How to Stop Employers Digging Your Digital Dirt

How to Stop Employers Digging Your Digital Dirt As we all know, the Internet has made information instantly accessible. You can find a customer, business partner, investor or employer quicker than ever before. The flipside is that they are only a few clicks away from finding your entire social life online, for better or worse. A recent survey conducted by the good folks at CareerBuilder UK has revealed that more than half (53%) of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates. Another 12% plan to start using social networking sites for screening. Their preferred methods for looking up candidates are search engines, Facebook, Linkedin, blogs and Twitter. OK, perhaps not much of a shock there. This is more interesting: 43% of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate. The top reasons were that candidates lied about qualifications, showed poor communication skills, made discriminatory comments and posted content about them drinking and using drugs. So there you have it; in addition to working on your actual application you now have to sweep the Internet for digital dust bunnies as well. If employers are doing it, we can assume that current and potential customers will be at it as well. You can see why they do this as a quick and easy way to find out who you really are. After all, they will only want to be associated with people that have ‘clean’ online lives as anything else might damage their business. Here are 10 steps you can take today to check up and clean up your digital dirt: 1. Check your stats What does a simple Google search reveal about you? And more importantly, are you happy with a prospective customer seeing the result? There are a few ways of checking your online personal brand, or reputation if you will. Google is the obvious one, at the very minimum you should check Bing and Yahoo as well. Use variations of your name, search pictures, videos, news as well to really turn every stone. You can also use Personas which is an application that MIT developed, it scours the Internet to get the gist of your online reputation. 2. General clean up Doing a spring cleaning up before any tender process may seem obvious but can actually require quite a bit of effort. Delete any embarrassing photos, comments, links from your online profiles and blog. You can even disable your wall/comments so that no new information can be added by others during your critical job search period. Sever all ties (remove/unfollow/block) to questionable or unreliable people as well as groups and associations that are not congruent with your professional reputation. All the security settings in the world won’t help you if one person decides to share your content with the rest of the world. 3. Facebook The bad news is that Facebook is one of the first ports of call when someone is checking you out. The good news is that you simply change your security settings and they will only be able to see your mug shot or nothing at all. First off you can specify who can find you in a Search, then change who can see what on the Privacy settings page. This should make things secure and you can carry on tagging yourself in pictures and videos with little risk of being seen by an employer. 4. Twitter The bad news is that everyone can follow and see what you do on Twitter. The good news is that you can set up more accounts, there is nothing stopping you from adding as many as you like. So if you do under your own name, make sure your content is clean. If you still want to retweet those risqué links, you had better make use of a nom de plume account. 5. Linkedin I will assume that your Linkedin profile is business friendly as it is a professional network after all. What you could consider is the Groups and Associations you are a member of, whether you want them to be visible on your profile or not. Furthermore, your personal interest field is the only one where you can actually show off some personality so make sure it’s consistent with your personal brand and other communications. 6. Cyber Twins An evil twin on the Internet is not what you need in any situation. What if there is someone out there with your name that is preaching hatred on their blog? If that person is the first to come up when searching Google for your name, you had better be prepared to explain what the score is. So make sure you know this before you get the question, however unlikely it may seem. 7. Blogging activities What have you posted on your own blog and other blogs out there? Think back to when you first started blogging, perhaps you tried out a few topics that aren’t perhaps conducive to your new job? Or maybe you left a comment or two in haste that you really shouldn’t have. Use Google Blog Search to find your blogging footprint, it scours the entire blogosphere on a daily basis. 8. Create positive content The best way to let the good outweigh the bad is to create lots of new content that will eclipse whatever dirt is still left out there. The Internet handles so much new information every day that the old stuff tends to be pushed down the search results and slowly forgotten. This will take a great deal of time and effort but will be worth it. 9. Send in the marines If all else fails and you still have your own digital landfill out there, you might want to call up the professionals. There are a few online services that will seek out your dirt and can annihilate it on the spot. Sites like Reputation Defender and DefendMyName all offer to stay on top of your online reputation for a fee. They will typically identify non-flattering information about you, alert you about it and you can then decide whether to keep or destroy. I believe this option is useful when running for a public office or when you have a few too many skeletons in the closet, however most people will not have this need. 10. Keep it going Google Alerts is a very handy tool for real time alerts about anything, in this case yourself. Punch in your name in inverted commas, set it to send you updates as soon as you are mentioned online. This way you will be able to monitor yours whenever your name is mentioned anywhere on an ongoing basis. What’s your best tip to keep a clean online brand? Please share your experience! Image: Shutterstock

Sample Interview Thank You Email (She Won the Job!)

