Career Collective post: Once a month, a group of career professionals blog on a subject topical and timely for a job seeker. We’ll post our thoughts on our own blog and link to the post of our colleagues on the same topic.
This month’s topic: Things job seekers should keep an eye on in 2011 (trends/tools/hiring practices)
Responses from others contributors linked at the end. Follow the hashtag #CareerCollective on Twitter.
A few weeks ago on Twitter, Kim Woodbridge (@KWBridge on Twitter and my brilliant WordPress support person) tweeted this user-name-availability site. I follow Kim on Twitter not only because she has a wicked sense of humor, but also because she’s a great resource for all things web. When I followed the link, I thought I’d find perhaps 20-30 sites. Instead I found four columns listing 37 sites each for a grand total of 148 potential places to interact with other online.
I was astounded. This list, while certainly extensive, doesn’t even touch on the thousands of interaction opportunities in smaller niched communities. We do love our social media.
I did a quick calculation. Taking 10 minutes to put up a profile on each on the 148 sites listed would take almost 25 hours. Of course, a user probably wouldn’t sign up for all those sites, but you can see how easily online networking can become a major focus just from the sheer enormity of opportunities.
True. A positive online presence serves you well in a job search and a career. And well-managed time invested in building an online network is worth it. However, the depth and breadth of long-term relationships and solid professional networks comes from layering in one-on-one personal interactions and multiple communication methods.
Networking into a new position certainly isn’t a new trend for 2011, but certainly is one to be watched and used. With all the new tools and resources emerging via social media, it’s important to remember to mix up methods. Pick up the phone and call. Send an unexpected email. Or perhaps, dash off the occasional, snail-mailed, hand-written note.
In today’s job market your network, your mentors and your skills must be portable as you shape your career. Give to, care for and keep your network robust so it’s there when you need it for support.
I won’t tell you how to network in this post. I’ve written on that topic several times before and Googling brings back literally millions of articles covering that topic. Networking is about building relationships and helping each other (AKA: friendship.)
I will tell you how memorable (and fun) it is to answer the phone and have someone I met online or haven’t heard from in ages on the other end. Bottom line: If all the “kids” are bonding virtually, be sure to set yourself apart with some old-fashioned telephone conversations and friendly emails. This market is all about differentiation.
Here’s what my colleagues have to say:
Social Media Recruiting to Grow Further in 2011, @debrawheatman
Another Year, Another Job Search Begins, @GayleHoward
In 2011, Increase Your Prospects With Better Differentiation, @WalterAkana
4 Lessons Learned From Job Search in 2010, @Careersherpa
Your Career Action Plan for the New Year, @KatCareerGal
Trends Job Seekers Should Look For in 2011, @erinkennedycprw
Things Every Job Seeker Should be Thinking About in 2011, @expatcoachmegan
Let your presence be known or send out a red flag, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes
How to find a job in 2011: Pay attention to emotional intelligence, @Keppie_Careers
2011 Employment Trends Supercharged with Twitter, @KCCareerCoach
3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness
Everything old is new again @DawnBugni
Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords
Career Tools to Check Out in 2011, @barbarasafani
What Was in 2010, What To Expect in 2011, @chandlee
The Future of Job Search: 3 Predictions and 2 Wishes, @JobHuntOrg
Link to this page
Dawn,
Love this advice on mixing it up with a little bit of the traditional networking strategy to boot.
Before I started my own private practice, I worked at Dartmouth College. While Dartmouth is situated in a relatively rural location on the border of New Hampshire and Vermont, the school has always been tech savvy–in fact it was one of the first wireless campuses in the U.S. and has a world-renowned Computer Science department.
Dartmouth loves their e-mail so much that phones have almost been obsolete for years–in fact, we were trained to dial 8 to call off-campus because too many people accidentally dialed 911 so they switched to 8. (Phones just weren’t used as regularly as e-mail, known effectively as “blitzmail.”)
Before I started to work at Dartmouth people told me, if you really want to get attention, pick up the phone! It worked like a charm for getting things done.
Thanks for sharing this innovative technique with a life-long fan of the landline.
Chandlee Bryan
Chandlee –
Loved your story. There was a time when faxing was the way to get noticed or email or whatever was the new and shiny thing of the time. The important take away is do something different once in a while for better results.
Thanks for stopping by. Great add!
[…] Everything old is new again @DawnBugni […]
[…] Everything old is new again @DawnBugni […]
[…] Everything old is new again@DawnBugni […]
[…] Everything old is new again @DawnBugni […]
Thanks Dawn:
Great post! So true, so scary on how much time is consumed in completing profiles. It appears a new site that you “must be on” arrives each day. Picking and choosing the value each will bring is so crucial.
