The 2nd Biggest Reason To Stay Away from Social Media

“Stop using social media,” writes Fast Company reporter Austin Carr. “Today, employers are no longer just searching Google for information on applicants—they’re commissioning companies to do professional social media background checks….some 8% of companies have ALREADY FIRED SOCIAL MEDIA MISCREANTS”.

Holy Bat Beaks, Batman!!! Those are some pretty strong words from a writer writing in one of the worlds most tech/biz savvy magazines. Are we supposed to listen? Not sure.

You’ve all heard horror stories like this. You all know you’re supposed to keep yourself squeaky clean online when it comes to getting jobs and networking. ….right? Hope so.

Reality is, social media is serious. What you say and are seen doing can and will be held against you. Even if it’s deleted, companies like Social Intelligence Corp. in Santa Barbara, California are skilled at data digging into your history to find out about you.

Is it fair? Of course not. But “fair” has nothing to do with it. Social media can be your worst future enemy if you’re not careful.

Oh, but it’s only 8%....

Only 8%??? From when? Four years ago it was 0%! Three years later what will it be? 16% ...okay, logically, that’s rather fatalistic and guessy…but, I’m just saying…

Big Brother is watching!

Don’t you hate when people say things like that? I do. Instead, let’s call it Lester. LESTER is watching you! …ahhh, that sounds better. LESTER sounds like a buddy, a pal, a friend from way back. Hmmm…sounds a bit like a sicko too, but….

Your future career depends in large part on your brand. Your brand depends in large part on the image you convey. The image you convey depends in large part on what you DON’T say as it does on what you do say. (Or Do).

So, be careful when it comes to social media stuff. Remember that what you write or are seen doing can and will effect your hireability. But, a company cannot use against you what it does not know. …or can it?

So what’s the 3rd Biggest reason to stay away from social media?

The wiretap laws currently being debated. Obama wants to make it so monitoring real-time social network communication is a legal right for law enforcement agents. That means that what I do online can be even more an issue in years to come.

Are you a downloader/freeloader? In other words, do you steal movies and music? That is considered criminal. If the legislation happens, will downloading illegal stuff be punishable by prison? …jobs don’t mean much if you’re in prison.

Note to self….stop stealing episodes of BREAKING BAD. ….but damn that show is really really good!!!

Then what’s the biggest reason to stay away from social media?

That’s easy. It’s a time suck. Those stupid games on Facebook KILL ME!!!! …I wonder if playing Farmville will knock me out of any chance I have for getting that job with Facebook or IBM? …hmmm. What about Starbucks?

So here's what you should do.

Stop putting pictures of yourself taking weed or beer hits from a bong.
Stop stealing movies and music.
Stop playing with Social Media.
...but if you just can't stop...then at least work on creating the best image of you that you possibly can.

The result….you’ll get a job. …right?

How To Tell The Truth And Still Get The Job

STOP! Think for a second. What’s the best way to get a job? If you’re anything like me, you probably answered “by presenting my best self, my most positive self, the most outstanding version of me I know how to present!” If you’re not like me, you probably said something different.

So what did you say?

A brilliantly written resume? Having the right skills? Being a perfect match to what the company needs?

Truth is, these ARE vital. But they’re far from being the single most important way to get the job you want.

The single most important thing you can do to get a job is sell yourself in the MOST exceptionally honest way possible.

What do I mean?

Well, each of you has experienced a lot of life. You have worked at a variety of jobs, attended university, engaged in extracurricular activities, and you’ve experienced a whole library full of varied circumstances and events. In short, you’ve lived a charmed life.

The only trouble is….you fail to recognize the gold mine you’re living with. You are failing to see the REAL truth.

If you were asked to describe the details of your previous job, many of you would probably give a list of specific things you do for your company.

The question you should be asking yourself, is if you’re telling the right version of the truth? Are you selling the BEST VERSION OF YOU?

So many people write or speak meekly about themselves. They write or speak in a way that seems appropriate and accurate. They say things like, “I want to leave my current company because I feel I can help another company better than my current company.

Or worse, they speak negatively about themselves. “I want to leave my current company because they don’t appreciate me. I work so hard, yet do not feel appreciated for my diligence and effort. I want to be appreciated.”

Both these answers are somewhat commendable, because they are the truth. (We’ll assume). Yet, are they the right version of the truth?

