It’s 2012, time to think of those New Year Resolutions and how soon I will fail at them. Why do I fail at the resolutions but I do not commit to them. That’s my problem, I’m sure I’m not alone. This year will be different, I’m going to focus on my goals and commit to them.
Here they are:
- Lose 30 lbs by June- yes this is feasible if I work out and commit to eating better. I am starting this commitment on Monday.
- Save money for our wedding/trip. $5,000 to be exact.
- Pay off my credit card debt- I have about $4,000 in debt here, I vow to pay this off and start hammering away at my student loans. Yes I have student loans, it is a bummer and if I had learned more about how to use my student loan money I would have. Note to those who are going to school, do not live on student loan money. Uggh!
So there you go, these are my three commitments, not resolutions. Wish me luck and hope I am successful.
Moment’s like this
Lay offs and Friends
This time of year is so hard when you have a job, I can’t even imagine what it’s like when you don’t have one. I spoke to an old friend last week, she had stopped by to visit and said she had been laid off from work. She said she was so afraid she would not find another job and that she regretted not going back to school. She said “You’re so smart, you have not ever had to worry.” Really? Is that how it is supposed to work? Because I’m perceived as smarter I shouldn’t worry? I don’t think so. In this economic and financial state the US is in we should all worry. Nothing is forever, nothing is guaranteed. It’s always good to brush up on your skills no matter what you do so that in the event something does happen and you are at risk of not having a job you have a back up plan or a Plan B. Everyone needs a plan B.
I truly hope she finds a job and hopes that things get better for all of us.
Think before you Tweet
Remember the post about Twitter can help you find a job? Well I will caveat that by saying that it can help to decrease your chances as well if you do not tweet wisely. Just like you should refrain from posting your bar escapades on Facebook, same thing goes for Twitter. If you want an employer to take you seriously you have to be serious and professional about your content.
Check out this post “TMI: Think Before you tweet about your job interviews.”
Facebook and Twitter make it so easy to post from our smart phones and it’s kind of second nature now, but honestly you should really think before you do because you could be sharing info with a potential employer that you hadn’t planned to share.
Your Online Presence
What does your online image say about you?
I googled my name today, and guess what I found? I’m not as much of a novice to social media as I thought I was. Victoria Shanen, said it first…Social media is HIP!
Sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter allow you to get in touch with long lost friends, share photos of your kids and pets, or just entertain ourselves (Farmville fans, don’t be offended…what is the point of having an online farm?) but social media can be a tool that will help build networks and possibly help land that position.
Social media is and should be a big part of your job search tool kit. I’m going to be honest here, I’m a little late in the game when it comes to using social media as a recruiting tool. Yes, I’m using it now and honestly it’s fun and I learn something new every day but I should have jumped on the band wagon a long time ago. Don’t get me wrong I still love the phone and face to face networking but sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter have reduced some sourcing time and has brought FUN back to recruiting.
Why should you use social media like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, as a part of your job search? Companies are Googling and sourcing prospective candidates all the time now. If you show an interest in a position once a Hiring Manager or Recruiter has seen your application and or resume, your name is popped into a Google search. When they search your name, there should at least be a little something about you. You don’t want them wondering if you’ve lived under a rock for the past 8-10 years.
How do you get started in social media? First of all, it’s easy and it’s free! Try this first, Google yourself and look at the results on the search engine results page. What do you see? What would you want to see if you were wanting to know about you? It’s easy to get an account with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flicker, YouTube and my not so favorite MySpace. Open accounts with these sites and others like them. These sites allow you to post content about yourself and what you are doing. Start with a professional profile on LinkedIn, don’t forget to include a resume here. You can also use VisualCV.com to post an online CV or resume. Remember that we want to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to post personal stuff, this will help you “brand” yourself online. Remember Recruiters and Hiring Managers are people too and we want to know more about you not just your work. The more you post the more you will get noticed in search engines like Google, MSN or the new Bing.
