What is +1?

When I asked Peggy how job applicants can stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs, I expected her to say something about social media and how job-seekers should control what information is available online about them and utilize their networks to leverage more connections.  Instead she hit me with this simple, yet powerful gem, “Be +1″.  I thought she meant Google’s new “+1″ feature at first, but then she explained what she was referring to and it all made sense.

She said that the job seekers need to invest in themselves, not only financially but with their time as well.  The applicant who spends hours tweaking their resume so that it’s perfect is going to get the interview above someone who doesen’t.  And the applicant who spends more time preparing for an interview is going to handle any question that is thrown at them better than someone who isn’t prepared.  That’s where Peggy comes in, she helps you get the most out of the time you spend becoming +1.  Here is a video that Peggy uses to help applicants ask the right questions at a job interview:

What About Social Media?

We at Brand Yourself think that the best social networks for our customers are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Having a presence on these networks can help people create, and maintain their online reputation.  Peggy agrees with us about Facebook and LinkedIn, but thinks that Twitter can sometimes be a distraction to the job seeker and instead advocates YouTube.  This is because YouTube is a hub of information for many things relevant to the job seeker: key players in every industry, interview and resume tips, videos from the company that you’re trying to get hired, et cetera.  Once she explained everything, I had to agree that YouTube is one of the best places that a job seeker can go to access new and appropriate information.

How Can I Become +1?

Aside from working hard to constantly better yourself, Peggy had one other word of advice- read all the time.  Read books that are suitable for the industry you want to enter, read books that are pertinent to the job search, and read those books over again until the information is part of you.  Peggy (who says that she buys tons of books on Amazon, and is certain that there is at least one staff member there dedicated to keeping track of what she reads) says that she has four key books that she makes a key to read once every quarter.  This way you can embody the information and keep it fresh in your mind.

I truly enjoyed talking with Peggy and learned a lot of good things from her.  If you’re at all thinking about entering the “job-search world” in the future I would highly advise you to check out her site: Career Confidential.

And for more tips while job seeking don’t forget to have a look at these great blog articles: How To Write a Bio, Got an Interview but No Job?, and Using Social Media for a Job Search.

Trevor Elwell is a Syracuse University Graduate from the Bandier Program for the Music Industry and Psychology program.  He is now the Customer Happiness Manager at Brand Yourself.  You can follow him on the Brand Yourself Twitter @BrandYourself or @T_Elwell, and you can get more information at www.trevorelwell.com.

But Twitter is open to all–both new and old followers–through Twitter hashtags, which can direct users to a desired conversation.  A quick recap: Hashtags are words with a pound symbol, #, placed in front of it. Hashtags provide a search anchor, allow Twitter users to find conversations and discover new users.

Worth the Effort?

Ask a Twitter user, and you’ll find that some people like hashtags and some people don’t. Moreover, many hashtags run the gamut from the casual (#honestly) to the tongue in  – “ahem” – cheek (#disneypickuplines).  Despite the debate, hashtags have become more essential for effective results due to a few online behaviors and technological changes that have emerged:

1. To find potential partnerships, businesses are increasingly employing social media.

In a USA Today article, the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business stated that “social technology adoption rates in the U.S. doubled in the past year, to 24% from 12%”.

2. Customers are beginning to respond to businesses that rely on search and social media to attract them.

The operators of TWTCON, a Twitter conference, noted in their study that 44% of B2B Marketers felt social media enhanced their search (Here is the post that explains the Twitter study).

3. Tweets have become incorporated into search engine results

Google recently announced “+ 1″,a feature to recommend search results (See the Wall Street Journal article on Google’s announcement )

The result from all these changes is that increased opportunity for discovering your business is available, and hashtags can assist that discovery.  Hashtags also provide the chance to engage people on a specific topic.  As evidence, consider how Twitter (and Facebook) have become a source for the latest information on global events such as that in Egypt, Libya, and Japan.

