Rant Rubbish Job Search Advice

Rant Rubbish Job Search Advice I debated on writing this post, but I think its best I share my thoughts because the current information out there can really damage people new to the job search. On a recruitingblogs post theres a 10 things you should know to get a job you want post. The first tip is horrible. It says to write your own CV/resume, because $50 is a waste of money for that. If you pay $50 you did not get a professional resume writer.  You got a typist. If I would have hired a solid professional resume writer I most likely would have avoided a lot of problems in my job search. I probably would have had more interviews, and possibly a job. Instead I DIYd my resume.  Everyone said it looked awesome.  But it was the thing keeping me out of interviews. The second tip is horrible. Create an elevator pitch on video?  Im not going to watch it, unless it is really really bad.  My guess is that yours will be mostly or moderately bad.  The only good video bios Ive seen are produced by Video Bio.  Most people dont know where to start, or what to say, or have it look good.  Most people cant even get a good 30 second pitch for any  occasion. The third tip is good. I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago and at the recruiter panel they all agreed that even though they dont read the cover letter the first time they do want it, especially if your resume makes it to subsequent rounds.  Thats when the cover letter gets read.  The resume writers at the conference said to err on the safe side and send one anyway, even if it wont be read (which is better than not sending it and them wondering where it is!).  And, I hear the new cover letter is the email or LinkedIn message that you send around the time you apply. The fourth tip is good. Be on LinkedIn.  Goes without saying. The fifth tip is. kind of okay, but I wouldnt recommend it. I know people do it.  I would rather you spend time networking into a company WITHOUT a resume, though. The sixth tip is good. You should definitely keep up on what your target companies are doing. The seventh tip can be good (but  controversial  . I know some people who see great success with their job seeker clients distributing their resume widely.  Youll find a lot of opinions on this, but my friends share success stories regularly, and if this tactic can get you and interview and a job, give it a look. The eight tip is fine. Dont worry about getting on a lot of social tools, though.  Figure out where your prospects are and spend your time there.  If they arent on Twitter, Pinterest or Google+, dont waste your time. But I bet they are on LinkedIn. The ninth tip is excellent. I just blogged about this, and have many posts about creating your own website.  Its easy and free/cheap. The tenth tip is good. I wouldnt fret too much about this as long as you are communicating your LinkedIn profile, or blog or something like that, but its always good to know what people will find if they google you. Okay, rant over.  Some good stuff, but watch out for the first two.  You might hear those again, but beware of bad advice. Rant Rubbish Job Search Advice I debated on writing this post, but I think its best I share my thoughts because the current information out there can really damage people new to the job search. On a recruitingblogs post theres a 10 things you should know to get a job you want post. The first tip is horrible. It says to write your own CV/resume, because $50 is a waste of money for that. If you pay $50 you did not get a professional resume writer.  You got a typist. If I would have hired a solid professional resume writer I most likely would have avoided a lot of problems in my job search. I probably would have had more interviews, and possibly a job. Instead I DIYd my resume.  Everyone said it looked awesome.  But it was the thing keeping me out of interviews. The second tip is horrible. Create an elevator pitch on video?  Im not going to watch it, unless it is really really bad.  My guess is that yours will be mostly or moderately bad.  The only good video bios Ive seen are produced by Video Bio.  Most people dont know where to start, or what to say, or have it look good.  Most people cant even get a good 30 second pitch for any  occasion. The third tip is good. I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago and at the recruiter panel they all agreed that even though they dont read the cover letter the first time they do want it, especially if your resume makes it to subsequent rounds.  Thats when the cover letter gets read.  The resume writers at the conference said to err on the safe side and send one anyway, even if it wont be read (which is better than not sending it and them wondering where it is!).  And, I hear the new cover letter is the email or LinkedIn message that you send around the time you apply. The fourth tip is good. Be on LinkedIn.  Goes without saying. The fifth tip is. kind of okay, but I wouldnt recommend it. I know people do it.  I would rather you spend time networking into a company WITHOUT a resume, though. The sixth tip is good. You should definitely keep up on what your target companies are doing. The seventh tip can be good (but  controversial  . I know some people who see great success with their job seeker clients distributing their resume widely.  Youll find a lot of opinions on this, but my friends share success stories regularly, and if this tactic can get you and interview and a job, give it a look. The eight tip is fine. Dont worry about getting on a lot of social tools, though.  Figure out where your prospects are and spend your time there.  If they arent on Twitter, Pinterest or Google+, dont waste your time. But I bet they are on LinkedIn. The ninth tip is excellent. I just blogged about this, and have many posts about creating your own website.  Its easy and free/cheap. The tenth tip is good. I wouldnt fret too much about this as long as you are communicating your LinkedIn profile, or blog or something like that, but its always good to know what people will find if they google you. Okay, rant over.  Some good stuff, but watch out for the first two.  You might hear those again, but beware of bad advice.

