How interconnected do you need to be? Have you thought about how being tethered to mobile devices may impact your career and wellbeing? This is a guest post by Lindsey Pollak, a bestselling author, Millennial workplace expert and spokesperson for The Hartfordâ€s My Tomorrow campaign.

Last year, 2013, marked the first year that Americans spent more time online on our mobile devices than on our computers. Millennials, not surprisingly, lead the pack in mobile—spending the most time shopping, texting and reading the news through their smartphones and other devices. This past February, Facebook announced that it would be acquiring the private text messaging service, WhatsApp, for a whopping $19 billion, demonstrating the tremendous value of owning mobile eyeballs.

Naturally, the mobile mania has made its way into the workplace, enabling employees to work anytime, anywhere. This has created a need for companies to incorporate flexibility around typical workplace hours and environments as well, making company policy on mobility and flexibility a necessity. Flexibility around the use of mobile has become an expectation for young workers in particular when evaluating potential employers.

Despite this mobile mania, Millennials are recognizing that unplugging from time to time is just as important as maintaining their social savviness, particularly as they rise in their careers. They believe itâ€s important for leaders to be tech-savvy, but not tech-reliant. Eighty-six percent of Millennials in The Hartfordâ€s 2013 Leadership Survey said the use of social media holds some importance to being an effective leader, but they clearly do not view it as a major contributor. Just 22 percent said it is very important or absolutely critical.

As we all know, the lure of social media is hard to ignore at work or at home. Mobile is all around us – literally – so itâ€s important to take time away from our screens. A digital detox can keep your health up, stress down and refresh you so you can improve your productivity. And, believe it or not, taking a break from electronics can actually increase productivity and keep you on track with tasks. In a recent survey conducted by meQuilibrium, 50 percent of the respondents checked their work email outside the office, while at the same time 73 percent felt that using electronic devices contributed to stress in their lives.

What does a digital detox entail? Take a day off or a week off, whichever you believe will be most beneficial, and remove your work email from your phone. Check your email only at designated times during the day. Take a break from social media sites, e-newsletters, Candy Crush and even the habit of checking your weather app multiple times a day. Youâ€ll likely find, when you are finished with your detox, youâ€ll feel renewed and will be able to approach tasks with a newfound energy or sense of clarity. If you cut out the use of digital tools, you also might be surprised at how much you can get done without them.

If youâ€re nervous about completely unplugging, start with a mini-detox during your first couple of hours after work. Try to use the time to relax and unwind from your day – not as a continuation of the last task you were working on, or to finish up the one last deliverable. Sometimes in order to objectively view a problem or business strategy you need to take a step back and view it from the outside. Removing yourself from the office, physically and digitally, is a great way to do that.

Learn more about Lindsey Pollak and read about her upcoming book, Becoming the Boss: New Rules for the Next Generation of Leaders, by visiting her website.

The post How a Digital Detox Can Help Your Career appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Lindsey Pollak, Generation Y career expert and spokeswoman for The Hartford, identifies key items to watch regarding the future world of work in her Tomorrow @Work trends forecast.

How can you prepare for the workplace of the future? These are five tips Pollak suggests:

1. Define what “Work-Life 3.0” looks like for you. No doubt, you’ve heard a lot of buzz about flexible work arrangements. Technology makes it possible to work from home or from the road, and some companies have embraced a digital workplace. “Millennials come into the workplace expecting flexible options on day one, which means that work flexibility no longer only applies to employees with children,” Pollak notes. What would flexible work mean for you? Could it make you happier and more productive? For instance, Pollak asks, “Could you negotiate with your boss to work an hour later in order to get to the gym for an hour during the day? Just remember when negotiating for any arrangement to put your request in terms of how it will benefit the company, such as through your increased productivity or creativity.”

Luckily, research illustrates that companies make more money when employees are satisfied. And studies of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” found that many top-rated companies also generate stock returns higher than their competitors.

2. Take charge of customizing your future, today. The traditional corporate ladder no longer exists. “Many more companies today are offering flexible or customized positions or responsibilities, such as unique job titles or non-traditional schedules and career moves,” Pollak explains. She suggests you use this trend to identify the path you want to take. “Think about the next five years of your life and pinpoint your top priorities,” she says. “Then determine how you might customize aspects of your life and career, such as volunteering to take on new projects that better fit your skills and longer term plans.”

