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Tiquan Underwood, a defensive lineman for the Patriots, was released from the team just before the Super Bowl, as reported by the Yahoo! Sports Blog. According to the article, it’s the third time the Patriots have cut him this season, and the move was not punitive, “The Patriots simply wanted another defensive lineman on the roster.”

Social media (especially Twitter) allows us to hear directly from people of interest — uncensored — as soon as news happens.

In these cases, it’s not unheard of to find derogatory tweets bashing the offending organization. People would probably understand if an angry player lashed out at a team that let him go right before THE big game. But, as you can see from a series of tweets captured here, Tiquan handled himself like a class act. I took a look at some of his tweets during the game, and they were supportive of the organization that just fired him.

It’s a good lesson in how you want to be remembered…Most of us don’t have a slew of people interested in our career ups and downs, but it isn’t difficult for potential employers or networking contacts to judge you based on how you behave under pressure.

You can be the employee who angrily lashes out and is considered a loose cannon, or you can take a play from Tiquan Underwood’s book. Your choice.

This is particularly true for veterans. Most employers are not familiar with your military service, positions, jargon, or acronyms, so it can be even more challenging for veterans to make a strong case. What can job-seeking veterans do to help transition into civilian positions?

Identify your skills. Evaluate your military service. What did you do on a daily basis?

Note your accomplishments. Do not underestimate the value of awards and accolades you received, but do translate them into terms non-military personnel will understand.

Focus on what you enjoy doing. Don’t ignore your “soft skills,” or emotional intelligence.

Research potential opportunities. Once you have your lists, plug your skills (your keywords) into job-board search engines to see what types of positions come up.

Make a list of job titles and company names. Was there a particular industry that appeared repeatedly in your results? Continue to search online for more information about those fields or organizations.

Inform your network. Once you know what you want to do, be specific when you describe your goals to your network. Don’t just say you are looking for “a job.”

Translate your experience. A common problem for job-seeking veterans is helping civilian, non-military hiring managers understand their work history.

Be sure to include specific, quantifiable points in your descriptions. For example, do not assume the reader will know how many troops you led based on your rank and title.

Tell your story. In an interview, be sure to describe your experiences in a way that a layperson will understand.

Read the FULL POST on my U.S. News & World Report blog.

Photo by StevenM_61

However, you do need to always be aware of what shows up where when you post it, and I will give you an example of what I mean.

Yesterday, when a friend was reviewing Facebook, she noticed another friend wrote something on an open group. (The comment appeared in the Facebook ticker on the side of the screen.) She clicked on her comment, and clicked through to the group where her friend was posting. Interested in the group and the group’s conversations, she scrolled down and noticed other posts her friend wrote. In doing so, she found out information that may not be a secret, but that the friend probably did not expect a casual contact to read.

What does this mean to you?

Assume anything you post is pretty easy to find. (Even if it may not be, technically, easy to find. When you post in open groups (maybe groups about job search), even if your friends don’t know about those groups, it’s pretty easy for your participation to be discovered via the side ticker. If you do not want to be found, be sure to study privacy settings carefully. This is Facebook’s FAQs about their ticker and privacy. If you are commenting on a public post, expect the details to be public.

Facebook can help you with your job search, too. The old advice to “be aware of your surroundings” applies, though!

Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

“One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates – a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary; and Hillary Clinton, a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job – the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other – because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s someone behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes. No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.”

So true, I thought, when I heard those words. Who could imagine charging into that situation — putting yourself into harm’s way, with the weight of the world on your shoulders? What an amazing group of people who made their country proud that day. Hopefully, your problems and challenges don’t seem as huge as that mission…You may be looking for a job, or you want to start a business. It’s tough — very tough. You may be going it alone. That is tough, too.

I’d like to suggest you think not only about who has YOUR back, but whose back YOU have as you face your daily challenges. Are you spending so much time trying to find a job that you are not thinking about the people around you and what they need? It’s easy to be overwhelmed with your own stuff, but if you open your eyes, there is probably someone else you can help; someone whose back you can have. It could make all the difference.

And, don’t go it alone. It’s tough to find a job, but it’s not impossible. Learn what you need to know to look for a new job. Don’t ignore the writing on the wall: if you haven’t landed an interview with your current materials, you probably need a new resume and strong, online profiles. Find some help for your job search — someone who has YOUR back, too.

This issue of Personal Branding Magazine (which I co-edit) focuses on attracting the affluent. If you do plan to target this demographic, be sure you have a good reason and do so with intent! Most importantly – use your strengths to help the people who need and appreciate you the most!

I found myself nodding vigorously when reading Dan Gershenson’s article suggesting we all use our best strengths and “use them often” (and consistently) when creating a name for ourselves. Maybe everyone is jumping on one tool or another, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you get involved in something that doesn’t showcase your strong points. Do what you’re good at if you want to succeed. And, don’t forget – you can’t build a reputation without people who believe in you. Jack Humphrey explains the importance of nurturing brand evangelists; he reminds us not to do too much alone. If you are a lone wolf, you are working too hard. Who are your brand’s allies? Keep your eyes (and ears) out and make them your partners.