FACT: the truth has many faces.

Most of you feel afraid of a meaningful version of the truth, a confident version of the truth about yourself and your experience.

What's happened, is that you’ve lost the imaginative sense of story that we can use to interpret the meaning in our lives and our journey.

TRUTH: To be a really hot commodity, regaining this attitude or perspective is seriously necessary.

As you think about this, consider this rewriting of the above interview answer:

“I’ve spent the last three years with XXX company. I’ve provided them with my best as far as my commitment and effort are concerned. They’ve had the benefit of a young person who’s persuasive skills and interpersonal relational abilities helped increase their overall sales and overall growth.

It’s my passion to be committed to the development and expansion of the companies I work for. However, I feel XXX has reached a plateau. Yet I myself still want to push and move and expand. I love to find new ways of reaching out to serve customers and to help a company grow. And that’s what I’m looking for.

I want to help companies grow. In fact, I see it as a mission in my life.

To become a part of your company would be a perfect match for me. You’re a growing organization that’s committed to innovative development of high quality services and products. I want to help.”

Same answer as the ones above, yet…..different.

How?

One is telling the truth in a fresh and exciting THEM oriented way. The third example looks at the reasons for leaving their company in a very positive and enthusiastic way. Here the person concerns herself with the meaning behind what she is doing, she focuses on the deeper reason for her choice.

Each of you can take a lesson from this.

You must search for the meaning in your own experiences.

FACT: Meaning is truth!!!

Many of you probably object to this idea. You may think, a) speaking in a "wow wow" way is not my style. Or, b) this type of spin is B.S., I should be ashamed of myself.

Yet, consider this: Coca-Cola both tastes great and rots a persons teeth. Yet, to sell Coca-cola, advertisers refuse to focus on the negative truth. Instead they focus on the positive truth. They sell a positive version of what is real. They sell the meaning! The sensual.

Is this wrong?

Is it especially wrong when you are looking for work in a world where there are 1000 people applying for the same job you’re applying for?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Unique positive honesty is a PROVEN key to success. It's been scientifically studied. It’s a MUST-DO way to tell the truth so you get the job!

Yes it takes bravery to practice. Therefore, developing such bravery should be a major priority for you. Because, fear of being arrogant or vain or overexaggerational block you from the proper degree of spin required to be HOT.

Q & A

For the past six months, I’ve had the honor of speaking to over two million Korean listeners each and every Wednesday morning on EBS FM. The opportunity has started in me a passion for career advice, personal branding, and persuasive storytelling. Though the show will be cut from it’s roster this next term, I will continue to write tips and advice for job hunters and for those interested in how to make for themselves a great career. Please continue to view my weekly posts.

For this weeks show, I decided to answer a few of the various questions I received over the past six months at my email address jobwarriors@gmail.com

A change of pace is good, so instead of focusing on just one area for today’s article, I’ll try and answer a few questions.

The first question was one I received a short while ago. Jong-Sub wrote me the question:

"I'm a university student. What advice do you recommend I take to become a good leader?"

Thanks for the question, Jong-sub. It’s a great question! It’s awesome that you are interested in this aspect of your future.

The first thing I’d recommend is that you take a look around yourself. I assume you’re in university, which means that you are involved in a club, involved in your classroom activities. These are great places to develop leadership. What are you doing to take on more responsibility in these areas? To me the best kinds of leaders are those that know how to serve the needs of the group they are a part of.

To me there are many kinds of leadership. So, take a look at your leadership style. As well, read tonnes of books on leadership. If you are not finding what you need at school, reach out and get involved in various clubs around town. I am a big fan of Toastmasters. It’s a communication & leadership club that teaches people leadership skills. It is an amazing opportunity!

As well, I’m sure there are youth leadership groups around Seoul, and in other cities. Check the internet, find out what’s available, and put yourself out there. Learn to serve, and from that learn to lead.

Keep searching, Jong-Sub. With questions like that, you are off to a great start!

The next question comes from a person with the cell number 6771. 6771 said,

“I'd like to start my career at an international NGO to do voluntary work. Do you think my priority is to improve my English?”

Again, another awesome question.

