Finding the Work You Love

Getting LinkedIn

The old fashioned Rolodex seemed like such a great invention in its day. The device managed to hold all your scribblings and business cards in a single circular wheel and if you were ambitious or motivated enough to alphabetize everything and keep the information current, you could actually keep track of business associates, customers, and friends. Unfortunately, the Rolodex had one major drawback: If someone changed jobs or moved your card was toast. In fact, you could find yourself back to square one and completely out of touch.

Fast forward to the Digital Age. The Rolodex is DOA, though I'm certain you can still find one at an office supply store near you! More than 35 million people have turned to LinkedIn, which allows you to post your essential contact information and a resume online. This alone makes it a valuable tool for connecting to others. After changing jobs or moving, a quick update to one's profile keeps everyone connected. No more falling out of touch.

But LinkedIn serves as more than a way to post data and stay connected. It's also a way to network with others, ask questions and hold discussions, mine leads, and possibly find a new job. Corporate recruiters routinely scan LinkedIn for promising candidates. You can also check a job listings section, reverse check on hiring managers and other executives at a company, showcase your expertise or talent by participating in industry discussions, and let others know you are looking for work.

Meanwhile, small business owners can also use LinkedIn to amp up opportunities. You might expand your network and find new customers, give and receive references and recommendations, conduct market and business research, and post job listings of your own.

One of LinkedIn's most valuable features is the ability to view the connections of friends and colleagues. This creates a sort of "six degrees of profesional separation" that harnesses the full power of the Internet. It doesn't take a genuis to figure out that these individuals could represent new clients or customers as well as employers. But it can also help you reconnect to former colleagues and alumni groups.

Here's how LinkedIn works: When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your education, accomplishments, and work history. You then invite colleagues, clients, partners, and others of your choosing to “link in” to your network (and, conversely, they invite you). Once a person accepts, you can view his or her profile and other connections—as well as the additional people those connections know. LinkedIn offers a basic service that is free. For $20 to $200 per month, it also provides premium business accounts with more powerful features.

As with any networking tool, the bigger your investment in time and energy the greater your return. Last week I talked about using Twitter, the latest online service. While it's tempting to fire off a string of cliches (i.e. "Don't fix it if it ain't broke"; "Why reinvent the wheel?") just remember this disturbing fact: in today's business environment, standing still is the equivalent of moving backward. As other adopt these tools and use them to gain an advantage, you may find yourself a relic of a bygone era. Not exactly a comforting thought for an older worker.

But the opposite is true as well. Don't think that LinkedIn, Twitter, or any other service is going to automatically and single-handedly solve all your problems and catapult you to the top of the job market. In the end, finding the work (and job) you love is all about embracing a well-rounded approach and achieving balance in the quest for success.

How to Locate Possible Employers

The Internet has profoundly changed the way we identify potential employers. To find one--preferably the one--that's right for you in today's job market, you will need to wield a combination of paper and electronic tools.

Opportunities for employment now extend well beyond the résumé banks that reside--and often lie dormant--at major companies. Savvy job seeker can choose from several methods, detailed below, to increase their exposure and improve their odds of landing the job they aspire to.

Print Classified Ads

Although the traditional “help wanted” print ad has not disappeared altogether—yet—it is most commonly used within fields such as engineering or nursing, in which job openings are regular and ongoing. Employers looking to fill positions more quickly usually turn to online classifieds. The Conference Board estimates that U.S. companies now post approximately 4.2 million jobs per month at a variety of online sites, including newspapers, corporate websites, and online job boards. A few job seekers also take a guerrilla job-hunting approach and buy their own ad in a newspaper or trade magazine. It takes guts to go this route, of course. But according to David Perry, co-author of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters, it can help a candidate stand out and produce positive results.

Trade Magazines

Many employers continue to place ads in highly specialized trade magazines as a way to “narrowcast” their open positions. Whether you’re seeking work as a corporate travel specialist or a university librarian, many trade magazines provide bona fide leads. Finding these magazines may require a bit of creativity; few of them are available at newsstands. In many cases, a Google search, such as “trucking magazine,” will yield results. You can also often find trade magazines by searching for a professional field (such as engineering or accounting) along with the word association. For example, you would search for leads in engineering by typing engineering associations. This search would yield a number of associations, including the American Council of Engineering Companies and the National Society of Black Engineers. Both of these groups display their magazines at their Web sites. You can also check the Encyclopedia of Associations, which is widely available in libraries. After you’ve identified industry associations, venture online and see if they publish a magazine or newsletter.

