Maybe You’re Still Making Mistakes

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Gretchen

I believe you took my recommendations to heart last week but still want to see if there is something else you can do.

Email Addresses

We have already addressed using a professional email address, but another faux pax is using your company email. Think about it. Your current company has access to that email and may know you’re looking for a job. Also, as a recruiter, you are telling me that you will do the same thing at our company. Again, go to Gmail and Yahoo and get an email address.

Negative Attitude

You have been downsized from your position and have not come to terms with it. Get it out of your system before you go on an interview. As a recruiter I have sympathy that you lost your job, but I don’t want to hear about how horrible your past employer is. Seriously, unless you worked for the Third Reich or Castro, let it go. Bad things happen in life. Stress the positive aspects of the job and company. Be the bigger person.

Be a Know-It-All

I was trying to help an acquaintance find a position, and he shot down every suggestion. Oddly, he wasn’t a recruiter or hired people. But he felt he knew everything. He told me his resume was perfect as were his interviewing skills. I wished him luck and have never seen him again. And have no desire to.

Don’t Take Job Searching Seriously

If you’re not working, you have to work on job searching everyday. Call people, check job boards, practice interviewing, etc. If you’re too casual, don’t expect success.

Next week – unemployment offices may offer help.

 

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Podcast Recommendation – Amplified

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Gretchen

One of the newest podcasts on the 5by5 network is Amplified. Jim Dalrymple of the The Loop and Dan Benjamin host the show. It is about technology and music, primarily guitars. Jim is an excellent guitar player and writer and knows so many musicians that it is a joy to listen to.

Jim reminds me of a harder edge Andy Ihnatko of the Ihnatko Almanac in that he is a joy to listen to. Jim, like Andy, enjoys what he does. You learn about tech and music but it is not judgmental. The harder edge comes from Jim is a rocker. His Twitter picture is with Slash. Jim is just cool.

If you’re looking for a different angle on tech with a music bent, check out Amplified. Trust me, you will not regret it.

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Tech Tools – iPhone Wallet

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Gretchen

You’re traveling or out and want to keep your phone together with money and other important cards. The answer? iPhone Wallet.

The above picture is a wallet from Waterfield Design. They make the coolest bags, sleeves etc. for Apple and Kindle products. You can go broke with them if you’re not careful, but they are the highest quality and improve with age. I bought a bag from them, and it looks better and better every time I use it.

What is great about the wallet is there is room for the iPhone and cards, but you can access the iPhone without opening the wallet. I use it primarily for travel but may start trying it for normal use. While looking at the Waterfield site, I found another bag I like. Waterfield is like Levenger to me. I need to stay away.

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Re-Evaluating Your Search

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Gretchen

You’re sending out resumes, applying for jobs, networking with contacts, but nothing. Few if any interviews, few if any phone screens. What to do next? Re-evaluate.

Job Boards

What job boards are you on? Start looking at more niche job boards. Monster and CareerBuilder are broad boards that have every job on them. Do a search for accounting job boards or IT (Dice is great for IT), financial, etc. Look at trade groups and organizations to see if they have job listings. Basically, narrow your search on the job boards.

Recruiters

Contact recruiters. Look on LinkedIn, do an Internet search and talk to friends. Recruiters are always on the look out for talent. While they represent the company and not you, they need someone to present to a company. Also they will coach and work with you for interviews. Plus they cost you nothing.

Email

This may seem obvious but check your spam email. You may have an email from a company, but it went to spam instead. You need to check this daily.

Temp Agencies

Be open to working as a temp. Temp agencies hire all levels of employees, and it is a good way to get your foot in the door at a company and see what its like. Plus you’re getting paid. Too many people are too proud during a job search. Never be too proud to work.

Next week – some more common mistakes.

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Podcast Recommendation – The GTD Virtual Study Group

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Gretchen

I was introduced to Getting Things Done by David Allen in 2009. I read the book but realized I needed more insight to make this a part of my life. As I normally do, I searched for podcasts and found the GTD Virtual Study Group. This GTD Virtual Study Group is unlike any podcast I’ve listened to and had the opportunity to participate in. Its not one person talking or a couple of people but rather its a group of people who are at different stages of following GTD discussing particular aspects of the process and helping each other.

The incomparable Tara Rodden Robinson hosts and facilitates the podcast and does it flawlessly. The podcasts are a call-in phone call show that anyone can call into and participate in. After listening to several calls, I decided to take the plunge and call in. It is THE most welcoming environment, and I have made friendships with the people on the call. Plus I have learned so much more about GTD and continue to learn.

I cannot recommend this podcast and more importantly this group enough. They are an inspiring group.

