Archive October 2008
I googled you! How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 1C'mon, everyone's done it. You have googled yourself at least once.
What did you find? Evidence that you're a valuable employee? Examples
of your best writing and highest accomplishments? Or a tagged Facebook
picture of you in the third row at Jimmy Buffet with a half gallon
margarita in your hand?
Your online identity says a lot about you – fairly or unfairly.
Prospective employers have access to the same internet you do, and
whether it's ethical or not, they may just enter your name in the
search field to get a better idea of what kind of person you are.
Sure, it might seem nosy or intrusive, but in a competitive market,
you need to be sure that your online identity reflects your best self.
This is the first in a series of blog entries that will discuss how
the Internet effects your search for a job. It's fun to maintain a
myspace or Facebook page. But there are ways you can present your best
self to prospective employers, and use professional tools sites like
Linkedin to network and promote yourself.
Social Networking Dos & Don'ts for Applicants
DO clean up your profile. Be proactive and review all your photos,
blog posts and links to other personal sites. After you interview is
not the time to do this, you may have been screened already. Take the
time to remove incriminating pics, overly-personal blog entries and
links to the embarrassing website you created in 1998. Do it now.
DON'T rely on the 'private' status of your profile to ensure that your
information remains hidden. Savvy recruiters and HR pros know the
work-arounds of these sites, and may see your profile whether you like
it or not.
DO be careful who you link to, and who you add as "friend". So what if
Facebook thinks Tommy from your 8th grade class is "people you may
know". It isn't until you add him as friend that you know he's logging
on in prison. Stick to people you wouldn't be embarrassed to introduce
to your mother and you should be fine.
DON'T be negative about your current job, or bemoan your unemployed
status. Isn't it obvious? No one wants to hire someone that is prone
to complaining and negativity – especially if they're willing to go
public with it.
DO join groups, selectively. There are good groups for job searchers,
and there are bad. Joining a group that applies to your industry, your
college alums or a favorite sports team is a great idea – it can help
you network and also give recruiters and idea of the kind of well
rounded, impassioned person you are. But joining "I put Doritos on my
sandwich" group (an actual thing!) does little for your image, or your
social network. Be selective.
DON'T create goofy email addresses or avatars. Vodkaqueen009 does
little to instill confidence in potential employers.
DO keep your work related and personal profiles separate. A
professional networking site like Linkedin allows you to connect to
important professionals and colleagues, without notifying them every
time you add photos of your very adorable puppy.
DON'T blog all day or update your status every five minutes. Hiring
professionals may see the constant stream of activity and wonder, "Do
they ever actually WORK?"
Common sense, as always, should dictate your actions. Think before you click, and tune in next time for: "I googled you!" How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 2 – Blogging posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments |
Resume Tipster Now AvailableI've been busy compiling tips for you job seekers, this time about creating a resume that sells your unique skills. Check out this helpful Resume Tipster to revitalize your resume today. Whether or not your currently job hunting, updating and spiffing your resume is a great exercise, and it ensures that when that golden opportunity arises, you'll be ready to hit 'send'. posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments |
Resume Tipster Now Available!I've been busy compiling tips for you job seekers, this time about creating a resume that sells your unique skills. Check out this helpful Resume Tipster to revitalize your resume today. Whether or not your currently job hunting, updating and spiffing your resume is a great exercise, and it ensures that when that golden opportunity arises, you'll be ready to hit 'send'. posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments |
Chin Up!Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy. Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Review website. Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators. Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training. Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices." Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising. The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around. posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments |
Chin Up!Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy. Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Reviewwebsite. Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators. Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training. Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices." Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising. The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around. posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments |
Chin Up!Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy. Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Reviewwebsite. Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators. Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training. Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices." Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising. The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around. posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments |