Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Overcome job search frustration by making some changes in your job hunting routine

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Whether we are in for another recession or not, if you’re looking for a job, the economic news is a little scary. A recent job fair in Atlanta attracted so many participants, people waited outside in the heat for hours, just to get in the door. Many left, frustrated, because they were told to apply online.

Last week, I joined CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield on the air to share some tips with job seekers. (Stay tuned for a link to the segment.)

Here are some tips to help you change directions if things aren’t going well.

Biggest job seeker mistakes:

  • Using the same resume to apply for every job and not personalizing it for employers’ needs. You need to spoon feed your resume to the employer. If you aren’t customizing it, you’re doing the equivalent of feeding a toothless infant a whole apple — she’ll likely use it to play a game of “drop and get.” Ideally, you’ll offer applesauce to a baby, and a resume detailing what you can do to solve the employer’s problems.
  • Applying for the wrong jobs. It’s tempting to apply for “just any job.” After all, YOU know you can do anything, right? It’s possible you can, but writing to an employer with a broad statement offering to be interviewed for “any” job is a recipe for disaster. The employer doesn’t know what to do with you and thinks you are desperate. In other words, you don’t hear back.
  • Ignoring social media resources or assuming they won’t make a difference. How many job seekers have been looking for work for over a year, but have never even tried using LinkedIn, Twitter or even Facebook to see how social media may help get them out of their job hunting rut? Too many, in my opinion. Using social media well is a big step in the right direction.

How to best use social media

  • Choose the best networks for you – the ones that highlight and show off your skills. For example, if you love to write (and you’re a good writer), a blog might be great for you. If you’re a better talker, consider creating an online radio program. I outline many different social networks in my book, Social Networking for Career Success.
  • Completely fill out your profiles using key words – the words people will use to find someone who does your type of work. It’s important to do this well so it’s easier for people who may want to hire someone with your skills to find you.
  • Find people online in your field of work. Use the various search tools in the different networks to identify potential contacts. For example, in LinkedIn, use “advanced search” to locate contacts and join groups pertaining to your interests. Use Listorious.com and WeFollow.com to find people with common interests using Twitter. See what they are saying online, respond, add to the conversation. Try to become known as a person who is “in the know,” is friendly and giving. Do not ask for job leads until you establish a relationship. You may be surprised by how generous your new online contacts are!

In my next post, I share “before” and “after” resume samples and provide specific tips to help update your resume.

What is your unique value proposition?

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Have you ever been to New York City? Near Central Park’s south end, you will find hundreds of horse and carriage proprietors — each hoping you’ll sign up for a ride around the park. In a more recent addition in the last several years, there are also many peddling tours pulled by a cycling guide. With so many choices, how can anyone make a living?

It made me think about how important it is to identify and focus on a unique value proposition — for people seeking business from tourists in New York City and job seekers trying to differentiate themselves in a crowded job market.

Walking along Central Park West, I saw one horse-and-buggy driver who would have earned my business if I were planning to take a tour of the park. He let me take his picture (displayed here), but I noticed he wasn’t sitting at the curb for long — he was soon galloping around the park with customers in tow. What was different about him? As you can see from the photo, he went the extra mile in terms of his attire and that of his horse. Most of the drivers were dressed casually, almost sloppily in comparison to this one proprietor. Despite the heat, he went the extra mile to “dress up” his horse with a festive feather, matching his own purple vest. A top hat was the perfect addition to his look.

Finally, his carriage was special and a bit unique compared to the other horse drivers. I envision tourists considering their photo opportunities. A tour is an investment; why wouldn’t customers want the most for their money? If they assume most of the drivers are capable of providing a safe ride and basic, useful information, choosing a carriage clearly depends on aesthetic considerations, and this driver made the most of that fact.

This month, the Career Collective (a community I co-coordinate with my colleague Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter) addresses the question of the mid-year job-search check-up. There’s nothing more important than knowing what makes you special when you’re looking for a job. If you haven’t already spent time thinking about this important topic, the mid-year point is a good time to re-evaluate (Please click through to the links at the end of this post to my colleagues’ ideas about the topic.)

Obviously, for the job seeker, neither attire (nor a top hat!) are necessarily distinguishing factors. (Although, make no mistake, how you dress can and does make a big difference in how you may be perceived.)

Aside from aesthetic features, what can a job hunter do to help him- or herself stand out?

