how recruiters are making the most of linkedin

Posted on June 15, 2011 by locals only jobs

LinkedIn is a professional networking website that has exploded in growth to over 85 million members in 200 countries by late 2010. The power of such a platform for networking is still being assessed by many of its members, but one community seems to have embraced the networking possibilities of the site and are making it work for them in a big way.

Having ready access to a working population networked in different ways has proved to be a huge bonus for the recruitment profession. All over the world, professional recruiters are embracing LinkedIn and finding that their ability to find people with niche skills and expertise has increased significantly. Many recruitment companies specialise in specific market sectors like engineering, life sciences or finance. Within these companies, some executives will specialise further within the sectors, for example, niche areas like aerospace engineering, microbiology or accountancy. Some of these areas can be very narrow and focused, giving recruiters limited visibility of potential candidates. A platform or database like LinkedIn gives recruitment professionals the ability to discover new, rich seams of talent that they may not have been aware of before in parts of the world they may not have considered before.

Since LinkedIn allows communication between people, even when they are not connected in the same network, recruitment companies can get a feel for the marketplace that will help them inform their clients. Entering into dialogue with people who have the expertise that the recruiters are looking for will help them understand the scarcity of certain skills and the market value of such skills and experience in terms of salaries for the jobs they are trying to fill.

Having the ability to tap into a broad knowledge base like this and to make contact with potential candidates almost immediately, gives recruiters the ability to perform their task more quickly and to ensure their client receives the best and fastest service possible.

If you are a member of LinkedIn, take a look through the connections of some of the members in your immediate network. There’s a good chance that you’ll find some recruitment specialists and headhunters in your network. These links give the recruiters visibility of broad areas of industry in terms of the people available and skillsets that exist. That’s why many recruiters will link up to people they have not yet done business with. Equally, a great many LinkedIn members see that recruitment executives are pivotal nodes in the overall LinkedIn network. They are junctions to parallel industries, other companies and potential seams of talent.

Recruitment professionals have been quick to see the benefit of LinkedIn and to capitalise upon it. As the site becomes the defacto network management tool of choice, recruiters will become even more savvy in their use of the system. It’s clear then that recruiters and candidates alike who are not yet LinkedIn could very well be missing out on significant opportunities.

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how to write a cover letter that pops!

Posted on May 15, 2011 by locals only jobs

When writing a cover letter, the ultimate goal is to grab the attention of your prospective employer and make you stand out over the other candidates.  To do this you will need to use an arsenal of techniques designed to market yourself to employers.  It can be easy to dismiss some of these techniques to save time, but doing so could hurt your chances of landing an interview.

White Space

Employers go through hundreds of resumes and cover letters while hiring.  If they receive a cover letter with little or no white space, their eyes will glaze over and your name will not catch their attention.  Nothing is more boring or dry than staring at a huge chunk of text.  White space is a marketing tactic.  It makes the body of writing easier to read.  You should utilize this marketing tactic when promoting yourself.  With the right amount of white space, your cover letter will look professionally crafted.

Bullet Points

The use of bullet points goes along with white space.  They make your cover letter easier to read.  Your job is to make your employer’s job as easy as possible.  You should use your bullet points to highlight your skills that specifically relate to the position you are applying for.  Most people’s eyes are naturally drawn to the bullet points.  If your bullet points basically sum up the employer’s job description, it will go a long way to landing you an interview.  On the other hand, if your bullet points are unrelated to the position, you will not be considered for your job.  Make sure to take your time when writing your bullet points to ensure you obtain the maximum effect.

Research

It is important to research the company before you write your cover letter.  Doing so will allow you to pick up on company terms and technologies, which you can then incorporate into the body of your cover letter.  Nothing is more powerful than portraying yourself as someone who already invested in the company.

Format

Using a standard professional format on your cover letter is necessary to present yourself as a professional.  If you stray from the format, you cover letter will stand out, but not in a good way.  It will be perceived that you don’t know what you are doing or cannot follow instructions.  Even the most qualified people can be passed over due to a poor format.

