If you are targeting a specific company to hire you, you'll love LinkedIn's new "Follow Company" feature. The functionality sends you notifications on activity within the company such as hires, promotions, new job opportunities, and profile changes - all information that can help you land a job.Every company has a "Follow" link where you can see a list of followers and learn more about them. So whether you're sizing up the competition or trying to get noticed by a specific organization, this new LinkedIn feature could have a serious impact on job seekers. Expect companies to start doing more to promote their LinkedIn profiles in order to streamline the recruitment process.Users control how often they receive updates, an important feature considering that larger companies could have dozens of updates a day.The downside of "Follow Company" is that if you are relieved of your duties, there's no more going quietly into the good night. If a person is following the … [Read more...] about New LinkedIn Feature WILL Help Job Seekers
Archives for April 2010
How Freelancers Can Avoid Common Business Headaches
Freelance workers need a good PR campaign. It used to be considered glamorous when someone left the rat race to start their own dream business. Now people have begun to start businesses and take freelance or independent contract jobs out of pure necessity. Layoffs and long stretches of unemployment have left many people with no choice.Of course, there are perks to working for your self. I’ve been self-employed for most of the last 16 years. I’ve yet to have a boring meeting with myself or have my boss berate me in front of co-workers. So while there are still plenty of positives to the freelance life, there are distinct challenges. Getting paid is one of the big ones.A recent Wall Street Journal article, “More Freelancers Fight to be Paid,” by Joe Light explores the issue of those pesky Accounts Receivable. Light cites a survey released by the New York-based Freelancers Union that says “about 40% of freelancers had trouble getting paid in 2009.” … [Read more...] about How Freelancers Can Avoid Common Business Headaches
Computers at Meetings Make Me Uncomfortable
Several years ago a coworker of mine showed up to a high-profile meeting with nothing but a netbook. As we all doodled in our pads like 20th century relics, this high-tech specimen tapped away, even offering to connect to the Internet when the 'conference room laptop' failed.At the time, he was the odd man out.These days, about 30% of our staff shows up to meetings armed with technology in lieu of paper, and quite honestly, it makes me uncomfortable.It might be the skeptic within; a little voice that tells me these machines are being used as the perfect prop to look like a participant while secretly slacking off. Or maybe it's the simple fact that I prefer taking physical notes with real paper and pens. I realize I'm not doing the environment any service here, but it's what I like!Perhaps playing solitaire on a computer and doodling on a pad are really the same thing, though I tend to think the former takes up more brain power.When I speak at meetings, I expect people … [Read more...] about Computers at Meetings Make Me Uncomfortable
Performance Reviews: Does a “5” Mean I Suck?!
Recently, two people who work in very different industries discussed their performance reviews with me. Both reviews were in a similar format, but one used a one through five rating scale with five being “walks on water” and one being “get that resume updated.” The other review used the one through five scale in reverse order with one being the seldom-awarded highest score. Huh?Andrew offered an astute take on performance reviews with "6 Reasons Staff Evaluations Fail." The majority of folks I know, whether management is doing the review or employee receiving it, seem to loathe the process.So, with psych persona on, I decided to examine what makes it such a repugnant experience.1. Somebody who hates you will get to harpoon you - Used to be, your boss wrote your review, you agreed or not and signed it. Now, everyone from the reception temp. to a VP gets to give their two cents in a peer or colleague review section. What a great opp. for the person who dislikes … [Read more...] about Performance Reviews: Does a “5” Mean I Suck?!
