LinkedIn has been called “Facebook for grownups” and “the world’s biggest networking group.”
It’s both of those — and more.
Used correctly, LinkedIn can be one of the most valuable weapons in your job-search arsenal.
To get the latest and best tips, I interviewed Rob Mendez, an expert on LinkedIn and other social media, who helps job hunters via his CareerNetworkMinistry.com web site.
Here’s what we talked about …
“First, you have to figure out your target audience and your goal with LinkedIn,” advises Mendez. “Use LinkedIn to network with as many people as possible, …

Even if you’re my age you’ve probably heard of her. In a very short period of time Lady Gaga has become a phenomenon – an internationally celebrated and very successful icon. So, the question is, how did this young, 24 year old performer – a total newbie – climb to the top of pop music and to the top of charts?
One thing we know for sure – it took more than just talent. The music industry is one of the most difficult and competitive of any professions.
So how did she …

I love the hidden job market. I have built my career on showing professionals how easy it is to shorten their job search, get more quality interviews and bigger offers using a very simple yet powerful system to tap into it.
A statement I often hear is “isn’t tapping into the hidden job market just networking?” In short, no. It’s about going direct – and cutting out both “internal” and “external” middle men. Internal within the company (i.e. HR) and external outside of the company (i.e. recruiters).
Let’s begin by dispelling a …

This week I discovered a Facebook page launched by a girl (probably more like woman now) from the Catholic elementary school I attended.  On it, I found yearbook pictures of me and the 32 eighth graders that graduated with me over 30 years ago.  A buddy of mine topped it off by posting our 3rd grade class picture.  (That’s me in the top middle wearing a red shirt.)
The exchange of Facebook wall messages between a dozen or so of us over the past several days has stimulated parts of my …

If you’re job hunting in this tough economy, take heart from the following
three stories of people who found work in three to four months — about half
as long as the average job search, which takes nearly 8 months (31.2 weeks)
as of March 2010.
How did they do it?
By using Guerrilla Resumes (explained below), LinkedIn, and smart
networking, among other tactics.
Read on to learn more from the Q&A I did with each of them …
Case Study #1:
Brad Viles, from suburban Madison, WI.
Time to hire: about four months (hired on March 8, 2010)
Tactics used: …

When filling any position a hiring manager’s biggest headache (or pain in the ass depending upon your point of view) is finding the right set of “potential” candidates to begin the interview process. After getting a pile of resumes, they have to trudge through them figuring out what these characters bring to the table.  I’m sure every hiring manager wishes and prays for the applicant that does tells them, “Here’s why you should hire me.”  Note this statement carefully.  It’s “Here’s why you should hire me” not “Here’s why I …

My recent articles have focused on what CEOs and the leaders of the world are not getting or doing right.  I was called out on the fact that given the present state of (my) unemployment and the malaise that has resulted from market losses, financial instability and government debt, my tone and perspective has been less than inspiring.  I say, The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it. ~Warren Bennis
With that said, I did ponder what it is that has me on the “let’s call them out” soapbox?  …

I’ve written about business card resumes and have since given several presentations using the material. Everytime it’s very well received. I can always count on someone coming up after the presentation to tell me how valuable the information is for their job hunt.
In this series I give a step-by-step on writing a business card resume that will get you networking like a pro in order to speed up your job search.
Step 1- Setting a Clear Goal
Writing a business card resume is easy, but only if you know what sort of …

A few weeks back, Miami’s private high schools sent their fall term acceptance letters.  It’s a big deal for us Miami locals as many of us are alumni and would like to see our kids attending our alma mater.  We were blessed when we got news our youngest daughter was accepted to her school of choice.  It’s the school one of her sisters attended. Both my sisters attended high school there.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so fortunate.  We have a friend whose son got rejected. Instead of celebrating, his …

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When people lose their jobs, the obvious comes to mind. No income. However, experiencing unemployment personally, I have learned the numerous benefits of work, along with the pains of unemployment. Understanding this and preparing yourself can mitigate the ways unemployment will hurt. It’s not only about money.
My initial caution to a client (my work was helping others become employed) is that a job search is like being in a boxing ring with your hands tied behind your back, sometimes with a blindfold. A potential employer demands all kinds of personal …

