Since most of you are already well connected – online – searching for the right advice can be a huge time-consuming process. To use your time optimally it is to your advantage to know which job search websites offer the best job search assistance. Here’s a list which genuinely takes you step by step from the prep and launch of your job search to the ‘high-fives’ and ‘now-what’ stage:

Step 1: Job Search Preparation – Includes Resume Writing, Cover Letter Tips

Monster.com – is a well known job board but over the years it has done a great job in adding valuable job search tips/articles which help new grads to retirees re-entering the workforce. Use this website to write/re-write your resume, look up some cool cover letter samples and other job search relevant tips specifically for the new grads.

Though there are resume-writing apps, but it would be best to prepare a custom resume and cover letter for every job you apply (hard when you think about it but better results for sure).

Step 2: Research Companies and People to add to your Network

LinkedIn – If you are not on LinkedIn then it’s the right time to be on it. Employers and recruiters today are scanning the LinkedIn profiles even more than before short-listing the candidate list. You can also use LinkedIn to prepare your resume, find recent and relevant job openings, and of course network with ease.

Lindsey Pollak Blog – Being on LinkedIn would not mean much if you don’t know how to market for present yourself to attract recruiter, hiring manager’s attention. This is one website with loads of good info on how to manage your LinkedIn profile, as Lindsey says: “LinkedIn doesn’t work unless you work it.” Lindsey is a career & workplace Expert, a LinkedIn spokesperson and offers regular advice to the new grads on her blog.

Step 3: Get the Essential Valuable Job Search Advice

Beyond.com Jobs and Career App – Access valuable career articles and videos for advice related to your job interests from this app for iPhone/iPad. Loaded with informative tips and a built in GPS to find jobs near you! Very helpful app which you must browse through in your spare time.

Step 4: Find Relevant Jobs and Apply Online

SimplyHired – You can go to 10 different job boards or just go to one and get the aggregate job openings data at one place. SimplyHired’s alerts will get the freshest jobs online in your inbox in a matter of an hour of less these being advertised online. Getting out there first matters and that’s what they are simply good at.

Step 5: Interview Preparation and After

Jobsearch.about.com – Hundreds of websites on interview preparation are out there, but with thousands and more pages of info on just interview, it’s hard to beat Jobsearch.about.com. Alison Doyle has been helping many job seekers for years now and some advice which is relevant for any job seeker in any generation is as much valid for a new grad. The only downside is that you the hundreds of links on one page itself – it’s easy to get lost – or spend hours just soaking in the valuable advice. Worth every minute of your time if you want to be a pro at your next interview. There’s this one webpage – Interviewquest – which is a treasure chest for interview preparation.

Interview App for iPhone / iPad – Monster.com Interviews by Monster Worldwide offers this app to ace any job interview. You can use this app to prepare, access expert advice, and follow-up with a complete post-interview guide.

Step 6: Post Job Offer Negotiations

Texas A&M Univ Career Services – Though you’ll find many websites which offer salary negotiation steps and tips, but this website offers some very apt advice for the recent grads; you’ll find various links on this webpage which guide you appropriately on what to do before and after the job offer.

RileyGuide.com – This is one other website with awesome information on negotiation tips, the topic demands more in-depth research and practice too – not an easy topic so the best is to take-in such informative tips from such valuable resources.

Question: What other websites or apps have worked for you?

Try these techniques and habit-changers out before your next job interview:

Get into shape:

Working out and getting fit as a result is a great way to boost your confidence. The results, when it comes to being interviewed, are obvious: the better you feel about your health and appearance, the more likely you are to perform well. In addition, employers tend to find candidates who appear to be in shape to be more attractive as members of the workforce.

Few deep breathing exercises before you step in the building will do you good – it helps in pumping in more oxygen the brain and relaxes muscle tension. If you’re in good shape you’ll naturally feel good about yourself and that’s a big deal in displaying confidence!

Avoid caffeine:

Consuming caffeine leads to increased heart rate, which in turn leads to increased anxiety and poor decision-making skills. Skip coffee and other sources of caffeine prior to an interview. If you can’t go without caffeine without getting a splitting headache, then reduce your caffeine intake slowly over time in order to prevent it having an impact on your performance during an interview.

You can take along some healthy juice or drink that you can have in-between interviews that day – in case you are required to interview or meet with a couple of teams spanning a few hours.

