Hello Everyone!
Is paying for professional services, such as professional networking and career development effective, Linkedin or CareerBuilder? Unsure if I should pay for services if I will not get any job offers.
I have found work or have gotten interviews from professional organizations. To me, they are well worth the $350 I spend on my annual membership.
I do know there is major value in joining professional associations. I am active in 3 for my industry and have met SO many people and helped introduce me to hiring managers.
I did not pay for any services. I have a LinkedIn Premium account. Everything I learned I googled or took free seminars. I relied on fellow job searchers for help with resumes. Everyone these says is a “job coach”. As someone who was unemployed, I also couldn’t afford to pay anyone.
I pay monthly for LinkedIn Premium. Though I am on the job hunt it hasn't necessarily helped me get job offers as much as it has helped me expand my reach and network, much like Deborah mentioned. I enjoy the premium features, but at the high monthly cost, I probably won't continue the paid features once I get a job (unless the job pays enough to justify it!) ;-)
The only other service I have invested in during my search (so far) is a career coach. That was nearly invaluable for me in helping me discover more about myself in the process of looking for a job. She also helped me in figuring out what I was really looking for in my next role and how my skills were transferable to that.
It depends on how you use the service. I pay for Linked In and use it to connect to others in my network, to expand my reach.
But it's not a set it and forget it. If I don't use the site for a few weeks it doesn't send employers or contacts my way.