Posted on Tue, May 15, 2012 @ 11:43 AM
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It's graduation season and for recent grads entering the job market, it's important to know that your alumni network can be a great starting point for professional networking. Before summer officially begins, remember to register and initiate connections with your alumni network. Here are a few tips for how job seekers can effectively leverage their alumni network.
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Make genuine connections
Networking with fellow alums can provide great career track insights and leads to industry resources. But like any form of networking, the goal should always be to build and maintain relationships. You should never attend alumni networking events simply to "get hired", and should always create authentic connections before leveraging an alumni relationship for a job opportunity.
Reach out to fellow alums at a prospective employer
If you're applying for a job and you notice that one of the high-ranking officers at the company shares your same alma mater, if you don't know him/her, do not cold call him/her to try to get a foot in the door. Chances are a move as rash as trying to leverage a non-existent relationship can come off as too aggressive, lacking social tact and professionalism, tainting your reputation.
If you do wish to reach out to fellow alums (with whom you have some connection) at a prospective employer, be sure to introduce yourself professionally. Keep the introduction simple, let the person know which job you're applying for, and ask if they have any insight about the culture or industry that you should be aware of before your interview.
If the person you're interviewing with is a fellow alum, it's ok to casually mention a collegiate connection at an appropriate time during the interview, or at the end of a post-interview thank you note. But it should always be an aside, rather than the focus of the conversation. Never assume that a connection is a sure-fire foot in the door.
If you decide to meet with a fellow alum for networking purposes...
- Come prepared with questions that showcase your curiosity and ambition. Don't ask questions that could be easily answered with a Google search. Make the most of your networking time by being prepared.
- Consider asking the person to tell you the story of how they got to where they are now. These types of conversations take the pressure off of you, and will give you clearer insights that will likely lead to better questions and deeper relationship building. And don't expect the person you're trying to network with to help you figure out your life direction.
- Be sure not to talk about yourself too much, since that would be a missed opportunity to learn from someone who is likely ahead of you on the career track. Good listening is just as important as asking good questions. Everyone loves a good listener!
Posted on Tue, May 08, 2012 @ 03:12 PM
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Name: Holly Schick
City/State: West Chester, OH
Family: Husband, Robert and son, Joey, 6
Education: BSBA Accounting, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Summary of your professional experience: Five years of accounting for small to medium-sized businesses in a small CPA firm, followed by 11 years in the not-for-profit sector doing general accounting.
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New Job: I was placed with American Heritage Insurance Group, LLC, in Cincinnati, OH as their part-time Controller in a temp-to-hire capacity, working 16 - 26 hours/week, depending on workload. They are extremely flexible, so that if I need to take 2 hours off for lunch to attend my son's pre-school party, it is no problem--my dream job!
Why did you turn to Mom Corps? Mom Corps offered exactly what I was seeking: flexible workplace solutions. I wanted to work, but I also did not want to miss out on any milestones with my child. Mom Corps offers a win/win situation for the job-seeker and the employer.
How was your experience with Mom Corps? I was astounded and ultimately, quite pleased, in my recruiter's efforts to place me with a company. Her follow-up was very thorough and much-appreciated.
How has working with Mom Corps effected your work-life synthesis? I FINALLY feel that I I have achieved true work/life balance. Besides the flexibility that American Heritage offers, I also have reduced commute time, since they are located a few miles away from my son's school. Reduced commute time means more time with the family and more home-cooked meals!
What is your go-to stress reliever? Facebook!
How would you summarize your overall experience? I am so thankful that I believed that I really could have it all, thanks to Mom Corps.
Posted on Thu, May 03, 2012 @ 07:36 AM
We are performing scheduled maintenance on momcorps.com today and will be back up tomorrow! If you have an immediate need, ping us @momcorps on Twitter or email us at info@momcorps.com.
Posted on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:13 AM
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Essential Information to Share on Your LinkedIn Profile
Anyone searching for work should have a LinkedIn profile. A LinkedIn profile will help you connect and stay in touch with colleagues and clients while sharing information about your professional skills with potential employers. Here are some things you can do to ensure you have a great profile page.
