Usually when you are looking for a job, you would ask for help from family and friends.  You would contact these people to ask for information on current job openings, business opportunities and tips.

Your family, relatives and friends belong to your warm contact list.  The warm contact list is the list of people with whom you have or had some personal association.  A former classmate, officemate or neighbor may belong to your warm contact list.

Who may be included in your networking contact list?  Here are a number of selections.

Relatives and Friends

These people are always willing to help you in your job search or business venture.  They will be able to provide you information if they have some, or refer you to trustworthy people who will be able to help you.  If they will introduce you to some of their contacts, they can surely provide honest information to you regarding the person you are going to associate with.

Members of the church, political party, social club or fraternity or sorority

You probably did not expect it, but people who share the same faith, beliefs or hobbies may also help you with finding a job.  You may have a different career from theirs, but they might know somebody who is in the same field or will be able to help you in your career.

However, depending on your level of association with them, they may think twice about giving their opinion or thoughts about their contacts.  Their opinion can sometimes help you in making a strategy on how to approach and ask for help from their contacts.

People who sell you things

You may think that your relationship with these people is purely based on trading goods and services, then paying for them.  However, people who sell you things are also sources of information when networking.

Since these people sell their goods to different types of people, they may have associated with somebody who belongs to the same field as you do, or have heard information about your target job from their other clients.

These people will also be happy to help you, since they know that maintaining a pleasant relationship with you means a stable business.  Also, if you have a good job means you have increased your purchasing power, and then it could also mean that you may purchase more from them.

Former employers, colleagues or co-workers

Maintaining a good relationship with previous employers and colleagues has more benefits than you can imagine.  This is the reason that most people try their best to iron out any difficulties with their previous employers even if they are no longer associated with the company.  Aside from the possibility that your potential employer will call previous employers when they review your job history, former employers and colleagues are also a good source of information related to that field.

When you ask for help from family and friends, there is the possibility that the information that they can give to you is just from another source.  They may not be able to give you first-hand information or detailed information unless they also work in the same field that you came from or would like to go into.

This is very different when you consult former employers and colleagues from the same sector.  They will be able to provide you with valuable information and may be able to clarify such information and answer you questions.

Members of your professional organization

If you belong to a professional organization related to the field in which you are looking for a job, you can consult the organization for current posting from the members.  If you don’t belong to any, consider joining one since this will be beneficial to you career growth.

A professional organization can provide you unbiased information on current job openings from its members.  The organization can also give you details on the company profile and even on current market and career trends.

These are the most important people that you should include when creating a list of your warm contacts.  It is better if you contact them all so you can have as many options in your job search.  When you talk to them, tell them that you are actively seeking a job.

To download your copy of Career Management book Claim That Job and download a free job hunting report - visit www.claimthatjob.com.

First and foremost you need to know what networking is and how it can benefit you in the long run. Networking is simply the ability to build alliances. Alliances can be formed for several reasons such as job searching, deal searching, looking for new clients or sending clients to other people who are fit for the job the client needs done. Networking is not just a cold call to someone you don’t know or someone you just kind of know. It’s done between people who know each other and take the time to be a solid piece of the puzzle in your network.

Networking with others people at work such as bosses and co-workers is very important for anyone who wants to succeed in the grand scheme of things. To start networking the best way is to get to know people. Start talking to your co-workers. By getting to know each person as an individual instead of just a co-worker, will help you to see where the relationship can help you and your networking abilities.

Don’t instantly try to network with people. Sometimes people get defensive or apprehensive of what you are trying to do. In this day and age people are clinging to their jobs and never want to feel threatened so just be friendly first. Once you have gotten to know someone you can network with them.

Sharon Alexander - Claim That Job.com

For more career management information and to get a free job hunting report, visit Claim That Job at http://www.claimthatjob.com

Are you in the process of trying to get a new job?  If you have already applied for a few jobs, there is a good chance that you may end up having an interview scheduled soon, if you don’t already have one arranged. As you likely already know, a job interview is often the deciding factor in whether or not you get hired. That is why it is important that your interviews go off without a hitch.  To ensure that they do, you may want to familiarize yourself with the most common job interview dos and don’ts, some of which are outlined below. 

