iPhone 4, Personal Branding, and Your Job Search

June 25, 2010Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Apple has raving fans, do you?

Here’s an excerpt from today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “As long as Apple continues to be innovative, as long as they stay ahead of the curve, people are going to stand in line and want the phone,” Cutler said. “If they keep putting in these great features, I’ll keep buying.”

Check out the key words here – “innovative, stay ahead of the curve…”

People are buying the new iPhone 4 – despite the “poor economy.” Why? Innovation, staying ahead of the curve, and raving fans.

Are you staying ahead of the curve?

Even if you’ve been off work for some time, have you been keeping up-to-date on your skills?

Example:

One of my clients, a plumber, knew her computer skills were soft, while trade skills were exceptional. She was recently downsized and immediately enrolled in computer courses and upgraded her laptop. She will be ready to roll quickly.

One career-changer learned Twitter and other social media to make a change and land new connections. Now he’s a huge fan of these tools and building his brand solidly online.

These are go-getters who are continuing to learn and upgrade their skills. Are you?

Are you staying ahead of the curve? Are you an early adopter? If so, your chances of getting hired are greater than others who stand still.

Innovative – how innovative have you been ABOUT your job search? Are you spraying and praying? That is, spraying your resume all over the internet job boards and praying someone calls you?

OR are you being innovative?

Have you targeted your top companies? Are you going direct to company decision-makers? Are you networking (not net-begging)? How are you following up? Are you following up?

Don’t tell me there’s no name on the ad. Find out the name! If there’s a company name – you can get to the decision maker for your field.

Are you using social media like LinkedIn (my fave for job seekers), Twitter (check out Tweetmyjobs.com), Facebook? Hey, Betty White – at 88-and-a-half no less – got a job using Facebook – she hosted Saturday Night Live! So, that completely wipes out the age barrier issue to social media.

Do you have a blog? If so, are you demonstrating your thought leadership?

One of my clients has landed several offers because he has an excellent blog, and now a newsletter, which demonstrate his ability to do the job – which does happen to be public speaking about marketing and social media.

What’s your area of expertise? Can you create a blog on the topic?

Raving fans – have you raving fans who lobby for your success? Check out your reference list, how old is it? How many of those listed have you connected with recently? Do they know what you’ve been doing lately? If not, call. Send your latest resume. Let them know what you’ve been up to.

One of my clients did this, and learned that her old college professor died. Yeah. She had graduated in the ’80’s and still had the professor listed. Time to update!

LinkedIn is a super place to start culling for references (recommendations). The easiest way to get them? GIVE them. And you can post your LinkedIn link right on your resume for an instant reference check.

How else can you be like Apple? Brainstorm with friends and share your innovative job search ideas here!

Want more tips? Check out my newsroom and sign up for my newsletter.

Interview Tips from Last Comic Standing

June 9, 2010June 9, 2010Wendy Terwelp 3 Comments

Want to make it to the next round in your interview? Check out these tips gleaned from this week’s episode of “Last Comic Standing:”

1. Know your lines. You’ve got 30 seconds or less to get to the point and convey value. Many contestants were eliminated in less than 30 seconds.

2. Wear appropriate attire. One contestant was stopped mid opener. The judge said, “Really? You need a breastplate to deliver that line?” Then all three judges said, “It’s a no for me.”

3. Likability counts! Several contestants moved onto the next round – semi-finals – because the judges said, “I like you.” or “You’re likable.” or “Not only was that good material [see No. 1], but you had a good attitude. You’re likable.”

4. Address decision-makers and those you meet at the company by their correct names. One contestant was so nervous, he called the female judge the wrong name, TWICE, each a different name, and both wrong. She said simply, “You can stop now. It’s a no for me.” And of course her fellow judge had to say, “Me too, but I’m still calling you Nancy.” (Her name was Natasha.)

5. Keep smiling, even if you screw up. Remember No. 3, likability counts. (No, don’t smile like Jack Nicholson from “The Shining!” Keep it natural.)

Good luck! And if you’ve got good interview stories to share – from either side of the table – please do!

Want more interview help? Check out our Newsroom and our Invincible Interviews program.

Random Acts of Kindness Fuel Your Network

June 7, 2010June 7, 2010Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Today started out in frustration. Frankly, I was just plain grumpy.

Then, while grabbing my mail in the office lobby, Diane, a staffer in my building, shared this story:

She was having a sub and was in the restaurant at an odd time. Not many people were around. She saw an executive order and, before he left, she saw that there was a $100 bill on the ground. As no one else had moved from their tables, she figured the money was his.

She gave it to him. He said thanks, then took off with his food.

A short time later, she saw the man outside. He came in and went right to her table. “Wow, I didn’t realize you had found my $100! It took me a couple blocks and then it hit me, you found my $100! Please let me buy you lunch.”

Diane turned him down and said she was just being honest. It’s what anyone would do. She told me he insisted on rewarding her honesty and left $20 on her table.

How cool was that? Diane’s honesty and the guy’s reward. Win-win.

Her story made my day. And changed my ‘tude.

Later today, I got an email from a business contact. He needed a freelance web designer and programmer. I referred him my two favorite experts in this area.

Keep the kindness rolling.

Challenge: What’s your random act of kindness story? Have you got one? Spread the word – and the kindness.

Want more tips to fuel your network? Check out “Rock Your Network®.”

Social Media Can Get You FIRED

May 10, 2010Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

Saw this article today:

Social networks causing employee-employer issues
Think your boss won’t hear about the time you griped about him on Facebook? Tony Puckett says you should think again. ‘In the digital age, it’s easier than ever for employees to say things publicly and for you to hear about it,’ Puckett said Friday in a speech at the 2010 Oklahoma Human Resources Conference and Expo, held at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center. Employees and employers …
2010-05-07 19:01:41 Tulsa World

YES, social media can get you fired – and I’ve seen the results.

One company president gave me a call. He hired me for outplacement of an employee. Why? She was fired because she was using Facebook and other social networks on the job – and it was not part of her job duties.

One connection posted how much he hated his job on Facebook. He must have forgotten that he was a member of his employer’s fan page and group. They saw the post.

Think about it like this, if it doesn’t pass the mom and boss test, don’t post it!

What do I mean? If your boss reads the post, could you lose your job?

If your mom read it, would you be embarrassed? You would? Don’t post it!

Take Action: Review your Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter and other social networks. Do they pass the test?

Rock Your Career®

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Interview Tips from Last Comic Standing

Random Acts of Kindness Fuel Your Network