Did you know that, on average, people spend more time using Facebook and Twitter on their mobile phone than they do on computers/laptops? As this article and report point out, it’s true.
Now, we’ve looked at how Twitter and Facebook can play into your networking approach before. But as I’ve pointed out, Linkedin is still where the most potential is to make a connection that might take you to the next step in your career.
The report shows that Linkedin is #3 in mobile social networking usage behind Facebook and Twitter:
Now, it’s clear that Linkedin is a distant #3 behind Facebook and Twitter. But those two social networks pave the way for consumer social networking behavior. And if mobile phone usage is becoming the norm, then you can assume Linkedin will continue to increase, too.
So what does this suggest? Well, think about how long it takes for you to log on to your computer, log in to Linkedin and start connecting vs. simply tapping an app on your smartphone and getting to it. And consider how convenient it is to add someone to your connections via your phone within seconds of meeting them. And if you’re posting status updates that show off your expertise in a specific category, think how much more timely you can be in blasting out content and responding to your community’s comments on a mobile phone than on your computer
Needless to say, mobile phone social media and web usage is on the rise. Will you be ready to adapt, embrace and leverage it to its fullest potential?
In the day and age we live in, email, text messages and phone calls are the norm in professional communication, be it a management relationship or a networking relationship. While this is a current reality, shifting your approach could make a major impact on your career and separate you from the rest of the pack.
What I’m talking about here is meeting IN PERSON. Walking over to someone’s desk to discuss a topic instead of emailing them. Calling someone to schedule a networking meeting over coffee. Heck, even setting up a Skype session to talk face-to-face over your computer is still better than just always relying on email. Just look at the image in this post. My guess is that a majority of you have seen (or even been part of) a group like this, texting and emailing when you’re practically right next door!
So why is in-person communication so key in the workplace or when networking? Because there are things that sometimes get lost in translation through technology. You can’t pick up on body language to truly understand how someone feels about the topic you’re discussing. Plus, when you’re on email or the phone, it’s almost a guarantee that the other person is multitasking, looking at other emails, texts, etc.
Inc. did a great article titled 5 Reasons You Need To Meet in Person. The article goes into more depth on why in-person meetings are so key, and I highly suggest you read it.
Will you always be able to meet in person? No. Should you always meet in person? Again, no. I’m not saying you should ditch communication technology completely. But look for opportunities to make a personal connection – and possibly a difference in your career.
When you hit roadblocks in your career search, how are you going to respond? I tell my clients that not getting there is not an option – that we’re going to figure out how to get there and reach their goal.
And from my experience, it’s easier to reach those goals when you surround yourself with people who understand you and what you’re going through.
One of my favorite strategies as a Career Coach is putting together networking success teams – groups of people using the same methodologies and processes to find the most effective ways to get in front of people and establish meetings. The catch? If you join the group, you’re committed to helping someone else reel in the job they desire, too. If you help others, it’ll eventually happen to you. It’s the boomerang effect of life!
Whether you join an organized networking success team or find some other method, don’t try to do it alone. Having others there to support you and vice versa will help you stay positive for the good of everyone.
Last week in Chicago I spoke to a group of executives about how they can simplify and ace the job interview. I shared how to put off difficult questions but still answer them confidently, how to get hired for the job even when your experience doesn’t exactly fit their description, what to say if you’ve been fired or out of work for a while and more.
Now, if any of those specific topics really interest you, don’t hesitate to email or call me. But I’d like to shift gears now and talk about what NOT to do in an interview.
You’d be shocked how many people ruin their interview, and in a number of different ways. The PRIMARY way in my opinion as a Career Coach is that people talk about money too soon. They either 1) have the gall to ask what the job pays at the beginning of the interview, or 2) answer immediately with a number when the interviewer asks the question. Even if you get the job, if you mishandle the money question, you could deprive yourself of thousands of dollars a year. I have already written a blog post about how to strategically handle the money question, and hope you’ll spend some time with it.
I also want to direct you to a Mashable article that outlines the 5 most common ways people ruin their interview. The article provides solid insight into each way, but at a glance, here they are:
- Blow off the phone interview.
- Talk about other job opportunities.
- Provide TMI.
- Talk negatively about former supervisors or positions.
- Act cocky.
Again, read the article for deeper explanation of each of these mistakes. Any other ones you’re thinking that they left off the list?
It’s true: some people network better for their careers on Facebook than on Linkedin.
While that may defy logic (after all, Facebook has established itself as THE social network for friends while Linkedin is clearly THE social network for career contacts), I’ve had more than one client who found more success networking on Facebook.
Here’s why: some people are simply better at cultivating potential leads out of old friendships than they are new ones. They feel they’ve earned the trust of those they’ve friended on Facebook, whereas they don’t know their Linkedin contacts as intimately.
If this is you, then take comfort in the fact that Facebook is indeed an appropriate place to network professionally (unless every single status update you put out there is about needing a job or begging for leads!). In fact, Facebook launched BranchOut to assist you in such a way. As this article points out, college kids who are graduating this May are already all over it – but clearly, you don’t have to be a recent college grad to leverage its offerings!
How about you? Ever had any professional networking success on Facebook?
I’m very excited to present “From Hi to Hired…How to Simplify and Ace The Interview” this Thursday at the Executive Network Group (ENG) in Chicago! If any of you (or someone you know) is in Chicago, I hope you’ll join us!
Here’s what ENG sent out to attendees this week:
Your resume gets you the interview, but the interview gets you the job. Learn from an expert on how to ace your next interview and stop bad interviewing habits that might prevent you from landing an offer. On May 3, ENG welcomes a dynamic guest speaker, David Hults, an internationally recognized author, speaker and career coach, who will talk on, “From Hi to Hired….How to Simplify and Ace the Interview”.
