The power of social media is truly amazing and the blazing trail of transparency ensuing is both exciting and frightening. If there is one common thread, it is CHANGE and understanding those changes and learning how to use the power of the Web and social networks is key to the success of your career or business. The following are some of the most influential people on the Web today and the information they share is proof of their expertise.

Canadian Business Magazine presents, Rahaf Harfoush: An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand,

Trust Agents, Using the web to build influence, improve reputaiton, and earn trust, written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith is an exceptional guide providing a wealth of knowledge, understanding and step by step lessons. Whether you are brand new to the scene or a seasoned Web user you will benefit from this book. Excerpt; “Those who are active on the Web now realize that they need to embrace this new transparency, that all things will now eventually be known. Companies can no longer hide behind a veneer of a shiny branding campaign, because customers are one Google search away from the truth. …..Companies must acknowledge that they are as naked on the Web as individuals are.”

Six Pixels of Separation, Everyone is connected. Connect your business to everyone, written by Mitch Joel. “The truth is, we no longer livein a world of six degrees of separation. In fact, we’re now down to six pixels of separation, which changes everything we know about doing business.”This is a terrific how to book on connecting with others and gaining an understanding of digital marketing, social media, personal branding and entrepreneurship.

Crush It!, Why now is the time to cash in on your passion, written by Gary Vaynerchuk. You will learn how to harness the power of the Internet from one of the best and most successful pioneers on personal branding and transparency. Describing the change as the evolution of building word of mouth to ”word of mouth on steroids”! A step by step guide to using all of the social networking tools on the Internet.

What job search strategies are you utilizing? Since we know that networking is the most effective and successful job search tool available have you made it your top priority? If so, are you prepared to network in person   and online?

Professional networking opportunities are easily discovered but don’t ignore opportunities to network at any social venue including your church, fundraisers, local organizations, special interest groups and Birthday parties! Someone knows someone and that someone could very well be the key contact that will lead you into your next appointment. Always be prepared to reach out and share information about yourself and never be shy about including the fact that you are seeking a new position. Remember first impressions are critical so take note of the following:

• Look in a mirror! Are you well dressed and well groomed?
• Do you have an elevator pitch, well practiced and in both a short and long version depending on the opportunity?
• Does your business card look professional and is it current?
• Are you prepared to ask for contact information and to follow up?

Networking online is no longer an option, it is a must. HR professionals and recruiters agree that Linkedin is a top resource in their recruitment of candidates. To ensure you are successful with online networking, take note of the following:

• Create your Linkedin profile using content from a professionally prepared resume.
• Display an enticing tag line. 
• Acquire a professional photo for all online profiles.
• Clearly describe the position you are seeking.
• Be diligent in updating your status and increasing your network of connections with a personalized invitation.

Linkedin currently provides access to 60 million professionals but don’t ignore the significant impact of networking within your social circle of colleagues, friends and relatives. It is only a few degrees of separation that connects us all and it only takes one contact to succeed in your job search.

Stop and smell the roses, a change of scenery, or a series of inspiring and thought provoking quotes; whatever it takes in our busy and sometimes stressful lives, it is important to take a break and create an opportunity to look outside the box. Discover new ideas, re-visit old beliefs and perceptions, seek avenues for rejuvenation, revitalization and re-invention and inspire emotional, intellectual and physical well-being. Here are a few quotes to think about:

Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it.  ~Author Unknown

Those who have succeeded at anything and don’t mention luck are kidding themselves.  ~Larry King

Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs.  Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger.  If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.  ~Dale Carnegie

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.  ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Don’t be discouraged.  It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.  ~Author Unknown

The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.  ~Lucretius

Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.  ~Author Unknown

If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.  ~Mary Engelbreit

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.  ~Author Unknown

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me.  The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.  ~George Bernard Shaw

Contact Elite Resumes to find out about the wide range of executive career management services available including a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

A job search can be an extremely discouraging experience for many people. Sending out a resume over and over again to recruiters, companies and job boards and waiting beside a phone that never rings. Of course you’re left to wonder, what is wrong with my resume?

Before you blame your resume, it is important to have a clear perspective and a good understanding of the job market. Did you know that online jobs account for less than 5% of all available jobs?  Did you know that close to 80% of jobs are obtained as a result of networking? How many resumes are you submitting to online job postings versus those submitted from leads obtained by networking? Is it possible that your job search strategy is to blame and not your resume?  

How closely does your experience and qualifications on your resume match the job descriptions that you are applying for? Most companies are willing to accept experience in lieu of a degree but if you don’t have the experience or the education, do you think you should be called in for an interview? Are you still blaming your resume?