Figuring It Out–Hashtags Decoded

Hashtags can be started by any Twitter user, but finding established hashtags would be the easiest starting point.  Chances are someone came up with the topic idea if its broad enough.  A few tips to find your network.

• Find a hashtag for a location you are interested in reach out.  You can retweet a few times with different hashtags…but just a few.
• Find a hashtag for an expo or convention you are interested in attending.It makes it easy to meet other followers, and may lead to many opportunities not considered.
• Industry professionals follow a default hashtag.  Web analytics professionals, for example, use #measure to share news with each other as well as communicate.

Not sure what a particular hashtag means?  You are in luck, as there are a number of resources for finding definitions and viewing followers whom share your interests.

• Type in a hashtag in Twitter search to display a stream of hashtag related tweets. Additional Hashtag user results also appear to the side of the stream.
• Twitter trends lists usually includes words with a hashtag.  Most times, however, the top trends are casual hashtags.
• In many desktop apps like Hootsuite, you can click on the hashtag in a tweet and view a steam of hashtag-related tweets, as well as use the query window like that in Twitter.
• Tagdef gives a wikipedia-style definition of a hashtag. You can add a definition as well.
• Hashtag.org provides a listing of hashtags, with a trending chart as well.
• 48ers is an excellent search engine for mentions across a number of social media platforms such as Facebook, Digg, and Google Buzz. The results can be narrowed to Twitter only responses.
• Ask a follower about a hashtag. They may be just be in the know and nice enough to tell.

Finally, you can monitor if the tweet containing a hashtag results in visits to your analytics tagged site.  Unilyzer offers a free URL shortener that links a tweet to a Google Analytics account. So instead of a Twitter.com, a Unly.it key will show in the referrer source.  This provides a nuanced look at how tweets leads back to a website for conversion. Many analytics tools current looks at a click on a tweet but only from the use of a click.  Others, such as Crowdbooster, measures an exposure of a tweet.  The jury is still forming regarding analytic tools on tweets, so  select tools which closely connects to what you want to achieve.

Or is it #achieve?

FarmVille Needs Facebook

The whole premise of FarmVille is people building their own virtual farms and working with other “farmers” to get help with whatever supplies they need and whatnot, which they cannot do successfully without having “neighbors.” Zynga left the social outlet to Facebook, which got people more and more attracted to the site due to players inviting their friends. Without Facebook having the game constantly pop up on people’s newsfeeds, or suggesting users to like the fanpage, FarmVille likely wouldn’t have the hold it does over people’s time spent online. While FarmVille relies on Facebook partially for amount of players, some food companies are relying on FarmVille to help advertise their goods. Zynga has linked the site to food retailers, like 7-Eleven and Cascadian Farms. Players can buy some goods from these places using real money to entice other players to become neighbors. They’re taking the idea of being social and using social media marketing to a whole new level in the game, and helping other companies while they do so.

While Being Social is Fun…

There have been numerous studies, reports and statistics about FarmVille taking away from productivity at work. While it’s difficult to say whether or not this is entirely true, surely FarmVille isn’t the only online activity taking away from productivity. Facebook in general probably attracts plenty of people during work to waste some time here and there, as well as just reading random articles on various sites or tweeting, etc. The Internet is a very social, entertainment-friendly platform, so it’s easy to get distracted once you open that one tab that isn’t work-related. It’s probably best to steer clear of playing these games in the office, as I hear they can be quite addicting. Though it’s likely everyone needs a break from strictly working now and then, don’t zone out on Facebook and other social or gaming sites; it won’t go unnoticed for long.

Stay Focused on Reality

In the United States, there are around 2 million actual farms; FarmVille boasts about 30 million virtual ones, which seems to grow on a daily basis. While it’s fun to escape reality in different games, to play the role of a farmer and do what farmers do, it’s important to still keep social media in perspective. While these types of games are social and allow you to maybe make new friends and connections, are they ever really helpful to you in the long run? While the main point behind social media is to be social, you need to do so in the right ways. Spamming your Facebook wall with FarmVille updates isn’t really the best way to impress a potential employer.

