Analyzing the Digital Footprint of Your Candidates

Analyzing the Digital Footprint of Your Candidates Sponsored by The Social Index. Unfortunately there is very little anyone can do to get rid of their digital footprint online. It includes the websites youve visited, the emails youve sent and the information youve submitted online. While you might recoil in horror at the thought that someone, somewhere can see what youve been up to online, there are times when this can actually go in your favour. Fiona McLean is a seasoned HR practitioner with experience from both the UK and Australia. She is also the founder of  The Social Index, a service that analyses the digital footprint of job applicants in a very transparent way. Have a listen to our chat below, keep reading for a summary and dont forget to subscribe to the Employer Branding Podcast. Why is analyzing a candidates social footprint important? From a company perspective, youre looking at a culture fit. Its the absolute goal in any recruitment process to find that candidate who fits your culture  because that person is very likely to be more productive, get on better with most of your team, and be able to work very well with clients, which drives revenue. The other side of that is, they have the potential for a long-term career. What you get with analyzing someones social footprint is another data set for  the interview. Youve got a CV, youve done a couple of interviews, but theres still an area of grey; how will they fit? What are they like? How will they respond to change? What sort of interests do they have? Will they fit with our client needs or our team and company culture? Thats where social medias fantastic. It gives you evidence of all of that. It does it in a way (and certainly with the platform weve designed) that protects someones privacy because we only look at whats in the public domain, but put it in context o f the workplace. How does analyzing a candidates footprint impact employer brand? Weve found there are searches on both the candidates side and the companys side. My concern is that theyre unstructured, and some companies are really struggling with how to find out more about a candidate thats relevant without opening themselves up to a whole range of discriminatory claims and biased decision-making because youre seeing maybe one or two comments out of context. Weve taken away that nervousness about what do you know about me? How can I trust that youve done a good and effective due diligence review of me? And the candidate is better prepared for that interview too because youve both got the same information. So, we manage the privacy elements. We manage the areas that are unrelated for work and we filter out things that just dont matter. If youre going to the beach every weekend and youre an accountant, thats really not going to matter too much to whether you could do your job Monday to Friday well. However, if youre in Australia and youre working for a surf compan y and you go to the beach every weekend, thats a very powerful connection to the culture of that organization so they may well filter that in. We also only do it once the interview process has started, and theres already been a relationship established. Cant HR  just run their own Google searches? One of the first a major pitfall of running your own Google search is that youve got to check that the person doing the search is actually skilled in understanding whats relevant for the role, that theyre going beyond page two of Google, and that theyre able to understand how to get through and understand a footprint. How does someones Facebook profile line up with their LinkedIn profile, and line up with their CV. Thats quite a complex role, which could be a  three to four day piece of research work if you do it properly. So, there are lots of risks in doing that. Then youve got someone looking at it through the lens of, Well, I might be in my twenties and Im looking at candidates in their forties. So, theres a life experience gap there. Or vice-versa. They may never have had any sales experience. So, theyre missing some of the nuances of a sales persons network or a sales persons extroverted style on social media, which isnt a massive plus in some roles where theyre doing a lot of client entertainment. But if the person reviewing them isnt seeing it through that lens, you could end up missing on a great candidate. And theres a lot of really great stuff deeper and wider once youve got consent to actually go further. So, I think the risks of doing a Google search are now much greater with the volume of data thats out there than a couple of years ago. What happens after I connect and verify my accounts? We take between 24 to 48 hours just to check all the announcers are working. We want to make sure someones getting the best interview at the end of it. Thats really a form of us verifying your identity to make sure were actually looking at you as the individual. So when we do a wider Google search we can say to you and a potential company, This is absolutely the right candidate, and this is the key assets and digital strength of their footprint. We can be assured that this is the right person for the role, and the right person were reviewing. Thats one of the challenges when you do a Google search. How do you know that this is actually the person youre looking at? We do a bit of analysis to make sure that its the right person. We can identify where there might be similar names and see other people onsite with both the candidate and the company. These are other people who look the  same but we can absolutely assure you theyre not in any way associated with the report were doing. And t hen after that, you get an infographic report that breaks down your digital footprint into where you spend your time on social media, your time that you post and when you post.  For a lot of communications, recruitment, and sales roles, youd be online nine to five. And thats a real plus. If youre an auditor or an accountant or a lawyer, potentially youre not online during those times. So, we tend to see different patterns of engagement. Then we look at your career timeline and really sort of start to celebrate and showcase where youve been active online in publishing, where youve been active in being promoted, where thats visible, language skills, international experience, wider interests. And really do a really strong showcasing of the skills that youre talking about online so that on one page, a candidate and a company can be really prepared for that interview and pick out the stuff that really matters rather than trying to read a three page CV. What happens when  you cant identify an individual online? It hasnt happened often but it does seem to be where weve had some mixed results on profiles. Those who have been under 35 generally have a fairly strong footprint on a number of platforms. Theyve grown up with it and are very comfortable with it. But those over 35, its very role dependent; what their industry and role has driven. It can be really driven by potentially some of the regulations in those industries and potentially just the style of the individual getting comfortable with those platforms. So, where we do the report, weve obviously already verified through the email link and a mobile number that its them. If they then dont have a footprint on any of those platforms, we can verify that both by them saying, Heres the link. I dont have an account. I dont have a profile on those pages. Thats fine. And second, we do a secondary search to make sure that there is any other publications that might be out there, any other links of people who might have liked a photo of them online can pop up as well. So, that can see the extent of where they might be present online, but its very much a limited outcome. I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing for some roles and some industries as some areas really do say you cant be online in certain platforms. But, increasingly, for senior executives to not have a footprint on at least one place, for example LinkedIn, is becoming problematic in terms of you being the face and representation of the brand of the organization. What is the general feeling of candidates being scrutinized on social? Its been positive. Theres been quite rightly questions around privacy. The biggest question we get is, I keep my activities online separate. So, for example, my LinkedIn is all for professional connections, Facebooks private. Then the next question is, Well, when you look at your Facebook network, are there any work colleagues on there? And they said, Of course. Im friends with my boss. Im friends with my team. We go out socially. And that happens across the major markets that Ive worked in and were working in now. What we find is people treat those connections differently, but they are a mix of work and professional. Once we show them that its an infographic report, where the datas put into context for whats needed in the workplace, that privacy issue goes away and we actually find them very engaged.  It actually becomes a really nice coaching tool for them to think about  and adapt to.  I dont have to worry about privacy because its captured in our third-party relationship between them and the organization. Why invest in a product that analyzes digital footprint? Your career is your biggest asset. It is the source of financial security. It gives you a sense of purpose. So, understanding how you present yourself gives you more choices, and  opportunity to connect with people. Theres fantastic research actually around how you build your network and having a wider network and creating new experiences. Its particularly important at this time as workplaces are changing. The more varied the network is, the more opportunity you have to navigate that really well. So, understanding that in the first instance is a fantastic way to start building and planning your career. Even if its only simply saying Im really comfortable where I am now and this is all I need to do. But for those who are also thinking I want to build a career that lets me retire when Im 42 or I want to go and be the CEO, you need to start thinking about that and actually understanding how you can do that. Without investment of an executive coach, or having to work in large corporates, this is a single tool that can help you do that. From a company side branch, it all comes to a lining an individuals reputation to your company brand. And when that works, its fantastic. Youll attract more people into your organization. Youve got motivated and engaged employees who are more productive. But you can also know that youve got the right fit to help that person realize some of those career aspirations as well. Find out more at TheSocialIndex.com  and follow Fiona Twitter @McLean_Fi.

