Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

5 things to do if you need to look for a job

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Yesterday, I joined Steve Boese and Shawna Moerke on their online, call-in radio show,  HR Happy Hour. The show focuses on  current topics in Human Resources with leaders and experts in the field. I participated because this week’s show featured The Career Summit – a series of online webinars aimed at helping job seekers (and prospective job seekers) achieve their goals.

During the show, Laurie Ruettimann, one of the masterminds for the Summit, asked fellow guest Ryan Paugh, Community Manager for Brazen Careerist, a great question. She asked what he would do if he were looking for a job today.

Listening in, I started to think about how I would answer that question in a sound byte. I answer this question with clients every day — helping people decide what to do when they are ready for a career change is my business. What’s the “quick and dirty” reply?

1. Identify what you offer. Figure out your value proposition as it relates to the market. Practice explaining how your accomplishments and experiences support your ability to solve specific problems.

2. Research target organizations that will value your skills and expertise. Find organizations who have problems you can solve.

3. Create materials that target your ideal organizations and opportunities. This includes a focused resume, an optimized LinkedIn profile and a totally professional social networking identity.

4. Connect, connect, connect. Use best practices for social networking. Expand your network using Twitter/LinkedIn/Facebook. One best practice: give before you get. There are many steps to help you succeed with online networking, but knowing what you have to offer others is an important first step toward success.

5. Keep doing it! Hopefully, the more you engage with others, both in person and online, the better you will get at doing it successfully.

These are some of my first steps for job seekers. What ideas do you have?

(You can listen to the whole HR Happy Hour here.)

If you are looking for a job, you may also want to check out THE CAREER SUMMIT. Tons of career advice, all for a low price of $99 for a short time. Check it out now, before the early bird is over at the close of business Sunday, October 10th.

The topics include everything from how to think about finding a job you love, to what has changed in search, demystifying the recruiting process, online career management, interviewing and (last but not least) — strategies and tips for your resume, social media profile and job search. Read more HERE or visit the site HERE.

photo by bellybouncer

Job search horror stories

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cracklymoon1797667874_0a714115a9_mIn honor of Halloween week, I thought it would be fun to commiserate and share some job search horror stories! The goal is to share tales from job seekers (so you know you’re not alone) AND from hiring managers, so job seekers can learn what things might NOT work.

So, welcome to “Horror Story Week” on Keppie Careers! I appreciate my Twitter friends for helping to pass the word that I am looking for stories, and for passing along some ideas for my series. Thanks also to Peter Shankman for HARO – Help A Reporter Out, for help finding additional sources! (It’s not too late to share your story! Send it to me: miriam(at)keppiecareers(dot)com.)

I guess that I wasn’t too surprised to learn that some of these horror stories may have had different endings had the job seeker taken a different approach. NOT that this excused rude behavior on the part of the hiring manager, but it is important to learn something from these stories…

Todd shared this story:

So, this so-called executive recruiter sends me a questionnaire (10 pages BTW) and says complete it and schedule an “interview.” Well, in full disclosure, I only completed half, but went ahead and scheduled the meeting. After all, I was an executive and my resume was what I wanted to talk about. So, while waiting in the lobby of this firm, some guy walks out to greet me. He’s wearing some ridiculous looking suit with tennis shoes and showing off a shiny keychain that says “Hyundai” and acts like he’s doing me a favor by taking the time to meet with me.

The guy walks me to some conference room, throws the half-complete questionnaire on the table and begins to yell at me–literally. He proceeds to tell me that I’m a loser and have no future. I couldn’t believe it!

So, I stood up and said I made a mistake. Then–THEN–he calls me an “a-hole” as I walked out. All I said was, ” Back at ya!”

Following this, eh em…episode, I landed a job as an executive for an online brokerage firm in Texas. I always wanted to call the guy and rub it in, but why stoop to that level.

So, what can we learn here? Clearly, Todd wasn’t very interested in this job! The fact is, if he was not willing to fill out the application (no matter how long), he should not have bothered to apply! As a job seeker, it is your responsibility to follow directions regarding the application if you want the job!

On the other hand, if you see what seems like a ridiculous application process, consider it a red flag. Maybe this company has policies and proceedures that are not likely to mesh with your preferred way of doing things. Evaluate it and decide NOT to apply! Even if you are desperate for a job, you know, deep down, you are unlikely to be happy working for a place that sets up what you consider to be an absurd hiring process.

In this case, obviously, the hiring manager was a bit “off.” It’s never appropriate to yell and swear at an applicant, and you have to assume an employee would receive the same treatment. So, it was lucky for Todd that things worked out the way they did!

What do you think? Share your comments below!

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I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by peasap