Names

If you can find the name of the person who will be reading your cover letter, be sure to include it.  A simple “To Whom It May Concern” can work, but your letter will be much more powerful if you are able to find out the hiring manager’s name.  It will show that you did your research before submitting your cover letter.

Spelling and Grammar

The biggest mistake you can make when submitting a cover letter to a company is neglecting to proofread it.  One spelling mistake or grammar error will turn your cover letter that pops into a cover letter that flops.  Even if you think your grammar is perfect, double check a couple times before you submit it.

Show Enthusiasm

You will need to show that you are excited about this job opportunity, even if you are not.  Enthusiasm can be hard to convey in writing, so you will need to include little tidbits at the end like “I am looking forward to speaking with you” or “you can reach me at”.  Even though these statements might seem pushy, they let everyone know what your intentions are.

Writing a really good cover letter can be time consuming, but it can also be a doorway into a new career.  By crafting a well writing cover letter that pops, potential employers will be more likely to want to sit down and talk with you.  After that happens, it’s time to brush up on those interview skills.

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four tips to help you get hired

Posted on July 4, 2010 by locals only jobs

In this current economic atmosphere of employers downsizing, jobs heading south and overseas, and sky-high unemployment rates, the skill of quality job interviewing is suddenly at a premium.  But sadly, most job seekers–even those perfectly qualified for sometimes highly-technical jobs–are lousy at interviewing.  Oftentimes even the basics:  knowing what to say, how to dress, and the right way to act, are lacking.  Would you like an edge on the competition in this super-competitive employment environment?  Here are four killer tips on how to interview for that job, and get hired!

First of all, show up on time.  Seems to go without saying, but it NEEDS to be said.  Far too many applicants show up at their interview five minutes before it’s scheduled or right at the appointed time, or (gasp) even late.  The reasons why you can’t get there on time don’t matter.  Simply put, if you hope for even a snowball’s chance of getting the gig, arrive ten to fifteen minutes early.  Acclimate yourself to the surroundings, fill out any required paperwork, and focus.

Secondly, although it seems like another no-brainer, dress appropriately.  What you look like conveys so much about who you are, and that is important to an employer.  This does not mean you need to don a tux for a lawn care job, nor should you rock your jeans and polo for that bank teller position.  Dress up or down to the duties required by the job itself.  Also, run a comb through your hair, apply the right amount of makeup (for women only), and a hint of cologne can’t hurt.  Nobody gets hired from a first impression, but you can certainly lose a job based on one.

Third, sell yourself.  Don’t answer the interviewer’s questions in one or two-word responses.  Elaborate as applicable, giving the interviewer a sense of your intelligence, your personality, and your ability to do the job.  Relax, if you appear so nervous you can barely speak, you have no shot.  A desperate job seeker is one who will remain unemployed.

Fourth, and this is key—know the answer to the “magic question.”  In virtually all job interviews the same important question will be asked, and this one answer all by itself can get you hired.  You might even start the next day.  It might be asked in different variations, but here’s the gist:  Why should we hire you for this job?  This is where you talk about your dependability, your reliability, your knowledge and experience, any positive aspects of the total you that tells the employer why you and you alone are the right person for this particular job.  Expect this question going in, and have a reply that will knock out the interviewer.  Even work out a written version, and rehearse it until it’s perfect.

Remember, most job applicants can’t follow these four simple tips.  But now YOU are aware.  You know these keys  to focus on and make yourself unforgettable to an employer.  So get there early, look nice, relax and speak intelligently, and tell them why YOU are the best person in the world for this job.  Now, head out there and get hired!

