Recruiter asks, “Are you on Facebook?”

Recruiters and HR Professionals continue to turn to social media as a resource to post jobs and source candidates. A number of surveys show this number to be approximately 90%! If you are actively managing your career, you are aware of the importance of Linkedin, the number 1 professional online networking site. Certified Professional Resume Writer's have insisted on including a Linkedin address on professional resumes for over 5 years.

Linkedin currently has over 180 million users. Twitter has surpassed 500 million and Facebook recently reached 1 billion users! With these phenomenal statistics it is easily understood why Recruiters and HR Professionals are embracing Twitter and Facebook in addition to Linkedin. What is surprising is not the fact that a number of clients have been asked by recruiters, "Are you on Facebook?" but that they are unprepared to answer the question.

It is unlikely the recruiter asking the question is not already aware of the answer and instead is leading up to the real question, "Why are you not on Facebook?"

The following answers will not be well received:

• I don't like Facebook
• I have too many friends and relatives that are inappropriate on Facebook
• I lack the technical savvy to set up a profile
• I want to keep my personal life hidden
• I don't know what Facebook is

If you thought avoiding Facebook would be a positive step in managing your career, think again. Ignoring a network of over 1 billion people will send a red flag to decision makers.

The Importance of a Cover Letter

There are many opinions regarding the importance or relevance of a cover letter in today’s job search. Rather than wonder whether the additional effort should be invested to create this very valuable introductory letter, it is in your best interest to err on the side of caution! It is unlikely you will have the inside scoop as to whether a particular recruiter or employer is looking for a cover letter so don’t take the risk. If there is an organization that may not have an interest in a cover letter they will not choose to eliminate a potential candidate for providing one but you can be assured those expecting a cover letter will likely see it as a very good reason for elimination.

A Cover Letter Can Be a Powerful Selling Tool provides information on the importance of a cover letter and details regarding the content necessary to ensure you create the opportunity to sell yourself as a potential candidate for the position your are seeking.

There are five types of cover letters for consideration:

Advertisement – your response to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for a specific, advertised position

Recruiter – an introduction to a recruiter to sell yourself as valuable potential candidate to their organization

Direct Mail – target a specific company or organization to sell yourself as an interested, highly qualified candidate

Networking – share key contacts to establish credibility and a genuine connection to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for an available position or introduction to a company

Pain – seize the opportunity to portray yourself as proactive, looking for new challenges and ready to tackle critical business issues in this introduction to solicit a position which will allow you to resolve their pain

Check out these Sample Cover Letter Samples from Elite Resumes.

The Power and Influence of Social Media

One Tweet and your vacation is over. One video on YouTube and you're suddenly a superstar. One connection made on Linkedin and you have an interview for your dream job. Another click of a button on Facebook and you are reunited with a long lost friend or relative. If you are not active online, you may not be aware of the power and influence of Social Media.

Someone who knows someone who knows someone; that is likely how you met your best friend, secured your last job and found your favourite boutique. Every time you meet someone there is the potential to generate new opportunities. The difference between networking face to face and online is approximately one billion people! Of course, this does not mean that you will automatically generate new opportunities without any effort anymore than if you attended a networking event and chose not to introduce yourself to all in attendance. The power and influence of social media will not be recognized if you do not manage your reputation and connect with others to increase your network and enhance your visibility. The decision to stand out in the crowd or stay lost in the crowd is directly related to success or failure.

The World's 25 Most Reputable Companies lends insight into what is important in establishing a visible and highly respected brand. Google any of these organizations and it is clearly evident these organizations are fully aware of the power and influence of Social Media.

By establishing your personal brand and harnessing the power and influence of Social Media you will have the ability to achieve infinite possibilities.

Stop! Don’t hit send…

Don't hit send...yet! The impression you leave could be a long and lasting one. Do you want to brand yourself as professional, intelligent, mature, patient, considerate and understanding? Although those managing an executive career would share a resounding "yes" too many are taking a high risk with online comments which could be construed as arrogant, antagonistic or lacking compassion and professionalism.

Today we are sharing comments with hundreds, thousands and potentially millions of people! It is true that our enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of us but it is during these times that you must take your fingers off the keyboard! Walk away, take a deep breath and enjoy a cup of green tea. Heightened emotional states do not present a foundation conducive to presenting a professional personal brand.

A recent thread of numerous comments on Facebook had one individual standing out from all the rest. Approximately 10 people shared complimentary, friendly, light comments regarding a photo but one individual chose to post accusatory, insulting, rude comments using inappropriate language. The intended recipient certainly gained my respect when he simply ignored her unfounded and unnecessary comments. If an employer was able to view this profile, it would be a very easy decision to eliminate the obvious troublemaker from a list of potential candidates for hire.

Standing behind your values, morals and opinions is acceptable unless you feel the need to initiate an offensive online diatribe with someone who disagrees. A conversation which continues on long past any chance of a reasonable conclusion or mutual agreement may only impact a few, whereas online you could be leaving a permanent, negative impression that will be seen by hundreds, thousands or even more! Don't comment back and forth to the extent that you have exhausted a topic. Agree to disagree or simply let it go! Any professional, social interactions entered into online require respect and should never reach the "I'm right and you're wrong" stage.

Offering advice can be seen as thoughtful, giving, generous and further enhance the expertise and professionalism of a personal brand but a recent Linkedin discussion easily portrayed an individual as anything but, when the advice offered contained more personally directed negative criticism than it did positive advice.

Think positive, think professional and give serious consideration to the personal brand you wish to establish. Online comments have the potential to increase your visibility and your opportunities! One bad day and a few emotional or negative comments could easily tarnish an otherwise impressive personal brand and eliminate you from consideration as the next CEO or VP! Don't hit send until you are sure the comment you are posting is appropriate and professional!

Santa’s Professional Resume

It's that time of year again! Santa has his professional resume perfected, (click on picture to view), and is looking forward to flying out to his next assignment.

Ho Ho Ho!

The next step for most would be a job interview but Santa will be able to skip this step in the process as his expertise eliminates any potential competition. Even the Grinch was no match for Santa. And so it is, with full confidence that Santa is ramping up for the busy season ahead!

Santa Claus is admired by children everywhere, but for those mature individuals who are currently in career transition, you may also want to look up to him as an ideal role model. He has a clearly defined career path, a professional resume filled with accomplishments and a never ending list of references, which have all contributed to an outstanding reputation. He acknowledges the importance of personal branding, consuming cookies and milk at every stop despite his expanding physique. Santa has also been successful in establishing his online presence. Google Santa and review 1,880,000,000 search results!

Do you need a free resume critique, advice on personal branding or perhaps some ideas on how to increase your google ranking? Make your New Year's resolution today to find out about the executive career management services available at Elite Resumes.