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
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• PodShow+

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


Find thousands of Bilingual jobs at LatPro.com.

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

Database of Qualified College Students and Graduates Seeking Summer and Full-time Jobs

U.S. Newswire : Releases : Labor Department Offers Employers Database of Qualified College Students and Graduates Seeking Summer and Full-time Jobs

A free database that identifies 1,913 qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities who seek summer and fulltime employment is available for the tenth year to public and private sector employers to help them meet their staffing needs:

"The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) offers employers a larger pool of skilled job candidates to choose from while offering students and graduates with disabilities more opportunity to explore or begin careers," said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "The program also fulfills President Bush's New Freedom Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the nation."

The department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is offering the WRP database of job seekers with disabilities in cooperation with the Department of Defense. Through ODEP's complimentary CD-ROM database, employers can search from a pool of pre-screened applicants who have skills in disciplines ranging from computer sciences and business to communications, engineering, office administration and more. Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data, and contact information for students from more than 200 colleges and universities in over 45 states and territories. To request a copy of the CD-ROM, send your name, company name, address and phone number to wrp@dol.gov or call ODEP at (202) 693-7880.

ODEP's portfolio of assets for employers also includes the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN). JAN is a toll-free information and referral service on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities for people with disabilities and can be reached at 1-800-526-7234 or at http://www.jan.wvu.edu. EARN, a national toll-free telephone and electronic information referral service, helps employers who have job vacancies to find and recruit qualified workers with disabilities in their localities. EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) or via its website (http://www.earnworks.com). ODEP's website is available to employers and employees at http://www.dol.gov/odep as is http://www.DisabilityInfo.Gov -- a cross-government portal on disability-related information.

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

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...