One thing that you will want to do is prepare for your interview. There are too many individuals who mistakenly believe that all interviews are the same. This is actually something that you do not want to do.  Yes, many interviews are similar in nature, but they are not all the same.  In all honesty, it depends on the job that you are being interviewed for and the employer in question.  Instead of assuming that your job interview will be just like the last one, you are advised to expect something different, to help keep you on your toes. 

Another thing that you will want to do is practice for your interview.  As it was previously mentioned, many job interviews are similar in nature, despite being a little bit different.  They are often similar based on some of the basic questions that are asked. For instance, some of those questions may be centered on your professional goals, your need to succeed, and so on.  No matter how prepared you are for these questions, they can be difficult to answer in the moment. That is why you do want to prepare for your interview by doing a few practice runs, preferably with a friend or a relative. 

As stated above, during the interview process, you will be asked a number of questions. These questions are what enables an employer to gain insight into you, your life, and your work habits.  When responding to questions that you are asked or even when just making conversation, it is advised that you keep everything professional in nature. What you do not want to do is divulge too much information about your personal life.  For instance, employers do not need to know how old you are or if you have any children.  Also, do not badmouth any of your previous employers or bosses, as this will tend to make you look bad yourself. 

When going for a job interview, it is important that you are properly dressed. What you do not want to do is wear jeans, sweatpants, or clothing that is too revealing.  To increase your chances of getting a job, you want to look professional for your job interview.  This not only includes your clothing, but your appearance as well. If you need to put on makeup or get a hair cut, go ahead and do so.  When looking to hire a new employee, many employers want someone who can represent the company in a positive matter.  That is why it is important that you do place at least a little bit of focus on your appearance. 

Since the interview process is what is often the deciding factor in whether or not you are hired, you will want to make sure that your interview is one that is memorable, and in a good way.  To do that, you will want to keep the above mentioned job interview do’s and don’ts in mind.

To download your copy of Career Management book Claim That Job and download a free job hunting report - visit www.claimthatjob.com.

If you need help to determine what the average salary for your position in your area is, than you can employ the use of a salary calculator.  A salary calculator is an online tool which provides average salaries for different job positions in your area.  There are other ways to research salaries such as browsing through job classifieds to get an idea for the range.  Often times there are variables which even salary calculators do not take into account.  Despite this, these calculators are probably the best way to research payment for your position.

You might wonder why it matters.  Knowing what the low range, high range, and median salaries are for your position is critical if you are going to successfully negotiate a fair salary with an employer.  You should approach the situation well prepared.  If you know what most people are making in your area in your position, you can better determine what a fair pay is for your own services.  This can be an asset in negotiating with an employer.

The online salary calculator is an amazing tool for figuring out how much you should be paid.  Keep in mind that it is just that—a tool.  It does not take into account the financial situation of the particular company, or your own extra skills and assets.  To use the calculator, you simply input your job category and zip code or city.  Click “search” and the program will display many different particular job positions that are included in your selected field.  Scan through the list and find your position.  Once you find it, you can select either “base pay” or “bonuses” to examine these categories in detail.  The “base pay” will show you the median pay in your area for this position.  Included is a graph depicting the low and high ranges as well with the variables taken into account.  “Bonuses” will show you how much the average person in your position makes including bonuses.  You can also select from the tabs “benefits” and “paychecks.”  The benefits tab shows you what the average benefits are which are included with your position.  This takes into account aspects such as social security, healthcare, and time off.  By clicking on “paycheck,” you can view what the average person in your position takes home as a paycheck.  This takes into consideration values which you input such as tax information and other deductions.

The salary calculator is a great way to get an idea for what kind of money you can expect to make at your position and is a great career management tool. Use these figures to help gage how to negotiate figures with your employer.  Add to these averages what additional education or experience you have in comparison.  You need to also consider the state of the company you are dealing with.  If times are good in the company, and they have extra jingle in their pockets, they might be willing to pay more for your starting salary.  Or if the opposite situation is the case, you might not be able to negotiate as high.  The figures that you get from the salary calculator can be a definite asset to all of your negotiations.

