Is #FollowFriday on Twitter a Waste of Time

Is #FollowFriday on Twitter a Waste of Time I think that #Follow Friday or otherwise known as #FF is a cutie of a hashtag.  I also think its a huge waste of time. It is soooo abused!   I’ve been meaning to pen this blog for a while.   In fact every Friday when I’m in Twitter I end up creating finger-nail marks in my desk when I see the #FF hashtag doing the rounds. #FF has been around since 2009 and is now a Friday staple of Twitter (along with #woofwednesday and a recent favourite  of mine #WineWednesday I have 2 kids under 7) #FF drives me nuts: Apparently 80% of tweets are read within an hour of them being sent, so they will lose relevance pretty quick â€" even if they seemed relevant in the first place. I often get #FFd and I am really flattered, and I want to say “thanks”.   Sometimes, though, I see that a lot of other people have been #FFd in the same tweet and I know if I either retweet the tweet or reply then everyone mentioned in the tweet will be hounded by me â€" and I don’t want to do that. I get that the tweeter wants to say thanks for either being engaging or tweeting helpful stuff… but it would be great (and more effective for me and them) if the #FF was more cleverly crafted. Follow Friday What is it good for? I really rate #FF.   They help me see who rates who and also help me decide who to follow (isn’t that the point?) Surely when you use the #FF hashtag you want to: Demonstrate your specialism as a recruiter Stroke someone’s hair (admit it, you love it!) (…clients, candidates, suppliers, thought leaders?) Attract attention and raise your profile (this is a very important tactic for the recruiters I work with) The Ultimate Way to #FF Of course mention the account you rate, but tell me why â€" and don’t forget key words and hashtags.  Stick with the just the one and youll be more engaging ad real: You may even be clever recruiters and use Buffer to schedule the tweet. (After all, I’m not expecting you to set your clock for Friday 08:00 so you can setup your #FF.) How about being Sub-Zero Cool with #FF Hashtags? Why not create a list of all of the people you rate and regularly sharing this list.  I’ve created a Twitter list and you can subscribe to it here. I’ll be adding to it whenever I find someone I want to #FF. Don’t just do 1, do several (one at a time), and as mentioned above use Buffer to schedule them (either all on the same day, or every Friday for the next few weeks â€" get organised!) And if you’re lucky enough to be #FFd â€" say thanks!   But you don’t have to #FF back â€" be authentic please! Get the App There’s a cute Android app called  Follow Friday Assistant.   It looks at who you’ve interacted with and helps you decide who to setup as a #FF.   It’s pretty cute! Get Cracking Think about looking at your home page on Twitter and looking for the Twitter accounts that make you pause and read.   Why is this this and can you put into words what make you stop and stare?   Then craft a beautiful tweet to engage your own followers, stroke the hair of the Tweeter you’re going to #FF and attract attention to your own stream.   Add some value and you’ll be engaging. I love seeing that someone has #FFd me.   If you’re one of those people who do, big thanks â€" it gives me a warm glow. We liked this article so much that Jorgen decided to interview Lisa  to get the low-down on #FollowFriday:

Why Redundancy is Not a Dirty Word

Why Redundancy is Not a Dirty Word There’s a lot of it going around. Maybe it’s happened to you. So you’ve been “made redundant” and you are worried about how to explain that to friends and business contacts, and especially to recruiters and potential employers. After all, who wants to hire someone who is redundant, right? Reality Check #1 â€" No-one can make you redundant. This may sound like a rather fine point, but in reality no organisation can make you redundant. Think about it for a moment. Between the day before the redundancy and the day after, what has changed to lessen your skills, acquired experience, intelligence, knowledge and behavioural strengths? Not one thing! Yes it is possible that your skills and knowledge may be getting out of date if you have not kept up with developments in your field, but most of the value you have to offer is still intact, irrespective of the “redundancy”. They can take your job away but they can’t change you. Reality Check #2 â€" Why did you leave? A fair question, which you will run into frequently. You will have to have a confident, positive answer to explain why you have you left or want to leave your last or current employer. To reassure you a little, while there may still be some people around who take a less than positive view of a job applicant who is facing redundancy, most people recognise that most redundancies these days have nothing to do with your capability or performance. Not only that, but most people you meet during your job search will either have experienced redundancy themselves at least once â€" or they will know people who have. What matters is how you handle it when the question comes. It can help to put together a brief statement ahead of time so that you are not fumbling around for words when asked. Many coaches and outplacement organisations would suggest you try to avoid using the word ‘redundancy’ or if you can’t avoid it altogether, connect it to the job not to yourself. Check out these examples and consider which you would rather hear if you were a hiring manager: Example 1 Interviewer:       So, why did you leave Company A? Candidate:         I got made redundant. I guess you could say I was a casualty of the latest cost cuts. (As a recruiter I have actually heard people say this sort of thing!) Who wants to hire a person who thinks and acts like a victim when things get tough?   Example 2 Interviewer:             So, why did you leave Company A? Candidate:         The Company had been under pressure for some time and there was a real focus on costs. As part of this, several roles were made redundant and mine was one of those affected. I see this as an good opportunity to move ahead into a new and challenging role. This sounds like a person who has some resilience, a positive outlook and the will to grasp a challenge and make the best of it. Much more attractive to most employers. Related: 5 Ways to Finding a New Job after Being Laid Off.