Sample Interview Thank You Email (She Won the Job!) The interview thank youstumps many people. Thus, when one of my clients sent me an awesome draft for feedback, I asked her if I could share it as a sample with my readers. She agreed. I’ve included a redacted copy below.The Sample Interview Thank You EmailHi [Name],Im so grateful for your generosity this morning in spending time speaking with me and sharing your insights about the new position on your team. Thank you.Near the end of our talk, I mentioned my excitement about having a chance to help create systems and processes that will allow [Company] to better manage [the challenge] and seize opportunities.I hope I also conveyed well to everyone on the team my eagerness to receive your and their mentorship on [Companys] culture and how to succeed as the [Position Title].Theres nothing Id rather do with this next chapter of my career than serve one company in such depth that I become woven into its fabric. Its plain to see you are on that path and enjoying it very much.Meeting you and hearing your story affirmed my decision to make this jump.Whatever happens, lets please keep in touch!Regards,[Name]P.S. See attachedphotos of dogs.AnalysisI shared this as a sample interview thank you email for several reasons:1. It screamed self-motivation and commitment. My client used high-energy words and offered an image of herself woven into the very fabric of the company.2. My client and the hiring manager had rapport. She built on this by inviting the manager to be in touch regardless of her decision.3. My client reminded the hiring manager of their shared love for dogs.Research has found shared interests matter in recruiting decisions.4. The combination of competence, motivation, and relationship building that my client showed throughout the hiring process resulted in a job offer!5. 65% of successful job seekers in one study used email to say, Thank you for the interview. Its OK to use email.As you can see, if you set the stage by demonstrating your professional and pe rsonal fit for the job, and build rapport during your interviews, then writing a thank you email can be crazy easy.Featured by FastCompany Image: Fotolia/gunnar3000 Updated June 2017 2015 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. Interviews â€" Thank You Emails (5 Posts)

