Expanded Tips for Job Seekers on TalentOyster Connect

Based on the positive feedback we received on our newsletter series of tips for job seekers we recently launched a new, expanded series of Job Seeker Resources on TalentOyster Connect. Each article features a few dos and don'ts for an specific aspect of searching and landing a job, with a special emphasis on points that may not be well-known to newcomers.

Our first two entries in the series have looked at Dos and Don'ts for Resumes and Tips for Interviews. In the coming weeks the series will be covering tips on how to find the jobs you really want, using social media to help you in your job search and how to connect with people who can help you find a great job.

If you are a diverse job seeker who is having trouble with a specific aspect of finding and landing a great job that you'd like help with please leave us a comment or send us an email at support@talentoyster.com and let us know about it. We'd love to share our experiences and knowledge with you to help you find the job you deserve.

New Share Tools for TalentOyster Connect Content

We have added some new share tools to the articles on our Connect content pages. There are Twitter and Facebook like buttons on all our articles like this or this.

We chose these tools because Twitter and Facebook seem to be the most popular tools as used by our readers. But if there are other share tools you'd like to see on these pages just let us know. Leave a comment or send us some feedback on our site.

New Blog - Diversity Employment

Because there are simply more topics to blog about then really could fit the audience of one blog we're pleased to announce that we have created a new blog, Diversity Employment which is aimed at recruiters, HR and hiring managers interested in workforce diversity.

The TalentOyster blog will continue to have items of interest to those looking for work as well as general site updates and information but if you're looking for more coverage of diversity hiring and employment issues then do check out the new blog.

Plenty of site updates

We've continued to make updates to our site, including in how our site landing page looks.

We have finished the revamp of splitting our site into four "portal" each focused on a different group of users for our site an we think it just makes our site that easier to use.

The areas are

• Job Board - the place to search, find and apply for great jobs with some of Canada's most progressive employers


• Employers - services for Employers interested in tapping in to Canada's hidden pool of talent


• Campus - job listings and resources for international students in Canada. Positions listed include jobs for students as well as internships.


• Connect - Resources and information for diverse candidates. Whether you are new in Canada, born in Canada or thinking of coming to Canada, you just need to Connect. Let's Talk. Let's Connect.

Also a reminder, our weekly newsletter has been revamped and is a great source for updates on our site, diversity employment stories in the news and other resources. If you aren't already a subscriber you should try it out.

Job Seeker Tips #4 – Personal networking is crucial to a successful job search

Finding a new job sometimes boils down to a numbers game: The more people you know, and the more people who know you're looking for a new job, the more likely you are to hear about job opportunities or be recommended to a potential employer. In other words, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

Regardless of your career stage, role or industry, building and maintaining relationships with friends, family and colleagues can help reduce your job-searching time significantly. In fact, when it's done right, it can eliminate the need to search for a job altogether - because employers and recruiters will come looking for you.

'Personal networking' isn't just for senior executives, and it's a lot easier than you think. Here are three basic steps designed to help you reap the rewards of networking:

STEP 1: Build your network

It's simple: The bigger your network, the more opportunities you'll hear about. You've already got a basic personal network (your friends, family and current or former colleagues); now you need to build on it.

Building your network is really just about connecting to more people. Start by making an effort to get to know co-workers who work in different departments and who you'd otherwise not have an opportunity to work with; introduce yourself to people who work in your field at industry events; and participate in online forums and discussion groups. (The best personal networks are a combination of on- and off-line relationships.)

Remember, networking isn't about how many names and phone numbers you've got in your Blackberry; it's about developing real relationships based on shared interests over long periods of time.

A great way to start the relationship-building process? Share information: If you're an expert on something - whether it's work-related or not - offer to provide advice or insight to others. This increases the chances that they'll 'share' with you the next time they hear about a great opportunity.

