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Managing your career

Manage Your Career

Job Seekers Should Expect More From Us

I had an epiphany this morning related to people in career transition. I have been counseling people in transition for many years and have written several articles on job search strategy. My epiphany (or firm grasp of the obvious?), is that I rarely read or hear anything about how to effectively help people looking for a new job. The interview coaching, resume writing, networking, social media, psychology of job search articles abound, but there is very little helpful information or guidance on what you and I can do to help job seekers.

Script Ideas for LinkedIn when reaching out via InMail

One of the biggest challenges I hear from people about using LinkedIn is “What do I say when I reach out to people?” To alleviate that issue, I have developed scripts to be used when communicating via InMail on LinkedIn. These scripts have been tried and work effectively to solicit a response from who you are trying to reach.

Job Search Land Mines

I am an observer. People fascinate me and I enjoy listening to their stories, challenges and triumphs. As managing partner of Bell Oaks Executive Search, I have interviewed and spoken with thousands of individuals in career transition over the last 10 years. These interactions, along with my other experiences in executive search, have helped me develop a firm opinion about the obstacles that often deter people from landing a new job. Let’s call these obstacles land mines. The image in your minds right now is probably of someone stepping on a hidden explosive device buried in the ground. In a job search, there are an endless series of land mines, often of our own making, which prevent well-intended candidates from reaching their goal of a new career opportunity.

Practical LinkedIn 2.0

I wrote the first version of this article well over a year ago. Much has changed in the world of social networking with the explosive growth of Twitter and Facebook and it is clear that how we build personal and business connections is ever evolving. In my view the best tool for connecting business people is still LinkedIn. It focuses on connecting business professionals and doesn’t bore you with the minutiae of Twitter or the more social, casual focus of Facebook although both are gaining popularity among recruiters to find candidates.

Job Search 101: A Tool Kit for Job Seekers

Based on interviews with literally thousands of job candidates, author Randy Hain shares the collective wisdom and experience of the partners and consultants at Bell Oaks on how to effectively manage a job search through four phases: Losing Your Job & Starting Your Search; Building A Network; Interviewing; and Negotiating an Offer & Landing a Job.

Connecting … The Forgotten Art of Social Interaction

First and foremost, this is not another article on networking. Most business people have been inundated by countless tips on how to meet people and exchange business cards. This is also not an article on building relationships. I’m talking about the often-overlooked, elemental skill you need before you can form a true relationship or become adept at productive and meaningful networking … the forgotten art of connecting.

Keys to a Successful Interview
How often do you get a first chance to make a great impression? More importantly, how often will that opportunity materially affect where you work, where you live, who you interact with, how much you earn and the general course of your life? There are very few experiences in your professional career like an employment interview.

Counteroffer Acceptance: Road to Career Ruin

The litany of horror stories I have come across in my years as an executive recruiter, consultant and publisher, provides a litmus test that cldearly indicates counteroffers should never be accepted … EVER!

Sample Resignation Letter
A sample resignation letter that you may customize and send to your current employer. Remember to keep it short and professional.