TheLadders Blog

I recently attended the 2013 NAPW National Networking Conference. Approximately 1,500 successful business women from all over the country gathered in New York City for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.

If you’ve read my articles on The Career Chronicles, or follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you’ve probably read about my involvement in the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) before. NAPW is an exclusive network for professional women to interact, exchange ideas, educate, and empower.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Ignite Your Network” – and it did not disappoint! The day began with an introduction from our host and NAPW National Spokesperson Star Jones. During her talk, Star spoke about what she calls the “Seven Steps to Success.” I liked them so much that I wanted to share them with all of you:

1. Investigate: What do you want to achieve? Do your research and figure out how to get there.

2. Initiate: How do you plan to change? Do you need to bring someone into your life to get there?

3. Insight: It’s time for some self-examination. If something’s failed in the past, ask yourself, ‘Why?’

4. Intuition: We all know that ‘uh-oh’ feeling that tells you not to do something. It comes in a flash – don’t disregard it.

5. Intention (my personal favorite): Focus your mind on the results you want to have. Your attention will send you in the direction that determines your destination.

6. Inspiration: What brings you joy? Is it working with children, meditation, or perhaps giving back to the community? Find out what you love to do and figure out how to incorporate it into your goals.

7. Innovation: It’s time to break out and do something you’ve never done before. Take a risk; think outside the box.

Star set the tone for the conference with these seven steps. The day continued with conversations from world-renowned keynote speakers, Adrianna Huffington and Martha Stewart, insightful panel discussions, and interactive workshops. The event not only inspired and motivated me, it gave me an opportunity to practice my networking skills.

I urge all of you to find a professional association (or two) that aligns with your career aspirations and start networking – you never know who you will meet, what you will learn, or how one simple meeting could change your career path!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

If you were taking a road trip from New York to Miami, you wouldn’t start the trip by heading northwest for the first few hours, would you?  Probably not. It doesn’t make sense and would take you away from your goal. You’d be much more strategic – planning your route, mapping out possible detours and even forecasting layover spots along the way…and heading due south.

A strategic job search is much like a roadmap for a trip.  Your career goal serves as the ultimate destination, and the strategies and tactics you employ comprise your roadmap and itinerary.

Have you considered your job search in light of an overall strategy?  Sometimes, job seekers expend precious time and energy on activities that don’t get them closer to their goal.  When I speak with job seekers, I almost always use the phrase ‘strategic job search’ as each day’s and week’s tasks should align with a larger plan. This strategic job search plan then informs the overall search process.

On January 10th, I shared seven job search tips in my presentation at The Ladders’ Job Central event at Grand Central Terminal in NYC (for more information, read Forbes columnist Jenna Goudreau’s article, “Seven Strategies To Reboot Your Job Search In 2013”). As you develop your strategy, consider these tips and how they can support you as you move closer to your career goal.

With a strategic job search plan in place, commit to working your plan and moving closer to your goal each and every day. In this competitive employment landscape, working strategically, smartly and steadily are essential to your success.

 Carol Camerino, CCMC, CTTCC                  Back to Work Strategist, Resume Writer &  Career Coach www.LookingForTheOnRamp.com

As a talent manager, the job search is something that I take very seriously. I spend lots of time researching companies, verifying medium salaries based on the economy and market trends, and preparing for candidate interviews. The fact that 7% of our job seekers “do not send thank you notes” is extremely surprising and begs the question, how important is the job search to you?

In the time I’ve spent interviewing candidates, working with hiring managers, and being a job seeker myself, I’ve found that sending thank you notes is always beneficial. For me, the job-search process has multiple steps, all which require critical attention. I try to truly understand the role I am applying for, confirm that it’s the best fit for my background, prepare for my interview, and send a timely and thoughtful follow-up.

Personally, I have always sent thank you notes to everyone I’ve interviewed with. It requires time and effort out a person’s day to bring you in for an interview, why not be appreciative of that? As a recruiter, I don’t expect a long-winded, detailed description of why you want the role; it needs to re-emphasize your ability to fill the role and show gratitude to the interviewers who spent time with you. I know hiring managers who have passed on hiring candidates strictly because they failed to follow up.

