Steve's 2 Cents

Setting up a Twitter account

2013-06-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

So you want to set up a Twitter account, how do you do that?

You can follow the basic step by step instructions from Twitter
https://support.twitter.com/articles/100990-how-to-sign-up-on-twitter

You can follow the advice from TwiTip (more step by step screen shots)
http://www.twitip.com/how-to-set-up-a-twitter-account/

There are a few YouTube videos to view and follow like this one:

And the key thing you should do before you start to create your account is to determine what you really want to do with it. Are you going to represent yourself? or your business/company? This should lead to your choice of name. Your name or Twitter handle should be consistent with your brand.

When you set up your account, if you would like to follow me, you can find me at @shersteve

I'm on LinkedIn, now what?

2013-06-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

The presentation document I used for the session at the recent Job Search Jam Sessions to answer the prime question: "I'm on LinkedIn, now what?"

The discussion moved quickly from the slides to LinkedIn itself where we covered a number of questions on the settings, how to change them, what they are good for, etc.

A second session continued to answer questions on LinkedIn and then got into more discussion around how to avoid sending your resume into the black hole. The short version of that is to submit it via the normal channels, customize your cover letter, include the key words of the position description, and then use the network to get someone or even better two folks to internally recommend you for the position. You need to get out of the pile to get the first interview.

Additional information on the Job Search Jam Sessions can be found on the webpage
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

The Devil came up to Boston

2013-06-15T09:18:00.001-04:00

A great song, given the uniquely Bahston treatment! and oh yes, this is NSFW!

For more about the Adam Ezra Group http://adamezra.com/

and here: http://www.youtube.com/user/adamezragroup?feature=watch

What will the future jobs look like?

2013-06-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

In this TED Talk, Andrew McAfee talks about the jobs of the future and what it means for us.

Winston Churchill came to my home of MIT in 1949, and he said, "If we are to bring the broad masses of the people in every land to the table of abundance, it can only be by the tireless improvement of all of our means of technical production."

Abraham Lincoln realized there was one other ingredient. He said, "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to give them the plain facts."

So the optimistic note, great point that I want to leave you with is that the plain facts of the machine age are becoming clear, and I have every confidence that we're going to use them to chart a good course into the challenging, abundant economy that we're creating.

Final prep for Job Search Jam Sessions

2013-06-13T06:57:00.000-04:00

The final 'to do' list items are being checked off as Jun 14th approaches and the next Job Search Jam Sessions gets underway.

Where will it be held?
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2013/06/where-will-job-search-jam-sessions-be.html

What the sessions schedule look like?
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-does-job-search-jam-session.html

What will the day be like?
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-will-job-search-jam-sessions-be.html

Bring your business cards to exchange as you network and as an entry into a book raffle

Dress for success and update your LinkedIn profile photo (photographer on site)

5 different sessions during the course of the day to help you jump start your job search. Only $8 (you can pay at the door). this covers lunch and refreshments

Will I see you in Hopkinton on Friday?

What will Job Search Jam Sessions be like?

2013-06-11T06:19:00.000-04:00

Unlike other conferences, this one depends upon you and the others participating. You help to make this happen by showing up, asking questions, offering to help and networking. You will get out of this event as much, if not more, than you put in. This will be your time to find out what others know, get your questions answered from those who can answer them, and get to network with others to build your listing of valuable connections.

How should I prepare?
Come to the event prepared to share something you have learned along the way. Come prepared for learn. Come prepared to network (bring business cards).

How should I dress?
Dress as you would for any other networking event, business casual or business comfortable. You still want to make a good first impression but a suit or tux is not required.

What does the facility look like?
Check out the brief video of the facility recorded during May 2010:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2010/05/video-tour-of-job-search-jam-session.html

What will the schedule be?
Check out the overall event session schedule here:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/p/schedule.html

What can I expect the event to be like?
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-to-expect.html

When do the doors open?
The registration/welcome desk will be open at 8:30 AM.
You can check in, pay at the door (if you elected to do that), and make a name tag.

Beginning at 9:00 AM (or thereabouts) we'll provide an overview of an unconference using the open space technology.

If you want to read up on the unconference format, you can find info here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace

here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?WorkingInOpenSpace

and here:
http://podcamp.pbworks.com/ scroll down the page to view the section on how to "host a podcamp"

What is the registration fee being used for?

We intentionally don't want to make money, we recognize that funds are tight.
We did want to charge something to ensure a reasonable headcount for planning purposes.