Developing Team Produces Improved Business Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Developing Team Produces Improved Business Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career During the early years of business, I kept hearing about the importance of developing team. I didn’t quite capture why it was necessary for someone just starting out. However, the basics were in place such as accounting, bookkeeping, and availability of legal advice. The next big picture advice heard was to establish a succession plan. Again, just having begun my business, I thought the need for this was very far off into the future. But time has a way of advancing, goals and directions change, and new needs arise. It has become obvious that the people preaching the advice were right on target. Team success Today I was congratulated on the number of followers I enjoy on Twitter but I couldn’t take all of the credit. I attribute the phenomenon to the once thriving community that taught the better practices for this site. A virtual assistant was taking the same classes and researched additional information. I eventually hired her to help me grow a like-minded following on a couple of the social media sites. Those of us that were in the community began to collaborate formalizing an online team. By promoting one another we grew our followings even further. Just as I was reviewing the concepts of creating team and succession, a good friend emailed me with her news. “Julie” built a successful women’s organization with chapters in major cities in the United States. She also developed chapters in foreign countries, and adopted schools in Africa to send some of the proceeds to help educate the children. Team growth and achievement Julie and I began business about the same time, and we always seem to be having similar thoughts simultaneously. She wrote to say she is very glad that her team was built from the start. Everyone who works with her has full knowledge of her intentions for business, and are trained well on how to do their job. In addition, they are given decision-making power. Over the years, her team formed a close network. Turnover is next to non-existent. Her team and teamwork have paid off greatly in every respect including loyalty. On the very same day as I was reviewing these concepts, Julie was advised to step away from being CEO. She is to hand the reigns over to someone on her team who is well groomed for the position. Julie will now become the Founding Member and Platform Speaker. When she speaks, Julie is both inspirational and motivational able to move audiences to new heights. I exclaimed it was brilliant advice. In her new capacity, Julie will be able to further showcase her company and attract additional sponsors to empower the giving portion of her business. By stepping away from being CEO, a path is also being built for her to one day sell the company to another with a very strong foundation in place. The moral of the story is to envision the final outcome of your business. How will you step out? Will you sell, hand it over to the next generation or simply walk away? Time passes quickly but your personal brand has the capacity to live on for many generations to come. Make your plan today and make it a Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, (800) 704-1499, was honored by Open View Labs with inclusion in their international list of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and the best selling career book, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press. She provides team sales training, private coaching and highly acclaimed inspirational keynotes for conferences. Elinor is available for consultation.

