Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Ask your job search and social media questions here!

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There’s something ironic about the fact that, whenever I am working on a book, I have trouble thinking of ideas of things to write about on my blog! You’d think, when I am focused on writing so much, it would be obvious what to write on the blog, but it’s the opposite for me. I’m so conscious about NOT sharing exactly the same stuff as I am writing. (Who’d want to buy something if they can get it for free?) Yet, my mind is all wrapped up in the book, and inspiration for the blog wanes. (Stay tuned for more about the book and a request for your input later this week.)

I also sometimes feel like I’ve written everything there is to say about job search in the almost four (!) years I’ve been blogging. Add guest posts and other things I write for various outlets, and I think it wouldn’t be too surprising to know I’m at a loss for ideas. In fact, my colleague @WalterAkana recently tweeted:

It’s really striking that we get pretty much the same five tips, offered in countless posts, on how to stand out on LinkedIn! #justsayin

I don’t want to be passing around the “same old” ideas…

That’s where you come in! I have found, with a little inspiration, I am easily motivated to write and respond to inquiries. Even when I thought there was NOTHING ELSE to say about social media for job hunting, a colleague would prompt me with a few questions and I’d be motivated to share ideas I had not already written and written and written about already.

Can you help? Send me (either via the comments or use my contact form) your questions relating to job hunting, social media — anything in those niches you’d like to know about. I will blog the answers to your questions, or at the very least provide some suggested resources to help you.

Thanks! I look forward to your responses!

Photo by b4b2

b4b2

Tips to make the most of the “Apply with LinkedIn” button

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LinkedIn recently announced a new option for job seekers and hiring managers, their “Apply with LinkedIn” button. Adam Nash, VP of Product Management for LinkedIn explained the new button is part of LinkedIn’s strategy to:

  • Be the “home” for people’s professional identity. He noted LinkedIn’s focus on helping LinkedIn users put their best foot forward when applying for jobs.
  • Provide insights for users and opportunities to learn from a community, thus making people better at their jobs
  • Be “everywhere,” helping professionals access their networks access information and resources.

Nash noted LinkedIn is a “professional operating system for the web” and an “extension of “professional web,” a designation he believes the new “Apply Now” button solidifies. He explained the button helps package and “bring the power of LinkedIn to anyone.” Whether someone is applying for a job, or hiring for a large or small company, he believes this new tool will help.

Any employer or job seeker (who has a LinkedIn profile) may use the button free of charge. In fact, LinkedIn reports:

 “Thousands of companies have the Apply with LinkedIn plugin accessible on their websites today, including LinkedIn, Netflix, LivingSocial, Photobucket, Concur subsidiary TripIt, Foodspotting, GazeHawk, Munch On Me, and Formative Labs. LinkedIn has also teamed up with key Applicant Tracking System (ATS) partners who have enabled the Apply with LinkedIn plugin for their customers today, including Peoplefluent, Jobvite, SmartRecruiters, Bullhorn, and Jobscience.”

“How people hire hasn’t really changed in 15 years,” Nash said. He explained that today, we have an opportunity to know who the people hiring are and to identify whom they know. “Business software needs to acknowledge those relationships,” he said. Distinguishing it from other online applications, LinkedIn’s button offers anyone using it information about how they are linked to the person posting the job and/or the organization, whether or not the job is posted in LinkedIn.

Most job seekers would agree the opportunity to immediately know if they are connected via their LinkedIn networks to the hiring manager or someone in the target company is a great resource. However, easy isn’t always the best approach for job seekers. While this solution eliminates those pesky hoops job seekers usually need to jump through to apply for work, to best take advantage of the opportunity to apply using “Apply Now,” it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

Read the rest of my tips on my post on in U.S. News & World Report.

How to make it easier to find you – in Google+ and via Google profiles

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You’re starting to think Google+ may be a good use of your social networking time? If you read Kelly Dingee’s post on Fistful of Talent about why she’s excited about using Google+ and Google profiles for recruiting, you should be!