After our speaker, we will hold three 30 minute networking sessions to assist with target company contacts and referrals. Join us afterwards for social networking at Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub.
LOCATION:
Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 2nd Floor, www.ahml.info , 500 N. Dunton Ave, (847) 392-0100
MEETING FEES:
ENG MEMBERS $5.00. Individuals can join ENG at the meeting for a $100 tax deductible fee.
GUESTS $20.00 (Guest attendance is limited to 40 people and is on a first come first serve basis). Prior registration is not required. The guest fee is applicable to full membership if one joins within one month.
NOTE: Attendees should bring at least 25 one- page hand bills and have at least 5 target companies identified.
Meeting Schedule:
12:15-12:45 Registration and informal networking
1:00-2:00 Guest Speaker
2:00-2:30 General Announcements
2:30-2:45 Break with refreshments
2:45-4:30 3 Networking Sessions (Groups of 7)
4:30-5:30 Peggy Kinanne’s Irish Pub
(8 Vail Street – 4 blocks from library)
No reservation is needed, but guest seating is limited. Last month’s meeting drew over 125 attendees due to our world class speakers and quality networking with other six figure executives.
Twitter continues to be a polarizing social media channel when it comes to the job hunt. So many people tell me, “David, I don’t get Twitter. I think it’s overwhelming and I don’t see how it could ever help me find a new job.”
I get why they say this. Twitter has its own language. And if you’re just using Twitter.com (as opposed to a third party Twitter app like Tweetdeck to streamline and organize your tweets), it’s easy to get overwhelmed with a never-ending feed of tweets. Not to mention the fact that Linkedin is a much more career-focused social channel in which you can easily connect with people you want to network with.
But I beg you to not write off Twitter. If used correctly, it has value. Now, I’ll warn you, it takes some time and effort to really leverage Twitter to its fullest. But if you do invest time, I predict you’ll recognize the value in almost no time.
I encourage you to start here - an article titled “Tweeting for jobs: Tips for the Twitter job search.” It features 10 well defined, very tangible tips on how to maximize your Twitter presence to make strategic networking connections and present yourself as an expert in your field.
Check out the article, and give Twitter a chance.
And if you’re an avid Tweeter, I’d love to hear how it’s helped YOU professionally!
Per this article and a new study from TheLadders, recruiters spend an average of six seconds before deciding whether a resume is a “fit” or “no fit.”
The study analyzed the eye movements of recruiters, revealing their visual patterns. Per the article:
In the short time that they spend with your resume, the study showed recruiters will look at your name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates, and education.
The two resumes below include a heat map of recruiters’ eye movements. The one on the right was looked at more thoroughly than the one of the left because of its clear and concise format:
So, what can we take from this? First off, resumes – while essential – can often be over-thought. This study proves that resumes are truly a formality. People who spend a majority of their time on a resume hoping it will help them get their foot in the door aren’t being realistic. Networking is still your best bet at “getting in.”
Secondly, it shows us where to focus. It’s clear that you need to make sure your name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates, and education are easy to find via browsing o your resume, ensuring the recruiter sees your relevant experience and education and puts you in the “fit” pile.
Do you find this new information surprising? Are there any other key findings that stood out to you?
Some of you reading this blog post are out of a job and looking for a new one. Others are happily employed but (hopefully) are aware that things could always change.
The question is this: if you find yourself out of work, what if you DON’T land a job immediately?
None of us like to think about the fact that things may not progress as quickly as we think they will. But the truth is that no matter how good we are in our given profession, we’re living in urgent times.
Sometimes people come to me way too late in the game. They’re about to lose their houses, they’ve resorted to cashing in retirement plans, and they ask me what they should do now. The sad truth is that they should’ve thought that through earlier.
That’s why you must have an A, B, C Plan:
- A Plan: What you hope will happen immediately.
- B Plan: What you’ll do if Plan A is taking longer than expected.
- C Plan: This is your “worst case scenario” plan – what you’ll do if things are taking significantly longer than expected and you’re running out of savings.
That’s why I urge all of my clients to set up a timeline that then drives their A, B, C plan, exploring how long they can last before getting a solid outcome. Here’s an example:
- A Plan: Transition from my previous job to a new one in under a month.
- B Plan: Begin part time work until I land the career I want or the education I need.
- C Plan: Sell my home, lower my expenses and start over.
I know this isn’t a fun subject to focus on. Heaven forbid you have to pout your A, B, C Plan into effect. But trust me, if you do, you’ll thank yourself for thinking it through ahead of time!
If you’ve ever gone fishing, you probably have a story about “the one that got away” – the fish that, had you been able to reel it in, would be mounted on your wall, proudly boasting your achievement as a fisherman (or fisherwoman!). But by some stroke of poor luck, it simply slipped away.
Most of us have experienced something similar when it comes to the job search. You know you’re the perfect fit. But before you can even get an interview, the opportunity swims away. And – just like with that darn fish – we can’t stop thinking about it! We obsess. “What did I do wrong?!?”
What it usually comes down to is that we don’t use the right networking techniques and strategies necessary to be successful.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Networking is the key to reeling in the catch of your career. I even wrote a book about it, From Fish Story To Success Story, in which I break down a variety of networking strategies and best practices that will help you make the right connections and maximize your network.
Now, this post wasn’t meant to try and sell my book. Its purpose is to remind you that you have options. Just as a fisherman tries different bait and lures, you must try different approaches to networking. Whether it’s a book, insight from a Career Coach or simply getting your attitude in the right place, a focused strategic networking approach will help you reel in the big one!
How about you? If you’ve been there before, please share what it is about networking that you had to learn before you could reel in your career catch!