(This lesson or resource continues where Lesson 1 left off.)
The Five Worst and Best Job Search Approaches
So what’s the basic information do you need to get you through your job search? For this I’m going to start with information from a resource every job hunter needs on their bookshelf. Better yet, they need it face up, open on their desk with a whole lot of bookmarks and highlighting showing how hard it’s being used.
Talk to anyone with an HR background and they know this book.   The resource is Richard …

Losing Your Job Is Tough, But You’ll Do Just Fine
If in the middle of a job search, you and your family are facing a challenging time. You’re dealing with fear, anger and anxiety.
I know job struggles from personal experience. There’s a saying that goes,
When one door closes, another one opens, but it’s hell in the hallway.
That spelled it out for me perfectly when I look back on my job search in 2004.  (You can read the details about that one at on the site’s About Us page.)
In 2007, I …

Fact: The advertised job market is literally the tip of the iceberg.
Fully 70-80% of jobs go unadvertised by employers, who fear being deluged by hundreds of resumes from applicants, most of whom won’t be qualified.
With that in mind, it makes sense to spend about 80% of your time cracking this “hidden” market of unadvertised jobs. And a good way to do it is to contact hiring managers at companies you want to work for. Your aim? To prove that hiring you would be a terrific investment, one that makes or …

Whenever I run into someone who’s a bit odd, I find myself whispering to myself, “What’s with that guy?”  I know.  I know.  I shouldn’t.  But I’m so used to having people behave a certain way that when they fall outside my version of the norm – whatever that is – it’s something that calls my attention.
Now I’m not always a fan of the heroes Hollywood lifts up for us, but let me point out a few that definitely inspire me and better yet – cause me to spend a …

A recent Global Economy edition of a New York Times article indicated “After losing eight million jobs since the recession began in December 2007, payrolls finally surged in March, the Labor Department reported on Friday. Employers added 162,000 nonfarm jobs last month. Nationwide, the unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent.”  Wow, that’s a “surge”?
It goes on to say, “The economy needs to add more than 100,000 jobs a month just to absorb new entrants into the labor market, let alone provide a livelihood for the 15 million Americans already …

So far in this series I’ve written Step 1 – Setting a Clear Goal and Step – Getting your Business Card Resume Written . What have we accomplished so far?

You’ve networked and met someone new.
You’ve interacted with them in a social environment/situation.
They have your business card resume and could get a hold of you if they thought to do so.

Now don’t get frustrated because your business card resume is sitting in a pile along with a million other cards.  Some may never see the light of day again, but not yours …

Title: Use Email Marketing to Grow Your BusinessLocation: Davie-Cooper City Chamber of CommerceLink out: Click hereDescription: Join us for an informative and interactive workshop that will cover the following topics:
* Why use email marketing?
* How to start using ConstantContact
* How to plan, launch and measure email marketing campaigns
* How to grow and segment your mailing list
* Email marketing best practices that get results
Start Time: 17:00Date: 2010-04-13End Time: 20:30

Title: Introduction to Franchise OwnershipLocation: SBA-Small Business Administration, 7th Floor 100 South Biscayne Blvd Miami FL Link out: Click hereDescription: LEARN THE FACTS!
• Reality and Myths about Franchising
• Trends in Franchising Today
• How the Franchise Business Model Works
• How to Find, Research and Select the Right Franchise
• Costs and Financing of Franchises
• Franchising Regulations
• What it Takes to Become a Successful Franchise OwnerStart Time: 10:00Date: 2010-04-17End Time: 12:00

Title: Robert’s Rules of Innovation™ by Robert F. Brands
Location: Books and Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables 33134
Link out: Click here
Description: Books and Books and SCORE present Robert’s Rules of Innovation™. In this timely guide, innovation expert and former CEO Robert Brands presents the best practices for today’s “innovate or die” world, in the form of 10 simple and practical steps your business must take to achieve growth through innovation.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2010-04-13
End Time: 21:00