How to Use Facebook Graph Search [Noob Edition]

How to Use Facebook Graph Search [Noob Edition] When Facebook Graph Search was announced, I was excited for my recruiting friends and a little bit worried that people might be frustrated by it. In the past, when Facebook has implemented a change, most of my friends have gone up in arm; but not my recruiting pals for the most part, recruiting folk are more interested in what NEW things we can do with shifting software and Graph Search is no different. Within a few days of my receipt of Graph Search, I hadnt even taken the requisite tour that Facebook was prompting at the top if my page, when I realized that several of my smart friends had already written some great posts on Facebookand I hadnt even tried it yet. So Id obviously missed the boat on writing the authoritative guide on Facebook Graph Search but what about the Newbies Guide to Facebook? Surely, since I am a marketer and not a recruiter (anymore), I would be the ideal gal to lay down the DOs and DONTs of FBGS. 1) DO use Facebook Graph Search to target better Graph Search is the ultimate in finding out what your friends like and dont like. Now this has some amazing implications for recruiters. For example, you can search friends of yours that work at Microsoft. Or friends of (fill in name) that work at Microsoft and went to Northwestern and live in Redmond and are married.yeah you can. When you have this option, you can learn quite a lot about the population youre targeting. Business2Community says: Graph search is more micro-based in which businesses and Facebook users could use it to understand the interests, the activities and other demographics of their fans or friends, much better; and by knowing more about your targeted consumers, businesses can therefore create better strategies in marketing to their consumers via Facebook Graph Search. 2) DONT assume its a LinkedIn killer As SocialMediaToday points out: For Graph Search to be relevant, users will need to fill out their profiles as completely as possible including career titles, current company, professional interests, etc. How many people actually have a fully-updated Facebook profile with all of their professional work experience and interests? While that MAY be true, dont count it out. A lot more people are on Facebook now than LinkedIn and its way more user-friendly for your average job seeker. The one thing that may kill its threat? The fact that no one really wants to censor themselves. 3) DO realize its affect on PPC ads for Facebook You already cant really use Facebook for the total amount of people available in a given metro with a specific set of skills when pricing out ad campaigns. Same goes for graph search. If people dont give you the info, says Glen Cathey, you cant use it as search parameters. Do you think that the accountants on Facebook who live in the Alpharetta area just don’t put their work experience on their profile, or that they hide the info from being retrieved by people other than their friends? I’d argue the former at this point. Keep in mind that this issue not only affects search, it also affects advertising. You can’t use Facebook PPC ads to target people who don’t give you critical information to target. He sees the fact that Facebook returns fewer results as a bad thing, but I am guessing that it probably isnt necessarily. Being able to tap into  a more highly selective list appeals to the marketer in me. 4) DONT call it a professional networking site Facebook is what it is. Vague statement to be sure, but on purpose because thats what makes Facebooks Platform so overtly successful, it is what you want it to be. Using it for job search? Great, fill in your history. Building out a family reunion group? Have at it. Want to post your duck face pics? Well.okay then. Work4Labs Stephane Le Viet puts it this way in his article delineating the journey from social to professional: The foundation was laid with the creation of brand and “Timeline for  Business” pages. These gave Facebook’s  users  a chance to becomeconsumers  by publicly declaring their affiliation with companies using the “like” button. The trend continued with the release of Sponsored Stories and targeted ads. With these, Facebook’s  consumersbecame  passive candidates, since employers can now suggest jobs to consumers whose browsing habits and profile data align with the categories defined by the company. If Hard Rock Cafe is looking for employees to fill a new outlet in Tokyo, for example, they can target young Tokyo residents who like Rock N’ Roll. For the newbies And what about for the newbies? Well here are some DOs and DONTs from my personal experience: DO use Graph Search to find things when Facebook moves them around on you. Now I know where everything is, I just type: videos of NAME posted by me and it pulls them up! DO use it to find friends that are all in one city for fast simple networking (and also to make sure you arent inviting out of towners to your events, AHEM). Simply type in friends of mine who live in CITY. One caveat: it pulls up anyone even BORN there. DONT think you can ignore it. Facebook Graph Search will be important to recruiters and therefore it has to be important to job seekers, therefore it has to be important to recruiter.see where Im going with this? If you’re a recruiter looking for candidates, you see the value in mining these results. If you’re a jobseeker looking for work, you probably see the value of  showing up  in these results. On the other hand, most recruiters already screen candidates through Google and LinkedIn, and you can bet the same critical eye will turn toward Graph Search results.