Discover Your Hook

What is special about you? What skills and accomplishments set you apart from every other person in the room? In your industry? It’s not easy to determine what makes you special and unique, but it’s important to think about it if you’re going to market yourself. Think about your work. What do you accomplish better than anyone else? (Or, better than most people?) Have you been able to solve a problem and come up with solutions no one else could? Think about the results you create; how do you make a difference?

If you don’t know what makes you stand out from the crowd, it will be difficult to convince anyone else why they should hire you.

Context of Your Target Audience

Once you begin to focus on what makes you special and unique, don’t forget to consider how you fit into your target employer.

You will find out the employer’s needs via research, informational meetings and networking. Don’t forget to investigate industry conferences. Many post their speaker programs online, so even if it is not feasible for you to attend, it’s easy to learn your field’s major pain points. How do your skills and accomplishments help address the topics top-of-mind to people in your field?

Can you help the organization:

  • Earn more money?
  • Handle their work more efficiently — saving money?
  • Attract more customers?
  • Solve some problem?
  • Create a new product or service?

Focus on the target audience’s needs – not on what YOU want

Think about it…If someone approaches you and starts talking about themselves and what they want, how closely will you listen? Statistics demonstrate that people don’t typically have very long attention spans to listen to other people talk.

Now, think about talking to someone who focuses on YOUR needs. A little more interested? I bet you are! Who doesn’t want to hear someone describe how he or she solves your problems!

The lesson for job seekers: when you identify your unique value proposition, be sure it isn’t all about YOU!

Big brands like Disney decide what they offer before they create and place their advertisements.  When they want to advertise Disney World, they appeal to families and parents’ need for an affordable, yet magical vacation.  Their brand is all about magic and family fun.  Their television ads appear on shows with a high viewership of people Disney targets.

If Disney didn’t consider what they offer, they wouldn’t be able to target their marketing.  By defining themselves and what problem they solve, they can offer a hook (an affordable family vacation).

What is brand YOU all about?  What makes you special and unique?  Think about what you offer an employer.  Consider your top five work and personal accomplishments.  Write them down and think them over.

Marketing Brand YOU

It’s great to know your value proposition, but if no one has heard of you, it won’t do you much good!

Make sure you put together a 360-degree marketing plan, including a high-quality resume detailing exactly how you are a good match for the position. Optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords and a story that makes people want to learn more about you.

Consider creating an online profile, or a social resume — YourName.com — to showcase your expertise and value. The site may include a blog focusing on your insights and accomplishments, or it may simply serve to help you own your name online and give you the opportunity to highlight what you want people to know about you if they search for you online.

Create a Google Profile. This has always been a good idea, but with the introduction of Google+, it is even more important, since Google+ draws on your profile information. (I haven’t had a chance to write about Google+, but it is a new social network combining elements similar to Facebook, Twitter and several other networks. Learn about it HERE. It’s still new, and not available to everyone, yet. The jury is still out regarding how useful it will be for job seekers, as right now, only early adopters have jumped on. Stay tuned for more information about Google+, but create a Google Profile even if you never plan to use the new social network.

Evaluate your Twitter and Facebook presence. Are you using them to your advantage? I could write a book about how to make these networks work for you…In fact, I did! 🙂

My book describes how to use social media tools (including Twitter and Facebook). The basics:

  • Be sure your profiles are suitable for anyone to view and represent the best, professional YOU.
  • Don’t waste the opportunity to connect with new potential colleagues.
  • Learn what you can via social media channels about what is happening in your field or industry Following Twitter hashtags during conferences is a great way to accomplish this.
  • Share what you know online to demonstrate your expertise and attract people to YOU.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, landing a job is a lot harder than donning a top hat and a purple vest, but with some planning and a real focus on what you have to offer your target audience, your mid-year career check-up couldn’t come soon enough. Let me know if I can help.

Here are links to Career Collective member responses!

