10 ten things you should not do

1. Dress "business casual" : Even though this should be common sense, I have interviewed someone who came in sockless before. Seriously people, if you are trying to show your best side to a potential employer a suit is the way to go. Every single time. Unless of course the interviewer tells you specifically not to dress up.

2. Use slang in an email: believe it or not, your future employer is checking to see what your written skills are in a professional environment. no y'all or cool or stuff in your emails.

3. Put a picture on your resume: I have come to understand that this may be the "norm" in other countries. Here in the US it just gets your resume passed around the office for a giggle.

4. Personal info on the resume: It is great if you are actively involved in an organization that involves your hobby, by all means add that information... Do not add your sewing hobby, marital status, or the 3.5 kids/animals you have at home. Not interested and will not ask.

5. Multiple phone calls: The recruiter and/or hiring manager did not forget about you. A courtesy email after a few days is fine, but stalking a very busy person is not a good idea. Bad impression.

6. Blue tooth: This invention is awesome, but it has no place in the interview. Take it off and do not tell the interviewer that you "forget" about it. The last thing I want is someone going to a client's office and "forgetting" to take their blue tooth out for a meeting. What else are you going to forget about if the blue tooth on your body is forgettable.

7. Not researching the company: No excuse. If you want the position, it is worth the hour long website research to find out what the company is all about and develop some questions about them.

8. Phone ringing: and even worse you taking the call. The interviewer has taken time out of their day to speak with you. Turn it off, leave it in the car. This clearly also applies to texting while interviewing -- as dangerous as texting while driving ;)

9. Understanding your experience: Make sure that you can communicate your background clearly and apply it to the job description you were given. Best idea is to create a "match-up" between your skill base and the needs of the company.

10. Wrong contact info on the resume: seriously? I won't even give an explanation here.

Conversations

I was asked to present on Social Media to our company this morning. When attempting to build the PowerPoint I found myself asking, "what is it we are trying to accomplish?". Well, in my office we are working on bolstering sales and finding great people. I think the same question and answer can be applied to someone searching for a new position.

How do we get there with social media? By starting a conversation and winning people's confidence in our abilities. I really feel that is relevant for an active job search as well.

You want to find the best company to work for. The best company that fits your needs and you in turn fit their needs.

How do we start a conversation!?

Lets say you are looking for a Business Intelligence position. Find a group on LinkedIn or another outlet and start asking professionals what they think... About something you read, something you thought would be a cool project, problems you have had with projects in the past. Make the topic interesting and open-ended so that people want to respond. Also, make the topic transferable to others to keep a wide level of expertise.

You will find that great professionals will answer your call. This can be a great way to learn about new companies and in turn expand your current network.


One of the best people at starting a conversation on just about anything is Ellen. Check out her twitter page or website. Every single time she is interested in something people listen... I think it is more than her "famousness". I think it has a lot to do with the way she thinks about every day things.

My 2 cents for the day :)

Ellen's billboard that I see on the way home from work everyday. Who doesn't love a crazy straw?