Expat Careers: 3 Resources for Job Seekers to Share their Expertise and Increase their Visibility

Career Collective is a group of top career professionals who blog monthly on a designated topic for careerists and job seekers. Today’s topic is Resources for Job Seekers. Our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

 

RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS

When I first thought about writing a post about resources for job seekers my mind floated to a variety of online networks and social media platforms.  But I thought that most of my readers will have read posts like that or similar ones.

Then I remembered what I always tell my clients. 

"People want to hire experts, not generalists.

Position yourself as an expert and you will have a better chance of standing out in today's competitive marketplace. And if you can find "that thing" you are an expert in that no one else can be, then you are in a niche all your own. With no competition, you are the ONLY choice for someone who is looking for what you have on offer."

This is why personal branding - leveraging what is unique and compelling about yourself to drive your success - is at the core of the work that I do.  I work with my clients to first find "that thing" - or unearth their unique value - and then clearly and powerfully communicate that value to those who who need "that thing" most.

So what are some resources to help job seekers position themselves as experts? Resources that help you increase your visibility?

Three resources come to mind.

1) HelpaReporter.com

Help a Reporter (HARO) is service which brings together journalists and bloggers in need of a expert quote with expert sources looking to be quoted or for some visibility in the media.  It's a 100% free service, and currently the largest free source repository in the world. To sign up to receive daily emails with listings of journalists or bloggers who need experts, click here.

HARO was founded by serial entrepreneur, Peter Shankman.  Peter is the CEO of The Geek Factory, a boutique Marketing and PR Strategy firm, as well as the author of, Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts That Work--And Why Your Company Needs Them. 

I love Peter's style and the way he thinks about social media and networking.  To get a taste of what he's like I recommend his blog post, "Five Guaranteed Ways to Get Your Story Placed". 

When I asked Peter what he thought about the value of HARO for job seekers, he said, "HARO allows you to respond directly to reporters when they're looking for information on a topic in which you're well versed, allowing greater exposure for you in major publication, television outlets, and news programs." 

I think HARO's tag line says it all: "Everyone is an expert at something."

Nearly 30,000 media sources have quoted HARO sources in their stories. Could the next one be you?

 

2) BloggerLinkUp.com

Much in the way HARO works, BloggerLinkUp connects bloggers looking for content with people looking to write guest posts for other people's blogs.  Another win-win situation - my favorite kind.

Also like HARO, once you've signed up for the service, you'll receive one or two emails a day that will include guest posts needed, guest posts wanted, and guest posts available. Contact details are provided so connecting to a source or opportunity from there is quick and easy.

I asked Cathy Stucker, the Idea Lady and founder of BloggerLinkUp, why she thought it was an important resource for job seekers. "Any time someone chooses to publish your work, it enhances your expert reputation and exposes you to a brand new audience. Guest blogging is a great way to get published on other people's blogs, but it can be hard to find compatible sites. That's why I started Blogger LinkUp--to make it easy for bloggers and guest posters to find each other. And you never know who will read your guest post...it could be your next employer."

I agree completely.

 

3) Google Blog Search

As mentioned above, guest blogging is a great way to position yourself as an expert. But if BloggerLinkUp doesn't have guest post requests from blogs that are aligned with your area of expertise - what do you do?

You go out and find the blogs in your niche or area of focus yourself of course. 

How? Google Blog Search makes it easy. Simply type in keywords from your area of expertise and voila - a listing of blogs in your area of focus from which to choose.

How to pitch your guest post to a top blog?  Well that's another blog post. However, a great blog post that can help you get started is by Mary Jaksch, chief editor of Write to Done, who runs an A-list blogging club with Leo Babauta: "How to Land a Guest Post Every Time: 21 Secret Tips". 

 

As a job seeker, it's important to seek out job opportunities through various resources on- and offline. But by positioning yourself as an expert and increasing your visibility, you'll also make it easier for yourself to get found by people looking for what you have to offer. 

 

YOUR EXPAT SUCCESS TIP: If you are a job seeker, do you know what "that thing" is that you can do well in a way that no one else can? The thing that you naturally do well by simply being the unique collection of qualities, skills, experience, values and passions that is you? Take the time to find out what "that thing" is, and then leverage the tools like the ones mentioned above to share that "expert status" in a highly visible way both on- and offline. Help those that are looking for what you have to offer, find you!

