Posts Tagged ‘LinkedIn’

A recent post on a career industry association e-list sparked quite a discussion about job seeker appearance and hiring standards. An association member came across a job board that caters to “beautiful, skilled and talented people looking for employment” and “employers who are looking to hire beautiful, skilled and talented people.” To access job leads, candidates must first register and upload their photo, which is then rated by visitors and members to determine if the account should be activated or rejected.

Is there no end to the limits some individuals will go to in exploiting the tight job market while making candidates feel less than worthy?

Okay, I will admit that appearance has always been a factor in how candidates are evaluated during the interview. After all, don’t we advise candidates to “look their best” when approaching an employer? We coach clients on what to wear, how to fix their hair and make-up, and what subtle things such as facial hair and fingernail length communicate to an employer. And we talk to clients about how they need “to look the part” to “get the part” – which is what makes some job titles, such as librarian or construction worker,  immediately conjure up images that even the most diplomatic employer has to shake.

Set aside the audaciousness of BeautifulJobSeekers.com and we are still faced with reconciling the impact one’s photo has on their success in landing a job. With the widespread use of social media to match candidates to jobs, are employers - who are trying to comply with EEO regulations - feeling like they need to cover their eyes when reviewing candidate credentials on Facebook, LinkedIn and other online networking sites? Are hungry lawyers lining up to pursue action against employers on behalf of candidates who feel they have been rejected because of their apparent age, race, ethnic background – or heaven forbid, height, weight and eye color!?

I don’t know the answer, but it all makes me a little nervous. As a professional résumé writer, I have always scoffed at competitors who advised clients to include a photo on their résumé, but now I am wondering if I should rethink my position. In a country that seems to have lost its senses to reality TV, entertainment magazines, and viewer-cast ballots for who should be the next “American Idol,” maybe it’s time that employers and career services professionals have some serious conversations about how these trends are impacting the job market – and come up with some realistic solutions.

Do you have a digital footprint? Do you know what one is? Is your online presence getting you "turn downs" instead of "offers" from employers?

More than 90% of recruiters and 50% of employers perform Internet searches on candidates before making a hiring decision. If job seekers don’t have a solid, online presence with a strong career brand, the chances of impressing a potential employer are greatly diminished.

Join The Career Clinicians, Kathy Sweeney and Norine Dagliano, as they interview Barbara Safani, an expert in social media and career branding, regarding the importance of building online profiles and participating in social media / business networking sites.

The show airs live on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 7 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio (http://bit.ly/bXzi0t). The Career Clinicians will be taking live calls at (917) 889-9043.

During the show, Barbara will discuss:

• How job seekers can find out what kind of digital footprint they possess.
• Specific websites where job seekers should have a presence, including LinkedIn, Google Profiles, ZoomInfo, Facebook, and Twitter.
• The differences and benefits between the sites.
• Which type of person is right for each online medium.
• Privacy concerns.
• How a great (or poorly written) profile can impact a job search.

Don't miss this important show to find out the best ways to ensure your digital foot is a positive one!

My dad has a saying: "Live as if you'll be found out because you will!" In this post, I will cover a story that plays right into that statement.

While I was browsing "updates" from friends on Facebook the other day, I noticed one of them had joined a "Fan Page" entitled, "Tim Martins is My Hero!"

I was a little perplexed; I hadn't heard of anyone by that name doing something heroic on the news. So, I clicked through to find out what all the fuss was about.

What I found was a page dedicated to someone, who, in the pursuit of his 15-minutes of fame, had made grievous errors in judgment. These errors will now follow him for the rest of his life.

The Beginning of End

It all started innocently enough. Tim Martins is a First Officer (co-pilot) for American Eagle Airlines (the regional carrier for American Airlines). He is also a member of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), which is the union representing thousands of professional pilots at several airlines.

In the wake of recent bad press surrounding the airline industry, ALPA decided to write articles in their member magazine featuring pilots who typified their Code of Ethics and set them up as "role models." Two of the tenants in the Code of Ethics include 'representing their airline with the utmost professionalism in both appearance and conduct ' and 'being a good citizen of the community'.

To be featured in an article, a pilot is nominated by a peer and then approved by top members of ALPA. Tim Martins was nominated, approved, and then interviewed by Jan Steenblik, a long-time technical editor for ALPA's magazine.

The article, entitled, "Mature Beyond His Years," was the cover story for the April 2010 issue. In the magazine, Tim Martins, who is approximately 25 years old, told the story of his "rise" through the aviation ranks.