This is true if you’re a business owner, and equally valid if you are looking for a job.

As a subscriber, you will find interviews with Patti Stanger, who is Bravo TV’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker.” Her clientele? Strictly millionaires who don’t have time to date because they’re too busy running their businesses. Wealthy individuals usually have higher expectations and can be difficult to attract, especially when you’re first starting out. This issue will explain how to go about being a brand that serves them.

Take a look at the features:

• Full paid issue (February 1st):  19 articles total
• Sample issue:  8 articles total
• Interviews with:  Patti Stanger (Bravo TV’s The Millionaire Matchmaker), Ali Velshi (anchor for CNN’s “Your Money), David Novak (CEO of Yum! Brands), Dan Roam (bestselling author) and Meg Hirschberg (Inc. Magazine columnist).
• Free sample URL: http://personalbrandingsample.com
• Paid subscription URL:  http://personalbrandingmag.com
• Facebook page: http://facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

Talking to people about their jobs and companies is a great way to (1) learn about people and organizations and (2) introduce yourself, your skills and accomplishments to people who will (hopefully) like you and want to help you with your plans.

Every time I talk to clients about informational interviews, I always emphasize the importance of approaching contacts NOT as a job seeker, but as someone who is simply gathering information. I recently met a woman who mentioned she was doing a lot of networking — talking to a lot of people — but without any results. I explained to her that she wasn’t really networking.

What’s the difference between telling everyone you’re looking for a job and networking?

Going around, telling everyone you meet that you’re looking for a job and hoping they can help is not networking; it’s job seeking. Don’t confuse the two. When you walk around with a metaphorical “J” for job seeker on your forehead, most people will nod and smile, when you talk to then — they may even say they’ll try to help you. But, it’s unlikely any of these people will become your ally.

Think about it:

If you say:

“I am looking for an opportunity working in _____, and I would like to talk to you about positions at your organization,” you aren’t likely to land a meeting unless your target contact has a job opportunity in mind. No one wants to disappoint another person, so if your target has no job in sight, he or she is likely to suggest that you send your resume to HR.

That tact will not help you get your foot in the door, and does not connect you one-on-one to a potential ally.

If you don’t know of a job, and someone asks for your help because they are looking for a job, do you want to disappoint the person?

Probably not.

What if, instead, you can convince yourself and your contact that you are looking for INFORMATION – not a job?

Make a point to say you don’t expect the meeting to result in a job. Don’t even mention you are looking for a job.

See the difference:

“I’m so impressed by what you are doing at (organization name), and I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you began your career in retail — just like I did! I would love the opportunity to hear how you made the transition so successfully into a high-tech organization. It would be great to have a chance to ask you some questions about your company and your career.”

Be polite, but persistent. Explain you are gathering information, not expecting a specific opportunity as a result of our meeting.

“I understand your company isn’t hiring right now. I’m really just researching organizations and hoping to learn a thing or two from a successful professional like you!”

If your targeted contact is not interested, ask for a referral:

“I understand that you are too busy to meet. Is there someone else in your department who might be able to speak with me?”

The fact is, most people love to talk about themselves, and few of us have a willing audience for our stories! Ask yourself, if someone called you and  requested that you share your story and information about your organization (assuming you weren’t working with classified information), what would you say? I would bet that most of you would be willing to help.

So, take the plunge. Find some contacts and land some informational interviews!

photo by KMC designs

A Fast Company article says the average tenure at one job in the U.S. is 4.4 years. The article asserts men have around 11 jobs in their lifetimes and women have 10 jobs. As the article suggests, “Shorter job tenure is associated with a new era of insecurity, volatility, and risk. It’s part of the same employment picture as the increase in part-time, freelance, and contract work; mass layoffs and buyouts; and ‘creative destruction’ within industries.”

The onus is on the employee to manage all of these ramifications.

One point in an employee’s favor? Increased transparency and access to and availability of information. If you work for an organization and don’t monitor the company’s Google mentions or keep an eye on Twitter and other social media sites to learn what people are saying, you are missing a rich resource. Especially if you work for a large company (or, if you want to work for one!), “following” the organization on LinkedIn can help keep you abreast of staffing changes and trends. You don’t have to rely on a rumor mill. Ignore these monitoring tools at your own peril.

Everyone needs to realize we are unlikely to return to the old economy. Don’t be complacent! Embrace change and flexibility. Always be looking for opportunities to expand and enhance your skills, even while in your current job. That may mean you volunteer for projects outside of your typical areas of expertise.

Attend professional development opportunities your employer offers to improve and update your skills. If your employer doesn’t pay for training, you may want to invest in your own career by taking courses or certifications in areas where you have an interest and that you’ve identified as potential growth markets. If you don’t manage your career and future, you are more likely to be left behind when things change and the focus is on people who are flexible and multi-talented.

