Online Career Tips

By J. Mason
Online Career Tips

Unless you’re in Human Resources you may not know why a co-worker was fired or laid-off. Don’t let the gossip give you the wrong impression, if you see value in a professional connection then get in touch with them after they’ve departed.

You should always be trying to expand your network through personal connections, co-workers, industry experts, and previous work experience. It’s almost like making a friend. You test the waters through trust, and it’s a give and take. If they’re out of work and you know of an open position you share it with them, and vice versa. You learn things from one another. So, if you’re unsure of whether you should friend them on Facebook after they’ve cleaned out their desk noodle on these questions first:

1. Do they have experience in your industry as it pertains to your current, or projected career?
2. Have they worked for several companies with good track records?
3. Did you learn anything valuable from their work at your company?
4. Are they a value adder, or strategist?
5. Are they very social?

Remember, your goal here is enhance your network with quality, not quantity. They can be a value add to the future of your career, or at the very least give you an outsider’s perspective.

Not sure where to find them? LinkedIn is a good start. Most professionals have a presence on this social network, and it’s a good way to relay information. Send a request there and start chatting. Take heed though if the person was let go because of ethical, or controversial issues.

One of the most overlooked activities in searching for a job is creating personal connections with recruiters. You can accomplish this by calling or sending an e-mail directly to a recruiter, showing you’re interested in a position. Do it within a day after you apply for a job on the company’s Web site. It greatly increases the chance that your resume will be reviewed and that you’ll get called in for a job interview. Don’t forget to mark down you who you contacted and when. And for an extra step, if the company has a twitter feed, follow them to see if there are any updates or changes in the company.

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Who do you look up to at work? We all have that one person in the office that we look at and think, “gosh, they’re so smart!” Instead of admiring from afar, reach out to your “work idol” and ask if they can mentor you.

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For some of the more busy folks, you can ask to shadow them when they’re working on specific projects or at speaking events. Utilize that time to watch their demeanor, and take notes if you can. Write down how their body language presents to people, how they handle tough questions and situations, and how they brainstorm and present new ideas. You can also make a list of what you’re hoping to gleam from the experience, that way your mentor can capitalize on your time together.

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