7 Songs That Celebrate Mom

7 Songs That Celebrate Mom They say that the eyes are the windows of the soul.  Just as much, our ears are the conduit to our hearts.  What better way to celebrate Mom, and Mothers Day,  than a cruise through some of my favorite songs about mothers? Lets Celebrate Mom ! B.J. Thomas  Mama B.J. Thomas reminds us of all our Moms have done for us.  All the times they showed up, went the extra mile, and cried and laughed and loved with us.  Who continues to do all those things?  Yeah, its Mama. Celine Dion  Goodbyes The Saddest Word I remember my Dad telling me, when my Grandmother died, that when you lose your Mom, you never find someone to take her place.  My own mother had a severe stroke a while back, and Im about to lose her, so now I know what he meant.  When it comes to our Mom, goodbye really is the saddest word. Backstreet Boys The Perfect Fan Its Mom who shows up to your games, your dance recitals, and in the challenges of life when she has your back.  Shes our fan, no matter what the performance.  The perfect fan, because youll always be at the top of her list, too. Carrie Underwood Mamas Song There comes a time when we all leave our Moms nest to make our own flight through life.   Thats the first moment of her having to let go.  Then, when its time for the wedding, shes almost heartbroken because she feels like shes losing us to the care of  . . .some stranger!  Carrie Underwood assures Mom that we think we have a keeper, and shell never be losing us, and he or she is the answer to her prayers. ABBA Slipping Through My Fingers Time.  That magical, mystical thing that is all the moments of our lives.  Like an hour glass that seems to move slowly at first, the sands of time slip away before we know whats happened.  Its a perfect reminder to treasure all our present moments, because all too soon well be looking back and saying, where did the time go? Martina McBride In My Daughters Eyes Theres an unspeakable joy in watching children.  They are at once innocent and holding all the future possibilities for humankind within them.  And, in them we are reminded of our own joys and hopes and  dreams.  Yes, in my daughters eyes, I see all that I ever wanted or hope to be. And (Surprise!) Justin Bieber Turn To You Ever stop to think that everybody, everywhere, either has a Mom or is a Mom?  When we remember the things we have in common with others, its easier to connect with them in a more meaningful way.  We all love, hurt, cry, and dream.  The Bieb reminds us of that and how much we all have to be grateful for in remembering all that our Moms have done for us.

At the assessment centre University of Manchester Careers Blog

At the assessment centre University of Manchester Careers Blog Team Kitty didnt assign a time keeper for their group exercise. Their brainstorming session went on a little longer than planned and they completely missed the tea break. What you need to know about assessment centres! This may be the first time the employer has seen you in person, and they will be testing how you behave in work type situations. The exercises may not be directly related to the business, but they will be testing skills and behaviours that are needed for that job. Commonly they contain: An interview or interviews. A session where you work in a team. You may have to give a presentation. There could be a role play or some kind of situational scenario. You may do psychometric or other written tests like an in-tray or e-tray exercise. There may be time to socialise over coffee, meals etc. It depends how long it lasts and where it falls in the recruitment process. You are under scrutiny the WHOLE time. Be polite and professional to EVERYONE you meet, yes that includes the receptionist or the cleaner. Be professionally attired, a suit is a must have.   For informal occasions do not dress down.   Keep it smart and professional. Do not overdo the food and drink, keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum.   You need to keep alert and focussed at all times. Think about some conversation openers for use when talking to other candidates and the recruiters or other staff. Keep your mobile turned off at all times, if its too tempting, leave it in your room. How to prepare? Obviously you will prepare in advance for any tasks like interviews, presentations and tests. Group work or role plays its a little less obvious what if anything you can do. Take a watch you will need to ensure you keep to time. (You probably wont be allowed to use your phone!) Follow instructions carefully. You are not in a competition here you need to behave as if you were working in a team situation at work. Collaborate with others.   A good team player or leader will ensure that everyone has a chance to participate. Listen to people dont just talk over them. Ensure that you come to a conclusion in your group, what that is may not be important, but you must complete the exercise in the time allowed. Expect the unexpected! It is not uncommon for the recruiter to change the rules  of the task or give you extra information half way through.   Its to see how you cope, real jobs are like that! Try to enjoy it Why not watch the videos on our website to help you prepare. All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted Applications and interviews Assessment centre