Long story short, sending a thank you note goes a long way and impacts your potential of getting hired, both now, and in the future. Send them!

Download TheLadders’ Giving Thanks Infographic

Mike Deissig is the Talent and Technology Development Manager at TheLadders.  Mike is constantly trying to improve the recruiting process and evolve technology integration with recruiting. In his spare time he enjoys watching football, being with friends, and trying all of the food this world has to offer! 

With the Presidential election closing in, many Americans are focused on what most of us would consider the biggest “interview” process for the title of “Leader of the Free World.” Our own job search, however, is no less important. Candidates can learn a lot from the Presidential candidates, in terms of what strategies to employ and what tactics to avoid.

If you’ve watched the debates (or have been within 100 miles of a computer), you know that the first debate went to the candidate who was better equipped and engaged. By asking questions during interviews, job seekers can show the hiring manager that they have done their research and are genuinely interested in the company. That said, it’s imperative to have the facts. Know the company’s strengths, and also the areas that can be improved, and make sure to call out personal strengths that will positively impact the company, overall.

Connections are key – both in politics and in the corporate world – so it’s not surprising that 82% of job seekers feel that knowing someone at a company gives them a leg up and that 73% said they landed an interview based on an employee referral.  Referrals are generally the hiring managers’ preferred method of finding candidates. If someone is willing to stake their professional reputation on you, then you must be worthy of consideration. Don’t be afraid to seek out referrals. Getting your foot in the door is often the hardest part, so use your connections to get the interview and THEN show the company why you deserve the role.

While Presidential candidates start campaigning heavily a year or so before the actual election, job seekers always should be networking. In fact, networking is one of the most important components of the job search, and establishing a strong network takes time. If you don’t network while employed, it’s likely that your network will be weak when you need it most. Leverage social networking, and be diligent  about noting the names and numbers of new contacts. You never know, they could end up being your swing vote.

Download TheLadders’ Election Day Infographic

David Levy is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) for TheLadders. While he loves his job helping clients build their careers, he usually manages to sneak out of the office on weekends to play Lacrosse and make new friends on New York City’s friendly subway system.

Awhile back I joined a group called the National Association of Professional Women, or NAPW for short. This national organization is an exclusive network dedicated to “connecting like-minded professional women to develop innovative business and social relationships.” If you’re looking for new networking opportunities, I recommend checking them out!

Last week, TheLadders allowed me to host our NAPW September meeting at our office in SoHo. One of our fellow NAPW members from out west, Robin Fisher Roffer, was in town and offered to give a presentation to our local NYC chapter.

Robin is the CEO of Big Fish Marketing and ranked among the Top Five Most Influential Brand Gurus in the World. In addition, she’s written a number of books on leadership and personal branding.

Let me start by saying that Robin is an AMAZING speaker. She went out of her way to speak with many of the members before the presentation began, and she captivated us with her stories for a solid 2 hours. Her presentation was based off of one of her books, “The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You’re the Only One Like You.” In her book, Robin discusses seven steps to courageous leadership:

1. Go Fishing for the Real You
2. Use Your Differences as a Lure
3. Find a Few Fish Like You
4. Swim in Their Ocean Your Way
5. Put Yourself Out on the Line
6. Evolve by Casting a Wide Net
7. Reel in Your Unique Power

I’m not going to go into all these steps (you’ll have to attend one of her presentations or buy the book), but I want to communicate her main message. At the end of the day, it’s important for each and every one of us to stand strong in the face of uncertainty.

If you want to have a successful career that you love, you first need to take the time to truly understand who you are, and not who you’ve tried to become to fit in.

What do you stand for? What do you want to achieve?

As Robin puts it, when you “uncover your essence” and accept yourself for who you are, you will find great power in “your authentic self.” Your personal brand and mission statement will spring from your passion. Celebrate your differences, as they will help set you apart and steer you towards the right type of work for you.

