Talking To Tina
FAQ’s
Q: I am reluctant to be active on Linkedin.com because I’m concerned my current employer may think I am not loyal. Are there any ways to work around this?
A: Being active on linkedin.com does not necessarily mean you are seeking employment in another organization. Linkedin.com is a resource available to network, market jobs, strategies, and many other career messages. It also does serve a purpose for those seeking employment as well as those who are seeking talent. Getting involved with linkedin.com has significant benefits that can help your current employer and you! Gone are the days when after work networking took place at the local watering hole. Sure, it still happens, but not as often as even 10 years ago. Social media is the #1 method of seeking new contacts and shaking virtual hands. You can meet industry experts, conduct research, and follow trends by having an active presence on linkedin.com. So profile up and get in the game! You are not only going to expand your your network, but you’ll also meet incredible people across the globe.
Q: I had two interviews on Monday and have already been invited to further interview this Thursday (in two days.) My interviews on Monday were with the recruiter and hiring leader. Should I send a thank you letter even though I am interviewing within three days? Seems as though the letter will cross in the mail.
A: Great question! Send an e-mail thank you tailored to each of the individuals that you met on Monday; the recruiter and hiring leader. Make sure each e-mail thank you is targeted towards highlights that you discussed in the interviews along with a touch of your personality. Since the recruiter is your in-house point person, be sure to e-mail your recruiter after your interview(s) on Thursday in an effort to keep the communication open. Also be sure to send a thank you e-mail to your Thursday interviewer(s). Be sure to always send thank you e-mails independent of your interviewers so that they are customized. Avoid cookie cutter thank you letters by altering your e-mails. CC: yourself on your e-mail thank you letters as well so that you track your progress. If the company is informal, no need to send the thank you letter as a WORD .doc. You can simply type the thank you in the body of the e-mail.
For a fun and unique thank you, consider sending a video thank you of yourself. Simply attach it to your email. This works well with organizations seeking trend setting executives and professionals who are willing to make good use of technology. You will also be in the forefront of the hiring leaders minds!
Q: What is a QR code and do I need one?
A: QR codes are becoming increasingly popular in businesses, hospitals and even in today’s job search. QR means quick response. The unique image resembling a postage stamp is popping up everywhere these days! If you have a smart phone, you simply scan the QR code and the embedded link information will transport you to a web based window. For more information check out this article written by Pamela Babcock and posted by SHRM (Society of HR Management).
Q: Does online social media really make a difference? I am on linkedin.com and have 45 contacts. As an executive, I have always been advised to ‘stay away’ from posting too much information about myself. I am a baby boomer, aged 57. What is your social media recommendation for an out-of-work senior executive trying to regain employment?
A: Linkedin.com is the #1 online social media source used by headhunters and recruiters to identify talent. (NOTE: I realize we touched on this subject just a few weeks ago. However, due to the volume of inquiries, I decided to post this particular question with an extended answers.) First and foremost, LINKEDIN.com is FREE! When I hear that people are struggling to gain employment, the first question I ask is, “Are you on linkedin.com” followed by “Are you actively using it to network, build an online presence, and establish your personal branding?”
My professional advice to you is, post a picture if you have not already done so. Join the maximum number of groups allowed so that you have a broad pool of individuals at your fingertips. Start reading posts from other users and respond. You will gain perspective from other online executives and professionals which will help you determine where you fit in. The active online users market their thoughts and ideas openly. These are not individuals writing for the media. These are not individuals putting a spin towards increasing television or news program ratings. These are real people with real thoughts. Your peers.
Study trends and get involved with discussions. If you have an opinion on a topic, you can start your own discussion/or group.
Challenge yourself to add 5 new contacts per day or 35 per week. I am an advocate of becoming a LION. LION is an acronym for LinkedIn Open Networker. I am a LION. Sure, some folks say, “but linkedin.com cautions you to only connect with people that you know.” This is guideline, not a requirement. Becoming a LION offers you a broader pool of resources and information. If also offers you more visibility. If you went to a networking function, would you only talk to people that you know? Of course not! You would work the entire room. Linkedin.com is the same principle. Work the millions of connections and then hone in on what is right for you, your strategy and your placement of your personal brand.
“While I am a proponent of ‘less is more’ in most cases, when it comes to online networking, more is better on Linkedin.com. The trick is managing and using your profile to maximize your ROI. In this case your investment is time.”
Every 6 months or so, go through your contacts and clean house. If you have individuals who are not also growing their networks, getting involved in conversations, or other activity, likely, they are not active on LI. If they are passive users, you can always disconnect. May sound a bit harsh. But, it is not your responsibility to carry dead weight associated with your brand.
At the end of the day, Linkedin.com is your online advertisement. It is your label detailing who you are and your skilled offerings.
Q: I have always been told that using color on a resume is not acceptable. I notice that you use color and have box shaped icons on your resumes. Won’t my resume be rejected from being scanned? What will the employers think if I use color?
A: You will receive several final copies of your resume. One copy is for scanning purposes. This copy is converted into a .txt document. All of the ‘bells and whistles’ are removed. This will ensure that your resume is scanned properly. Your color copy (if you choose color) is to be used when emailing your resume to the recruiter, headhunter or hiring leader. This copy is also the copy that you may take with you to distribute during your interview if you choose to take additional copies with you. A savvy company will not require you to bring copies so save your paper and ink. The primary purpose of using color and boxes is to capture the attention, differentiate your brand and separate yourself from others posting for employment. Color may be frowned upon by individuals who are stuck in the late 1980’s and 1990’s. Color is now acceptable. Personal Branding offers insight to what colors mean and how you can best integrate them into your resume and your personal brand. Boxes are used on resumes to display organization and style. Simply put, your resume is your advertisement. Your ad needs to speak for you long before you show up and long after you leave. You can gain an advantage from a classic, contemporary, or couture resume with or without color. Just don’t rule it out before you become educated on the advantages. Great question!
Q: What can I do to maximize my social networking presence. With so many web sites on the internet, it becomes overwhelming.
A: The primary sites that I recommend you using are: Linkedin.com, About.me, and Twitter.com. The first two are absolutely necessary if you want to expand your online presence. Once you update your profiles, use them. If you appear to be absent from your online presence, people will be less likely to engage in conversation.