Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

How to use the holidays to network for your job hunt

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Another holiday weekend, another opportunity to meet someone you never thought could help you with your job hunt! Be sure to take advantage of unexpected opportunities via in-person networking when you are eating hot dogs and watching fireworks. You never know what you could learn by chatting with a friend of a friend of a friend.

Don’t put on your “I’m a job seeker” hat, but  do think about ways to introduce yourself that make it clear what you offer and how you can solve problems for your targeted employer. Think about how you can pitch what you offer, not just what you WANT. Think about your value proposition — what you offer. Think about telling your story. Some preparation in advance is helpful — so prepare!

I wrote an ebook to help job seekers approach holiday opportunities. It’s free! Click here to subscribe and receive a free ebook.

Learn how I can help you navigate your job hunt.

photo by Rampant.Gaffer

Web design and resume tips

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This week, I noticed Chris Brogan posted a video highlighting tips from Derek Halpern of Social Triggers.

In the video, Derek was outlining things to think about regarding website design and how to pull together a site to encourage people to take the actions you want them to take. Watching it, I realized a lot of the advice Derek offered is similar to advice to I give to help people optimize resumes.

The first thing he said, “Just because you know what you’re about doesn’t mean others do,” got me taking notes for a resume post! It’s so true, and something a lot of people don’t think about when they write their own resumes. It could be very clear to you what you’d like to do next, but if your resume (or online materials) don’t make it obvious where you are headed, you will probably lose your audience. On a website, that means the reader will immediately click away. On a resume, it means you won’t get a chance to interview for the job.

Today, I reviewed a resume from someone I thought was interested in working in the medical field. (Based on something I had seen her post elsewhere.) However, the resume itself had nothing about the medical field on it at all. I’m now assuming I was wrong about what I previously saw, but someone in a position to hire someone in the medical field will simply put the resume aside, assuming there is no direct connection between the candidate and his or her hiring needs.

Another thing Derek points out in the video: “Welcome is not a good benefit – make a promise.” This, in relation to how to encourage people on your website to DO what you want them to do. Just “welcoming” them doesn’t cut it. Think about this regarding both cover letters and resumes — how are you showcasing something (a promise) to encourage readers to be interested in learning more about you? And no, just saying, “look at me” isn’t enough.

Which leads to Derek’s suggestion to use a headline at the top of a website! The best resumes today take advantage of headlines to reel readers in. The headline needs to be about your future, not your past. It’s about the job you want NEXT. Do you use headlines in your resume? They can be your targeted title, focus on your accomplishments, skills…The headline needs to be what will interest your reader. The headline is like a “promise” saying you are what the reader wants.

Derek kept talking about making that promise. He reminded viewers of an interesting point:  “Cluttered (web) pages used to convert better because people would be confused and click on ads.” I thought that was so interesting! Maybe that is why there are so many cluttered web pages out there – people are focusing on strategies that USED TO work. Same with resumes — so many resumes look dated and old fashioned. It’s time to think about what works today. Don’t get caught up in yesterday’s best practices.

Derek also gives advice regarding regarding font size, color, encouraging people to take action once they land on your website…While font sizes and use of color on resumes is a little different, the touch points between his web advice and resume advice are similar: you need to spell out your message clearly and make it easy to read and understand in order to convert readers to fans. Take a look at the video and be sure to visit Chris Brogan’s site for lots of useful and interesting information about social media and other topics.

photo by >^..^< maggz >^..^<

Think about how your body language may impact your job hunt

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If you’re looking for a job and thinking ahead to the interview stage, I’m betting you’re checking out interview books and practicing interview questions, which isn’t a bad idea. However, have you considered practicing the communication skills you’ll need to help you land a job?

Interpreting body language is an important element of good listening. Think about it – eye contact, nodding, leaning in to listen – all of these help your conversation partner recognize how engaged you are and helps him or her feel valued as part of a conversation. Body language is key to helping you succeed in business, or any field.

Body language may be more important than you think in a job hunt.

Kate Lorenz wrote about the topic for CareerBuilder.com. She said:

Research has shown that the first impression you make on an interviewer really sticks. In one study, untrained subjects were shown 20- to 32-second videotaped segments of job applicants greeting their interviewers. When the subjects rated the applicants on attributes like self-assurance and likeability, their assessments were very similar to the interviewers’ — who had spent more than 20 minutes with each applicant.

Seems like focusing on your body language – and first impressions – matters – a lot!

I once wrote a term paper about the importance of body language. The quote I remember from it,

“Don’t underestimate the power of body language,”

from The Little Mermaid, is no less true today!

(Yes, I really quoted a Disney movie in my paper.)

Did you know that people who are positive and confident outperform their peers in their job searches? Research shows that persistence and a postive attitude pay off in the job hunt. You can always pick out a pessimist by his or her body language – slumped shoulders, eyes down, expressionless (or frowning). No one wants to hire someone who seems sad or pessimistic. Straighten up, smile and make eye contact. Your body language speaks louder than your words.

