Ever want to ask a Recruiter, HR Professional or Hiring Manager a question to gain further insight on how to better position yourself in the job market?  Well now’s your chance.

We have an extremely knowledgeable network of Professionals that we consistently turn to in an effort to better understand what industry professionals are thinking.  This “Sound-Boarding is invaluable to really gain a pulse on what’s going on behind the scenes.

Have a question you’d like to get some feedback on?  Email us at asktheexperts@careertrinc.com and we’ll get it out there and post the results right here.

RECENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

Resumes with photos .. thoughts?
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/hiring-human-resources/staffing-recruiting/HRH_SFF/812415-4513624?browseIdx=0&sik=1301413654706&goback=%2Eamq

Reviewing Resumes- how much time on average recruiters spend reviewing a resume?
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/hiring-human-resources/staffing-recruiting/HRH_SFF/516857-4513624?browseIdx=5&sik=1301413895522&goback=%2Eamq

When receiving emails from candidates with 2 attachments, one a resume and the other a cover letter, what percentage of the time do you review the cover letter before the resume?
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/hiring-human-resources/staffing-recruiting/HRH_SFF/793434-4513624?browseIdx=3&sik=1301414276611&goback=%2Eamq

In 28 years of my career I had been hired, promoted and job opportunities came looking for me. I had moved cities, changed names (got married-not the witness protection program)

And had babies….still they came looking for me.

This time things were different. I was crushed in spirit from hearing those words…You no longer have a job. I was older. I was one of about 10 zillion people in my field who had experienced the same fate. And most importantly- I had no idea how to find a new job.

The first and last time I had looked for a job I was right out of college. We sent long letters and resumes we typed and put stamps on them. Although I was very connected in my industry and knew how to sell…Advertising…and myself. ..I just did not know the rules of the game in 2011.

I was introduced to Jeff Brockman by a mutual friend and former colleague.

Jeff was smart, easy to talk to and most importantly he had the roadmap to get me a Job. He taught me that working the room now meant working Linkedin.

He reviewed my resume and cover letter and sharpened them both so they had power and truly matched my qualifications to the jobs I was seeking.

He made suggestions, did research and actually reached out to his contacts (and made new ones) to help me land a position.

The Job I secured was through Linkedin- Something I had barely paid a mind to prior to losing my job and meeting Jeff Brockman. And now 5 months later, I have referred Jeff at least a dozen times. I still use what he taught me…and I still give him credit for teaching me.

-Sharon Kitroser

Look for me on Linkedin and let me know Jeff sent you

SHARON KITROSER
Director of Strategic Alliances

Executives Flock To LinkedIn

Corporate leaders are shying away from Twitter, Facebook, and other consumer-oriented sites and embracing LinkedIn and specialty business networks, according to the Society for New Communications Research.

By Alison Diana InformationWeek
March 17, 2011 01:49 PM

Decision-makers are using social media as knowledge and communication networks, primarily visiting these Web sites to access the wealth of available thought-leadership content, according to a report published Thursday by the Society for New Communications Research.

In the second annual New Symbiosis of Professional Networks Study, SNCR polled 114 executives across 10 countries, most of whom were key decision-makers at companies ranging in size from fewer than 100 to more than 50,000 full-time employees.

Interestingly, executives have decreased their use of all social networks other than LinkedIn, the report found. Almost all — or 97% — of those surveyed used LinkedIn in 2010, compared with 92% in 2009, according to the study, released Thursday. By contrast, Twitter use dropped to 33% last year vs. 40% in 2009; Facebook usage fell to 20% compared with 51% the year prior, and Plaxo decreased to just 5% from 14% a year ago, the report found.

“Hundreds of other networks were mentioned, many by only one or two respondents,” wrote SNCR fellows Donald Bulmer, VP of global communications, industry, and influencer relations at SAP, and Vanessa DiMauro, CEO of Leader Networks.

Today, 55% of executives surveyed participate in three to five social networks, slightly up from the 50% who were involved in that number of social media sites in 2009. Eighty-four percent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with online professional networks, the report found.

Apparently there is room for specialty social networks that focus solely on particular issues or vertical markets. Although most executives polled participate in large professional networks such as LinkedIn and 65% are active in open social networks like Yelp and Twitter, 48% of respondents said they were involved in “midsize or specialized membership-specific industry, roles, or interest-specific groups online” and 26% said they “prefer to engage with a smaller peer group in a private and confidential exchange.”

These professional social networks have become a trusted environment for relationship management and decision support, the study said. In fact, 60% said one benefit of participation was increased competitive brand monitoring and performance; 60% said it was to establish or increase their professional network.

Professional collaboration is changing from a small professional exchange into an interaction with content in more public ways,” said DiMauro, in a statement. “The consequence of sharing content online is enhanced influence.”

Networks also give executives access to information they otherwise could not get, said many respondents. Eighty percent of respondents are able to accelerate decision processes and information or strategy development by participating in online communities, according to the study.

“Business professionals are changing how they collaborate as a result of online professional communities and peer networks,” said Bulmer, in a statement.

Not surprisingly, almost all — or 97% — of executives log-on to social networks via a PC or Macintosh. Mirroring the consumer world, a growing number of professionals now visit these sites using mobile devices: In 2010, 59% used a mobile device compared with 44% in the prior year, according to the study. More than half, or 52%, used an iPhone; 37% used a BlackBerry; 15% relied on an Android; and 15% used an iPad, the report said.

To keep up with their colleagues, the world, and their business, executives check-in frequently, with 43% logging on more than three times per day, according to the study. More than one-third log-on once a day, and only 2% said they check-in occasionally, the report found.

We are proud to announce the opening of our Career Transition Resources Career Center in Harrington Park New Jersey!  Our grand opening is expected to be on Tuesday July 5th.

 Our mission is to create a structured, focused, positive and distraction free environment where professionals who are in the job market have an opportunity to network amongst peers and have the benefit of onsite and real time career consulting/sound-boarding as they go through their day.  In addition to an active bullpen setting, they’ll also be partitioned areas and a quiet room where phone interviews can be conducted.  Finally we’ll have morning meetings to ensure a proper cadence is set for the day.

 Please contact us for more information- info@careertrinc.com