Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Look at every available option to land a job

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magicwand4035175361_9d6abd5897_mI watched 20/20 last night. A very interesting show with the authors of Superfreakonomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.  James Altucher from the Wall Street Journal writes:

SuperFreakonomics,” by the economist Steven Levitt and writer Stephen Dubner, is not only a book with mind-blowing ideas, innovative research and quality investigative journalism, it’s also a story about creativity and what it takes to get the mindset to turn conventional concepts upside down.

(Follow the link to learn more about the book. Suffice to say they have some pretty outrageous ideas and suggestions for solving problems. For example, to alleviate global warming, send a hose into the sky. Really.)

The point is that they are clearly thinking “outside of the box.” Let’s say their ideas would blow box wrappers away!

What does this have to do with you?

More often than not, I believe that job seekers with the gumption to see beyond the obvious are the ones who land the jobs. Several points struck me when I was watching this story on 20/20. I tweeted them (see below). Coincidentally, these tweets came right after I shared a link to Harry Urschel’s post listing reasons job seekers often give for not getting the job.

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Harry Urschel (@eExecutives) notes: “I regularly hear people tell me that they can’t get a job because:

  • I’m too old and face age discrimination.
  • I’m too young and companies are hiring older more experienced people.
  • I don’t have a degree.
  • I’m over qualified with my graduate degree.
  • They are only hiring men.
  • They are only hiring women.
  • I have physical restrictions.
  • Companies want more experience with a particular skill.
  • Companies don’t want much experience these days.
  • I have too many jobs on my resume.
  • I’ve been at one company too long.
  • Companies are only hiring consultants.
  • Companies are focused on diversity, and I’m not “diverse”.
  • I’m a minority and face discrimination.
  • It’s a “Good Old Boys” network, and I’m not a “Good Old Boy”.
  • …and many, many more.

He goes on:

After 23 years in the executive search business, I can honestly tell you that many of the traditional barriers that used to be common, are all but gone.  “Conventional Wisdom” about age, or race, disability, or sex discrimination just don’t exist anywhere near where they used to even 10 or 20 years ago.  Certainly there are instances where it occurs, however, they are isolated and rare.  Most people that are convinced that they are being singled out though, “find” discrimination, or negative business reasons everywhere.

Even more interesting, Harry comments:

In fact, for almost any person that gives a reason why they cannot get hired, you can find another person with the same circumstances that got a job.  It may take more effort. It may take a different approach. However, the biggest stumbling block to getting a job is often the mindset of the seeker.

Be sure to read his full post HERE.

This reminds me a lot of my friend Stephanie A. Lloyd’s post, “75 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job.” An excerpt:

  1. You laughed too much.
  2. You didn’t show a sense of humor.
  3. You talked too loud.
  4. You talked too softly.
  5. You seemed arrogant.
  6. You didn’t show enough confidence.
  7. You were late.
  8. You arrived *way* too early.
  9. Your resume is too long.
  10. Your resume is too short.
  11. Your hair is too long.
  12. Your hair is too short.

Hmm…Can’t win, can you? The fact is, there is no perfect job search technique. We coaches suggest best practices, advise what not to do, but there is really no magic wand…no silver bullet.

So – back to Freakonomics…Are you looking at EVERY AVAILABLE OPTION? Are you FORGETTING WHAT YOU WANT TO BE TRUE? Think about it….Let me know what you are doing and thinking!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by bhaven

ROI, your job search and social media

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jump3113896395_fc8eb121ff_m“What’s the ROI? How do you know you are GETTING something from it? How much time do you spend?”

These are questions a friend of mine asks when I talk about how much I enjoy using Twitter to connect with colleagues and job seekers. She wants quantified RESULTS. How much money did I earn from it? How many clients do I have because of Twitter? She’s busy. She needs to make every second count.

I’m thinking, “Do you ask about the ROI and decide if you are going to use the phone for your business? Email?” Do you know much MONEY you made last month because you use the phone?

I’m thinking, “If you want to move your business to the next level and doing what you have always done is not working, it is time to try something new. Something new does not always come with any immediate ROI. It builds. Snowballs. When that something new is Twitter, the impact could come in drips – a new client here and there – a retweet or two, or it may come in a wave – a new business opportunity or partner, a new friend.”

We have lots of opportunities to expand our circles. Entrepreneurs have opportunities to share our expertise and sell our services. Similarly, job seekers can dive in, stake a claim online and lay claim to their own “brands.” Are you going to see an immediate “return” on your investment in social networks as a job seeker? Probably not, although you never know. (After all, it only takes one good contact.) Certainly, you can sit on the sidelines, shaking your head and saying, “That will never work. I can’t do that. It takes too much time.” It is your own choice.

My vote? Dive in “with wild abandon,” as my English teacher used to say. (Although, he was talking about great books, not Twitter!) Do something new! Try something different. It’s a chance. A risk that you will be “wasting your time.” Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you have something to offer, get out there and offer it or no one will know.

