More Connections and More Opportunities

There is a good chance that you will connect with one person and gain something from that person or have the opportunity to provide them with something. What is something? A lead to a new job? An introduction to someone you may spend the rest of your life with? An opportunity to relocate to a dream location? A new hobby? Advice that results in an exciting new career direction? Every time you connect to one person, it creates an opportunity to give and to receive. Imagine increasing one opportunity to millions of opportunities! Today, it's not only possible, it's easy and it's free! Over 500 million people are connecting on Facebook, over 200 million on Twitter and over 87 million on Linkedin. There are thousands of social media sites that offer the ability to create your profile for free and connect to millions of other people.

Although social media provides the optimal resource for networking, establishing an authentic connection with others should be an integral part of every day whether it involves attending professional networking meetings, social events or engaging another while riding up an elevator. More connections result in more opportunities to give or to receive. Networking or connecting with the right person has resulted in the success of many. YouTube is without a doubt the place to be discovered but would Bieber be the success he is today if he hadn't been introduced to Usher? And would Usher be as popular today without Bieber? Why Some People Have All The Luck (And How to Become One of Them) by Lateral Action is all about creating connections that lead to opportunities. Call it luck if you like but without networking, your luck will most certainly disappear.

Utilize social media, network at professional meetings or socialize at family events for more connections and more opportunities. Rockmelt is a great resource to bring it all together and shows the ease of obtaining results or generating opportunities by connecting with others.

Twitter Lists

If you have not yet created your profile on Twitter, you are missing out on the 2nd most popular social media site available. It’s easy to use! It’s free! It’s real time! It has over 200 million users! It has influenced the election of a President, saving a rain forest, a new wheelchair, accountability from corporations, money raised for a good cause, jobs, friends, news, information and so much more! read more

Career Collective Blog

Let your presence be known or send out a red flag 

Welcome to 2011! If you have not recognized the emerging career trends over the past few years, this will be the year that you will need to take note or risk limiting your executive career opportunities. Whether in career transition today or possibly in the near future, competition in your job search will be fierce. In order to gain the necessary competitive edge to position yourself for consideration as a potential candidate, you must let your presence be known! If you cannot be found you will be sending out a red flag.

Transparent, authentic, genuine, verified, visible; these are the terms that have emerged and are now here to stay in reference to all professionals, companies or organizations. If you find this uncomfortable or have anything to hide, prepare to change it or accept damaging the potential for advancement in your career or business. Recruiters and hiring professionals are looking online for candidates and will be influenced by those who present a professional, accomplished and thorough representation of themselves.

Are you sending out red flags that could eliminate you from consideration as a potential candidate? In 2011 you will send out a red flag if:

• You cannot be found when googled (at the least on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook)
• Your professional resume does not include a Linkedin address
• Your online profile does not contain a professional photo
• You have incomplete information surrounding your work history
• You share offensive or negative content online

Social media is the fastest growing media in history. Not only is it free, it is the most influential marketing tool to ever emerge, making it a crucial component of executive career management. Embrace social media to let your presence be known and increase your opportunities for success in your job search, your career or your business.

Contact Martin Buckland at Elite Resumes, providing executive career management services since 1993.

As a member of Career Collective we are pleased to provide you with the following professional advice from other members of the Career Collective, Collaboratively Helping Job Seekers:

Social Media Recruiting to Grow Further in 2011, @debrawheatman

Another Year, Another Job Search Begins, @GayleHoward

In 2011, Increase Your Prospects With Better Differentiation, @WalterAkana

4 Lessons Learned From Job Search in 2010, @Careersherpa

Your Career Action Plan for the New Year, @KatCareerGal

Trends Job Seekers Should Look For in 2011, @erinkennedycprw

Things Every Job Seeker Should be Thinking About in 2011, @expatcoachmegan

Let your presence be known or send out a red flag, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes

How to find a job in 2011: Pay attention to emotional intelligence, @Keppie_Careers

2011 Employment Trends Supercharged with Twitter, @KCCareerCoach

3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness

Everything old is new again @DawnBugni

Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords

Career Tools to Check Out in 2011, @barbarasafani

What Was in 2010, What To Expect in 2011, @chandlee

The Future of Job Search: 3 Predictions and 2 Wishes, @JobHuntOrg