Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Read this if you don’t have time to read anything else

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I know – it seems overwhelming. The amount of information available, the articles, blogs, tweets, updates…Digesting it is more than most people really have time to do in a day. Some of us (raising my hand here) LOVE to read the blogs and filter through the articles relevant to us. Some of us (uh um) THRIVE on taking it all in, sharing what seems most relevant — all while managing the rest of our work.

People always ask me how I manage to stay so involved on Twitter. I often catch the undercurrent of their question — “You must not be very busy if you can tweet the way you do.” Sometimes, I explain that Twitter feels like a part of my day…it’s not an interruption to me to reply to people and share posts from my great Twitter community. Other times, I remind the questioner of  the adage, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” We have time to do what we prioritize.

But I digress! I am lucky, because I have a constant flow of information in my Twitter stream and many useful blogs in my Google reader, and I enjoy going though them and sharing what is useful for my community. You need to have tools and resources to help you get the best information so you can use it in the time that you have.

So, I thought it made sense to share some ideas and resources to help you gather the best information in the little time you probably have!

My first suggestion: sign up for SmartBrief. Their tagline is: “We read everything. You get what matters.” They have over 100 industry newsletters, including my favorites that may interest you (in the Business category): SmartBrief on Your Career and SmartBrief on Workforce. There are many categories of newsletters, each curated by expert editors who comb through the news of the day to share it with subscribers.

Newsletters are free, and delivered directly to your designated email. Visit SmartBrief to select the newsletters that interest you. I’d suggest that you follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

photo from Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL)

Don’t make these online job hunting mistakes

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In an article for the Wall Street Journal, Elizabeth Garone shared five tips to help job seekers avoid typical social networking mistakes. While there are a lot of ways to use social media tools to help land an opportunity, it’s easy to make newbie mistakes when just getting started. I’m sure you’ve heard of or read about people who have been fired for what they posted on Facebook. Maybe you’ve seen the compilations of unwise posts from Twitter, such as ResumeBear’s 30 ways to lose a job on Twitter.

As a proponent of using social networking to enhance job seeking opportunities, I encourage people to jump in and take advantage of all the great tools, but it’s important to remember what NOT to do.

These are the mistakes Elizabeth highlights in her article. Be sure to READ THE FULL POST for specific advice and details.

1. Forgetting manners.

I was delighted to be quoted in this section! In short – “Assume your future boss is reading everything you share online.”

2. Overkill.

Signing up for too many networks and not making an effort to complete your profiles does not move your search forward.

3. Not getting the word out.

It’s important to let your networks know you are looking.

4. Quantity over quality.

Connect carefully and personalize your invitations.

5. Online exclusivity.

Don’t spend all of your time searching online; many jobs are not posted.

Don’t miss the expert advice from Sree Sreenivasan, dean of students at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Krista Canfield, a LinkedIn spokesperson, author Emily Bennington and personal branding expert Dan Schawbel in the Wall Street Journal’s FULL POST.

Revisiting LinkedIn – new features for job seekers and networkers

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When is the last time you spent time in LinkedIn? I know, it’s not *fun* like Facebook, and it doesn’t provide the instantaneous thrill of Twitter — sending out a message and immediately receiving a reply. [Read more…] about Revisiting LinkedIn – new features for job seekers and networkers

Prepare your references for job search success

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What should job seekers do now to prepare for interviews? Let’s face it, sometimes a long-time job search winds up in an interview scheduled with little lead time. 

I believe that the issue of references is one that job seekers overlook. It is important to plan ahead for this part of the search, way before you are actually providing references. Some things to consider…

Do you know what your references are saying about you?

Especially if you have often reached the final stages without landing the job, touching base with those who may hold the keys to your next position is a great idea!

Whom to Ask? Ideally, you should have a current or immediate past employer as a reference.  Co-workers and trusted subordinates may also be references, but most hiring managers will want to hear from employers.  If you are a student or recently graduated, faculty members may serve as references.  If you have had a leadership role in a volunteer organization, “supervisors” from that organization may be good references for you.

Ask permission.  Once you have in mind who you’d like to serve, ask their permission.  If they seem hesitant or hedge at all, allow them to bow out gracefully.  You don’t want to browbeat your references into helping you.  (They may hurt more than help.)  The best references are those who are enthusiastically supportive.

Prepare your references to support you! Be sure they have the most updated version of your resume and a cover letter for the position if you have one.  Let them know if you expect they will be called, and offer suggestions of topics they may want to emphasize.

When I was applying for one of my jobs, I knew that teamwork and the willingness to pitch in when necessary were crucial for my potential employer.  I emphasized how I was the perfect match (I really was!)  in the interview.  I also asked my current supervisor (who knew about my search and was my #1 reference) if she could mention some examples of my teamwork when she spoke to my potential boss, who offered me the job as soon as he spoke to her!

Hopefully, you will have a strong relationship with your references and will be comfortable making them partners in your search. Let’s face it – you can get right to the job’s door by having a great resume and interviewing well.  The key to get in is in the hands of those who are willing to recommend you for the job!

Use SlideShare to demonstrate your expertise – and a free resource

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Have you considered using SlideShare as a tool in your career search arsenal? This network allows you to share presentations, documents and PDFs with a network of 25M monthly visitors. You can easily embed your SlideShare presentations on LinkedIn and via your blog or website, which helps you reach a potentially new audience.

SlideShare itself encourages you to share ideas, connect with others, and generate business leads via their site. These are some of the things you can do on SlideShare (per their site):

  • Embed slideshows into your own blog or website.
  • Share slideshows publicly or privately. There are several ways to share privately.
  • Synch audio to your slides.
  • Market your own event on slideshare.
  • Join groups to connect with SlideShare members who share your interests.
  • Download the original file

If you are a job seeker, you will want the most professional slides possible. I have a resource for you! (Note: I am affiliated with Fast Track Tools and work for Ken Revenaugh, the founder.)

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, they take on “flexibility” – an often overused term in business. This free template will help you stand out from the crowd when you incorporate flexibility as a concept in a presentation or slide show.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE the free, downloadable template and subscribe to Fast Track Tool’s blog so you won’t miss any of the templates that are available for your use with no copyright limitations. Collect them all and you will have a slide library that really WOWs your audience.

You may also keep up with FastTrackTools via Twitter @fasttracktools and  join the Facebook community! Connecting will ensure you don’t miss special subscriber or “friend” only offers down the road.