Just do it. What is stopping you?

If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community!

photo by nolly

Tenacity in the job hunt – does it define you?

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cat.milk192519690_127cdc43e9_mThis post is inspired by my cat. She knows how to go after what she wants. Yesterday, I made the mistake of putting down a mug of milk while I continued to work. She went after it. I said, “no,” and moved the mug to the other side of the desk. She went slinking around the other side of me to try to dive into that mug. Again, I moved the cup, this time covering it with a book so she couldn’t put her nose in it. Undeterred, she promptly saw what needed to be done to move the book for access to the milk. I finally needed to return the drink to the refrigerator. (That is not my cat in the picture, but it might as well be!)

If you are looking for a job, would you call yourself tenacious?

Dictionary.com defines it as:

te⋅na⋅cious  [tuh-ney-shuhs]

–adjective

1. holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often fol. by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.

2. highly retentive: a tenacious memory.

3. pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.

4. adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.

5. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

I guess, as far as my cat goes, “glutinous” is a good fit, but I think focusing on “pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate” is a better definition for our purposes discussing job search!

What can you do?

Are you really going after what you want? Or, are you approaching your job hunt with the spine of a wet noodle? Do you think you can’t make an impact on the results of your search? I make a practice of telling my clients that they DO drive their own career bus. It is up to you to take the wheel. (More details about this HERE.)

Read here to learn how to stand out in a sea of sameness and here to see how following up can keep you top of mind.

Seize control of what you can! Don’t be a victim of circumstances. Drive your own career bus!

No one wants to hire someone who has thrown in the towel.

If you haven’t changed the way you are “driving through” your career or job search, what is holding you back?

While you’re at it, be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community!

If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you!

photo by 30D

Stand out in a crowd to improve job prospects. Here's how.

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standoutincrowd2447128243_b9ed95ec74_mMonday, I reviewed Gary Vaynerchuk’s new book, Crush It! and yesterday I posted some additional thoughts inspired by his book regarding personal branding. (It’s looking like Gary Vaynerchuk week here at Keppie Careers! That’s okay – I think these are important points that job seekers don’t often stop to consider.)

Today, I’d like to share an interview that Pam Slim (author of Escape from Cubicle Nation) conducted. You can tell how passionate Gary is about the subject:


Interview with Gary Vaynerchuck, author of Crush It! from Pamela Slim on Vimeo.

A summary of the highlights:

  • Stop doing what you hate – the cost of doing what you love is a lot less than it was 10 years ago.
  • Everybody has a voice. Being in business now is like “working a room.” You can’t control the conversation.
  • Quality of your product is key.  Content is king.
  • Regarding integrity/credibility. If you are worried about credibility, it means you don’t have it.
  • Do what you love. Apply what you understand about social media to your passion. Apply social media to make things happen – it’s free! The gatekeepers are gone. Going through the trenches is gone.

Gary’s book is mainly directed to people who are considering breaking out and becoming a business owner. However, it’s important to focus on the fact that these points apply equally well to anyone who wants to work for someone else, but doesn’t want to get lost in the crowd.

If you think about what you have to offer and take some time to share it, you will improve your career profile and the number of opportunities available, whether or not you need them right now. I think it is worth investing some effort. Your return could be more than you think.

Think you could use a little help raising your career profile? I can help! Learn more about Keppie Careers.

photo by shellysblogger

Gary Vaynerchuk on personal branding and working hard

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Gary_Vaynerchuk_by_Erik_KastnerYesterday, I reviewed Gary Vaynerchuk’s new book, Crush It!

It’s a great guide for job seekers and entrepreneurs (or “wanna-be” business owners) who hope to make a name for themselves. There are some additional points I wanted to share that I thought were particularly important:


It takes hustle – lots of hard work – to Crush It!

There really are no true shortcuts to success. Gary says, “…Hustle is it. Without it, you should just pack up your toys and go home…You might have thought your old boss was bad, but if you want YOUR business to go anywhere, your new boss had better be a slave driver (p. 88).

Gary doesn’t believe you can pay “lip service” if you want to succeed. He says, “The only differentiator in the game is your passion and your hustle…Expect this to be all consuming” (p. 89).

Personal Branding

Gary makes a lot of great points about personal branding, which I think is a bit of a mystery for a lot of job seekers. He says, “Developing your personal brand is the same thing as living and breathing your resume every second that you’re working (p. 38).

In essence, your personal “brand” is just that – YOU!  Everything you do online just gives you the opportunity to share YOU with an audience.

However, the most important piece of a personal brand according to Crush It? Quality. What you have to offer is more important than how you offer it. It’s the underpinning of every job seeker or entrepreneur: if you aren’t good at what you do, Gary says, no one will care.

Something to think about!

Do you need help demonstrating your best “YOU” online and in your job search materials? I can help!

Photo by Erik Kastner