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 Anyone having experience using Spoke or Linked - pls advise how effective they are in searching for a company directory when you sending job application or resume to a company. Pls also comment if anyone has been more successful than me in getting response when submitting job application/resume directly to the job site. I was laid off and had sent application with resume to the job posting and have had just One response. It seemed like it went to an outer space and that was last fall 2007. 

Hi, I am ACTIVELY job searching also and am on Linkedin. So far not much chance on Linkedin although through connection one may have some 'sort of' a chance to get to meet a hiring manager. or the right recruiter.. didn't happen to me so far. Since I am targeting Technology Project Management, I have posted my resume on Monster, Dice, Hotjobs, Careerbuilder and jobserve( ex computerworks)... I have been having some interviews which have turned cold afterwards or have been approached, however, when I sent my updated resume which they request as per the job req, I donot hear from these people at all.. and impossible to get them on the phone... yet I have had a few opportunities which almost seemed to be secured but didn't LOL.... I believe Networking is part of the process, keep on plugging even if you donot hear anything, post your resume wherever you can  and also keep on applying and call the recruiter to ensure they have received your resume. Happened to me, I sent my resume, they didnt respond so I called and they go check and come up with Oh yeah, you do meet the requirement, I will submit you and bla bla.....  so follow-up with a phone call wherever possible..

The combination of these 4 (networking,resume posting,applying and follow-up)will surely land you to your job.  Be patient yet daily check the web for new postings oh and UPDATE your web posted resume weekly!! VERY IMPORTANT (your resume will be always on the first page of search if you update regularly) .  I have started job hunting actively since Mid March.. and I am still searching.. I just know that I will get there... I apply for a minimum of 6 to 10 jobs per day.. but the one I  seem to have more activities are the one the recruiter contacts me.. but I still do it, ie applying,, at least am giving myself some chance ...

It is very hard to find a job, more so the one you want! with perseverance and persistence you will reach there.. (hehehe this advise applies to me too... lol..) some day, I just want kick everything shut and sit down and cry.. but that wont help me either.. so I keep on .. I know I will reach there!

I hope I could help you a little bit?

 Hi there,



I'm on linkedin since long..... I'm a recruiter myself.



if u let me have your resume..... maybe, i can help you search a good job somewhere.

What's ur qualification and experience.... what kind of job are you looking for and where?



My gmail id is salmajavidkhan@gmail.com  - send ur resume to this id........ I'll surely try my best to help you.



Take care & God bless.

-Salma J. Khan

 Daniela,  my resume/job apps. responses have always been to specific job(s) listed on jobsites. i.e. careerbuilder, monster, jobbank etc  that I have direct experience relating to the ad. In my posting, I wanted to know if it was just me because I had very little response and so I want to do some networking via Linked/Spoke - not necessarily to send unsollicited  resume to these people but  to expand my sphere of people I know.... No, as a professional, I would never have sent resume to people in the network unless asked. .. I had asked about Linked or Spoke in my posting because I agree w/ jo island that perhaps through networking, the more people getting to know that you are searching, who you are etc would be the best leads..

Jo: do attend the professional networking that may be available in your area. There are two that I am actively attending and in the meeting, people introduce themselves, share their employment experience, their current needs and which compani(es) are hiring or not and what they have openings on. I had my resume critiqued and got a lot of good pointers from other attendees. Some have speakers coming in for the meeting and the last one - the speaker's topic was on salary negotiation. Every month - diff. speaker with diff. topics show up and these meetings are free too. A good way to network and letting others know who you are. I haven't had any luck w/ recruiters so far because they admit  it's been very slow. I do f/u with a call to these recruiters every two weeks or so and I put  them on my f/u tickers  to call them... so they don't forget since they get a lot of responses fr other job seekers - it's always good  to keep them posted as well on my progress so they don't send resume to same co. that I already contacted. Also a professional courtesy to let them know if I get an interview/ future job offer .. 

Jo: I have same experience .. after I sent job apps w/resume as req. to the job specific on these sites, I rarely heard any back.  W/o the  contacts - nearly impossible to  f/u as I need to know if they even got it or whether other candidate got the job etc. I have reservation about posting resume on line - even if I only list name and cell phone on my resume. And also I don't  even list my college graduation year on resume - figure they always request a written application upon arrival during interview and I will then list them there... hang in there - I do the same - everyday I get up and do the job search 9-5 with breaks on networking. I ran into someone who is also searching for job so.. we share job site info, and network.. do take a break as I do,as not  too get overwhelmed .. call up a girlfriend, walk outside to see my  garden and pet my dog!! what a stress reliever to get licked from a bouncing pup....don't give up Jo and you and I will celebrate big time once we get a job!! 

Iris

Iris... I am glad to see you have the greatest attitude.. guess what? I have 2 Caktiels who pecks at my fingers to relieve my stress LOL... I wish I had a dog with a wet nose..  but its a no no from the apartment complex.  Today I have applied for ZERO jobs but did get 2 opportunities from recruiters noticing my resume on both Dice and Monster. So  I sent my resume but of course, they leave a phone no for you to call but nobody answered the call.. FRUSTRATINGGG!! anyway.. I will try again as usual. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT Soooooooooon.

Linda, thanks for the tip!, I will surely go and have a look.

Hi I have been using LinkedIn for about three years.  However, it has been the most useful to me within the last year or so.  I agree with Linda making your profile as strong as possible makes you stand out.  I have been contacted by several recruiters out of the blue for that reason. However, it did take some time.  Also, use the recommendation section on the site to get former bosses, colleagues or anyone familiar with your work ethic to say a few kind words on your behalf.  Just send the person that you think will give a solid recommendation a request.   In addition when you perform searches for jobs if you find someone in your LinkedIn contact list that may be linked to someone who works at that particular company ask them to introduce you. 

Focus on Core Competencies the key words that trigger optimal results in search engines in your job descriptions.   Best wishes BlueIris I know how frustrating it can be.  I spent a year looking for jobs and applying on-line with limited response but I can say being patient and resilient paid off.

Take care and I wish you much success.  Remember,”The end of a matter is better than its beginning."

LindaG says ...

The best advice I've heard about using Linked-in for job searching is to make your profile as strong as possible. This allows employers to find you when they are looking for expertise in a certain area. There is a very thorough discussion here: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedin.htm

Also be sure to click on the link to Guy Kawasaki's Ten ways to use Linked-in. Great stuff!

 

Good luck!

I agree - brilliant articles - and many blow it! Linked in, just like this site does not work if you are not active!