3. Use social media for more than your personal life. Social media is an integral part of the recruiting process. Employers use social media to share information about their companies and jobs, and they learn about potential candidates by researching what people post online. “Make sure that your social media profiles reflect the best professional version of you, and that your social network reflects your real network,” Pollak reminds job seekers. “This includes LinkedIn, of course, but also Facebook, Twitter and other niche sites depending on your industry. When you have robust and impressive social media profiles, people you’ve spoken to in person during your job search can quickly pass along your LinkedIn profile or other social credentials to the HR department at their company or to other valuable contacts, thus speeding your path to a new position.”

4. Take advantage of co-workers’ varying experiences. Workplaces will continue to be a diverse array of a variety of generations for years to come. It’s typical for workplaces to have three different generations of workers (boomers, Gen-X and Gen-Y) working together. Pollak notes, “According to The Hartford’s 2013 Benefits for Tomorrow Study, 90 percent of millennials agree that baby boomers bring substantial experience and knowledge to the workplace and 93 percent of boomers believe that millennials bring new skills and ideas to the workplace.” Embrace the different work styles and skill sets that each person brings and benefit from the diversity.

5. Watch your stress levels. There have been a number of recent studies citing the high stress levels of employees, particularly millennials. “While you can’t always control the amount of work you need to complete or even the hours you work, keep conscious of your mental health,” Pollak says. “If you are feeling bogged down with stress, check at work to see what support services are available, such as counseling through an employee assistance program or insurance options that might cover some time off and help you get back to an active professional and personal life.”

Current employees, or those just entering the workforce, can set themselves up to be successful if they use how the workplace is changing to their advantage. Making little changes to adapt slowly can be more manageable and pay off to secure the future you want.

Originally published at U.S. News & World Report

The post What does the future workplace look like? appeared first on Keppie Careers.

When it comes time to decide on financial decisions, it can be tricky. Should you get insurance? Where and how should you invest?

As a member of a community of people who provide advice and information, both online via blogs and articles as well as via consulting to individuals, organizations and businesses, I enjoy showcasing my colleagues’ work and information, especially when they are involved in special projects.

Today, I’m sharing advice from my friend and career advice expert Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting From College to Career. In this video, she shares her tips for Millennials about making the right career and financial decisions and choosing the right benefits.

photo by lalunablanca

The post How to make the right financial choices when you start a job appeared first on Keppie Careers.

In addition to LinkedIn, what online tools do you think are most helpful for new grads to improve their networking potential?

Lindsey: I think people misjudge Twitter as a career and networking tool. It is a phenomenal research tool for following companies, people and industries that interest you and learning what they want you to know about them. We never had such direct access to such information before. Twitter gives you a million topics to learn and think about – which can then be used in a variety of networking situations from informational interviews to career fairs to informal conversations.

What are your best tips for following up after an informational meeting? How about how to follow up after an interview?

Lindsey: I recommend that people start the follow-up process during the actual meeting or interview by asking the other person how he or she likes to receive follow-up. For instance, at the end of a great chat at a networking event, you can say to the other person, “I really enjoyed speaking with you. Whatâ€s the best way to keep in touch?” Then you can find out if the person prefers email, phone or perhaps connecting on LinkedIn or another social network.

If you havenâ€t had this conversation, follow up is still extremely important. I suggest following up with a concise email that has a really descriptive subject line, such as “Nice to meet you at Thursdayâ€s NYC Networking Night” or “Thank you for the interview – online marketing assistant position.” This helps your email stand out from all of the bland follow-up emails that say “thanks” or “interview.” Next, thank the person for his or her time and mention something from the meeting that stood out to you or a topic that you could tell the interviewer was particularly interested in. Finally, end with some sort of added value – another thought you had from the meeting or an idea that it sparked. Show that you are someone who always gives a little bit extra.

In your book, you write about being persistent – without being a pest. Can you share a tip or two for how a job seeker should know how to identify that fine line between following up enough and too much?

Lindsey: There really is a fine line. The right kind of persistence is always polite, positive and appropriately timed. You should send a thank you email within 12 to 24 hours of a formal job interview using the tips in the previous answer. Then mark in your calendar to wait one full week before attempting any other follow up. I know a week feels like a long time when you want a job, but itâ€s a short time to the person who interviewed you.

If you donâ€t hear back after a full week (or even 10 days), itâ€s okay to send a second email. Now hereâ€s the fine line: itâ€s pestering to write, “I havenâ€t heard back from you and I wanted to know if youâ€re still interested in hiring me.” Itâ€s polite and appropriate to say, “I wanted to thank you again for our interview last week. In the meantime, Iâ€ve read more on [something you discussed] and [then say something you learned or an idea this research sparked]. Would you be able to let me know any next steps at this point?”