Your resume is a critical document in the job search process establishing a first impression. As your introduction to a job interview, you must present a professional and accomplishment based resume if you intend to catch the attention of a decision maker. It is just as important to ensure your resume reaches an HR professional or recruiter in a position to make a decision for a viable job. As is the importance of applying for positions that you are qualified to fill.

Email your resume for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

What an opportunity to see Mitch Joel, Seth Godin, Max Lenderman, Sally Hogshead, James Othmer and Dan Heath, renowned speakers and authors presenting at Canada’s Marketing and Innovation Conference this week. “The art of…marketing” was an opportunity to learn from the best, take home tips for success, stay current and network with 1600 other professionals.     

Mitch Joel showed us applications that are changing the way we do business including, SnapTell and Yelp. Seth Godin shared a clear picture of the evolution of business from days gone by when an instruction manual was all you needed. Today success requires leaders, creators and inventors and the passion to connect with the emerging consumer. Sally Hogshead provided a valuable resource with her Brand Personality Test, F Score. James Othmer covered persuasion and engagement and showed us the Zippo app, very cool! Max Lenderman took us around the world with some very interesting statistics and the impact of event marketing. Dan Heath showed us that change can happen if we focus on what is working, the “bright spots”, rather than trying to fix the problem.   

At the end of the day I heard one consistent message from these experts, marketing at all levels has changed, connecting with the consumer is imperative and success will no longer be achieved by selling a product, you must sell an experience.

To succeed you require opportunities. Taking the initiative to discover events to gain valuable knowledge, resources and to network, which is the most successful tool in generating opportunities, will assist you in creating a path filled with inspiration, motivation and success.

Come and meet other executive professionals who are committed to developing and expanding their networking relationships at the Toronto ExecuNet Meetings.

Searching for jobs online is a common occurrence and just as common are the number of organizations that require you to submit your resume online. Mailing a paper resume or hand delivering it are two options that may never be an option again. Although the jobs posted online represent a very small percentage of those available and many may be posted to boost traffic to a website or the job was filled months ago, it is still a fact of life. For that reason, you must have a properly named and formatted, professional resume that is ready to upload on any site at any time with the press of a button.

Here are a few tips to consider before sending your resume into cyberspace:

• Review the formatting of your resume to ensure it will look the same to the recipient as it does to you. Avoid symbols or unique fonts.
• Check the validity of the site advertising the job. There are many but most should be familiar or provide contact information.
• Ensure your resume is up to date. Keep a list of the sites you have your resume posted on and take the time to update at the same time to ensure your information stays consistent.
• If you have a professional resume that has provided positive results, use it to post content when creating online profiles on social media sites such as Linkedin and Visual CV.
• Remember most resumes are scanned for keywords as a process for elimination so google the most current and popular keywords in your industry.
• Job boards such as Monster should be visited daily to initiate a minor detail change to ensure your resume stays near the top of the list for visibility.

Visit Elite Resumes for a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Guest Post by Gary Prenevost, gprenevost@frannet.com FRANNET

Canadian athletes set a new world record for the most Gold Medals won by a host country, topping it off with the Gold in men’s hockey. This is one proud Canadian who certainly enjoyed our Olympic “cake” and then experienced the “icing on the cake”, when I stopped at Timmy’s this morning for it is day one of RRROLL UP THE RIM to WIN time and I won! ( The opportunity to play again.) Now that’s Canadian, EH!

As I enjoyed my coffee, I began to reflect on how the world’s best athletes could be the inspiration and hope for our beleaguered economy. I thought about how each athlete ventured to our host country in their quest for Olympic gold, competing, hoping and daring to believe it was theirs. I’m still recovering from the awe of what was arguably one of the 10 best, hockey games ever played, where each player demonstrated what it takes to be an Olympian with every ounce of skill and heart. We witnessed the same unwavering effort over and over again, by every athlete throughout the games even though they have no guarantee of a win.

My reflection took me to the years of preparation and sacrifice of that of an Olympian. A conscious decision to venture down the difficult path of long hours and extensive training required to be a world class athlete, knowing that for most, there will be no real gold at the end of their rainbow. In many countries, once an athlete retires, their sport’s career won’t sustain them long-term, nor does little to assist in the transition to a “normal” job or career.

I suddenly realized that the Olympic Games are a perfect microcosm of our current economic state; so many talented people competing for a limited number of employment opportunities. For some, they’re playing against a highly skilled and experienced field of competitors. For others, they possess greater skills but are up against younger talent with emerging talent. Many are lacking in experience but possess tremendous heart and are full of future promise. Some might have just won Gold (i.e. a short-term contract position) but still have to compete in other areas so they can’t rest on their laurels. Whatever the dynamics, the parallels with the current employment market are simply uncanny.