Eat light:

You definitely want something in your stomach prior to your interview, or else the subconscious concern for food will affect your performance. But at the same time, you want to avoid stuffing yourself full, which will cause you to become sluggish. A light meal an hour or so before your interview will give you the energy you need without compromising your effectiveness at responding to the questions of a potential employer.

Read the news:

While you wait for your interview, focus on news and other unrelated information. News in particular has a way of putting your interview in perspective. After reading about armed conflict and natural disasters, your “high stakes” interview won’t seem like such an unconquerable feat anymore. Browse through the magazines in the waiting area, it also gives a good perspective on what subscriptions appeals to the management there. What’s important here is that it just gets your nerves more relaxed – focusing on something else other that what you’ve been stressing about in the last few hours helps in easing the tension.

Interview often:

This is really the only way you can ever expect to naturally improve your interviewing skills. The more interviews you experience, the better prepared you’ll be for the next one, and ultimately the better you’ll perform. Follow every lead through to the end. Either you’ll find the job you’re looking for, or gain much-needed experience. Either way it’s a win-win.

Avoid focusing on interview tips that instruct you on how to behave and think. The result will surely be too much time spent thinking about answering questions effectively, instead of simply effectively answering the questions themselves. Commit to the aforementioned in order to be as natural as possible during the interview process. You’ll discover that being yourself goes quite a long way.

And, in spite or because of these things, it can also be a huge drag.

Let’s face it: sometimes networking is no fun. And, doing the “grip and grin” when you’re not in the mood can have a counterproductive effect. So, how do you get out and do it, and do it right, even when you’d rather just blow the whole thing off?

These three tips should help get you in motion even when the couch is singing its most seductive siren song.

1. RSVP

Many conferences and meetings are announced and coordinated via electronic services like Eventbrite or some other scheduling method, and committing to the RSVP list is a great way to stay in the game.

Professionals keep their appointments and sending an RSVP to an event, especially when other prospective attendees can see who has registered, is a great way to instill a little automatic incentive in a networking plan.

It’s true that this may not change your mood about attending, but that’s where #2 comes in …

2. Focus on Fun

Sometimes the thought of being professional can get in the way of having fun, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Networking events are typically geared to facilitate interaction, which usually means food, drink and activities are available to help keep the social gears well-oiled.

The recommendation here is to stay engaged. Eat the food, drink the drinks and enjoy it! Let go of the “too cool for school” persona and play the little get-to-know-you games. It’s a great way to inject a little fun into the event and will show people you have charisma.

Studies show time and again that confidence and social savvy gets more deals inked than being smart, and regardless of the rightness of that fact it is more often the one who participates who reaps the rewards.

3. Buddy Up

There are (usually) no rules stating who can attend what networking event, and people can take advantage of that fact by inviting a friend or even a date along for the ride. Of course, it will help if that friend is also interested in the networking community at hand, but even if not it can still make a positive difference.

Having someone else there to share the moment can provide a sounding board for better communication, a foil for added humor or a buffer to help avoid unwanted contact. A good wingman (or wingwoman) can enrich the networking experience by keeping you more engaged and upbeat, especially when conference doldrums set in.

So, remember …

Sign up early, keep fun in mind and invite a friend, and there’s no doubt you’ll get more out of networking more often. Who knows? You may even start to like it.

About the guest author James Madeiros:

James Madeiros writes for Criminal Justice Degree Schools, a career site providing information on how to earn a paralegal degree or criminal justice degree and insights into careers from blood spatter analyst to FBI agent.

Can you use such skills when writing your resume? In the ever-rising pile of resumes on the HR desk or folders – what can you do to make it easy for someone to say, “Hey, this one caught my attention!”

A lot of creative ideas might be flowing around now but without these essential tips you can fall short on anything extraordinary.

What makes a resume memorable?

Unemployment is high and there seems to be about 100 or more  applicants for every job.  In order to support getting hired, a memorable resume is crucial.  Hiring managers and potential employers require that you present your resume in a concise and professional manner. Those resumes that follow certain procedures are the most memorable.  Structure, strategy and a touch of creativity are necessary for a memorable resume and the final goal of getting hired.

Here are some principles which can help you achieve this objective:

• “Four basic premises of writing: clarity, brevity, simplicity, and humanity.” - William Zinsser

  A clear format in a readable style is very important.  You can use resume templates if you are unsure of how to go about it on your own.   Color can help you stand out from other resumes, but make sure the colors are tasteful. Many professional resume writers use two colors to add character.  Do not overdo it, however.

