Evolved Thinking

Friends, reader(s) and people who tolerate my rantings from time to time …

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that for better or worse, I’ve had my fair share of jobs. Trust me, it’s nothing I’ve ever wanted to be known for, but it’s an unfortunate truth borne out of a bad economy, bad choices or the dreaded “bad fit.”

So what the hell does all of this have to do with my headline?

My ability to feed my family and/or avoid crashing on one of your couches for any extended period of time is almost entirely due to social media engagement and networking … with a dash of reasonable skill in the areas of marketing strategy, social media engagement & content creation. And thus … the tie in to my headline.

Social Media Club PDX is bringing Social Stallion Joshua Waldman to town to show you how to discover those hidden job nuggets using social media tools and ways to pay it forward in true “You-Tweet-my-Back, I’ll-Tweet-Yours” fashion. Here’s the title and some eloquent prose from my social chum @unclenate, Prez of @SocialMediaPDX:

“Job Searching With Social Media For Dummies” author Joshua Waldman

“For anyone looking for a first job, exploring a career change, or just setting up for future success, social media is a proven platform for facilitating connections, demonstrating passions and interests, and ultimately landing the job. Joshua Waldman, author of “Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies” enables you to harness the power of the Internet to research and identify job opportunities, and create a strategy for securing a position.”

Other nuggets include:

• creating effective online profiles and resumes to sell your strengths
• maintaining your online reputation (and ensuring that employers who Google you like what they find)
• understanding electronic etiquette
• using the power of personal branding
• building your brand online
• avoiding common pitfalls, such as jumping into filling out a social media profile without a strategy
• getting to know Twitter, the only real-time job board with literally thousands of jobs posted daily
• using social media sites to uncover opportunities in the “hidden job market” ahead of the competition

This is your chance to meet some really cool and connected people as well as escape the job or the people you hate — for three whole hours! Just sign up already!

DETAILS
January 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM | $25 Online, $45 @Door | Limit: 100

Collective Agency
322 NW 6th Ave
#200
Portland, OR 97209

Looking for a job? Stop! That’s your first mistake.

Those who know me or follow my social media escapades are all too familiar with my recent prowess for landing coveted marketing positions in what I’m told is a bad job market in a state with one of the worst unemployment rates in the country.

What’s my secret? I stopped looking for a job. I look for people who work where I want to work.

How’s that workin’ out for ya?
Trust me, this isn’t something I wanted to be known for in the marketing world or among my friends and family. In fact, the joke has become, “Yeah, we know you can get a job. Now, let’s work on keeping one.” No office pools or stop watches, please.

Truth is (and this has been true for every job I’ve ever had), I hope my  most recent position — as the Director of Marketing and Engagement at Attensa -- will be the last job I will ever need.

Now that I am, at least for the moment, gainfully employed, I feel like it’s my duty to share with you some of the things I’ve done over the last two years to survive two gut-wrenching layoffs and a “thank you for playing” pat-on-the-back/kick-to-the-curb after a predecessor came back to grab his old job.

But let’s take a moment to grieve
Getting cut loose sucks. If you’re like me, you take it personally. As a sign of failure. You wallow. You plot against perceived enemies. You become a complete idiot who loses focus on the real problem at hand. Um, Mr. Bitterman/woman..You need to pay for stuff.

Even so, getting downsized, made me question everything about myself and my chosen profession. It led to a momentary lapse of reason where I was going sell scintillating haiku on a warm beach somewhere.

And then I just got pissed.

Mostly at myself for my pity party. Anger begat focus, which quickly led me to the people I trust. Today, more than any other time in my lifetime the trite“It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know” is an absolute truth.

No employer wants to sift through 800 resumes only to come up with a candidate that can sell himself or herself well in an interview. They want proof that you can do the job. And, in the age of social media, online recommendations and online fact checking to ferret out B.S., this is where you can and should plug in to not only serve your own interests but help others serve theirs. So, if I were in your shoes right now, or if I am ever again, here’s what I would do:

5 Tips for Landing the right Job in a Bad Economy

Tip 1: Be  good to people in good times and bad — Got a job? Help others find one. Got a skill, but out of work? Help someone in your network in need — even for free if asked. You will be seen as someone who is genuine, hardworking and willing to do whatever it takes. It gets remembered and reciprocated.

Tip 2: Search for a Company. Not a Job — Pretty basic advice. You know people who have jobs. Some of them want to see you succeed in life. Find them online, offline and in person to discuss how your skills could be of use to their company — if in fact you think you actually want to work there.

Tip 3: Look for people and organizations in your community (online or offline) that need your help – Let’s face it. You need some good juju. I’ve also found it reaffirming to have someone tell me they appreciate me and think I’m awesome after a recent career disembowelment.

Tip 4: Beat LinkedIn like a Rented Mule — If you are not on it, get on it. Fill out a profile right now. If you are on it, learn to use it. Check for updates, high-five people who announce new gigs and search for places you want to work and the people you know who work there.

Tip 5: Know your strengths and expose your weaknesses -- This is key to finding yourself a good professional home. Fudging your ability to meet expectations to land a job will get you back to the breadline in a hurry. I’ve gone so far as to ask people to rip me in recommendations to give future employers so they know exactly what they will be getting. Trust me. I don’t want a bad job anymore than the employer wants a bad hire.

For what it’s worth…the position you are in is brutal, but survivable. If I can help you, I will. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn or Twitter to talk about it.

Keep your head up.
Mark