An online professional portfolio is quickly becoming the new resume in today’s job market. Recruiters are no longer sifting through resumes they’ve received from job applicants or searching resumes they may have on file. A quick search using any number of search engines online or perusing online databases for a qualified candidate is now the preferred choice in developing a qualified list of candidates. Having an online presence is now crucial to a successful job search. An online portfolio can be used to tell a complete story of why you are the right candidate for the job you seek. Your online portfolio should include your resume, professional and personal references, letters of recommendation from past or present colleagues and links to social media sites such as Facebook that represents you in a positive manner. Create a personal brand that helps set you apart from your competition. Allow your portfolio to clearly define this brand. Recruiters will remember a clearly defined brand. You resume within your portfolio should be consistent with your brand as should any social media sites you choose to include. A blog is also becoming a common means for many professional to define their brand and show recruiters they are an expert in their field. Be creative in with your portfolio. The competition among job seekers is higher than ever in today’s economy. The old traditional methods of searching for a job is no longer as effective. An online presence with a professional portfolio, a clearly defined brand and a marketing plan to optimize your portfolio on the web and recruiters in your industry are among the new methods of a successful job search.

Mark Morris

One of the most important actions you must do in your job search is Networking. Now most of us are used to emailing and calling past coworkers and finding out where they are working and if there are openings for you. This is the most traditional method of networking and works well. But what if you have been doing this and have not been successful in your job search?

It may be time to try some non-traditional means of Networking. Some that may come to mind are the social networks. Linkedin, facebook, twitter and other social networking sites are a great place to let your contacts know you are looking for a new job. You should be updating your status on these sites and following up with emails and calls. LinkedIn also sponsors networking events in different metropolitan areas.

What about all the other places you interact with people on a regular basis? Church, golf courses, community clubs, cigar lounges, Starbucks, shopping etc… You are meeting people all the time during the normal course of your day. One of the most common questions when meeting someone for the first time is, “what do you do”? Why not respond with, “I am a Sales Professional, looking for my next challenge”. You never know who you might be standing next to!

You should have business cards ready at all times touting your professional “brand” that identifies you. Your brand could be anything that identifies the value you can bring to a company (Sales Professional, Operations Executive, Marketing Entrepreneur etc…). You should also include your name and contact information such as email address and phone numbers. A professional portfolio URL address should also be included. A professional portfolio URL would be a location that contains your resume and all other information about you as a potential employee.

Remember, you never know who you might meet, standing in line at the grocery store, bank or department store. Always be ready to network!

Dirk Olson

www.procareerimage.com

The way I see it there are too many avenues these days to find employment.  Way too many ineffective methods and very few effective methods.  It is very rare that a person will find a position on a job board like careerbuilder.com and monster.com, they simply have too many people to choose from and the majority of positions that are posted aren’t really open, they are just posting to identify the applicant pool or meeting an expectation of external postings.  If you find someone that connected via this avenue, let us know (then invest in him). 
2008 really opened the floodgates to alternative methods, web sites, video’s, e-resume’s and the ability to quickly adjust your resume and cover letter to each open position.  These are just the beginning, but none the less they are absolute successful methods in today’s world.  Lose the old habits and climb aboard the new methods of marketing yourself.
I have been investigating this, and in a March 2010 survey of 30 newly employed professionals, 83% indicated that they put a heavy focus on networking (social, professional and, personal) then used the latest internet tools to close the deal.  You first need to get them interested, and then set the hook with your mastery of the ability to think outside the box.
Use of professional portfolio’s and online profiles that allow you to customize the presentation toward an audience is a great start.  The ability to tell your story at their convenience and set a specific perception of your capabilities will get interview calls all day long.
Picture yourself in their shoes, with the hundreds of applicants, where do you start.  From experience I will tell you that I start with the people that set themselves apart from the rest, those that look for alternative solutions to the ‘norm’.  Stand out, get the interview and get that great career started today!

Jeff Arnold
www.procareerimage.com/pz/jeffarnold

The first most important step in swithing careers after the age of 40 is to do an assessment of skills. Take a moment to jot down all the skills you possess and enjoy as well as the skills you don’t. This will help direct you to a career that will be more rewarding and will fit both your skill set and personality.

Once you’ve done a thorough job of assessing your skills, the next step is to research careers. Focus on careers that are in a growth phase. You want to ensure there will be a market for your skills and new career choice as you venture down this new path. Talk to people in these industries to get their input. Where do they see the industry in 5-10 years down the road? Ask them how someone can obtain the necessary experience or job skills required for a position in their industry. Linkedin is a good tool to use to get introduces to people in industries or positions for which you are researching.

Once a new career path has been established, a strong plan of action is required to get off to a good start in your job search. Your plan of action should include rewriting your resume. Focus your resume on your skills and accomplishments rather that the more traditional work history resume. Highlight your skills that can easily be transferred to the new career path you’ve chosen. An online presence is also required in today’s job market as it is the preferred choice for recruiters in searching for candidates. Optimize your Linkedin profile so that key buzz words from your chosen career path are present. A clearly defined summary of what you are seeking and a well written profile will show potential recruiters you are both focused and technical savvy that is often required in today’s job market.

A good marketing plan is required to get your name out there in front of as many recruiters and people in the industry as possible. Network with friends and colleagues to find those people that may have contacts within your chosen industry. Brand your resume and online profile to best represent you and position you for your new career. Be consistent with your brand. Your brand should continue throughout the marketing and job search process and also throughout your interviews.

A thorough job assessment, research of potential career paths and a strong plan of action and marketing plan are all crucial to your success in changing your career. You have much more to lose than gain by making a switch but doing so properly and making a good choice will provide a successful and rewarding new career.