Resume Writing Jobs - Things to Avoid When Writing Your Resume

Resume Writing Jobs - Things to Avoid When Writing Your ResumeResume writing jobs are one of the easiest ways to begin earning some extra money. However, just like any job there are a few things you should be aware of and many things that you will want to avoid. I will discuss some of the most common mistakes when working in this industry and then cover some of the things you will want to be aware of when applying for resumes writing jobs.The first thing you should avoid is a poor choice of keywords. Unfortunately, there are many types of resume writing jobs that have already been filled. Not all resume writing jobs need to hire only fresh faces. In fact, you should never do a bad job of marketing yourself on a resume. The first impression a potential employer gets from your resume is more important than the skill or qualifications you list.Don't use the term 'keyword' too much or on search engines either. There are a few reasons why you need to avoid using them. One is that most peo ple will quickly disregard resumes that have the term on them. The second reason is that there are probably some search engines out there that will actually match your resume against a list of those that contain your keyword.Instead of including your resume on every page it is best to only put it on the very first page. This way you can provide some relevant information and immediately grab the attention of your potential employer. It is also advisable to not include your personal information on your resume. This includes information such as your full name, address, cell phone number, and possibly even your social security number.Make sure that the material on your resume is complete. You will not be able to find anything else without proper documentation. Try to keep everything you list as current and relevant to your resume.Pay close attention to formatting. Good resume writing jobs tend to follow a common format that you should follow when writing your own resume. If your resume is missing important formatting elements it will probably not get you the interview you are after.Most resume writing jobs provide samples of their work and training to help you write yours. Unfortunately, there are many who do not do this. Be careful to check out your samples and make sure that they are indeed the samples provided by the company. Most reputable companies will also offer feedback from their past clients. This may be their biggest tip.Finally, keep in mind that even with the best resume you will not be hired if you are not properly prepared for the interview. Nothing else is as important as the preparation you do for your interview. Your skills and abilities are only as good as your preparation. These tips should help you get started on getting your career off to a good start.

Five Tips for Marketing A Service Business

Five Tips for Marketing A Service Business Marketing budgets are flowing in, businesses are analyzing last years marketing efforts and now is the time to start ramping up marketing efforts again. The New Year is a pivotal time for most businesses, and the service industry will also start ramping up efforts. A lot of industries tend to see a lull in work during the cold winter months. But when the weather starts to warm, its time to get back to work and make sure those bottom lines swell.   Its all about promoting your brand and getting the word out there.   A branding agency can create a campaign to accomplish it, and heres six ways you can support their effort. Local Newspapers and Promotion One area that many women tend to ignore is local marketing. Your local newspaper is looking for a story, and your businesss story might fit into this mold. Woman-owned businesses, especially when theyre certified, are a great way to get into your local newspaper. Contact an editor via email or phone, and explain what makes your business unique, how youre a woman-owned business and what you plan on contributing to the local community. Charity and Local Donations If you want to get in the news and start to build your reputation locally, you can do so by being charitable and offering donations to local causes. A few ideas that come to mind are: Help local families in need Support local sports teams Donate services for a cause Organize a donation drive You can do a lot of good for your business and the local community by getting into the charitable spirit and donating, too. Social Media Groups and Support Small towns tend to stick together. I have noticed that my local Facebook groups are filled with people that are talking about everything from their favorite place to eat to local gossip. Ive seen everything promoted on these groups, from drain cleaning, to car washes and the local pizza shops. Yes, your small business should also have its own Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. Reach out to potential customers in these groups, lend your advice and start to get noticed in your city. Oftentimes, its a matter of having a familiar, trustworthy face to make the sale. Connect with the community, and youll find success. Bundle Services or Offer Something Free Consumers like deals, and something free or substantially cheaper when bundled is a great option. How does this work? It depends on your industry. A plumber may offer a free drain cleaning with a pipe repair. Barbers may offer free neck hair trimmings for a month after a haircut. Bundle services together, too. Offer to provide a service for 75% of the normal cost when buying another service. Consumers like deals, so offering any deal will be a smart way to boost foot traffic and sales. Internet Promotion is a Must Its impossible to ignore the Internet no matter what type of business youre trying to promote. Service businesses can lure in customers by using: Google Yelp These are good starting points, but youll also want to add these reviews to your website to help build trust with potential clients and customers. Once youve done that, youll also want to consider buying Facebook Ads or spending money on Google AdWords to help promote your business. Start small with your campaigns, learn the basics and refine your results to start bringing in clients.