STEP 2: Manage your network

The most successful businesspeople are the ones who maintain relationships over the long-term - 5, 10, 20+ years. There's no better referral or recommendation than someone saying, "Oh, if you're looking to fill X position, you should call Anik - I've known her for 10 years and she's great at what she does."

Maintaining relationships starts with staying in touch: Making sure you touch base - by email, phone, or even lunch - on a regular basis helps keep you top-of-mind with your contacts, and increases the chances they'll think of you when they hear of an opportunity.

It's important to remember that all relationships, personal or professional, involve some give and take: If you want your contacts to help you with information, recommendations or advice, you have to be prepared to do the same for them - cheerfully. Investing 15 minutes today to help someone out could pay big dividends a year from now when the situation is reversed.

Also remember as you grow your network that real, personal relationships are your goal. Unless you are looking for a role in sales or marketing, having 600 contacts in LinkedIn that you hardly know doesn't actually give you a very valuable network. Contacts who can actually speak about your strengths, skills and experiences are what you are after.

Best tools to help you manage your networks? LinkedIn (for strictly professional contacts) and Facebook (to manage friends, family, and colleagues with whom you've become friends over the years). And don't forget to keep your mobile phone address book up-to-date!

STEP 3: Leverage your network

Now that you've built and nurtured your network, it's time to leverage it by letting your network know that you're in the market for a new job. The "best fit job" for you isn't going to find you by accident, so letting your network know exactly what you are looking for in your dream role is key. The members of your strong, personal network will keep their eyes open for you once they know what you want to see.

Site changes, new navigation

We've rolled out a bunch of changes to our site and particularly the main navigation. The main navigation has been reorganized (in groups) to hopefully make moving around the site a little more clear.

There are also some new sections/pages on our site like a Job Seekers page and a place to read previous issues of the TalentOyster Newsletter.

This is just the first step of navigation and look and feel changes we are making. Quite soon we will be updating the look and feel of the "headers" (that is the part of the page above the navigation bar) and rolling out a new splash page. Our overall goal is to help make the different parts of TalentOyster including the Job Board, Connect, Campus and Employers clear and distinct. If you have any feedback on the changes so far as always please let us know.

Job Seeker Tips #3: Be Smart When Applying

So now that you know what you want and you’ve worked on your resume it’s time to start applying for jobs. But be careful – the application process is where many candidates have the most difficulty.

You can ensure you’re putting your best foot forward by following these guidelines:

• Don’t flood a company with applications. Applying to 50 jobs at one company doesn’t make you look eager – it makes you look desperate and unfocused. Most companies have a central recruitment function (with a centralized database) which stores information for all candidates, so applying to only one or two positions will ensure that you’re ‘in the system’ and will be considered for relevant positions as they become available. (Also, in most cases you shouldn’t apply to a company more often than once every 3-6 months.)
  
• Improve your chances by identifying yourself as a diverse candidate. Many organizations have diversity hiring mandates or programs – so they’re actively looking for diverse candidates. Having the required skills and experience for a role is, of course, fundamental; identifying yourself as a diverse candidate can give you an extra advantage. Applying for jobs through Talent Oyster is a good way to let potential employers know that you’re a ‘diversity’ candidate and ensure they take a second look.
  
• Make sure your resume and profile is viewable to employers. Not all job opportunities are posted online or publicly – when they’re looking for specific skills and experience, many employers and recruiters search resume databases (such as Talent Oyster) to find candidates. So ensuring that your resume and profile are complete and current will help make sure recruiters and employers find you the next time they’re looking for someone with your skills and experience.
  
• Networking, introductions and referrals are very valuable. There’s an old saying: When it comes to looking for a job, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. An introduction, recommendation or referral from someone the employer or recruiter knows and trusts can make sure your application goes to the top of the list. In our next entry, we’ll be looking at how to build, manage and leverage a network; in the meantime, start networking by making sure your friends, family and colleagues know you’re in the job market – you never know when one of them will hear about an opportunity and can recommend or refer you!