Stay Off the Farm Until After Office Hours

While Zynga and some other gaming sites rely on Facebook and other social media networks to get people to play, these online games should by no means be the only way you spend your time on the Internet. If you have a FarmVille, refrain from playing at work and keep notifications from clogging up your Facebook profile. Try to keep social networking sites closed until a much needed 5 minute break here and there to keep from distracting you. Remember to keep the social aspect of your online time in check and continue to use Twitter and other sites for your benefit. In the end, if you’re really that addicted to the FarmVille ways of life, it’s probably best for your employers and you if you just become a farmer in reality. Fresh corn, anyone?

1.  Expand Your Network

With a limited number of connections, LinkedIn is going to be pretty darn boring for you.  There will be few updates for you to see, and virtually nobody will read your status changes.  So, how do you expand your network to include relevant connections?  Send the invitations yourself!  Don’t be shy about it, either.  I say go for the gusto, invite the CEO of your company to connect, invite the awesome presenter that enthralled you at the latest conference, invite anyone that you either know well or want to know better.

But, when you do send the invite, follow these tips for how to properly construct the invitation.

2. Be Creative With Your Headline

Most tend to assume that a LinkedIn headline should include only your precise job title.  Why?  The LinkedIn police aren’t going to hunt you down for adding a bit of creative flair to your profile.

After all, it is highly unlikely that your job title alone does you justice. You might officially be an “Account Executive”, but that title tells us next to nothing about what you actually do. Look to these examples for inspiration on how to amp up your LinkedIn headline.

Marci Reynolds – Operations Leader | Expertise in Call Centers – Sales Ops – eBusiness | Blogger & Social Media Enthusiast

Dan Schawbel – Personal Branding Expert, Bestselling Author, Speaker, Consultant, Columnist, Publisher and Blogger

Liz Isaacs – Connector ♦ Passionate Writing & Marketing Communications Strategist ♦ Writing Coach ♦ Author & Screenwriter

To make the change, navigate to LinkedIn > Edit My Profile > Edit Headline.

3.  Incorporate Twitter

LinkedIn and Twitter integrated with one another in November of 2009.  The unlikely pairing instantly changed the way many use and think of LinkedIn.  By incorporating a select* number of tweets into your LinkedIn status updates, you can form a much closer bond with many of your business contacts.

*But a word of caution – many LinkedIn users won’t be used to a Twitter-like bombardment of updates, so be thoughtful with your frequency.  And remember to keep everything business-appropriate.

4.  Access LinkedIn Via Mobile

Only staying connected to your network when you are chained to your desktop is so 2009.  Several months ago LinkedIn released a completely new interface for their iPhone app.  The result?  Functionality shot through the roof, and the mobile experience instantly improved.  The LinkedIn iPhone app is the reason I now visit LinkedIn every single day.

5.  Ask Questions

Most often my advice is for folks to answer questions on LinkedIn, showing their specific expertise via the official “Answers” section.  But this is about making your experience better, so go ahead, start off by asking a few questions of your own.  Here you will see the power of the LinkedIn community – try and stump them by asking a doozy of a question.

6.  Join Groups (Even Cool Ones)

I know what you are thinking.  “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard of LinkedIn groups, but why would I want to join? They seem boring.”  Maybe you are a skateboarding champ who happens to love The Simpsons, and you think there is no LinkedIn Group worth your while.  Think again!  You can join the “Action Sports Connect” and “Simpsons Fan” groups, and find a few like-minded individuals in your industry.

7.  Create Your Own Group

What is better than joining a group that suits an interest of yours?  Creating your own, of course.  You can create a group around any niche you want – be it topical, age-based, geographic, anything.  Sure, your group might start out small, and maybe it will stay small.  Who cares?  The connections you make via a small, tight-knit group in your industry are likely to be stronger than any formed in a group of thousands.