Take the quiz Is it time for you to find a new job

Take the quiz Is it time for you to find a new job Here are some areas of your work that you should think about when deciding if its time to find another job. (Give yourself three points for an a, two points for a b, one point for a c.) 1. Your boss: How often do you have lunch alone with your boss? a. Every week at your favorite restaurant. b. A few times a year at your bosss favorite restaurant. c. Once a year when your boss is apologizing for missing your performance review. 2. Future prospects at the company: You get a big, very important assignment due in two weeks. You a. Get unsolicited coaching from your boss because she wants to make sure you succeed at the project and get a promotion. b. Put off the work until the last minute because you find it difficult to please your boss and you worry that you will fail. c. Work very, very hard, but generally have no idea what youre doing. In the end, the project is a colossal failure and your boss makes a point of taking no blame. 3. Sense of belonging: The theme of your company party is dress as your favorite movie star. You a. Tell your boss you resent stupidity at company parties. But you make the best of it and dress like James Dean so you can get a thrill from wearing jeans and a T-shirt to work. b. Lobbied for a come-as-you-are party and lost. So you show up to the party but dont dress up. You stick out like a sore thumb, or at least a sore loser, but your co-worker joins you, so good food can make things acceptable. c. Avoid the party in full because last year the CEO drank too much and started making passes at people in your demographic. 4. The publics perception: Your phone rings fifteen times in one hour. Whos on the phone? a. Headhunters, because you are so high profile in your job that people are starting to talk about your future in the field. b. Your friends because they know you make your evening plans in the afternoon, when work gets slow. c. Your mom because you told her if you dont get a new job soon youre going to kill yourself. 5. Personnel policies: You wake up with a throbbing boulder attached to your gum. You a. Leave a message for your boss that youll be at the dentist. Receive an email from your boss the next day expressing genuine concern. b. Call human resources to find out if you have a comp day left. When you find that you have none, declare that youre working from home and then go to the dentist. c. Go to work with blood dripping from your mouth. Wax nostalgic about the good old days when you had sick days at work and health insurance to pay for them. 6. Company stability: Your company is in the newspaper today. The company just a. Beat Wall St.s revenue expectations. b. Canned the CEO and hired a top turnaround specialist c. Laid off 50% of the staff and sent a list of the jilted to the press 7. Office stress: Your co-worker just got dumped by the guy she thought she would marry. Now she a. Asks you if you have any friends who are available. b. Cries all day, stopped doing her work and now you have to pick up the slack. c. Informs you that she stole a bunch of electronics from her ex and is storing the stash in her cube. She adds, If he comes by with a gun, dont worry. Hed never use it. 8. Office environment: Your office space is: a. Bright and sunny with nice carpet; you wish you could entertain your dates here instead of at your apartment. b. A claustrophobic cube but at least its ergonomically correct. c. Rotating. Theres one computer for two people and you use it when your co-worker goes to the bathroom. 9. Location, location, location Your company is located a. Three blocks from your dream house and you walk to work. b. In a state you promised yourself you would not live in for more than five years. c. A five-hour plane ride from the home where your three kids live. 10. The Starbucks factor: How many Starbucks cafes are within walking distance from your office? a. Five, because employees at your company are raking in the dough and everyone knows that where there are high salaries there are $4 cups of coffee. b. One, but the cafe has big, cushy seats for falling asleep in the middle of the day. c. None. To get through morning meetings you must resort to the No Doze pills of your college days. 11. Company perks. At the end of your midday workout you: a. Toss your sweaty clothes into the companys health club laundry and your clothes are laundered and in your locker by tomorrows workout. b. Go to the company cafeteria and load up on subsidized carbohydrates. c. Hit the bars; work is so slow that theres no reason to go back. 12. Salary During your performance review, your boss a. Gives you a map for the next five years that will rocket launch your career. b. Informs you there is a salary freeze for everyone not related to the CEO. c. Tells you that his own boss gave him a horrid performance review and asks if you would put in a good word for him. 13. During a business trip with the CEO a. He uses the time to mentor you about the ways of deal making and then sits back and watches you close the deal of your life. b. You book a flight on an obscure airline with two plane transfers to save money and find out the CEO is flying American, for twice the price, to get frequent flier miles. c. The CEO invites you back to his hotel room at midnight, and when you decline, he says hes insulted that you would think it was for anything but business. 