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1. Upload a professional photo of yourself. This only needs to be a headshot, and should be current (no older than 5 years old). Why? Let’s say you attend a networking breakfast where you meet new colleagues who suggest that you connect on LinkedIn so they can keep you in mind for future opportunities. Chances are that after the meeting, they will search for you based on your first name and city- or even the name of your company. That search will be much easier if they can identify your photo within their search results.
2. Complete your profile – fill in all of the blanks. According to LinkedIn, “Users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn”. Having a complete profile means filling in all of the blanks on the profile page -- industry, location, past two positions, education, skills (minimum of 3), a photo, and at least 50 connections -- to make it easier for colleagues and clients to get in touch with you regarding opportunities. Be sure to list your specific skills like “CPA” or “project management”. These serve as key words that recruiters and employers will often use to conduct skill-specific searches. The things you list will be searchable, not only on LinkedIn, but from any search engine, like Google.
3. Headline. Your headline is the first thing searchers will see about you. A good headline should sum up your personal brand in a short phrase. Try to avoid using a generic title like “Marketing”, and instead, let your personal brand shine using words that describe how you stand out. What value do you bring to the table?
4. History. It’s very important to list a job history because LinkedIn will automatically connect you to your previous employer’s company profile. Then, LinkedIn will suggest former co-workers (who also listed that they have worked for the company) as colleagues with whom you may want to connect.
5. Customize your LinkedIn URL. It will be much easier to point people to your LinkedIn profile page when the url is www.linkedin.com/[yourname]. To update this, go under “Settings” > “Edit your public profile” > “Customize your public profile URL”.
Posted on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 @ 09:57 AM
by Allison O'Kelly
CEO and Founder, Mom Corps
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Did you know Thursday, April 26th is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day? Originally called Take Our Daughters to Work Day, this educational program was founded in 1993 by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women to help promote self-esteem among young women. The idea, of course, was (and still is) an excellent one: If we teach our children about their career potential early on, they have a better chance of living fulfilled, balanced lives. As the mother of three sons, I am grateful that the program has now been expanded to include boys. What a great way for children to see how their parents put their talents to work!
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I truly hope many of you have the opportunity to take your kids to the office next Thursday. It is important, however, to acknowledge reality—very few companies, no matter how progressive, have the resources to put on a formal career day event. Furthermore, it’s challenging for most working parents to pull their kids out of school for a non-essential activity. That said, I hope you will recognize the day by talking about your career and lifestyle choices to your children. Here are some ways to start the conversation:
- Include your own workplace experiences in your family discussions. My friend Amy starts her family’s dinner conversation by asking everyone to talk about the best part of their day. Her four-year-old talks about getting the coolest swing on the playground while her husband brags on his region’s sales numbers for the quarter. This is a great avenue for children to learn about the rewards, and challenges, of being a working parent.
- Help your child explore careers that match their talents and interests. Kids love to talk about what they want to be when they grow up…help them visualize the path to their dreams. Expose your children to different occupations and career paths through friends, family or neighbors. Use online tools like the Dream Calculator, which lets kids plug in choices like their favorite activities, where they want to live, how many kids they hope to have, etc. The application gives the child a fun report on what they might like to do, career options, and even addresses the challenges of being a working parent!
- Relate schoolwork to job skills. Encourage improved grades in math and science by talking about cool careers in those fields. Your animal lover wants to be a vet? He needs to know that studying hard will help him get that career he wants. Reward improvement with a special “behind-the scenes” field trip to your local zoo or conservatory. Relate hard work to achieving goals!
By creating conversation around career choices and balance you are preparing your children for success as adults. Make it fun, make it relevant, but most of all make it happen!
Posted on Tue, Apr 10, 2012 @ 10:23 AM
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Today's blog is a guest post from Mom Corps Los Angeles Recruiter, Dana Fitzgerald.
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"Four Ways to Stay Current When You've Been Out of the Workforce"
Whether you’ve been raising a family or searching for the right opportunity, you’ll want to keep your skills current to remain competitive in the job market. Proactively seeking ways to keep up with trends in your field will show potential employers that you take initiative and strive for excellence. Here are four ways to stay engaged between jobs.