 

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Tech Tools – iPad Back Covers

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Gretchen

Okay you have your iPad smart cover, but now the back of the iPad is bare and exposed to damage. The answer? iPad Back Covers.

Unfortunately, finding a good one is not as easy as it seems. There have been back covers since the advent of the iPad, but smart covers changed how effective back covers are. You have to read the description to see if they work with a smart cover. Smart covers hook on the iPad 2 and the latest iPad but not the iPad 1. I found the one above, Cimio Cover, through Amazon. I personally don’t like the hard, plastic ones but prefer the softer, more rubbery ones.

Other companies that have back covers that work with smart covers are Boxwave, Hypershop, Kensington and Speck to name a few. Many of the back covers match the smart cover colors or you can mix and match.

You can go broke buying covers and cases for your iPad. The combination of smart cover and back cover for me allows me to have minimal protection while retaining the thinness of the iPad. Its hardly the only option but want to consider if you’re wanting a minimalist approach.

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Social Media Reference Checking

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Gretchen

Last week I discussed how social media sites like LinkedIn can assist you in your job search. This week the other side of the coin – how social media sites can hurt you.

Referencing Checking

Reference checking is not the same as it used to be when recruiters checked with former employers and professional references you gave them. Now companies do criminal background checks, credit checks, education checks and social media reference checking. How do you do a social media reference check? Just google your name. Seriously, you’ll be amazed what you find. On Facebook? It shows up. Twitter? Same thing.

Should I Be Worried?

You may be thinking, so what? I’m a boring person, and my Facebook page and Twitter feed are boring too. But look at other people on Facebook. Highly inflammatory comments, obscenities and accounts of questionable behavior abound. A company may be thinking does this person exhibit the best judgment? My best advice is think before you post. There are consequences to our actions.

Big Brother

The truly scary part of this is companies who are requesting your password to check your account. I cannot see how this is legal as there is information such as your date of birth that no company has the right to ask for. In my opinion as a non lawyer, that is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would not give my password to any social media outlet to a potential employer. I would pass on this employer. You just got a sign that this isn’t a place you would want to work for.

Next week – if your search is stalling, re-evaluate.

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Podcast Recommendation – Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Gretchen

Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Guide is a short, quick podcast on how to increase productivity in one area. Podcasts are normally no longer than five or six minutes, and host Stever Robbins is witty & entertaining.

Robbins takes productivity seriously but presents it whimsically. What I enjoy most is that he will give you at least one nugget to take from the podcast to use.

For example, his most recent podcast said to put in a contact note what is the preferred way to reach someone. Most people will respond to email or a phone call or text more quickly than any other way. So in a notes field, I would put “email best way to reach”.

Next time I try to contact someone, I take a moment to check that person’s preferences and then send an email. Its a small trick, but one that can save you time.

Take a few minutes weekly to check out Get-It-Done’s Guy’s Podcast. Great listen.

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Tech Tools – Smart Covers

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Gretchen

You like the thin size of the iPad but don’t like the bulk that covers provide and cases provide. But you still want protection for the front. The answer? Smart covers.

Apple introduced smart covers for the iPad 2 and have continued them for the latest iPad. They snap on the side of the iPad and then cover the front of the iPad.

What It Does

  1. Protect the front screen
  2. Provide a stand to prop the iPad up
  3. Clean the front of the screen (somewhat)
  4. Turns off the screen when the cover is off.

What it Doesn’t Do

  1. Provide protection for the back of the screen.

Since using a smart cover, I have been sold. I love the lack of bulk it provides. Some people have had trouble with old smart covers fitting on the new iPad, but I have had no problems. Next week I’ll give some examples of how to use a smart cover and a protective back.

 

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Does LinkedIn Have Any Value?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Gretchen

Most of us have some point have signed into the social media site LinkedIn and received tons of invites from people we know, people we’ve forgotten about and vendors. I also receive requests from candidates. As such basically I have a network of people I know and don’t know. The difference between Facebook and LinkedIn is that LinkedIn is more business and Facebook is more social.

But LinkedIn can become a tool for you to network. In the old days, networking for job searching was calling people to let them know you were looking for a job and ask them to let other people know. It is still one of the most effective ways to search for a job. If you combine old-fashioned networking with people who you have a business relationship with, you can update your network of contacts exponentially.

How to Start

  1. Search old companies you worked for
  2. Find old co-workers and reconnect to them
  3. Search for recruiters in your industry and request a follow

LinkedIn Groups

  1. Check relevant groups on LinkedIn
  2. Join the groups
  3. Participate in them

The biggest thing with LinkedIn is not finding people but making contact with them:

  1. Give a recommendation for someone when appropriate and ask for one in return
  2. Make sure your contact and career information is up-to-date
  3. Start engaging with people

Next week – how social media can bite you during a job search.

 

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