These are just seven ways of many to improve your LinkedIn experience.  If you haven’t logged in to LinkedIn for a long while, give it a shot again – I think you will like what you see.

Now seems like the perfect time to connect on LinkedIn, right?  Connect with Ryan Rancatore on LinkedIn here, or on Twitter here  @RyanRancatore.  Swing by Personal Branding 101 too if you are cruising for more personal branding tips and tricks.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and job seekers can learn from those that sport this fashionable cut when managing their online brand.   A popular saying when describing a mullet comes to mind:

“Business in the front. Party in the back.

Wise words when considering your online brand as a business professional no matter what your industry, position, or responsibility level.  Keep your business and professional profile in the front and in plain view of recruiters, prospective employers, clients. and customers. Keep your personal life and party in the back.  Users of social media need to be mindful to maintain a professional image while showing your creative and unique qualities at the same time.

Business in the Front

Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, and Twitter are great mediums in which to develop relationships and grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. Share your expertise and lead with the business in all you do. I recommend that your posts, pictures, and tweets should be at least 70% business related. Lead with interesting articles, tidbits, and information that is industry specific or related to the job in which you currently work or aspire to.

Party in the Back

The remaining 30% of your social media content can be related to your personal side. But be wary. I have visited FaceBook profiles with one too many drunk and scantily dressed pictures, and tweets leading me to search for talent elsewhere. If you are unsure if something is inappropriate, ask yourself the following question, “Would my mother approve?”  Items that your mother would approve and/or tolerate are generally appropriate to display on your social media profiles.

Social media is all about interacting, listening, and developing relationships.  I encourage you to tweet and post comments seeking input and feedback from others both personal and professional.  Commonalities as well as unusual qualities make you interesting which may lead to engaging conversations with persons that lead to interesting relationships and new opportunities.

Unfortunately for Dog, the Bounty Hunter and so many celebrities including Tiger Woods, Meghan McCain, Larry Johnson, and Chad Ochocinco this advice has come more than a little too late.   Follow the Social Media Mullet Golden Rule and think before you tweet. Lead with your business in the front, and keeping your party in the back.  I promise you’ll thank me for it.

Photo Credit Zimbio

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media.  She has over 10 years of experience in human resources and recruiting.

Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting.   Jessica’s upcoming book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business will be released in February 2010.  Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.

Yesterday President Obama was in the Washington suburb of Arlington, Virginia giving a speech to the Wakefield High School students. After the conclusion of his speech, one ambitious 9^th grader asked him “How he could become President one day,” saying that “when you’re young, you know, you make mistakes and you do some stupid stuff.” Coming from someone so young in the eyes of the job world, it is truly inspiring that they want to know what it takes at such a young age; easily a symptom of the Information Age.

Now in response to the student President Obama gave some very sound advice that everyone has heard before.

“I want everybody here to be careful about what you post on Facebook, because in the YouTube age whatever you do, it will be pulled up again later somewhere in your life,” Obama said. “That’s number one.”

While he may sound like a broken record, coming from such a high authority – The President of The United States of America – being broadcast nationally, it will have a HUGE impact on the next generation of students.  He later remarked in a private question-and-answer session that he has heard stories about Facebook postings hindering job applicants, saying:

“I’ve been hearing a lot about young people who, you know, they’re posting stuff on Facebook, and then suddenly they go apply for a job.”

It is truly amazing to have a President that is finally in touch with the problems that face our soon to be young professionals. Research conducted recently shows that nearly half of companies now screen social media profiles in the hiring process based on content they find like provocative photos, alcohol, or bad-mouthing of former employers being frequently cited as a reason for not considering candidates.

With over 250million and counting users on Facebook, it is becoming a bigger and bigger concern about what you post online. Anything you put online is permanent and can be found. This can be said about any other service as well, so as the President said, be careful about what you post!