How Job Seekers Use Social Media and Mobile in 2015 [STUDY]

How Job Seekers Use Social Media and Mobile in 2015 [STUDY] It’s been a long road to recovery, but the economy is finally bouncing back after the Great Recession. Businesses are growing, companies are hiring and quality talent is in high demand. For the skilled worker, the job market has shifted in their favour, and professionals everywhere are taking advantage. The findings of the sixth annual Job Seeker Nation Study by Jobvite explore the progression of the job market, the modern job seeker’s approach to job hunting, and what this means for the workforce in 2015. Now more than ever, we’re seeing job seekers take control of their search for employmentâ€"using mobile devices to look for work from just about anywhere, leveraging social networks to find opportunities, and basing offer acceptance on the things that matter most to them, such as compensation and work/life balance. Other interesting findings touch on trends in job tenure, reasons for leaving employment, and honesty on social media. Lets delve straight in. All social networks are NOT created equal in the job search. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are still the BIG3 for job seekers, but watch out for Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat in 2015. Its interesting that Facebook is still  no.1 for job seekers, but LinkedIn comes up tops for recruiters. Keeping it real? For some job seekers, honesty isn’t the best policy on Facebook and Twitter. This behaviour seems to be more prevalent amongst male job seekers. Mobile is gaining traction fast in the job hunt. Millennials are fuelling the workforce, and 47% of them are using mobile in their job search. Below are the answers to: Which of the following activities have you completed during your job search on a social network and on which device: mobile or desktop?. Mobile job searching is no longer taboo. Job seekers are devoting time on mobile to find their next job. As long as there is signal, you can engage with candidates. Research is now a job-seeking prerequisite. Younger, highly educated people are most likely to use social media to look up information about the skills/experience of current employees at a company of interest. Job seekers want to know about company culture. Job seekers use a plethora of networks to assess a company’s culture, but overall, Facebook is the top choice at 18%. Other 2015  takeaways: The job market is looking up: compared to 2013, fewer people in 2014 said it was difficult to find a job. Everyone has their eye out for a better opportunity: 45% of workers will jump ship for a new job even though they are happy in their current position. Job seekers are surfing the wave of career opportunities. Technology sees the highest short-term turnover, but no industry is exempt from job-hopping. Over a quarter of job seekers view their  current position as a stepping-stone, another indicator that people see their jobs as a growth experience rather than an endgame. Money talks: it’s the most influential factor both in deciding to leave a job and in choosing a new one. Men and women agree on one thing: both genders (38%) value work/life balance equally when considering a new job. Job seeking is now a 24/7 activity: job seekers search for new positions on mobile during their commute (38%), on the job (30%) and even in the bathroom (18%). RELATED:  How a Strong Online Network Helps You Get a Job [STUDY]

The Best Week Ever

The Best Week Ever For those of you who have been following my journey since getting let go from my job a few weeks ago, I must say that not many weeks could top this one!  Week 3 was an exciting one both personally and professionally (thus the creative title of this post!). First, I got over my huge fear of hosting an event.   Specifically, I was afraid that no one would attend other than my family and best friend Katie.   In addition, I assumed that getting gift bag donations would be nearly impossible. Turns out, Ms. Career Girl Connect had about 80 attendees along with 25 gift bag donors, 5 door prize donors and 5 vendors!   So many women have emailed me, tweeted me and called me saying that they got so much out of the event and can’t wait for the next one.   Lesson Learned: if getting over your fear will help other people â€" even one person- DO IT.   It’s so rewarding! In other exciting news, I was asked to be a source for a US News World Report story and have established a partnership with AnnieSez.com that will allow me to communicate with lots of amazing women while earning some designer clothes! What I’m REALLY excited for though is the opportunity to be a guest on an XM radio show on the Oprah and Friends station (details to come!).   I’m a talk radio and podcast junkie (along with an Oprah fanatic!) so this opportunity is sort of like a fantasy coming true. On a personal note, my boyfriend, Thano, accepted a new position this week with a Chicago-based firm that he is SO excited about! Most importantly, he won’t have to travel anymore! I’m used to him being gone at least Monday-Thursday as he has traveled about 100% of the time during our relationship. As this week full of excitement would have it, we also moved in together on Saturday. And the best part about this whole blog post, week and possibly ever Thano proposed to me on Sunday!    We were only 1 hour into our annual family vacation with Thanos family in northern Michigan when he took me to Sleeping Bear Dunes and popped the question.  I was TOTALLY shocked and couldnt be more thrilled about spending the rest of my life with him.  Oddly enough, the ring Thano chose for me was the exact ring that I put on my vision board back in 2007.  I was almost freaked out by the coincidence! Woo hoo to life! Cheers, Nicole

