Archive October 2008
I googled you! How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 2I know all about blogging on the job. The Plus group, like many companies, sees the value an impassioned tree-frog/employee can bring to the blogosphere. I can discuss matters of importance to me, as a staffing expert, with the rest of the folks at the Plus Group. It also let's the rest of the world know that The Plus Group is always striving to stay on top of the latest trends, hiring practices and staffing news. If you're compelled to blog on the job, or about your job, here are some things to keep in mind. Blogging can greatly influence your job search, your relationship with your current employer, and can even have legal implications. So before you login, read up! Who are you talking to anyway, and why? Basically there are two types of employee blogs: those intended for reading internally, by other employees, and those for the external public. Both are potential landmines, or goldmines, for bloggers and the employers who have them. If your purpose in blogging is to provide a forum for unfiltered communication between employees, then keep it positive, while remaining open and honest. Blogs can provide a great forum for brainstorming, idea sharing and keeping lines of communication open. They can become harmful if they are a repository of whining, sniping and gossip. If potential employers find your blog, they'll see how you've used it to generate new ideas, and encourage employee dialogue without exploiting it as a platform for griping. Be especially careful of blogs intended for reading by the general public. Many companies have developed Blog Writing Guidelines in the aftermath of several lawsuits by high-profile employers like Google and Delta Airlines. Find out if your company has an Employee Blog Guidelines? If not here are few good rules, paraphrased from Yahoo! Personal Blog Guidelines, to abide by: 1. Know your legal liability: If you defame or libel your company or any individual within the company, YOU are responsible. Also know that any confidential, proprietary or trade information is definitely off limits. 2. Be respectful and thoughtful: Rants and diatribes will only hurt your own reputation and tarnish you in the eyes of future employers. Providing context and support for your opinions legitimizes them, and opens the door for more meaningful discussions of your complaints or observations. To simply say "My boss stinks!" or "I love retreats!" doesn't really add anything to the conversation, unless you provide the reasons why. 3. Just the facts ma'am. Don't post based on rumor or hearsay. And if you want to write about something outside your area of expertise, look to a fellow employee who knows more about the topic than you do. By presenting actual facts, you help t clarify communication, not muddy it. And you also avoid the possibility of being libelous. Non-employee Blogs Many bloggers don't talk about work at all. People tend to blog about what they are passionate about. That may be sports, music, pets, politics… the sky's the limit. But if you're searching for a job, you may want to think twice about starting a blog about a controversial or potentially offensive subject. A good guideline is: if you wouldn't want your parent to read your blog, you wouldn't want a prospective employer to read it either. In many cases, employers are forbidden from discriminating on the basis of political views, and can only use information relevant to the position to make their hiring decision. On the other hand, whatever your political views, if you come across as overly negative, or even aggressive, that can be used to gauge whether you are a good fit for the position. Why blog at all then, if it is so risky? Handled in a smart and responsible way, blogging or maintaining a personal website can be a powerful marketing tool. It can demonstrate how well you communicate. It can serve as a chronicle of your achievements, and provide insight into your personality that a resume can't. In today's competitive job market, an applicant needs every tool at their disposal. So keep on blogging. Just be smart about it.
posted by TonyPogo at 11/7/2008 | 0 comments |
I googled you! How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 1I know all about blogging on the job. The Plus group, like many companies, sees the value an impassioned tree-frog/employee can bring to the blogosphere. I can discuss matters of importance to me, as a staffing expert, with the rest of the folks at the Plus Group. It also let's the rest of the world know that The Plus Group is always striving to stay on top of the latest trends, hiring practices and staffing news. If you're compelled to blog on the job, or about your job, here are some things to keep in mind. Blogging can greatly influence your job search, your relationship with your current employer, and can even have legal implications. So before you login, read up! Who are you talking to anyway, and why? Basically there are two types of employee blogs: those intended for reading internally, by other employees, and those for the external public. Both are potential landmines, or goldmines, for bloggers and the employers who have them. If your purpose in blogging is to provide a forum for unfiltered communication between employees, then keep it positive, while remaining open and honest. Blogs can provide a great forum for brainstorming, idea sharing and keeping lines of communication open. They can become harmful if they are a repository of whining, sniping and gossip. If potential employers find your blog, they'll see how you've used it to generate new ideas, and encourage employee dialogue without exploiting it as a platform for griping. Be especially careful of blogs intended for reading by the general public. Many companies have developed Blog Writing Guidelines in the aftermath of several lawsuits by high-profile employers like Google and Delta Airlines. Find out if your company has an Employee Blog Guidelines? If not here are few good rules, paraphrased from Yahoo! Personal Blog Guidelines, to abide by: 1. Know your legal liability: If you defame or libel your company or any individual within the company, YOU are responsible. Also know that any confidential, proprietary or trade information is definitely off limits. 2. Be respectful and thoughtful: Rants and diatribes will only hurt your own reputation and tarnish you in the eyes of future employers. Providing context and support for your opinions legitimizes them, and opens the door for more meaningful discussions of your complaints or observations. To simply say "My boss stinks!" or "I love retreats!" doesn't really add anything to the conversation, unless you provide the reasons why. 3. Just the facts ma'am. Don't post based on rumor or hearsay. And if you want to write about something outside your area of expertise, look to a fellow employee who knows more about the topic than you do. By presenting actual facts, you help t clarify communication, not muddy it. And you also avoid the possibility of being libelous. Non-employee Blogs Many bloggers don't talk about work at all. People tend to blog about what they are passionate about. That may be sports, music, pets, politics… the sky's the limit. But if you're searching for a job, you may want to think twice about starting a blog about a controversial or potentially offensive subject. A good guideline is: if you wouldn't want your parent to read your blog, you wouldn't want a prospective employer to read it either. In many cases, employers are forbidden from discriminating on the basis of political views, and can only use information relevant to the position to make their hiring decision. On the other hand, whatever your political views, if you come across as overly negative, or even aggressive, that can be used to gauge whether you are a good fit for the position. Why blog at all then, if it is so risky? Handled in a smart and responsible way, blogging or maintaining a personal website can be a powerful marketing tool. It can demonstrate how well you communicate. It can serve as a chronicle of your achievements, and provide insight into your personality that a resume can't. In today's competitive job market, an applicant needs every tool at their disposal. So keep on blogging. Just be smart about it.
posted by TonyPogo at 11/7/2008 | 0 comments |
I googled you! How the Internet Changes the Job Search Game Part 1C'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 AvailableI'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 |
