Create A Buzz Around You

What are you doing to create a buzz about you? If you are waiting for the phone to ring, but there is no traction or attraction, you are waiting in vain. I have been following a question on LinkedIn. You can jump in the conversation too, just find the Job Angels Group, join and come share your thoughts and/or questions.

Here is the question:What are you doing to stand out to employers? Especially when you are responding without referrals to a job opportunity? Is a strong cover letter or resume enough to put you on the top of the stack?

My response: Is a strong cover letter and resume enough to put you to the top of the stack? To answer you question in a word, “No”, I don’t believe a strong cover letter and resume are enough to get you on the top of the pile. I do believe they are a start. The problem is that there are so many job seekers in the market, competing for the same jobs. Many are qualified for the positions they are applying for, so how does a hiring manager or recruiter differentiate one good or great candidate from another? That is the value of social networking or a referral. I believe qualified candidates who find them self in the market today must find other access points into organizations. And not rely on whether their resume/cover letter bubbles up to the top. That is a losing game for people who are serious about finding a job.

Get out there and talk to people, meet people, get introductions, conduct informational interviews and get people buzzing about you. When you start talking to people, or you get introductions through networking, that is when you want to introduce your resume/cover letter. Now you are putting it in the hands of key decision makers or hiring managers.

If you are struggling to network with others on in your industry, try positioning yourself as an expert. Here are a few suggestions for you to do that:

1. Answer Questions at LinkedIn Answers

2. Start a blog

3. Write some articles – Freelance

4. Write a book

5. Start a Business

Don’t allow yourself to fall into hopelessness concerning your job search. It is a tough market, but it is not insurmountable. Choose to get creative, choose to take some risk. Jean over at Small Business here at Bizzia has a post called Laid Off? Terminated? Start a Business. WOW! Great advice! Joel Freeman wrote a book for business people called If Nobody Loves You, Create the Demand. I love his title and the book so much, I use it for a webinar to assist job seekers with moving past the anger, frustration of their current state of affairs into ACTION! You have to do something, create a buzz about you! If you don’t, why should anyone else. If you don’t, who will. Your next great opportunity is waiting for you to take one step of FAITH. Come on! When you get break through, come back and share your story!

Image Credit: sxc.hu