The Essential Social Networker
You’ve heard the horror stories of students who are removed from consideration for a job because the employer found their Facebook pictures of last Saturday’s keg party. It is in fact true that over 80% of hiring companies search Facebook and Google for information on prospective hires, and therefore it’s important that job seekers be very aware of their online presence; double check their privacy settings, watch photos that are posted of them, and use discretion in their online communication. Having said that, social networking has become an essential element of a job search, and you should encourage your son or daughter to use it – responsibly and professionally. Here are some tips and suggestions.
• Choose your sites wisely. LinkedIn is the premier site to develop your online professional network, and also has job listings and a company database that is helpful in researching potential employers. Facebook is also a good tool for making connections that can lead to jobs, especially with RIT alumni. Twitter allows you to notify friends and colleagues (your followers) that you’re looking for a job, and Ryze is a new business networking site, with connections to companies and job listings.
• Create detailed profiles, including all skills, education, and focusing on accomplishments. Include key words specific to your industry, to grab potential recruiters’ attention.
• Connect your online profiles. If you use multiple sites, make sure the profiles all link back to your professional profile, so any recruiter who might find you will get to your resume.
• Take advantage of all the sites have to offer. Build and expand your networking by making more extended connections. Join groups that are related to your industry or career field. Search the job and company tabs in the sites to find open positions and company contact with whom to connect. Get recommendations from faculty and supervisors that will get noticed by potential employers. Use the discussion feature in the groups section and ask questions. Ask for introductions and/or referrals from your contacts who work at companies you’re interested in.
It takes time to develop a strong online professional network, and can seem like a daunting process. The good news is that college students are very adept at using online social networking sites for personal use; by refocusing their efforts on the many professional options available on these sites, social networking will become a valuable tool in your student’s job search arsenal.
Where In The World Are RIT Students This Summer?RIT students continue to make their mark on co-op, and this summer they’re global! Over 1500 students have placements this summer, at over 900 companies, in 38 states across the country, and around the world. 23 students have co-ops abroad, in the following countries:
Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
|
Job Searching 2.0– PC World, Dan Cobb
With unemployment at a 14-year high, many Americans are scrambling to update their resumes and turning to job boards and networking sites. Some are panicking as they try to devise new ways to get in front of employers. But even in trying times like these, prospective employees shouldn't completely reinvent their job-seeking styles. Indeed, much of the tried-and-true career advice we've all heard is relevant in job search. To outshine the competitors and win the gig in today's economy, here's a secret to success: Don't abandon the steadfast career tips passed down from generations, but rather, refine them -- with a keen eye for the value in Web 2.0 tools like social networking. Consider these ways to express your candidacy with flair. Self-assess to stand out. Assess your core strengths, as well as qualities that will set you apart from the competition. Then strategize ways to emphasize these qualities in your resume, cover letter and the interviewing process. Be specific with numbers. List how many employees you've managed, systems you've administered or applications you've developed. Keep your skills a step ahead. To stand out and stay on the cutting edge, demonstrate fluency in state-of-the-art technical and functional skills as well as the standard competencies a specific role demands. Stay current in your field. Read trade publications, news articles, blogs and market research reports from firms such as Gartner. And attend a conference in your niche to build your knowledge and to network. Network out of the box. As tried-and-true career advice suggests, networking is key to landing a gig. Monster.com and HotJobs.com are great starting points, but many positions are never publicly posted. Upgrade your online image.Networking online begins with tools such as LinkedIn and Twitter , but there's much more to consider -- such as your digital footprint. So continue to follow that tried-and-true career advice you've relied on for years. But to leverage it for success in today's market, use social networking sites and the wealth of information on the Internet to your advantage. You can expand your opportunities, differentiate yourself in the talent pool and tap into new resources to more effectively network, apply for positions, interview and, of course, close the deal.
For the full story you can visit http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155446-1/web_20_tactics_for_successful_jobhunting.html
Focus:
Alternative Energy
White Collar, Blue Collar, Green Collar?
We are all quite familiar with the colorful distinction of the different employment sectors. White collar employment includes salaried professionals and clerical workers. Blue collar employment involves manual labor. Now a third sector is emerging and is growing in both popularity and support: the green collar workers.
Green collar jobs involve products and services that are environment-friendly. Any organization that seeks to improve upon the environment is considered “green”; and if it employs individuals to that affect, then it has created green collar jobs. Green collar jobs include any that involve the design, manufacture, installation, operation, and/or maintenance of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. And the green collar sector is booming; it is currently the fifth largest market sector in the US.
Some of the companies that RIT works in this new and demanding industry are; Air Products, Black & Veatch, BOC Edwards, Delphi, General Motors, Parker Hannifin and many more local and national firms.
You can find more information on this growing industry at: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info
|
