Nobody ever asks me for work or career advice, anymore. HR people want to know about gaming the system and using social media to cheaply and easily hire the best available talent on the market. And job seekers want to use social media to create the mystique of a brilliant, talented ‘agent’ who can change the entire trajectory of an organization.
You guys are all jacked up. My friends Neil Morrison and Alison Chisnell recently spoke about the broken employment marketplace — where there is plenty of supply and plenty of demand and never the two shall meet — and I wonder what role social media and technology play in creating workplace mythologies.
But you don’t care about that, either. You have questions. I have answers.
- How do I get verified on Twitter? You don’t. The verification process has changed over the past two years. It was never really free, but rather, brokered by agents and PR firms. The process has evolved and I’m contractually obliged to not blog about it; however, the best way to find out about the verification process is to hire an agency and sign them as your agency of record. They can take you through the steps. In other words, you gotta play a game that you’re probably not playing. Sorry.
- How do I advertise on Twitter? You either work with an agency of record or you work directly with Twitter.
- How much does it cost to advertise on Twitter? It’s not free.
- Will it help me get a job if I advertise my profile on Twitter? No. Probably not.
- Do followers matter? Followers always matter. This is why chumpy people subscribe to services that inflate their followers on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Every social media tool out there has an algorithm that considers followers no matter what some lackey says about ‘engagement’ and ‘sentiment’.
- How do I get more followers? Read this article and then go get some fresh air. Twitter Co-Founder: Spending Too Much Time On the Site is ‘Unhealthy’
- I need a job. Do recruiters count my Facebook friends or Twitter followers? Maybe — but most recruiters will just google you to see if there are obscene images of you.
- Do recruiters use Klout scores to hire people? I hope not. My cat Scrubby got a bottle of Axe body spray because his Klout score was pretty high.
- Does LinkedIn replace the resume? Read this article. People are hired through employee referrals, career websites and job boards. Your social graph should always be in your control so don’t open a LinkedIn profile and let it sit vacant. On the other hand, don’t place too much emphasis on LinkedIn at the expense of your real network. And HR still expects you to hand over a resume — paper, electronic — so they can frame a conversation and have an electronic document of your work history.
- I lost my job. What’s the fastest way to get another job? Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn? The answer is your local temp agency. Check out Manpower or Kelly. The fastest way to get a full-time job is to have a job.
Helpful? Bah, I’m gong to get a cup of coffee.
21 comments ...wanna add one?
Networking in meatspace needs to happen before you lose or quit your job. Too many people sit at home and completely ignore other people in their field. I guess they figure people will know them through osmosis.
Most jobs in my field of software development are found via the physical and virtual networks outside of the big social media applications. Social media helps you get started, conferences are good if you actually meet people, local meetups are better since you have a chance to meet often and get to know people. This may not be a good idea if you are a jerk though.
Several of the main requirements for any job are that you are not an axe murderer and that you are not an asshole. Walk in off the street and no one knows if you are or aren’t. Getting to know people personally allays those fears. Boom, you are in!
Not an axe murderer? Check. Not an asshole? Well, uh, sorry.
This is my favorite line today: “This may not be a good idea if you are a jerk though.”
Lol yes.
If something’s worth doing then it’s worth doing right. Yes, it’s a platitude; but it’s lasted for a reason – it’s true. Totally on the money, Laurie. Sounds like the coffee break has been well earned.
Thanks Crystal!
“You cut me deep Shrek, real deep” – Donkey, from the movie Shrek
I can’t believe you just recommended Manpower and Kelly…
I thought we were friends.
T.
I say that to Ken ALL OF THE TIME.
I’m sorry. Everyone go find a job through Tim.
well done Laurie- good example of your punchy, all business style !
The economy has turned, in a major way. While it might not last past election day , if it does, we might be looking at the roaring teens, and the last “war for talent” will look like a skirmish. The first few years of real inflation are big fun- the hangover will hurt of course-but get ready to talk about how to negotiate raises, handle offers, etc !!
Q: How do I negotiate a raise?
A: With a baseball bat in your hand.
Q: I’ve got competing offers. One pays more. What do I do?
A: What’s the question????
But, I have a Klout! They sent me chocolate bars, with things from the rainforest in them – that _must_ mean something, or all my pithy twetts about life’s abusrdities have been for naught.
Sigh.
I don’t think I’ve ever recruited anyone off of Twitter. Possibly Facebook. Occasionally LinkedIn. Where I like to find people most especially are places like Stack Overflow, Marketing Sherpa, ActuariesArePeopleToo.com, etc etc. If you’re spending time somewhere that ties into your career, and allows you to demonstrate technical chops while also behaving like a good citizen of that community, it means something. Then, I go out and check to see if there are any hilarious pictures of you on the internets.
Also: I’m with Tim. Kelly, Manpower – really? That does kinda sting…
Those are big brands… whatever… I almost said Snelling but I laughed for 20 minutes and thought otherwise.
Axe Body Spray stinks, but it’s highly flammable. Use it as a flame thrower, to burn weeds, or to start a campfire!
Good tip!
Help a newbie – why are the “cool kids” in HR down on Kelly & Manpower? There’s been times when I’ve gotten good temp work from each of them, and in my current town, Kelly’s a gate-keeper for entree into several major employers. Seems to me in this current climate, no options should be off the table for job seekers.
I don’t know any cool kids. I actually like the CEO of Kelly. He’s my friend. I just think that large temp agencies have a (well deserved) reputation for chucking bodies into temporary jobs. I will say that companies who use temp agencies often get what they deserve. There should be a better way to connect a contingent labor force to part time jobs. My recommendation to seek out a Kelly or a Manpower still stands — but boutique temporary staffing firms are often nicer, better and more nimble.
It is so interesting how companies keep saying, we’re going to use social media for hiring, we’re so forward thinking. I just read an article which found people companies really aren’t getting a lot of hires from social media.
When I went to a conference, a company which was promoting how they’ve used LinkedIn and it’s been so successful said less than 5% of their hires came from LinkedIn so I don’t know. Networking and employee referrals are still probably the top way to get a job and I totally agree with working with a staffing firm. I always tell people, go meet with different staffing firms, find one that YOU like and vice versa who will be your advocate in finding a great opportunity for you. It never hurts to have a recruiter on your side.
I think it depends. #classicHRanswer
I like Crystal’s comment.
Fastest way to get a job is to find jobs that you are actually qualified to do. Not something you think you can do. Jobs that you can show that you have actually done recently. Employers want to hire people who can come in and do what they need doing. RogerTheGeek, Meatspace is just nasty. Modern version of “press the flesh”. Right on target though.
I’m not qualified for much. Dang it.
I’m all for social media and engagement, but as I note in my panels and seminars, it’s real networking, real connection, and real work. Sometimes the job search seems to be about anything BUT.
Always love reading you Laurie, thanks.