 

Here are the other Career Collective members' posts on great resources for job seekers:

If your industry does not participate online, you can lead the way, @Keppie_Careers

6 Ideas to Put In Your Toolbox, @WorkWithIllness,

Your Best Job Search Resource? You!, @WalterAkana

In a Job Search, Knowledge is Power, @barbarasafani

Jump Start Your Job Search Now!, @resumeservice

Favourite Resources for Jobseekers, @GayleHoward

The Best Job Search Tool Ever, @careersherpa

Find What You Do Best, Know Your Stuff, and Connect, @chandlee

27 Recommended Blogs for Entry-Level Job Seekers, @heatherhuhman

Invaluable Resources for Job Search Success, @heathermundell

Favorite Social-Media Resources for Job-seekers, @KatCareerGal

Canadian Resources for Job Seekers, @EliteResumes @MartinBuckland

A Self-Empowering Job Search Resource, @KCCareerCoach

Covering your bases: 5 ultra-useful online career resources, @LaurieBerenson

Favorite resources for Job seekers, @DawnBugni

Top 3 Resources for Job Seekers to Position Themselves as Experts and Increase their Visibility, @expatcoachmegan

Time as a Career Resource: How "Not" to Squander It, @ValueIntoWords

 

Comments

[Meg Montford]

Love your recommended resources, Megan, especially HelpaReporter.com. You have a unique way of sharing, and it's very appealing. I like the way you write!

[Chandlee]

Megan, this is outstanding. These strategies aren't only good for career experts but also for those of us who work in the industry. I'm retweeting this post and will be crediting a few of these suggestions when I give a talk on Friday. If you hear the Liberty Bell ringing in your ears later this week, you'll know why.

Thanks!

Chandlee

[Walter Akana]

Wow, Megan! We are so thinking along the same lines!

Standing up and sharing your expertise is a sure fire way to gain visibility for enhanced career success. In fact, I think that people would do well to think of themselves as “free agents” – even if looking for a traditional job opportunity.

Taking the time to uncover one’s brand, and clearly, consistently, and constantly communicating one’s thought leadership is key! These are great resources for doing just that!

[Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, Executive Resume Strategist]

Megan,
I echo Chandlee's sentiments that these strategies are exceptional not just for careerists but those of us "in the industry!"

I love the closing tip: "... do you know what "that thing" is that you can do well in a way that no one else can?" I agree that taking time to find "that thing" and THEN visibly sharing that "expert status" on- and offline is important.

Several years ago I underwent a rigorous introspection, along with my accountability partner/career coach, and unearthed my "Your Value Into Words" tagline. Arriving at that tagline was a process that involved many conversations as well as behind-the-scenes introspection.This first step was a launch-pad for future sharings!

In closing, I LOVE your post's message, as well, the resources, the easy to follow links, and the detailed explanations behind them. You've made it simple for careerists to implement your great suggestions!

Thanks!
Jacqui

[Dawn Bugni]

Megan -

Excellent, excellent resources and great ways to boost client visibility and expertise. I'm taking notes and adding to my client tool chest as we speak.

Wonderful wisdom! Thanks for sharing it.

[Megan]

@meg Thanks Meg for the feedback - glad you found them valuable. And I'm glad that you enjoy my writing

@chandlee I'm glad you found them helpful!

@walter Great minds do think alike!

@Jacqui Thanks so much for your words. What you've pointed out really is at the core of the work that we do with our clients....I absolutely love that process! It's exciting to see people own their unique value and let it drive their success.

@dawn - Thanks! Glad I could add to your tool chest!

My best to all,

Megan

[Andrea Martins]

Agree 100% with these resource recommendations, Megan! Have tweeted this now and I hope others find them useful too. :-)

Andrea Martins
@andreaexpat

[Javier]

Julie,Excellent (as usual) I beleive that now, more than ever, we need one another to succeed. We are all linked great message, Julie. I'm spinning this out!@HeatherEColeman@CareerSavvy