• Choose success before you achieve it – a memorable book title may be the first step.

  Use a resume title – here’s a perfect chance to be creative and memorable.  With the short attention span we all have, this is what can make an instant difference. A summary of your achievements is good, but title this summary with a quick heading such as human resources director, budgeting manager, vice president, or whatever title you held at your previous job. While writing the summary of your achievements, bear in mind that a one sentence summary is all that is needed.  Interviewers do not need long and lengthy explanations about skills. You will cover your achievements and skills in a face to face interview.

• Humans relate well to chronological writing.
  Begin listing your previous employment with the most current being the first.  If you have holes in your work history or gaps in your career it is still important to list all employment and dates.  Gaps in your history can be filled in with a single line explanation.  Perhaps you went to school, job training, or even sickness.  Let the interviewer know on your history so there is no hiding your past.

• “Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey

  List all certifications and higher education that apply to your career and job path.  Point out degrees even if you did not finish, and make sure that any certifications you have earned are also itemized.  Political views or religious affiliations should be avoided and if you have a certificate from a religious or political membership downplay or leave these certificates off your resume. Interviewers, unless you are applying for a religious or political position, do not care what your insights are.

• “The principle mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers.” - Arthur Koestler

  You may be hesitant to list your extracurricular activities.  These activities may not apply to the position you are applying for, however listing these activities can help you stand out from other applicants.  Hobbies, committees, and outside activities actually point to your personality and may help the hiring manager determine whether or not you are a good fit for the company.  Keep these simple and straightforward.  Recently a hiring manager received a resume that actually listed more extracurricular activities than work history.  This resume, of course, was immediately tossed out.

• Focus on how you can bring benefit to others and then tell them so!

  As you write your resume, consider it from a manager’s perspective.  Be aware of what skills and accomplishments will most benefit the new company.  These are the skills that should have the most emphasis on your resume.  Research and find the position you most want to pursue and then write to that position.  Using different versions of your resume for different positions can be of benefit.  Think like your potential employer and format your resume accordingly.

Guest contributor Dave Thomas shares his experiences on the various job interviews he has been to in the last 20 years or so and the lessons we all can use to ensure success at the next interview.

Even though the national unemployment rate still hovers around 9.1 percent, millions of Americans go on job interviews each and every day. The goal, find positions that will put some money back in their wallets and hopefully return them on the path to success.

While it would seem not that difficult to ace a job interview, you would (or maybe not) be surprised at just how many individuals can take a simple job interview and send it crashing to the ground.

Having gone on a dozen or more job interviews over 22 years in the journalism/marketing field, I’ve had some sessions with employers that went well, some that were so-so, and others that crashed and burned before I even left the building.

Do You Have the Skills for an Interview?

While properly handling a job interview is not rocket science, there are some skills that definitely need to be employed should one in fact actually like to be employed.

Among the things that I always advise when heading into a session is:

• Be Punctual – The obvious sometimes turns into the biggest gaffe an interviewee can make, being on time. If your interview is slated for 10 a.m., don’t show up at 10:05. If you do, you’d better have a good reason for your tardiness, and not you overslept. Employers will get a first impression of you by your on-time abilities, don’t be late to the dance;

• Be Dressed Appropriately – Having done some interviews over the years for freelance help, I thought I had seen it all, but then someone tops it. Even if you are just interviewing for an internship, don’t look the part of someone going to a ballgame instead of an interview. First impressions cannot be changed, so dress the role. For guys, a nice suit or dress shirt/dress pants, clean shaven and a decent haircut. For gals, a nice dress or pants suit. Above all else, go easy on the makeup and perfume. Remember, you are interviewing for a job, not to be the next cover girl of Maxim;

• Be Confident – This is the first and foremost important thing that too many candidates overlook. Sure, it is expected one will be anxious when sitting down across the table from a stranger who may be a potential employer, but try not to let it show. The employer obviously had reason to call you in in the first place, so exude confidence during the interview;

• Be You – The biggest danger someone interviewing for a job can end up undertaking is not being themselves during the interview. If the job calls for certain technical skills that you don’t have, don’t try and wing it and say you can do them. Trust me, you will be called out on it at some point and time, ending up wasting both your time and the employer’s;

• Be Thankful – Even if it ends up you don’t get the job, be sure to send the employer a short thank you note for having you in to begin with. The bottom line is that employers get an endless supply of resumes to go through, so be appreciative of the fact that they singled you out for an interview. While you may not get the job, your appreciation for the interview will bode well for you down the line.