Using a Resume Writing Service For Nurses

Using a Resume Writing Service For NursesOne of the most important things that a nurse should consider is hiring a resume writing service for nurses. The need for these services is on the rise, as many nurses are finding their abilities to be in demand. There are plenty of companies out there, so it is up to you to find the right one for your needs.You should know that there are many companies out there who can help you with a standard resume. However, most of them are not. They simply hire other companies to help them in their resumes. This is not good for you, because you don't want the company that you are working with to be the one to give your resume a low ranking.Therefore, the best place to find this service is by word of mouth. Talk to people who have had experience working with the companies you are looking for. Then, you can find out if they were satisfied with the work they did. You will also know the type of service you will receive, when you work with a resume writing se rvice for nurses.You may also be able to get some recommendations by asking a colleague, friend, or family member for their services. Also, you can check online and see what people have to say about the companies that they worked with. Just a little bit of research will usually be enough to get you the results you are after. You may even be surprised at how many services there are available to you!A professional resume writer can make or break your chances of landing a new job. This is why you need to be careful and make sure that you do not waste your time or money. There are many ways that you can avoid doing this, but the best one is to just trust the advice of those who know what they are talking about.One of the most simple things that a resume writing service for nurses can do for you is make sure that you are completely honest about yourself. Most people make the mistake of trying to cover up some of their less than desirable traits that are true about them. However, your wri ting needs to be factual, so it will stand out. The only way that you can do this is by getting the help of a professional resume writer.The best thing that you can do before you hire a service for nurses is to look at several of their samples and figure out which one will fit you best. This will not only save you money, but it will also help you to avoid wasting your time. Your past experiences will also come into play, so a good resume writing service for nurses will take all of this into consideration. They will then write a professional looking resume that will help you land that dream job.It is important to know that there are plenty of these services out there, but you should be aware of a few things. They all claim to be the best, but there are some that really aren't worth your time. As a matter of fact, you should never pay for a resume writing service for nurses, as it will not get you a better job. Take some time to find a good service for nurses, and you will be able to get the job you are looking for.