 

4 Summer Strategies to Step Up Your Job Search, @DebraWheatman

Putting Your Job Search Up On The Rack For Inspection, @dawnrasmussen

Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: Are you wasting your time? @GayleHoward

It is Time for Your Check-up Ms/Mr Jobseeker, @careersherpa

Mid-Year Career Checkup: Are You “On Your Game?” @KatCareerGal

How to Perform a Mid-Year Job Search Checkup, @heatherhuhman

Reposition your job search for success, @LaurieBerenson

Mid-Year Job Search Checkup: What’s working and What’s not? @erinkennedycprw

Mid-Year Job Search Check-Up: Getting Un-Stuck, @JobHuntOrg

Mid-Year Check Up: The Full 360, @WalterAkana

5 Tips for Fighting Summer Job Search Blues, @KCCareerCoach

Are you positive about your job search? @DawnBugni, #CareerCollective

Where Are The Jobs? @MartinBuckland, @EliteResumes

Mid-Year Job-Search Checkup: Get Your Juices Flowing, @ValueIntoWords

When Was Your Last Career & Job Search Check Up? @expatcoachmegan

Is Summer A Job Search Momentum Killer? @TimsStrategy

Is It Time for Your Resume Checkup? @barbarasafani

 

 

On the radio on SIRIUS/XM with Maggie Mistal

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I’m excited to announce I’m Maggie Mistal’s guest on her radio program, “Making a Living” on Martha Stewart Living Radio, SIRIUS/XM 110 this week. Maggie’s show airs Fridays 4PM Eastern/1PM Pacific, and you can catch me this Friday, July 8th.

We’ll be talking about my new book, Social Networking for Career Success, and I’ll be offering tips and advice for job seekers and entrepreneurs about the right social networks to join and use.

If you haven’t listened in to Maggie’s show, you are missing out! Her past guests include: Martha Stewart, Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, Sally Field, Patricia Heaton, Ty Pennington, Barbara Corcoran, Dilbert creator Scott Adams and Henry Winkler.

Get your career questions answered on the career hotline by calling 1-866-675-6675. Tune in with a FREE trial of SIRIUS!

Photo by CarbonNYC

What LinkedIn’s “apply” button may mean for job seekers

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There’s been a lot of buzz in the past week or so about LinkedIn’s “apply” button. Mashable reported LinkedIn will launch a button to allow users to easily apply for jobs using their LinkedIn profiles as an effective “resume” later this month. Dan Schawbel called for this being one more nail in the resume’s coffin and asserted job boards are on their way out as a result. There’s lots of push back from the recruiting community on the topic and, many of us believe the resume is not going out of style, but I think there is a more important question to consider for job seekers.

Does “one button” applying help or hurt your chances for a job? Easy isn’t always the best approach for job seekers. I would anticipate a one-button solution (eliminating those pesky “hoops” job seekers usually need to jump through) will result in many more candidates applying for jobs. Just a guess here, but I am also guessing it would appeal to more UNqualified candidates. I’m not sure if that’s useful for employers or job seekers, but it’s sure to feed into an applicant tracking system to help make it easy for employers to scan and screen applicants.

The question of what it all means for job seekers still sticks out like a sore thumb. One of the most important things to do when applying for a job online is to target your materials to match the employer’s needs. How you apply for a job can be the difference between getting a job or not. It’s crucial that your application materials make a case for you. This may be tricky for people applying for various types of jobs. It is much easier to tweak a resume and application than it is to worry about what LinkedIn profile is up. (Although, of course, the LinkedIn profile is always a factor, when it is the clear leading indicator when you apply, it can make applying more complicated for career changers or those career change expert Marci Alboher calls “slashers.” She defines “slashers” as people who have multiple career interests and expertise and “can’t answer the question ‘What do you do?’ with a single word or phrase.”)

Donna Svei points out that reports say applicants will have a chance to edit their profiles when they apply, but as she explains, it’s unclear right now if the changes would be permanent on the LinkedIn profile or not.

These are all important details, and it will be absolutely necessary for job seekers to remember that “one button” applying may shorten the process, but it’s not an invitation to apply for jobs without foresight and focus.

If companies do start to receive a lot of unqualified or un-targeted applicants, we may see them preferring to find candidates from other sources. In fact, Career Columnist for The Seattle Times (NWjobs), Paul Anderson recently shared a column describing the fact that some employers advertise and collect applications from places even though they DON’T expect to hire applicants from that pool! A little crazy, right? Paul clarified for me they put out those feelers “just in case” they don’t get a good pool from their preferred sources.

Job seekers should keep an eye on news about easier ways to apply for jobs. If you want to land an opportunity to interview for the job, though, don’t focus on the “it’s easy” aspect — keep an eye on the prize and spend time needed to tweak and target.

Have you seen my new book — Social Networking for Career Success? Take a look if you want ideas about how to get your job search (or business) going in the right direction!

photo by Jim’s outside photos

Buzz about Social Networking for Career Success

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When I’ve spoken or emailed with other authors, inevitably, someone mentions they didn’t realize trying to promote their book was going to take as long as it did to write it! You may have noticed (uh hum) I’ve been doing a lot of promoting myself for Social Networking for Career Success!

