featured stories in this issue - psgcnj · featured stories in this issue: editor’s note –...
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MAY 2012 Vol. 3, No. 5
In This Issue Welcome Editorial
NEWS FEATURES Hired Learning
Recent Landings
Committee Spotlights
Helpful Tips
About PSGCNJCNJ Official Website
Yahoo Group
Programs Calendar
Submit Your Bio
Tech Tips
Transition Tips
COMMITTEES Administration
Marketing
Membership
Opportunity Center
Programs & Networking
Technology
Training Advanced Résumé Review Mock Interviews
General Meeting and Location
Mondays at 10:30 a.m. First United Methodist Church Basement Meeting Hall 48 West High Street Somerville, N.J.
Useful Links
N.J. Department of Labor
Job Search Websites
Reference USA
PAGE 1
FEATURED STORIES IN THIS ISSUE: EDITOR’S NOTE – Finding Motivation… by Kanwal Minhas p.01
SPEAKER’S CORNER – Deborah Wheatman: LinkedIn Strategies for Personal
Branding by David Pastore p.02
VIDEO VAULT – Joe Cardone’s Power of Laughter by Rick Verbanas p.03
HIRED LEARNING – PSGCNJ Service Helps Priscilla Easley Land by F. Chaves p.04
RECENT LANDINGS – A List of Newly Employed PSGCNJCNJ Members p.05
COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHTS – Marketing Committee Drives Job Fair
Attendance by 15% by Kenneth Hitchner p.05
HELPFUL TIPS – Free Resume Demo by Luann Ladley p.06
– Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems by D. Pastore p.07 – Mental Health Support Services for Individuals and Families in Transition by Frances Chaves p.08
– The Multiple Stages & Challenges of Successful Transitioning by
Kanwal Minhas p.10
CONSULTING TIPS – Free Resources for Freelancers by Frances Chaves p.11
MONDAY MORNING MEETINGS – Calendar of Upcoming Topics & Speakers p.12
Finding Motivation
By Kanwal (Kan) Minhas, Managing Editor Welcome to the May issue of Transition to Success Newsletter. We want you to stay motivated in your search for successful landing. The word “motivation” has a special significance in this issue since it provides the fuel that brings our landing. When the doldrums begin to set in, it’s important to bring the word out of the closet to help you move. Here are a few quotes to help you on your way.
“The road to success is always under construction…” (Author unknown) “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do…” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe This month’s issue has a number of useful strategies to make your task easier. Debra Wheatman shares how to use Linkedln for success. We go back in our Video Vault and highlight Joe Cardone, finding the humor in life. There are great articles on getting your resume through a company’s website as well as consulting tips for those considering that path. All to provide insight and motivation for your job search! So, grab a cup of coffee and read the May issue of Transition to Success.
We want to hear from you — CONTACT US:
Kanwal (Kan) Minhas, kminhas10@gmail. com
STAFF
Managing Editor:
Kanwal (Kam) Minhas
Layout Editor:
Frances Chaves
Copy Editors:
Kenneth Hitchner
Rick Verbanas
MARKETING COMMITTEE:
Robert Acquaye Julius Alberici Frances Chaves Kenneth Hitchner George Hunter Luann Ladley Cynthia Lewis Steve Lewkowitz Kanwal Minhas David Pastore Rick Peterson Leanne Rea Eileen Murphy Sonia Vera Rick Verbanas PAGE 2
SPEAKER’S CORNER
Debra Wheatman: LinkedIn
Strategies for Personal Branding
By David Pastore
LinkedIn has become a critical business-networking tool; and it
can be a powerful resource when it comes to developing your personal brand. In
order to maximize your exposure on LinkedIn, you should take full advantage of its
features and optimize your LinkedIn branding campaign.
1. Add Your Picture - People are visual – they like to see with whom they are
communicating. It is acceptable (and desirable) to have a picture on your LinkedIn
profile.
2. Edit Your LinkedIn URL - You can leverage your name as part of developing your
brand. Click on Profile, then Edit Profile, and go to the last item in the blue box called
Public Profile. Click on edit and a page will come up. On the right hand side, there will
be a box where you can enter your name. If you have a more common name, try to
enter your first name, middle initial, and last name. This will allow you to extend your
name brand. If someone is looking for you, your LinkedIn profile will appear with a
higher ranking in Google.
3. Modify Your Headline - Take advantage of the branding power of LinkedIn by
modifying your headline. If you are trying to position yourself for career advancement,
this important element should not be overlooked. By default, LinkedIn puts your most
recent job title in the headline. You can modify this by going to Profile, Edit Profile,
and clicking on Edit next to your name.
