Category Archives: Hard times and No Jobs

What does your Company Culture say about your Future?

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Culture-is-the-wayToday, job seekers not only want to know what jobs are available, or what kind of salary they’ll earn or even what the company culture is like, they also want to know how rosy the outlook is for the company’s future. While most often business outlook is an important topic to investors, shareholders and others focusing on finance, it’s increasingly becoming HR’s employment brand issue too.

Have you asked employees their opinion of your company’s business outlook? If not, you may want to take a look at your company reviews on Glassdoor where you can find candid employee feedback.  As part of Glassdoor’s ongoing online company review survey, employees voluntarily and anonymously share their perspective about the work environment, the culture, their satisfaction with key factors like compensation and benefits, and they share their opinion on the following question: Do you believe your company’s business outlook will get better, stay the same or get worse in the next six months? 

Just think about the signals this sends your candidates that are deciding to come work for you.

To see what employees at your company think, you’ll need a free employer account. This will allow you to read all of your company’s reviews and be able to see their take on the company’s future business outlook. Below is a  recent company review from a Google Sales Executive that shows where, if provided, in each company review you can find sentiment on business outlook.

For susan

Curious to see what companies do stand out in terms of business outlook in the eyes of employees? Glassdoor recently released a new report that looks at Top 10 Companies with the Best Business Outlook based on company reviews shared in April. At the top of the list is Google – 86% of employees believe the company’s business outlook will improve in the next six months. See the complete list and how employee satisfaction stacks up at the top-rated companies:

Top 10 Companies with the Best Business Outlook

This report is a good reminder that employment brand isn’t just a reflection of what a company has done, but it’s also a promise of what the company can do.

Photo Credit: Noozmag

About the Author:

Samantha ZupanToday’s guest post comes from my pal Samantha Zupan who is Glassdoor’s Corporate Communications Director. Glassdoor is a jobs and career community that is changing the way people find jobs and companies recruit top talent. Follow Samantha on Twitter @SamanthaZupan.

Yo! I’m firing my current and only employee, Myself!

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firing yourselfSome of you know that last summer (2012) or somewhere around there, my friend and cohort Sabrina Baker and I started Discovering Social. Our idea was to assists Job Seekers through Webinars, in person and online workshops, training classes, and whatever else we could do to help them incorporate social media into their job search strategy. We have seen amazing things happen in this endeavor and are running full-speed ahead.

After a few months of diving in and getting the word out we noticed that there were still a few Human Resource and Recruiting folk running  around still looking to learn more about how to build their personal and professional brand and online footprint and trying to determine how to use social themselves (in recruiting and other sorts).

We then began to serve both ends of the hiring spectrum in building our Linked In groups and focusing our training to assists both sides in their endeavor to use social media with work, finding jobs and in sourcing for potential job candidates.

We are seeing tremendous success in helping folks around the globe in this endeavor and it’s what’s keeping us up at night. We’re passionate (to overuse an overused word) about helping others in understanding the what, why’s and how’s of doing social and we’re making some headway.

Conundrum Ahead

That being said, I have found myself overworked and running in a million different directions between my usual HR Conferences, Speaking opportunities, Blogging both here and elsewhere, holding Webinars, training and workshops for Discovering Social and my own business > Social Buzz Concepts. Add to that all the social media management of not only these two companies but my clients as well, and to be honest my head is about to explode. I’m sure you’re exhausted just reading that. So….

I have taken the last few months to really seek out where I need to go and feel that I am to do away with my current company and business “Social Buzz Concepts” and migrate strictly over to Discovering Social as of today.

announcement

I will continue to blog here and over at Discovering Social, as well as SHRM We Know Next, and will continue to manage a  few client social media accounts as I can.

I am excited about where we are taking Discovering Social and I’m passionate about helping others incorporate social in their Job Search strategies, online networking and brand building and developing strategic planning into implementing social into their business initiatives.

Do Your Part

Now we sure could use your support so make sure to check out the NEW DESIGN on our Website, Follow us on the Twitters, Give us a “LIKE” on Facebook Page and join our LINKED IN groups to show your support!

I understand that this is a HUGE leap of faith for me and that thrills me – to no end. I’ve never been one to play it safe – and I’m cool with that!

We thank you for your support – you all are a fantastic community! Stay tuned for more updates.

