LinkedIn is the largest professional social media platform. It’s a great way to stay in touch with colleagues past and present, as well as a terrific place to look for that next gig. However, LinkedIn is definitely all about business and is not the place to post your “Red Solo Cup” pictures.

Like most professional groups, LinkedIn has an understood etiquette that members should follow. Not following it can get you ostracized from the group. Here are some of our top tips for making sure you remain in good standing.

1. LinkedIn isn’t a popularity contest.
LinkedIn is about building your professional network. Be purposeful in how you connect with people. Don’t just randomly connect with people that you have no affiliation. Always be professional. If you ask someone to make an introduction for you, take the time to explain why you would like the introduction. Remember, your connection is putting their reputation on the line to make the introduction for you.

2. Don’t use InMail to spam other users.
No one likes spam. And if you are indiscriminately emailing people, you are spamming them. Sending out copy/paste InMail messages to your professional connections or fellow group members is the quickest way to sever relationships.

3. Don’t abuse your connections’ email addresses.
This seems like a no-brainer, but it happens over and over again – do not (I repeat: DO NOT) abuse the email addresses of your LinkedIn connections by subscribing them to your newsletter or signing them up for whatever it is you’re trying to sell… unless you want to make yourself appear downright inconsiderate and tacky. If that’s your goal, then by all means – spam away.

4. Don’t treat LinkedIn like Facebook.
This should be obvious: don’t post anything on LinkedIn that you wouldn’t put in a cover letter to your future boss. Unfortunately, there are an alarming number of people on LinkedIn who use inappropriate pictures as their head shot. Leave the bar pics, bikini shots, and pics of you cuddling your newborn or pet cat for Facebook. When in doubt, have a friend take a head shot of you dressed professionally and standing in front of a solid background. Oh, and for heaven’s sake, use your legal name – not your unprofessional nickname.

5. Don’t treat LinkedIn like Match.com.
Newsflash: LinkedIn is NOT a dating service and using the site to hound people for dates is not OK. An alarming number of people have indicated they’ve have been propositioned on LinkedIn. There are plenty of dating sites on the internet – and LinkedIn is not one of them.
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6. Don’t abuse recommendations.
Would you put down someone you’ve never met as a personal reference on a job application? I have had people I’ve never met (never even heard of!) ask me for a recommendation. Too often people solicit everyone they’ve ever encountered for recommendations. A good rule of thumb is this: if you wouldn’t put someone down as a reference on a job application, you probably shouldn’t ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation.
 
With a little common sense and forethought, you can use LinkedIn to promote your personal brand and help you advance your career. Just remember to treat it professionally and don’t publish anything that you wouldn’t put on your resume. With that as your guideline you are sure to keep in everyone’s good graces.

What exactly is a headhunter?  A headhunter either works for the company (usually called a recruiter) or a headhunter works for themselves on a commission basis recruiting specifically requested types of employees for a company.  Some facts about headhunters:

• They probably don’t understand what you do for a living or what is involved in the job they are recruiting for.
• They scan the first page of your resume - that’s why using those key words involved in your industry is important and why you don’t need to write down every little thing you’ve ever done.
• They won’t tell you why you were rejected, and they won’t present you to prospective employers more than twice.
• They won’t tell you if you don’t make a good presentation.
• An experienced headhunter can search more efficiently for jobs than you can. Their goal is to match you with a job.
• Headhunters charge the employer - not you - so they are not invested in your job search at all.  Although this is mostly true, there are headhunters who do charge the job seeker - be careful.

Beware of a job that sounds too good to be true - it probably is.  Due diligence is your responsibility.

UniversalClass.com’s definition of a career coach is “a person who is committed to helping clients find their own success.”  A career coach is much like a traditional coach: someone who takes the time to give the client the tools needed to succeed, but then stands on the sidelines to watch how the person uses those tools and cheer them on.

A career coach will help you with the basics such as resumes and cover letters, but they go deeper with you. They’ll ask you why you want to change jobs, what work you are looking for, what you want to achieve in your work life, and what you’ve done so far in your job search.  As your coach, they will talk to you about the things you can do to be successful in your job search, and they will tell you what you need to stop or avoid doing as well.  Good coaches are honest and direct.  If, in their opinion, you are not qualified for a position you want to apply for, they’ll tell you, tell you why, and work with you to determine the qualifications you need. 

A coach will help you practice interviews, help you write and critique your “elevator speech,” and coach you through your first efforts at networking.  A career coach will teach you how, not do it for you.

When should you think about hiring a career coach? 

• When you have been looking for a while - sending out 1 zillion resumes and not getting any interviews
• When you wish you had a different job, but don’t know anything about how to go about getting one
• When the idea of networking scares you to death
• When you haven’t been to a job interview in 10 years

​The big difference between a career coach and a headhunter is that a headhunter will just find you a job, and a career coach will help you decide what kind of work you really want and then work with you until you find it. It takes time to find the right job.  It takes patience as well as work on your part. Making an informed choice on who to ask for help is an important step in the right direction.

Networking as a job seeker is about making genuine contacts and building long term relationships with other people who can either help you find a job directly or connect you with others who can. 
 
There are two types of networking: Informal - this can be done almost anytime you talk to someone, casually mentioning that you are looking for a job can be a great conversation starter - and Formal -  this involves going to business specific social events, meetings, or associations. Often there are others there who are also networking. If you think you will have trouble “stepping out there” during face-to-face conversations, you can always start your formal networking online via job forums and career networking websites as well as social media platforms. The key to successful networking is to make sure that you treat all your networking contacts with genuine appreciation and professional respect. 

In person, face-to-face networking can be hard to begin with. Start slow, schedule at least two or three events a month, and find groups that you want to join and build relationships through the monthly meetings. Most hiring managers will look at the resume of someone who has been referred long before one that comes in among the big blob of online applicants. That is why developing relationships is so important.
Networking is a two-way street.  It’s important that you make yourself available as a potential resource for other network members when they are looking for a job or they ask you for help.  Give help at least four times as much as you get help. 

How do you start a conversation?  How do you get the information about yourself across to someone before their eyes glaze over and they start nodding uncomfortably?  Start by saying “Hello, my name is………….  How are you today?”  You’ll always get an answer.  Another good question is “What brings you here today?”  If they say, “networking because I am looking for a job,” Bingo! A fellow sufferer, and you can go from there!  People you meet should remember you and what you do, the best way to achieve this in a short amount of time is to have an “elevator speech” ready.

An “elevator speech” is a 30 second commercial selling yourself. Think about introducing yourself to someone you see in the elevator - how much time do you have to talk before the door opens? You should prepare one as soon as you decide to go job-hunting.  Short and sweet, it very briefly describes who you are, what you do, and if you are introducing yourself to a potential employer, why you are the perfect candidate.  Practice it in front of someone who will give you genuine feedback, then practice until it sounds natural!

Lou Adler, CEO of the Adler Group, says that 85% of critical jobs are filled via networking of some sort.  Networking starts building relationships and being different. Considering that most jobs come through personal connections, building your network should be a high priority on and off the job search.
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Networking takes time and relationships won’t develop overnight, so be patient. By making a point of consistently meeting new people, you will learn from others about your industry, profession, and the companies you’re interested in.

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,