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how to answer the question, “tell me about yourself”

Posted on June 29, 2010 by locals only jobs

How to Answer the Interview Question “Tell Me About Yourself”

There is no excuse not to be prepared for this question in an interview. And, in fact, rule number one is to always, always be prepared for it. You know this question is coming up, the interviewer knows this question is coming up, and, most importantly, the interviewer knows you know this question is coming up. Therefore, if you’re not prepared, then it’s almost certain that the interview will terminate there and then – at least in the interviewer’s eyes.

What The Question is About

The reason this question is asked at interviews is to help the interviewer assess you as a person. It lets the interviewer see how confidently you can talk about yourself, and how focused you are on your career aspirations. In asking this question, the interviewer wants to see how you can relate certain aspects of your career to the job on offer, how well you know what’s involved in the advertised job, and how much you want it. This question is nearly always posed at the beginning of an interview and largely determines its success: answer well and you have a very good chance of being hired or at least being invited for a second interview; answer it badly, and it will take something akin to a miracle in order to turn the interview around in your favor.

So while you may know that you need to be prepared for this question, how exactly do you prepare for it?

What The Question is Not About

First, this question is not about any aspects of your personal life; it relates entirely to the job on offer. The interviewer doesn’t want to know about your marital status, how many children you have, or where you went on vacation last year. The interviewer wants to know what you did before in your previous job, how it changed you, and how it positioned you for the future, and, most importantly, how you can relate what you’ve done to date in your professional life to the qualities needed for the advertised job.

Make it Short and Snappy

While most people dread this question, it does actually present a candidate with the perfect opportunity to put him- or herself in good light. But to do this you need to be well prepared. When thinking about what to say in your answer, remember that you won’t be expected to talk for very long (nor will the interviewer want you to!). Make your answer short, no longer than one to two minutes. However, you should be prepared to provide more details if requested to. Once you’ve given your answer, ask the interviewer if he or she wants you to elaborate on any points and if so, do so.

What to Say

When preparing your answer, ask yourself what are the skills and expertise required for the position on offer. Once you’ve worked this out you can then tailor your answer to highlight the skills you’ve have gained over the years that make you the ideal candidate for the job. For example, if the job is in sales and you believe the qualities and skills needed include the ability to set goals, stay motivated, and handle rejection well, you can say in your answer that you possess those skills, and then give examples of when and how you’ve brought them into play in your previous professional positions, and what they’ve helped you achieve for your previous employers (remember, this isn’t so much about you as it is about what you can bring to the company!).

The details you should include in your answer are:

-  Your current or last position

-  What you do or did in that role

-  One or two significant achievements in that role that directly relate to the job on offer

-  Why you’re applying for the position

For example: “For the past ten years I’ve worked as a sales manager for XYZ Promotions. During that time I’ve mastered the skills to enable me to train and motivate team members to consistently reach company sales targets. The sales campaign I implemented in the company’s southeast division involved focusing on procuring new contracts as well as nurturing existing ones, and turning around those that were under-performing. Within a six-month period, my team and I were able to achieve a 75 percent sales increase in that region. Given my proven experience in this area, I believe that I can assist your company’s sales team with the current challenges it’s facing.”

Remember to always back up your statements with examples.

From Interrogation to Discussion

At this stage, it’s always a good idea to try to get the interviewer talking as well so that the interview becomes more of a discussion rather than merely an interrogation. Therefore, once you’ve delivered your statement about who you are and what you’ve achieved to date, finish off by saying that you’re interested in delivering something similar for the recruiting company and then let the interviewer tell you how you can do just that.

Being prepared for this question will help enormously when you’re in the hot seat and have to answer it. Don’t refer to notes, or to your CV or résumé. Presenting a polished and professional attitude in response to this question will ensure that the interview gets off to a flying start, and, as a result, your increased confidence will help you to sail through the rest of the interview.

hawaii jobs, jobs in hawaii, hiring in hawaii

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Follow us on FB!