Trying to be hip and lying to get a job is never a good idea! (Video)

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old hipsterWhile watching TV this past week I saw a perfect example of a Gen X’er trying to get a job that they were not qualified to do from the show Suburgatory. This dude was trying to be a hipster (which he wasn’t) and shows how dumb it makes you look when you aren’t being true to yourself.

Although the video is so far out there and funny as heck – it’s never a good idea to pretend you have the skills for the job you are applying for. Take a look >

video jpg

Click the link to watch video:

Take Away’s:

  • Never apply to a job where you don’t hold the skills, qualifications and experience – it will come back to bite you.
  • Be yourself – or you’ll come off looking like a douche-bag.
  • There are no social media gurus and if you really don’t do social – don’t act or talk like you do.
  • Act your age – they’re going to know you’re old when they see you. Playing hip only gets you so far.
  • It’s never good to lie to get a job or anything else, for that matter

Can you add any more? I’m sure there are plenty.

Glassdoor’s New Social Recruiting Tools for Hiring and Employment Branding

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glassdoor logoI love discussing new technology especially as it relates to the world of work.

Just this week one of my favorite’s Glassdoor added some snazzy services to aid companies in their Employment Branding and Recruiting efforts with their Self Service Online Employer Center. These are FREE tools to assists companies in having a hand in their own company branding and if I do say so myself, a brilliant move by my friends at Glassdoor.

I’ve been singing the praises of Glassdoor for a few years now and just in case you missed it they are one of the main social job and career communities that are changing the way people find jobs and the way companies recruit top talent.

glassdoor ratings

These guys came on the scene in 2007 and here are a few of the items offered to job seekers:

  • Access to the latest job listings
  • The ability to see Inside Connections via their Facebook network
  • Access to company-specific salary reports, ratings and reviews of said company
  • CEO approval ratings
  • Interview questions to expect and what it’s like to work at said company (What to expect)

On the Employer End

Employers can also get involved in the conversation through Glassdoor’s suite of social recruiting solutions to reach target job candidates when they’re making career decisions

This new exciting add-on called the Employer Center is an easy-to-use self-service tool currently in beta that helps companies make social recruiting decisions based on job seeker activity and authentic workplace insights. Take a look at PepsiCo’s page:

Pepsi-Profile.-Short-Version-w.-highlights

With the Employer Center, companies can get access to information about job seeker engagement and demographics, understand what jobs attract the most candidates and when, track employee satisfaction ratings trends, and benchmark their brand’s reputation against competitors.

As a company representative with this account, you can:

  • Update your company’s profile with basic information (i.e. website address, headquarter location, employee count, year founded and more)
  • Provide a company description and mission statement
  • Respond to your company reviews and interview reviews
  • Add awards and photos
  • Request updates to your stock ticker, CEO and list of competitors
  • Flag reviews that may be inappropriate

The amount of insight and data a Brand Manager can obtain from this is unbelievable. I saw this in action in a private Webinar and was astounded!

I’m telling you, there’s no other jobs site or professional network that combines this level of employee feedback and job seeker activity to help companies make more informed recruiting decisions while allowing them to manage their employer brand.

Click HERE for a free Employer Account. If  you don’t check this you’re totally missing out!

The Epidemic of Homeless and Jobless Veterans

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hire-soldierIf there’s anything that I’m passionate about it’s our Veterans. I feel that our society, as well as our Government, views them as disposable. Unemployed and Homeless Vets are not just a stigma but is becoming an epidemic in our country.

This video below is from 2011 and the number of homeless and jobless Veterans is rising every day. Take a look -

Thanks to movements such as Hiring our Heroes folks are starting to become aware of the increasing number of the unemployed, how they can be of assistance, and creating awareness.

They recently put together this Infographic to show the stats:

Veterans hiring

I see it as my duty and honor as a fellow American citizen to do my part in helping Veterans.

Notice the barriers on the bottom of the page?

Sabrina Baker and I and the Discovering Social team are in the process of creating some outstanding events in regard to helping organizations and Human Resources break away these stigmas, understand the need for helping our Veterans and provide hands-on training in helping them create Veteran-friendly cultures within their organizations. Stay tuned!

Funny HR interview – WatchThis

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interviewWe’ve been talking a lot about “How to” in the interview process and I came across this funny parody video on Youtube you have to watch!

I love British Humor -

Enjoy, and have a fabulous Hump Day!

When HR is kicked to the Curb

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I can’t tell you how many emails, DM’s, Facebook Messages and LinkedIn messages I get from folks that are looking for work. And I don’t mind at all.

