Tony Pogo by The Plus Group The Plus group - Helping Staff America

Archive October 2008

I googled you! How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 1

C'mon, everyone's done it. You have googled yourself at least once. What did you find? Evidence that you're a valuable employee? Examples of your best writing and highest accomplishments? Or a tagged Facebook picture of you in the third row at Jimmy Buffet with a half gallon margarita in your hand?

Your online identity says a lot about you – fairly or unfairly. Prospective employers have access to the same internet you do, and whether it's ethical or not, they may just enter your name in the search field to get a better idea of what kind of person you are. Sure, it might seem nosy or intrusive, but in a competitive market, you need to be sure that your online identity reflects your best self.

This is the first in a series of blog entries that will discuss how the Internet effects your search for a job. It's fun to maintain a myspace or Facebook page. But there are ways you can present your best self to prospective employers, and use professional tools sites like Linkedin to network and promote yourself.

Social Networking Dos & Don'ts for Applicants

DO clean up your profile. Be proactive and review all your photos, blog posts and links to other personal sites. After you interview is not the time to do this, you may have been screened already. Take the time to remove incriminating pics, overly-personal blog entries and links to the embarrassing website you created in 1998. Do it now.

DON'T rely on the 'private' status of your profile to ensure that your information remains hidden. Savvy recruiters and HR pros know the work-arounds of these sites, and may see your profile whether you like it or not.

DO be careful who you link to, and who you add as "friend". So what if Facebook thinks Tommy from your 8th grade class is "people you may know". It isn't until you add him as friend that you know he's logging on in prison. Stick to people you wouldn't be embarrassed to introduce to your mother and you should be fine.

DON'T be negative about your current job, or bemoan your unemployed status. Isn't it obvious? No one wants to hire someone that is prone to complaining and negativity – especially if they're willing to go public with it.

DO join groups, selectively. There are good groups for job searchers, and there are bad. Joining a group that applies to your industry, your college alums or a favorite sports team is a great idea – it can help you network and also give recruiters and idea of the kind of well rounded, impassioned person you are. But joining "I put Doritos on my sandwich" group (an actual thing!) does little for your image, or your social network. Be selective.

DON'T create goofy email addresses or avatars. Vodkaqueen009 does little to instill confidence in potential employers. DO keep your work related and personal profiles separate. A professional networking site like Linkedin allows you to connect to important professionals and colleagues, without notifying them every time you add photos of your very adorable puppy.

DON'T blog all day or update your status every five minutes. Hiring professionals may see the constant stream of activity and wonder, "Do they ever actually WORK?"

Common sense, as always, should dictate your actions. Think before you click, and tune in next time for: "I googled you!" How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 2 – Blogging

posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments

Resume Tipster Now Available

I've been busy compiling tips for you job seekers, this time about creating a resume that sells your unique skills. Check out this helpful Resume Tipster to revitalize your resume today. Whether or not your currently job hunting, updating and spiffing your resume is a great exercise, and it ensures that when that golden opportunity arises, you'll be ready to hit 'send'.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments

Resume Tipster Now Available!

I've been busy compiling tips for you job seekers, this time about creating a resume that sells your unique skills. Check out this helpful Resume Tipster to revitalize your resume today. Whether or not your currently job hunting, updating and spiffing your resume is a great exercise, and it ensures that when that golden opportunity arises, you'll be ready to hit 'send'.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/22/2008 | 0 comments

Chin Up!

Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy.

Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Review website.

Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators.

Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training.

Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices."

Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising.

The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments

Chin Up!

Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy.

Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Reviewwebsite.

Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators.

Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training.

Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices."

Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising.

The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments

Chin Up!

Well, this tree frog knows what's on everybody's mind these days: the economy.

Luckily the latest issue of SI Review just published an article with some advice on how Staffing Firms can keep strong in a down economy. The article looks to eight staffing firms, from small to large, for indications of industry trends, and examples of how different firms are coping with an uncertain economy. Since I'm an incurable optimist, I'm going to focus on the ways that staffing firms making the best of a hard time. To read the full article by Bridget Mintz Testa, visit the SI Reviewwebsite.

Specialize – The key trend that is helping staffing companies stay afloat is specialization. Staffing companies with a niche are over-all faring better than their more generalized. The most sought after employees are Engineers, but professional fields including sales, accounting and finance, IT, biotechnology and life sciences are also hot. Many so-called blue-collar jobs are also strong areas for specialists: machinists and machine operators, skilled trades, technicians, mechanics, laborers and production operators.

Increase Efficiencies – One way all companies can cope with an economic downturn is to make their processes more efficient. Now is a good time to review your various internal departments and for ways to cut back on overhead and reign in expenses. Streamline your processes with emerging technology and utilize external specialists for things like IT, accounting and training.

Make the Most of what You've Got – Nearly every company interviewed saw downturns as opportunities to invest in training for internal personnel. Said one top exec for Winter, Wyman, "We make the existing staff more productive. We spend more time in training and developing people, focusing on productivity and management practices."

Don't Stop Marketing– It can be a temptation to reduce costs by cutting your marketing budget, but undercuts your growth potential in a serious way. Terra Hull, Executive VP for the BOSS Group says, "When things get tough, we do get lean and mean, but we try not to cut marketing initiatives. That's how we continue to gain ground." Marketing consistently through lean times keeps you visible, and ensures your existing customers that you are still strong. Look to non-traditional marketing platforms, such as PR and viral marketing, that can be lower cost than traditional advertising.

The upturn will happen, everyone is confident in that. And when it does, companies will look to our industry for the talent to turn things around.

posted by TonyPogo at 10/1/2008 | 0 comments

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Tony PoGo is an authorized agent of The Plus Group, Inc.- providers of staffing services including long-term staff augmentation, temporary, temp-to-hire, direct placement and performance-based project work. 1-800-STAFFING - www.theplusgroup.com