I think everyone left that presentation with a renewed sense of purpose. If you’re looking for a change in your career, the first thing I suggest is taking inventory of your key skill sets and passions, and seeing where those two intersect. This will help you pursue a career that you’re not only great at, but passionate about!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

Mentoring job seekers is a common goal that StreetWise Partners and TheLadders have always had in common. On Tuesday, September 11^th, the two entities came together once again to present the ‘Train the Trainer’ session to approximately 75 mentors.

TheLadders Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine instructed the mentors on how to effectively coach their trainees. Throughout the night, the mentors learned how to overcome various obstacles including unemployment, employee gaps, and job-hopping.

Mentors broke into five different groups to execute role-playing scenarios moderated by talent specialists, career advisers, and resume writers from TheLadders in addition to seasoned mentors from StreetWise Partners, an organization that works with low-income individuals to help them overcome employment barriers and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The mentors were then charged with devising a plan that would help to build rapport, set short- and long-term goals, and manage expectations with their trainees.

For example, new mentors Jessica and Tanya were given the following scenario: Ramona, a recent college graduate, is extremely shy when it comes to networking and doesn’t feel confident enough to approach potential employers. The two mentors worked together to come up with a strategy to conquer these fears with the help of an experienced mentor, Kimberly Fernandez.

Kimberly instructed the group to present their shy mentees with small challenges, such as sending them to local organizations to retrieve business cards. “My trainee soon learned she could become more and more confident on a daily basis,” Kimberly said.

Following the interactive sessions, Amanda wrapped up the successful event and wished all the mentors good luck.  We look forward to participating in more events with StreetWise Partners and striving towards the ultimate goal of launching new careers!

Meena Rupani is a Resume Writer for TheLadders in New York City who loves to engage clients in effectively restructuring their resume to land them the perfect job. She also loves reading and spending quality time with her loving family.

What do yellow cab stress toys, mouse pads, sunglasses and letter openers have in common?

TheLadders logo, of course!

Outside the door of the Rockefeller Board Room at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, attendees from the latest NYC Tech Connect Riverside Chats Speaker Series ventured to our table to peruse our goods. Free stuff works, right?

Founded in January 2011 as a public-private partnership, NYC Tech Connect sets out to foster the development of a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in NYC by providing programs, expertise and resources designed to accelerate the development of entrepreneurs and their technology startups. Not only did this crowd leave with free toys and stress relievers, they learned a little more about writing effective resumes and added a strong resource to their entrepreneurial job-search arsenal: free three-month premium memberships to TheLadders.

Altogether, I had the pleasure of meeting 50 – 75 job seekers at this event, and despite the occasional joker (upon seeing the yellow squishy cab, someone said, “oh, I see you’re selling car insurance!”), I felt very helpful answering job-search questions and sharing resume tips. I have four years of resume-critiquing and writing experience under my belt, but most of my interaction with job seekers is through phone and email conversations. It felt great to meet with job seekers face-to-face and help them on the spot!

Tiffany Kirk is the Lead Trainer for TheLadders’ Career Services Team. Having reviewed more than 20,000 resumes, she leads a team of resume analysts in providing detailed resume critiques to TheLadders’ members. When she’s not working, she enjoys Broadway shows, reading/writing fiction and nonfiction, and supporting her Boston-based teams. Yes, the 2004 baseball season is still fresh in her mind, and 2011 never happened. 

This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending a Step Up Women’s Network Power Breakfast with Banana Republic’s Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Catherine Sadler.

For those of you unfamiliar with the group, Step Up Women’s Network is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to “igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential.” They provide after-school and weekend programs to help teenage girls from under-privileged communities become confident young women prepared for college. Their members gain access to social networking events, professional development panels and hands-on volunteer opportunities. If you live in Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, I highly recommend checking them out.

The event, which was held in Banana Republic’s Fifth Avenue location, was packed! Catherine discussed the journey she’s taken throughout her career, from her early days in publishing, to leading the marketing groups of renowned retail companies, including Ann Taylor and Coach. She also led her own creative and marketing agency, and worked with Donna Karan on her Urban Zen Foundation.

