand  how business is done these days.  I can help you with refining your LinkedIn profile.
Are you using the internet to prepare for job interviews?
Google the company where you will be interviewing.  Look at the CV's of the management team to see if you have anything in common such as service clubs, alma maters, etc.
What are the company's vision and values? Use what you learn to ask questions about the company, show that you have done your homework,

You have been employed at this company for quite a while and feel that your pay is no longer commensurate with the position.  Pay increases are not on a scheduled basis. How and when do you go about asking for a raise?  
Do your homework:
Has the company been doing well enough that a pay raise could reasonably be requested?  Have you recently completed a difficult assignment, or taken on more responsibility?
After deciding that you really have earned an increase, write and rehearse an agenda:
List your accomplishments, mention if your responsibilities have increased, additional tasks you have taken on, and projects you have headed successfully.  You might want to consider typing up and printing a copy for your boss so they can look it over and discuss with other supervisors if needed.
Dress the part:
Looking polished and professional can't hurt, and will help you feel more confident.
Have other options up your sleeve:
A rejection could make an opportunity to make another proposition.  Work from home one day a week, a new mobile phone or laptop for work, attend a conference or industry event you are interested in - your boss may be more likely to say yes to a smaller request if he has to say no to a big one.
Don'ts:

• ask via email (you can schedule the meeting by email, but the request needs to be in person)
• ask at a high stress time
• give an ultimatum unless you are willing to lose the job
• use information about colleagues salaries as the reason you should get a raise
• supply too much information - personal financial issues, other life problems do not need to be disclosed and should not be a part of the decision making process

​"You might be told no" says Marianne Adoradio, a career counselor in Silicon Valley, "But even if you don't get an immediate raise, asking - appropriately - might still be beneficial.  You're displaying professionalism, assertiveness and initiative.  It shows you won't be taken advantage of."

Behavioral interview questions are becoming increasingly more popular in interviews.  They are an easy way to get a feel for how an employee will act on the job. And yet, most candidates are stumped when asked a behavioral question.

What is a behavioral interview question?  Most behavioral questions start with "Tell me about a time when", but any question asking for a specific example of how something has been handled is considered behavioral.

Why are they asked?  Common psychology says that if you did something a particular way in the past, you are likely to do it that way again in the future.  So if I ask you to tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client, or when you had to make a difficult decision, I'm trying to learn how you work through problems.  

How should you answer? There is no one right answer to a behavioral question.  Be truthful, and try to be specific.  Plan ahead by coming up with five or six work stories.  If you cannot think of a work example, look at school or volunteer experience.  If those don't exist, consider personal examples.  If all else fails, tell the interviewer how you think you would handle the situation.

S.T.A.R.  S.T.A.R. stands for Situation Task Action Result.  If you tell your story using these four points, it will help to ensure you have covered all of the relevant information.  Situation:  background, set the scene.  Task or Target: when, where, who, what were the specifics.  Action:  what action did you take, skills did you use.  Result: what was the outcome of the situation.

Plan ahead.  Google behavioral interview questions (or reach out to us for a common list) and write out your answers using the STAR method.  You don't want to memorize the answer word for word, but if you know your story ahead of time, and remember a few key words, you will be ready to answer most behavioral questions.

The dreaded statement at the end of an interview:  "Do you have any questions for me?"  We all know we are supposed to ask questions, but what?

Most job seekers know that questions about pay and benefits aren't appropriate at this stage, but what else should you ask?

Now is a great opportunity to dig into the specifics of the job.  My favorite question - that is appropriate for just about any interview - is "Why did this position open up?".  If there has been high turnover, why?  Have the last few people been promoted?  That means there is good opportunity for advancement.  Is it a new position?  The company appears to be growing.  While there is no right answer to this question, it can tell you something about the culture.

Can you describe the company culture to me?  Or, What is a typical day like here?  Or, If you were to hire me, what would be my top priority for the first 90 days?  Take the opportunity to dig deeper into the position and the organization.  The hiring decision is a two way street and you should have as much information as you need to determine if this is an organization you want to work for.

And finally, always ask what the next steps are so you will know if and when to follow up.  
​~Krystal Yates~