Using keywords that are likely to be searched by potential recruiters can help you. If
your most recent title was Sales Manager and you want to become a Director of
Software Sales, you should create a headline that supports your efforts. For example:
Software Sales Manager / Director. This is more specific. When a hiring manager is
seeking a software sales manager or a software sales director, your name will be
more likely to come up in the search.
4. Make Your LinkedIn Profile Flawless - Consider working with a professional writer
to create a compelling and keyword rich profile that is 100% error free.
5. Ask For Recommendations - Ask your present or former colleagues, superiors,
and/or subordinates, for recommendations. To do so, click on Profile, then
Recommendations and send them a brief note. You can customize the standard letter
that appears.
When recruiters and hiring managers see all the positive things that others have said
about you, it reinforces your brand. It is up to you whether you want to accept a
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recommendation. You can accept and the recommendation will appear on your
profile, or can choose to keep a recommendation hidden.
6. Join and Participate in Groups – I cannot say enough about the importance of
groups. They help you to extend your reach; if used wisely your participation can
enhance your brand.
Debra Wheatman, an experienced human-capital, management strategist, will help you take the next step up your career ladder. Debra, who possesses both Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) designations, is globally recognized as an expert in advanced career-search techniques. With more than 18 years of corporate human-resource experience guiding and directing global clients in determining career goals and identifying gratifying career choices, Debra can package the amalgamation of your skills and accomplishments in a compelling and creative way to generate interest on behalf of decision-makers at leading corporations.
A featured blogger on career planning at numerous sites, Debra posts regularly on her site: careersdonewrite.com/blog, and has appeared on Fox Business News, WNYW with Brian Lehrer, and quoted in leading online, print, and trade publications, including Forbes.com, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNBC.
VIDEO VAULT
Joe Cardone’s Power of Laughter
By Rick Verbanas
Have you missed a Monday Morning General Meeting and
wished you could have seen the speaker? The PSGCNJ
Media Library at http://psgcnj.org/media_library.html hosts
more than 100 video presentations dating back to 2008 that
you can watch online.
In this issue, we look back at Joe Cardone's "The Power and Magic of Humor,”
originally recorded on March 14th, 2011. If you need a good laugh, and you want to
learn how the power of humor can improve your physical state, watch this free video:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/psgcnj/files/Presentation%20Materials/MediaL
inks/Video20110314-Cardone.html.
Cardone started as a stand-up comic in the
1950s and later became a high school English
teacher. Over the years as a professional
lecturer, he has seen the positive effect laughter
has had on people, and he shares his knowledge
in a very humorous and captivating way.
Go on... have a laugh!
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HIRED LEARNING
PSGCNJ Service Helps Priscilla Easley Land By Frances Chaves Priscilla Easley landed as Senior Administrative/Executive Assistant with a New Jersey company after a more than two-year search. We all know Priscilla, who greeted everyone with a smile who attended a PSGCNJ General Membership Meeting during that two-year period. She served on the Administration Committee, which is the only committee mandated by PSGCNJ’s bylaws. Often Priscilla was the only member of that committee! Priscilla’s service to PSGCNJ included representing the organization with the First United Methodist Church, making certain that the necessary rooms were available and prepared for our meetings. As the liaison with the Department of Labor, Priscilla delivered monthly reports on PSGCNJ activities. She facilitated the co-Chairs meetings and maintained and oversaw the distribution of PSGCNJ’s funds. Priscilla said that she found the job opportunity through networking in-person and online research. Her committee service was an important factor in her hiring. It kept her skills fresh and up-to-date. She noted that her new employer checked all the information she supplied before bringing her on board so she recommends that the information you provide be accurate and up-to-date. She recommends that job-seekers keep their attention focused on the job search. Good luck Priscilla! We miss you!
What you can do:
Attend the Monday 10:30 AM PSGCNJ General Membership meetings at First
United Methodist Church (Basement Meeting Hall), 48 West High Street, Somerville. Speakers are listed in this newsletter and at www.PSGCNJ.org: click on “Professional” at the top of the page, then on “Newsletter” in the left column.
Take a Career Beacon job-search workshop on topics such as networking,
résumé writing and self-management skills. Sign-up at the DoL (Department of Labor) or contact Somerville One-Stop Center at 908-704-3000.
Schedule a one-on-one résumé review meeting by emailing your résumé to
[email protected]. Receive feedback from your peers on the Career Training Committee, which meets at the DoL Building in Somerville.
