Everyday Networking Opportunities - Hallie Crawford

Everyday Networking Opportunities Watch my latest YouTube video where I discuss a USNews.com article that I was featured in about creative and alternative places that can be used as networking opportunities. In this video I give specific networking tips about how to make the most of your networking events. There are so many places we don’t even think of as networking opportunities. I’ve had clients get interviews at weddings through their in-laws, through their daycare provider, at sports viewing parties at bars and through friends who knew someone was going to be laid off before the company posted their job opening.  The bottom line is networking really can happen anywhere, as cliché as that may sound. If you’re in the job market, act professionally wherever you go. Put your best foot forward just in case. That doesn’t mean be stuffy, just be mindful of the impression you are making. Have some good icebreakers prepared for any networking event. What is something you can say to approach people and start a conversation? Have a way to gracefully exit a conversation as well. Even by simply closing things out with “It was great to meet you,” “Can we stay in touch?” or “May I follow up with you in a few weeks?”  Make  a plan for staying in touch with them so you design how you can best help each other in the long run. Read the USNews.com article here Certified Career Coach

Writing a Resume - How to Move Up In Amazon!

Writing a Resume - How to Move Up In Amazon!Writing a resume is not just the right thing to do, it is the key to finally being successful in today's 'high tech' environment. Successful people are able to manipulate the competition by using resume writing skills to move up the corporate ladder.Writing a resume has become more complex as there are hundreds of companies seeking new employees on an everyday basis. Now if you're a first time employer, you are looking at a long and complicated application process that could take months and requires extensive background checking. However, if you're trying to make your company stand out from the competition, by making a move up in the organization, then it is necessary to be proactive.Writing a resume is very important. As a recruiter or hiring manager, you are in a very unique position to help someone advance to the next level. The job market is extremely competitive and a resume that is well written will lead to a positive outcome in terms of the hire. There are numerous ways that one can try to generate interest in their resume, some of which include submitting to several high-profile job sites and using social media.One common resume approach is to use an E-mail address to write your resume. This is simply done by adding your resume link to the end of your mail to others who may have some interest in the position. You should be careful not to send resumes to everyone will either find it 'inappropriate' or they will not get it. Using email is also a great way to prevent future fliers from going to the trash.Remember not to overuse email. Use it as a way to build rapport with your new colleagues. Remember too, that sometimes people who are checking out resumes are actually seeing your old work and so your new resume could slip through the cracks. Although we've all seen the 'perfect' resume in an interview situation, they do not always portray the right image. Sometimes there are valid reasons for changes that may be out of your control. So be sure to make any changes through email if possible.Writing a resume should always be done in a professional and easy-to-read manner. It is a skill that will be passed down through the generations, so you don't want to be scolded in the past few generations for any errors. Unfortunately, there are some who put false resumes on job sites and the vast majority of these employees are never hired. Even worse, there are those who are fired just because they submitted a poor written resume.A quality resume writer will be able to outline your best skills, background and educational accomplishments. The resume should also include your personal life, career goals and strengths and weaknesses. Finally, an effective resume writer will also be able to go into the areas where you really need some assistance such as creating a list of accomplishments in your professional life that can be shown to prospective employers.

Do I Have to Change My Personality at Work

Do I Have to Change My Personality at Work Q: My HR manager has asked me on more than one occasion to be more personable. Are they allowed to do that? Can they really ask me to change my personality? Is it legal? I am not your stereotypical female who talks like a valley girl or in a high-pitched voice. I’m very professional but not rude, in my opinion. I don’t smile much at work. I’m straight and to the point. We had a customer call and complain that I was too dry over the phone and was rude and needed to be more courteous. My opinion is I was not rude. Maybe robotic is the word. Read More: My manager says I’m too abrupt with coworkers A: They are indeed allowed to ask you to use a different manner with customers and coworkers. If you think you sounded robotic, it’s not surprising that they’d ask you to change that. Companies usually don’t want to sound robotic when dealing with customers; they want to sound warm, friendly, and helpful. This post and this post may help. (And I’m sure it was probably just bad wording, but be careful about how you stereotype women there! Most women don’t sound like valley girls, and many of us are quite straightforward.) Read More: All the party planning in my office always falls to women Q: Employer requires women to be escorted to their cars My employer requires that female, and only female, employees have a male employee escort them to their car after their shift is over. I am a 40-year-old woman and have been threatened with being terminated for leaving without an escort who is younger than my own children. I am often times required to wait up to 45 minutes after my shift ends (and off the clock) before I’m allowed to go home. I would think it should be my choice when I could leave work after I am off duty. Please advise? Read More: My manager gave me critical feedback but no specifics A: Whoa, no, that’s not legal. Your employer can’t discriminate by sex, which it’s doing in subjecting you to different rules than men, especially a rule that’s causing you to have to stay at work longer (unpaid, no less!). Say this to your employer: “I don’t need an escort to my car, and I need to leave on time. Federal law prohibits us from treating women differently than men, and I know we don’t want to violate the law, so I’m leaving now.” If they push back, the EEOC might like to hear from you. These questions are adapted from ones that originally appeared on Ask a Manager. Some have been edited for length.