Introverts A Brief Guide to Help Find a Job Youll Love Marla Gottschalk

Introverts A Brief Guide to Help Find a Job Youll Love Marla Gottschalk The prospect of job hunting can be particularly challenging for an introvert. If you find yourself on the introverted side of the I-E continuum, youve likely felt that key segments of the search process were stacked against you. Between the on the spot nature of interview questions and required networking â€" the process can seem a complete mismatch with regard to your strengths. Unfortunately, the proverbial one size fits all workplace bias, can also extend to the selection process. So, what are the best techniques to bend the odds in favor of finding the right job-person match? While many people confuse being introverted with shyness, introversion is in fact about how an individual handles stimulation and processes information. Fortunately, as the importance of embracing individual differences increases in the workplace, the so-called mysteries of introversion will become more universally understood. This aside, turning ourselves completely inside out while job hunting is simply not necessary. Introversion is not the problem or a weakness â€" the challenge is to effectively relay vital information concerning our strengths, as they mesh and align with potential roles. This effectively increases the potential of finding that best fit opportunity. Mechanisms that help to communicate the whole story become critical. In many cases, introverts possess a unique set of qualities that are not fully expressed within the traditional job search process. (Many of these qualities can only be appreciated with time.) This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete impressions concerning capabilities. Ultimately, this a communication gap that we cannot afford. A few thoughts to consider: Let your network work for you. Not earth-shattering news â€" but, strategic none the less. (More on branding for introverts from HBR here.) You may not personally wish to broadcast your accomplishments at every turn â€" and you likely have limits on your desire to network. So, start small, and concentrate on connecting with one or two individuals at events which provide networking opportunities. Also remember that others may be more than happy to do some of this for you. Let your trusted, established connections know exactly what you are looking for â€" as they can also serve as a powerful marketing team. Those willing to recommend you for a role, team or project, can contribute to the positive buzz. This may lead you to the right role. Yep, youll still need an Elevator Pitch (or two). Its difficult to communicate important messages about our work when answering questions in a pinch or presenting â€" so craft the messages you wish to convey at your own thoughtful pace, on your own time. As discussed by Susan Cain, find methods that allow you to start with smaller steps. Fill 2-3 note cards with vital information concerning what you bring to the table and your target role. Then choose the salient points. (You can also utilize a recording device to video yourself delivering the messages.) It can take a few takes to perfect the messages â€" but, youll likely find an opportunity to use them. Build a 3-D social media presence. Utilize social media channels to represent your work â€" as this process allows you to build your presence with the forethought you crave. Start a blog in a niche area to gain visibility. Flesh out skeleton profiles with examples of your work and the real-life problems that youve solved. Many sites allow room to highlight past projects â€" so be creative in this regard. LinkedIn for example, allows you to upload images, video, documents and other information about you and your work directly to your profile. Express your Personal Value Proposition (PVP). Educating others about you and your unique qualifications is what the job search process should be about â€" and a personal value proposition is critical. (Read the HBR post here.) Companies such as the 1-Page Company, allow you to develop your own proposal as a vehicle to let organizations know exactly what you bring to the table. The platform has the capability to help you communicate your skill set and your creative solutions to specific problems. Live your dream. Passion for your work can carry you a very long way. If you have a dream role or vision project, attempt to make this a reality. Interestingly, you dont necessarily have to wait for a single employer to give you the go ahead â€" you can make it happen your way. If you are open to freelance work, O-Desk and Elance offer a great platform to link you with the work that you enjoy and aligns with your strengths. Sites such as Kickstarter, offer an opportunity to gain funding for your dream project. Practice the power pose. Gaining a mental edge before an interview is also important â€" as sometimes our own bodies betray us. Recent research has shown that our physical stance shortly before an interview, can affect what we project (and how we are subsequently evaluated) during that interview. Spending as little as 2 minutes in a power pose can lower the amount of the stress hormone cortisol flowing through our bodies. Id say its worth a try. Know your limits. The job hunt can include many situations that are quite stimulating. While activities such as networking, professional meetings and conferences are important to find a job you love â€" know when youve had enough. Many introverts can feel drained after participating in these types of situations, so leave ample time to recharge. What techniques have you utilized to help find a role you love? Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, consultant and speaker. The Office Blend, has been recognized by Forbes as one of their Top 100 Websites for Your Career in both 2012 and 2013.