Starting a New Job Be Sure to Close the Job Search Loop

Starting a New Job Be Sure to Close the Job Search Loop You sent off your cover letters and resumé and completed the required online applications. You conducted informational interviews and talked to people in your career field who connected you to other professionals in the field. You interviewed, worked through case studies, presented your recommendations, participated in more interviews and finally, after all your hard work, you got the job! You deserve to celebrate. But, like it or not, there’s still one more step in your job search. You need to close the loop by sending a “thank-you, I’ve accepted a position email (or call)” to the people you connected with during your job search. This often-overlooked step leaves a strong, positive and professional impression with people that can pay big dividends for you in the future, just as it did for David, a junior at highly ranked liberal arts college: “I spoke with the partner I had the most contact with during the interview process. He told me I was their top candidate for the internship position and although he was disappointed, he understood why I accepted the internship offer that I did. He said to contact him after my summer internship to hear about how it went and to see if his company might be a good fit when I graduate.” David closed the loop while, at the same time, left the door open for a future opportunity. Who to close the loop with: It’s not necessary to close the loop with everyone you spoke with during your job search. A telephone or Skype interview with the HR person that didn’t go any further doesn’t require a close-the-loop email. However, if you talked with an outsourced/external recruiter for the position, it’s a good investment to send the email. Why? Because it’s likely this recruiter works with companies to fill entry-level/junior positions and it’s a good contact to have for the future. Here’s who else belongs on your close the loop email list. Anyone you had an informational interview with, particularly those who connected you to others. This is a way for you to build your professional network. People you interviewed with multiple times and/or stayed involved during the interview process. They liked you and its a way for them to know which companies they are competing with for young talent. The employers who made you an offer you did not accept. You always want to leave the door open for opportunities with these people and employers. Be sure to let your school’s career services center know, even if they were not involved in your job search. They should want to know where their students have landed jobs. How to format: There is no standard format for a close-the-loop email though it should generally be brief, open with a “thank you”, tell the person where you landed, and includeâ€"if you haven’t asked alreadyâ€"an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Dear Mr. Smith: Thank your for the opportunity to interview with XYZ. I appreciate the support you provided during the interview process. I’m happy to tell you that I’ve accepted a position with The Big Name Company in Chicago starting June 1st. My contact information will stay the same (see below). Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you. I’m also sending you an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Signature (includes at minimum your name, phone, email) This email is short, gracious and informative. When to send: Unlike your interview thank-you emails, you do not need to get the close-the-loop emails out immediately unless someone is waiting to hear from you such as another employer and then a phone call is more appropriate. You have time but don’t wait too long. You don’t want the connection you worked hard to make go cold.