Tim Martins claimed he had graduated from a flight school at 19, stated that he had worked at and was furloughed by Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA - now defunct), started flying F-16s and was an active member of the NJ Air National Guard, and then was subsequently hired by American Eagle.

Further, in the article he claimed to be a FDNY firefighter / paramedic in his off time (quoted as saying he is carrying on a family tradition) as a member of Ladder Company 2 located in midtown Manhattan. He also stated he works in the food pantry at a church near his home and builds houses for Habitat for Humanity as part of his "community service."

Pretty impressive, right? The only problem is, about 90% of what he told the Steenblik wasn't true (a journalist not fact-checking a story is incomprehensible and unprofessional - but, that's another story).

"Outed" By His Peers

As thousands of ALPA members received the newest issue and began reading the article, there was no way to predict that this story would become a "runaway train" without any signs of stopping it.

First, you must understand that the aviation industry (both civilian and military) is a very tight-knit group, and pilots, like other true professionals, don't like individuals putting their chosen career in a bad light.

And, in my opinion, after working in the airline industry for many years, believe they have the right to expect that "one of their own" would not do something to put a "black eye" on an already struggling industry.

I belong to several aviation-related message boards where pilots discuss different aspects of the industry. One member started a thread about this article and Tim Martins, questioning the validity of the information.

What started as an innocent thread, giving Martins the benefit of the doubt (and questioning that perhaps he had been misquoted), turned into a real "fact-checking" mission.

After the thread was posted, several other pilots started to "chime in" with information to disprove what had been written about Martins regarding his airline career. He had never worked at ACA (verified through the seniority list from pilots who had worked there). He also never graduated from the aviation college he claimed in the article.

Then, other members questioned and found out from their military pilot counterparts that Martins had never been a member of the NJ Air National Guard. The military personnel were so incensed (they have every right to be) that Martins was purporting himself to be a military pilot that they called ALPA's national headquarters to bring this issue to light.

Further checking revealed that Martins also was not a member of FDNY Ladder Company 2 - not even as a volunteer.

But, it didn't end there. These pilots were now very upset. They Googled Tim Martins and found his Facebook page and LinkedIn profile.

On those pages, he claimed to be a pilot for Southwest Airlines, a Captain in the US Air Force, a Rescue Diver, and a US Air Force Academy graduate. His Facebook photo page showed pictures of him supposedly working at FDNY and in the cockpit of an F-16 (where he had given himself the name, "Timmy 'The Milkman' Martins").

The only fact that could be verified was that Martins was indeed a First Officer for American Eagle.

Opportunity to "Save Face"

In the true spirit of compassion, the aviation community gave every opportunity for Tim Martins to "come clean" and admit his mistakes.

However, Martins, even with all the facts staring him in the face, continued to deny that he had lied. He even made up "screen names" on these message boards to try to save his reputation by posing as "friends" who knew him and could verify his military background. It didn't work, and he finally "half-way" admitted he had stretched the truth a bit (that was putting it lightly).

But, by this time, it was too late. From there, the information went viral. Even the NY Post jumped on the bandwagon, as a freelance journalist, Christine Negroni, broke the story.

And now, Martins has the auspicious honor of having a "Facebook Fan Page" that doesn't shine a very pleasant light on him.

The Aftermath

Now, allegedly, Martins has been suspended from his job at American Eagle. If he gets fired, it will be unlikely that Martins will ever be hired into another job in aviation. He has shown that he cannot be honest, and trust is everything between flight crew members.

In addition, there may even be repercussions from Martins claiming to be a military service member under the "Stolen Valor Act." Further, I am certain that FDNY is not very happy with him either.

What Lessons Can Be Gleaned From This Story?

So, what can professionals and job seekers learn from this story?

First, live your life with integrity. Don't claim to be someone you're not. Be happy with who you are and what you have accomplished.

Second, don't post bogus information about yourself online or provide false information to a journalist.

Remember, every time you post something online, you leave a Digital Footprint that can be uncovered and used against you. Further, any comments you make to a journalist for an article will likely end up in print, and that information will never go away.

Third, know that if you do lie about your career, it WILL catch up to you. No one likes a "poser" and people will "out you;" it's just human nature.

Finally, if you do make a mistake, own up to it. Your co-workers will be more likely to forgive a mistake if you admit it and apologize.

In today's technologically advanced environment, many people are using social media tools to communicate with friends and family, and reconnect with old acquaintances. But, should you use social media to look for work? Absolutely!

