May 11, 2012 | 6:34 pm

What is Networking, and how does it Work?

Posted by Vicki Rothman

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You talked about the importance of networking over just sending a resume, could you please explain?
-Los Angeles Job Hunter

Employers receive hundreds of resumes a day. There is no connection between the person sending the resume and the person reviewing the resume. Most of these resumes end up in the trash can.  Employers are more apt to hire people they know.

Networking is just what it says; setting up a network where you can meet people working in your field of interest.  If you ask people around you if they know someone in the field you are interested in, you will be surprised by the number of referrals you can get.  Calling someone at a company that you have a connection with through a friend makes it easier to get your foot in the door of that company.

I recently overheard a conversation where a man was telling his friend that he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t getting a job.  After all he said, “I send out 25 resumes a day”.  In the next breath he said, “last time I found a job it was through someone I knew”.  I thought to myself bingo!  The best way to find a job is through those people you know.

You need to be prepared for what you want to say to a potential contact when you call them.  Introduce yourself, explain who your connection is to that person.  Have a one minute presentation about yourself to give to the contact. No rambling, be clear and succinct. Ask if this person’s area is hiring. If not, ask if there are other areas within the company hiring.  Try to get some face time with the person on the other end of the phone.  If you can let them get to know you a little bit, it will go a long way towards moving your employment effort forward.

Many people ask about Linkedin.  Linkedin is a professional social network website.  Many people “link” to others in their field in order to try to get jobs.  Again, this is one step removed from face to face contact.  It is this face to face contact that gets your foot in the door.

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If you have a question for Vicki please email: vickiscareercorner@gmail.com

April 18, 2012 | 10:39 am

Do I Need More Education To Get A New Job?

Posted by Vicki Rothman

How do I know when it is time to go back to school for further education or a second degree?
-Looking for knowledge, Los Angeles

Anyone who has ever held a job has developed skills.  Some of the skills we realize we don’t want to use, and other’s we realize we love to use them, or want to learn them better.  Before making a decision to go back to school, identify what you want your next career to be.  Evaluate your skills and see if they are transferrable.  If they are, you will need to market yourself and your skills.
If you really do not have the skills, or are changing career areas completely, then further education might be necessary.  Going back to school is expensive and in many cases time consuming, so be really sure about what you want before you return for more education.

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If you have a question for Vicki please email: vickiscareercorner@gmail.com

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April 18, 2012 | 10:36 am

How Do I Look for A New Job Without My Current Employer Knowing?

Posted by Vicki Rothman

I’m in a visible position in my company, but I want to start looking for other opportunities. How do I do it discretely?
-Need to sneak around? Los Angeles

This is definitely a situation that calls for discretion.  Begin by researching potential companies where you might be interested in working.  Then find out if you know anyone who works at the company or in the field you are interested.  Set up coffee dates with people familiar with the field or company.  Your goal is to make a friend/ally.  Treat this like a very casual informational interview.  As them about their work, how they got started, what they like about their job, if the company is in a hiring mode right now. Try to turn the coffee date into a conversation about work and career.  That way, you will find out information so you can decide if it is an area that you want to purse.  If asked why you are interested, you just state that you are expanding your horizons and are always interested in what people do.  Remember, people LOVE to talk about themselves!

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If you have a question for Vicki please email: vickiscareercorner@gmail.com

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April 18, 2012 | 10:09 am

Why Do I Need A Resume? Is It Really That Important?

Posted by Vicki Rothman

Why do I need a Resume?  How important is it to my job hunt?
-Looking for Results, Los Angeles

The resume is meant as a way to introduce yourself to a company or individual.  It is an introduction to who you are and what your skills are.  Most people do NOT get jobs from their resume alone. While a resume is a part of the job hunting tool, it should not be relied on to be a means to an end.  I often hear people complaining that they send out lots of resumes every day and get no results.  Networking is the best way to find a job.

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If you have a question for Vicki please email: vickiscareercorner@gmail.com

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April 12, 2012 | 6:11 pm

Introducing Vicki Rothman

Posted by Vicki Rothman

Vicki Rothman M.S. brings over 20 years of career counseling experience to the Jewish Journal.  Vicki has a private practice where she provides career counseling/coaching and is counseling faculty for a local college. She will bring her expertise to the Jewish Journal through the column “Career Corner”.

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