How Far Do I Follow My Own Advice?

So, I gave you some pointers on what I consider to be important facets of the job interview process.

Now, do I admit to following most or all of them?

On the interviews I’ve gone on:

• I can only remember being a few minutes late once or twice, and those were due to getting lost. I made sure to phone ahead that I was running behind a few minutes and they said they understood;

• I have always dressed appropriately or have even over-dressed for the interview. After moving from the East Coast to Southern California 16 years ago, I remember the very first full-time job interview I went on being told I must be from back east because most of the locals are not as sharply dressed;

• I always was up front on my skill level. If there was something brought up during the interview that I felt maybe be a bit of a challenge, I would say so. Trust me, you will only embarrass yourself and the person who hired you if you get the job, then cannot meet all the requirements;

• I have always taken the time to thank an interviewer for taking the time to have me in. Maybe my resume stood out; maybe it was something I said in my cover letter, or even something that attracted them during a pre-interview phone call. Whatever it was, much appreciation was given for having me in.

So, I can proudly say in 22 years that the number of full-time jobs I’ve held I can count on one hand. Except for a layoff and some moving around, I have been happy to be with those employers who took a chance on me.

When you go on an interview, do what works best for you and remember that you are one of the lucky ones to get a foot in the door in the first place.

Oh, probably avoid one of my vices that I’ve done on every interview I can remember, chewing gum.

No, I don’t make it overly noticeable while I’m sitting there being flooded with questions, but I use it as a relaxing technique.

Hey, whatever works for you, right?

Dave Thomas writes extensively for B2b lead generation online resource Resource Nation that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs. He is an expert writer on items like credit card processing companies and is based in San Diego, California.

One of the most important of these elements is the job interview. Always a crucial weed-out step for employers, the interview now carries an even added significance in a dismal job market. Even if your qualifications are superb, and your resume and recommendations are impeccable, you may easily find yourself back on the unemployment line if your interview fails to impress. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the fundamental tips to help make your interview more successful:

Expect the Unexpected

Most people go into an interview with answers to some basic and obvious questions in mind. They are prepared to explain their greatest strengths and weaknesses, their reasons for wanting the job, and an example of a time they showed leadership. Equally important, though, is being prepared for those questions that wouldn’t fall on a standard interview prep list. To identify these questions, consider the fact that any freely-available information about yourself qualifies as fair game. Any and all questions related to your past work experiences and career goals are possibilities here. The same thing can be said of information about you that appears on Facebook or in a Google search. While companies that repair online reputations may not be of much assistance, being ready to address such issues certainly will help.

Give Off the Right Body Language

You interviewer, whether consciously or unconsciously, will undoubtedly pay attention to your body language. When you prepare for the interview, then, make sure to keep the small things in mind. Don’t fidget. Don’t recline in your seat or sit up too straight. Don’t cross your arms. When it comes to eye contact, you certainly want to look directly at your interviewer much of the time, but you don’t want this to turn into an uncomfortable stare. A good approach is usually to look above or beyond your interviewers head during those times when you don’t make eye contact. Finally, dressing appropriately can help make your body language seem more professional and refined.

Be Personable

In the likely case that your interviewer has already looked at your resume and considered your qualifications, they probably have a pretty good grasp on your capabilities as a worker. The interview is therefore more important for its ability to showcase you as a person. Your chances of getting a job offer are much higher, ultimately, if the interviewer genuinely likes you and believes they would enjoy working with you. With this in mind, make a point of not just answering questions and conveying information, but also of highlighting your strengths as a person. Even if you aren’t good natured, relatable, or laid back, try to convey these qualities in your speech and your mannerisms. Increase your “likeability factor” during an interview.

Technical Expertise

You’ll probably go through a couple of rounds of interviews before you eventually land the final round. Technical expertise amounts equally to your polished soft skills. What would you do to ensure that you prepare well what would be asked at the interview?