Guest Post 5 Reasons Your Business Card Still Matters

Guest Post 5 Reasons Your Business Card Still Matters In a world where meetings happen in cyberspace and a small businesss new marketing campaign is more likely to involve tweets than billboards, few old school ways of conducting business have survived unscathed. The business card is a humble exception. Although plenty of digital methods of storing and transferring contacts exist, there is still no substitute for the inherent value in handing someone your card. From making a strong first impression to solidifying a lasting business relationship, the paper trail that a card provides remains an invaluable tool. Think twice before scrapping that hearty card stock in your wallet, and consider these reasons that carrying a card still matters to the health of your small business: 1.  Cards are Timeless.  Just like newspapers and books, digital alternatives to business cards now exist. Its possible to send a virtual card with all of your contact media and social media links via email, or simply bump phones with another person to transfer data back-and-forth. Dont count on these methods working for everyone, however. There are always a few veteran business owners out there who wear their disdain for computers like a badge of pride, preferring the old way of doing things. Its okay to bump with like-minded acquaintances, but keep a card on hand as your default method of exchanging contacts 2. Direct Marketing is Effective.  Exchanging cards is typically accompanied by a face-to-face conversation and a handshake. Whether youre sealing a deal, making a hire, or establishing a partnership, theres nothing more valuable than an actual in-person meeting. You never know when youll run into a potentially valuable contact, so its important to be prepared at lunch, at the store, and especially at social gatherings. Leaving a new contact with your card provides a reminder of your encounter. When they pull your card from their pocket, theyll recall your conversation and be more likely to follow up with you. Although the ability to instantly be added to an online address book has its place, it can mean sacrificing the value that a paper reminder provides. 3.  A Card Makes An Impression.  Handing someone your business card is your first opportunity to back up your words with a tangible example of your style and professionalism. If you work in a creative field, your card should show off your ideas and bright mind. Likewise, a lawyer or businessperson may want to convey strength or elegance. When designing your card, dont feel like you have to go overboard. Blank space is okay and can be preferable to cluttering your card with unnecessary pictures or text. Include a phone number, an email, your job title, and perhaps a line with your specialties or areas of expertise. 4.  The Price is Right.  The most infallible reason for carrying a card may simply be, Why not? With all of the benefits an intelligent, effective card can have, its foolish not to keep them on hand, especially when the cost is so low, in comparison to most other types of marketing materials. Priced against commercials, product samples, and press kits, business cards are a deal that fits any small businesss budget. 5.  Cards Can Be Tech Savvy.  Just because youre sticking with paper, you can still have the best of both worlds. Many people now utilize QR codes the square barcodes that can be scanned with a smartphone to direct people to their small businesss website or their social media pages. Code generators are easy to use online. Consider using the space on the back of your card for the code. In one piece of cardstock that comfortably fits in your palm, you now have the benefits of both a traditional card, as discussed in this post, and the ability to instantly link people to your online presence. Think of your business card as an extension of yourself. The information it includes, and the style you convey it in, reinforces the impression you make in person and helps to spread your brand out into the world. Author: Erin Schwartz is the marketing and social media manager at 123Print.com. 123Print is a leading provider of a high variety of quality items for small businesses   like custom business cards, address labels, and other materials for small businesses and solo practitioners.