Wait, stop right there! I just said to post personal content right? Here’s a small caveat, have fun with social media but remember to post responsibly. Keep the content real but at the same time don’t post things that you wouldn’t want your Mother to see. If you went out last night and drank your heart out and danced on tables, keep that to yourself. No need to share with the world that you were not being too responsible. Posts like these will get some attention, not the job.
Use these tools and have fun in your job search, you never know who would be searching your name right now.
It’s a Snow Day!
Ok, it’s a snow day for the kids and my fiancee but not for me. I get the luxury of working from home so if I am home I still have to work. Kind of a bummer but at the same time it’s a benefit I have earned and I truly love. Yes, it seems there are many employers out there opting to give their employees flexibility in how they do their work and where.
I have to say that this wasn’t always accepted by our team and Director but after two of us tried it and they saw it worked and worked well others got on board. I’d say almost everyone on my team has at least one work from home day and they really like it. Our team has very little turnover and this actually has helped to make this metric look even better. I have been asked to look at other opportunities within our organization but honestly why would I want to leave this. I get to work two days at home.
What are the benefits of working from home?
For me:
- I get to work in my pajamas if I want to, I rarely do but yes if i want to I can.
- Less road rage
- Less fuel and wear and tear on my car.
- Those two days I work from home I do not have to worry about the added time away from my family for commuting purposes. I often use this for family time or me time.
- I can actually get work done with no distractions. Besides the minor distraction of my phone I get a lot more done at home then at work. Why? There is little chance of a boss, manager or anyone else walking in to my office and interrupting me.
For my employer:
- Working from home allows my employer to use less resources such as internet, phone, office space. I currently share an office so two days a week I work from home, two days my office mate works from home; the one day we are together it’s usually meeting day so not an issue.
- We end up working more and harder because we like this benefit and do not want to lose it.
Here are some other reasons to look into working from home. I’m not saying you have to work from home but it’s worth looking into if you are self disciplined, committed and motivated. If you are not than you might try working on these things first, then the benefits of working from home are yours.
Watch the negativity
Lately, I’ve been encountering a lot of disgruntled, discouraged and downright negative job seekers. I understand that there are many folks out there seeking employment during one of the toughest economic climates that I can ever remember. I understand their frustration, they are spending many hours attending networking events and job fairs, sending resumes and applying on line and off for what seems like a small number of positions. Eventually that’s going to wear on anyone.
It’s truly not hard to understand why so many unemployed people have negative attitudes right now. I’m sure I wouldn’t enjoy being out of work or being rejected ( as it is I hate being the person to reject folks). It’s also tough being ignored or treated disrespectfully by hiring managers, HR people and flaky recruiters (I can say that cause I’m a Recruiter).
This is the problem; projecting a negative attitude will get you nowhere! Look at it this way, every interview, every networking conversation, every email or online comment (Facebook, LinkedIn) transmits a message to the recipient that says I’m a whiny unhappy person and in turn is an indication as to what type of employee you’d be.
I often wonder if candidates just don’t know that you should never speak ill or negatively of a former employer during an interview. The reasons for this should be obvious. However, I do understand it’s probably very difficult to suppress those negative feelings. Unfortunately negativity can affect your entire outlook on life. The bottom line: no one wants to hire or work with a negative person! There is a principle I was taught by a past employer and I still live this mantra “Maintain your power to succeed by choosing not to believe you are a victim. “ People with chips on their shoulders, who blame others for their plight and project negative vibes almost never get hired. This rejection then feeds their negativism, and the cycle repeats itself.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the interview process, it’s this: the number one factor that determines who gets hired and who doesn’t is NOT who is best qualified, who has the most experience or skills, or who has the best resume. It’s attitude! A majority of those that are hired are hired because people hire people they like and would like to be around. I wouldn’t want to work with someone who was cranky and negative all day, it makes for a very tough work life. Having enthusiasm for a position or a company, true passion for your work, a sense of humor, and a positive and optimistic outlook are the qualities that make a person attractive to others. You may try but it’s very hard to fake those qualities.