Catherine then answered a myriad of questions from the audience on all aspects of her career, from how she balances family and work, to what she looks for in candidates when hiring. Here are a few key takeaways:

On marketing: Catherine says that, as a marketer, it’s vital to a company’s success to integrate marketing efforts with other divisions of the organization. Additionally, if becoming CMO is your goal, take an active role in all marketing functions, from public relations and advertising, to branding and visual merchandising.

On hiring: In looking for prospective employees, Catherine is interested in the person who, in addition to having the required skills, possesses a genuine curiosity about the business and its direction. She looks for people who have the right level of engagement, interest and passion, who’ve researched the brand and industry, and come prepared with questions.

On career: When asked what three words she’d put on a t-shirt, Catherine gave these options: “Dreaming the Dream,” “Follow your Bliss,” and “Find your Passion.” However, she also warns that work shouldn’t define you completely, and you need to keep that in mind when trying to strike that perfect balance between work and life.

I think she’s spot-on. You spend a large portion of your life at work. Shouldn’t you be doing what you are great at and passionate about? I know that I have, and hope the same for all of you!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of participating in Mediabistro’s first-ever Career Breakfast, a Google + hangout where a small panel of HR professionals and career experts gave their insight into various aspects of the job search process. This week’s topic was “What Really Happens After You Submit Your Resume.”

There’s a lot of advice floating around about standing out from the crowd during the application process. I’ve always believed, and my fellow panelists agree, that the best ways are the simplest. First, be qualified. The fanciest song and dance routine won’t get you anywhere if you can’t do the job. Second, have an easy-to-read resume that quickly conveys your experience and skills. A study done at TheLadders revealed that your resume has about six seconds to make a good first impression.

Whether you submit your resume through an advanced applicant tracking system or directly to a human being, the goal is the same. You want to submit a resume that lays out why you’re right for the job. It should be clear and clean: as free of bells and whistles as possible. A great resume won’t guarantee you a job, but a solid, well-timed, customized resume will likely get you an interview, and that’s the first step.

According to the responses I received, our audience got real value from the conversation. I love the opportunity to give insight from the recruiter/hiring manager side. I look forward to participating in many more of these events and helping more job seekers navigate the often frightening and confusing realm of the job search.

David Gaspin is the Manager, Talent Acquisition at TheLadders. When he’s not busy hiring amazing people for TheLadders, he keeps busy by trying to sound important – whether to his team, job seekers, or (for a real challenge) his 5-year old son.

When I learned that the two agencies on the June 3^rd episode of AMC’s The Pitch were both located in Manhattan and were vying for a women’s fashion retailer, I knew that this was a unique opportunity that we just had to capture. We headed to Times Square to the offices of Womenkind, a marketing and communications company, which was “built by women to engage women the way women really want to be engaged.”

Sitting down with co-founders Sandy Sabean, Chief Creative Officer, and Kristi Faulkner, President, we listened to what these two women knew about who controls 85% of all purchases in the United States: women. They discussed how their agency translates the findings gleaned from their research into innovative solutions for their clients who want to understand and motivate women. In fact, they frequently tap into their “muses” of dynamic influencers for their insight about what will inspire women to buy – and talk about — brands.

Womenkind will be competing against DIGO, a 14 year-old agency focusing on small to mid-sized companies, which was co-founded by two men, Mark DiMassimo, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, and Lee Goldstein, President. With female co-founders against male co-founders, Sunday’s episode will no doubt be a battle of the sexes on multiple levels: the client, C. Wonder, is owned by Chris Burch, ex-husband of designer Tory Burch and co-founder of her namesake brand. Did you catch all that?

Who will Chris Burch pick as his right-hand (wo)man to represent his concept boutique? Tune in this Sunday, June 3^rd, at 11pm ET to find out. An hour beforehand, I’ll be watching Mad Men, my favorite battle of the sexes!

Lisa Hagendorf is the Vice President of Public Relations for TheLadders where she is a huge ambassador of the brand in the office. At the gym. And on the street. She just can’t stop talking about TheLadders. Ever.