Yes, kids are bonding virtually. A friend of mine her daughter mislaid her iPhone at a New Years party. She is devastated and is lost!
Martin –
You’re so right, picking and choosing the value of any type of networking (virtual or in person) is crucial. Variety, moderation and a dose of common sense helps in creating an effective balance.
Good point. Thank you.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dawn Bugni, Gayle Tabor. Gayle Tabor said: RT @DawnBugni Everything old is new again http://bit.ly/ggr8ck […]
Hi Dawn:
This is gold: “Networking is about building relationships and helping each other (AKA: friendship).” This is why you are such a fabulous networker, Dawn — you practice what you preach!
Another practical, energizing value-add to the Career Collective consortium!
Thanks! … to someone I consider both a friend and colleague!
Jacqui
Jacqui –
Thank you. I appreciate both your kind words and more importantly your friendship and professional support.
I always love it when you drop by. Especially when you bring alliteration. 🙂
[…] Everything old is new again @DawnBugni […]
[…] @KCCareerCoach 3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness Everything old is new again @DawnBugni Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords Career […]
How right you are, Dawn. At some point job seekers have to face a real person during an interview. If they don’t keep their interpersonal and articulating skills sharp before that moment, all that was worked for can be lost. It’s a fool who thinks that the mind and mouth are always in sync. Even a professional singer warms up his/her voice before going out on stage! This was GREAT! Thanks, ~Dawn
Excellent point you made Dawn about being able to face/interact with a real person during an interview.
“It’s a fool who thinks that the mind and mouth are always in sync.” <-- Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you. You always bring wonderful things when you visit.
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Happy New Year, Dawn!
Thanks for pointing out how important it is to learn and practice social skills, to focus on building and nurturing genuine relationships, and avoid using just one method to connect/communicate. I think you are absolutely right that many (including those in job search) may neglect to strive for balance in their social and professional interactions. It’s always helpful to have a reminder of such tips — especially one as clearly articulated as yours.
Shahrzad
Shahrzad –
You hit the nail on the head. Balance(and moderation) is key in everything — from day-to-day life to job search.
I appreciate you kind words. Happy New Year to your too!!!
Nice job reminding us why we do what we do. You twitter follow the people who are worth following for you. Whether because someone is a great resource or “wicked funny”, it’s about the draw. And, as you said, that’s networking -building relationships. And you’re someone who lives by this code.
Hi Rosalind –
Thank you! I’m glad I have the pleasure of you in my network. 🙂
Thanks Dawn! I’m not sure if my priorities are in order but I am way happier to have someone think I am funny than I am that she thinks I am good at my job 😉
I used that site to find out where I have profiles so I could get rid of the ones I don’t use and/or change the passwords. I’m a little concerned that I have created profiles at sites that I don’t even remember …
Your priorities are right where mine are woman! Life’s too short not to laugh through it. I’ve always heard humor is a sign of intelligence … and we’re both hilarious. (HA!)
Funny and excellent at your job … perfect mix!!
Dawn,
Great post! Being strategic about networking is absolutely essential to being successful at initiating and building those relationships which will help job seekers find that next right opportunity. Mixing it up and leveraging social media to increase the breadth and depth of relationships as you recommend is so important. Finding the right mix is affected by your style, market and targets…not a simple process necessarily…but an important one to insure you truly capitalize on the power of networking in 2011.
My best,
Megan
@expatcoachmegan
Dawn,
So true. Some of my best contacts are online all day. Some never touch Facebook or Twitter. But that doesn’t make them less valuable to my network. I just need to “court” them in a different way. A contact recently sent me a beautiful hand-written note. I was touched. Sometimes the old fashioned approach really works.
Absolutely agree with the opinion, snail-mail and handwritting stuff is cool and impressive for most of us, and of course to the recruiters.
[…] and people will be more likely to connect with you. Loved the value-added comment in the retweet Dawn Bungi sent to share this post: Would you walk into a room full of people & not say a word? // […]
I like mixing up my methods and doing things the traditional way! Letter writing is a pleasurable evening activity for me using silky smooth, high quality writing paper and and ink pen. It’s amazing how delighted people are to receive a *real* letter! I’m also getting to talk to and meet people I’ve met through Twitter – it’s great. We humans are social beings and making the time for others is necessary, rewarding and fun. Thanks, Gee.
[…] @KCCareerCoach 3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness Everything old is new again @DawnBugni Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords Career […]
Great post, Dawn, and oh, so true! “This market is all about differentiation.” That’s the perfect summary of today’s job market – if you don’t stand out, in some positive way, you are definitely at a disadvantage. Excellent concept to keep in mind when job hunting today!
[…] Everything old is new again @DawnBugni […]
Very interesting – I just stumbled onto your blog and I love it!