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln
You’ve got an interview
Your hard work sending out all those cover letters and résumés has finally paid off — you’ve been called in for a face-to-face job interview.
Congratulations! But now is not the time to sit back and think about how you’re going to spend your new salary; you’ve got work to do. Keep in mind that in the competitive business world, there are sure to be dozens of other highly qualified candidates going after the same job. It’s important to make yourself stand out. Now is the time to practice exactly how you will sell yourself to a prospective employer during that crucial first meeting.
Preparing for an interview is probably the most important phase of securing a new position. Everyone thinks it is easy until they enter a room in front of a panel who are judging your every move and every word. Then, your nerves start working overtime.
An interview panel might include the hiring Manager, department managers and other team members. It’s important to address your answers to all involved in the interview.
The more you prepare for an interview, the better your odds of securing a job offer will be.
Do your homework. Research the company beforehand so that you can showcase that knowledge during the interview. This will boost your credibility with the interviewer and will help you to formulate intelligent questions to ask your interviewer later.
Know where you’re going. Make sure to find out where the office is and how to get there. Do you know how long the trip will take? Do you have the name and phone number of the person you’ll be meeting with? Do you know how easy it is to park? Save yourself time and unnecessary stress by knowing these things before heading to the interview. You don’t want to make a bad impression so plan for traffic, and any other “challenges” that may come up.
Look the part. Your clothing should be neat, pressed, and professional looking. As it can be difficult to know the culture of the office environment beforehand, err on the side of conservative. Even if everyone’s wearing jeans when you arrive, you’re still probably better off having shown up in a suit. Make sure to have a fresh haircut and clean, manicured nails. And Ladies watch the perfume and make up; remember less is more.
Rehearse beforehand. Prior to your interview, prepare answers to common questions the interviewer is likely to ask such as What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? Why should we hire you? and the ever popular Tell me about yourself. Conduct a mock interview with a trusted friend or in the mirror as practice.
Secure your references. Find at least three key people — former supervisors, colleagues, or instructors — who are willing to serve as your professional references. Be sure to secure their permission beforehand, and be certain that they will speak highly of you if contacted by a potential employer.
Arrive early. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview. Visit the restroom and check your appearance in the mirror. Announce yourself to the receptionist to let him or her know that you have arrived and that you have an appointment. Turn your cell phone off so it doesn’t ring during your meeting. (I’m not kidding I had an applicant wear his Bluetooth into the interview)
Bring necessary documentation. Make a checklist of documents that you will need for the interview, and make sure that you have them in your briefcase before leaving home. These documents may include extra copies of your résumé, portfolio of writing samples or other professional work. If you are a recent graduate, you should also bring along your college transcripts.
Sell yourself. The interview is your chance to shine, so now is not the time to be humble. Develop a 25-second sales pitch or what some call an “elevator speech,” a compelling overview of why you? that can be recited in the time it takes to ride the elevator. It should include your strengths, your abilities, and what sets you uniquely apart from other applicants.
Don’t neglect to ask questions. Based on your earlier research, ask how the responsibilities of the open position relate to the company’s goals and plans for the future. Interviewers are often favorably impressed by candidates who show that they are knowledgeable about the organization.
Follow up. After the interview, don’t forget to send a handwritten note or friendly email thanking the interviewer for his or her time and consideration, as well as restating your interest and commitment to the position. If you don’t hear anything after one week, call to politely inquire when they will be making a final decision.
There is one thing you must remember that applies to everyone who interviews — don’t lie!
Remember to keep this in mind: Every interview is a valuable learning experience. Even if you don’t get this particular job, when the next interview rolls around, you’ll be much better prepared and more at ease with the whole process. All of which can go a long way to boosting your confidence and improving your chances of being offered the next job.
