Using Social Media to Find a Job

In today’s competitive corporate culture, it takes more than talent and a great resume to attract job offers.  Being that the digital age has been upon us for some time now, using social media is a great way to find a job these days.  Having a working knowledge of social media is an important skill if you want to succeed in your job search.  While it’s fun to play with social media and post pictures of yourself with family and friends, that’s not all it’s about any more these days.  You should use social networking sites to evidence your professional acumen so recruiters visiting these sites can seek you out.  Additionally, by using social media to procure a job, you might find out about new openings before they’re broadly advertised.  Getting a job in today’s market is tough.  While job search sites have many postings, actually landing a job through these services can be tough so I would highly recommend using social media to help you land that dream job.

The first thing to do is set up accounts using various social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.  Make sure you have a presence on all the major sites.  Such exposure puts you just a click away from tons of new contacts.  In regards to Twitter and Facebook, set up different accounts for personal and professional.  Follow organizations that you have an interest in coming on board with.  Join in the discussions with them and post original content that shows you have expertise in the area they are looking to hire in. 

LinkedIn is likely the best of the social media platforms to help you land a job.  It’s one of the best ways to get word of early job openings.  Look for the company tab at the top of the LinkedIn page and use the search function to find firms by name or industry.  Once you follow a firm, you’re likely to see job openings.  Make your LinkedIn profile as complete as possible.  Ask former bosses or co-workers to write you recommendations that you can post to your page.  Add people to your network who you know and also try to add others that can help you expand your network.  Join groups on the site related to the field you are looking to break into.

Use Twitter to your benefit.  As I’ve mentioned Twitter may alert you to new job openings if you are following certain firms or industry leaders.  It allows you to build relationships with trendsetters in the field who would otherwise be unavailable to you.  Respond to tweets with regularity and show off your expertise.  Post relevant content.  Discuss things you’ve achieved or post links to articles in the field you’re interested in.  Make sure your Twitter bio highlights your achievements and expertise.  While it’s difficult to sum yourself up in 140 characters, get creative.

Consider starting a blog.  You can link your blog to other social media platforms you’re engaged in.  Show off your expertise.  Write interesting articles that show you are knowledgeable about your field of interest.  Add widgets to your blog that allow others to follow you on Twitter or Facebook.  Consider adding a widget where your recent tweets appear on your blog.  Always maintain a dialogue flow.

You also might want to consider creating a YouTube channel.  Only post professional looking videos.  Make sure the camera is steady and that you are dressed professionally.  Again, discuss your achievements or talk about interesting articles you’ve read about your field of expertise.  Align yourself with good content and share it with others.  Do an Internet search for questions people are asking about your field and answer them with authority.

Brand yourself.  Everyone needs an online brand.  Find what makes you unique and capitalize on it.  “When someone visits your social media profiles, it should be distinctly ‘you.’”  Create a short, professional bio that lists your skills for all the social media platforms you are using.  Use a professional headshot.  No pictures or avatars of you with family and friends. Keeping this consistency solidifies your brand and makes it easier for potential employers to find you.

Working with social media means taking advantage of the great communication tools available on the Internet to help you find the right job at the right time.  As I’ve mentioned, this means creating consistent online profiles, joining groups, networking, blogging, even posting video content.  As times have changed so has the traditional job hunt.  Social media has exploded over the last five years so use it to your advantage when looking for a job and branding yourself.  If you use some of the tips I’ve listed here today, you just might find you’ll be ahead of the competition in finding the job you’ve always wanted.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about using social media to find a job:

“10 Smart Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search”: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-smart-ways-to-use-social-media-in-your-job-search/2

“How to Use Social Media to Find a Job”: http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2013/03/04/how-to-use-social-media-to-find-a-job/

“5 Clever Ways to Get a Job Using Social Media”: http://mashable.com/2011/06/19/get-job-using-social-media/

“9 Ways You Can Use Social Media to Get Your Dream Job”: http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/542069/10-ways-you-can-use-social-media-to-get-your-dream-job.html

Until next time…

Staying Happy at Work

It’s no secret that it’s often hard to stay happy at work especially if you aren’t your own boss, need to report to someone every day or don’t particularly like your co-workers.  Most employees dread Mondays, dream about Fridays and wish the weekend could be longer.  In this competitive corporate environment, chances are you often spend more time at the office than at home.  Being happy at work is very important to getting your job done better and becoming a success but it’s easier said than done.  Many workers have to deal with difficult bosses, backstabbing colleagues, favoritism, unfair pay and the ever dreaded office politics.  Job stress can take a huge toll on your mental and physical health.  Constantly changing your job isn’t a good option so how to stay happy at work?