We have witnessed our Olympic athletes fuel a flame in Canadians and across the globe like never before. Hopefully we can use this flame to fan our own embers a little more brightly, because the people who are going to “win” those few coveted jobs are not necessarily the most skilled, but they will “come to the game prepared to play”, with more heart, more optimism and more belief in success than those who’ll get passed by. In order to get your next job, “go for Gold” and get out there every day and “train”! Network, hone up core skills, educate to learn new skills and open up to all possibilities including self employment. Some players will choose different “sports” to excel in but for many the competition is simply too fierce and it is a strategic move to seek a career in self employment that will leverage their talents and skills. The constant in this group of competitors is the belief in an Olympic Gold, the next successful opportunity despite the incredible adversity.

The difficulty in emerging from this crisis mode is a reality so let us draw strength from all of the Olympians, especially two of my heroes who faced incredible adversity and still achieved success; Joannie Rochette, who’s Mom suddenly passed away; our hearts and prayers are with you Joannie, and Petra Majdic, who tumbled three metres into a gully, breaking both poles, a ski tip and four ribs. Both of these athletes drew from unfathomable, internal resources to win Olympic Bronze Medals.

We may not be Olympians but we have the inspiration to draw on to dig a bit deeper and find that same “stuff” within ourselves, because we are all competitors in a game called life. Despite any adversity, there is hope and there is the opportunity for a bright future – just look at our men’s hockey team, we got to Gold but we did it the hard way, for we are Canadians!

Thank you to all of our Olympic athletes who have inspired our great nation while earning the respect of the world!  

Taking a break and curling up with a good book is good advice for maintaining a positive, psychological outlook during a career transition. This is a time when knowledge, the resulting confidence and an optimistic outlook will be key to influencing decision makers, friends and colleagues to generate new leads and opportunities.

Take a look at the following list of great reads and plan your “time out” with a good book. The knowledge and inspiration you gain will assure you present a positive first impression, the first step in a successful career transition. 

Getting Back to Work, Everything You Need to Bounce Back and Get a Job After a Layoff, written by Linda K. Rolie covers a wide variety of topics from managing emotions and stress to identifying transferable skills, networking, interview tips, salaries, resumes, cover letters, researching careers and more. The information is clear and concise and includes sample documents, inspiring quotes, discussion questions and exercises as well as an extensive list of Internet resources. The easily found tips on everything related to a career transition will have you picking this book up over and over again!

A FOOT IN THE DOOR, NETWORKING YOUR WAY INTO THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET, written by Katharine Hansen covers networking from the psychology of asking for assistance to referral cover letters and the world of Web 2.o. If you want to know the What, Why, How, Where and When of networking, this is the book to read!

never eat alone, AND OTHER SECRETS TO SUCCESS, ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME, written by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz provides details on genuine relationship building using proven practical principals; Don’t keep score, “Ping” constantly and Never eat alone. Ferrazi’s expertise in connecting to the world around him and his subsequent success proves him to be an authority on the subject making this a very valuable read!

grown up digital, how the net generation is changing your world, written by Don Tapscott who gives us the bottom line on this book, “If you understand the net generation, you will understand the future.” An extensive resource of studies and surveys providing a detailed account of “Net Geners” and their influence on politics, marketing and the corporate world. “The winners in this new world will be those who understand what collaboration means, and if they listen to the new generation of talent, they might find the way.” 

FINDING MY WAY, AND HOW YOU CAN FIND YOURS, written by Ray Pons, Ambassador of Excellence, Helping organizations and people find their greatness. Ray shares his own true-life story with great honesty and practical wisdom, offering tips for how you can find your way in work or life. An inspiring read that will help you to find your greatness.    

Any job search can be challenging, emotional, time consuming, stressful and depressing, which is why keeping it positive is the most important asset to achieving success. A job search made positive is necessary to keep you motivated with the strength and determination needed to continue along a career path that can sometimes become a very rocky road. It is a positive mind set during a job search that produces the resilience to continually rise up from a stumble or a fall along the way. A positive outlook will also ensure you never lose sight of your value to a potential employer even when it seems that no one else is recognizing the talents you possess. 

Dale Carnegie said, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” 

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill

Focus on success not failure to stay positive! Here are a few more tips for a job search made positive:

• Go outside every day and take a breath of fresh air. Enjoy nature, the beach, snow covered hills, flowers, trees or decorated shop windows on a city street. A change of scenery can re-energize and keep you feeling positive.
• Volunteer. All studies confirm volunteering produces numerous positive psychological benefits. It is an opportunity to connect with others, gain valuable knowledge and impress a potential employer.
• If you feel that you require emotional or professional support, take action fast. If you feel tired, angry or discouraged give yourself permission to take a break. Stay clear of alcohol or other depressants.
• Consider returning to college or university to develop new skills. Life should be one continuous learning exercise increasing knowledge and boosting self confidence. Further education is also great to show on a resume.
• Celebrate every success, every accomplishment every step of the way. If you have acquired a job interview, celebrate! If you have received a new connection providing the opportunity to apply for a position, celebrate! If you acquired a testimonial or a new certification, celebrate! With each small success you are that much closer to the big celebration of a new job.
• Avoid negative, pessimistic people! It is imperative to surround yourself with positive, supportive, driven and energetic people who strive for success and are willing to provide proactive guidance and support throughout your job search process.
• Network, network, network! Building positive, meaningful relationships with other professionals presents more opportunities resulting in job search success than any other means. Get out there and introduce yourself!
• Engage in inspirational and energetic activities. Join a gym, play a sport or become an active member of your community.
• Ask for support from your closest friends and family. These are the people who know you and can reiterate to you the many exceptional qualities that you possess, providing you with the inspiration needed to pursue your job search through thick and thin and stay positive.
• Be realistic about a job search and the amount of time you will need to invest in your search. Success will not be achieved without a great deal of patience and determination.
• Invest in your personal appearance. A new suit and a visit to the hair salon will help you feel confident, reassured, generate good first impressions and above all keep you feeling positive!  

Finally, SMILE! Even if you don’t feel like smiling, do it anyway. Nothing is more positive than a smile. It will brighten your day and if shared with someone else, will brighten theirs. A simple smile can help you to keep your job search a positive one.

For further information on job search strategies contact Martin Buckland at Elite Resumes, Certified Job Search Trainer, Co-Pilot Executive Coach, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Professional Branding Strategist, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach, Certified Employment Interview Professional.

As a member of Career Collective, I’m pleased to share the following professional job search advice provided by our members:

@GayleHoward, Job Search: When It All Turns Sour
@chandlee, Strategy for Getting “Unstuck” and Feeling Better: Watch Lemonade
@heathermundell, Help for the Job Search Blues
@heatherhuhman, 10 Ways to Turn Your Job Search Frown Upside-Down
@KCCareerCoach, You Can Beat the Job Search Blues: 5 + 3 Tips to Get Re-energized
@WalterAkana, Light at the End of the Tunnel
@LaurieBerenson, 3 Ways to Keep Your Glass Half Full 
@resumeservice, Don’t Sweat the Job Search 
@caereersherpa, Mind Over Matter: Moving Your Job Search Forward  
@WorkWithIllness, Finding Opportunity in Quicksand 
@KatCareerGal, Job Hunting in a Weak Job Market 
@keppie_careers, What to do when your are discouraged with your job 
@DawnBugni, It’s the little things 
@ValueIntoWords, Restoring Your Joy in Job Search 
@BarbaraSafani, Making Job Search Fun (Yeah, That’s Right!) 
@GLHoffman, How to overcome the negativity of the Job Search Blues
@ErinKennedyCPRW, Dancing in the Rain–Kicking the Job Search Blues
@expatcoachmegan, Dealing with Job Serach Stress: Getting to the Source of the Problem
@jobhunt.org, Just SO VERY Discouraged

What is the one word that you would use to describe YOU? This is an important question to consider as you focus on a personal branding strategy which is the foundation for establishing your online professional profiles and the successful image you will portray as you progress throughout your career.

Most surprisingly the word most often used by those in career transition to describe themselves is “passionate”. Surprising because the majority of people are not perceived as ”passionate”. The trend to use this particular adjective may be attributed to the prevalence of information available suggesting we will achieve success if we find our passion. While this could very well be true, the word to focus on should be one that describes you in your entirety, one which relates to you as an individual and reflects your personality. You may be very passionate about playing hockey but a wall flower at social engagements. Your passion for your job may be evident but your family sees only a couch potato.   

Here are a few suggestions for the one word that may describe you:  

Enthusiastic, visionary, committed, driven, tenacious, ambitious, detailed, tactful, diplomatic, resourceful, innovative, strategic, courageous, strong, accurate, optimistic, reliable, intelligent, respected, supportive, knowledgeable, creative,  influential, ingenious, indomitable, persuasive, persistent, intuitive, inquisitive, professional, leader!

Give serious consideration to consulting with your colleagues, mentors, friends and family to gain further insight into how others perceive you. There are a variety of behavioural assessment surveys and self awareness programs available. A professional Executive Coach or Personal Branding Strategist will also provide valuable feedback. If the perception of others is totally different than how you see yourself, it will be an impossible task to establish a credible profile and a respected personal brand.

Authentic and genuine are the keys to any successful brand. Choosing to do anything different will put you in a very negative spotlight. Just ask Tiger Woods. No one appreciates being deceived.

Contact Elite Resumes to discuss your brand with a Certified Professional Branding Strategist and Executive Coach.