Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Not convinced that social networking can propel your job hunt?

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If there is one thing that I learned at the ERE Expo conference targeted at recruiters and career professionals earlier this month, it is that social networking is a key way that recruiters identify and source candidates. Have you been hesitating to use social media for your job hunt? Maybe you think it is a fad? Take a look at this video from Socialnomics…

A few key points:

Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months! If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s 4th largest.

80% of companies are using LinkedIn as their primary way to find employees.

Are you making it easy for people to find you? Watch this if you think social media is not important. It may just change your mind!

Thanks to my friend Andy Drish for sending a link to this video on Twitter!

Let me help you navigate the social networks to propel your job hunt!

Review – Twitter for Dummies

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twitter for dummies51GY-XBFhfL._SX106_Starting out with a handy, tear-outable list of Twitter Don’ts (Don’t follow 100s of people when you first sign up.), Twitter Do’s (Listen to what your Twitter friends are saying) and a great list of shorthand commands (stats – get your followers and following count)…and ending with a handy glossary of terms useful for Twitter users to understand, Twitter for Dummies, by Laura Fitton, Michael E. Gruen and Leslie Poston, is a book that is chock full of information for anyone who uses (or wants to use) this terrific social networking platform.

In the introduction, the authors point out an important aspect of using Twitter – Learning to communicate in 140 characters or less (as required in “tweets”) may very well help you communicate more effectively as your writing “becomes shorter and more to the point.” Personally, I have found this to be true, and a real benefit of being a power Twitter user. Let’s face it – less is more, and learning to get to the point quickly and succinctly has many benefits.

Laura, Michael and Leslie also remind readers that “Twitter is a living, breathing and constantly changing dynamic community.” Their book offers a snapshot of tools and tricks to use it well, but it is up to the user to take advantage of the ideas and to stay up-to-date going forward.

No useful Twitter manual is complete without a discussion of “finding your Tweet voice” and information about using Twitter for business. I love the author’s answer to the question, “What’s the business use of Twitter?” Laura replies, “What’s the business use of email?” (p. 177). I laughed out loud, because that is exactly what my friend Stephanie A. Lloyd and I reply to Twitter skeptics! (Another reply we offer – Do you make time to use the phone?)

The book is directed at first-time Twitter users. It offers step-by-step instructions that give you the tools to become a true Twitter expert. The user who has the patience for extremely in-depth information will find a plethora of information – enough to really become a power user. However, for the more casual tweep, the level of information may be a bit overwhelming. I would recommend focusing on one or two topics at a time, mastering them, and moving on.

Definitely get a copy of Twitter for Dummies if you are the type of person who likes to know everything about a topic and you have the bandwidth to get through a fairly intensive guide. You can be sure that you’ll be a real pro once you learn everything that Laura (@pistachio), Michael (@gruen) and Leslie (@geechee_girl) share. You can also follow @dummies for up-to-date information about the book.

Need some help getting your job search going? Find out how I can help you look for a job the right way, with optimized materials and a forward focus.

Review of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High

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crucialconversationsIf 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.

So, when I received a review copy of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler, I was intrigued. Yes – we all have and (should) expect to encounter opportunities for “crucial” conversations. For some, those conversations will occur in an elevator in a chance encounter with an influential person. For others, it is a critical moment in their careers – a presentation, an interaction – that has the capacity to propel or stall progress.

As the authors note – “stakes are high.” They also assert what they call their “audacious claim:” Master your crucial conversations and you’ll kick-start your career, strengthen your relationships and improve your health. As you and others master high-stakes discussions, you’ll also vitalize your organization and your community” (p. 9). Wow…Certainly a tall order!

Are you ready for a crucial conversation? Can you easily communicate in a way that sells your idea? If not, the authors assure us that dialogue skills are “moderately easy to learn.”

The book continues with anecdotes and stories to describe ways to think about communication. Readers are encouraged to first look within – to understand their own motivations and biases and to examine their own styles in various circumstances. I love the fact that self-assessment is a key aspect of this book, as I believe it is an often overlooked piece of the pie.

Via dialogues, examples and mini personal assessments, the authors show you how to express your needs and wants in ways that attract agreement. I’d recommend this book to anyone who needs to communicate well…And, well – I guess that is just about anyone!

It takes more than being a great communicator to propel your job search (although it helps). Find out how I can help you get moving in the right direction.

Humanize your pitch – use your ears!

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bigears85771531_44de825632_mThe current issue of Entrepreneur Magazine (September 2009, page 30) makes a great point about “pitching.” The piece, by Michael Port reminds us to “focus less on making your pitch and more on listening to what your customers need.” While this article is geared toward sales people and entrepreneurs, I think this message is equally important for job seekers!

Port points to Daniel Goleman’s work that indicates “your ability to sell depends, in large part, on your self-awareness and social savvy.” So, too, with job seekers. Even a degree from a prestigious university won’t matter if you don’t make a point to connect with your target audience (in this case, potential employers) on an emotional/social level.

Port’s advice? Throw out the “pitch” and focus on being a good listener. He suggests, “…study your self-presentation so you can foster credibility, trust and customer confidence.” Translate “customer confidence” to “hiring manager confidence,” and this advice is timely and crucial for job seekers.

Yes – it is a competitive market. Yesterday, I wrote about how to stand out in a sea of sameness. Today’s tip offers yet another way to stand out. Instead of focusing on YOU – what you want, what you offer – start listening. Ask questions. Be the candidate who connects on an emotional level with your audience. There’s nothing that people like better than someone who seems interested in THEM – it’s human nature. Be the one who listens first and answers based on what you learn. You may be surprised by how well this technique works!

Learn how I can help you propel your search forward.

photo by cindy47452

Stand out in a sea of sameness

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standout3533395983_e846d2cf51_mThere’s no shortage of information about how difficult the job market is right now. Over and over, job seekers look for ways to “stand out,” to be one in a crowd, to grab (and keep) the attention of the hiring manager.

You might be surprised to know that it may not be as difficult as you think to stand out in a crowded market. Some ideas for your consideration:

– Know what you have to offer. You would be surprised (or maybe not!) to learn how few job seekers I meet can easily describe what skills they bring to the table. Being able to succinctly describe those skills in a networking setting – without resorting to the catch all/kiss of death, “I can do anything” will absolutely help you stand out. Follow THIS link for more ideas about your “elevator pitch.”

– Know where to look. I teach clients to identify organizations and companies, not specific jobs. The fact is, most jobs are not actually advertised. (It may be as many as 70-80% of positions.) Rather, they are filled via networking and referrals. Stop spending all of your time looking for jobs. Research and target organizations instead and you will automatically stand out as someone not overly concerned with focusing on a specific job and more interested in the big picture.

– Great materials. This is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, most resumes are simply not very good. There are basic concerns – aesthetics, grammar, verb tense, consistency. These are not difficult to address. The bigger concern is making sure the resume specifically focuses on the employer’s needs and highlights the job seeker’s skills and accomplishments. If you are sending out a resume that lists “stuff” that you have done but is not adequately connecting to the employer’s needs, you are missing a key opportunity to stand out in the crowd.

– Excellent follow-up. Again, a factor that is completely in the job seeker’s control. When you network, you have the opportunity to leave an impression and gain an advocate. However, everyone is busy. How you follow up can help you stand out in a way that may make the difference between learning about a “hidden” opportunity and not.

Stay tuned for my next post….Follow-up that is head and shoulders above the rest!

Learn how I can help you navigate your job hunt.

photo by picsbycam