Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

Online Reputation for Job Seekers

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In this interview, I talked with Hannah Morgan, the founder of CareerSherpa.net where she provides legendary advice on job search, personal branding, and online visibility and reputation management. She also writes about careers for U.S. News and World Report and co-authored the book, “Social Networking for Business Success: How to Turn Your Ideas into Income.”

One of the things that Hannah and I discuss the segment from last week, “Would You Resign This Way?” where the cast I discussed the reputation of the woman resigning via video. Listen to Hannah’s response to how this woman may appear to employers.

Then we discussed the small differences between how an online reputation is viewed in 2014 than it was in 2011, and how much social proof is weighed as a positive attribute. Hannah shares a study that showed 80-90% of employers are “googling candidates.” Listen to her response about how our personal and business reputations have merged.

Hannah shares about some tools to use to fix your reputation if needed such as a tool called Brand Yourself. She also promotes (as I do) in using Linked In as a portfolio where you can post articles, videos, and samples of your work product.

Oh, by the way, there were funny things that were happening with my Internet connection so there might be one part of the conversation I did not edit when I lost Hannah. It may seem that she changes subjects within a sentence, but that was due to me stopping and starting.

Please, editing faux pas and all, enjoy our conversation.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Four Job Search Lessons to Learn from Martin Luther King

There is no man who Americans celebrate more who is not a President nor a Military hero as widely and prominently as Dr. Martin Luther King. He is quoted and heralded in many facets of American life in ways that shapes our faith and beliefs. Truly Dr. King is still a polarizing figure, and one that many people find moral and racial differences in what did and what he represents.

Job Seekers are generally looking for inspiration from many different sources, and Dr. King offers wisdom that inspire steadfastness in a difficult job search.

1. Answer questions directly, thoroughly, and with temperance. We’re not talking about interviews, but generally conversations. People will inquire of you in an unkind, not so cordial manner, and you must ignore the behavior that may otherwise drive you crazy. Even when people in a business setting may not say “hello,” “good morning,” or “good evening.”

Dr. King exemplified temperance in everyway, and trained people that marched with him the same way. People who marched were trained to respond non-violently where they were the object of hostility, violence, and hatred. In the same way, train yourself for adverse reactions through rejection. Sometime strange interview questions are given to test your reaction.

2. Dr. King had unswerving focus. If you never read “A Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” then you will never know how to tactfully thwart haters and take a stand without being personal in your response. During your job search, people will give you bad advice about finding a job. It is likely antiquated advice that doesn’t apply anymore. Dr. King’s response to a bunch of his peers asking him to stop his marches was generally, a resounding, “NO!” He just didn’t tell them no, but examined and disseminated his reasoning soundly and profoundly.

3. Constantly collaborated. People came from all over the country to help in the marches, but ultimately, many risked their well-being and their havens to be associated with the movement. As part of my coaching with job search clients is to help them form coalitions because it takes a village to find a job and/or advance your career. We all need people to “join the march” to fulfill our career purpose. You must make this an intentional strategy to build this “village,” and they must believe in you.

4. Dr. King understood his purpose requires longevity. I recently heard from a former client who is still enduring a job search for a couple of years now. She is hanging in there and realizes how important to stay engaged in every way possible. Dr. King’s speeches often point to “…one day.” I am only suggesting that patience is a part of any job hunt, and it takes time even you are doing everything right.

A job search from any perspective challenges your patience, confidence, and faith in people. Don’t let the day go buy without improving your social profiles, or to start that blog that you’ve thought about, or to call someone to help them.

Make a difference today.

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Job Seekers, Would You Resign This Way? (PODCAST)

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Bianca, Keith, and I started the segment, “Would You Resign This Way?” several weeks and wanted to feature this segment as an entire episode. We all agreed that we need to keep it classy when we’re ready to resign regardless of the reason we choose. While we examined the video, we manage to come away with many points as food for thought. We lend commentary to the video where the woman creates a video to quit the company where she says, “…took my life away.”

At the time, we referenced the Huffington Post article that also shows the video of her quitting. Some of the thoughts that came out of our discussion:

Resign with your future in mind, and understand if it has future repercussions
What was the motive behind her quitting for her to make such a elaborate production
She could put her own career in that industry in jeopardy, then again, maybe not
What should an employee do when the job is not a fit?
What does this say about the creator’s judgment when things are not working out?
Is it laziness when you choose not to be transparent about how you feel about your duties?
How about considering and weighing the first 90 days of your position and be ready move on if it doesn’t look like your future is there?
Someone will likely hire her in that industry because of her creativity. Remains to be seen.

This is a short episode (purposely), but I thought that the questions and points raised views that job seekers need to consider. Even your resignation from a job doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a job before 90 days if the fit doesn’t exist.

I also noticed my own grammar fouls as host, but we are an unscripted show. But I am not quitting. Not this job.

In addition, since the initial video from the woman, the company responded (see video below). Enjoy the show!