- Take a class. Whether learning a new skill or refining one, continuing education courses at local universities such as UCLA or USC can help boost your candidacy. Online courses such as those offered by lynda.com can broaden your tech knowledge.
- Volunteer your services. Check with local non-profits to see if they are in need of someone with your business skills. Helping out with a marketing campaign or updating their website will give you some meaningful additions to your resume. At Mom Corps LA we’re always blown away the amazing volunteer work we see on resumes. Make sure you’re able to talk about that volunteer work just like any other job with measurable outcomes.
- Network with professionals in your field. Connecting with others in your field not only increases your potential for new job leads, it also keeps you engaged in the profession itself. Join professional networks that fit your goals and take advantage of leadership and learning opportunities.
- Help on projects from former colleagues. Your friends and co-workers who are still in the field are fantastic resources for learning about changes that have occurred since you worked with them. Stay in contact and ask if there are ways you can help with a big project. From brainstorming over a cup of coffee or helping out in the office for a few days, you never know what lending a hand can lead to.
Posted on Tue, Apr 03, 2012 @ 10:09 AM
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Name: Michelle Meyer
City/State: Bellevue, WA
Family: Husband, Reed & Daughter, Natalie, 2 years old
Education: BSBA Northern Arizona University 2002
Summary of your professional experience: 4 years of recruiting experience in Accounting and Pharmaceutical industries and 4 years of Project Management experience in the Hardwood Flooring industry.
New Job: I am working as a Marketing Project Manager in a contract to hire position.
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Why did you engage with Mom Corps? I turned to Mom Corps Seattle because I was looking for a part time or flexible work schedule so I could provide for my family.
How was your experience with Mom Corps? It was great! Jamie Flynn (President, Mom Corps Seattle) was easy to work with and moved the process along quickly with timely feedback. She was professional and even brought yummy cupcakes my first day on the job.
How has working with Mom Corps affected your work-life synthesis? This is exactly the type of position I was looking for. I wanted to find a position where I could utilize my professional skill set and still be able to care for my family. I'm so glad to find out that these types of jobs do exist and Mom Corps was able to make that a reality for me.
What is your go-to stress reliever? Working out and watching comedies!
How would you describe your overall experience? Mom Corps helped me find a position that will allow me to be both the professional and mother/wife that I want to be. Thank you!
Posted on Tue, Apr 03, 2012 @ 09:46 AM
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Name: Kim Ferandelli
City/State: Los Angeles, CA
Family: Husband, son (5), daughter (3)
Education: Studied in Australia.
Summary of Professional Experience: After traveling, settled down in LA in 1993 to start working in the entertainment industry.
New Job? Mom Corps found the perfect job for me. The position I have acquired through Mom Corps, is permanent, flexible, and full-time as an Executive Assistant for an innovative, non-profit company called Teaching Channel (They do great work, check them out here: https://www.teachingchannel.org/).
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Why did you engage with Mom Corps? I heard about Mom Corps from a working moms Yahoo! group. I was in a position where my hours were too long with two small kids, so I emailed my resume.
How was your experience with Mom Corps? My experience with Mom Corps, Los Angeles was fantastic from start to finish! They were very professional and top-notch. They emailed me about a position they had. I interviewed, and the negotiations back and forth were handled seamlessly by Julie Lacouture (Principle, Mom Corps, LA). She was the "middle man" who made sure everything went smoothly.
How has working with Mom Corps affected your work-life synthesis? My new job has improved my life and the life of my family tremendously! I see my kids more. I am so much more involved in their school life and a lot less stressed and rushed. I am a completely different person, with a completely different life! I was at my old job all day and it was my life. Now I actually have a life.
What is your go-to stress reliever? My go-to stress reliever - my kids!
How would you describe your overall experience? Mom Corps completely changed my life!
Posted on Tue, Mar 27, 2012 @ 12:45 PM
There are many talented moms out there actively seeking to re-enter the paid workforce or gearing up to do so in the future. As experts in flexible staffing, Mom Corps team members are often asked about crucial skills for today’s workplace. In our monthly blog series, Career Confidential, we share smart strategies for career re-launchers
As the interviewee it sometimes feels like you have very little control over the interview process. You work hard to prepare every detail, you show up with time to spare and are ready to present your best self to the potential employer and then, it’s out of your hands, right? Well, not completely. There is one step that you, the interviewee consistently has control over and it comes after the actual interview. That step is sending a thank-you note.