Hence, the $8 charge seems reasonable and allows us to plan a good event and to make a contribution to the church for the use of the facility.

Your registration fee ($8.00) paid via Eventbrite nets the organizing team approx. $6.50 (Eventbrite has a charge for processing the credit card).

From the $6.50 times however many people register, we will plan for refreshments, lunch and will purchase accordingly.

All surplus funds will be donated to the St John the Evangelist Parish. The church has graciously allowed us use of the facility for free. A full accounting of the receipts and expenses will be provided to the attendees.

You can still talk about the event with your friends, neighbors and networked connections. Registrations will be taken at the door on Friday. You can share the event website http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

or have them go directly to the registration page http://jobsearchjamsessions4.eventbrite.com/

Thank you. See you soon.

The Job Search Jam Sessions organizing committee

Even AARP says you need to be social to find work these days!

2013-06-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Using one or more of the social media tools to find work these days is becoming more and more of a requirement. The recent AARP Bulletin, (yes, I am that old (although young at heart!) has the cover article titled "Why you need social media to find your dream job"

AARP article on going social to look for work

If you are 40+ and looking for work today, you need to be using LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media tools. Why? The recruiters are using those tools to check you out. If you don't have a good presence there, they will simply skip by you.

There are naysayers who claim you don't need to use these tools. I would agree it is not absolutely required for every industry or skilled position but it is becoming more so.

One item in the recent and local Franklin news makes this point. Brittany MacLeod just graduated from Marist College in NY. She was a Franklin High School grad and served as the student representative to the School Committee for two years. This spring her mother heard about Australia running a campaign for #bestjob. Brittany found out and started her campaign. This young lady from little Franklin, MA rose to the top 3 in the world out of 600,000 candidates!

On Wednesday Jun 5th, she was hosted at the MA State House and presented a proclamation wishing her the best of luck. In the evening, she received similar treatment from the Franklin Town Council. Do you think something like that might help your job application?

As this is posted, she is in Australia courtesy of the Australian Board of Tourism running the job search to prove herself as one of the three finalist for "Chief Funster". She'll find out June 20th if she'll be moving down under to start her career.

Will the YouTube videos, blog posts, tweets, Instagram pictures, that she used to help create the buzz around her campaign work for you? Maybe all of them won't but one or more of them just might give you the edge you need to rise out of the pack.

The Job Search Jam Sessions being held this Friday, Jun 14 will feature one or more sessions on these social media tools. You'll be able to update your LinkedIn profile picture (photographer on site).

So what are you waiting for?

Get to the Job Search Jam Sessions webpage to find out what else is happening.
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

While there check out the results of the three prior JSJS events (2 in 2012, and one in 2011). For $8 you can afford to find out how to use these social media tools to get your next position.

Register here http://jobsearchjamsessions4.eventbrite.com/

Note: The nature of the AARP Bulletin website prevents a direct link to the article (you need to be registered to view the content).

related posts

Franklin Town Council proclamation http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/franklin-town-council-sends-bmac-down.html

Brittany's 30 second video http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/send-bmac-down-under.html

Read more on BMAC's webpage http://sendbmacdownunder.wordpress.com/

Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Send.BMAC.Down.Under

Check out her videos on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/SendBMacDownUnder

What's the best advice on starting college?

2013-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Franklin High School sent its senior class into the new life on Friday. This event is happening in many high schools around the US. It is a challenge for high schoolers to face their future. What will it be? Will they follow the advice of family and friends? Will they follow their own desires and needs?

Ze Frank has this rambling but poignant video providing advice on starting college.

What would you add to this advice?

It is about time to Ctrl Alt Delete

2013-06-08T09:29:00.000-04:00

During the course of this wonderful conversation, Match says:

"I don't get a world where people go to the gym everyday to fine tune their body and spend zero time on anything that happens above the neck."

That shows the passion for life long learning that drives Mitch. Any reader here should recognize I share that life long learning passion as well.

There are so many points to take off on this conversation between Jonathan Fields and Mitch Joel, I probably could do a series of posts to cover a month. However, it is not my takeaway that matters. It is up to you to do something. Start by spending about 45 minutes with Jonathan and Mitch here.