However, before charging out and jumping on the social media bandwagon, I think it is important to understand how to utilize social media to attain the most positive results.

In the first post of this two-part series, I will cover why job seekers might want to use social media as an avenue to attain a job, the types of tools available,  and some guidelines. In Part Two, I will share stories of people who have successfully utilized social media to land a great job.

Why Should Job Seekers Use Social Media?

Social media tools can be very helpful in the job search, if utilized wisely. They can help highlight your expertise, provide visibility in search engines when HR or Recruiters decide to Google your name,  and allow you to network with current / former colleagues and friends who may be able to assist in your goal of landing a great position.

What Social Media Tools Should Job Search Candidates Use?

While there are many social media tools available to job seekers, I am going to cover the major players. It is important to not only know what they are, but how they differ, and the methods to successfully utilize them.

Blogs:

Blogs (aka Weblogs) can be utilized by job seekers to show their expertise in a certain subject matter or industry. Successful blogs have a consistent brand - the readers have a clear picture of who the blogger is and can identify a consistent theme to the posts.

In a blog, job search candidate can convey information on industry trends, provide opinions on topics (without offending or bashing anyone), and seek to educate readers. The content should be engaging and useful to the reader.

Putting together a blog is rather easy. There are several free services available, including WordPress and Blogger, that can walk you through the process of establishing a blog.

If you aren't technically savvy, I would suggest enlisting the help of someone who is. If you don't have friends or family members who can help, you can have your project completed rather inexpensively on Elance.com.

LinkedIn.com:

LinkedIn is a free website where you can develop your professional network and look for jobs. It is the most prominent tool used today by recruiters to source "active and passive candidates."

On LinkedIn, it is important to convey your personal brand with a strong profile and "job title." When using this tool, I would suggest linking with people who can help with your job search, which includes current or former colleagues, customers, vendors, etc.

One very important measurement recruiters use when reviewing candidates profiles is the amount of solid recommendations you have on your profile. They need to be very specific to your expertise and from individuals who have directly worked with you in some capacity.

While the "magic number" of recommendations hovers around 3-5, I would suggest you tap into your network and obtain as many "comprehensive" recommendations of your expertise as possible.

Remember though - networking is a two-way street. If you ask for recommendations, be sure to provide them, as well.

Facebook:

Facebook is a great place to connect with old / current friends and family, and if you want, current / former colleagues. It is more of a relaxed atmosphere than LinkedIn. However, stay true to your brand, and don't post information that is too personal or pictures that show you in a bad light.

While you can set your "home page" as "public," I would suggest setting your other pages to "friends only." This way, your private information and photos cannot be seen by HR Managers and Recruiters.

Twitter:

Twitter is a great tool to convey information in a very concise way - you only have 140 characters to get your information out there. The posts you make on Twitter are called "Tweets."

So, what should you "Tweet" about? You can post a short description and link to a blog post you wrote or specific industry information gleaned from articles you have found on the Internet, such as, "SalesForce.com introduces new tool (then link to the article)."  You can also "Tweet" general factual information you have found through research, for instance, "38% of computer users are switching to Mac."

You will need to have an account to "shorten" your URLs so your "Tweets" don't surpass the 140 character limit. I suggest Bit.ly, as it allows you to track how many people have clicked on the links included in your Tweets.

Also, a great book has recently been published regarding how to use Twitter in your job search: The Twitter Job Search Guide: Find a Job and Advance Your Career in Just 15 Minutes a Day.

Guidelines for Effectively Using Social Media

Here are some general and specific guidelines to follow when using social media:

General Tips:

• Post a picture of yourself on all of your social media pages. However, make sure the photo is a professional head shot. There are several freelance photographers listed in US-Photographers or formal portrait studios, including B2BPortraits or JC Penney that can provide you with a digital photo format.
• Establish your brand and stick to it.
• Don't write about controversial topics unless it relates to your personal brand.
• Make sure what you are writing is fact-based - not some information or trends you have made up.
• Make sure your opinions on a particular topic are useful and positive.
• Contribute to "conversations" on other people's blogs. But, do it in a positive, meaningful way. Post information that solves problems - not creates more discourse.
• Remember that your reputation is key to your success - don't bash other people or products.
• Think before you post. If what you are writing can be misconstrued, don't write it.