Posted on June 27, 2010 by locals only jobs

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LocalsOnlyJobscom/234828741329

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three innovative ways to market yourself

Posted on June 27, 2010 by locals only jobs

Social networking has become an effective way to get attention and job leads but few people use social networking to get a job. So stand out from the crowd and expand your online social network. Get on Facebook and Linked In and friend everyone you know or have ever met. Send personalized notes to all your networked friends mentioning you are looking for any kind of work in whatever fields you have experience in. Don’t ever ask directly for a job on your social network because that puts people on the spot; instead ask for referrals and job leads. Most people want to help people they know who ask nicely so you should be pleasantly surprised at the responses.

Volunteering is another effective way to get serious positive attention in a job search. To volunteer and get results, first make a list of the top five businesses you really want to work at. Next walk into each of these businesses and offer to work for free for a week or two. Make it clear that the company has no obligation to hire you. The only commitment you are asking for is an honest recommendation letter at the end. If you prove yourself on the job, most companies will go to great lengths to hire you permanently since you showed such initiative. You are unlikely to make it through the list of five businesses before getting a job with this plan.

Or consider following the lead of Robert Dubois. A fifty-something website and graphic designer living in the small lakeside town of Penticton, British Columbia, Robert spent four months sending out resumes with out getting a single interview. Believing that if you do the same things over and over you get the same results, Robert decided to try a new tactic.

Robert set up a booth in the local shopping mall with big signs promoting his experience and skills. One sign stated he is the “best employee in Penticton”. When the TV crew showed up to interview him for the evening news they found Robert spending his day talking to passersby about his job quest and making new friends. Between the mini-resumes Robert was handing out and the region wide TV exposure it seems quite unlikely that Dubois will be jobless much longer.

So get out and do something really innovative in your job search. Maybe your competition sitting at home will get to see you on TV getting the job you really want.

LOCALS ONLY JOBS .COM

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get your dream job :: interview do’s & dont’s

Posted on June 23, 2010 by locals only jobs

So you’ve cleared the first hurdle and got the interview. Now comes the most daunting stage in getting any job. Give yourself the best chances of a good interview by preparing in advance.

Possible Questions and Answers

You should have a good idea at this point of exactly what the job will entail. Take another look at the advert and, if possible, call the company to ask further details. Make a note of any specific tasks or goals, and research similar positions using the internet.

Sit down and think about what questions the employer may ask, then come up with your own answers. Have a few key points for each response – keep them concise and not too specific.

For example, if the job description mentions adhering to deadlines, you might be asked a question about when you have done this. Think along the lines of organizing yourself or a team, what tasks were set and how they were distributed according to difficulty, time taken, and specific skill-sets.

Put yourself in the employer’s place. If you were hiring for the job you are applying for, what questions would you ask a potential employee to judge their working character?

Experience and Examples

Your résumé should have given a history of previous employment that was relevant to this job. Take a copy along in case they don’t have the one that you sent. If there are any gaps in your employment, make sure that you have reasons prepared that don’t seem like excuses – employers will be looking for stability and commitment.

Make sure you don’t bad-mouth any old bosses, or you may come off as arrogant and rash – however bad your previous treatment was. Mention previous jobs that bear the most similarity to the one you are interviewing for and emphasize the most senior roles you have held.

If certain qualities are needed for the job, have good examples of why you have them. You can mention previous punctuality and attendance records, how you managed to change a downturn in sales, or how you were given responsibility for certain important tasks.

Employers nearly always ask for a personal opinion of your bad qualities. Try not to use the cliché of working too hard, as this is looked on as a cop-out. Use an example of where you slipped up, but then turned the situation around and made the best of it. Customer complaints can often be turned into an opportunity to display good service.

Dress for the Occasion

The general rule for dressing to interviews is to go one smarter than the job would normally be. If there is a specific uniform then try to wear something similar. If workers are normally in jeans and t-shirts: wear jeans, a polo, or a good shirt without a tie, and semi-smart shoes or trainers. If the job is smart-casual: wear smart trousers with a shirt and tie. For anything smarter you should always wear a suit.

