Job Search - The Voice of Job Seekers

6 Social Media Updates Undermining Your Personal Brand

There are times when what you don’t say speaks volumes about your personal brand. These days you must be 100% aware of your reputation online. A large percentage of them are looking, evaluating, and deciding their next steps. My advice is to avoid disqualifying yourself over things you can control.

Social media is still a double-edged sword. If you’re found, then the content is expected, and if not found, then employers are on to the next candidate.

1. Outdated updates.

I see this daily on Facebook and Twitter. People want to break the news but don’t check the dates of the article. How disturbing is it when someone is posting an article about a celebrity’s death from three years ago? But let’s take this a little bit further. What impression is left when you post an update to a news article from three years ago? Or even a year ago? These same people who struggle with finding jobs and remaining employed seem to post the most out-of-date articles Bob Parsons, CEO of Go Daddy is right– especially in social media, yesterday’s news is irrelevant.

2. Inappropriate jokes

There are several I know employers hate to see. The one comment I heard recently (the employer will remain anonymous) is the ones promoting abuse and racial epitaphs. Politics and religion aren’t as bothersome, but those personally attacking any candidate is disturbing. It makes most people feel uncomfortable after the first, but then when someone sends a steady stream of them makes the user seem like an awful person–to hire!

3. Updates from parody websites without acknowledging they are a parody website

The problem isn’t the site, but it’s your citing them as a credible source is a problem. Then your comments following just confirms the insidiousness of the actual update. If you want your timeline to be reliable and impressive to employers, you’re shooting yourself in the foot and your pocket. Most of us assume you will post a verifiable source by checking other credible sources. These days a small blog can publish a credible article rarely seen, but it still needs verification from another source. Similarly, parody sites can post a reliable source, but parody is sprinkled throughout make the article insignificant.

For the complete article, go to CareerCloud.com!

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

8 Inexpensive Mobile Apps to Help Your Job Search

You’re all about maximizing your phone’s mobile apps—and you’ve probably even used it to apply for jobs. And along the way, you’ve depended on apps like Evernote and Dropbox to stay organized and make the process easier. But those basic tools aren’t the only ones you can use to get ahead now.

Today’s job search requires some agility and adaptability. You want to navigate the process and respond to employers quickly and thoroughly from wherever you are. So, whatever the stage you’re in, these apps will help you out—plus they’re all under $5.

To read the all eight suggestions, go to The Muse!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Why Your Job Search Requires More Than You’re Willing to Give

Your job search requires maximum effort. Don’t obsess over it. But don’t take minimum results for granted by investing little bits of time. Finding a job is hard work and requires sacrifices, energy, and preparation. Not only is it essential for the implementation of any sound strategy, but acquire accurate intelligence about the marketplace and how

Not only is it essential for the implementation of any sound strategy but acquire accurate intelligence about the marketplace and how you fit in it.

Click To Tweet

you fit in it.

Moderate effort is insufficient in today’s job search. Searching job boards and relying on chance is far too little to be invited to interview. Everything thing you do to be successful in your job search must manifest itself in the interview.

Preparation is key to succeeding at different types of interviews. You can very well have a phone interview, be required to complete an assessment, and have a video interview before an in-person meeting. Are you ready? You have to be to stand out from all other job candidates.

Read: I Have to Find a Job Will Sound Silly in 2017

What I’m not stating is to overcompensate busy work, or look busy to impress employers. The likelihood of that is nil to none. If you haven’t interviewed for a job in a year, preparation, practice, and some patience are critical elements.

1. Minimum effort gets you nowhere. One of the worst phrases someone can say is, “I don’t want to do all of that! I just want a job!” First, you just don’t want a job. If so, UPS and McDonald’s are always hiring, so it’s much deeper than trying some strategies out of your comfort zone. On the contrary, strategies involving more thought, time, and resources are likely to get a noticeable return. If none of the strategies involve meeting new people, then it’s time to change our approach. People hire people, and if you are not meeting people, then you’re not getting interviews.

2. Your competition is out working you. Job seekers forget how competitive the job market is until they are turned down for several opportunities. You are minimizing your efforts before you interview and the chosen candidate for the final rounds are choosing to close the deal no matter what it takes. Your work is not done even after the first interview or the third. You can’t even settle down when you get the offer.

Listen: Giving Women Courage in their Career Development

3. You’re afraid of being annoying. There’s a difference between persistence and annoying. Much of it has to do with how, the way, and the tone of how you inquire. Much like interviewing, a rehearsal with someone will help prepare you to gather the nerve and your responses. Employers and staff often appreciate someone who is persistent but charming.

4. You think preparation is overboard and unnecessary. From time to time, I will work with a client who thinks that I am insulting his or her intelligence because we practice a conversation. There are people I’ve worked with who get it and don’t need the help. There’s nothing wrong with saying you need help with having an uncomfortable conversation.

5. We’re talking about practice, man! No sweat nor tears without practice interviewing. This is part of the work ethic to excel and impress employers. It’s the least costliest of the strategist anyone will tell you other than getting enough sleep. You can find interview questions all over the web to help you prepare.

What’s important is to practice the honing your skills to answer directly, think on your feet, and tell relevant stories showing your capabilities and fit.

Click To Tweet

Without practice, you’re likely to tank the opportunity.

Listen: Get Ready for an Agile Job Search with Nissar Ahamed

6. Not trying to discover your value proposition. If this is clear to you, then it should be clear to your network to discover your value. Emphasizing you’re a “hard worker” and “you love people” are pseudonyms for “I don’t know how I would add value to your company.”

Perhaps we can make workout and job search comparisons, but expect to sweat and show grit. You’re not just finding a job, and you’re creating a future. The intelligence you gain here help you navigate the next job search. Consider this: It is likely you will navigate multiple job search campaigns in the future with much less time in between. If you think it’s easy or a job search shouldn’t take time, you’re doing it wrong.