Different experts have different advice about book sales, selling and timing, but I’d love to have a very strong first month launch! Amazon is selling my book for around $11 – what a deal! Or, you should be able to get it at your local bookstore. Just ask and they’ll either have a copy or be able to order it for you. If you’d like to learn more about how social networking can propel your business or job hunt forward, I think my book can help. Take a look at what the community of colleagues and expert advisers thought about it!

“Social media can absolutely help you get hired — and this book has all the answers on how to make it happen.”

—Tory Johnson, CEO, Women For Hire

“This is a “must read” for anyone committed to professional success in the new era.”

—Martin Yate CPC, New York Times bestseller and author of Knock ’em Dead Secrets & Strategies

“Social Networking for Career Success is a great beginner’s cookbook for understanding and using social media to enhance your professional life. If you don’t know where to start in the cyber-networking kitchen, read this book.”

—Eve Tahmincioglu, Author, From the Sandbox to the Corner Office and MSNBC.com Career Columnist

“Miriam Salpeter has truly composed a masterpiece in social media and personal branding, combining the power of her own vast expertise and that of the industry’s top-rated thought leaders into one of the most comprehensive online career guides I have ever read. Every page contains actionable, credible and relevant advice that you can follow immediately to both start advancing your brand and your career.”

—Chris Perry, Founder of CareerRocketeer.com

“Mastering social media is imperative for today’s job seekers. Miriam’s book is the perfect toolkit to ensure that you are maximizing your online brand and putting your best foot forward in a digital world.”

—Chris Russell, CEO, AllCountyJobs.com

“Social Networking isn’t a task we should dread doing, it’s a skill we should want to develop. Every job is temporary and we are businesses—of-one. So, developing a personal brand that allows us to promote our professional strengths on a larger scale could be the one thing that keeps us employed—both now and in the future. Miriam Salpeter’s new book is the ideal guide to help you learn to leverage social networking for your career. The resource list alone is worth the price!”

—J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of CareerHMO.com and founder of CAREEREALISM.com

If you are looking for a great resource for online tools and your career, you’ve found it!

—Jason Alba, CEO of job search organizer JibberJobber.com and author of I’m on LinkedIn—Now What???

“Social networking to land a job is nothing new, but Miriam’s book offers plenty of advice I’ve never even thought of before—and I write about this on a daily basis! Social Networking for Career Success is broken into easily digestible chunks of information that will benefit everyone from college students to experienced professionals. It’s a whole new world of job hunting out there!”

—Heather R. Huhman, Founder & President, comerecommended.com

“Miriam has assembled the ultimate go-to-guide for the modern job seeker. The advice is clear and concise, the tools easy to understand and the value undeniable. You need to read this book.”

—Mark Stelzner, Founder of JobAngels

“This is a crucial book for anybody—regardless of age, education level, industry, or function—to gain a career edge and succeed in a world where social media has become as essential as the printed resume used to be. Social Networking for Career Success shows you how to gain access to the best opportunities, before they are posted to the general public, and is a resource that you will refer to again and again.”

—Andrew Neitlich, co-Author, Guerrilla Marketing for a Bulletproof Career

“Miriam Salpeter is a true leader in the social networking world and in her book, “Social Networking for Career Success,” she shares her expert advice for social media users of all levels and career goals. This book should be on the shelf or e-reader of anyone who is serious about career success in today’s hyper-connected world. Highly recommended.”

—Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World

“Pure gold! It contains something for everyone, at any level. Consider it a must-read for anyone who wants to understand social media! Social Networking for Career Success oozes credibility with real life examples and success stories and the simple to understand, actionable steps, make it too easy NOT to do!”

—Hannah Morgan, CareerSherpa.net

“Miriam Salpeter is effervescent; she is action behind her words. Her reputation as a global careerist with profound, yet easy-to-relate-to social networking advice entices job seekers, careerists and entrepreneurs to her virtual doors to learn the social media dance. Her new book, Social Networking for Career Success exudes her charm and energy while piling up stacks of virtual career networking resources in a compact, easily digestible format.”

—Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, Master Resume Writer, Chief Career Writer and Partner of CareerTrend.net, Cofounder of the Career Collective

“Social Networking for Career Success is the most comprehensive resource I’ve seen on using all aspects of social networking in job search and career advancement. This reader-friendly guide is destined to become a bible for savvy careerists who want to integrate the most effective social tools to get ahead.”

—Katharine Hansen, associate publisher/creative director, Quintessential Careers (quintcareers.com)

“If you’ve applied for a job online and don’t know what to do next, this book is the answer. It is clear, concise and filled with actionable information sure to supercharge your job search or entrepreneurial endeavor. I defy you to do all that is written herein and not get a job or boost the branding of your enterprise.”

—Jim Stroud, www.JimStroud.com

“Social Networking for Career Success is the modern job seeker’s insider guide to job search and career management success. Miriam shares all the secrets, sites, and strategies to put anyone, including a web novice, at home in confidently navigating the otherwise complex web of social media job search to identify and win the job.”

—Laura DeCarlo, President of the global association, Career Directors International; creator of the Certified Professional in Online Job Search & Reputation Management; and author of Interviewing: The Gold Standard, Job Search Bloopers, and Interview Pocket RX.

“Miriam Salpeter is a job seeker’s best friend. Her business is helping others use social media to land their next job… and she does so beautifully! Now, there are others out there who ‘get’ social media, but can’t teach it, and even more who can teach it, but don’t have anything unique to say. Miriam is one of the only social media gurus who consistently and clearly shares a simple, yet unique, strategy for using social media to land your next gig. Read this book if you are still unsure how to really maximize your time on the various, emerging social media platforms available; I assure you, you will emerge much more knowledgeable and armed for your job search. This book is well worth the money, and highly recommended!!”

—Laura M. Labovich, Founder, Aspire! Empower! Career Strategy Group

“Social Networking for Career Success is a head above other social media resources. Miriam is a respected blogger and experienced social media pro who provides strategic insights and technical guidance. She anticipates her readers’ questions, deftly transitioning from the high view to the essential details. This is the must read guide for anyone who wants to use social networking to access new career opportunities.”

—Debra Feldman, Executive Talent Agent, JobWhiz

“Miriam has successfully used social networks to advance her personal brand. This book will show you how you can do the same!”

—Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0 and founder of Millennial Branding

“Today more than ever it’s critical to know how to navigate the digital ecosystem. This book provides readers with real world stories and advice on how to leverage social networking to find a job or simply advance their career.”

—Robyn Cobb, VP Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations

“This really—seriously!—is a must-read book for everyone, unemployed or not! Excellent, landmark book—the best I’ve read on this topic! Social media and social networks are dramatically impacting the job search/recruiting landscape for all of us, and the velocity of change is picking up. So, smart people will read and implement Miriam’s suggestions before they need to job search, because to ignore this technological revolution is to be left behind—waaaayyyy behind. And, very few of us can afford that!

—Susan P. Joyce, Editor/Publisher, Job-Hunt.org

“Social Networking for Career Success is a comprehensive, well-organized guide for any professional or job-seeker to advance his or her career. Whether you are a passive candidate or engaged in an active job search, this book will prove to be a valuable resource in managing your online presence and creating a positive brand that will attract employers.”

—Andrea Santiago, Guide to Health Careers at About.com

“We use social networking sites everyday to check-in, update our friends and share ideas with the world. But what if you need to find a job or establish a new career? Miriam’s book offers practical and strategic advice to build your online brand along with examples of people doing it right.”

—Tim Tyrell-Smith, Founder of Tim’s Strategy and author of 30 Ideas: The Ideas of Successful Job Search

“Social Networking for Career Success is basic enough for those who are clueless about social media, yet rich enough to offer social media pros information they likely don’t already know.”

—Vivian Steir Rabin and Carol Fishman Cohen, Co-authors, Back on the Career Track

“No one knows the intersection of social media and careers better than Miriam Salpeter. I am always learning something new from her, and thanks to Social Networking for Career Success, you will too! The best thing about this book is its substantial detail – by the time you’re finished, you’ll be ready to take advantage of dozens social networking strategies you didn’t even know existed.”

—Alexandra Levit, Author of New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career

“Miriam not only shows you how to efficiently and effectively use social media tools to land your dream career, she also gives you some valuable insight into how you can make it easy for employers to find you. And she does it with a little bit of humor and spunk!”

—Heather McGough, Microsoft Recruiter since 2000

I’d be thrilled if you’d order a copy! Or, tell a friend? Thanks for your support.

photo by mrjoro