First off don’t sleep in as late as possible and keep pushing that snooze button.  Try to wake up at least an hour before you need to and enjoy some “me” time.  If you have a family or kids, eat breakfast with them.  Watch your favorite news show and catch up on what’s going on in the world.  Take a long, hot shower.  Doing little things for yourself before a long day at the office goes a long way to being happier 9-5.

Plan your day ahead of time.  Set goals for yourself.  Know what you’re up against at work for the day.  Make a schedule for yourself and try to stick by it at any cost.  Of course, unexpected events come up at work daily but try to focus on accomplishing your own goals.

Dress for success.  While many companies are business casual these days and that’s often a good thing, it’s not always a bad thing to add some spice to your outfit.  As trite as it may sound, dressing well can often lead to you doing your job well or even better.  If you look good, you feel good.

Try arriving to the office a little early so that you can see what’s on tap for the day and maybe even chat with other co-workers who are there early too.  Sit at your desk and just breathe and relax.  Give yourself a little alone time before the madness of the day ensues.

Keep your office neat and tidy.  Coming in every day to a desk that is a mess can leave you feeling overwhelmed.  If you’re organized, you can do your job better.  A cluttered office often leaves your brain feeling cluttered.  Try keeping a daily planner: either a notebook or an Excel spreadsheet.  Minimize clutter and you’ll minimize distraction.

Be outgoing and friendly towards your colleagues even if you don’t like them or have fundamental differences of opinion.  Don’t engage in negative office gossip and water cooler talk.  Keep yourself out of office politics as much as possible.  Focus on doing your job well and not how others may not be doing theirs.

Engage in positivity.  If you’re in a staff meeting and are asked for feedback, try not to dwell on the negative.  While often it’s important to raise issues that are troubling, always try to end things on a positive note.  Encourage your colleagues and point out what a great job their doing. 

Be a team player.  Offer help and advice to your colleagues.  While many people find it easier to work on their own especially when they have strict deadlines to meet, don’t be afraid to offer to work on group projects or stay late to help a co-worker.  Often this might lead to them helping you in return when you need it.

Don’t waste countless hours reading junk email or playing around on the Internet.  While it’s fine to give yourself 10-15 minutes of time to connect with your friends or read an interesting article, try to stay focused on the task at hand.  If you do your job efficiently and meet your goals, you’re likely to be able to leave the office at a more reasonable hour and get home in time to spend time with family or friends.

Do your most pressing tasks first.  Get the hard stuff out of the way so that the rest of your day can run smoother and you can focus on getting a jump on longer term projects.  Your first order of business every day should be to respond to the most urgent and time sensitive phone calls and emails.  Get the difficult stuff off your plate and the rest of your day should feel more relaxing.

Always abide by company policy.  Don’t break the rules or get yourself in unnecessary hot water.  You don’t want to jeopardize your job security.  Keep to strict guidelines at all costs.

Take pride in your work.  Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.  If you have an innovative idea, take it to your boss.  Show them the strong results you’ve gotten by focusing on your work.

Most importantly, make the most of every day or in essence, make every day count.  Do your job the best you can and focus.  Don’t get distracted.  Show your boss that you’ve been a success.

Remember you might need a letter of recommendation one day so you don’t want to burn bridges or end on bad terms.  As I mentioned earlier, if you stay positive at all times, your boss will take notice and that’s how they’ll remember you if you choose to leave or they’ll use you as an example of how your peers should act.

While it’s often difficult to find a job that makes you happy, there are little things you can do every day to make yourself happier.  Take your happiness into your own hands and make it happen for yourself.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about staying happy at work:

“9 Tips for Being Happier at Work”: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2009/10/07/9-tips-for-being-happier-at-work

“24 Tips for Being Happy at Work”: http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2006/08/this_wednesday_-9/

“The Secret to Being Happy at Work”: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/mar/27/secret-to-being-happy-at-work

“8 Ways to Stay Happy at Work”: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-18/work/33845489_1_job-stress-good-music-fewer-mistakes

Until next time…

How to Retain Top Talent in Business

Many companies spend endless amounts of time and money to acquire top talent, whether through job boards or bringing on recruitment firms but many don’t know how to retain that talent once they’ve obtained them.  Companies expend countless energy on interviewing, screening and identifying leaders in their field but what are they doing wrong when that talent leaves and decides to move on to a competitor or better opportunity?  So how can you retain top talent in business?