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of Career Management book Claim That Job and download a free job hunting report - visit www.claimthatjob.com.

If you are a manager it is very important for you to know how to manage your reputation at work. This is crucial to your success and to the success of your team. You are not alone in your pursuit of any project and your work reputation can be ruined quickly when you’re not looking.

Work Reputation is important to employees because the way that people look at you determines when and how people get promoted and what happens in the meantime. Reputation is also how you show value to your workplace.

Here are 7 tips to manage your reputation at work:

1. The basics — the first place your reputation can take a dive is if you are late to work or meetings. Stay on top of this and be where you are supposed to be even a little early. Make sure your voicemail has a positive professional message.
2. Stay on target — if you are in a meeting and you know it is only an hour, make sure you keep within that hour. If you have anything else to say, keep it for a smaller meeting later.
3. Keep learning — be the first to embrace a new training or learning opportunity. This keeps your skills up and lets the boss know that you are willing to learn.
4. Understand the company you work for — if you know the company well, you know how your skills fit into the company’s mission. This will help you as you move forward in the company.
5. Look for ways to change things — if you are in a job that you have been doing for awhile, no doubt you can find ways to make it more efficient. Experiment with something new then let your boss know about it if it works.
6. Be proactive — let people know that you are willing to work on projects and look for ways to work on committees or special projects that come along. Be the first to identify where you can get started.
7. Be still — sometimes just being still and listening will help you gain far more information than being a chatterbox. Make sure you say what you have to say then wait and let others talk. You will be happy that you did.
   

Your reputation is what precedes any interaction you have with others at your workplace. When you are someone that everyone wants to know and you are open to new ideas, people will flock to you. When you are someone that is irritating to people, people will stay away from you. So, its essential to manage your reputation at work.

Now is a time to focus on the type of person you want to be and design your reputation to fit the person you want to become at work. All you have to do is think about what you want to project and begin to systematically create that personality. This can open an entirely new world to you and your workplace.

Sharon Alexander

Sharon Alexander

www.claimthatjob.com

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Managers aren’t created equal and occasinally you may run into a bad manager who is toxic. This may mean that they are abusive or a bully and you still have to work with them. Many people get emotional and depressed in these types of situations and others decide to quit.

It is not a good thing for a manager to act in such a way, but there are some who just can’t help themselves. They think that since they are the boss they can treat a subordinate any way they want.

Since most people are afraid of their boss because they have the ability to fire them, most employees will put up with this situation rather than say anything. However, this may not be the best way to act either.

Dealing with a toxic boss is in no way easy. While sometimes you may be able to grin and bear it, at other times you may want to shout.

If you have found yourself in a situation with a toxic boss, here are 7 tips to deal with the situation:

1. Be brave — many people are afraid to confront a toxic boss and this is probably the best thing you can do. However, it takes courage to confront someone who has power. The first thing to do is to ask for a meeting with the boss when you know they will be in the office and free of interruptions.
2. Write down issues that you have seen — think about the issues that are upsetting and make a list. Take the list to your boss in a diplomatic way. That is, don’t accuse them of being any certain way, but tell them what you have seen and how it seems to effect you and the team.
3. Be worthy of respect and ask for it — when you are talking with your boss, let them know you are worthy of their respect and request that they give you the respect you deserve. Tell them the type of behavior you expect from others.
4. Document problems — besides your list in #2, keep a list of problems you see that are reoccurring. At some point you may need to go to a higher authority and if so, you have a documented list (dates, what happened) to take with you.
5. Stay Calm — don’t let the boss see you become emotional about the situation and don’t show anger at the boss. These two behaviors can loose respect and change the situation for you on the job.
6. Report the behavior –if all else fails and the behavior continues, don’t be afraid to report it. Most companies have a way to report a grievance and you should know this policy and act on it if you need to do so.
7. Know when to leave — as Kenny Rogers once said, “You’ve got to know when to hold them…when to fold them… and when to walk away.” Sometimes leaving a situation is the best thing you can do for yourself and it is better than staying within the toxic situation.

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of Career Management book Claim That Job and download a free job hunting report - visit www.claimthatjob.com.