College Loans Simplified Strategies to Stop Sweating Over Your Student Debt

College Loans Simplified Strategies to Stop Sweating Over Your Student Debt Decades ago, a diploma meant future opportunity. Today’s news often points to the fact that going to college means accruing debt. It’s a blow to those who wish for higher education and a brighter future. Student loans help bridge the gap between goals and reality. But rather than sweat student debt, here’s how to pay it off without breaking your back. Know and Plan for the Grace Period A grace period is the time between graduation and the first payment. It’s necessary to know the date for proper planning. Usually, grads get six months for federal loans while the first payment for private loans varies. Pay Back More Than the Minimum College grads don’t have a lot of money. Plus, many are in debt. It’s understandable why one would choose the minimum repayment option. But, paying more per month helps address the overall principal. The longer it takes to pay, the more interest is associated to the overall cost. If you have a hard time finding the added funds, establish an automatic withdrawal process with your lender. Do All of the Calculations in the Beginning Before making your first payment, know what you owe and how long it’s going to take to pay all of it back. From there, you’ll know how much money you need to pay each month. Then, you can begin thinking of ways to pay more along the way and bring the projected payback date closer. Direct lender details vary from those associated with government loans. Reconsider Refinancing But Approach with Caution It’s common for grads to have debt and or need to pay off more than one loan. Refinancing provides an opportunity to lower the level of interest so grads can pay off the principal faster. Be cautious, however, in reading a provider’s terms and conditions. For example, some may offer an initial period of low interest with a higher interest coming in time or because of missed payments. Use That $20 Bill You Found in Your Coat At times, we come across good fortune that takes the shape of inheritance, lottery winnings, etc. Rather than splurge on a vacation, new shoes, or a higher quality car, put the funds toward debt. Being in debt, technically, means you owe money you didnt or don’t have. So, it makes sense to pay it back when you do have it, especially when it’s unplanned. It takes tremendous discipline to roll a night’s winnings into the other hand as you write a bigger check to your lender, but it makes a lot of sense. Accept a Job Associated with Debt Forgiveness Some professionals, such as public service workers and teachers, are pardoned and do not have to pay a portion of their debt. Terms are stringent so a person may benefit from the assistance of a lawyer in ensuring they meet all terms. Also, forgiveness is often associated with higher interest rates and income requirements. A fired employee, for example, will be responsible for greater interest charges. Donate Your Tax Returns and Raises Toward Debt The end of tax season brings returns for some, who grow excited at the thought of ‘extra’ or ‘found’ money. It’s an exhilarating yet naive action to spend the tax refund. Similarly, if job performance is satisfactory, many get raises throughout their tenure. Instead of making a one-time purchase or find a larger home or apartment, steer the added income toward existing debt. Find Creative Ways to Trim the Budget Do you need to buy coffee at the cafe or can you make it at home? Do you need to pay for cable or do you need a television at all? Can you move to a smaller apartment without interrupting your well being? Find creative ways to save money. Immediate saving is easy; opt for the small rather than the large coffee. Finding ways to save all the time, however, necessitates creativity or an interruption in routine (Stop going to the cafe for coffee.) Search for Ways to Lower the Interest Rate Some lenders will decrease the interest rate. For example, you may get a lower rate for opting out of snail mail. Or, you may get a decreased interest rate for establishing automatic drafts from a bank account. Be attentive as not to miss important opportunities. Don’t Think It’s Helping You While it’s necessary to stay in good standing with your lender and pay off the loan as agreed by terms, student loan debt is not ‘good’ debt. For example, it’s not the kind of debt that helps improve a credit score, though being negligent in paying can harm a score. So, while it’s a necessary inconvenience to have the debt, don’t be forgiving in wanting to get rid of it as soon as possible. This post was provided by Keira Bevan, an accountant, is always on the search for new money tips and insights. When she finds them, she loves to share them on a number of personal finance blogs.

The Truth About Marissa Mayers Resume

The Truth About Marissa Mayers ResumeSo Marissa Mayers resumes is looking really good and you have it for a few of the companies that you applied to but you're not sure how it will translate to the ones that you aren't. In this article we will look at the possibilities of your resume being used by an employer. The truth is that resumes can be used by a lot of different companies and they make the final decision on whether or not you get the interview or not.During a job hunt, even if you are applying to hundreds of jobs you may only get contacted by a few. So what this means is that when you don't get the interview you may have been applying for you will not get the job that you want to get.With a resume from Marissa Mayers you will be sent out many more times than you will with any other resume. Every job you apply for will be listed on it will be used for a few different positions so you should be thinking that you can get lots of interviews. If you are working on getting a new job then you will have a chance of getting hired because of your skills.A resume from Marissa Mayers is going to be worth a lot more than the others. Even if you get it wrong, you won't have wasted time or money by sending out the resume to every company you've applied to.It's hard to get a job with no experience, but it's easier if you have a great resume that will get you the interview you want. The truth is that employers don't care how much experience you have or what jobs you've done. They just want someone who is going to give them the results they want.One thing you may want to consider before sending your resume out is to write down what it is you would like to get from an employer. It's important that you don't get too personal and it's important that you use the words that they use to describe you in their ad. If you're an interior designer, it may sound too personal so that you will be kicked out.You also want to send it out as soon as possible because if you wait until the last minute it could get lost in the shuffle. The best thing to do is send it out as soon as you know you have been invited for an interview. This will ensure that you get the most out of your resume.Another thing to do is to change the name of the person who is reading your resume to someone else so they will be interested in what you have to say. This is usually a good idea but if you are unsure just send it to someone else.