Don’t underestimate the importance of sending a thank-you note. How you present yourself in this communication is almost as important as how you perform in the interview itself. This note allows you to maintain contact with the employer, shows them that you are still interested in the position and speaks to your commitment on follow through and professionalism.
Here are a few steps to help you create a thank-you note that will really make an impression:
- What to write - Even though it’s called a thank-you note it should include more than just appreciation. Take the opportunity to elaborate on why you would be a good fit for the position. If there are examples that you weren’t able to bring up in the interview or thought of after the fact, include those. This could be your last opportunity to prove that you are the right candidate for the job. Maintain enthusiasm throughout the letter and be sincere. Have someone proofread your note before you send.
- Who to send it to – This should be based on who you interviewed with or spent the most time with at the company. If you interviewed with only one person, but another member of their team was instrumental in the process, send them each a thank-you note. If you interviewed at multiple levels of a company, send each representative a separate note. Make sure that each is personalized enough to show that you didn’t send a standard note.
- How to send it – Email or Snail mail? The main thing to keep in mind is the time frame you have to work in. Are they looking to make a decision within the next week or is this a longer process with multiple interview steps and many candidates? You probably received some type of information on their timeframe during the interview process, so use that to decide how fast your thank-you note needs to be received. Also keep in mind the type of company or position you are interviewing for. Would a handwritten snail mail note show your skills off better than a fancy graphically enhanced email? Make the most of the delivery of your thank-you note.
Sending a great thank-you note can make you stand out from your competition and in today’s tight job market a competitive advantage can make a significant difference in being the candidate that gets hired.
Posted on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 09:14 AM
There are many talented moms out there actively seeking to re-enter the paid workforce or gearing up to do so in the future. As experts in flexible staffing, Mom Corps team members are often asked about crucial skills for today’s workplace. In our monthly blog series, Career Confidential, we share smart strategies for career re-launchers
Last week we talked about personal branding and gave you a few pointers on how to discover your personal brand. (To see that post, click here). Now that you’ve perfected your personal brand statement, let’s see how you can put it to work as you look for a job.
1. Design your resume to reflect your brand – Many times your resume is the first thing a potential employer receives that represents you. So, your resume is your first (and possibly only) chance to establish and represent your brand. Make sure to point out what you have to offer that directly aligns you with the position you are seeking. Consider including your personal branding statement as part of your objective. Don’t make the employer look for the information in your resume that would be of interest to them. Make it easy to find the most important points on your resume.
2. Put Social Media to work for you - Make sure you are fully utilizing professional social media sites, such as LinkedIn and Plaxo. These sites let you include your personal branding statement in your profile. You should align the information in your profile to support your brand. Request recommendations from contacts who can attest to your work and your brand. Then, make sure your profile photo is in line with your branding statement. Remember that social media can also work against you. Look carefully at more personal social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to make sure your postings and privacy settings are appropriate, especially during your job search process.
3. Perfect your Pitch – Always be prepared to represent your brand in a conversation or when meeting someone for the first time. A basic pitch includes your name and describes who you are. To make it more effective you should also include your personal branding statement. Practice your pitch until you are comfortable, confident and able to recite it naturally. Being able to speak confidently about who you are and what you want is a great way to make a positive first impression. For more on how to craft your pitch, check out our previous blog entry here.
4. Be Consistent – It’s important to remember that one of the keys to building a brand is consistency. Make sure all elements of your job search stay true to your brand. While your resume may establish your brand with potential employers, other pieces such as your cover letter or work portfolio should use the same formatting and language styles as well. Use the same consistent language during the interview process to align your efforts and reinforce your brand. Even your interview outfit should be consistent, representing the quality of your brand by being polished and professional. Making sure that all parts of your brand are aligned will allow you to make the best impression possible.
Now that you have your personal branding statement and you are making the most of it in your job search, make sure you maintain it. Your brand is part of you and is something that you can use on a daily basis. Allow your brand to evolve as you evolve and review your personal brand regularly to ensure that it reflects the very best of what you have to offer an employer.