How to Leverage Videos to Boost Your Personal Brand CareerMetis.com

How to Leverage Videos to Boost Your Personal Brand Let’s break down why videos are important for your personal branding so you know how to use it and can start to integrate it into your career.And in no time, you’ll be maxing out on your dream beach in Hawaii while someone rubs your feet and serves you Mai Tai’s. Just kidding, at the very least you will have stand out amongst your peers in your professional career.evalFirst you need some background info about why video marketing is so effective.Here are 3 sources that show video marketing benefits:A new report by Animoto shows that 93% of marketers say video is responsible for landing them a new customer.72% prefer videoover text when learning about a product or service.Also, you are53 times more likelyshow up first on Google if you have a video embedded on your website.These stats show that video is a powerful tool. But you might be wondering how that pertains to personal branding…Make an Impression with VideoevalYou are no different than a product in the eyes of a potential employer, new client or anyone else that you are wanting to impress.If you’re using video you’re able to make a significantly greater impression than if you’re just reaching out with a text based resume, flyer, or Facebook post for your small business.Our brains are pretty simple, and they are always trying to filter out irrelevant information. Video is one way to break though the chatter and get past those filters.Benefits of Video Take a look at the following video where video producers and directors Brice Benson Kelly and Will Lavendel talk about some of the ways that video helps save you time, money and builds your brand.evalWith a little elbow grease your videos will be promoting you in no time and your brand will skyrocket… it won’t be long before you’re running for president.In summary if you want to be perceived as important and build your brand you should know:Video is a powerful communications toolCost of the videois less than ever beforeQuality is outstanding The opportunities for you to build a brand with video are HUGETip â€" Watch how and where you watch videos, for personal and business… this will bring more awareness about how you can start to use video for your own purposes.Save Time with VideoVideo can save you huge amounts of time for a few of reasons.1) Video is FasterevalMost people can’t speed read and on average most people do little more than skim content whether that be your email or your proposal. But stats say they will pay attention to video.Videos are a fantastic way to get your point across in a way viewers can easily digest that is fast and clear, provided you can learn the skill of talking to a camera. Video shouldn’t completely replace all written content, but it’s a great way to break through the noise quickly.2) Video Never SleepsYou’ll be available to your viewers 24/7 when you use video. Your viewers can watch your videos whenever they want taking some of the pressure off of you to always be available. Work life balance peeps!And as a big bonus every time you film a video and post it online, your search engine rankings will rise because search engines LOVE new content, so you’ll get seen more often!3) Answer Your FAQs with VideoIf you find yourself spending lots of time answering the same questions over and over video is a great way offload some of that work.Then use the Should Ask Questions Answering your FAQ’S and SAQ’S with video will position you as an authority in your field and save you hours of time communicating one on one. In simple terms you can automate things you do regularly by putting your repetitive tasks into videos. This technique can be used for all types of communication.Not sure this is worth the time? How much is your time worth? $50 per hour? How much time do you spend doing repetitive communications tasks? Let’s say on average 200+ hours a year? FYI â€" By putting some of those tasks on video you’d save approx. $10,000. On average managers lose 8h rs per week to repetitive tasks, that’s 416 hrs per year.Video Saves You MoneyYou’ll save money big time with video… and in no time all that saved money will grow and you’ll be swathed in the finest silks and laden with diamonds.How? Let’s dig deeper and find out…1) Say Goodbye to Marketing CampaignsVideos help you get more views and connect with more people without having to spend more than you need. And yes, you can finally stop calling your friends and asking them for referrals. Remember though, this is a long-term plan and you’ll need to be consistent with your content.You can increase your reach by sharing your videos on social media and your website, allowing your clients and friends to share your videos on their profiles, creating more opportunities for your videos to go viral.eval2) Increase Visits to Your Website and Social ChannelsGetting someone to come back to your site or social over and over means you need to have content thatis useful and easy to digest. Video checks both of those boxes increasing the likelihood that your visitors will engage in the actions that you want them to take.One of the best ways to get people to frequently visit your website is by putting interesting, relevant videos that provide something of value to your viewers. This might simply be an answer to a question that they might have about you or your business. Make it them focused.3) Create a Profile VideoPeople need to know who you are and what you do. Creating a profile video that explains the basics about you gives people a clear idea if you might be a match for them.Profile videos are especially useful if you explain how you are contributing and how you or your company will add value.evalIncrease Your Perceived ValueAt one point in time you’ve probably purchased something because you saw a celebrity promoting it.There is a very specific reason why brands use celebrities… because we see them in the media and perceive them as important and as an authori ty. 1) Psychology Behind MarketingBy using video, you can use the exact same psychology that big brands are using. The more video you put out there the more people will see you as an authority and the higher they will value you. It might be scary to do at first, but it is well worth the effort.2) Stand OutDifferentiate yourself from your competition by communicating your vision, creativity and what you offer that is special and you’ll have a clear advantage over your competition. Whether your industry is highly commoditized or highly specialized, using video on your site and social will definitely help your brand.3) Use Testimonial VideosUsing testimonials is an excellent way to boost your credibility, gain more online traction and help convince your viewers. Nothing speaks louder than someone expressing that you enhanced their livesIn summary video is an amazing multi-purpose tool that anyone can use. Using the power of video marketing to build your personal brand is a no brainer .It works because its engaging, it makes you available 24/7, and it helps you automate repetitive tasks that waste your time.The Team at Tetra Films are passionate about teaching people how to use video to improve their businesses and lives.If you’d like to get started on creating videos right away join their Professional Video Successonline course on video production.