Journaling Your Way to a Better Career

Journaling Your Way to a Better Career Managing your career requires you to actually attempt to manage it.   How easy is it for us to go about our daily lives and not think about what is next or even ask ourselves if we like what we are doing.   Living your life on autopilot seems rather dull. Dont you deserve better? There has been significant evidence gathered that suggests journaling is a powerful way of healing, coping and moving forward.   When Judy Shenouda announced she was writing a book on career success, I was excited to learn that its true title was Career Success in 12 Easy Steps: a journal. There are tons of career self help books out there.   The most famous and most cumbersome is Richard Bolles What Color is Your Parachute.   This classic tome of assessments, questions and tools works well for those who are serious about assessing and figuring out whats next.   In comparison, Career Success in 12 Easy Steps is light and playful.   Oh, and EASY. Each chapter follows a wonderful formula.   A story, questions, and my favorite part, a Mad Lib-like affirmation/summary at the end of each chapter.   Judy chunks the chapters into meaningful pieces that are just the right size to be manageable.     It is practical enough to be actionable.   It also will appeal to those who are bigger-picture thinkers as well. Would you like a sneak peak at the chapter headings? Step 1.   Wake Up to Your Dream Step 2. Build on Your Successes Step 3.   Own Your Competencies Step 4.   Know What Emanates from You Step 5.   Discover What is Relevant for You and Do It Step 6. Draw from the Breadth and Depth of Your Experience Step 7. Engage, Involve, Manage, Lead and Guide Step 8.   Demystify and Simplify the Complex Step 9. Discard Anxiety and Embrace Confidence Step 10. Keep Your Reservoir Full Step 11. Bestow Unto Others Step 12. And Also Receive For those wanting more out of their worklife.   For those who want to manage their future.   For those who are looking for a better way I guess I am saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Judys approach to this complex career enigma!

Good Questions To Ask At An NHS Interview Impress The NHS!