Listen to more of Jonathan's The Good Life Project http://www.goodlifeproject.com/

Follow Mitch on Twitter, or his Twist Image blog and podcast http://www.twistimage.com/en

You can find out more about Mitch's book here http://www.ctrlaltdeletebook.com/

morning bird songs Friday Jun 7

2013-06-07T06:53:00.001-04:00

The dogwood tree in my back yard is in full bloom now. It is one good sight to wake up to!

dogwood tree

listen to ‘morning bird songs Friday Jun 7’ on Audioboo

Job Search Jam Sessions - June 14

2013-06-05T06:16:00.000-04:00

Just over a week to go. Still plenty of time to get your ticket. Sessions on LinkedIn, entrepreneur opportunities, practice interview questions, how to organize a buddy group, and an opportunity to update your profile photo are among those proposed thus far.

Learning, sharing, networking

Register here: http://jobsearchjamsessions4.eventbrite.com/

Find out more about the event here http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

Download the flyer to post and share with your network http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2013/05/job-search-jam-sessions-june-14-flyer.html

Valley Forge

2013-06-03T06:34:00.001-04:00

Where do you go when it is so hot? A place that at least can bring a sense of cold. The American army wintered in Valley Forge and suffered in the cold. They did manage to survive and then to beat the British at Monmouth later that year to help turn the tide.

soldiers hut at Valley Forge

Imagining the cold helped deal with the heat of the day.

morning bird songs 5/32/13

2013-05-31T06:52:00.001-04:00

listen to ‘morning bird songs 5/32/13’ on Audioboo

Why do we kiss? (video)

2013-05-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Serendipity can be a wonderful thing. I happened up this one as I cruised a bit after a Ze Frank episode. Kissing, I'll admit, is something I enjoy. Learning as much more about kissing, attachment and uncertainty in the dozen minutes it took to watch this.

Michael creates a compelling video packed full of info. I hope you enjoy!

chose to do it

2013-05-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Ze Frank has some great advice on the creative career. You are creative, right. Whether you like it or not, you need to be in order to be successful. So you are in the right place. Spend a few minutes with Ze

Now go do it, or continue to do it! Either way, do it!

Blackstone River Bike Path

2013-05-28T06:26:00.001-04:00

Dolores and I had a nice ride on the Blackstone River Bike Path on Memorial Day. The weather was glorious and the path was well used.

geese et al were on the bike path

In addition to the many bikers, there were runners, roller bladers, walkers and a family of geese found enjoying the path.

Memorial Day

2013-05-27T08:08:00.001-04:00

Memorial Day is remembering those who serve and have served on our behalf.

Jerry's flag

Thanks Dad!

Visit Jerry's Story for a video from Channel 10 on the recent Honor Flight from RI

soccer in the rain

2013-05-26T08:40:00.003-04:00

Soccer in the rain can be fun, especially when you team plays well and wins 2-0!

For good stretches of the game, they play the triangle passing game to keep possession. About time! Yea, Revs!

rhododendron in the rain

2013-05-25T10:32:00.001-04:00

There is a rainy start to the weekend here in Franklin. Not much of matter to me, I have plenty to do inside and I am glad that at least the lawn got cut on Thursday when it was dry.

rhododendron blooming

plan your work and pleasure in and around the weather this weekend and you'll get a lot accomplished!

BTW - if you are looking for some additional reading, my quiet poet entries have been busy as I have discovered some drafts sitting unpublished and managed to get caught up on those. You can find the sherku at http://www.quietpoet.com/

morning bird songs

2013-05-24T06:44:00.001-04:00

listen to ‘morning bird songs’ on Audioboo

stand of trees where the birds are

Talk Show Subway Car

2013-05-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Where does time go?

The long weekend is almost upon us. It is Comedy Week on YouTube and this is the only one I have caught but it is another good situation from ImprovEverywhere.

Enjoy!

Fresh cut

2013-05-19T06:32:00.004-04:00

The lawn is newly cut and smelling good in the long shadows from the setting sun

lawn shadows

morning birdsongs

2013-05-17T06:35:00.001-04:00

listen to ‘morning birdsongs’ on Audioboo

Privacy policy updated on LinkedIn

2013-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

The short video highlights the approach

The details can be reviewed here
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

One of the common questions during any session discussing LinkedIn is what to share and how to change your settings. These questions will likely be addressed in one or more sessions at the next Job Search Jam Sessions event scheduled for June 14, 2013
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2013/04/job-search-jam-sessions-ready-to-return.html

welcome blossom

2013-05-13T06:15:00.002-04:00

The flower opens up to attract bees who come for the nectar, pollinate and fly on.

flower bud

What is your front porch like? Are you open and welcoming?