Closely examine your core, transferable skills. What do your supervisors tend to praise about your work? What skills do you enjoy using, and use well? Don’t ignore the “soft skills,” or emotional intelligence. (For example, are you an exceptional communicator? Do you have a knack for leading teams? Maybe you’re a great negotiator?) Purposefully select your best skills and do some research to identify other fields or jobs where you can use them. Make a habit of self-evaluating regularly, not only when you may want a new job.

Once you have your list, try plugging your skills into job board search engines to see what type of positions come up. Consider using LinkedIn’s new “Skills” feature (find it under the More tab) to help identify types of jobs requiring the skills you have and are developing.

Learn how to market yourself effectively in this new economy. This may be the most important of all these points. The resume is always at the heart of any new job search strategy. It’s up to job seekers to communicate their skills and accomplishments to appeal to target employers. Make a strong case describing why you are the perfect solution to the hiring manager’s problem. For career changers, this can be difficult. The key is to focus the resume more on the future than the past. Avoid jargon specific to previous industries and use language and key words to suit the new employer.

Once you know your key skills and have some ideas of fields to focus on, social media offers tremendous opportunities to steer your career in a new direction. In my book, Social Networking for Career Success (LearningExpress, 2011), I explain how, if you have expertise in a particular topic, but you don’t have paid experience working in that field, you can still market that expertise online, via LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. (Google+ is another great resource.) It’s possible to become a go-to expert in a topic and to join a community of thought leaders based only on your skills.

For example, a postal worker who always enjoyed event planning (but has never been paid to plan events) can create a digital profile online, including a social resume (professional website) and presences on all the big social networks to showcase her event planning skills. She can access current thought leaders via these tools – often without requiring an introduction – and she can begin to contribute ideas and resources, thus becoming a member of the community of event planners online. Perhaps earning a certification from a community college would add to her credibility, but if she has the key, underlying skills needed to do this work, and can effectively articulate and communicate her expertise online, she will be well on her way to being able to change careers.

Social media is not a magic wand – users need to have the skills they want to market – but, for those with transferable skills and an eye on a new career, social media can serve as a metaphorical bridge from one career to another.

Another trend in today’s market? Becoming a business of one – hanging a (virtual) shingle and working for yourself. It’s not for everybody, but the same tools allowing you to recreate your professional image online to land a new job can also help you attract your own clients. Don’t ignore research reporting companies are outsourcing instead of hiring people. By creating a strong digital footprint (online presence)– via a professional website (YourName.com), and optimized social media profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Google+), you will be on your way to embracing – and thriving in – the inevitable new economy we all face.

photo by blackthorne

Dr. King delivered his “I Have A Dream” address  in a time when most of his “dreams” really seemed to be just that. He and other leaders of the Civil Rights movement recognized that hard work and sacrifice was key to success. Thinking outside of the box, organizing peaceful marches…Civil disobedience. All of these at a great cost, but prepared and enacted with great hope.

Every job seeker can take something away from these optimistic messages. Maybe the message is as simple as a reminder that hope is important, even when it is hard to muster. Maybe the more important take-away is that nothing worthwhile comes without hard work and effort.

No matter the message, as the nation pauses to honor Dr. King, this is a good time for job seekers to stop and think about how to harness hope with hard work to move forward with an optimistic job hunt. Or, take another lesson from King and turn this day into a day of service and volunteer. It’s a great way to spend the holiday, with added benefits for job seekers.

photo by mixedmediadistrict

Consider these networks and how they may play a role in your career plans:

Expand your network via Tokkster. This beta-stage web plug-in allows users to chat with others who are concurrently visiting the same website. Asher Adelman, one of Tokkster’s creators, explains how the organization takes privacy very seriously. “We’ve designed Tokkster so that nobody’s data, browsing history or chats are ever collected, stored, or tracked,” he says. In fact, Tokkster users do not have names or ‘handles.’

Be found via Vizibility.com. When you use Vizibility.com, you can make it easier for people to access the information you want them to see when they search for you online. This is a helpful site for job seekers, and it’s particularly useful if you have a common name. Vizibility’s basic features are free, but the site also offers a paid version with more advanced options. The key is to first have some Google-indexed search results (for example, your LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, media mentions, and/or your own website).

Access new information using StartWire. Chris Forman, CEO of the job search organizer StartWire, says, “Using this free tool, you can find out when your online applications are reviewed by thousands of employers and track your progress. StartWire users share where they have applied by emailing their thanks for applying confirmations to apps@startwire.com.

Demonstrate your expertise with Pinterest. Pinterest has been getting a lot of buzz in the blogosphere. Like other networks (such as Twitter) that are not necessarily designed with professional networking in mind, Pinterest has interesting potential job search applications. Using the site (by invitation only, which you receive after adding your name to a wait list), you can create a virtual pinboard of interests about any topic.

Read the rest of the post (with more information about each network) on my US News & World report blog.

photo by L. Marie