QUESTION: Drawing the line between effective promotion and spam

This is a question I've asked my LinkedIn network, and I also ask here:

How do you draw the line between effective promotion and spam?

When marketing a brand or doing some other type of publicity for someone or something, there are effective ways to promote, and there are not so effective ways. How do identify, especially in the digital age in which we live, where the line between effective promotion (self- or otherwise) is and where you've crossed it?

Comments are open and genuinely appreciated!

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr self+branding

crossposted to http://danieljohnsonjr.blogspot.com

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Career strategies for using MySpace, Facebook and other social networking sites

I've listened to Peter Clayton's interview with Steven Rothberg two days in a row, because it's got me thinking about my own career strategies for using social networking sites, as well as my portfolio blog. You need to listen to this, too.

From the shownotes at TotalPicture.com:

Did you know that MySpace is the 3rd most visited U.S. website and that the average age of a MySpace user is 35? Check out this interview, which covers an overview of CollegeRecruiter.com, and an in-depth analysis - from a career strategy perspective - of MySpace, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Second Life.

Click on the player to hear the 39-minute interview:


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Alternate links that get you the content:

• Direct download (mp3) from the Total Picture Radio site
• Total Picture Radio shownotes
• Odeo audio page
• PodShow+

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr


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Ron Hittle inspired me with one sentence

"To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground." - Stephen R. Covey, via QuotesBlog

I met Ron Hittle about 3-1/2 years ago at a career workshop at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. I remember that it was an encouraging and inspiring time for me, since I was really struggling for direction in my career. The encounter and events since then have showed me how powerful connecting with one person can positively affect another.

That year I also met a recruiter in the Dayton area, and we've exchanged e-mails and phone conversations over the past three years or so, having become part of each other's professional network.

She mentioned early on that I must have met Ron Hittle.

"How did you know that?" I asked.

"From then ending of your voicemail message," she replied. "I do that, too."

Imitation, it's been said, is the sincerest form of flattery. This recruiter and I at different times had adopted Ron's way of closing a message as our own.

It's a little bittersweet that I share all of this, because a few moments ago, she called me to say that Ron Hittle passed away this weekend. He'd retired some time ago and had been dealing with some health issues, but it still came suddenly. My thoughts and prayers go up to the family, as well as those who knew Ron well. He will surely be missed.

As I mentioned, I didn't know Ron that well, but he left a lasting impression on me just from one statement from his voicemail message, because it points to my own ability to do something about my life versus letting something happen.

If you've received an email from me or have heard me sign off on my mostly music podcast, you probably already know what I'm about to say.

Most people I know usually end a conversation by saying, "Have a great day!"

Ron Hittle would say, "Make it a great day!"

Thanks, Ron. I think I will.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr ron+hittle sinclair+community+college


Find information on Diversity recruiting at DiversityJobs.com.

Blog your way to your next job

Thanks to Bryan from Monster Careers, I now point you to this article that describes How Blogging Can Help You Get A New Job.

Develop and nurture your online presence. It may lead to your next job.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking blogging daniel+johnson+jr self-branding

Job Searching vs Career Management

Jason wrote a great article about changing the way we approach job searching and career management:

I frequently think about how we think of our job transitions - we are supposed to have lots of them during our career.

I’m completely intrigued by the people who have forgotten what a forced transition is like, or by those that feel totally secure in their job (or their ability to find a new job) - and their reactions to a “job search.”

I'm finding that Career Management was easier when I was looking for work. Now that I'm working, it's harder and harder for me to stay in that mindset. I'm spending more time thinking about projects at work than my own career management.

But I try to do a little bit every day to manage my career, whether it's setting up a lunch appointment with a friend, or use my LinkedIn URL as I comment on this and many other posts. I also maintain a portfolio blog. I also look for other ways to share what I'm learning about career management.

I don't want to be misled into a false sense of job security. Right now work is going strong, but I still need to keep my eyes on the big picture.

What practical things do you do every day to manage your career?

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr career+management jibberjobber

You are a business unit

I've been reading David Schwartz's book The Magic of Thinking Big, and I'm currently going through a chapter about goals. We all should approach our lives the way businesses do when it comes to setting goals. Here's an excerpt from the chapter I'm reading:

Like the progressive corporation, plan ahead. You are in a sense a business unit. Your talent, skills, and abilities are your 'products.' You want to develop your products, so they command the highest possible price. Forward planning will do it.

Here are two steps which will help:

First, visualize your future in terms of three departments: work, home, and social. Dividing your life this way keeps you from becoming confused, prevents conflicts, helps you look at the whole picture.

Second, demand of yourself clear, precise answers to these questions:

1. What do I want to accomplish with my life?
2. What do I want to be?
3. What does it take to satisfy me?

Just like in any business unit, there is sure to be integration among the departments, but this example really has me thinking about my own life. I have been reluctant to set goals in the past because I've had a low self-confidence. Now that it's gotten much better, I'm thinking BIG and ready to set goals.