Blogs:

• Do not write blog posts that are inconsistent with your brand. An example would be a computer expert blogging about different programs and / or industry trends. Then, out of the blue, he posts a message about Healthcare Reform. Unless he can tie information technology to health care reform, then the post should not be written.
• Don't post 10 blog topics in a week and then not post for a month. The key to successful blogging is to be consistent. If you only have time to blog once a week, that's fine. Just set a day every week to write a blog post and stick with it.

Twitter:

• Do find and follow other experts who don't directly compete with you. For instance, if you are a dog trainer, you don't want to connect with other dog trainers (unless it is Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer). Why? Because this negates the purpose of being viewed as an expert. However, you might want to connect with veterinarians, canine nutrition experts, and small business owners who sell merchandise, like collars, leashes, dog beds, etc. These people can enhance your knowledge and will show your followers that you aren't a "one-trick pony."
• Do "retweet" (think of this like forwarding an email to someone) Twitter posts made by experts you follow that are relevant to your brand or industry. Not only will it provide them with visibility, but it will show you are connected with experts and they will likely "retweet" items of interest that you post.
• Don't Tweet about topics that are off-brand. These include tweets about how you are walking your dog, having breakfast, or getting ready to go on vacation.  Once again, be consistent in your theme and ensure the content is useful.

LinkedIn:

• Do connect with people that can help in your job search.
• Make sure you have a descriptive job title and thorough profile that highlights your expertise and skills.
• Don't "spam" people you don't know to try and connect with them - you'll get your account taken away from you.
• If you do want to connect with someone you don't know, either find someone in your network that's connected to the person or write a meaningful "in-mail" that conveys WHY you want to connect with the person.
• Ask for and provide solid recommendations to people in your network.

Facebook:

• Do be careful what your write in your updates. Don't post personal information about your divorce, how you are going out drinking every night, etc.
• Don't post pictures of yourself in compromising positions, i.e., photos of drinking, nudity, etc.
• Don't be a lurker. If friends posts something about their family, job, or life in general, write a comment. Just be sure you don't comment on posts related to their "bad behavior."

Watch for my next post that will highlight job seekers who have successfully utilized social media to land a great job!

My son will be turning 18 in three days. As we looked at his room, there stood the bunk beds we had purchased when he was only six years old. The set didn't have a "little boy" look. In fact, it was white-washed pine and still in great condition. However, I knew it was time for him to upgrade to an adult bed.

Now, anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not mechanically inclined. If you present me with a test that has one column on the left with a completed, patterned box on it, and another column on the right where I have to pick which 1 of the 4 pictures made the box on the left, I will sit for hours trying to figure it out. My mind just isn't wired that way.

As a resume writer, my mind is geared toward creative thought processes - I can write anything. However, I know what my challenges are, and I seek out and network with experts to help me with the tasks I can't complete on my own.

The Solution

I knew I couldn't dis-assemble the bed myself. So, I immediately picked up the phone and called my neighbor, Ron, who is a retired machinist. This man can build, fix, or disassemble anything, and has a tool box with every gadget ever made! He has been a great friend to me the past five years, and is always willing to help out his "single mom" neighbor.

Ron came over and we worked together to disassemble the bed (I didn't just sit and watch). Then, after we were finished, I thanked Ron and handed him a gift card for Home Depot (I always keep gift cards around for people who help me out, as I never take anyone for granted).

Next, I knew that I didn't want all the bunk-bed pieces and mattresses in my garage. Within minutes, I began to "network" with all the neighbors I knew that had small children. In 30 minutes, the bunk bed set had found a new home - at no cost to the recipient!

How does this story apply to the job search?

By now, you're probably scratching your head wondering what the tear-down of a bunk bed has to do with the job search.

Well, here are the similarities that I see:

Identify your challenges.

First, no one can possibly be great at everything! While you might be mechanically inclined, perhaps you're challenge is writing a resume, interviewing for a job, identifying a career path, or figuring out how to search for a job after being downsized from a company you've worked with for many years.

Or, perhaps you're shy and don't like to meet people. Maybe you’re lacking a degree or certification that's holding you back.

Don't be afraid to admit you have a challenge. But, be willing to do something about it.

Find the experts and enlist their help.

While I could have probably figured out a way to disassemble the bed, I didn't have the right tools and knew it would have taken me hours to complete the project. So, I sought out the one person I knew could help me with the project.

Often, I have potential clients "apologize" to me that their resume is horrible. I always tell them that they are experts in their field, I probably couldn't do their job, and writing resumes just might not be one of their strengths. Then, I tell them seeking out an expert to help is not a sign of weakness - it's actually a sign of strength.

