LinkedIn -As we’ve mentioned 1000 times before LinkedIn is a great way to identify and connect with who’s who in the zoo. LinkedIn provides you with you access to detailed ‘work related’ information about almost any organisation or individual –this allows you be strategic when deciding who you want to connect with.

Unfortunately, you can’t hide behind your Mac Book forever – yes social media and email are a great way to connect, but you can’t effectively network from your desk. If you really want to build a relationship, you have to meet face-to-face.  Touching base for a coffee or introducing yourself at an industry event is a great way to move from the virtual to the real, setting yourself apart from the rest.

Forget you’re networking -whether you’re at an industry event or in line for that much needed flat white at 8am –when you strike up a professional conversation with someone, make sure you’re present. Thinking about how this new relationship may develop and become of importance to you/your career/business can distract you from what’s happening NOW.

Your elevator pitch is important –To refresh your memory on what your elevator pitch is see here. When you’re networking there is always an opportunity to sell your personal brand, in a short and sweet way of course. So it always pays to be prepared with a punchy message that ‘sells’ what you’re offering.

There you have it, a few tips to ensure you’re well on the way to be a stellar networker! 

Ok well, I cant quite keep it under 140 but I was close.  Check out this recent article in the Wall Street Journal about how a tweet has become the new elevator pitch!

Enjoy 

GXY Search

Here at GXY Search we receive some amazing resumes from our candidates. Job seekers are getting innovative to ensure that they catch the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. These two approaches certainly impressed us! 

QR codes

QR codes are popping up everywhere. These are the small, square bar-code looking images that you’ve no doubt seen in magazines, on billboards and even business cards. If you’re applying for a technologically savvy position, consider using a QR code to direct the hiring manger to your resume. 

Infographics

If you’re applying for a creative role, an infographic is effective way to demonstrate your artistic flare. Infograohics are too simplistic to cover in depth details; however they are a great way to highlight your skills and qualifications. 

So what are you doing to ensure your resume gets noticed? We’d love to hear!

So you’ve applied for a role online that you’re perfectly suited for but you’re worried that you resume will end up in a black hole! Should you reach out directly to a contact at the organisation?  As always the answer is it depends -on the person, the company and the list goes on.

We recommend you only reach out if the job is a realistic fit for you. If you use this tactic time and time again for roles that you’re not qualified for you will not be taken seriously. You also need to ensure that you’re contacting the appropriate person in the organisation –LinkedIn is a great help!

There are a few different ways to reach out -

You can follow up your application with a phone call, alerting the company that you’ve sent through you resume and are looking forward to hearing back from them demonstrates that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

You can also send the recruiter or relevant contact an email –the body of the email should essentially be a short version of your cover letter with your resume attached.

You may also want to reach out on LinkedIn –if you do ensure that your profile is an accurate and detailed reflection of your resume. If the person accepts your request, you can send them a message via LinkedIn or they may list their email work address in which case you can email them direct

You can only hope for the best, some people will get back to you and others won’t, but at least you put yourself out there!

Enjoy GXY Search 

It’s not always easy to ask for help when you’re on the job hunt. For most it becomes a tossup between whether you put the word out (at the risk of your current employer finding out) vs keeping it under wraps (and fumbling along in the dark).

There is often stress and anxiety associated with the recruitment/selection process -so we prefer to wait to share the good news (once we’ve landed the role)! However, it’s this period –when you’ve made the decision to pursue a new career opportunity, but haven’t landed a new role– where you often require the most support.

Check out The Prepary’s latest article on how to ask for help in your job search here!

Enjoy,

GXY Search 

Did you set yourself a goal to ‘Reboot’ your career in 2013?  If you’re anything like us here at GXY Search, chances are all of your New Years resolutions turned pear shaped around Feb (at a stretch) and now that it’s March they’re long forgotten!!

We’d like to help you get back on track – We’re excited to reveal that we’ve recently launched Reboot YOU, a career navigation tool that will help you take action and pursue a career that you LOVE!!

Reboot YOU is completed online via video streaming and is comprised of 7 modules –each of which include insights, activities and video clips. As an introductory offer Reboot YOU is only $250 (AUD) to find out more click here. 

We cant wait to Reboot YOU!!

x

We’ve all heard it a million times before; clarity equals success. People will always tell you if you want to want to achieve anything in life you need to be clear about your goals and maintain a clear vision on your journey towards them.

You need to weed out what’s important to you, what you’d give up anything for…

The reason so many people fail to realise their full potential in a career they love is they are too vague about what their personal goals are and how to fulfill these.  You’ll often hear people say “I want to make a difference in the world” – that’s great; but how? Doesn’t everyone want to make a difference? Make your goals specific.

So what can you do this week to gain clarity and ‘Reboot’ your career?

1. Make a list of your unique talents – what can you do better than anyone else?
2. Write a list of every skill you’ve gained in your career
3. Uncover your passions – what makes you tick? 

Once you gain an understanding of the above you’ll be able to grow so long as you don’t ever think you’re not worthy of your visions!

Enjoy 

GXY Search

Given that it’s Valentines day today, we thought it was fitting to write a blog about PASSION (at work)!!

Passion can be defined as a spark, a potent but temporary dose of inspiration injected into your bloodstream.  It is undoubtedly what motivates us, makes us feel inspired and above all is unique to YOU.  The average Aussie spends almost 2/3 of their life working, so it makes sense to LOVE what you do.  

As a society we tend to believe that only the select few are lucky enough incorporate passion in our professional life.  However here at GXY Search, we have a different perspective.  We believe that it’s as simple as identifying what makes you tick and finding a way to incorporate these aspects  into your role AND personal life! Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes YOU happy!

Enjoy,

GXY Search

Many of us make similar career choices –tertiary education is the ‘default’ next step after finishing high school. Rather than pursuing a course of study that will land us a role that we LOVE, we select a particular course of any number of reasons –our friends are doing it, it sounds interesting, our parents have a similar career path…the list goes on.  After university, we end up in a role that’s a logical next step, and we passively progress throughout our careers.

The issue???  We fail to consider our priorities, strengths, passions and personality preferences! Although there is no one ‘right’ career for you, there are definitely roles that align with your key drivers! If alarm bell have started ringing, it’s time to Reboot YOUr career and start making conscious decisions that take YOU into consideration.

Enjoy,

GXY Search

The New Year is a great time to ‘Reboot’ your career! Unsure where to start? The co-founder of The School of Life Roman Krznaric has written a great 12 month guide to help you take action and pursue a career that you love. Check out his article here http://careers.guardian.co.uk/change-career-month-year-guide

Enjoy, GXY Search

Photo Credit -Lucy Feagins/The Design Files