Twitter can help you find a job
I wrote a post recently about “your online presence” so I’ll have to add to that post and say that I love Twitter! I truly wish I had more time to “tweet about” but it’s difficult. My life is not that interesting but other people are so I often retweet when I can’t find something to say. And, there are tools that allow you to schedule tweets but I’m kind of old school and like to “tweet by the seat of my pants”. Twitter is a fabulous web tool for networking and expanding your contacts base.
Job searches can use Twitter to learn about new opportunities and get the word out about their interest in a new opportunity and their background. Here are a few Twitter tips that I’ve compiled from research I’ve done from other bloggers, some may work for you some may not but there’s tons of opportunities to use Twitter to your advantage.
We’ve all heard about “branding”. Companies have a team of marketing folks that focus their energy on the brand and how that brand represents their company. Do the same for yourself.
Make sure your online brand is focused, clean and effective.
- Use your real name. No need to use your full name but your realname. And don’t create a Twitter identity that leaves folks questioning whether or not you are a real person. You can follow me here to see what I mean.
- Create an easy to remember Twitter name. Just like a bad email address if it’s too silly or offensive employers will not take you seriously.
- Add a link to your website or blog to your Twitter profile. This could feature some of your past work, creative efforts and a portfolio or even an electronic CV.
- Do not post inappropriately.
- Avoid spamming your followers. It’s all about content, tweeting every 5 minutes just to tweet will make others want to “un-follow” you.
- I love this one and read it somewhere but can’t for the life of me find the source. “Tweet, then follow.” Don’t just follow people just because. Have something to say before you start following. I really try to reciprocate “following” but if a follower doesn’t have much to say than it’s not worth my time.
- Twitter allows you to network with so much more than those in your circle of friends. Facebook is the place for that. Search for people with similar interests and people in your industry or locale.
- Remember to stay involved so that your Followers don’t forget about you.
- Follow people back; you don’t have to follow everyone who follows you but you should try to follow those that are interesting and who offer information that could help in your job search.
- Pay it forward! Tweetabout other people’s blog posts and links. This will help catch the attention of new readers that you might not have considered before.
- Promote your site or blog. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself but remember that it’s about quality not quantity.
- Include those you truly follow in a conversation by using @ and then their Twitter name.
- This one is very new to me but I’ve seen lots of folks talk about these. Suggest a Twitter happy hour or meet up (Tweetup) to meet your local Twitter friends and extend your networking opportunities.
- Use Twitter appropriately to find jobs and contacts.
- Try your hardest to use correct grammar and spelling.
- You only have 140 characters make sure you use the right ones.
- Sense of urgency is important when it comes to replies. Reply to friends who message you directly or retweet something you have posted. It’s all about courtesy in the Twitter arena.
- Don’t get too casual: Twitter is meant to be an informal way to spread information, but like e-mail it’s becoming a popular way to connect.
- Avoid profanity! This may offend others and makes you look UNPROFESSIONAL.
See your job loss as an opportunity
“If you hate your job, either change your job or change your attitude about the job. One or the other.” — John-Roger
I love my job. It’s not really a job to me. I’m a Recruiter and my passion is meeting new people, networking, interviewing and seeing them start in a position that will hopefully lead to a successful career.
It’s important to “Do What You Love”! Why? Because you spend a majority of your day at work and if you are not doing something you like it can make for a very long and exhaustive work life. Nothing is worse than getting up in the morning and saying “It’s time to make the donuts!” because you truly hate making donuts and that’s what you are doing.
I have a friend that was laid off recently from her company. She kept thinking that she had to find another job like the one she had at said company. Guess what? She hated what she did. So she saw the lay off as an opportunity to learn about other occupations and careers that might be more interesting and truly fulfilling. Some might involve having a specific education (but who says you can’t go back to school) or experience, so start at the bottom and move up if it sounds interesting to you.
I sort of fell into Recruiting many years ago and honestly it was a fall that couldn’t have been better. It suited me. So my advice again is do what you love!