No matter what your challenge, whether it is related to the job search or not (lack of education, public speaking, shyness, etc.), find an expert to help you out.

For instance, you could join Toastmasters to overcome your fear of public speaking or shyness. Or, you could sit down with a college admissions counselor to determine the best degree for your industry. Also, you could hire a resume writer, or an interview / career coach to help you overcome your obstacles. In any of these instances, your ROI will be worth it!

Build Your Network!

I know that networking scares the heck out of some people. However, in this economy, it's not what you know, but WHO you know.

When I moved into my neighborhood, I made it a point to get to know every neighbor on my street. We have become like a family who helps each other out. I have written resumes for them, watched their children, kept an eye on their house when they're out of town, etc. And, they have returned the favor when I need help.

I have done the same thing in my business. I have made it a point to network with individuals inside and outside my industry. I always know who to call when I have a question or a need. Also, these same people call me when they need a referral for something.

Don't be afraid to network. If you haven't spoken to someone in a long time, reconnect with them either over the phone, through email, or join sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.

Sometimes when you're searching for a job, you're direct contacts might not be able to help you. However, they might be connected to someone who can.

Return the favor when people help you.

I believe in the principle of "giver's gain." While I chose to give Ron a gift card, that doesn't mean that every time a person helps you out in your job search that you need to spend money on them.

Also, I could have sold the bunk bed on EBay or Craig's List. But, I chose to give it away to someone who really needed it.

In the job search, you can return favors by referring your friends to a job you found that isn't a right fit for you, but would be perfect for them. You can also introduce them to people you know who could aid in their job search.

Final thoughts.

I hope you see the similarities! So, the next time you need help in an area that isn't your strong suit, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. I have found that people are always willing to help. Then, be willing to assist others, whether directly or indirectly. It will be appreciated and you'll stay in "top-of-mind" awareness when a great opportunity comes forth!

LinkedIn. It's a great tool to connect with former colleagues and friends. It's also used by employers and recruiters to find candidates. I believe that everyone should have a LinkedIn account (it's free). However, the manner in which you set up your LinkedIn account is very important.

Clients often pay me to set up a new or update their current LinkedIn profile after we have completed their resume, as they want to be sure to be "found" in the search results.  Being kind of a search engine optimization geek, I love to figure out the best keywords and keyword phrases to get them top rankings.

However, there is one issue that I have been finding lately. Many of my clients are either currently using or want to use their email address associated with their employer.

While it may seem like a great idea at first since you can import contacts from various email programs, I would caution against it. Or, at the very least, set up the account FIRST with your company email, and then change the email address to a personal address (instructions are below).

Here's why. First, your employer may have a policy against using your company email address for anything outside work. So, check your company's policy.

Second, you could be fired or laid off. If either of those situations happen, you will not have access to your contacts or be able to update your profile, as your email address will likely "vanish" from the company's system.

I have also heard stories of employer's "claiming rights" to your contacts - especially if any of them are customers. If that happens, you would likely have to rebuild your list.

And, if you have a company-owned laptop or desktop computer where you receive email, and they take it from you, you've now lost all of your contacts.

Further, some employers have "rules" about supervisors or other employees providing recommendations for you in any manner (whether on LinkedIn, elsewhere online, or in writing).

While you will have to check your company's policy on this, I think it might be harder to enforce that rule if you have your LinkedIn account is attached to a personal email address. Of course, I'm not an attorney, so I would suggest you consult with one!

So, how do you change your work email address to your personal address in LinkedIn? Here are the steps:

1. Sign into your account
2. Go to the "account & settings" link in the upper right-hand corner
3. Scroll down to the Personal Information section in the right-hand column
4. Find and click on the "email addresses" link
5. Enter a new email address in the box provided and click "add email address"
6. You'll be directed to go to that email address to confirm it
7. Go back to the "email addresses" area,  check the box next to the new address, and click "make primary"
8. Check the box next to your company's email address and click "remove."

As an idea, you might want to let your contacts know you are doing this. Send them all an email (you can import your contact list into an Excel file - good idea to do this anyway) stating that future LinkedIn emails will come from your personal address.

As a final note, I always suggest that my clients obtain an email address from a service such as gmail.com to be used only for job search. Use that email address on your resume and when setting up accounts on job boards, replying to online ads, or making contacts with recruiters.

Why do I suggest this? Well, you won't have to wade through "Aunt Martha's recipes and Uncle Bill's jokes" to find a response about a great job!