• Review the job description thoroughly – what are the requirements, what is the job description? What skills are most required or desirable? List them. Now prepare well for questions around these areas.
• Go over your resume at least twice before any interview. Very well, you’re the one who wrote it but now’s the time to review which areas have you highlighted as your expertise. You’d better be good at those relevant questions – faltering at these would diminish your credibility in the interviewer’s eyes.
• Which tools, software applications, and systems have you worked with? Identify which ones fall under your expertise. Which of these are you really an expert? Make sure you are confident to answer these questions well.

There is much about the job application process that lies outside of our control. We can’t determine, for example, how many applicants a position will get or how the employer goes about making a selection. But we do have control over our contribution to the process, which includes not just handing in an impressive resume but also being prepared at every stage – including coming to the interview prepared to excel.

Information on a free resume creating online tool - Resumesimo.

Resumesimo is a fantastic online resume builder (www.resumesimo.com) that will help you create eye-catching resumes for free. A problem many job applicants have is writing their resumes in a way that will get the attention of hiring mangers. Hiring manages may glance at hundreds of resumes that do not get their attention because they are poorly written or are not designed well. Applicants only get 30 seconds to impress hiring managers with their resumes. It is important to make those 30 seconds count. Resumesimo takes care of this issue with an easy to use online platform. It generally takes 10 minutes or less to choose any one of their attention grabbing templates and fill in your professional information. Resumes don’t have to look boring and if you want to stand out from everyone else, it is important that your resume gets the attention of human resources.

Resumesimo is a new company that started in 2011. They are based in Prague and initially developed the Resumesimo platform for personal use. With so many people needing help with writing and designing appealing looking resumes, the idea to share Resumesimo with others was greatly received by struggling job applicants. Everyone wants a resume that makes them stand out from all of the other applicants applying for the same position. With Resumesimo job hunters are able to quickly and easily make themselves more marketable and increase their chances of getting interviews.

How to find a job – Resumesimo.com from Resumesimo on Vimeo.

Resumesimo has 20 templates to choose from. Each template is individual and unique. Any of these templates will look more visually appealing than what most applicants typically submit for jobs. Some of the templates are more contemporary while others are more conservative. Resumesimo has enough options for professionals to make the best design selection for their industry.

Once you’ve chosen a template, it is time to fill in the appropriate information. Resume saves you time by allowing you to enter professional data in pre-arranged fields such as employment history and education. Simply paste this information in from a pre-existing resume or import it from your social networking accounts. Linkedin and Facebook are two great social networking services users can import their professional histories from. You can edit and make any additions or changes during this time as well. Once your resume is created Resumesimo will create a PDF copy, standard black and white copy, online business card, and a helpful ebook titled “How to Outwit a New Job.” All of this is provided to users free of charge!

Resume writing can be very challenging for job applicants. Rsumesimo makes resume writing quick and easy. By using Resumesimo’s amazing templates your resume will look better and get the attention it deserves. Effective resumes are the first step to getting job interviews because they introduce you to perspective employers. If your resume does not stand out you may be missing out on opportunities that you are qualified for.

You can find Resumesimo online at www.Resumesimo.com

In a day and age when the economy is struggling, identity theft is on the rise, and employers have more than a full plate on their hands, checking employee backgrounds prior to hiring becomes even more relevant

This is a guest post by Dave Thomas.

As more and more individuals try and find work, things sometimes slip through the cracks, meaning employers need to be sure that out of all the applicants looking to acquire work, they hire the right individuals.

The best way for employers to minimize the chances of hiring the wrong employees is by conducting a background check on each and every individual who sets foot in the door for an interview.

While background checks are perfectly legal, they do need to be done within the parameters of the law, i.e. certain questions may not be asked etc.

Filtering Out Troubled Applicants

According to information from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, false or misleading details given by job applicants, is estimated by some experts to be at 30 to 40 percent of all information provided on both job applications and resumes.

The typical fields of work that draw background checks include positions involving interaction with children, jobs where employees are in contact with senior citizens, positions involving daily interaction with major funds and/or company expenses, and positions like police, doctors, nurses etc.