I love connecting folks with other people who are looking for prime candidates online and looking for referrals and recommendations from people they trust. That’s the new way of doing it.

With every new job posting it seems there are hundreds applying for that same position which can be very frustrating and overwhelming to someone in our current job market.

Even if you’ve gone to college and received a PHR, SPHR, GPHR or GOPHER (okay, I made this last one up) and have worked in your field of expertise for hump-teen-million years – you are not exempt from being laid off. It’s a fact!

It’s interesting and alarming that so many HR and Recruiter friends are the ones contacting me lately with the awful news of them finding themselves being laid off, canned, booted out of their long-term positions and some of them are frantic. I would be the same.

I will say it again folks, nothing is EVER a sure thing.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’ve found yourself in this position and are in job-search mode:

  • Network: Try and stay connected online and off. You may just connect to the right person that can make that introduction to a key connection that will help you get that next gig.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to your connections and let them know (like folks are doing with me – and that’s cool). Sometimes you just have to open that mouth (or email) and let others know your business. We all need support. And again, your connections may be key in helping you get that next opportunity.
  • Keep your certifications up to date. Go to conferences and sit through all the boring sessions if you have to.
  • Continue to pour any and every kind of knowledge in the ole brain. And no, you don’t already don’t everything there is to know. If nothing else, it will help you maintain your sanity. (Note: Try to refrain from all the Alien shows. You don’t want to mention those in your next interview)

It hurts my heart when I receive an email from a friend (especially a smart and savvy HR friend) telling me they were just let go. I immediately go into a mode where I’m looking through all my connections to see who I can connect them with that can help, wracking my brain for a job posting I’ve seen across the Webs that have been shared by my recruiter friends and struggling to try and see how I can help them in their search.

As I stated yesterday on a status update “It takes a Village.” But if you haven’t invested time in building that Village before you need it I just don’t see how you are going to survive this new way of the social job search incorporated into your strategy.

Being able to connect and pull from those said Villagers is key in getting ahead in your job search in today’s social savvy marketplace.

For more info on how to develop social into your job search strategy check out Discovering Social’s “Defining your Personal Brand.”

The What, How and Why of Defining your Personal Brand

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Big brands like Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds are understanding the need for having an online presence in not only promoting their brand but actively listening to what folks are saying about them online, being able to quickly respond and engage their customers or potential customers.

The same tools can be used for building your personal brand to actively listen online, connect with key influencers and potential companies you’d like to work for and stay in touch with current job opportunities, for example.

It even works in our social business strategies. Knowing how to develop a strategy from point A to point B is so important.

Your brand is all about who you are and how you want to be known.

My pal Kyle Lacy just posted a fabulous article on this subject called “10 Steps To Writing Your Personal Brand Story” and it has many nuggets to incorporate into your strategy. I encourage you to read it.

That being said, I am hosting a Webinar today at 2:00 pm Central Standard Time, on “Defining Your Personal Brand” that will give you some insight into a few things such as:

  • Being present in social spaces
  • The importance of having an online presence
  • How Organizations and Big Brands are using branding and social media
  • How Job Seekers are using personal branding to find jobs (with a REAL LIFE Case Study)
  • What is Employer Branding?
  • What separates you from the pack?
  • The Power of Engagement and Online Connections

You won’t want to miss it. Sign up HERE>”Defining Your Personal Brand Webinar“

I’ll be sure and put on some makeup, do my hair and get out of my PJ’s.

Up Next: Complementary #JobSearch Strategy Webinar

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To sign up for this complementary Webinar go to www.DiscoveringSocial.com.

Discovering Social was founded by myself and Sabrina Baker of Acacia HR Solutions and is designed to give job seekers in-depth training on major social media platforms and how to use them as part of their overall job search. Through a series of eBooks, webinars, workshops, newletters, case studies and individual coaching, job seekers gain knowledge and expertise that they can utilize in their daily lives. Presented by human resource, recruiting and social media experts, Discovering Social events are taking it to the next level.

Follow us on the Twitters @DiscSoc and join the groups on Linked In Discovering Social for Job Seekers, Discovering Social for HR and Recruiters.

Losing that one, sure thing

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Having no car to get around can really be a test; to your pride, your independence and so much more. I’ve pretty much gotten used to it to the point where I don’t make any bones about it – for the most part.