Join the Transition Management Team (TMT) to support your job search. TMT
meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Mondays before the General Membership Meeting. Contact Emmanuel “Manny” Inyang from the DoL for more information.
JOIN A COMMITTEE! It looks great on your résumé; it gives you something good
to talk about in your interview; it’s a great way to network; and PSGCNJ needs your support.
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RECENT LANDINGS
Congratulations to the PSGCNJ members who have landed. This is a partial list: 3/30/12 Fred Ferry, Compliance Coordinator, Rustoleum
4/2/12 Karen Walker
4/2/12 Sylvie Bennett
4/2/12 Karen Simon
4/4/12 Jacqueline Dockery
4/5/12 Nancy Bello, Systems Dispatcher, Alpine
Business
4/9/12 Beth Colon
4/9/12 Lori Mohr, Customer Service, ETS
4/16/12 Eric Schwartz, IT, Merck
4/16/12 Linda Sibilia
4/16/12 Jasmine Ho
When you land in your new career, please remember to update your co-chair with the name of your company and title of your new position!
COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT: Marketing
Marketing Committee drives job-fair attendance by 15%
By Kenneth Hitchner
The PSGCNJ Marketing Committee’s recent campaign increased attendance at its 2012 Job Fair by 15 percent.
More than 220 individuals attended the event on March 14 at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, although the number of unemployed in New Jersey has dropped about 5 percent since last year’s job fair. The Marketing Committee’s promotional campaign included:
Published stories in the three PSGCNJ newsletters that preceded this year’s job fair.
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A 30-day campaign that used the job fair and increased exposure among attending hiring managers to motivate members into submitting or revising existing Candidate Profiles by March 8. (PSGCNJ allows its members to submit their own professional biographies that are distributed to area employers and published online.)
Distributed three promotional, job-fair emails directly to PSGCNJ members via email, starting 10 days before the event.
Web-analytic reports underscore that key messages resonated with their intended audience. In the days leading up to this year’s job fair, 793 unique visitors recorded 2,596 page-views at www.psgcnj.org. Compared to the same time period last year, 549 unique visitors recorded 1,972 page-views. In addition, the final bulk email, entitled “Envision yourself at a PSGCNJ Job Fair…tomorrow,” which was sent on Tuesday, March 13, drove the highest, single-day traffic to the organizations’ website in recorded history. In total, 209 unique visitors recorded 230 visits. In contrast, the second highest, single-day traffic occurred on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 when 123 unique visitors registered 135 visits.
HELPFUL TIPS
Free Resume Demo:
How to Keep Your Resume Out of the Junk- Mail File
By Luann Ladley
Chances are your resume looks just like junk mail to your recipients, and therefore gets treated like junk mail. It is critically important to understand how companies decide which resumes to read and who to interview.
Your qualifications aren’t enough anymore to get you the job because there are so many qualified candidates.
At http://reCareered.com, Phil Rosenberg tells you how to keep your resume from being filed under junk mail.
His complimentary live webinars feature action items to double your resume response rate and number of interviews, plus live career Q&A . Register at http://ResumeWebinar.com . His website also includes information on Coaching/Mentoring/Training, Executive Resume Work, Opportunity Generation – Reverse Headhunting and Social branding.
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HELPFUL TIPS
Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
By David Pastore
As long as employers rely on applicant tracking systems to screen resumes, qualified job seekers' only hope for passing through them successfully is to understand exactly how these systems work.
Jon Ciampi, CEO of Preptel, has intimate knowledge of applicant tracking systems. He previously served as a general manager with Sum Total Systems, a maker of applicant tracking systems, and his new company helps job seekers penetrate these systems.
Ciampi shared his insider secrets on how applicant tracking systems work--and how job seekers should best format their resumes to get through them. Job seekers can increase their resumes' chances of getting through an applicant tracking system by heeding the following do's and don'ts:
1. Never send your resume as a PDF: Because applicant tracking systems lack a standard way to structure PDF documents, they're easily misread, says Ciampi.
2. Don't include tables or graphics: Applicant tracking systems can't read graphics, and they misread tables. Instead of reading tables left to right, as a person would, applicant tracking systems read them up and down, says Ciampi.
3. Feel free to submit a longer resume: The length of your resume doesn't matter to an applicant tracking system, says Ciampi. It will scan your resume regardless of whether it's two pages or four. Submitting a longer (say three or four page) resume that allows you to pack in more relevant experience and keywords and phrases could increase your chances of ranking higher in the system.
