Article on Facebook for Job Seekers

My son suggested that I read the following article regarding Facebook for job seekers. Check out the link: http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/how-to-go-on-the-offensive-with-facebook-guy-kawasaki

We have had several discussions and I have been researching the use of Facebook by other recruiters and as a recruiter myself. This article puts a spin on the use of Social Networking, suggesting ways to play up traits that job seekers want to promote to potential recruiters.
I do think that more companies and recruiters are going to social networking sites to attract potential candidates, and many are checking out the social profiles to get a true picture of the potential candidate.

My advice is to be careful about what you post on Facebook or other social networking sites. It is never good to publicly post negative information about your current or past job, employer, or supervisor - even one of your "friends" could misuse that information, and that type of communication is a negative reflection on you. I feel that you should allow the world to see a general public profile on you, but keep the personal info, pictures, etc., "private", realizing that any posting on the internet is never completely private.

Is your email address appropriate for job search?

As I am reviewing resumes this morning that have come in over the holiday weekend, I continue to be surprised by the number of very professional resumes with non-business email addresses. This may be a small detail, and many job seekers probably have not given any thought to changing their email address for their resume and business contacts.

Most employers or recruiters will be making contact by email. If the address is long and silly, such as ezeeeeee@yahoo.com, it may give the wrong impression - as well as may be copied incorrectly. I see some that give a little too much personal information or may make the person not seem to be serious (livetogolf, ladyinthebathtub - true examples).

A better option is to set up an email with your name, simple, clear, and perhaps to maintain a separate account for all career related correspondence. Crisp, concise, professional - details to carry out in all parts of the job search. Just a thought on this Labor Day.

Sometimes taking charge of your career is like having a toothache

I discovered a dull pain in my mouth this week, debated about going to the dentist right away, but knew that something wasn't right and that waiting might only make things worse. So, I went to the dentist, was back the next day for a root canal (not totally pleasant), and am now recovering. It is a bit uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as it would have been if I didn't seek professional attention.

If someone is in a job where they aren't really advancing, not learning new skills, I feel that they might have that dull ache that something isn't right, but aren't motivated to seek help or actively start looking for new opportunities until they are forced to do so (by downsizing, poor review, or the pain/frustration becomes unbearable). If someone is employed, spending time developing contacts, learning new skills, and reaching out to other professionals will keep them energized and engaged - and open to hearing about new and better opportunities.

If it appears that looking for a new job is inevitable, an employed person can start a targeted job search if they are prepared to devote 15 hours a week, enough to gain momentum and get some meetings. It is painful at first to get started, but a job search is manageable, and taking control of one's destiny is much more positive than waiting for career decay in a stagnant position.