Posts Tagged ‘linkedin’

The start of the New Year is rife with business opportunities, and LinkedIn is a great place for positioning yourself to snag them….
Via www.resonancesocialmedia.com

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Social Media: Go Big, Or Go Home

If you aren’t using every single social network platform directly related to your industry, occupation, and brand you are missing an important opportunity.

It is incumbent upon you, and your organization to secure the maximum penetration of your vertical market.  If you don’t know how to do this, or if you don’t have the band-width, consider outsourcing that work to an individual, or consultancy that does.

Go big, or go home. If you can’t make every attempt to go viral, and swirl like a whirling dervish around the internet, you might not be spending your time efficiently.

Even fish in small ponds can make a splash.  Take me for example, The HireFriday Facebook Page, and LinkedIn Group.  That group only has 1,040 members.  Their Facebook page only has 876 likes, but why does this small community make such a huge impact world-wide?  Because they being working with the individual (they think global and act local).

Margaret Mead suggested that we should never doubt a small group of committed volunteers.  They can change the world, and indeed they already have.  Small grass roots groups get traction, and leverage influence by gaining instant access to thought leaders.

They can still go big, and when they go home, they do so with a smile on their face.   Making money is important.  Businesses are not charities, they exist to make a profit, but with that said, they can be profitable, and still be charitable.

The huge brands have the resources to buy influence, and traffic.  The most successful brands however, engage in strategic philanthropy, service learning, and steward leadership.  They know that their teams are stronger when they volunteer.  They know that volunteering creates better communication.  They realize that employee retention increases when employees know that they are a part of a larger mission.  They are connected to the organization’s vision, and mission.  You can’t buy loyalty, but you can sure earn it.

So go big, or go home?  Maybe we should reframe it: go big, and go home.  Enjoy the quality of your life, love your family, and be as concerned with making a difference as you do a living.

Your moment of social media goodness by,

Social Media Margo

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Your Social Network Should Not Be Your Inner Dialogue

Last year I wrote a post where I made a bold statement to job seekers.  It was simply this: begin each status update with the salutation, “Dear Employer.”  Yes, people have not been hired, passed over for a promotion, or fired because of something they said online.  Remember this, nothing you say in social media is private.  Don’t say something online that you wouldn’t want to see on a billboard the next day.  Is it fair to censor what people say on social networks after working hours? Do we lose our first amendment rights when we leave the office? Is free speech really free, or does it come at a cost.  While I detest corporate censorship, I believe each person should be cognizant of what they say, where they say it, when they say it, and how it will be perceived.

I’m not a Lawyer, but I am a trend watcher, and am quite familiar with social media, human resources and the law.  You can get fired for something you say about an employer on any social network, particularly Facebook.  I’ve seen most cases get thrown out of court, but recently I read about a case where the ex-employee took her employer to court, and won.  I’m not going to cite specific cases, or hotlink back to them.  I do quite a bit of editorializing on the blog.  My opinions are my own.  Now with the advent of social media monitoring, and social media listening tools, we have to remember we are always being watched.

I always represent the company I work for, even when I am not there.  I am a walking representation of the company.   This is particularly true for those of us who work in social media.  I am an extremely high profile person with a high Klout Score, and Peer Index.  I’m on several influencer lists.  I am often interviewed by The National Media.  I’m frequently involved in the blogosphere.  I guest post, and am interviewed by my fellow bloggers.    When I am off work, I can blog, broadcast and say what I choose so long as I don’t mention the company’s name.  BUT, even still, no one is immune from being fired.  All bloggers who have day jobs have to watch what they say because it could very well come back to haunt them at their day job.

I blog about career search, human resources, social media, and recruiting.  If you want to keep your audience, you should stay on topic, and not stray far from your area of expertise.  Every now and then it’s ok to stray, and write about what’s going on in your mind, heart, and personal interests.  As long as you are providing value to your audience, you can do just about anything you want.

I believe in free speech, and first ammendment rights.   I will continue to write both on, and off topic.  I hate censorship as much as you do.  I think it’s important to groom our employees to be brand ambassadors.  If we do internal social media bootcamps, train them about our policy, provide them with guidelines for how they can represent organizations on social networks, then they should be empowered.  No your social network should never be your inner dialogue.  It’s a matter of perspective.   So job seekers, and employees at large corporations always remember, you are never really off the clock.

Social networks are here to stay!  Viva la social media.   This is true for employers, employees, and job seekers.  Enough said.

@HRMargo

Connect with me on Linkedin http://linkedin.com/in/margorose

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Yes, you can beat the 9.1% Unemployment Statistic. Here's How!

Today I posted a great news article by NPR entitled “Unemployment Rate Stays At 9.1%; 103,000 Jobs Added.” The questions are: Why should you care? How long will this trend continue? and Will The Presidential Election next year have an impact on this trend?

This website doesn’t get into politics, however, the fact that next year both parties are going to be jockeying for position, a super focused eye will be on getting the unemployment rate down, job creation up, and the economy stable. Everyone wants to claim they are the ones who can do this. Be that as it may, the fact is that politics alone don’t control the employment rate in this country. Our economy’s drivers are far more complex than that.

