Month: April 2009

Categories
don't speak...don't speak!

500 a day

I’m usually a bit more comfortable writing because I am a firm believer in the standard, write about what you know. I don’t know much about this. After several attempts I’m finding it difficult to feel comfortable because I know nothing about this. Not that I know anything really about the other things I write about here. But at least I feel I have some personal experience with the topics.

So bear with me, while I venture into some uncharted territory from time to time.

12/2009

That’s Mel, Colette and me, from Christmas at the Krols! Friends indeed, two from a short list of about 6 of my dearest and nearest friends.

Two weeks ago Colette found out that she has breast cancer. I read today that more than 500 woman a day are diagnosed. Wednesday a CT Scan, Thursday the Oncologist, Friday the plan is to cut our hair. More later,  and maybe another photo.

Categories
rant

25 good steps…

I will admit that my ideas about recruiting are different than some recruiter’s.  (At least in my own little world.)  As a recruiter applying for different opportunities … well I’ll just say more times than not I question the profession.

There are very good recruiter’s, good one and bad ones.   Everything moves at almost lightening speed these days, staying current isn’t the easiest thing to do. And not every company adequately staff’s the staffing department. Big or small, whether you like it or not your recruiter’s reflect your company.  If not the first then it’s the second contact people have with an organization.  And we all know about first impressions.

I’ve never claimed to be an expert on anything.  I don’t know anything really.  But I know that I have to read, research, talk to and engage with many people and step outside of that box and sometimes talk to people who don’t have the experience I need at the moment because they may know the person or be the next person I need to hire.

I fell into recruiting by accident.  Now I’m trying to step out of it, sort of? Or at least approach it differently so that I might lead me down a different path.

I’m calling myself a Social Media Recruiter right now when necessary.  But it is more than that, it’s Practitioner, Coordinator and maybe even student.

This great blog 25 Steps to Choosing a Social Media Consultant, is right on, on SO many levels!

Categories
don't speak...don't speak! that social media place

4 C’s

Once again unemployment is high. What do you do?

For the last 15 years or so I have been listening to people talk about their future. I have to admit that going to school to study photography, film and television; I really thought that I would be listening to people talking and pitching film ideas. Best-laid plans right?

First and foremost, you have to network. It is a bit easier today with all the social media outlets. Facebook has groups, as does LinkedIn and Twitter allow you to follow companies and people at those companies to gain insight into their environment.

I’ve never been good in a crowd. Mingle isn’t my thing. But what I can do is talk to a group about being prepared for that future. The mindset to prepare hasn’t changed so much but the tools and resources available sure have. Where to start?

First, take a breath, relax and put together a plan. Make a list of everyone you know. EVERYONE! I say try to get to 50. In a workshop a couple months ago on this suggestion one woman said, “hey I still have the address list together from my wedding!” EVERYONE. Then contact each and every one of those individuals telling them you are looking for work and what you are looking for. Check them off as you go through the list. And determine whom you will follow up with and at what intervals. I’ve said this for years, you just never know. You just don’t know where your next lead will come from. I heard someone say, be careful of the feet you step on today they may be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.

Work on a financial road map. Get clear what you can and are willing to do and do without. Target specific companies and make sure you take full advantage of that thing, that place that is Social Media.

I’ve watched people for years apply to jobs with no real consideration of the company that they are potentially going to work for. Again, a bit easier today with the Internet, Facebook, LinkedIn and that Twitter. There is no reason in the world today for someone to take a job at a company that they don’t know everything about.

Using Social Media to enhance your job search comes with specific obligations and responsibility. I’m going to pull some numbers out of my hat. If you read 5 articles about Social Media, I bet that 2 of them will talk about brand. Yes you and I need to think about the image that we paint in the public social space.

I read a great article today by Carrie Wilkerson the @Barefoot_Exec, what she says about your social network and how she draws traffic. It’s the four C’s, character, conversation, content and consistency. You should also apply this to your job search. I think it will keep you from heading down the wrong path.