How about you? What do you think of all this?

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr goals

Brand Autopsy: A Radical Careering Preview

Talk about proactively taking control of your career:

"Radical Truth 19: Being in a crap job isn't your fault. Staying in a crap job is."

Brand Autopsy: A Radical Careering Preview

Ten Reasons Why Blogging is Good For Your Career

Tim Bray has writes about being interviewed for stories about people being fired from their jobs for blogging.

Recent pieces from AP and CNET are pushing this spin, going on and on and on about the risks. Except for, it’s all a bunch of BS. For most people, blogging is a career-booster, both in your current job and when you’re looking for your next one.

He has provided us with Ten Reasons Why Blogging is Good For Your Career, along with some discussion about having a policy for blogging in the workplace and the reasons behind the media hub-ub.

Items To Include In A Portfolio

I attended a job search seminar last year, and one of the topics we discussed was having a portfolio. I’m not going to go into the reasons for developing a portfolio; rather, I’m just going to list the items you would typically include:

• copies of your resume
• Letters of recommendation
• copy of high school/college diploma
• copies of other certificates
• high school/college transcript
• examples of work, which for me might include
  • documentation
  • printouts of GUI (graphical user interface)
  • web pages
  • ”best posts” from my blogs

Market yourself to a new job

Resume and interviewing tips for job seekers. It helps to view your resume and marketing literature for yourself.

Chill Out During the Job Interview

How to Deal With Interview Stress: Job Tip Says 'Relax'

by Caroline Levchuck

A relaxed job candidate is a confident job candidate.

Show the interviewer that you're calm, composed and in command during an
interview. He's likely to assume that you'll be rock-solid on the job too.

Use these tips to stay relaxed during an interview:

• Breathing deeply and slowly (and quietly, of course).
• Sit up straight and don't cross your legs or arms.
• Speak slowly and pause for breath often.
• Keeps your hands and jaw relaxed; no clenching.
• Smile -- it really is contagious!

Source: MyYahoo! Daily Tip from HotJobs

I've often found that writing reminders to do these things in my portfolio helps.

Holiday Gifts for Job Seekers: Career in a Box

Holiday Gifts for Job Seekers: Career in a Box
by Christopher Jones

There are two kinds of people: Those who prefer one big gift and those who prefer lots of little gifts.

If you're shopping for the latter, you can build a great gift box with
these small, inexpensive items.

• Ink Pens: Pens range from expensive and elaborate to inexpensive and simple. Go for the refillable models. Stick with black ink. No pencils!
• Business Card Case: They'll keep cards crisp and clean and prevent any awkward fumbling.
• Portfolio: Leather, cloth or fabric, preferably in dark colors.
• Notebook: Job seekers can use this to take notes during interviews. Avoid the spiral variety.
• Stationery: Choose a conservative, unlined pattern. White and off-white work well.
• Coffeehouse Gift Card: The ultimate pre-interview perk up or post-interview reward.

Include the items in a box or a gift basket. Keep the receipts and leave items in their original packaging in case your job seeker decides to return any of the gifts.

Note: this Yahoo! HotJobs Daily Tip is being reprinted in its entirety because the URL does not change for each tip that is published. Don't believe me? Go check for yourself.

6 Rules for Personal Resume Web Sites

Instead of having a hardcopy portfolio, some job seekers are now opting for an online one. This article offers rules for building such a site.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are something that you could put in a professional portfolio, for example. They are often requested in academic settings. I found some links that hopefully will help

• Michael Ernst, an Assistant Professor at MIT, offers his advice:
  • Requesting a letter of recommendation
  • Writing a letter of recommendation
• Monster.com also has some advice: Writing a Letter of Recommendation

  As an employer, coworker, or friend, you may at some point in your career be called upon to write a letter of recommendation. If you are unsure about how to go about it or simply don't know what to say, here are some tips about what to include and how to structure a typical letter of recommendation. This advice may also be useful if you request a letter of recommendation from someone who is not familiar with how to write one.

• Google Search: "Letter of Recommendation"

Credential Files: Make your transcript, letters of recommendation, references, portfolio, credentials and more available online!

You can have your credential files maintained and processed professionally, using a professional credentials processing service. There are a number of fee-based services available. With one such service, Reference Now, you can send your entire file, including confidential letters of recommendation. It's worth a look.

Tips for Using Office XP to Manage Your Job Hunt

"Looking for a job can be a big job in itself. Whether you need to write a resume, track your networking contacts, or build a portfolio, Microsoft Office XP can help you do that and more. Try these tips for using Office to help manage your job hunt.

"Graduates and other job seekers who use these tips also show prospective employers that they are proficient in using the same software tools that an estimated 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies¹ use. So once you're on the job, you can continue to use these tips to help you shine..." continued...