One of the big reasons to use social media is to help you find people you want to know. I wrote about how to find people on Google+. Be sure to take a look at my post, because it gives you the tools to figure out the next important piece of the social networking puzzle: How to BE found!

Your Google profile (which you probably own but don’t pay much attention) is important. If you’re not already on Google+, you can find your profile via Google profiles: http://www.google.com/profiles.

If you are already on Google+, you can start to test out how easy (or difficult) it is to find you via your profile by searching the various tools I listed in the “how to find people on Google+ post.”Think of the keywords you want people to use to find you. Are you a graphic artist working mostly in Atlanta?  Search, {“graphic artist” and “Atlanta”}. How many pages does it take to find your profile?

Identify the keywords you want people to use to find you. (Follow that link for advice about how.) Maybe your location is not important, but the fact you design custom Facebook pages? Decide your KEY keywords.

NOW – pack your Google profile with those words. Similar to LinkedIn, where it is easier to find you if you include keywords in your titles, descriptions, skills, etc., it appears Google will index you higher in search if your profile is packed with your keywords. List all of your titles. Include professional associations. List anything including keywords in your profile.

A trick?

Google doesn’t offer a “keywords” section to “tag” yourself in the profile, which would be similar to LinkedIn’s “specialties” section, where it is appropriate to list words and phrases relevant to you. Why not add one in?

In your “Introduction” section, add KEYWORDS: and then fill in all the words and phrases you think will help people find you in search. I did it, and it immediately impacted my search results in Google+. Take a look at my profile.

Try a “before” and “after” search to see if your rankings improve. Let me know how it works for you!

photo by Auntie P

Job search inspiration from New York City

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When I travel, I try not to worry about how often I blog. For me, I’ve found it’s better to try to have some new experiences to inspire my posts. I recently returned from New York City, where I visit every year to meet colleagues and to see family and friends. I have a list of job search related ideas to consider adding to my blog. I already wrote about how the horse-and-buggy driver provided a great lesson about defining your unique value proposition.

It’s been a hectic week returning from being away, so I thought I’d re-share a post I wrote several years ago after visiting NYC. I think it’s still relevant. Stay tuned for a few more career lessons inspired by my trip to the Big Apple!

Recently, I had an opportunity to ride the New York City subway. I say “opportunity,” because watching other passengers and what goes on in and around the subway offers an array of ideas for my blog.

One passenger stands out in my mind. Anyone who’s ridden the subway knows that you rarely get from point A to point B without encountering someone asking for money. Sometimes, it’s in exchange for some type of “entertainment,” other times simply because the person is hungry.

While sitting and minding my own business, I noticed a man in a wheelchair making his way through the train asking for change. At the other side of the train, another panhandler burst into the car with a loud and boisterous call for assistance. “Uh oh,” I thought, “Dueling panhandlers. What now?” The loud newcomer immediately noticed the man in the wheelchair. He stopped calling for a handout and came to sit down next to me.

I watched him go through his pockets and pull out all of his change. He counted it. It wasn’t much – maybe several dollars worth of coins. He sorted and fingered through it as I watched on the sly. He stood up and approached the man in the wheelchair. “What now?” I thought. I lived in NYC and rode the trains daily for years, but I don’t remember ever seeing two people in the same train car asking for money. (Maybe this is a sign of the times and is now commonplace.)

I admit that I was pretty surprised to see the man who had carefully counted his change offer a portion to the panhandler in the wheelchair. Here was someone who clearly didn’t have much offering part of his take to someone else who may have an even more difficult life.

I thought this made an inspiring story. Looking for a job is tough and trying work for even the most intrepid job seeker. Stop and take stock: how can you assist someone who needs help even more than you?

I’ve suggested volunteering as a great activity for a job seeker, as it offers networking opportunities as well as a chance to really give back to your community. But the panhandler offering some of his “loot” to another really put a spotlight on the issue of helping your neighbor.

photo by Shuggy™

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