4. Call your work experience "Work Experience:" Sometimes job-seekers refer to their work experience on their resume as their "Professional Experience" or "Career Achievements" (or some other variation on that theme). "People get very creative on their resume because they think it will help them stand out, but in fact it hurts them," says Ciampi. "Often the computer will completely skip over your work experience because you didn't label it as such."
5. Don't start your work experience with dates: To ensure applicant tracking systems read and import your work experience properly, always start it with your employer's name, followed by your title, followed by the dates you held that title. (Each can run on its own line). Applicant tracking systems look for company names first, says Ciampi. Never start your work experience with the dates you held certain positions.
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HELPFUL TIPS
Mental Health Support Services for Individuals and Families in Transition By Frances Chaves A partial list of organizations offering low-cost or no-cost assistance follows. Mental health services in all New Jersey
counties are listed in the “Directory of Mental
Health Services By New Jersey County” at
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/
news/publications/mhs/directory_by_county.
html
Somerset County Services:
Family and Community Services of Somerset County, Bound Brook, N.J. Individual and Family Mental Health Program, affordable rates based on a sliding scale; 732.356.1082; http://fcssomerset.org/fcs/individualandfamily.html
Greater Raritan Workforce Investment Board
Contact: Jan Goodman, Regional Lead Disability Program Manager: 908.704.6351 Mental Health Association of New Jersey Hotline: 800.273.TALK
N.J. Mental Health Cares: 24-hour Referral Line: 800.273.TALK;
njmentalealthcares.org
Psychiatric Emergency Screening Service (PESS), Somerset Medical Center Hotline; 24 hour psychiatric emergency screening service: 908.526.4100
Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center, Bridgewater, N.J. Mental health center services provided on a sliding fee scale for county residents.
908-725-2800 or toll free at 888-744-4417
Somerset County Board of Social Services, Somerville, N.J. Contact: Judy Noder: 908.526.8800 ext. 5110
Somerset Treatment Services, Somerville, N.J. Affordable outpatient services for substance abuse and HIV-related illnesses. 908.722.1232; http://www.somersettreatmentservices.org/
Other Social Service Resources: Carrier Clinic, Belle Mead, N.J.
Free, confidential Depression & Anxiety screenings are offered on a quarterly basis.
24/7 Access Center: 800.933.3579; http://www.carrierclinic.org/programs-free.php
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Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen (including locations in Somerville and Hillsborough) counseling services: http://www.ccdom.org/counseling-services Diocese of Trenton counseling services: http://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/cc3/index.php?page=counseling-services Easter Seals Intensive Family Support Services, East Brunswick, N.J. Contact: Diane Krasner: 908.722-4300, ext. 620 http://nj.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NJDR_IntensiveFamilySupportServicesIFSS First United Methodist Church, Somerville, N.J.
908.725.1473
Jewish Family Services, Somerville, N.J.
Non-sectarian assistance. Contact: Jerry Starr: 908.725.7799
http://www.jewishfamilysvc.org/our-programs.php
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800.950.NAMI; http://www.nami.org/
Somerset County: 908.725.2800
Outpatient Clinic at University Medical Center at Princeton, Princeton, N.J.
Primary and specialty care for adults and children who meet financial guidelines.
609.497.4240; http://www.princetonhcs.org/
Resource guides available online & in print
“Somerset County Department of Human Services Guide to Mental Health
Services”
http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/hservices/hsdept/pubs/Mental%20Health%20-
%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
“Resource Guide for Persons Affected by Substance Abuse in Somerset
County”
http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/hservices/hsdept/publications.html
“Resource Guide for The Homeless in Somerset County”
http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/hservices/hsdept/pubs/HOMELESS%20Guide%20for%
20clients.pdf
“Reach out for Services in Somerset County,” available only in print; includes lists
of Somerset County Department of Human Services offices and phone numbers,
Area Resources, Hotlines and 24 Hour Emergency Resources.
For additional social and health resources, please contact your county’s
Department of Human Services. To find the relevant contact information, Google
“list of new jersey county departments of human services.”
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HELPFUL TIPS
The Multiple Stages & Challenges of Successful Transitioning By Kanwal Minhas
Are you not receiving
interviews or are you
receiving interviews,
but not landing?
What is going on?
Each stage of
transitioning to
success has its own
hurdles.
First Step: You are dropped into transition that is traumatic and can lead to anger,
and depression. No matter the reason for your current situation, getting back on your
feet requires turning negative feelings into positives. A multitude of resources are
available to assist you. Start by Googling “PSGCNJ” or “networking NJ.”