11 Fun Fall Activities That Arent Pumpkin Picking

11 Fun Fall Activities That Aren’t Pumpkin Picking Fall is such a great time of year, because it brings out something new in everyone. The cool weather is relaxing, so people get outside easier and socialize a bit more. You feel like you’re saying goodbye to summer, but also welcoming in the holiday season with all its cozy fireplaces and yummy recipes. In recent years, fall has also become synonymous with pumpkin-flavored everything. That’s great at first, but you might find yourself getting tired of pumpkins after a while. By the time you get one to carve or decorate for Halloween, you may be more inclined to chuck the pumpkin across the yard than smell that scent one more time. So what else is there to do during fall? Read on for some suggestions of how you can spend your autumn time wisely so when the holidays arrive, you’re ready to embrace turkeys and ornaments. DIY Halloween Costumes Halloween is a big deal for many people, especially those with young kids. It’s all about getting the perfect costume, but that’s difficult when you don’t have enough money to get what everyone wants at the overpriced costume store. Instead, DIY this year by hitting up local thrift stores or making costumes out of craft supplies. Try making inventive costumes by making headband antlers for reindeer or creating a superhero cape out of an old pillowcase and decorating it with markers. Make it a challenge for everyone to use what they can find. You could even have a candy prize for the kid who makes the most creative costume! Pumpkin Art If you can’t seem to get away from the pumpkins, try doing something different with them instead. Leave the carving knife behind and opt for a paintbrush or some string. By trying to create unique pumpkin art, you’ll have fall decorations unlike anything anyone else has. If you can get some fake pumpkins at the local craft store, you could even reuse your creations next year. Tailgate a Football Game Fall and football go hand in hand. It’s like Christmas and cookies. You can’t have one without the other! That’s why one of your fall activities this year should definitely be tailgating at a football game. Bring your favorite drinks and snacks and relax before the big game. It’s a great chance to socialize before losing your voice in a cheering crowd. Never tailgated before? There’s no need to worry if you brush up on tailgate etiquette before you leave the house. Friendsgiving Think of Friendsgiving as another way to show your love to people with food before the craziness of Thanksgiving begins. While Thanksgiving is a special time of year to be with close family around a delicious meal, sometimes it’s nice to remind your friends how much you love them too. Have everyone over for a Thanksgiving-esque meal, or order something as simple as everyone’s favorite pizza. The important thing is to spend time with the friends you love to say, “Thanks for always being there for me.” Knit Something Cozy Another thing that goes right along with fall is being able to wear sweaters. Especially with the rise of Pinterest in the last few years, oversized sweaters and cute boots have become the official outfit of fall. Take that cozy sweater up a notch by accessorizing with a scarf or hat. You can learn how to knit in no time, thanks to the Internet. Go Antiquing Okay, so antiquing isn’t an activity only reserved for fall, but there’s something about the season that makes bargain-hunting more enjoyable! When you go to local thrift stores, you’ll be more likely to find some old sweaters and discounted fall decorations you can use around the house. Win, win. Pie Cook-Off During the fall season, you aren’t limited to only making pumpkin pies, so ask your friends to help widen your horizon! Have a pie cook-off to see who can make the tastiest dessert. At the very least, you’ll walk away with something new to bake for yourself or your family. Bonfire No, you don’t have to get out the same old s’mores supplies. Having your friends over for a bonfire dinner is something everyone should do at least once. You can make a variety of recipes, like grilled cheese cooked over an open fire, or chocolate-covered bananas. What could be better than feeling full by a roaring fire? Start Christmas Shopping Here’s your official reminder to get started on Christmas shopping early. Like, as early as you possibly can. Yes, there will be great deals closer to the actual holiday, but why stress out at the last minute? Do some fall shopping to save yourself the holiday headache later on. Host a Beer Tasting Looking for a reason to have people over? Have a fun night with drinks and snacks while supporting local breweries. Ask every guest to bring over their favorite craft beer. You can pour samples into tasting cups so everyone can try something new. Sixty percent of craft beer drinkers opt for craft brews because of the variety, so introduce some new drinks to your friends to support the breweries near you. Go on a Hike Besides the ubiquitous pumpkins, what’s another thing you think of when someone mentions fall? One of the best things about fall is all the changing leaves that add vibrant colors to your surroundings. Why not go take a hike while the views are still gorgeous? Squeeze out one last hike before the trees go bare and it’s too cold to go outside. You’ll be glad you did once you’re snowed in for the winter. Fall Activities: Only Limited by Your Imagination! Trying to find something fun to do during fall can be exhausting if you don’t want to do anything involving having to carve or eat pumpkins. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can have fun in fall without them! Search around your town to see if the community is having any fun fall activities you can join. There really is plenty to do in the fall if you put a little effort into finding something you like.

Effective Resume Writing Style

Effective Resume Writing StyleOne of the most important parts in good resume writing is the resume writing style. It is important for you to find the best and easiest way to make your resume stand out from the rest.A resume writing style is a guide that helps you choose the best way to get your resume written. There are some basic guidelines that you can follow in order to find the right style of resume writing for you.The first thing that you should consider in writing your resume is to write it in chronological order. So if you want to convey an impression of reliability, then try to use this method and use a chronological order of your accomplishments.In your resume, you have to give important and key points about your job and skills that you have acquired so far. You can do this by using bullet points or bulleted text in your resume.List out all the activities you have done for your job. Include the date on which you have taken up your assignment, the number of hours you worked a nd the objective of the work you have performed. All these will help you in making a very professional and impressive resume.Don't forget to include all the important skills you possess in the job you are applying for. If you want to get the best deal on the salary, then you must list out all the relevant skills that you possess so far in your resume.Another thing that you should always keep in mind while writing your resume is to be very succinct and to the point. If you are to present your resume in the best possible manner, then you should also be able to convey it in a single sentence. In order to do this, you can put down your summary statement in your resume, which helps you to summarize all the important points of your resume.The most important thing that you should do when you are going to submit your resume is to use a resume writing service. If you want to ensure that your resume will be written professionally and with more efficiency, then you should hire a professional r esume writing service who will guide you on how to format your resume in the best possible manner.