Among the things to consider when screening applicants are:

• Don’t cross boundaries – Certain guidelines are in place to protect applicants as they search for jobs. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers need the permission of the applicant prior to obtaining the report. Make sure you get all the pertinent information in order to assist you with your hiring choices, but do it in a means that does not potentially open you up to a lawsuit;

• Look for past issues – As we all know, certain positions require that workers have not had issues in their past. As an example, if you run a business where employees handle money during the day, you do not want to hire someone who was fired from a previous position where their trustworthiness with funds was called into question;

• Key reasons for screening individuals – While background checks have been around for some time now, more recent trends over the last decade-plus have led to them becoming more in vogue. Two popular trends have been protecting a company given the wave of terrorism and more incidents of workplace violence, and an increase in “negligent hiring” lawsuits. If someone poses a security risk, such information should come out during a background check;

• Things included in a background check – Among the things an employer can learn about a prospective candidate are their driving records, credit reports, criminal records, any bankruptcy filings, drug test records and sex offender lists. As an employer, make sure the information is confined to your office so that someone cannot later claim the information got out and damaged their character, leading to a potential lawsuit against you;

• Find out if there are inconsistencies – Another plus by doing background checks is that you can compare and contrast what an applicant provides you. If you have the applicant in for an interview and they say one thing, then a background check contradicts that, you have reason to be hesitant about hiring the individual. One of the most important traits an employer wants in an employee is trust. Use the background check to make sure the candidate says what they mean and means what they say.

In most cases, background checks will take three days to a week to be completed.

If you’re looking at instant background checks, keep in mind that the majority of them rely on databases that can be incomplete or incorrect.

Lastly, the best means by which to speed up a background check and still get worthwhile information is to provide the agency conducting the check with complete information and documentation. By using an agency that has the information available online, you can also move up the process.

By using background checks in your line of work, you increase the chances of hiring the right personnel, decrease the chances of issues and potential lawsuits at work, and give yourself some piece of mind.

About the Author:

Dave Thomas, who covers among other subjects’ background checks, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

November, December Found to be a Fertile Period for Effective Job Searches

Contrary to popular belief, the holiday months of November and December are actually an excellent time to develop and leverage new contacts for a job search.

Ford R. Myers, career coach, speaker and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” (John Wiley & Sons) says, “Many job seekers don’t realize how important it is to perform a search during these months. There is little to no competition. Companies are completing their budget planning for the next fiscal year, so it’s a great time to get in front of hiring managers. And, many executives have to fill openings early in the year or they may lose the budget for that position.”

Myers offers the following tips to help job seekers make the most of this all-important time for career transition.

1. NETWORK

There are many social and community networking events in November and December, including charity fundraisers and holiday events. Most professional associations have a party for their December meetings, with a different spirit than the more formal presentations offered throughout the rest of the year.

Myers cautions, “Do not bring a resume to these events. Rather, create a simple, tasteful business card with your name, phone number and e-mail address to give to people. A business card will leave a better impression than a resume at these events, which are more social in nature at this time of year.”

2. VOLUNTEER

There are many volunteer opportunities around the holidays. This is a good way to help other people, to feel good when you need a boost, to have a renewed sense of purpose during your search, and to meet other professionals.

3. CALL PEOPLE

Myers notes, “I have a colleague who was starting a business who used the day after Thanksgiving to make both follow-up calls and cold calls. She found that whoever was at work that day was not only available for a conversation, but was grateful to speak to someone.” Even if many people are away for the holidays, those who are at work may have more time to speak with you.

4. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS

This is the time to send cards to everyone on your list, including search firms, human resource executives and hiring managers with whom you have spoken or met over the past year. Whether you choose to send paper cards or electronic cards, don’t let these people forget you.

“When choosing a holiday card, pick a seasonal, nondenominational theme that works well with people of all religions. If you’re using paper cards, put a return address on the card so the person can reach you. Don’t write about your job search in the card. And, mail the cards early in December so yours will be received in time for people to invite you to their holiday get-togethers,” adds Myers.

“There really couldn’t be a better time than November or December for a job search. Those in the position to hire are ‘out of their normal environment’ and more willing to talk about work in a more relaxed setting,” said Myers.

For more information and other useful tips for achieving career success, visit http://www.getthejobbook.com .

Reprinted by permission of Ford R. Myers, a nationally-known Career Coach and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring.” Download your free bonuses now at http://www.careerbookbonuses.com.

Here’s how to begin planning on a understanding what a social media career would mean to you, first look up:

Social Media Job Titles

Some social media jobs that are in -demand right now:

• Web/Social Media Coordinator
• Social Media Specialist
• Product Manager Social Media
• Social Media Technical Lead
• Software Development Engineer – Social Media Advertising
• Social Media Product Strategist
• Sr. Marketing Manager, Social Media
• Social Media Marketing & Community Manager
• Social Media Analytics Intern

The reason you must research on the job titles first to evaluate which of these titles would you aim for when switching careers or planning on a new one.