Networking is a term that everyone has heard and some people use, but many are afraid of what this means. If you are a shy person this also can be daunting because it means mingling with people and you may not understand how to go about doing this. Take heart though because we are going to give you ways to do this.

Usually when people talk about successful business networking they mean when you are outside your office. There are Chamber of Commerce events and other events that people say are good to go to in order to meet the right people.

Networking withing your company can be just as important to an individual who wants to get ahead in any company. In fact it can lead you to the people who have the internal jobs that most people don’t hear about on the outside.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your company networking:

• Be approachable — in a company people like those they can talk to and meet with under friendly circumstances. Get to know everyone from the janitor or mailroom person to the heads of departments.
• Plan lunch with other employees — people like to eat together and when you have lunch with colleagues you get to know them in a different atmosphere than at work. This is a good way to get to know the person rather than the employee.
• Get in the habit of sharing information — in many offices people look at each other as competition and this can be far from the truth. Learn to share information about the industry or other tidbits that may help another employee.
• Use Social Networking — there are pros and cons for using social networks like Facebook or LinkedIn. Both of these sites are places where people network within companies and without. It is just another way to get to know the people in your company.
• Talk to your boss — a lot of people are afraid to do this but the boss is the best place to find out information you need. Talk to the boss about your performance and how it meets with the company goals. Also be sure to have career goals of your own to share.
• Find a mentor — there are people in your company who are doing the job you may want to do and they can help you get to where you want to go. Most mentors will help you with career guidance and let you know of upcoming job openings within the company that meet your skills.
• Build a good reputation — make sure that you can always be looked at as dependable, professional and cooperative. These are skills that everyone needs in any job. This will also increase your visibility in your company.
  

Most people find that by knowing more people inside the company, they have access to jobs that aren’t announced on the outside. Networking in your company can take time, but it is worth the effort. So put in that little effort and you’ll soon reap the benefits.

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of my book Claim That Job and get a free job hunting report - visit www.claimthatjob.com.

Sometimes it’s tough finding the right job. All the job advertisements, online posts just don’t seem to help out. Depending on the job you are looking to pursue, you may be able to use the services of recruitment agencies. Many employers like IT professionals tend to look to recruitment agencies to find them job applicants.

One of the reasons that these agencies are used, is that they can pull together a variety of job applicants according to the job specifications and they can screen for the best candidates for the job. Because of this, an employer can rely on having a stable of good potential employees for any job they advertise.

If you’re thinking about signing up with a recruitment agency here are a few tips you should know to bet the most out of them:

• Make sure you have the right agency — check the agency to see whether they offer the types of jobs you are looking for so that you aren’t wasting your time. All agencies aren’t created equal so you can check out their websites to be sure of what they are looking to recruit.
• Know your skills and experience — you will tell your skills and experience as part of the first interview with a recruitment agency. Know them well and be able to tell them how you fit their employer’s needs.
• Prepare a killer resume and cover letter — most of the time you will be submitting this online so make sure that it fits the criteria for an online resume. Some recruitment agencies will scan your resume to pick up key words from the industry.
• Don’t rule out temporary jobs — some recruitment agencies have temporary jobs because employers want to try out a potential employee before they hire them for good. Take a job that is interesting and do your best. It may lead to full time employment.
• Check in regularly — some people expect that the recruitment consultant will contact them if they have a potential job. Although this may be true, there are hundreds of applicants at any given time. Set yourself apart by contacting them.
• Be realistic about the job - you may want a higher level job right from the start but sometimes a job just under the one you want will yield a foot in the door when you are new.
• Ask the agency for a list of companies — ask them to provide a list of the companies they have sent you resume to so you can see what responses you get.
• Don’t rely only on the recruitment agency — be proactive in your job search and continue looking for jobs on your own even though you are using the recruitment agency. Using an agency doesn’t guarantee a job.
  

Working with recruitment agencies can be easy if you know what to do. You can make sure that they work well for you, if you stay proactive and on top of your job. This helps them maintain a direct connection with you.

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of my book Claim That Job and get a free job hunting report, visit www.claimthatjob.com.