Second Step: How do you navigate the resume maze and create an attention-
grabbing product? PSGCNJ and Careers in Transition (CIT, a Short Hills, N.J.
networking organization) provide free, comprehensive resume reviews by human
resources directors. Attend CIT to learn the latest trends are in resume writing.
Third Step: Start applying for jobs, using job boards, cold calls, informational
interviews and networking. Have an action plan for each day of the week.
Fourth Step: What can you expect in an interview? Each interviewer has their own
style and will ask questions not necessarily covered by blogs or career coaches.
Tailor your presentation to your interviewer whether it’s a half-hour phone interview or
an unfriendly panel of hiring managers. Learn to interpret their communication style,
body language and know exactly what they are looking for. Fit your body language,
communication style, energy level and knowledge base to the interviewer.
Be persistent, be focused and persevere. Avoid the BIG NEGATIVES: the demons
within you, your environment or other individuals. Keep going whether it takes a
month or two years. Remain positive. When something is not working, reach out to
PSGCNJ colleagues for input. Ask questions and keep learning. Remember,
transition to success is a journey to a destination, and life is a journey and not
necessarily a destination.
Keep motivated and have FAITH IN YOURSELF.
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CONSULTING TIPS
Free Resources for Freelancers By Frances Chaves
If you are considering freelancing—often called consulting—you are not alone. NPR recently reported that more than 30 percent of U.S. workers, an estimated 13 million Americans, are now freelancers (http://www.npr.org/2012/04/10/150286116/for-freelancers-landing-a-workspace-gets-harder). So-called “nontraditional office workers”—telecommuters, freelancers and contractors—are expected to number 1.3 billion worldwide by 2015. The benefits of freelancing are the increasing availability of work, flexibility, not having to dress for work, a home office…. The down side: no overtime, paying for your own health insurance, retirement, life insurance, holidays, and payroll taxes. The best source I have found for freelancing/consulting best practices is the Freelancers Union in New York at http://www.freelancersunion.org/. Founded by Sara Horowitz “to build a support system to help the growing independent workforce thrive,” membership is free and provides solidarity, benefits, community, and a political voice. Freelancers Union members can buy into stable and long-term benefits at a group rate at https://be.freelancersunion.org/benefits/ Unfortunately, New Jersey’s insurance laws make it impossible for New Jersey residents to buy into the health insurance plan but dental, disability, and term life and retirement insurance are available to us at competitive rates. The Freelancers Union’s Resources Guide at http://www.freelancersunion.org/resources/index.html provides information on avoiding many of the pitfalls inherent in the uncertain business of being self-employed, including:
Contract Creator – A template for creating a legally binding contract with your
prospective employer. Establishing clear expectations before beginning work with a client will help you avoid conflicts and get paid.
Get Paid, Not Played - Tips on how to prevent non-payment or late payment and
how to deal with deadbeat employers.
Client Scorecard – Freelancers’ rate their experiences with companies hiring
freelancers.
Tax Help – Assistance with how to file taxes as a freelancer.
Financial Help – Resources to help with handling money coming in and going
out.
Freelancing and consulting can be a great way to keep active, continue to build your resume and explore new opportunities. Good luck!
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MONDAY MORNING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Please check our Program Events Calendar for more information: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/PSGCNJ/cal
May 2012
========================================================================
May 7, 2012 Topic: The Importance of Professional Branding Presenter: Glenda Blakely
===================================================================
May14, 2012 Topic: “Knockout-Networking!” An Exciting Interactive Presentation
Presenter: Michael Goldberg =================================================================== May 21, 2012
Topic: Furthering Your Education Through a Training Grant Presenter: Ben Lau and Deepa Jacob of AVTech USA
Topic: Presentation on Jewish Family Services and Services it Offers to the Public Presenter: Elise Presant
===============================================================
May 28, 2012 DoL Closed for Memorial Day
===============================================================
May 29, 2012
Topic: What is Your Brand: Maximizing Your Job Search Campaign
Presenter: Coach Randy Nathan
===============================================================
START YOUR WEEK RIGHT with TMT (Transition Management Team) - the 2nd and
4th week of every month at 9:00am before the 10:30am General Meeting.
SAVE THE DATE: PSGCNJ Picnic
Monday, June 11, 2012 (Rain or Shine), 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Knob Hill Pavilion, Colonial Park, 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have an idea or a suggestion for PSGCNJ, or a request for a specific topic to appear in this newsletter, please send it to: Kanwal Minhas at [email protected]