Studies show that employees are increasingly getting jobs via referrals, recommendations and word-of-mouth and less so via job boards. Employee referrals are the most effective way to find a job at the moment. But, before you go rushing out to networking events and social media job forums, save a small, special thought for the art of cold calling, which has the potential to be one of the most effective ways to make quality contact with employers via word-of-mouth. Incisive cold calls can nudge people, introduce, create an impression, make some one stop and listen, jog memories, and set appointments in a way that can’t always be achieved via social media and emailing alone.
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Just as the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca defined luck as “what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” the same is true for achieving career success.

There are an infinite number of ways to define career success. It’s always personal, it’s usually multifaceted, and it often evolves over time. Some measure success in terms of salary. Others view it in terms of title, level, or professional designation. Another gauge may be the reputation that can be cultivated in their chosen industry or field. Yet another focus may be the perceived impact and importance of their work.
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Six Subtle Signs You’re About to Lose Your Job
For Busy and Confident Executives, These Warnings Are Easy to Miss

Steve Walker, a veteran executive for Safeway Co., figured his long tenure offered protection from a layoff. He figured wrong.

He lost his job as vice president of corporate retail services last November amid cost cuts at the supermarket operator. Mr. Walker now realises there were warnings. For instance, he says, his usually friendly boss turned terse during his final months.
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Eight Surprising Rules That Will Get You The Job

At 76 years old, Bill Ellermeyer is an elder statesman of the job search world. He founded an Irvine, Calif. outplacement firm in 1981, which he sold to staffing firm Adecco in 1990, then ran that office as a division of Adecco subsidiary Lee Hecht Harrison until going out on his own as an independent coach in 2004. He specializes in what he calls “career transitions” for people who have lost their jobs at the executive level, mostly from the c-suite or as vice presidents. Some of his clients have been out of work for more than a year when they come to him. He pushes them until they find a new position. After three decades in the career coaching business, he’s come up with eight rules, some counter-intuitive, that he says promise to land his clients a job.
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Effective (and Non-Creepy) Ways to Stalk People on LinkedIn

How to Stalk People on LinkedIn. If you’re a job seeker, you probably already know that you need insider access to the position you’re after: a key contact at the company, the direct email address of the hiring manager, or the real scoop on what will make your application stand out among the thousands of others.

But you also know that’s easier said than done. If you don’t have friends and family who can help you get a foot in the door, how do you get this elusive access?
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Outplacement is the efforts made by a downsizing company to help former employees through the transition to new jobs and help them re-orient to the job market.  A consultancy firm usually provides the outplacement services which are paid for by the former employer and are achieved through practical advice and psychological support.
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