I’d have to say a big gigantic YES! I’m certainly not an expert in how NGO’s work in various countries, but I’d say that English would be vital in your ability to work with other volunteers, or to work with people in the country you’re going to work in. A quick Google search for NGO volunteering opportunities shows roughly 700,000 different links. I kept clicking on different links for about 10 minutes. All of them were in English. Now, I’m not sure how to look in Korean, so I cannot compare…but it seems fairly apparent that a large amount of opportunities are available for people if they speak English. In all, it really depends on where you want to go. Do you want to stay in Korea, and then probably you don’t need English as much. If you want to go work in Africa, or India or the Philippines, then English most certainly seems helpful.

A person named Min wrote me and said,

“An international company I’m applying to wants personal references. Who do I ask, and what should they say?”

This was quite surprising to me. I assumed that references were a part of the Korean job search process. Apparently they are not.

The reference finding process can be quite elaborate. Briefly, I’ll say that the first thing you want to know about finding good references, is that you do not use family members or friends. You’re going to want to select people who have actual knowledge of your ability to deliver the duties of a job. You want people who can provide actual proof of your work and your ability and your accomplishments, and your attitude.

You should ask your former bosses from part time work, or your former professors, or former people who’ve you’ve volunteered with, done an internship with, church leaders, etc.

Of course, I’m not sure if your references need to be written in English or not, but if they do, then hopefully you’ve got someone who can write a good letter.

Since it may not be a big practice here in Korea, I really recommend you go online and look at some samples of reference letters. Maybe take that into the people who you have asked to write your letters, and guide them to do something similar.

An important point to remember about these, is that if your getting someone to write a letter for you, I really don’t think it should be completely perfect. It shouldn’t say only your strong points. If there are not weaknesses, I think that sends a suspicious message. Keep that in mind. After all, no one is perfect….so we shouldn’t pretend to be.

Of course, be sure to select someone who’ll say good things about you?

What should they talk about? Well, as I said…accomplishments. Primarily, they should talk about things that pertain to the job your applying for. If you are applying for a sales position, maybe they can talk about your persuasive skills, your interpersonal skills, your communication skills. Maybe they can talk about your ability to learn quickly, work hard, etc.

Great question. Good luck.

The next question comes from Kim. He writes:

“I am a guy 32years old. i am running my own business but I hope to work at a company but I guess because of my age, I almost give up applying for any company. Pls give me any advice.”

Wow! Great question! From my perspective, Kim. You’re not too old at all! I really wish I knew more about your situation. What kind of business, how long you’ve been in it. I think entrepreneurship is a powerful training ground for success. I think about all the skills and knowledge a person gains from running their own business. You’ve got sales skills, management skills, logistic knowledge, marketing knowledge, leadership, self-motivation, and a whole lot of other skills.

Presumably, your company is still running. That means you have the ability to keep a company solvent. That means you are a smart business person. You also understand the value of customer service.

To me, you’re a great person for a job. I’d hire you. I am a big fan of the entrepreneurial spirit. I think more people should do it.

The question I think you should ask yourself is “do you really want to work for someone else?” I think once you get a taste for self-employment, that degree of freedom is hard to give up. But, working for someone can be a great benefit too. There is much less personal stress, I’m sure!

If you are interested in trying to work for a company, I’d look at selling my skills in terms of helping a company grow. Some people might be concerned you’re just getting into a company so you can relax and not work so hard. Assuming that is not your motive, you should absolutely maintain that entrepreneurial attitude, and go into a company interview with a sincere desire to make that company grow and get rich.

You may need to start at a lower position than you think is fair, but…that’s okay. With your skill and age and ability, I think you’ll advance rather quickly. But that’s just me assuming.

No matter what…don’t let fear hold you back. Go get your dream, Kim. That goes for all today’s listeners.

All for today.

How To Start Building Your Personal Brand(...an attempt to understand the art of reputation)

Managing your personal brand can make you a hot commodity.

People are judging machines. The way our brains are wired, we are constantly making assessments about people, places and things. We can’t help it. Often we do it within the first 10 seconds of seeing a person.

Companies utilize this tendency to help sell goods. They create a brand that has a certain myth behind it. A story behind it. A reputation.

Often because of that reputation, because of that myth, we are judge a product good or bad, and are motivated to buy it or not.

Consider a book. The last book you bought it. Why did you buy it? Did a friend recommend it to you? (Reputation). Did the television? Did the ideas presented on the back of the book? Did it just look cool?