If you donâ€t hear back from the second email, itâ€s probably not a great sign. If youâ€d like to give it one more try, a third follow up action is the last I would take. You can try another polite email, leave a voice mail message after hours (with a similar, positive follow-up comment) or reach out to the person on LinkedIn or Twitter if you know he or she is active there.

In my opinion, three attempts is the maximum. You’ve given it your best shot and, unfortunately, not everyone is responsive. I believe employers should let you know if you are not getting a job youâ€ve interviewed for, but that doesnâ€t always happen. Hopefully you have a lot of irons in the fire and your persistence for other positions will pay off!

What do you think is the most difficult thing for new college grads to manage in their transition to a first job?

Lindsey: Communication skills are very different between college and the “real world” and thatâ€s where I tend to see new grads make the most mistakes. In a professional environment, you have to remember that everything you write or say is contributing to your professional reputation.

This means that emails need to be written in a professional style and tone (limit text message speak, limit or eliminate emoticons, avoid using “Hey” as a greeting, etc.) and you have to carefully choose your communication methods. Texting and IM are generally not appropriate for the workplace (unless youâ€ve specifically discussed using these methods with your boss or your company has an internal IM system) and you need to learn to speak well in meetings and professional presentations.

Be sure to check out her book: Getting from College to Career.

This post originally appeared on Salary.com, where I am a contributing writer.

The post Networking tips to help you land your first job appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Whatâ€s the biggest mistake you believe most new job seekers make?

Lindsey:
The biggest mistake most new job seekers make is not taking enough action. A lot of people spend way too much time sitting at their computers scrolling through job listings while they should be taking lots of other actions, such as visiting their college career center (even as an alum), talking to friends and family about their job search and asking for advice and referrals to networking contacts, and using social media to build a professional presence and connect with potential employers.

What should a new gradâ€s first priority be – getting any job, or landing the “perfect” position?

Lindsey:
There is a middle ground between “anything” and “perfect” and thatâ€s what new grads should strive for. Itâ€s a lot of pressure to try to find an absolutely perfect job and Iâ€m not sure that exists anyway. I recommend casting a wide net in terms of the types of jobs and employers youâ€re considering and then decide on three non-negotiables – for instance, I need at least X dollars in salary to cover my student loans and rent, I need a commute of less than an hour and I need a job where I can do a lot of writing. If you can satisfy your most important criteria, youâ€re in good shape. I also believe that, with a good attitude, you can turn most average opportunities into great experiences.

What do you suggest for job seekers who canâ€t figure out what direction to go?

Lindsey:
Two things: Start somewhere and work diligently on self-assessment. Starting somewhere means not allowing yourself to become paralyzed because youâ€re not 100 percent sure what career you want. Because a career is a marathon and not a sprint, itâ€s almost always better to dive into something that feels pretty good and then tweak from there.

When it comes to self-assessment, make it a normal part of your day. See what articles youâ€re drawn to in the news. See which of your friends†or family members†careers get you excited (or maybe instill some envy – thatâ€s a sign it might be what you want). Read career and self-assessment books and blogs. I donâ€t believe you can figure out your career in your head; you have to take action and do a lot of research and try a lot of things to find your best fit.

What should someone do if he or she has many interests, or just canâ€t decide whatâ€s next?

Lindsey:
As above, I would remind people that a career is a very long journey and there is time for you to pursue various paths. There was a great article in Fast Company recently called “The Four-Year Career,” which highlighted several people who change careers every few years and have been very successful. Thatâ€s not necessarily the right choice for everyone, but it does show that, as I say in Getting From College to Career, “a job is not a soul mate.” You can fall in love with many career paths and pursue a few at a time or pursue them at various times in your life.

Stay tuned for more advice from Lindsey, and be sure to check out her book: Getting from College to Career.

This post originally appeared on Salary.com, where I am a contributing writer.

The post Advice for first-time job seekers appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Just follow the Companies tab from LinkedIn’s top toolbar (see below):

Then, select a company of interest (you may choose a location a certain distance away from where you live or want to live):

Search companies or browse industries, and LinkedIn will show if you have anyone in your network working in those organizations. When you follow companies, you’ll receive regular updates when someone working for that company updates his or her profile indicating a change in position — maybe suggesting an opening to pursue via your network!

In fact, LinkedIn just released information suggesting the best months (statistically, per their network) to get a promotion. Their press release noted a Buck Consultants survey, “Compensation Planning for 2011,”saying workers in the U.S. can expect only modest pay raises this year, although salary increases for 2011 will average 2.8 percent, an increase from the two previous years.