Everything You Need To Know About Getting That Promotion - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Everything You Need To Know About Getting That Promotion Do you have your eye on a promotion? A promotion is certainly worth aiming for. Not only does it mean a wage increase, but you will also benefit from having more responsibility. You’ll be given a lot more to do, which can make your job a lot more interesting! Grabbing that all-important promotion isn’t easy, especially when there are a lot of other employees trying to get their hands on it. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to get noticed for a promotion. Here is everything you need to know about wowing your bosses and persuading them you are the one for a promotion. Study One way you can truly impress your boss is by showing you are willing to improve yourself outside of work. The best way to do this is to go back to college part time or enroll in a night school. This is especially useful if you can find a course that is directly related to your job. The new skills and knowledge you learn can be transferred to the workplace. These new skills could be exactly what your boss is looking for in the promoted employee! Worried you don’t have time to balance studying with your work and family life? There are some courses that will only require an hour of your time each week. And if that becomes too much, you can always use the services of a UK essay writing service to help you get all your work completed in time. Challenge Your Boss No matter what they might think, no boss is infallible. If you think that yours might be making a mistake, let them know! As long as you aren’t too bolshy and go about telling them in a professional way, you won’t have anything to worry about. In fact, this will show that you are confident enough to take on a more senior role. Make sure you have plenty of facts and data to back up your argument â€" this then shows that you’ve been doing your homework! Be Happy Another great way to get up the career ladder is to be openly happy at work. All bosses like to think that each of their employees loves their job. So if that is the case for you, show how much you enjoy your work by smiling and having a happy demeanor. No matter how stressed you might be feeling, continue to live up to your cheerful reputation. After all, no boss is going to promote a worker who is always down in the dumps. A moody or bad-tempered employee will make a bad-tempered boss! So no matter how feel on the inside, always try to be happy and convivial on the outside. Be A Mentor If there is a new employee in the company, take them under your wing and show them the ropes. Bosses love to see their staff mentor one another. Mainly because it is one less job for them! But it also shows excellent communication and teaching skills in the employees who take it upon themselves to pass on their skills. This is an especially important point if you want to be promoted to a managerial position. You will already have a good bond with the staff who you have mentored. And once you do become manager, there won’t be a big change in your working relationship. Socialise Office parties are a great way to socialise with different people in your company and network. Introduce yourself to any new managers who have recently joined the company. You need to be well-known within the management. This way, there will be more managers who can nominate you for a promotion! But it is also a great way to get to know all your other colleagues too. If you aren’t seen as being friendly or very sociable, your promotion chances will be limited. Your manager won’t want to promote someone who alienates him or herself from the people they work with every day! So be sure to go to all the office parties and socials. Don’t think of it as work; consider it another part of your social life to ensure you have a fun time! As you can see, there is plenty you can do to help you work up the ranks of your company. And not all of it has to do with working hard! Of course, these tips are just for starters. There are many other ways you can make it to the top!

Video Social Media and the Job Search

Video Social Media and the Job Search True story: As a job search and career expert, I was skeptical about all of these social media tools as recently as four years ago. I separated professional networking from social networking and felt that the social sites were a waste of time. All of that was flawed. So, as a complete convert and now raving fan of social media for job search and career growth, here is a summary. Job seekers can no longer ignore their online presence. Additionally, there are brand new ways to use Social Media to enhance and accelerate your job search. Social recruiting is evolving and improving rapidly, so jump in NOW, because the only way to learn about it is to do it. Manage your expectations as well. Social media is simply another element of your job search mix. Social media connections are not a quick fix, but neither are job boards. Benefits of Social Media to Job Seekers: Be found. Social networking is simply preferred by recruiters and employers as a tool to acquire talent. Identify and contact hiring managers. Market and sell yourself and put yourself in front of many people. Collect great research in preparation for an application or interview. Social media enables you to develop a stronger network that can help you with your career as well as your next job search.