In fact, research also shows that body language makes up more than half of how our communication is perceived. That means that you may be describing your greatest business accomplishment, but if your posture isn’t good and you don’t make effective eye contact, you might as well tell the interviewer about the time you lost your portfolio on the way to a presentation.

Another telling body language tool is the handshake.

How many times do we have to tell you – strong and firm gets the job done! BusinessWeek wrote about several different types of handshakes to use and some to avoid. Eye contact along with a firm handshake can make a world of difference to how you are being perceived.

Remember – the little things matter.

In fact, the “little things” may actually be the BIG things! Focus on every aspect of your presentation to ensure that you put your best foot forward with your job search.

photo by Gerwin Filius

Social networking advice for job seekers and business owners

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One ironic thing about writing my book, Social Networking for Career Success, is the more writing I did for the book, the more difficult it was to put together a blog. I didn’t want to share the same information I was writing in the book, and my inspirations for blogs were running low. Now that I’m promoting the book, I’ve been concentrating my efforts on trying to highlight contributors and blogging on the book’s website!

Here are some recent blog posts I’ve added to the book’s blog. I hope you’ll click through and take a look!

How to use social networking for your business

Highlighting contributors Tasti-D-Lite (@tastidlite) and Pizzeria Venti (@pvatl), this post reminds readers of key considerations when thinking about using social media to grow a business

How to use job boards to prepare your social networking strategy

This post highlights Chris Russell (@chrisrussell) and Susan P. Joyce (@jobhuntorg), experts on job boards and online job hunting. While job boards aren’t generally considered social media sites, they are an important part of many job seekers’ strategies, so I tapped my network of experts for advice for you. Also, learn how to use job boards to help you research and prepare your pitch.

Chris interviewed me for a podcast on the topic of social media for job seekers. You can listen to the podcast by visiting the link HERE.

Twitter helps grow your reputation

This features my friend Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa), who noted, “Twitter, more than any other social media tool, enabled me to establish a recognizable presence and brand online. I highly recommend that everyone — even job seekers and business owners who do not have an interest in blogging — experiment with Twitter.” I agree with Hannah – I love how Twitter helped me connect and become friends with many colleagues and contacts. It’s an amazing resource for job seekers and business owners, which is why I devote three chapters to it in my book!

photo by birgerking

Career lessons from a royal wedding

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Did you get up to watch the royal wedding? I did! I’m a royal watcher from way back.

Unlike the last royal weddings I arose early to view, this time, I am thinking of the career lessons from the story.

Everyone seems to be making a major point of how Catherine and William hold the burden of the whole country — the future of England and the monarchy — on their shoulders. Can you imagine a bigger job?

These are the lessons I’m considering. Feel free to suggest your ideas in the comments!

– Be prepared and take your time. The newlyweds have been together a long time, presumably giving Catherine plenty of opportunity to decide if she wanted the job. While no one wants that type of “courtship” for a position (some interview processes already seem eternal), the lesson here is to remember the job seeker is also evaluating the fit for the opportunity. Keep your eyes open; decide if you will be happy working for the organization, and don’t be dazzled or desperate.

– Make it your own — within reason. A lot of the television coverage I watched made a big deal of how the couple wanted to put their stamp on the wedding ceremony. They wanted it to feel like “their,” intimate service, despite the millions watching. Commentators believed they succeeded. The career lesson? Be yourself, but keeping in mind the greater expectations. Other couples may have had a lot more leeway in their music choices, for example. Let’s face it, there were certain expectations for this service that were likely non-negotiable. Similarly, job seekers need to take expectations into account and target their materials and efforts to appeal to their audience (the hiring decision makers).

– Rely on your supporters. William has his brother, Harry. Catherine has sister, Pippa. From what the media suggests, both take the role of helping out, serving as confidants and merry makers. I just heard Pippa is bringing in glitter balls for the party tonight at the palace. We’ve heard for years how Harry and his brother support and rely on each other. If you are looking for a job, be sure to create and rely on your network. Identify your go-to people for different “jobs.” Maybe you have a “fun” friend or colleague who’s the one you contact when you want some comic relief. Another empathizes when you’re having a tough time. Don’t go it alone.

– Practice. The vows. The kiss. Diana actually flubbed Charles’ four-part name (reversing two of them) during her vows in 1981. I can bet Catherine and William practiced their vows, and there’s talk they even had a “rehearsal” for “the kiss” to help photographers get the angles right. It’s a kiss, but everyone (okay, a LOT of people) are watching. How often do you rehearse what you will say in an interview? Out loud? Try it – answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” on a regular basis. I’ve even suggested taping that inquiry to your bathroom mirror and responding every time you see it.

– Dress the part. Many people in the crowds watching the wedding are dressed, hats and the whole bit. I’m sure it makes the whole thing feel much more fun and festive. How can you not feel “in the moment” wearing one of those crazy hats that perch on the side of your head? 🙂 Some suggest dressing up even for a phone interview, just to be “in the moment.” Think about it — what you wear matters!

– Exceed expectations. The married couple came out for the big kiss – and surprised the crowd with a second kiss! What can you do to go above and beyond? It’s up to you to stand out and differentiate!

What do you think?