Give Yourself Plenty of time

Find out how long it takes to get to the building where the interview will take place, and leave with plenty of time. Have a small snack and a cup of coffee – if it doesn’t give make you jittery or sweat – before you leave. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early in order to find exactly where the interview will take place. Punctuality is an easy way to stand out from the crowd. There is no worse way to start off a job interview than having to apologize for being late.

Relax and Think Positively

Before leaving for the interview, make sure you feel relaxed. Listen to a favorite album or read quietly. Relax your shoulders, breathe deeply and keep a smile on your face. Going through your notes and CV a few times before you leave will keep important information at the front of your head.

The Interview

First impressions count for a lot, and the first few seconds of meeting someone last an age. Smile, stand when being introduced, and look people in their eyes. Don’t be too firm with your handshake. This can be seen as a show of aggression, or compensation for nerves. Sit upright, don’t slouch, and keep your hands on your lap.

Looking relaxed and confident is an indicator of competence and honesty. Try not to um and ah when speaking, instead slow yourself down a little and don’t be afraid to think for a few seconds before giving an answer. When the interview is over, thank the interviewers for their time, shake their hands and express that you look forward to hearing from them.

Getting a Reply

With these tips you’ll have a much better chance of getting that Dream Job, and with a little luck you’ll get an offer. If the salary is what you wanted, ask a few more questions and check the contract before saying yes. If something looks too good to be true, it often is.

If you don’t get a reply or are not offered the job, don’t take it badly. You will have at least learnt something from the experience. Now you can go forward with more knowledge of how to handle yourself in an interview situation.

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Five Ways to Succeed in Your Performance Appraisal

Posted on June 21, 2010 by locals only jobs

When you are waiting for your performance appraisal interview, you can use the time between when it is scheduled and when you walk into the room to ensure you get the best possible appraisal. There are a number of strategies that you can use when it’s time for a performance appraisal, the best of which is to have performed your job to the best of your ability in the preceding year. Beyond that, however, here are five tips to help you succeed in your performance appraisal.

1. Be rational and not defensive.

While it can be hard to resist jumping out of your chair and protesting when you hear that you aren’t doing a satisfactory job, take a deep breath and try to remain unemotional. Take an outsider’s viewpoint if possible and think about what someone new to the company who didn’t know you or your past sacrifices for the company’s sake would think of what you do in your role now. If necessary, take a few moments to clear your mind before answering when your employer says something that hurts your feelings.

2. Familiarize yourself with the discussion topics.

Before you enter the interview, you should have read the interview forms, your job description, the employee handbook, and anything else you think may be under discussion during the session. Familiarize yourself with your accomplishments and failures over the past twelve months, as it can be hard to remember just what you did right once a few months have passed.

3. Clarify what your manager means.

When you receive any feedback that can be used to improve your performance, clarify or ask for examples. It can be hard to improve based on a generic recommendation to focus on the team goals or pay attention to the policies in the employee handbook, for example. Ask your manager, in a non-confrontational way, to tell you some more specific instances of when you did things wrong and when you did things right. This will give you an idea what to focus on improving over the next year.

4. Don’t focus on the money.

Many employees use the performance appraisal as a chance to get considered for a raise. This makes you seem greedy and uncaring about your performance. While it’s understandable that you hope for a raise, just about everyone does, so focus on improving your performance first and the money will come later.

5. Communicate openly.

The performance appraisal is a chance for you to voice your own concerns and opinions, letting your employer know what you need in order to improve your performance. If you feel there are barriers holding you back from doing the best job you can, don’t let them monopolize the conversation; talk about what they can be doing to help you improve, too.

Some people see the performance appraisal as scary, while others see it as a chore. If you make sure you prepare for it properly, it doesn’t have to be either. Follow these steps to succeed in your next performance appraisal!

LOCALS ONLY JOBS . COM

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Looking for work (on the islands)?

Posted on January 10, 2010 by locals only jobs

Hawaii Jobs- Locals Only Hawaii Job Board -

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