Starting Life Over Why its Never Too Late

Starting Life Over Why its Never Too Late I remember the months before the Great Recession all too well.  Life was great, I had two profitable businesses, and felt almost invincible.  Still, I sensed there was something wrong in the great out there.  Little did I know how accurate that sense of danger was as the international financial collapse unfolded.  Within an unbelievably short period of time, both businesses were gone, and I was left with a staggering mountain of debt. Numb comes to mind as the perfect word to describe daily life in the long months that followed. Starting life over had not been a part of the plan. Starting Life Over Weve all been through our times of loss, disappointment, and discouragement.  Certainly, it was no stranger to me.  For as long as I can remember, I fancied myself a survivor.  Bring it on!  Is that all youve got?  We may imagine ourselves super-resilient, but when the blows of reality come crashing down, the physical and emotional toll is huge.  Until we stabilize, we tread water in an attempt to get our bearings.  We try to make sense of it all, all the while searching, yearning for whats next. Theres a very average human fear of the unknown.  We like what we have, or had, and the thought of something else brings questions not only about how well fit into it but our very survival.  Sometimes, it dives all the way down to depression, which only adds to the debilitating state youre already in.  And even that may not be the end of the downward spiral.  Our guest author Dani writes of the struggle out of a depression so deep that suicide was a daily choice. Im not sure what it is, but Ive experienced it in myself and seen it in countless others.  Its like an inner safety valve.  A moment when something inside reaches its limit and by chemistry or will or the hand of fate, you say Im done with the suffering.   Its time to move on. Starting Life Over :  Its Never Too Late J.K. Rowling said, Rock bottom is the solid foundation on which I built my life.   Yes,  once youve taken the fall, and hit bottom, theres a firm place in which to begin rebuilding.  While the times immediately following a life-changing event take much from us, they also leave us with the very strongest of who we really are.  When you realize that, feel it, the cries of why me begin to change to a new found determination of lets do this. Its been my experience that at that moment, we begin our rise, as the Phoenix from the ashes.  We begin to look for resources, to re-invent ourselves.  Fortunately, we live in times when there are countless sources of quality advice and inspiration.   One of the most recent I came across was Its Never Too Late To Begin Again, by Julie Cameron. Although written with a senior audience in mind, its perfect for anyone who wants a structured program of coaching that draws on and re-kindles the creative juices within us.  Set out as a 12 week DIY course, its worth a look. As you ponder whats out there for you, dont dismiss those books and inspirational things youve had on the shelf or in your computer files for so long. You kept them for a reason, and the reason is right now.  I have a well-worn copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull that Ive read many, many times, and still find peace and inspiration in the story. Why Youre Bigger Than IT Whatever it is,  YOU are much bigger, much more powerful, much more of everything, than IT will ever be.  You have much left to do, and many lives yet to touch in ways unknown.  Just as the Phoenix, just as the re-birth of the forest after the fire, you will rise again. The Great Recession hadnt been the first time it felt like my life had burned down.  But each time, I rose again.  I decided that my past and the ordeal Id been through didnt define who I was.  Rather, it strengthened me, gave me experience to use in moving on.  You can, too.   Start now, by believing. Youve got this.  I promise. Images: Despondent Ashley Rose  Phoenix Katherine Stock

Find and Establish a Relationship With Your Social Influencers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Find and Establish a Relationship With Your Social Influencers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A business cannot thrive without customers and customers cannot come to your business unless they know about it. Without connections, you lack the social network to establish your net worth and social proof.  [tweet this] This is where marketing comes in, and word of mouth is one of the best ways to market a business or a personal brand using social influencers. Finding and developing a worthy relationship with your influencers will help catapult your brand to higher levels. This will happen through amplifying your brand’s story and reaching people far from your immediate prospects, contacts and customers. The following five tips will help you find and activate these important relationships. 1. Create a shortlist of social influencers The starting point in developing and activating a relationship with social influencers is to come up with a shortlist of about 20 bloggers, analysts, key clients and press contacts, among others. These names should be your target list to nurture. A good way to create this list is to use a mix of Twitter lists and even chat lists. You have to ensure that your choices are known in or to the industry or area you want to focus on. If they are well-known and well interacted with in the community (regional or industry based) that you’re focused on, you boost the chances of your brand growing along with “speak” on something that you have genuine interest and passion in. 2. Follow others on social media It is not just enough to create the list. You have to follow all the individuals on your list. For this, use the major social sites such as LinkedIn groups, Twitter groups, as well as relevant blogs. Doing this will show your would-be influencers that you are serious about starting and establishing a relationship with them. Start by asking them relevant questions and wait for their replies and/or comments. Your questions at first should be generalized, but then with growing rapport you become more specific. 3. Show that you care and are excited about them Once your target influencers have taken notice of you, it is time to retweet them. You should mention them in your blog posts as well as “@mention” them in your tweets. They will respond in kind knowing that you care about their thoughts and suggestions. This is a very critical step in the word of mouth marketing campaign because you are getting on the radar of your influencers. This is where they may make the first mention of your brand and your offerings. 4. Establish regular contact Ensure there is regular engagement with the influencers on your list. This doesn’t mean that you have to contact them every single day or week. It is enough just to establish regular and consistent contact. The best way to achieve this is to create an editorial calendar. This will help you nurture your influencers. 5. It is better to give than to receive Immediately there is a 2-way engagement or contact with your influencers, offer them information or resources that would be valuable to them. Of course, you need to ask to see what would be “of interest” to them. And, nothing nurtures a relationship faster and more than a genuine conversation. Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucksâ€"  a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is founder  and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of  branding  that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers. Are you busy? Here’s some quick and easy tips on  Social Marketing for busy people.