Personal Branding Interview David Gelles - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview David Gelles - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to David Gelles, who is a reporter at The Financial Times and has been in the media industry for years, at places such as Forbes, The Miami Herald and The New York Times.   In this interview, David talks about how social media impacts different types of people, how journalism and his role as a journalist is changing and some future outlook. What is the most interesting and important social networking story youve written this year? All year Ive been covering one rapidly evolving story the rise and mainstream embrace of social media. Its not a story that can be neatly summed up in one article. Rather, its been a series of incremental changes and smaller events that all point to the one broader trend.   By now the big picture is coming into focus: businesses, politicians, celebrities and everyday people are increasingly using social sites such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate and share content more openly. For businesses this means better relations with customers and the ability to offer new deals. For politicians this means more contact with constituents and the ability to organize campaigns more effectively. For celebrities, its a way to give fans a deeper sense of participation and maintain buzz. For everyday people, its the ability to connect more personally with all the previously mentioned group, while having a more social experience when sharing their photos, links and thoughts with the people they know, and even strangers. How have you felt your role as a journalist has changed in the past few years? What do you like or dislike about it? Some things about being a good journalist will always be the same. You have to deliver fast and accurate reporting, conduct sharp interviews, and communicate clearly and concisely. This wont change, even as reporters are asked to produce more content, and the platforms keep shifting.   But theres no doubt that diminished resources and the demand for more online content are putting added pressure on journalists. Besides writing, many reporters are now asked to shoot and edit video, record and edit audio, take pictures, blog, and produce interactives. Ive had to do all this at one time or another, with mixed results. On the one hand, its great for a journalist to have those skill sets and can be fun to experiment with different mediums. Multimedia reporting can add real value to a story. On the other hand, trying to do too many things at once can spread you thin. Im all for reporters producing multimedia content so long as it doesnt detract from the strength of the reporting. Youve worked at some high profile outlets (Forbes, The Financial Times, The Miami Herald). How have these brands helped you connect with expert sources and build your own brand? Working for a well-known media outlet is enormously advantageous. The Financial Times, Forbes and the Miami Herald all have great cache that makes it easier to connect with good sources. That said, there are plenty of niche media properties that have huge influence within their area of expertise. In Silicon Valley, blogs such as TechCrunch and AllThingsD have just as much if not more sway as the mainstream media outlets, and as a result are often better-sourced. And even if you are reporting for a less well-known company or are freelancing, plenty of very interesting and influential sources will chat with you so long as you approach them with smart questions and respect. What are some future media trends youre seeing now? Two things Ive already mentioned come to mind. First, the increase in multimedia content. More and more stories on the web are being enhanced by interactive Flash graphics, map mash-ups, and audio and visual goodies. These add-ons can be a great way to tell a story in new and exciting ways. And its not just print outlets that are innovating. CNN, a television network, and NPR, a radio organization, are now producing print stories, videos and interactives as well. Everyone is trying to get their content out in as many formats as they can. The other trend is segmentation. The Web has made room for specialty sites about everything from technology to aviation to organic food. This has been going on for years, but my sense is that it is accelerating. Whats more, it is the some of the niche sites that are thriving right now. Their focus allows them to offer very targeted advertising, which brands will pay for. The general interest news organizations, and daily metro newspapers in particular, have a hard time selling ads when their audience is so unfocused. Its worth noting that The Financial Times has a terrific brand. We report on business and politics, with a bit of arts and culture, and have a well-defined and affluent readership that is attractive to advertisers. Do you think there is any future in TV and radio? Where should a journalist invest there time now? I think there is a future for all mediums video, audio, print and interactives. How these stories are distributed is changing now, and will continue to change as the Web expands to our television screens, mobile phones and e-readers. My feeling that a reporter should be comfortable working in multiple mediums, but know what they are passionate about and go after that. If you love shooting video, do that. If you love radio, do that. I figured out early on that I loved business reporting, stuck with it, and it led me here. While the news business is going through a really tumultuous period and jobs are scarce, I think there will always be interesting jobs for people who are really good at what they do. David Gelles is a reporter for The Financial Times. Working from the San Francisco bureau, he covers social media, e-commerce and data storage. Before joining The Financial Times, he reported for The New York Times, The Miami Herald and Forbes Magazine. Gelles holds a bachelors degree from Boston University and a masters from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

How to Keep Your Personal Brand Alive During Unemployment - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

How to Keep Your Personal Brand Alive During Unemployment

Quote Numbers dont lead - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Quote Numbers dont lead - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Numbers and money follow; they do not lead. From the Quicken Loans web site That is absolutely brilliant and beautifully phrased. If you let the numbers lead you end up with management by spreadsheet in which all decisions are made for short-term gains with no regards to the fact that workplaces rely mostly on the thoughts, feelings and reactions of human beings who are inexplicably difficult to get to follow the stats. Humans lead. Numbers follow. I like it. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How a Certified Professional Resume Writing Service Can Help Improve Your Career

How a Certified Professional Resume Writing Service Can Help Improve Your CareerIf you are an employee seeking for career advancement in the healthcare industry, your resume can help you get hired. Caring about your resume writing service can make you stand out among others with your very own unique and exclusive resume that would earn you more job opportunities than what you would get if you used generic resume writing services.Why is it that people tend to use generic resume writing services when they hire an employee? The answer is because the information or job description is written by a third party who has little to no knowledge of the industry or the company that hired you. In such a case, the results would be quite dismal and you would not stand out in the crowd.On the other hand, if you use a certified resume writing service, you can expect a professional and exhaustive employment search by the employer's description. The whole idea of a resume is to convey the employer's de scription of you while at the same time conveying the professional qualities of your skills and experiences.Caring about your resume service should be done prior to your start of the job search. Ensuring that all the information you include in your resume is accurate, professionally written and concise can have a great impact on how your resume will turn out and how much it will impact your job hunt.A CPE certified resume writing service is perfect for job hunters who want to focus on being professional in their resumes. CPE stands for Certified Professional Resume Writing. An officer of the National Certification Program, CPE does not only offer valuable resume writing services; it also allows aspiring professionals to train themselves on the most effective ways to write professional resumes.CPE certification shows that you are committed and dedicated in presenting your skills and experiences accurately in your resume. It also has a good effect on your ability to acquire and secure jobs since employers do not like resume writers who are only interested in their income source.To ensure that you're getting the best CPE certified resume writing services, you need to search for these services through search engines. There are multiple directories that will list the leading companies offering services at various price ranges.You also need to verify the credentials of the professional resume writer. Ask him or her to demonstrate his/her proficiency in writing professional resumes by completing a free online test. If the person provides valid credentials and has provided a wide variety of professional resume writing services, then you know that he/she is in fact a quality resume writer.