MONSTER.COM Career Management - Jane Jackson Career

MONSTER.COM Career Management - Jane Jackson Career How to alleviate boredom in your career.  Thanks to monster.com for inviting me to contribute to this article on career management.What to do when you’re excruciatingly bored with your career.  These creative solutions can help you kick your blahs to the curb.If you’re feeling bored or burned out at work, you’re not alone. According to a 2015 Gallup poll of nearly 81,000 employees, the majority (50.8%) were not engaged at work, while another 17.2% were actively disengaged.  And for the15 years that Gallup has been conducting the poll,  less than one-third of U.S. employees have been engaged.Workplace boredom could be the result of your brain not getting enough of a workoutâ€"particularly if you’ve become so accustomed to performing your job duties that you no longer feel challenged.The key to banishing this type of boredom partly relies on leveraging all the knowledge you’ve accrued to tackle a new and different project that can bring you satisfaction. That new opportunity may exist at your current job; or you could look outside your employer to find ways to help others, network or further your own career in a different way.These five ideas can help you jump-start your career refresh and chase away the doldrums.WriteWhen you’ve spent yearsâ€"or even decadesâ€"in a particular field, you’ve acquired knowledge and experience that you may take for granted, but that could inspire othersâ€"and sharing that knowledge might just reignite or refocus your passion for work.Whether you want to embark on authoring a research-based book or curate content and commentary on a daily blog, writing helps you “record your thought leadership, position yourself as an expert in your field and benefit others,” says Jane Jackson, the Sydney, Australia-based author of Navigating Career Crossroads: How to Thrive When Changing Direction.In the past couple of years, many individuals have started sending email newsletters through services like TinyLetterâ€"curated content from sources they trustâ€"as a way to share interesting ideas with like-minded people in their field. It’s also an excellent way to build your personal brand beyond your employer’s brand.To read the rest of the article on monster.com click here

Resume Writing Service In Virginia Beach

Resume Writing Service In Virginia BeachA resume writing service in Virginia Beach can help you put together a perfect resume for your job search. Whether you are applying for a new job or are an experienced professional looking for a new job, an effective resume is the first step in landing that new job.There are many ways to go about finding a skilled resume writer in Virginia Beach. A good idea is to get recommendations from people you know, and you may want to consider speaking with a local professional in the field. If your application is serious, hiring a resume writing service is a smart move.A resume service is an excellent idea if you have been out of work for some time and are considering re-entering the workforce. Most candidates can improve their resumes significantly. If you haven't had much time to write a resume, then you may be disappointed with what you write. A professional who is familiar with the process can see that your resume needs some improvement and can sugg est what you need to do to make it more professional and effective.A resume service can guide you through a process where you have some ideas, but no idea how to write a resume. A service will also advise you on where to start in writing your resume. In addition, a service can help you present your experiences, as well as other information to enhance your resume. They will provide you with plenty of sample resumes and examples of what not to include on your resume.You may be surprised at how quickly the entire process can move forward when you use a service. One day you might be faced with a serious challenge in writing a resume, and the next you can start writing. Your professional touch, along with their years of experience, will help you make your resume as effective as possible. Their objective is to help you get your resume into a position of higher importance when an employer is reviewing resumes.A professional service can greatly improve your chances of getting a job. They ar e capable of helping you find just the right job for you and getting you noticed by potential employers. Once you have a resume, a job can be right around the corner. The last thing you want to do is miss out on the opportunity to get that job because you had a poor resume.If you are confident in your skills, but have not had any success in the past, the chances are you are afraid to try. That's why you need a skilled service that can show you what not to do when writing a resume. There are examples of quality resumes available to download. You may want to compare them to your own, and find the ones that have your name written in them. That way you can be sure that you are working with a professional who knows exactly what to do.If you are serious about having a career change, then a resume writing service in Virginia Beach can help you succeed. With a professional resume, and the help of a skilled service, you can increase your chances of landing a job in your chosen field. You wil l be far happier with your work once you find it, and you can begin to feel some immediate results as soon as you begin to write a professional resume.