Corporate Websites

The official website of almost every company—particularly medium and large firms—includes an “employment” or “job seekers” link that’s a rich source of information about open positions, pay and benefits, career development, company information, culture, and education and training opportunities. Many sites also let you submit a résumé directly, as an attachment or via fax.

Submitting an application and résumé directly to a company has both pros and cons. The upside: Your information makes its way into the firm’s database immediately. The downside: Many companies are so inundated with online applications that your chances of being singled out can become a game of “keyword roulette.” After all, a company’s search is only as good as the person searching for the particular terms she opts to enter (see chapter 12 of "Finding the Work You Love" for more information about how to use keywords).

Executive Search Firms

For certain types of positions, particularly managerial-level jobs at medium and large firms, an executive-search strategy can produce winning results. However, as a rule, recruiters don’t specialize in career changers. They seek professionals with loads of experience and the fast-track to a new job (for which they earn a hefty fee). Keep in mind, too, that search firms work for employers and typically have specific job “orders” or “contracts” that they attempt to fill.

As a result, it’s wise to send your résumé to dozens of these companies and look for boutique firms that specialize in your area of expertise. For example, this might include Shelton Associates in science and engineering, the Howard-Sloan-Koller Group for publishing, and the Esquire Group for the legal field. Meanwhile, larger recruiting firms such as Korn/Ferry International and Robert Half now specialize in multiple areas, including medicine, technology, and finance and accounting. You can find numerous executive-search resources and guides online, including RileyGuide.com, Bluesteps.com, and RecruiterRedbook.com, which invite you to view directories, listings, and advertisements for hundreds of search firms. In addition, many industry groups include a roster of members who work as recruiters. If you’re interested in a particular field—accounting, engineering, medicine, you name it—consider checking with the appropriate association (you can search online or check the Encyclopedia of Associations at your local library).

Alumni Networks

Alumni groups have exploded in popularity in recent years for good reason. The Internet has made it easier than ever to leverage the power of the human network. Check past employers to see if they operate an alumni network. If so, create a profile and reconnect with past colleagues. Other professionals often have the inside scoop on top recruiters and employment opportunities.

Also, don't overlook job fairs and social networking sites such as Linked In, Facebook, and Twitter. The right information at the right place can lead to consulting gigs, freelance assignments, even a job offer.

Remember, there's no single way to find the work you love.

Getting Social (as in networking)

It's tempting to dismiss today's online tools and social networking sites as nothing more than fluffy toys and eye candy for Gen Y and Millennials. Big mistake! As I discuss in "Finding the Work You Love," the world is moving online and those who don't understand how to use today's tech tools are at a complete disadvantage when it comes to landing work. That's because networking and hiring is rapidly migrating from paper to pixels.

First of all, set up a LinkedIn account. Once you fill out a profile, it serves as sort of an online resume, complete with your background and work history. Increasingly, recruiters and hiring managers look for candidates on LinkedIn. It also allows you to connect with colleagues and friends. If they move or change jobs, you remain in touch. They may know of open positions or actually wind up looking for candidates themselves, if they start a new business. Moreover, LinkedIn let you view your friends connections. You may discover potential job opportunities and find yourself expanding your network.

Another outstanding tool is Facebook. It's not quite as career and job oriented as LinkedIn--but it's also a great way to stay in touch with a social and professional circle. In fact, behind all the fun and games lies some fairly powerful tools, including electronic business cards, opportunities for work related discussions, and posted links. A few employers, too, are now turning to the site to find talent.

Finally, check out Twitter, a rapidly growing microblogging site. It lets you post comments, information, and/or links up to 140 characters long. If you're looking to build a following in a particular domain--whether it's candy-making or yoga--it can help. In addition, Twitter can help you find others working in the same field or with similar interests. And like LinkedIn, some hiring managers and recruiters mine the site for prospects.

If you're looking for more information about these services (which are all free), search Google, Obviously, it's not as simple as just setting out your doormat and expecting visitors. Using these services effectively requires some effort--and expertise. But, for those willing to go social, the rewards can be  considerable. You may land your dream job and find the work you love!