#DAYAFTER: How to deal with changing jobs!

Apr 18 2012 Published by under Day After

Yesterday’s #millennialchat produced 85 tweets generated 54,555 impressions, reaching an audience of 9,772 followers.
(statistics provided by hashtracking.com)

Top 5 tweeters:
1. @jenniferlspies – 19
2. @millennialchat – 17
3. @vocuscareers – 10
4. @willie_matis – 9
5. @sarahkathleen – 8

 

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New Year… still looking for a New Gig?

Jan 19 2012 Published by under Tristen S. 

by Tristen S.

So it’s a new year and that means job opportunities are starting to open up! Last we met you were busy cleaning up your online profiles and had your eyes set on finding a sweet new gig.

Here are some more quick tricks to help you land your next (or first) job:

1) Make a business card: There are a bunch of sites out there such as vistaprint.com or moo.com that allow you to make a couple hundred free business cards and you’ll only have to pay for shipping and handling. They’re a minimal investment and will help you out when you’re meeting people in your industry. No need for some weird title like, “CEO, biatch.” Try something along the mature route of “Recent Marketing Grad” or “Young Tech Pro”. I included info like my major, interest, email address, blog link, and social media links.

Having a business card is incredibly beneficial and you’ll have no idea how helpful they really are unless you follow the next steps…

2) Networking: This might seem like the obvious one in the bunch but it’s imperative for someone who is not working to quit sulking, get off their butt, and actually get out there to meet people. Look up different associations in your field such as PRSA (for those out there interested in public relations) or check out sites like Meetup.com where you’re bound to find an event of interest. A lot of networking events provide free or discounted booze as an incentive to attend so don’t feel silly if you spent the night schmoozing with a little extra liquid courage but don’t get completely sloshed.

I recommend having 1-2 drinks – seriously.

3) Follow Ups: So you spent a night passing out your fresh new business cards and collecting a few for yourself. It’s incredibly important that you follow up with everyone that you meet. Send an “it was nice meeting you and talking about ____” email and add the people on LinkedIn. Make sure any messages you send helps you stick out – bring up whatever interesting topics you discussed, even if it’s about your common love of border collies.

Social Media Camp 2009- Social Media for the Job Search

flickr photo by deanmeyersnet

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To learn more from or connect with Tristen, follow her on Twtitter – @TristenS
You can also follow the rest of The Millennial Chat Team here.
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How are you beginning your search for a job this year?
What steps are you taking?
We would like to hear it! Join the discussion on our Facebook page, or tweet at us!

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Looking for a New Gig?

Dec 07 2011 Published by under Tristen S. 

by Tristen S.

Me too and the news is pretty hopeful.

The US Department of Labor reported an increase of 120,000 jobs during the month of November (a New York Times article details it here) and there’s nothing but improvements coming our way. If you’re as impatient as I am, and if I know anything about #millennials it’s our inability to sit idle too well, rest assured that you’re lucky enough to have the right tools with which to amplify your career prospects.

Something I find most interesting about our generation is the ability to make navigating the internet look like child’s play. Members of older generations might consider this skill to be borderline stalkery, but for the incredibly lucky members of our generation who grew up using computers full-time, we know that the only thing holding you back from a role on a CSI show is your overall lack of acting ability. Adversely, this wonderful ability can also be a hindrance to your job searching if you’re not handling yourself properly on the internet.

That being said, it’s best to use your knowledge of the interwebs to enhance your over-all job searching.

Here are three quick tidbits of advice before you start disseminating your resume:

  1. Know Your Footprint: Do an audit of yourself online.
    Perform a quick Google search of your name and be sure to use quotation marks. If you’re unaware, the use of quotation marks in a search makes the query an absolute. If you’re a John Smith type, hold your pre-emptive self-congratulations. You’re no easier to hide on the internet than the rest of the John Smith’s out there after you provide additional details such as where you’re from, or you went to school. Entering “John Smith,” “Stamford, CT,” “U. of Whatever” will tell me a lot in a search engine.
  2. Self-Edit: So you’ve figured out what kind of websites your name is tied to – now what?
    First of all, you need to ask yourself what kind of things would you like associated with your name. It’s probably not pictures of you doing a keg stand, or a link through to an unsavory website. Leave the college years in college. Remove tags and associations with groups that lost their funny-factor, and ask friends (or blurry acquaintances) to remove pieces of content (photos, notes, etc) that may not show you in your best light.
  3. Become an Expert: While the internet has given us things like LOLCat.com…
    it has also given us a stronger ability to self-educate. Figure out who the prominent people in your field of interest are and learn from them. Stay up to date with the latest and greatest in your field and be able to speak to them. Remember folks, a college degree will only get you so far.

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To learn more from and connect with Tristen, follwer here on Twitter – @TristenS
You can also follow the rest of The Millennial Chat Team here.
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How have YOU controlled your presence online?  Do you have a set of personal guidelines when determining what you post and what you don’t post?
Comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page!

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