10 Disruptive HR Technology Trends for 2018 - CareerMetis.com

10 Disruptive HR Technology Trends for 2018 Source : Pexels.comTransformations in corporate operations have been taking place for several years, most of which were focused on bringing greater efficiency and profitability to organizations across nearly all verticals. Throughout the corporate arena, technology has been in the driver’s seat of these shifts, leaving no aspect of business untouched.Throughout 2018 and beyond, several disruptive forces in tech are making waves in human resource departments of companies large and small. Each has its own unique benefits giving organizations the opportunity to work more effectively, manage and attract talent based on business needs, and deliver on its promise to employees in several different areas.Here are the top ten disruptive HR technology trends happening in 2018.1. Continuous Performance ManagementevalevalCompanies need a highly engaged workforce at the foundation of operations, regardless of industry or target market. Engaging employees has become a challenge for some, however , given individuals need certain things in place to feel connected with their organization. One way many organizations are tackling the issue of low employee engagement is through continuousperformance management software.With this disruptive technology, companies have the opportunity to share corporate goals and align those with individual employee contributions which helps in creating a more engaging environment. Performance management solutions also offer a comprehensive evaluation and review system for HR departments and management, bringing the appraisal process into the modern age.2. Cloud-based SystemsMany companies have relied on the same legacy systems for several years, most of which require a combination of on-premise hardware and integrated software. HR departments are now starting to shift towardfully cloud-based systems, given these offer more ease in managing systems and processes in a streamlined, efficient manner.As technology from cloud-based providers continues to advance, many organizations are committing to this strategy as part of their technology stack moving forward.3. Career Pathing SoftwareAnother technology helping transform HR functions iscareer pathing software. With this platform, organizations can take a more systematic approach to career development, and employees are empowered to be more in control over their own career trajectories.Career pathing systems offer a strategic way to map out job scenarios based on defined competencies for each position, and they can guide employees down the path of professional development over time. The combination of career pathing functions gives employers a more clear-cut vision of skills gaps which can help with promoting internally and external recruitment efforts as well.4. People AnalyticsBig data has been a buzzword in the technology arena for several years now as companies designing software and solutions for businesses are able to collect an impressive amount of information.evalIn HR, pe ople analytics based on gathered data is becoming more popular. This disruptive technology has the ability to assist in making real-time decisions on hiring, benefits administration, and education needs across an entire organization without the traditional time and energy used by HR staff.5. Corporate TrainingevalIn addition to career pathing capabilities, organizations are jumping on the trend of modernized corporate training tools.Adding digitalplatforms for corporate learningand professional development allows employees to improve their current skills or gain new knowledge when, where, and how they want.HR technology like virtual reality-based learning is currently being developed, while remote online training programs are already being used in many companies worldwide. This trend is expected to continue advancing in 2018 and years to come.6. Self-service ModelsevalSimilar to how training and development tools are being moved to the digital world, HR departments are moving toward moreself-service modelsfor a variety of personnel functions.Using technology to offer methods for employees to engage with their benefits and compensation on their own time, as well as transitioning traditional HR roles to software-based solutions gives companies and their staff more time to focus on other tasks. The self-service model is gaining steam as a strategy for increasing efficiencies in organizations large and small.7. Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligence is a far-reaching technology that is still being developed by many tech firms around the world, but it is making its way to the HR arena now.The use of AI in human resource management can be seen in the automation low-value tasks, recruiting, evaluations, and benefits administration and service. While artificial intelligence may seem like another buzzword in technology, its ability to streamline functions in HR for the benefit of employees is vast.8. IoTSimilar to artificial intelligence,the Internet of Thingsi s a commonly heard but widely misunderstood technology disrupting HR. IoT involves interconnected devices that track activity and data and link it back to other devices or software programs, to help individuals and now, companies, gain better understanding of how things work over time.In HR, IoT connectivity offers an opportunity to gather data on employee productivity, from wellness and benefits use to daily job tasks. As more devices and platforms become connected, companies will see a more prominent shift toward IoT functionality in HR.9. Mobile CapabilitiesAnother trend in HR technology is the move toward mobile capabilities. From professional development and training to benefits and compensation, HR departments are adopting tech that allows for more seamless use of mobile devices.Part of this shift is related to the increase in the number of remote workers across companies, alongside the desire of employees to have always-on, easy access to organizational information and tools. In the year ahead, more companies will focus on adapting current solutions in HR tech for mobile use.10. Benefits Design and AdministrationThe design, implementation, and delivery of employee benefits is also undergoing a transformation thanks to updated HR technology. Companies are focused on bringing new, creative benefits to employees through a bevy of software solutions, from financial and physical wellness to paid time off and vacation tracking and scheduling. Several technology solutions are coming into the market to make the process of benefits design and administration easier for HR departments, saving them both time and money.evalHR technology comes in a variety of forms, but nearly all companies need to be aware of the most promising trends in the space for this year and beyond. Implementing one or more of these technology solutions can serve as a powerful tool for organizations wanting to modernize their HR functions while increasing employee engagement, productivity, an d overall profitability.

