No one had leads.

I searched within a 50 mile radius and came up with very little posted opportunity in his field. I logged into my contact database and made a few calls. No one wanted to seriously discuss underemployment opportunities with someone who had a VP title for the past decade.

Ouch.

We talked about the possibility of relocation and to where he might be willing. It didn’t seem very appealing to him. Then we talked about transferable skills and what they might be molded into and marketed as. There was a very solid and well established focused career here and under the circumstances it wouldn’t be easy to convince someone he wanted to try something different — they would see he was camouflaging. We talked about doing independent consulting.

There didn’t seem to be much enthusiasm for that.

I checked out his LinkedIn profile and offered some suggestions for an updated summary. I gave him some tips about participating in Q&A and using it to gain positive attention and cast a wider net, about using it to search jobs because it will show who he has connections to at those companies that have openings he might be interested in.  I talked about applying through the front door and networking through the back door.

It would be a great use of the newly found time he has to do some industry research by launching a poll and then writing about the findings. Good reason to have a blog. A Posterus is simple to set up, has great SEO optimization and the RSS feed could be imported to his LinkedIn profile.

It mentioned might be helpful to read company blogs based in the region he wishes to work in, check out company announcements in the local media for promotions and new hires to get a handle on who vacated a position, who was hired into a new one and where a vacancy might be left… You know, I always have to throw in some Special Agent tactics…

He thanked me for my time, reminded me I had a copy of his résumé in front of me and that I was free to send it out. I let him know this might take some time but that being methodical and consistent in his approach would eventually pay off.

He walked away with notes, seemingly a bit more on target with a strategy. Yet, I didn’t exactly sense urgency — perhaps because this life event was so new and he is still stunned. I didn’t sense much energy – perhaps because what happened is not generally viewed with a glass half full attitude by middle-aged executives who lose their job, face a job market in an industry that is excruciatingly tight and really weren’t looking for the unwanted excitement of change to begin with.

I’m very confident it will turn around for him, eventually — with a lot of hard work and strategy.

P.S. In the meantime, I look forward to a great white paper based on his linkedin research in the messy banking industry.

I decided to put a spin on the event to provide added value.

You see, we have local chapters of some great professional associations that many of us belong to, but the truth is that HR, Recruiters (corporate and 3rd party), Workforce Development Pros, Employment Specialists and College Career Services, we never get together across disciplines to meet one another and network. It seems it’s always for a meeting, seminar or conference and it’s difficult in those environments to find time to establish rapport, build relationships and learn how we can help one another.

And, we can improve how we work together and share best practices and resources… we can have fun doing it too.

So, won’t you join me and the other enthusiastic employment professionals who have already jumped on this incredible opportunity for networking and a cash bar? You are welcome and encouraged to forward this invitation to your network – to your co-workers, peers, colleagues, bosses, reports, wherever they may be – if they can crawl, walk, drive, fly or row in they will be most welcome!

Join us Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at River Grille in Plains on the deck overlooking the river.

Please RSVP and if there is something you would like to add to the event, don’t hesitate to let me know!

It’s been a long time since Max had to look for a job. In fact, last time he did, social networking didn’t yet exist. He is PC savvy and his computer use over the years was mainly work related, Internet searches for information, etc. Max heard networking via LinkedIn could help him so he created an account a year ago and has connected with a dozen or so people he knows. Max joined a couple of local groups and participates in some discussions.

It’s not working…

Here are some of the things I suggested Max could do to improve his LinkedIn-Ability:

1. Be a completer — if you can’t complete your own profile how are you going to complete work?
2. Let people know you are a job seeker in the “profession” field  –> Administrative Assistant Seeking New Opportunity.
3. Sell yourself in your summary — just like employers post job ads you should create a job search ad there
4. Use Google Presentations or Box.net to post your resume, work samples, etc.
5. Join groups, ask and answer questions –> network
6. You can join 50 groups — they’re free — why would you belong to 5? Oh, they all have job boards =)
7. Search companies you are interested in and network with employees.
8. Network with ex-employees — they have nothing to lose so they TALK and they stay in touch with friends so they know what’s going on.
9. Write some sincere recommendations and chances are you’ll receive some.
10. Search jobs and see who your contacts are that have a relationship there.

Are you 10 for 10 in LinedIn-Ability? Share your tips here so others can learn from you!

Hello. I am a fellow open networker and I was wondering if we could connect. I would really appreciate if you could send me an invitation since I am running out. By connecting with me you will gain almost a million 2nd and 3rd degree connections. I also promise you that I won’t send you any spam.

I love LinkedIn — I’m all about helping others too and as a fellow open networker here is the reply I sent. I figured why just let that person see it when it could help others?

I appreciate your interest in becoming one of my LinkedIn contacts, and yes, I am a fellow open networker. Please indulge me by allowing me to share an immensely more etiquette proficient and effective way of engaging potential contacts.

Promising more contacts is not a hook… especially for someone who already has a lot of them. Especially another recruiter. A good recruiter knows how to reach most anyone.

I would be happy to accept you as a contact but not on my own invitation.. You’re asking me to work, to send you an invite — I don’t know you or have reason to. Open networker means I accept invitations not acept invitations to send invitations..

If you would like to be my contact find out how to make that happen through one of the 5 groups we are both members of or wait till next month when you’ll have more invitations to send.

Please don’t take this the wrong way.. Consider it networking skill building free advice.

Karla

I was intrigued when I saw the call via social media for area experts to talk about Intern and entry-level opportunities in their cities, regions and MSA’s. I’m focused on creating The Greatest Internship on Earth in 2010 so how could I not want to promote the great place I live and work in and everything it has to offer?

Come Recommended Comes to Your City is a new podcast series produced by Heather Human, Founder & President of Come Recommended. Heather walks the talk too with a fine team of Interns and entry-level professionals who work on something near and dear to me, matching talent with opportunity.

During each episode, a member of the Come Recommended staff interviews a local expert about his or her city, addressing questions like:

• Overall, what are three words you would use to describe the internship and entry-level job market in your city?
• What would you say are the flagship industries of your city?
• Can an entry-level professional or intern live comfortably in your city based on their industry’s average salary?
• What networking opportunities are available in your city?

It was my pleasure to answer these and other questions today when Come Recommended Comes to Your City came to northeastern PA.

Thanks Heather & Team!