These areas all part of the brand, or the perceived value that a thing has.

Think Apple. It is perceived as being great, a powerful creator of super cool devices that help us to be creative. So many other famous brands have powerful expectations behind them. They have a certain value to us. We know that BMW means Great car. Harley Davidson means tough guy motorbike, and Luis Vuitton means stylish bag.

Well, the same goes with people. We often make expectations about people. Think about Madonna, or Chang Dong-gun, or Kim Yeon Ah. When we hear those names, there is a certain image that comes to mind. A certain power. We know that if we went and saw Kim Yeon Ah, that we would see a magnificent skating example. Chang Dong-gun, a pretty good movie. Madonna, a great musical concert. Those expectations are what I call a part of their personal brands. These names have a certain enterainment value. The degree of value we believe they represent determines the amount of money we pay to see them, etc.

Well in the world of work, employees have value to a company. Companies, in fact, choose employees much like a person chooses a book or a car. They choose based on the value that they believe the person is worth.

We as individuals invest our money in buying an iPhone. A company invests its money in buying a persons services, skills, abilities.

We want companies to invest a lot of money into us. We want to get paid for doing what we like.

Well, if we learn to manage our own brand, to create for ourselves an aura of value, we might just get what we want.

Managing your own personal brand is like marketing yourself. Positioning yourself. Designing a reputation for yourself. It’s the art of becoming known as a as a valuable HOT commodity.

The truth is, the better we manage our brand, the better we create a brand that is valued by others, the better our chances for getting a good job, a promotion, of becoming famous, etc. We want to be like an Apple Iphone or a Samsung Galaxy….highly sought after. We do not want to be Joe Generic. We don’t want to be blah people. Ordinary.

So how do we manage our brand?

It’s not easy. I wish it were easy. But if it were easy, everyone would do it. If everyone did it, then no one would get the benefits. Creating a name for yourself, a reputation for yourself takes serious thought and effort.

But, according to some of the hottest career coaches in the world, including your very own Michael Jay HA!, working on creating your personal brand will well be worth your every effort.

So, over the next few weeks, I will discuss this in detail.

Frankly, the topic is too big to cover in one session. But, the basics are this:

Managing your brand begins by checking our own beliefs about work and the future of work.

You have to believe that your career is your responsibility. Your happiness is your responsibility.

You have to be willing to take career matters into your own hands.

Once you’ve become willing to do that, you have to start looking at yourself as you are right now. You need to make assessments of your current workstyle. You really should begin to do some research. Ask yourself, your friends, your co-workers how they view you? Ask them to tell you three adjectives to describe you. (Try to ask people who you trust to give you the truth.)

Get Honest with yourself. What do you really want for yourself? For your life? Your career? Be brave, and own your own choice. What is it YOU really want to do. Not what your mom or dad or grandfather wants, but what do YOU YOU YOU really want to do?

Building a personal brand is more about attitude than anything. Are you dishonest? Do you need to work on your work effort? Do you need to try harder in your area of responsibility?

Building yourself into something that others value requires you to truly learn to value yourself. How’s your self-esteem? If it needs some work, get it done! There are books out there. Counsellors out there.

Start asking yourself how you want people to talk about you in the future. Think ahead 5 years. What do you want people to say about you then? Visualize this.

Do you want to be known for certain technical skills? I have a friend who is working hard to train herself in design. She wants to be known as a designer. I have another friend who wants to be a great public speaker. She wants to be known as a great public speaker.

Do you want to be known for your personal skills?? Your ability to lead? Your ability to listen? Maybe you don’t know what you want to do in the future. That’s okay. You can still work on developing your brand as a great listener, a wonderful empathizer, a creative thinker.

This last step is the hardest….you know what it is…..begin. Begin. Whether you are 50 or 15…begin. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not when your vacation starts, not next January…begin today.

Start learning all you can. Start reading about how to improve your listening skills, or reading all you can to improve your technical skills. You guys know this. But, knowing smoething and doing something are often VERY different. We create the reputation that preceeds us. It is a daily fight. And, it’s worth every bit of effort.

Next week I’ll be talking more about this. I’ll be discussing more about how you can design yourself as a brand, and about how you can communicate your brand. Until then….have a great week. Talk soon.