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Friday, April 26, 2013

Why not following up is devastating for your job search?


Many people say that job searching is a full-time job. Often they simply refer to the time consuming this activity implies but, in my view, this goes further: looking for a job is a professional activity, which requires professionalism.

A striking example of the latest is the care that needs to be given to following up activities.
An applicant which follow-up thoroughly demonstrates both resilience and organization, which are 2 highly valued qualities that organizations are awaiting from their employees.


Moreover, a lousy or inexistent follow-up will tend to show a lack of genuine motivation in the targeted organization or position. Of course, this will not help the applicant to score points.

An even more devastating effect is when a job seeker fails to follow-up on a contact made through a recommendation. In such case, not only the absence of consistency in the follow-up approach is deteriorating the applicant image but also it is very embarrassing for the person who has made the recommendation or enabled the connection.  After such a disappointing experience, very likely, this person has lost all philanthropic interest to provide help and support to this job seeker.

Very important is to remember that everybody likes to work with people who always do what they said they will.

What are job seekers then expected to do? :

Set reminders, keep track on all actions you initiated in your job search, always follow-up, keep people you involved informed and thank them for the help or the information they provided.

Sandrine van den Oudenhoven
job4U2, "Relocation is a project for both"


What to know more about networking?






Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Networking in Switzerland...when located outside the biggest Swiss cities


In the process of settling in a new environment and even more in searching for a job, socializing and networking remain powerful accelerators, making the adjustment process a human adventure rather than a long and frustrating stage. 
However, when relocating to Switzerland, families will not necessarily land in dense urban zones offering gatherings and expat networking weekly events.

Indeed, the Swiss economic network is rich of SME and big companies who have settled away from the big cities, which are Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne.

Socializing and looking for a job for a spouse located in Lugano, Neuchatel, Baden, Bienne, Sion or Solothurn is therefore a different experience than for a spouse who has moved to Zurich city.

I would like here to provide some ideas of networking places available outside the big Swiss economic centers.

Meetup groups are available a bit everywhere. When not active anymore or not available: why not taking the lead and bringing your own meet up group to life?

You’ll find internations communities in Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchatel, St Gallen, Zug, Bern.
                                   
Clubs to improve public speaking skills and learn more about speaking in public available in various locations in Switzerland. Toastmaster Switzerland also has a linkedIn group.

For “ young” professionals; 8 local chambers, more than 3150 members, located everywhere in Switzerland and working in teams on projects to support local or International communities.

BPW
With over 40 different locations in Switzerland, BPW represents the interests of working women in a variety of ways and operates across all branches of industry, politics and religion.

Swonet
A women network organizing Chill Out’s at various locations including In Aarau, Bern, Biel/Bienne, Fribourg, Luzern, St. Gallen

Nefu
For professional women and entrepreneurs, a network offering activities in different location in German speaking Switzerland.

The 14 angloswiss clubs in Switzerland aim to provide a platform for English speakers and Swiss to meet.

- Economic development agencies of each canton
Most cantons organize events to facilitate networking for local professionals.  Check their websites for more information.
Some examples: creapole.ch, standortsolothurn.ch, promfr.ch, business-valais.ch, etc

- Local economic Chambers (Wirtschaftskammer /Chambre économique)
Most economic regions have an economic chamber, which very likely organizes or promotes third parties events: Some examples are wibs.ch, adnv.ch, zwk.ch

- LinkedIn and Xing communities
www.linkedIn.com, www.Xing.com
Check the linkedIn and Xing groups: There are some communities and networking places available. e.g. Friends of Biel-Bienne, Meet and Greet Solothurn, ecoBILINGUE, etc


Of course this list is not exhaustive and many other networking places are available across Switzerland: sport clubs, language groups, professional associations, private initiatives, etc, etc.

I’d like to invite the blog readers to post additional ideas and feedback about networking places they experienced and found interesting.

Sandrine van den Oudenhoven
job4U2, "Relocation is a project for both"


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