5 Job Search Tips for Graduating College Students
With graduation season quickly approaching, college seniors across the country are on the hunt for their “dream job” as they look to embark into the next phase of their young adult life. Given the condition of the current job market however, many are finding it very difficult to land their first job. Job search engine Juju.com has put together five effective strategies to help recent grads landa job.1. Make a Plan/Stay Organized – The more organized you are, the more effective you’ll be. Plus, the competition is organized, so you’d better be too. Think about which companies you want to work for, what other areas/industries your skills might apply to, and how you’re going to track and follow up with all the contacts you make in the course of your job search (hint: use a spreadsheet). If you plan well and execute your job search diligently, there’s a much better chance you’ll get what you want.2. Think Before You Search – … [Read more...] about 5 Job Search Tips for Graduating College Students
Ugly Resignation Between CEO and Employee
An ugly email exchange has ocurred between Mahalo CEO Jason Calacanis and employee Evan Culver according to TechCrunch.Mistake #1: It appears the employee resigned via email and sent a friendly goodbye note to a distribution list.Mistake #2: THE CEO loses his cool and responds, "Today was your last day." He then goes on to close the departing employee's email account.Using email to quit a job is unacceptable, but it is an essential part of the resignation process.Avoid a messy situation by buying The Exit Guide: How to Quit a Job the Right Way, a comprehensive ebook that takes you through the entire process, from how to put in your two weeks notice to a plan to stay calm.It might be too late, but we'd be more than happy to pass a free copy along to Calacanis and Culver. … [Read more...] about Ugly Resignation Between CEO and Employee
Forward of the Week: 36 Things To Say When You're Stressed at Work
1. Okay, okay! I take it back. Unf*ck you!!!2. You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing?!3. How many times do I have to flush before you go away?4. Well this day was a total waste of make-up.5. Well aren't we a bloody ray of sunshine?6. Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after.7. Do I look like a f*cking people person!8. This isn't an office. It's HELL with fluorescent lighting.9. I started out with nothing still have most of it left.10. I pretend to work, they pretend to pay me. 11 YOU!!... off my planet!!!12. Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble plastic is cheap. Youchoose.13. Practice random acts of intelligence and senseless acts ofself-control.14. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.15. And your cry-baby, whiny-assed opinion would be.....?16. I'm not crazy. I've been in a very bad mood for 30 years.17. Sarcasm is just one more service I offer.18. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.19. Do they ever shut up on your planet?20. I'm not your type. I'm … [Read more...] about Forward of the Week: 36 Things To Say When You're Stressed at Work
I Declined Medical Insurance at Work. Should I Be Rewarded?
Are employers who waive medical insurance coverage more valuable to employers? Since you're saving the company money, you would think this could be used in negotiations for a raise or to entice a company to hire you. Listen to the audio below and share your opinion. … [Read more...] about I Declined Medical Insurance at Work. Should I Be Rewarded?
10 Most Stressful Jobs (And the 10 Least Stressful Jobs)
CareerCast.com has released a report identifying the most stressful jobs for 2010 based on 200 surveys that measured work environment, job competitiveness and risk. Top 10 Most Stressful Jobs for 2010: 1. Firefighter2. Corporate Executive3. Taxi Driver4. Surgeon5. Police Officer6. Commercial Pilot7. Highway Patrol8. Public Relations Officer9. Advertising Executive10. Real Estate Agent The 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2010: 1. Musical Instrument Repairer 2. Medical Records Technician 3. … [Read more...] about 10 Most Stressful Jobs (And the 10 Least Stressful Jobs)
What Are the Most Dreaded Words at Work?
Hint - It’s Not “Can I see you in my office?”Not that “Can I see you in my office?” coming from the boss ever has a happy ending. You know he’s going to tell you how you screwed up, or worse, you’re being let go. I’m talking about your co-worker prefacing a statement with, “It’s probably TMI, but…” What follows is almost guaranteed to be cringe-worthy. But at least that person might have a clue that what he is about to share might be TMI.For those of you who don’t live by acronyms, TMI means “too much information.” I recently wrote a magazine article on setting limits and boundaries with people, especially those who wouldn’t know a boundary if they tripped over it. The office TMI-er more than likely has poor boundaries and shares personal information with anyone, regardless of the setting. What makes the situation worse is that most people’s workplaces are open and afford little … [Read more...] about What Are the Most Dreaded Words at Work?