Next comes sifting through the job requirements – what do the recruiters, companies and managers expect for a suitable candidate for such positions?

Job Requirements for Social Media Jobs

Some of the general job requirements and responsibilities that were consistent in almost all social media jobs (though not limited to only those listed here) that I researched were:

Note: these cover the entry level as well as senior level requirements

• Strong writing and analytical skills; able to seek and assemble brilliant, interrelated narratives
• Strong passion for social media with an early adopter attitude
• Very strong in Excel and Power Point
• Contribute strategic ideas for using social media to engage customers
• Track traffic, tweets, web analytics
• A talent for composing engaging content for placement on social media websites like Facebook
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of social media campaigns with primary focus on customer acquisition programs.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of social media campaigns for our advertisers by working with internal development, creative, and editorial teams, outside vendors and freelancers.
• Be an advocate of social media integration within the company, helping to influence overall site and business strategies.
• Monitor and report trends in social media tools and research innovations in emerging social platforms and technologies.
• Solid Understanding of the social media universe including but not limited to; YouTube, StumbleUpon, Delicious, Digg, Reddit, Flickr, Forums, Twitter, Wikis and blogs.
• Proficient in content management and the use of content management systems.
• Proficient knowledge of SEO.
• Familiarity with content management systems and fundamental Internet technologies such as HTML and CSS.

5 Key Skills required for a Career in Social Media

1.      EXIHIBIT AND DEMONSTRATE PASSION

This is perhaps universal for any job but here it specifically means – when looking for social media jobs it is a good idea to have a good social media presence. Show them by doing what they would ask you to do.

• Do you have a complete LinkedIn profile?
• Are you on Twitter ‘professionally’?
• How do you use Facebook other than chatting with friends and updating status?

If you’re not passionate about creating and enriching your own online presence then would you be for someone else?

Tip: Your presence and influence online matters. Have a look at what and how you represent yourself on the social media platforms before applying for these jobs. That’s exactly what the employers mean when they say that they want to see a candidate passionate about a job in social media.

2.      KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND TOOLS

This of course is a no brainer but believe me some of the recruiters find it highly irritating when they have interviewed quite a few candidates for an intern or entry level positions and the candidates were not able to talk about any social media platforms other than Facebook and Twitter! There’s much more to social media that the applications you generally use to chat with friends – research in-depth about what new social media has to offer.

Tip: Look up the job requirements to figure out which channels and tools are most preferred to be proficient at. Then work on them and master them.

3.      ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Your analytical skills are in top demand for a social media job.

Analytical skill is the ability to visualize, articulate, and solve both complex and uncomplicated problems and concepts, and make decisions that make sense based on available information. Such skills include demonstration of the ability to apply logical thinking to gathering and analyzing information, designing and testing solutions to problems, and formulating plans. (Wikipedia)

Tip: You’ll be analyzing data, writing reports, preparing analysis on user data etc. Get to know how it is being done now and what new technologies are being accepted by the industry.

4.      WRITING AND CONTENT MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Content has, is and will continue to be the KING!  And is one of most in-demand skills for a social media position be it entry level or at a senior level. What can you do to get up to speed on your writing and content management skills now? It’s a requirement for any social media position and while you’re at it get read y to spruce up your skills on content management tools or software that most industries use.

Tip: Get working on honing you skills in written and oral communication, knowledge and expertise in graphics, content management and SEO will help you gain an edge over other applicants.

5.      MARKETING SKILLS

Most of the social media jobs are customer focused, customer interaction and support based. And to meet customer support demands and effective interaction skills you must work on your people skills, marketing skills and present some examples when asked for during an interview.

One of the best ways to get going on developing your marketing skills is to work backwards, write which tells about how good you were at marketing an idea to someone. Now do exactly that for an honest story or a testimonial.

Tip: Get comfortable in connecting with bloggers, media writers, influencers on social communities. Work on your customer relations skills, you might be working on in-depth research and monitoring, as well as providing metrics on customer satisfaction.

Now since your skills are all spruced up it is time to start on the social media job hunt and what better way to look these up than on the social media channels. Here are Five ways to use social media to find your next job.