Tricks To Getting A Great Referral
Provided by AOLJobs.com By CareerBuilder By Robert Half International Job seekers know the power of networking in their search for employment. But it’s not just who you know; it’s also who your contacts know. An effective way to make the most of your connections is by asking for referrals. A referral is just one piece of the hiring puzzle, but it can support a well-crafted resume and help your application rise to the top of the stack. It’s a recommendation made to a hiring manager, on your behalf, by someone who knows you both. What can a referral do for you? You may have one of several goals in mind when asking a contact to refer you: Perhaps you’re hoping to set up an informational interview. Or maybe you’ve applied for an open position and hope to cement your candidacy with a personal endorsement. A thoughtful recommendation gives context to your résumé and adds a stamp of approval from someone the hiring manager knows and trusts. It’s a personal introduction that connects you with the company on a level that’s deeper than the rest of the application process allows. A referral says, “This is someone to pay attention to.” If you’re looking for a job in the South End, check out our jobs page. What’s in a referral? A strong referral has all the hallmarks of an effective cover letter — it’s persuasive, engaging and relevant. The advocate introduces you and explains how she knows you. Then, the person highlights the characteristics, values, experiences or skills that led her to endorse you. In closing, it might include a personal note or comment that reinforces the connection between your contact and the hiring manager. A referral does not have to be formal. It can take many forms, from an email or social media message to a quick phone call or hallway conversation. More: How to use your friends to get a job How to use a referral: Tap into your network to find potential advocates — and to help them help you. Here’s how to ensure a strong referral: Ask the right person. Review your closest contacts — friends, business associates, former managers or colleagues, coaches or mentors. Also make a list of companies you’re targeting and positions for which you’re applying. Then, determine where the two intersect. Reach out to prospective advocates who have ties to those companies, requesting that they speak on your behalf. Don’t send a mass email, which will seem too impersonal. Many companies have incentive programs that encourage employees to refer qualified candidates for open positions. But your advocate doesn’t have to work for the company you’re pursuing. Your contact and the manager may be connected socially or through […]
Memorial Day BBQ? 8 Money-Saving Tricks (Sponsored)
Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead — say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try these marinade recipe ideas. 2. Set your grill to medium heat. It’s so easy to overcook meat, especially when you’re entertaining. “Grilling over medium heat is key because the beef will be browned perfectly and cooked evenly,” says Dave Zino, Executive Chef and culinary spokesperson for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. The same goes for chicken. 3. Dessert? Try Grilled Fruit. It’s inexpensive and unexpected. “I love to grill fruit like watermelon, pears and pineapple. It really doesn’t get any easier or healthier than that. If you need something to cool off with, serve the grilled fruit with a scoop of frozen yogurt or ice cream,” Zino recommends. 4. Choose poultry instead of beef. Browne is a fan of “beer-butt chicken”, placing an entire chicken on the grill with an open can of beer inserted into it. “The beer steams the flesh and produces very moist and succulent meat.” He also likes turkey dogs and turkey bacon as a healthier choice for his popular “bacon wrapped cheese hot dogs” for kids. (There is no recipe — you just wrap the hotdog in cheese, and wrap cooked bacon around it. Rolls and condiments are optional.) 5. Or choose fish instead of beef. Browne likes to grill salmon on disposable cedar planks, which he soaks first so that the salmon remains moist while cooking. 6. Make your own coleslaw and baked beans. If you’ve got the time and the inclination, this is a big money-saver. We’re partial to Paula Deen’s coleslaw recipe and this root beer baked bean recipe from Aarti Sequeira of Food Network fame. And you can find healthy recipes in Browne’s Big Book Of Barbeque Sides. 7. Buy meat on sale or in bulk. Rick Browne says don’t be afraid to buy meat in the sale section of the […]
Categories: Arrests Tags: Memorial, MoneySaving, Sponsored, Tricks