You’ve sent in the cover letter with your resume and you received a call asking you to come for an interview. The employer sounds impressed with what you sent them on paper and now they want to meet you in person.

Job interviews are your second step to the first impression a company has of you. In the beginning they think they know you on paper but you have to make them comfortable with you as a potential employee.

Whether you are a new graduate or an older worker if you can put your best foot forward in an interview you can grab the job you want. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

1. Brush up on your speaking skills — if you are a person who doesn’t speak well in front of people, it may be a good idea to practice speaking in front of a group. Many job interviews today are group interviews instead of personal ones. In fact, many interviews today have a group discussion as part of the interview process. The more confident you are speaking to a group, the more your personality will get across.
   

2. Check your appearance — no matter what job you are going towards make sure that you have appropriate dress for the interview. Look business, look professional.
   

3. Piercings, Tattoos and other personal statements — in most interviews, it is inappropriate to show piercings and tattoos. Of course this depends on the job interview, but you want to put your best foot forward. Take out piercings and hide tattoos if you can for now.
   

4. Keep extra copies of resumes — even though the employer has your resume, you will want to take several copies with you. There may be other people in the room who also need to see your qualifications. Don’t rely on the employer to do this for you.
   

5. Promote you — when you are in the interview keep your comments specific to the job for which you are applying. Show them how you did similar things in your last job (accomplishments) and create a positive image of who you are in work.
   

6. Do the job interview with confidence — employers like to see confident job seekers. Watch your body language and make sure you are always showing openness to the process. Give a firm handshake in the beginning.
   

7. Make sure you are comfortable — wear comfortable shows, dress comfortably but business like and make sure that you are comfortably seated when you get to the interview. This will add to your self-confidence.
   

A job interview is a game that we play that allows an employer to look us over before they choose to buy. If you are appalled at that idea think about it more. It is a system where employers ask questions and you are there with the ready answers. How well you answer the questions is how you will obtain the job. If you see it as a game you may relax a little and prepare easier.

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of my book Claim That Job and get a free job hunting report, visit www.claimthatjob.com.

A resume plays a crucial role in our lives. Whether its your first job or your changing your profession, a winning resume is what you need. This will distinguish you from the rest. So, it’s time to focus your time and energy on creating that winning resume. There are thousands of employers just waiting to hear from you and now is your time to shine.

The resume is the first impression an employer sees of you and it has to shine as your entrance into the employers mind. It should be something that is different and yet simple and it should follow some conventions.

Today’s resumes though have to tell the employer about you in about 10 seconds or they move on to another person. I order to make sure you’re one of those who get into an interview; here are 10 tips to help:

1. Clarity — make sure that your resume is clear and reads well. Employers are checking for more than just what you do; they want to make sure you can write well.
   

2. Attractiveness — although you aren’t there are win a beauty contest with your resume, it should be pleasing to the eye and attention getting. You can do this without using special characters.
   

3. Keywords — every profession no matter what it is has a variety of keywords it uses. The employer will expect you to use these words on your winning resume.
   

4. Formatting — formatting your resume is part of the attractiveness. Always use a clear font like Arial and at least a 12 font. Remember it has to be easy to read and for some employers, smaller fonts are difficult to see.
   

5. Check it once, twice, three times — check your resume to make sure there are no typos or misspellings. This leads to a sloppy resume. Have someone else check it over as a second opinion.
   

6. Make it interesting — although a resume highlights your job information, it can be an interesting read. Use full sentences and only write about your experience that is pertinent to the job for which you are applying.
   

7. Use action words — we emphasize this in two points because people forget to use action words. You want your resume to come alive in a manager’s hand and you want it to look different.
   

8. Motivation — what motivates you in a job? Let the employer know. It is very important to let the potential employer know what job you are applying for and your goals and objectives for that job.
   

9. Emphasize achievement not job duties — let the employer know what you achieved in the other positions. They will want to know what you will bring to them.
   

10. Customize your winning resume — if you have had more than one job or interest, it’s a good idea to have more than one resume targeted to each interest.
    

Sharon Alexander

To download your copy of my book Claim That Job and get a free job hunting report, visit www.claimthatjob.com.