ItsDevelopmental - content + technology + people

A spluttering start to my job search in 2011

Quite literally a spluttering start. There I was a week before Christmas thinking that, despite it being a quiet time for recruitment, I would be looking around to see what might be available, starting to get my Linkedin profile in better order, sorting out this blog and my web prescence as a whole, starting to connect with people etc. I even had my outplacement appointment booked.

But no. A bad flu virus floored the family for two weeks. We are now just recovering, which is timely as I have to be in Sutton on Friday to say au revoir to XpertHR. That said, I still have lots of admin to do. EEK.

Flu was a pain but it didn't stop me thinking about my next steps. Not being able to do much about it was frustrating. Today has been good because I feel I have actaully been able to do something about my next steps. I have been dropping notes to people around the business, talking to some peeps on Twitter and generally connecting with some of my network. This feels positive and like I am making progress. It reminds me that:

• I have worked with some really good people
• That I feel I sense of support from my wider networks, especially Twitter (and thanks for that offer, Bill!)  

I also have a couple of articles to write for other people, which I am looking forward to getting on with.

So, a slow start to the big job hunt but to be expected what with flu and Christmas.

Next big thing this week will be my first meeting with Penna as a part of my outplacement support. Really looking forward to that as I'm thinking my career could go in a few different directions.

Finally, I really enjoyed Mervyn's post about 'social' job hunting. We are both looking for new roles so will be interesting to compare notes with him. I like the use of his Wordpress blog to showcase who he is and what he does - his living CV. 

Here are the other posts in my job search series.  

Phew - getting digital with the CV is OK

In my previous job search post I talked about the CV not being dead and was perturbed about the fact this paper-based tradition of sharing your skills had not yet turned fully digital.

Some recent blog posts about the need to go digital and use the free tools out there have cheered me up.

• The redundant public servant is starting to see the benefits of using social media tools,
• Sukh Pabial bemoans badly written CVs and urges jobseekers to go digital
• Mashable provides some great tips on optimising your Linkedin profile
• And Bill Boorman adds some tips for adding some 'bling' to you Linkedin profile

There are loads more advice articles out there but these are the ones I came across since my last job search post.

I'm particularly interested in the Linkedin CV builder . . . going to check that out soon. In actual fact, as I said last time, I am looking for an overhaul of my blog, Twitter etc and am looking at a multi-media approach to presenting me and what I have to offer. Be afraid.

Thinking of getting video testimonials - or is that naff?

Previous job search posts (I am only starting - this list will grow . . .)

So the CV is not dead yet, then?

So, it's farewell XpertHR and hello . . .

The CV is not yet dead, then?

And here I was thinking that a profile on Linkedin, a blog, a Twitter profile, a Google profile etc was where I would be selling me, what I do and think and what I have done.

But no. Spoke to a recruitment consultant today who was keen to see my CV. Eek. How on earth will one piece of paper tell my story and the fact I have a range of skills that could see me do any number of things (according to me!).

Ah well, welcome to job hunting in 2010. I expected CVs to be a part of the job search mix but it seems to still be the main part. A shame as it is such a limited way to tell your story.

I'm thinking of producing an audio and video CV - you have been warned.

Previous job search posts (I am only starting - this list will grow . . .)

• So it's farewell XpertHR and hello . . .

 

So it’s farewell XpertHR and hello . . .

After 18 fun and successful months at XpertHR I’m moving on. My post is being made redundant, which is a blow, but I understand the business imperatives. In many ways my work is done - much of what I came to do is now embedded in the team and I am very proud of that.

I have really enjoyed being part town crier, part sherpa (my definition of a user development editor) working with a very talented team.

So, in early January I will be back in the jobs market, a place I haven’t been for quite a few years (I have been at RBI for 8 years and prior to that I also had a 9 year stint).

My plan is to blog about my efforts to find work. Currently, I am still getting my head around the whole thing so not much to report so far.

One of the benefits of working for Reed Business Information (which owns XpertHR) is that I get some outplacement support. I have my first meeting in just over a week, by which time I hope to feel a bit more together.

I work in an exciting area - content, social media, user experience, lead generation, content marketing, digital engagement etc, so hope there will be some interesting opportunities out there (and yes, I am open to suggestions). 

I’ve got a few things to tie up on XpertHR and will post about some of the successes with the team, and at RBI, as I do that. There also seems to be a lot of admin to get sorted . . .