Good Questions To Ask At An NHS Interview Impress The NHS! The National Health Service are one of the most respected and esteemed organisations in Britain. The NHS prides itself on providing the best possible level of patient care and treatment, and this is an attitude which all staff are expected to exemplify.With this in mind, you won’t be surprised to learn that the NHS sets extremely high standards when it comes to the staff that they take on. So, when it comes to the interview, you’ll be expected to demonstrate that you are someone who has integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the role.In this blog, we’ll give you some fantastic ideas on how you can show your passion to the NHS interview team, and give you some ideas for good questions to ask at an NHS interview!#section_67775795{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px}Passing The NHS Interview #row-1211725895.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}The key to passing the NHS Interview is to show the interviewers that you exemplify and understand the core values of the National Health Service, and by learning good questions to ask at an NHS interview. These values include:Being an excellent communicator. Communication is absolutely vital for an NHS employee. Communication plays an essential role in patient care, and in the way that doctors, nurses and other staff work together to provide the best level of treatment for those under their care. It’s all about teamwork â€" if you aren’t a good team player then you won’t be a good fit for the NHS.Commitment to public service. As an employee of the NHS, it’s extremely important that you are committed to the idea of public service, and are dedicated to providing the public with an outstanding and dedicated level of care. Public service means showing empathy, care and consideration for patients, and their relatives and loved ones too. During your interview, you can expect to be quizzed about when you’ve shown this quality in the past.Respect for equality and diversity. NHS employees must be abl e to demonstrate a level of respect, care and equal treatment for every person that they meet, regardless of said person’s background, gender, age, culture, or any other factors. When working in the NHS, you will meet a huge variety of people, and you must be able to ingratiate and communicate with these people in a polite, friendly, and professional manner.Finally, and certainly not least, you need to be able to show enthusiasm and interest in the role. #image_1529411268{width:100%}#section_2136564510{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}Why You Should Ask Questions At The End Of An NHS Interview #row-26521863.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}If you’ve ever been to an interview, or even interviewed someone yourself, you might be aware of some of the warning signs of ‘a bad candidate’. Similarly, you might have a good idea about what makes a good candidate. One of the most important qualities for any candidate, especially in the NHS, is enthusiasm in the role. I f you are enthusiastic and passionate, and this come across in the interview, then you are far more likely to be successful.Employers want to take on candidates who genuinely care about the position, and who aren’t just there to pick up a pay cheque So, how can you show enthusiasm and interest? One of the best ways, is to actually learn and adapt good questions to ask at an NHS interview. #image_1806247679{width:100%}#section_213884381{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}Good Questions to ask at an NHS Interview#row-1118562652.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}Many people are slightly put off by the idea of asking questions at the end of interview, and it’s extremely common to tell the interviewers, ‘No, thank you, you’ve told me everything I need to know.’ This approach won’t count against you â€" but it won’t help you either. And with such fierce competition for job posts, it goes without saying that you need to do all you can to maximise your chances o f success. By asking the interviewer questions yourself, when invited to do so, you are showing them that a) you’ve put considerable thought into the job role b) you’re interested, and c) you are enthusiastic about your own career. This all counts massively in your favour.Now, to help you out, let’s look at some game-changing questions for the NHS Interview, which will put you ahead of the competition! #image_748993525{width:100%}#section_310437164{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}Sample Question 1#row-2014607765.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}If I were to be successful, would there be on the job training, or chances to improve my skills? If so, is it possible to tell me a bit more about this? This is a great question, because it shows the interviewer that you genuinely care about improving your skills and progressing as an individual with the NHS. Naturally, the National Health Service wants to take on candidates who are looking to improve and become better doctors/nurses, and therefore your enthusiasm for doing so will put you in a really positive light.If you are applying as a doctor, or a nurse, then you’ll likely have been to medical school prior to application â€" but that doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t be expected to learn and improve on the job too. The majority of hospitals have programmes in place to help their staff improve and grow. So, the interviewers will welcome the chance to tell you about this.#section_589461084{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}Sample Question 2#row-764781969.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}I noticed that your hospital was nominated for *award*. This was really exciting for me, and played a role in my applying. Could you tell me about this? This is a fantastic question to ask, because it shows that you’ve researched the hospital and looked into their current initiatives. The interviewers will really appreciate that â€" they want to see that you care enough to have researched and investigated the hospital, and that there are individual elements about that hospital which have impressed you and make you want to work for them over others. It never hurts to flatter the hospital either!#section_155107950{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px}Sample Question 3#row-2131344441.col.col-inner{background-color:rgb(0,21,255)}Where does this role fit into the team structure? Who are the key people I’ll be interacting with on a daily basis? This is a great question. Again, it shows a real enthusiasm for the role, and a desire to learn about what the job will be like on a daily basis. It’s important to understand that it’s perfectly okay to ask questions like this â€" the interviewers don’t expect you to know all of the ins and out of the job role right off the bat â€" so if anything it will be reassuring for them to see that you have the ability to ask questions, and ask for help when you need it.#section_1733108655{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px} #image _498174598{width:100%}If you want to further increase your chances of securing an NHS career, then we’ve got the perfect resource for you! Our NHS interview hub is jam-packed with tips and tricks on how answer just about any medical interview question that you can think of. So, don’t hang around. Sign up below, and get notified on how YOU can join the NHS! First Name * Email * I agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy. * By subscribing you are agreeing to How2Become’s Privacy Policy and for How2Become Ltd to contact you with marketing information relating to NHS careers and How2Become’s resources and offers. *Get NHS Interview Advice »#section_452900426{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px} This entry was posted in Interviews, Job Competencies, NHS. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke NHS Call Handler Interview Questions: Top NHS Interview Tips!The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme: Application Overview