Hundreds Turn Out For Job Search Tips From The Experts

Hundreds of job seekers of all ages turned out Monday for the NJ/PA Job Fair at Washington Crossing United Methodist Church. The event offered job search and networking tips as well as the chance to meet and interview with some 45 local companies.

Nearly 550 people attended the second annual job fair, up from 405 last year, organizers said.

Attendees received advice from experts, who offered tips on job search strategies, careers, business ownership, and managing finances.

The message: there are jobs out there but how do you outshine everyone else as the top star in the galaxy?

Attendees weren't surprised to hear that they should be as internet savvy as possible, however, some said they were surprised to learn that some 20th century skills remain applicable.

According to several seminar speakers, online networking is key. Employers use LinkedIn and Facebook to seek candidates. Several speakers offered tips on making yourself searchable on these networking sites.

Abby Kohut presented a popular seminar titled "Don't Just Think Outside the Box—Think Outside This World."

Kohut, president of Staffing Symphony LLC, has written several books including "Absolutely Abby's 101 Job Search Secrets." Kohut said her mission is to help one million job seekers.

"While you can say that you are great at what you do, that's not enough," Kohut said. "You have to provide proof that you are great."

The importance of having a LinkedIn profile was stressed by many speakers, including Kohut.

Kohut said more than 130,000 recruiters use LinkedIn, a business-oriented networking site, to find employees. Many job seekers have a static LinkedIn profile, with sparse information that is not very useful.

Donna Serdula, author of "LinkedIn Makeover: Professional Secrets to a Powerful LinkedIn Profile," provided free LinkedIn makeovers during the job fair. She also gave a seminar entitled "Finding Jobs in the Internet-Savvy Millenium."

Here are ten tips for using LinkedIn to find a job, according to the experts:

• Add a professional headshot to your profile taken by a good photographer.

• The LinkedIn summary about yourself should be in first person and very descriptive about what you offer and who you can help.

• Complete your profile by adding documentation such as your resume (preferably one page to start), portfolio, professional certificates, publicity clips, writing samples, letters of recommendation, and PowerPoint presentations.

• Use Box.net to manage and share these files. Or take advantage of SlideShare—get your friends, former boss, co-workers etc. to speak about you and put it on SlideShare, said Kohut. Some innovative job seekers have created YouTube videos telling potential employers why they should hire them.

• Have a "current" job. Under "current," in the LinkedIn profile, make sure to list a current job or description, even if you are currently unemployed in order to make yourself searchable on LinkedIn. Recruiters search for "current" [job title] on LinkedIn, not under "past." Being a "free agent" is good, said Kohut. Words such as "actively seeking [position]" are good.

• Be a LION and build your network. Even if you don't know someone, it is okay to accept them as part of your LinkedIn network, according to most experts. As a designated LION, you will be a "LinkedIn Open Networker" and accept invitation requests from those whom you don't know. Add "LION" to your profile headline summary.

• Get recommendations from people you have worked for such as bosses, clients and even co-workers. If they will recommend you, but are too busy to write the recommendation, do this yourself and get their approval.

• Search LinkedIn jobs (LinkedIn.com/jobs). Surprisingly, people often neglect this source of employment.

• Include contact information, such as a phone number and email. You'd be surprised at how many people forget this, according to the experts. Google Voice offers free phone numbers. You can secure a free email address from Yahoo or Google.

• Use keywords. Don't just copy and paste your resume. Include keywords and skills in your profile, so recruiters can find you. Reiterate these keywords throughout the resume and throughout LinkedIn. Obtain keywords from job descriptions.

• Show your professional knowledge and answer questions on LinkedIn to increase your visibility.

Another online job search tool is BeKnown, a professional networking app on Facebook. You should be on both BeKnown and LinkedIn, according to the experts. Serious job seekers should have a Facebook page (minus the embarrassing images). Facebook has more than 750 million users, with an average user age of 37.

Blogs are also a great way to communicate something intelligent about a field you know, Kohut said.

And don't forget to Google yourself to see what kind of information an employer might dig up. Distinguish yourself from others with the same name by adding your middle name or initial. Sign up for a "Google Alert" to track your own name, industry or company.

But don't forget about snail mail and faxes. While many think that selling yourself online is the only way to go, this is not true. The rare fax or resume by mail actually stands out from the crowd and gets you noticed, Kohut said.

Organizers said the day was a success.

"Many companies returned this year—we had 45 tables this year, up from 30 last year," said Pierre Eade, Pastor of Outreach at the church. "We hope to have more people visit the job fair next year."

Job seekers said the fair was very useful.

"The talks I attended were fantastic—full of information I can readily use in my job search. I encourage everyone to attend the job fair next year and take advantage of everything it offers," said job seeker J. Patricia Meyer, a business librarian.

The church plans to hold another PA/NJ Job Fair next year.