According to LinkedIn’s data, the top three months for professionals in the U.S. to get promoted within their company are:

1. January
2. June
3. July

Interestingly, their data show professionals in accounting, defense & space, education management, higher education, military, non-profit organization management and research tend to see a spike in promotions over the summer months more than other industries.

The data indicate a generational link to the timing of promotions. Their study notes that Millennials (born in the 1980s) “are the most likely to be promoted throughout the year (rather than just in January which is the case for most professionals).”

Job seekers (and anyone driving their own “career bus” should take advantage of LinkedIn’s tools. The amount of data they access regarding professional trends and the services they provide are extremely useful beyond simply sharing a profile. DJ Patil, LinkedIn’s chief scientist explains,

“LinkedIn was launched in 2003, but our data allow us to identify professional trends that span decades…By shedding light on professional patterns, we hope to help our members achieve their career goals by using LinkedIn in the most effective and productive way possible.”

“One of the best ways to get promoted is by promoting yourself,” said Lindsey Pollak, a career and workplace expert. “LinkedIn is the perfect place for professionals to get clients, vendors and other third parties to post recommendations on their profile. By encouraging other professionals to champion the work you do in your current role, you’ll be more likely to advance to the next level.”

Take a look at how LinkedIn suggests you leverage their social network to land a promotion:

Shine the Spotlight on New Skills

Impress your manager by learning new skills that go above and beyond your current role. Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete and includes all the skills you’ve acquired. Expanding your horizons while working full time is a commendable endeavor that’s worth calling attention to. If your company offers an education reimbursement program, take advantage of it. If you have industry certifications or went back to school for a higher degree, mention them in your profile and during your review.

Get Connections in High Places

LinkedIn Advanced People Search lets you search by title so you can find professionals that have the position you want to be promoted to. Reaching out to mentors and peers is one way to prep for that 2011 promotion. After the promotion, a strong relationship with a peer will give you a friendly ear you can rely on for advice if things get tough.

Toot Your Horn

Remind your manager of your accomplishments. Even if they were monumental, he or she may have forgotten about them. Document milestones in your career by requesting quality recommendations on LinkedIn. If a customer sends you an email thanking you for the amazing event you put together for them in record time, gently suggest that they provide you with a recommendation (if they feel comfortable doing so) and also forward the email to your manager so they’re aware of the praise you’re receiving.

photo by nan palmero

The post How to use LinkedIn’s tools to get a promotion appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Many of my colleagues have some great suggestions for those of you looking to make a career change or find a new job in 2009. Lindsey Pollak, CareerBuilder and Quintessential Careers all have great resolution ideas. Barbara Safani suggests working “towards a plan for 2009 that aligns hard work, improved timing and even some “premeditated” luck to help facilitate your 2009 goals.”

I’d like to simplify it even more. In the U.S. this past year, you could not escape the topics of “change” and “experience.” Yes, these tended to be political issues, but what better concepts to focus on for your career resolutions? Do you need a change? Do you have the experience you need to get where you want to go? Do you know how to communicate that experience effectively?

Change. Focusing on a need for change is the most important step you must take if a new job or career will be in your future. Write down your goals and carry them with you. Recognize that change does not happen without effort. Decide if you are ready and willing to take that next step.

Experience. Clearly, experience comes into play when looking for a job. However, more often than not, it is more important how you communicate your experience. Can you effectively explain what you have to offer? If not, work on your pitch. If you can’t explain what you can contribute, it will be very difficult for you to network effectively,to write a great resume and to interview to get the job.

I hope that narrowing down your resolutions to:

1. Choosing change and
2. Understanding and communicating your own experience

will help you make 2009 the year that you make your career goals come true!

I want to wish everyone a happy and successful new year! All the best for 2009!

Don’t forget that we are here to help you with your goals! If you’ve decided on a change, Keppie Careers can help you identify and communicate your skills. We can write your resume and coach you to a new job. Contact me to see how I can help!

I’m offering a free teleseminar with coach Carolann Jacobs to help you dive into your job hunt. Click HERE for more information!

photo by atomische

The post Resolutions and Job Change Advice for 2009 appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Last week, I signed on as the Career Coach Correspondent for the National edition of Examiner.com. I’m very excited to join this group of journalists, who write about every topic you can imagine! You can find my column HERE.

(I learned of this opportunity via Twitter, thanks to Heather Huhman!)

I often write about how valuable it is for job seekers to engage in Web 2.0 applications (such as blogging and social networking). I get up on my soapbox and remind clients that they must take the time to engage and connect for success. So, I thought it made sense to publicly acknowledge and thank a few professionals who really made a difference when I first started blogging.

