Excellent LinkedIn profile but should we rely on it?

Social media usage has increased significantly over the last few years and LinkedIn is a place where this is abundantly clear.

Originally the playground of the ‘white collar’ worker LinkedIn now proves itself to be an arena for factual but sometimes extravagant professional working profiles.

More and more employers will have accounts and build a network of contacts which are relevant to their world. On occasion potential hires will be scrutinised according to their credentials presented on the account but can this add to the ambiguity of accurate information?

When reviewing any profile it always pays to delve into the basics:

Does the individual have more than one account? (creating a varied presence online)

Academic records, can these be accounted for?

Length of time at previous companies and responsibilities (is this factual and accurate)

Whether you’re an advocate of the wonderful ‘endorsement’ system or not the more preferable gauge for credibility would be recommendations stating a clear testimonial from hopefully a relevant individual

More and more people are actively making their CV redundant and opting for the electronic link to their profile. In the past the validity of CV’s could sometimes be questionable and we should move forward with the times by being just as prudent with the digital version of the modern CV.

Written by Stephen Minney

Managing Consultant at SET Recruitment (A trading name of Aaron Wallis Recruitment and Training Ltd), Self Confessed Geeks who live with their commitment to technology

You can contact Stephen on 01908 764280 or stephen.minney@setrecruitment.co.uk

Top Tips on how to get a Job in Sales

It is well known the current climate isn’t what it used to be, however there are certain sectors that continue to grow. In sales, recruiters are continually looking for talent, it isn’t as easy as it used to be to find the right sales role but for individuals with the right skills and qualifications who are serious about their career, there are plenty of opportunities out there.

If you’re looking for one of these opportunities there are a number of things you can do to get you that perfect sales role.

Look for a job the same way you sell – It is surprising how many successful salespeople struggle to sell themselves in the same way as they sell their product or service. By approaching the process in the same way as you approach your sales, you will be more likely to achieve your ideal job.

Know what you want – What do you want to get out of your new job. Know what you want to sell; do you want to windows or advertising? Maybe you don’t think it matters but in the long run it will, you are going to care a great deal about what you are selling. You need to find a job where you can really engage with both the product and the selling process.

Don’t just email your CV – Always follow up your application with a phone call, it shows you’re willing to get on the phone and knock down doors. Your CV could be 1 of 100, if you follow it up you can be sure it will increase your job chances no end.

Prepare for an interview like it’s a sales call – Show energy in posture and in your verbal responses, make sure you know their business, their market and product lines/services well. With the Internet there is no excuse not knowing their business. And finally, make sure they know your skills and what you bring to the party.

Follow up after the interview – After the interview do you go away? Do you wait to hear about how it went? Make sure you follow up the interview straight away, one of the best things you can do after an interview is send a thank you email. How you go about pursuing a sales job is an excellent indication to a potential employer as to how you might behave after they hire you as a sales rep.

Written by Liam Oakes

Liam is the Candidate Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company for 2 years after having a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of Sales Professionals secure a new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs smoothly.

Liam.oakes@aaronwallis.co.uk

www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aaronwallisliam

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AaronWallisSR

LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/liam-oakes/4b/536/403

Improve Your Job Prospects Using Social Media

The world has become a smaller place and it is now easy to get back in touch with old friends thanks to Social Media. It has helped many people build professional connections as well as being a great marketing tool and platform which many companies use today.

However, as much of a benefit Social Media can be, it can also be very harmful when it comes to getting a job. The following tips can help you when it comes to getting your perfect job.

Clean up your profile - Make sure you have a clean profile, if you’re guilty of some questionable behaviour online you can either edit your privacy settings so that nobody other than friends can see your profile or you can tidy up anything that may be deemed inappropriate.

Avoid Negativity – Your online profile gives an overview of what you’re really like and constant complaining could damage your chances of getting a job.

Become a fan/follow relevant companies – Find pages relevant to your desired line of work and become a fan or follow them. If you looking for a role in the FMCG industry then follow FMCG companies and become a fan on their page. You can start some basic networking by chatting with others within the industry.

Use relevant hashtags on Twitter – Such as #jobs, #jobhunt or #jobsearch which offer both job openings and general job search advice. If you’re looking for high-level information about how to conduct a job search, this could be a great place to start.

Status Updates – Post status updates which show that you are looking for a new job. You may get friends help you by pointing towards certain vacancies or putting in a few good words around their work place.

Find Referrals into your target companies - Getting a referral from an employee provides a 20x better chance of getting the job. Use LinkedIn to find out who in your Facebook network has ever worked for the company you're targeting. Use them to help you get beyond the threshold of the front door, or perhaps even get you in the side door.

Profile Picture – Make sure your profile picture shows you in a positive light, if you have any pictures of yourself in smart attire, pick one for your profile picture. Remember your profile picture is still visible to non-friends so don’t give recruiters a chance to dismiss you before getting any further.

If used correctly, Social Media can be the perfect tool for those who want to network, connect and search for jobs, it is about using it in a positive manner so don’t fall into silly traps that could rule you out of a potential new job from the get go.

 

Written by Liam Oakes

Liam is the Candidate Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company for 2 years after having a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of Sales Professionals secure a new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs smoothly.

Liam.oakes@aaronwallis.co.uk

www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aaronwallisliam

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AaronWallisSR

LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/liam-oakes/4b/536/403