How Social Media Can Steal or Seal Your Job

Klydi Heywood

What if a future employer “Googled” your name right now? Would you be unsure, excited or nervous for what he or she found? According to a survey done by thenextweb.com, 37 percent "of employers are checking out prospective employees on social media before they make a final decision.”

The article stated that employers are usually looking for one of four things when checking out someone’s social media reputation. Most of the employers wanted to see the level of professionalism that was demonstrated online. The next thing they looked for is to see if the potential employee would be a “good fit for the company atmosphere.” Others said they wanted to learn more about the candidate’s qualifications and some stated that wanted to see if the individual was “well-rounded.”

So what does this mean for us? The first thing to do is to make sure there is nothing online that you wouldn’t want everyone in the world to see. The tricky thing about the internet is that once something is out there, it is there permanently, so be careful what you choose to post. 

Another tip to take into consideration is to think about what reputation you want to have. If you want to be known as a “business person,” “comedian” or “qualified genius,” then work to make that reputation come across.

You can control what your future employers see. Be careful what you put online because it might steal or seal your future job.

Setting Goals That Will Stick

It’s that time of year again. I find myself thinking about ambitious goals with a new resolve. I love the excitement in the air and the feeling of determination, but I often find that those feelings run dry within a few months. I found an article on entrepreneur.com that gave unique insights on how to set and reach goals if you’re a busy person.

The article gives the tip of finding the reasons why. Start by “focusing on the intention underneath the resolution,” the article states. This means that if I set a goal to run five 5K’s by the end of the summer I need to come up with 10 reasons why I should meet that goal. Things like “to stay in shape for the year,” or “prove to myself that I can do it,” are goals with specific meaning and can drive me when my New Year’s ambition dries up.

Another tip the article gives is to focus on “efficient resolution-setting”. Those who may be busy business people know what it means to prioritize and get things done. “Pick your areas of opportunity, state your intention, and use focus and iteration to get more done,” the article states.

To help clarify the article gave a few examples:

Don’t “Manage your time better.”
• Do get used to working in blocks of 15 minutes (1% of your day).

Don’t “Become a better person.”
• Do schedule the “next” volunteer event to spend a half-day helping.

Don’t “Learn more.”
• Do invite someone you respect to meet for a coffee or lunch five times over the year.

Goal setting is an important aspect in our lives that can make each year better than the last. Remember to focus on the why and to use focus and iteration to get more done this year.

Klydi Heywood

The Holidays: An Opportunity to Show You Care

The holidays bring with theman opportunity for managers and employers to show appreciation to their staff and those around them. For many people this is a stressful time of year, financially as well as personally. Managers can alleviate some of this stress by simply giving a gift or token of gratitude. It doesn’t need to be anything big, just something to show that you care.

Handwritten notes are one way to show individual appreciation. Take the time to think about what they sacrifice personally to help you.

An individually thought-out gift is also a great idea. Think about what their interests are and tailor your gift to that. Once piece of advice is to not give out a standard “business logo” gift to everyone. This takes away all personal ties to the gift and can make an employee feel neglected.

One of my bosses bought our staff lunch, and for a poor college student, it meant a lot and showed me that he went out of his way to appreciate me. My old boss sent me a package of my favorite kind of holiday treat, Bear Hug Fudge. When my employers show appreciation to me, it makes me want to serve them more and give my all to work.

I hope we can all remember to take this great time of year to appreciate those around us.

Klydi Heywood

An Attitude of Gratitude

“Gratitude is the best attitude” was a common saying around my home. This phrase is catchy and even rhymes, but does it work in the business world? According to an article by Brad Larsen, a success strategist, the answer is yes.

One way gratitude can benefit a business is through the eye of the consumer. The article states, “that customers are looking for value, satisfaction and appreciation on their purchases. A simple gesture of gratitude can be enough to keep them coming back and telling others about your business.”

Feeling appreciated is a human need, and is something that should not be overlooked or disregarded. The article gives seven reasons why saying “thank you” is good for business.

1.       Because it makes a difference.

2.       Because it builds better professional relationships.

3.       Because it opens doors to new opportunities in the future.

4.       Because it defines your intentions and motives in the business world.

5.       Because people return to you the attitudes and feelings that you give them.

6.       Because it lets people know that their business or work matters to you.

7.       Because people will always remember how you made them feel.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude can create a powerful change. The article states, “be plentiful in your gratitude and thoughtful in your thankfulness and watch your business grow.”

It’s as simple as that. Thank you for supporting the Huntsman Blog this day.

Klydi Heywood

When I Grow Up, I Want To Be You

Last week I heard an interesting networking technique. A woman explained that when she was in between jobs or deciding which step to take next, she would find people who had the job she wanted. She would then track them down, via email or social network, and invite them to an afternoon lunch, or an after-work drink. She would explain that she “wanted to be them” when she grew up and just wanted to discuss how they got to the point they are now in their career.

A few days later I was reminded through experience, how much people love to talk about themselves. Putting these two concepts together, I have decided to follow suit and ask the person I “want to be when I grow up” to go out for a quick lunch.

An article I recently read on networking stated, “You should learn all you can about potential employers that hire your skills, and it is always helpful to get career advice as you are seeking a job.”

Because of the concept of “global village”, finding a job relies on who you know. I don’t know if this strategy will work but if anything else, I will learn what it takes to be successful and solidify my professional dreams. 

Klydi Heywood

LinkedIn: An Effective Tool in Finding a Job

While many students and professionals hear about the great advantages of networking, at times we find ourselves asking, “Where do I start?”

This week the Huntsman School of Business is hosting its first ever “Get LinkedIn Week” to answer that question. Before attending some of the events I wanted to know why LinkedIn was so special. I found a quick articleon wsimarketingstrategy.comthat gave a dozen advantages of LinkedIn. I will share what I think are the most beneficial advantages with you.

One advantage I found useful was the ability to browse the jobs directory and LinkedIn job postings. With this feature you can pick your job title and desired area, and LinkedIn comes up with results for jobs just for you. For an upcoming graduate or a professional just looking to move up in the business world, this is a great place to start searching.

Another advantage of having a LinkedIn account is the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice. The article advises to “take advantage of the experience and expertise of this vast professional community online!”

The last advantage I chose to share could possibly be the most useful. You can use the search feature to find people by company, industry and city. “This way you can research your prospects before meeting or contacting them,” the article states. This will also enable you to find the people and knowledge you need to achieve your business and professional goals. If you can walk into an interview and say that you have been following that company’s LinkedIn profile for three years because you have always wanted to work for them, you can prove your passion for the company.

For a calendar of this week’s events click here.

Klydi Heywood