Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Good news for job seekers

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We all like good news, so I decided that I would share some of the positive information that I found for job seekers. I’m also posting this in my Twitter stream, where I offer lots of my own job seeking advice and that of my colleagues every day! Follow me @keppie_careers for more of the same. (This is your preview of today’s Twitter stream!)

Let’s all hope that 2010 IS a better year. All best wishes for a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a wonderful New Year to everyone!

Good News for Job Seekers

RT @AndyInNaples Study: Job Market Will Mend in 2010 http://bit.ly/5bNK9h

Good news for #jobseekers: RT @hrbartender: 11 areas where jobs are increasing (via @hotjobsfinder): http://bit.ly/5nlKPQ

Good news for #jobseekers: ads rebound – http://short.to/11ila

Your future. Your hands. RT @MikeRamer: You are entering the 2nd decade of the 21st century. The future is here now. http://bit.ly/7iXYll

Some good news here on what to expect for #jobseekers in 2010: http://is.gd/5ye56

RT @visionboard Here is the link to the press release on how to make your New Year’s resolutions work: http://tinyurl.com/makersolutionswork

Religious organizations and their role in helping job seekers, via @LindseyPollak, by @NWK_Jobbed: http://www.newsweek.com/id/225124

Job outlook for 2010: “holding steady” via CNN http://bit.ly/8yr3Uo

Indicators suggest #job growth: http://is.gd/5yePo

Good news for #jobseekers in Australia: http://is.gd/5yefe via @monster

photo by Jek in the Box

Just Ask Leadership – A review

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justaskleadership0071621776Knowing how to ask the right questions is a key skill for every successful professional. Gary B. Cohen’s book, Just Ask Leadership – Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions is a reminder that people are a company’s most important resource and that listening is so much more important than talking.

I’ve written about how important it is to be a good listener, and believe it is a crucial skill for job seekers and all careerists. Gary’s book starts out by asking, “Would you rather be asked for your input or told what to do?” (p. 1).

He describes how CEOs and managers can help their organizations succeed by instilling a value on listening and asking questions. He focuses on five important topics:

  1. Improving vision.
  2. Ensuring accountability.
  3. Building unity and cooperation and creating a culture of trust.
  4. Creating better decisions and getting the right answers by asking the right questions.
  5. Motivate to action – asking for success.

In the book, Gary identifies and addresses such important questions as, “How can I seek clarification without being judgmental? (p. 133) and “How can suspending my beliefs inspire my coworkers and resolve conflicts?” (p. 177).

I think that anyone who wants to be a better manager or leader can learn a lot from this informative book based on interviews with nearly 100 leaders, including Fortune 500 CEOs.

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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.

Advice for job seekers from recruiters, sourcers, HR and a career coach

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DJR.photo

If you are a job seeker, I wouldn’t be surprised if you welcome the opportunity to hear from recruiters and sourcers (the ones who track down candidates) about how to position yourself to land a great opportunity. On this “international” edition of my friend Stephanie A. Lloyd’s Dream Job Radio show, listeners not only had the opportunity to hear directly from those great resources, but also got the HR perspective – more accurately, the Punk Rock HR perspective, which always adds spice to the mix!

Featured guests included: Geoff Webb and Maha Akiki representing RecruitingBlogs, Laurie Ruettimann of PunkRockHR fame and Craig Fisher, creator and host of #TalentNetLive.

(In the photo to your right – Maha, Geoff and Craig) >

I was happy to share the coach’s vantage point, answering such questions as “What do you advise for job seekers who cannot afford to hire help?” and others! (There I am with Laurie in the picture below!)


Laurie.Miriam.DJR

Some tidbits from the show:

Craig – You are in big trouble if your job profile is just a paper resume. Everything is going mobile. Get a good smart phone.

Geoff – Resumes are terrible. You need to be involved in social media. Build a Google profile.

Laurie – Don’t feel that you must find a “dream” job. “Dream jobs” don’t always pay the bills. Hiring is not fair and we all need to recognize that!