Happiness at work in The Dominican Republic - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Happiness at work in The Dominican Republic - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog A month ago I had the pleasure of speaking for the first time in The Dominican Republic. I was invited by Proaccion, a local consulting company who did a fantastic job advertising and arranging the event. 70 CEOs and top level managers came to hear me speak for 3 hours about felicidad en el trabajo para la rentabilidad organizacional. Theres an article about the event here (in Spanish). I want to thank everyone who came for their enthusiasm and all the great questions. People seemed really inspired and from what I can tell the people of The Dominican Republic have a great capacity for happiness in life and a massive potential for translating that into their workplaces. And I especially want to thank Zoraima, Salvador and everyone else at Proaccion for taking such good care of us. They made sure we had a wonderful time, met many great people and even found a suit for me, so I could attend the private tour of the government palace, since the palace is a no-jeans-zone. So here for the first time in years is yours truly in a suit and tie: My next international gig is in December in Greenland so a slightly different culture and climate :o) Should still be very interesting. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Grown Up Gigs Social Entrepreneur + Artist + Educator Marisa Casey - When I Grow Up

Grown Up Gigs Social Entrepreneur + Artist + Educator Marisa Casey - When I Grow Up Hear Marisas inspiring story  by  clicking here  for Episode 11 of Grown Up Gigs! From majoring in Latin American studies to getting her masters in arts administration to founding  (and closing) her own non-profit to joining the Peace Corps to helping clients with messaging and communication while being a full-time Mom Marisa Casey  has followed her lifes mission: Using photography, graphic design and storytelling to benefit mission-based organizations. Marisas story is one of following your interests and passions while keeping an eye on what only  you can offer the world. By being pro-active and creating many of her own opportunities, shes able to deliver on her purpose each and every day. Hear Marisas inspiring story  by  clicking here  for Episode 11 of Grown Up Gigs! Show Notes: Find Marisa on her website, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, Behance, on her blog and her current passion project This podcast is sponsored by branded.me, a platform for professionals to build personal websites in minutes Little Miss Bossy Family Concerts at Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Peace Corps  and Diplomatic Corp Mujeres: Cambia The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion by Elle Luna Subscribe to the podcast now so that you wont miss my next episode,where I chat with Birth Story Photographer and Online Marketing Strategist Emily Goodstein on August 6th!