According to a poll I saw on Linkedin today, 27 % reported that they thought that the unemployment rate would be lower this time next year; while almost 27% said they thought the rate would be higher, another 20% thought the rate would be significantly higher. (I personally don’t agree with that statistic. I think the unemployment rate will be slightly lower, but not significantly lower). I was surprised to see that only 3% reported they thought it would be significantly lower. This number suggests that a lot of people are losing both their hope, and faith in our economic recovery. The number that really caught my eye here is that 23% of the respondents thought that the unemployment rate would remain unchanged.

The LinkedIn poll is not yet closed, there are 5 days left to vote (and it’s a really cool poll). Personally, I think the unemployment rate will be lower, not significantly lower, but lower. The economy is almost always in a state of flux, and it won’t stay this bad forever. Forever is a very long time (grin). I think by the end of 2013, we are really going to see this downturn trend turn around. It’s not going to be a quick fix, but rather a gradual fix.

Ok, now let’s answer the question I ask in the title of this post; Why should you care? What should you do? Here’s my top 8 tips:

You should remember that in the final analysis that all jobs are temporary. This is particularly true in this economy so prepare yourself to be mobile, adaptable, and ready for change.

1. The average person will stay in their job between 2 to 5 years. Start working on your resume when you start your new job, not when you leave it. Constantly build your portfolio.
2. Save a certain amount out of every pay check. Even if you are under employed waiting for the next great gig, put a tiny amount of money aside. You never know when the next rainy day will be.
3. While 103,000 jobs are currently being added, you have to look at the metrics-where are they being added? Is your industry/occupation fast or slow to recover? Consider other career options.
4. The flexible worker who constantly updates his, or her skills will be the most competitive in the job market. We are only as marketable as our skills are current.
5. You are either networking or not working. Constantly network with your colleagues at professional associations, meet-ups, and groups both online and face to face.
6. Attend online chats. There’s tons of great free advice, and resources shared. #HFChat on Twitter (Friday Noon ET, 11 Central, 9 a.m. PST) also, check out #Jobhuntchat, #Careerchat, and #GenYChat
7. Participate in the HireFriday LinkedIn group. This is another place to get a lot of free advice, and hands on career help. This is a very tactical group. We roll up our sleeves and help each other!
8. Like the HireFriday Facebook Page. This is where we post the latest news articles, employment trends, and tips you can use each week to motivate you, and keep you sharp.

Remember, hard times come to pass they don’t come to stay. Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Your attitude, and outlook shapes your behavior, and demeanor while interviewing. I saw a great quote on a park bench today. It said, “I had a dream I survived, and my heart was full of joy.” You can, and will survive this economy, and if you’re unemployed just know that we are all here to help you.
Leave us a comment, and let us know how the HireFriday Leadership Team can help.

Your Job Search Pal,

@HRMargo Rose

connect with me on LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/margorose

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HFChat-Charting Your Course

Phone Screening Interviews. Like them, or hate them, you’ve got to score well on the phone screening interview to be invited to the real thing. A face to face interview is ideal, but how many of you take stock in the importance this first step? Job hunting can be hard. It can also be an opportunity for tremendous growth. Be that as it may, when you score a phone interview there are a few pertinent things you can do. Today on HFChat on Twitter, we discussed phone screening, and how that can impact your career. Moises Lopez, a sourcing expert at Accenture led today’s chat.

Our questions were basic, and yet the answers from today’s chat were truly astounding. Some of the things that were mentioned would surely make you laugh. Some would make you cry. The bottom line is this, there some basic things you should keep in mind.

1. Prepare: get ready to speak to the hiring manager, or recruiter by studying the organization, the website, or the product.
2. Make sure you are in a quiet environment. That means no external, or environmental noise.
3. Be articulate, make sure you sound clear, and smart.  Try practicing in front of a mirror, or pre-record your voice so you can hear it back before the phone screen.
4. Talk to someone in the company in advance (if you know someone) or tap into your LinkedIn network to identify a contact.
5. LinkedIn is a great place to do research about the company to prepare for the phone screening interview.  (You can also learn more about the internal recruiter and hiring manager).
6. Stand up, and smile during the interview.
7. Breath deeply before the interview, but not during-you want to sound steady, stable, and sharp.
8. Make sure you eat before, but not during the phone screening.
9. Take your dog, or cat outside, background noise might distract the interviewer.
10. Be kind, courteous, and say nice things about the company where you are currently working.  If you are not employed, say nice things about your volunteer work, or the worthwhile things you are involved in-this makes you sound sharp.

Remember to cite your sources, if you are quoting someone give them credit.  It adds to your credibility.  There is an old saying, “If I have a great vision, it’s because I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants.”  Sincerely, I must give credit to all of you, and particularly those of you who participated in today’s chat.  There’s too many people to mention in this one post.  Sincerely, I’d like to thank the HireFriday Leadership Team: Cyndy Trivella, Tom Bolt, and Steve Levy.  I’d also like to thank each and every person in The HFChat and HireFriday Community.  It is YOU that makes our chat and our community the helpful place that it is.

Your job search pal,

@HRMargo

P.S. I’m really excited to be speaking at The Brazen Careerist Social Media Bootcamp November 18.  I’ll share more about this in future posts.

Be sharp during the phone screening interview

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