First off, be the best boss you can be.  Be self-aware about the way you are engaging and treating your employees.  Make them feel like they are part of the team.  Point out their strengths.  Listen to their needs.  Find out what they need from you in order to do their jobs better.  Ask for feedback on how they feel you are doing your job, how they are being treated and what you can do to empower them to do their jobs better.

Empower your employees to make decisions.  “Don’t just delegate responsibility; delegate the authority people need to make decisions.”  If you don’t micromanage your employees, you’ll be surprised how much more efficient and effective they can be without having to run everything by you.  Obviously, your employees must prove themselves and earn your trust before you can let them run free, but once they have allow them to.  Your goal should be to have your employees move the company forward with little oversight.

Reduce the amount of office politics.  Don’t run a micromanaged machine.  Be a positive role model.  Don’t tolerate gossip and water cooler talk.  If you don’t like the way an employee is handling themselves and their responsibility, speak to them in private and work to resolve the issue together.  If you show your employees respect, they will be loyal in kind.

Recognize and reward hard work every chance you get.  Do this both formally and informally.  You can do this formally by offering a bonus or more responsibility if they hit their targets for the month.  You can do this informally by inviting them to lunch or sending them a note for the effort you’ve seen them put in on a daily basis.

Include your top employees in decision making.  Show them that you value their opinions about where you think the company can improve.  Show them that their efforts will help move the company forward.  Your top talent is your best resource for making your business a success.  Don’t waste it by feeling like you have to make all the tough decisions on your own.  Ask for their input.

Try offering flexible work hours.  Show your employees that you understand they have a life and responsibilities outside of the office that need to be attended to.  If they are doing their jobs well and putting in long hours, show them that they can take time off to meet personal needs and that this won’t jeopardize their job security.

Invest in training.  Show your employees that you are behind them and that you want to encourage them to do the best job they can possibly do.  Offer to pay for courses they might want to take to help improve their job performance.  Send them to conferences or panels where they can learn skills they can bring back to the company and share what they’ve learned with their peers.

Be clear about goals and expectations.  Be transparent at all times.  Make sure you are communicating with your employees on a consistent basis.  Let them know what you expect of them so that they can work hard to achieve those goals and can be rewarded appropriately.

Invest in your business.  “No star athlete wants to play for a team that’s content to coast to a mediocre record year after year.”  Stars want to play for winning teams and that’s because they want to win.  Show them that you do too.  Capitalize on new initiatives.  Explore new opportunities.  Find growth in unlikely places.  If you show your employees you want to be a leader in your field and you want them to help get you there, they’re more likely to stay with you to help you achieve that goal.

Most importantly, provide a competitive compensation package.  Offer overtime pay or quarterly and yearly bonuses for jobs well done.  If a stellar employee comes to you and tells you that a competitor has offered them a higher salary for the same role, be willing to match it.  Of course, you should think long and hard about where you spend your money but you don’t want to let top talent go.  Spending your money in the right place often means spending that money on your top talent.

While building a business with top-tier talent is difficult, it’s even more difficult to retain that talent.  If you invest in your employees, ask for their feedback, nurture them, guide them, reward them and show them that they and their opinions are valued and appreciated, they are more likely to stay put and be loyal to your company.  Not all top talent can be retained but if you take the advice I’ve given here today, you have a better shot of indeed retaining that talent.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about retaining top talent in business:

“5 Tips for Hiring and Retaining Top Talent”: http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2013/03/22/5-tips-for-hiring-and-retaining-top-talent/

“What It Takes to Retain Your Top Talent”: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/24/what-it-takes-to-retain-your-top-talent/

“Ten Tips for Engaging and Retaining Top Talent”: http://www.cpiworld.com/knowledge-center/blog/ten-tips-for-engaging-retaining-top-talent

“5 Powerful Ways to Recruit and Retain Top Talent”: http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2013/05/14/5-powerful-ways-to-recruit-and-retain-top-talent/

Until next time…