You see, about 5 years ago when I was still living in Alabama I was living what we’ve been told is the American dream. A cushy job, making bank, driving a Mercedes – everything appeared perfect. I even met my current husband during this time. Who’da thought it could have gone sour. It was the good-life.

After having been married 18 lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng years to someone who really didn’t care about having the best cars I had always dreamed of owning a Mercedes and just knew I would have one someday. After my divorce I first had a really cool black Mustang with red leather interior. That car was sweet! I had an amazing job in which I had worked hard to attain, was making really good money and was traveling quite a lot with work and those Mustang seats were killing my back when driving long distance. It was great to look at and had superb speed but it wasn’t very practical.

I would occasionally do a drive by the local Mercedes dealership just to keep my dream fertilized and one day I just decided to stop and take a look at a couple newer models. There it was. The car I had dreamed of. Nothing too fancy. A C230 Kompressor. Black leather interior. Black exterior. I sat in that car and took it for a drive and I knew I had to have it. I had always thought some man would buy me my dream car but I was so proud of myself after having been through a very difficult divorce and walking out on everything – pretty much starting over, that I could actually finally afford this car.

I was approved for financing (because I had worked so hard to repair my bad credit from previous mistakes) and drove that car off the lot within a week or so of first test driving it. Did I mention, I loved that car?

About a year or so later, I met my husband Nick. We dated for a while after having been friends for a year and we married and he left his home in Chicago and moved to Alabama. We found an amazing house and bought, moved in and all was good until I could tell things at my job were getting weird.

I was a top salesperson in an industry dominated by men and guys were getting testy, jealous and since I was the only woman, my boss and the fellas got together and decided to throw more work at me, that I could start coming into the office and do a little paperwork along with my other duties. I was livid. After all, I was making this company a decent amount of profit and I felt I had the best work ethics, follow-up and customer service out of all the rest.

I wound up telling my boss, I’d have to think about his offer of more work and laying aside my being able to work out of my home office to come into the corporate office 2-3 times a week to file (or whatever it was he wanted to conjure up for me to do). I took my 2 weeks vacation and told my new husband I felt I was being forced out of my position and that I felt it was time to quit and find something else or start my own business. He agreed and I did. I even left about a 50,000 commission on the table. When it’s time, it’s time. One month later, my husband was laid off of his job.

We wound up moving back to Illinois and taking over our house here that we could not sell (It was in 2009, and the market had crashed) and I left my family in Alabama and moved to a whole.nother.world. and although I had joined a friend’s company and was making a little bit of mulah, Nick was still not working. He has been in the home-building business for over 25 years and there wasn’t any work available in that industry.

We kept trying to pay our bills as we could but eventually we had to file bankruptcy, turn in my Mercedes back to the bank, sell our house in Alabama on a short-sale, and just try to keep our head above water. It killed me to give up that car. It represented all of my independence and hard work.

That was over two years ago and I am still without a vehicle. I haven’t wanted to just go get a junker (no offense to those who own junkers) and I’ve been working from home with my past business and current business so it’s working for now.

I have experienced giving up all pride attached to not having a vehicle, being stranded at the house and asking neighbors if I can borrow their car or have them take me to the grocery store when Nick is working.

I’ve been asked by several of my friends here that I used to meet up with at networking events “Why I suddenly dropped off the face of the planet and never attend any after hours networking events” to which I shrug my shoulders and may or may not divulge the fact that I have no wheels.

Life is tough. The economy sucks ass. People are losing employment that they’ve counted on and trusted in for years. I was one. And then suddenly, the rug seems as if it’s pulled out from under you and you don’t think you’ll ever survive. But you will.

You may have to give up some things along the way. You may have to swallow your pride and ask a friend for help. But you will survive. It may not be the American dream you dreamed of, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started from scratch with nothing. I’ve had and lost and had again. It will come back around.

And those clients that can’t meet me virtually will have to work around my best friend and neighbor Lorrie’s schedule (She’s been so great to loan me her car – along with a few other folks who I owe). That’s what friends do and I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and connections, not only here in Chicago, but all over the planet.

Turns out, all I really wound up losing was my pride.

In the end, it could be a blessing in disguise. My twenty-one year old daughter is moving here to Chicago the end of this month. Because my business has expanded and things are getting better financially, I have a little extra to get a decent vehicle now and I’ve been thinking to myself, “Wait.One.Minute. If I don’t get a vehicle, I can honestly respond to my daughters call for taxi (that’s me) to come and cart her somewhere with, ‘I’m sorry honey, I don’t have a car.’”