Maha – Build a great online profile so I can find you while you are sleeping!

Stephanie – Get creative. Companies don’t take care of people. Get creative and have multiple streams of income. (There is Stephanie, running the show, below!)

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Listen to the show HERE to catch all of the great advice from a terrific group of pros!

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.

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs – A Review

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PresentationSecretsofSteveJobs4173s6m5hNL._SL160_I have said it before, and it is worth saying it again…

If you asked me, “What is the single most important skill a job seeking candidate can have?,” I would initially probably respond along the lines of, “It depends on the job!” However, upon further thought, I might also reply, “Being a strong communicator is an underlying key skill for any job seeker.”

I’ve written about the importance of “soft skills” or “emotional intelligence.” Some business schools are incorporating classes to teach communication and leadership skills, as they are so important in the workplace. Let’s face it – if you have trouble communicating, you are likely to have trouble getting along with colleagues, persuading others to agree with you and succeeding in most workplaces.

Communication skills extend beyond being able to negotiate a one-on-one conversation. Often, being able to present in front of an audience is the key differentiating skill that makes the difference between getting the job and coming in second place.

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs – How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience, by Carmine Gallo, promises to teach anyone how to successfully present their ideas. The author explains Jobs’ approach to a classic argument (p. 13):

  1. Deliver a story or statment that arouses the audience’s interest
  2. Post a problem or question that has to be solved or answered.
  3. Offer a solution to the problem you raised.
  4. Describe specific benefits for adopting the course of action set forth in your solution.
  5. State a call to action.

In the book, he continues to explain exactly how to go about making that happen. With specifics that include everything from offering the variety that the brain craves (p. 129) to techniques to improve body language (p. 170). He explains how to toss the script (p. 202) AND how to use notes when you must (p. 204).

Carmine maps out how to become a better presenter, using a well-known master presenter’s methods as a guide. I enjoyed his book and believe that everyone who needs (or wants) to present better (and who doesn’t need to present better) can learn something important and useful.

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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.

Girl On Top – A Review

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GirlOnTopsp_image-2-1247609964Nicole Williams is not the first one to compare career planning to the dating game. In fact, I reviewed Shawn Graham’s Courting Your Career, which applies dating lessons to job hunting and offers a lot of very useful tips and advice. (First and foremost – don’t be desperate!)

Williams’ Girl On Top takes a different approach to the topic. Her book is a sassy, fun and funny collection of advice and strategies for women to consider as they manage their own career paths. As a big fan of what I call “driving your own career bus,” I really enjoyed this book. I think it is written in just the right irreverent tone that will appeal to careerists who don’t think they need a career advice book.

Some advice you probably won’t find in other career books? Nicole’s chapter on “don’t bash your ex” (or your old boss) really resonated with me. But, she goes the extra mile and reminds readers “Don’t Bash….You” (p. 59). In an era of “personal branding” and online vetting, it is more important than ever to control your own image – and your own story.

Nicole notes these things that you should never say about yourself:

I’m tired. Nicole explains, “Tired is a weakness.” It’s true – no one at work really cares that you are tired. Talk about something else!

I’m bored. I hope you already know better than to tell people you are bored at work. (Or to update your Facebook status to say so.) Nicole suggests that you find something to do. Before someone finds something for you to do. (Or shows you the door!)

I’m fat. This isn’t a subject I discuss here very often, but saying self-deprecating things (or hoping that someone will disagree) is not good office banter.

I’m stupid. Nicole says, “You are if you call it out” (p. 60). She suggests, “Focus on what you do know and arm yourself with the tools you need to compensate…” (60). So true! If you are not your own #1 fan, you might as well pack it in now. This is not to say that you need to carry on about how brilliant you are (actions speak louder than words), but don’t make a habit of self-degrading. It will not win friends or influence people (at least not in the ways that you want).

Learn about how to make these and many other unwritten rules work for you. In your personal life AND in your career – and wind up on top!

How do you stay on top in the career world? Share in the comments!

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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.