Lindsey Pollak was the very first blogger who reached out to me online. I commented on her blog, and she responded by posting a comment on mine. I was excited to hear from Lindsey and really appreciated that she took the time to connect. She was the first one to demonstrate to me the importance of personal connections online.

Anita Bruzzese‘s blog also quickly became a favorite when I joined the blogosphere last year.  Anita has been successfully writing about career topics for years, and I was thrilled when she went out of her way to respond to me and offer advice. Anita has never had writer’s block, so she’s a great inspiration to a blogger like me! (She also keeps me laughing and informed with her tweets!)

Another early favorite blog belonged to Penelope Trunk. I liked her conversational style and how she often linked to topics so readers could explore further. Imagine my surprise and delight when she emailed me asking for a guest post for her (then) new site, Brazen Careerist! I wrote a blog exploring being connected versus being exceptional. So began my foray into being connected via Web 2.0!

I thought about listing the many wonderful opportunities I’ve been offered as a result of this blog and all of the great people I’ve “met” online, but I realize that the list is too long! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to connect and partner with so many terrific professionals and to share information with job seekers around the world! I’m excited to see what 2009 holds for job seekers, Keppie Careers and this blog!

Thanks for reading…Please come back often. I hope to celebrate many more blog-aversaries with you!

Are you ready to jump start your job hunt? Contact me to see how I can help!

photo by happy via

The post Happy Blog-aversary to Keppie Careers – Announcing a New Blog on Examiner.com appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Lindsey is an author, speaker and consultant specializing in career development for college students and young professionals. In Getting from College to Career, she warmly and generously shares personal experiences and stories from all types of professionals covering topics such as: figuring out what you want to do, how to market yourself, where to look for opportunities (including entrepreneurship) and how to prepare for interviews.

While the book targets college students and recent grads, the advice transcends generations! Lindsey acknowledges her “obsession with taking action, trying new things, meeting new people and having a wide variety of experiences” to enhance a job hunt. She notes (and I agree) that you can’t plan your career by sitting around and “thinking really hard.”

Her first tip – “Start Wherever You Are” – is a perfect opening for the job seeker who thinks he or she needs more – more information, more advice, more research, before REALLY starting a successful search. My first boss on Wall Street always said, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” In other words, if you wait for all of the stars to align before starting something, you’ll never get off the ground. If you want to drive your own career bus, you first need to put the key in the ignition and turn it – no matter where you are parked!

Lindsey reminds her readers that “Action always yields rewards” and emphasizes the importance of taking action on behalf of your career every day. Make a call, write a note, send a follow-up email, attend a networking event…You can’t underestimate the value of every action you take to move your search forward.

How does Lindsey suggest you get organized for a job search?

• Buy a notebook (with a cool cover) to record ideas and information.
• Develop a filing system to keep all of the key paperwork that will pass through your hands.
• Keep a calendar with ALL of your appointments to avoid double-booking.
• Start a log or spreadsheet for all of your interactions with employers and networking contacts.
• Create a database system to track everyone you meet along the way!

One of my favorite tips? #27 Relax. A Job Is Not a Soul Mate. The fact is, with workers expected to have 9 careers in a lifetime and an average of 3 jobs in each one (with 50% of those careers not even discovered yet), don’t think of a job as a marriage. If you make a mistake, you can take your transferable skills and move to another opportunity.

Getting from College to Career is a terrific resource, full of tips to guide job seekers along a successful path. I highly recommend it to anyone getting ready for a job hunt!

Ready to take the plunge and look for a job? Still need a great resume? Some help to write the perfect cover letter? I’m here to help!

If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you!

The post Review: Getting from College to Career by Lindsey Pollak: Career Advice that Transcends Generations! appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Yesterday,  Lindsey Pollak, an author and speaker specializing in career advice for young professionals, posted a guest blog of mine on her site.  It’s about the pros and cons of starting your career on Wall Street based on my personal experience and in consultation with a friend of mine who is still in the business. (Lest things changed since I left.  They haven’t!)

I hope you’ll click over and take a look at the post on Lindsey’s blog.

If you are a new college graduate (or even a not-so-new graduate), I highly recommend Lindsey’s book Getting from College to Career.  With 90 tips to help get your job search on the right track, you can’t go wrong.

No matter what type of job you are seeking, Keppie Careers is here for you. Let us help by writing your resume, directing your search and coaching you every step of the way:  www.keppiecareers.com.

The post Pros and Cons of Working on Wall Street appeared first on Keppie Careers.