Angela Swanson was out of work. . .

Angela Swanson was out of work. . .

She had moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in June of 2007 for her current job with an insurance company. Her plan was to be there 3-5 years, build a successful career, and then move back to her native Minnesota where her friends and family awaited – the place she called home. On September 15, 2008 – that all changed.

Budget cuts gave her a 30 day notice and a lot of decisions to make FAST. Long story – short . . . she had her last day of work on October 15th, packed her Penske Truck on October 20th, and attended her first face to face interview on October 23rd back in Minnesota.

Not afraid of hard work or networking, she put in hours and hours per day to her job search. The one the thing that gave her some sanity in the insanity of job searching was helping her friends who were also unemployed.

On December 5, 2008, I created MN Job Hunters – an online community on Linkedin.com, Yahoo Groups, Ning.com, & Facebook to help bring recruiters together with job seekers. I was actually inspired by Rick Hatch – a fellow linkedin.com member who was kind enough to add me to his list of people that needed job postings for a time. After a while, it was too much for him, so I decided to pay it forward and take it to the next level. There are an abundance of resources out there, but I wanted to share them in the Yahoo Group so that people could use them, ask questions and “meet” other people without first having to attend a meeting to be approved for membership.

While Minnesota by nature is not very warm, I have been pleasantly surprised by how people have been pulling together and helping one another out. Look at the inspiring story of Lisa Hendrickson with Call that Girl who started Project Link It Forward. I truly believe in the power of networking, and hope that you will all pay it forward and join Minnesota Job Hunters.

Even if you are already employed, maybe you could help someone else get in at your company and split the referral bonus J If you are seeking, looking to network or recruit, we would love to have you!

Sincerely,
Angela Swanson
www.linkedin.com/in/angelaswanson
LinkedinAngela@gmail.com

MN JOB HUNTERS IS A FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BRINGING JOB HUNTERS AND RECRUITERS TOGETHER TO NETWORK AND MUTUALLY BENEFIT.

Yahoo: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/MNJobHunters/



Linkedin.com version of this group is here: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1565257



Facebook:: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=116264875513



Ning.comhttp://mnjobhunters.ning.com

Stay Positive!

While it is hard to be searching for employment in a tough economy, I cannot stress enough the importance of staying positive.

Yes, you will have good days and bad days.

But there are jobs out there. Our technology and resources are bountiful today. We have the internet, job networking groups, and the ability to almost instantaneously apply for jobs.

Your confidence and your positive attitude will help reflect in your phone presentations, your interviews, and your work towards completing those lovely job applicaitons.

Know that you are not alone, and that there are others here to help you. There is power & strength in numbers!

Project Link It Forward

Are you a Linkedin.com user? If so, have you heard about Project Link It Forward? Lisa Hendrickson, creator of Project Link It Forward has been featured in the Star & Tribune.


If you are an active user of Linkedin.com, please check out www.projectlinkitforward.com to find out more information about these classes.

Criteria to Qualify
You are currently out of work, laid off or have been looking for a job for several months.
Your profile must indicate you are not currently employed.
Your profile should not indicate that you are a consultant or consulting.
Your profile should look like you are a seriously looking for work.

Linkedin.com - How I Used it in My Job Search

Here is how I personally used linkedin.com as a job searching tool.

1. I used it as a showcase for my resume. I made sure my profile was complete, and requested reccomendations from people who would endorse me. I can keep those recommendations FOREVER!!!

2. I connected with old work colleagues and joined Alumni Groups from my former employers.

3. I used to to meet new people, add new connections and network with other job seekers and recruiters.

4. I used it to research companies and find out people I knew at companies.

5. I used to find power networkers and connect and follow their lead and example.

6. I joined interest groups to meet new people.

7. If I knew the name of the hiring manager or recruiter I was talking with at XXX company, I would look at their profile on linkedin.com. (You can bet they were looking at mine too!)

8. I used it to keep a pulse of what was going on in the Twin Cities. I would look at the Groups I had joined - MNJobHunters, TCNG, LinkedinMinnesta, and see who was hiring, who was looking.

9. I used it as a resource to help other people.

10. I looked through the jobs from time to time.

Looking for a Job or candidates in Minnesota?

Are you looking for work? Are you looking for great candidates? MNJobHunters is a social network of great candidates and recruiters looking for one another. Whether you are currently employed or employed, use this powerful networking tool to help one another find EXCELLENT candidates. Support each other through encouragement & advice!

Join us today! Email MNJobHunters@gmail.com for more information.