14. You hold a team meeting in your office and a. They surprise you with a birthday cake even though you didnt tell them its your birthday. b. Everyone shows up late except for the person you have been trying to fire for a year; she showed up a day early. c. Your office is so small that the meeting has to be moved to a conference room, but there are none available because everyones office is too small so you cancel the meeting. Scoring yourself: 10- 14 points You are probably so upset about your job right now that you cant even pull it together to launch a hunt for a new one. So instead, invest in a therapist. Try to figure out why you have stayed in this job as long as you have. Figure out why you put up with so much crap in your life. On some level, you probably enjoy it, which is why you got yourself into this mess in the first place. You are probably bad at setting goals for yourself, because if you had any goals, youd realize youre not meeting them by staying in your current job. Make an honest assessment of what the two or three most important things in your life are. Figure out what you need to get them, and focus on that. Surely, part of your plan will entail getting rid of this current job. Its a bad economy, but for someone like you, that cant matter. You still need to find a new job. Think about taking a step down in salary and responsibility in order to get into a better working environment. Many of the people who score very low in this test will say that they keep this job in order send their kids to camp, buy a flat screen television, etc. But your kids need a role model who is happy in their job more than they need camp. Besides, you can find a discount camp once you settle for a discount salary. And for those of you who justify your awful job in the name of wonderful electronics, remember that you spend more time at your job each day than you do in front of your television. So you get more mileage out of a job that makes you happy than a job that makes you able to buy a TV. 15-24 points You are probably not the happiest worker in the world, but your job can be salvaged. You need goals and you need boundaries and once these are in place you will be able to put together a good job among mediocre opportunities. Get a clear image of what you would need at this company in order to be very happy. For most people, feeling challenged and appreciated are the most important aspects of their job. So take a look at those areas first. Then examine your long-term goals and make sure that what you are doing at work now is setting you up to achieve your goals in the future. Its a lot easier to put up with workplace BS if you know that your job meets your big- goals. As long as you deliver a little beyond what your boss asks of you, you will be free to request additional projects that interest you and perks that enable you to continue high-level output. Let your boss know what parts of your job you like, and what parts are difficult for you either because you hate them or because you need more coaching. Also, be sure to tell your boss how she can help you to succeed at work. Shell appreciate this request since the better you perform the better she looks. Reassess your situation in three or four months. If you score higher on this test next time you take it, then you are headed in the right direction. If your point spread stagnates, you need to start asking yourself some questions: Are you unable to create change because you are timid and unsure or because you are in a job that will never improve? If you think the truth lies in the latter then make a plan to jump ship. But remember that things are not so bad where you are, so look before you leap. Theres no point in jumping when theres no other ship in sight. 24-30 points You have a great job. The only problem you have is that you took the time to take this test. Did you not realize that you would score in the ranks of the happiest contingent? Do you not realize that you are in the worst economy in decades yet you have a great job at a great company? Before you get yourself into trouble, learn to evaluate situations with a sharper eye. To continue your career path in the direction of success, you will have to trust your instinct. Right now, your instinct is not great perhaps clouded by chronic self-doubt. For you, its important to be able to look optimistically at a situation that deserves optimism. You are probably too unsure about your current position to have expressed proper gratitude to your boss and co-workers. When you have a good situation at work you should let people know you appreciate them. And, you should let happiness about your job shine though during the day. Your office is a nice place to be, in part, because the people are happy. You should contribute to this atmosphere by letting people know that you are happy, too. Also, take time to learn from your boss, who seems to be very good at managing you. Few people get the chance to work for someone who cares about their career as much as your boss cares about yours. Watch what she does so that you can give people you manage the same level of support and respect. Finally, make sure you have a clear vision of where you want to go next. Youre in a good position to get what you want out of your career, but first you have to know what you want. One of the keys to ensuring a successful career is to have a mentor. So talk to your human resources department (or your boss, if its a small company) about hooking you up with a mentor. It sounds like you work at the sort of company that would be happy to provide this service.

How to Write a Resume For an Administrative Assistant

How to Write a Resume For an Administrative AssistantAn administrative assistant (or 'ad' as they are affectionately referred to) is a job title that helps managers in many different capacities. What's more, the position of administrative assistant can be very lucrative if you choose to go for a management training program.The administrative assistant is responsible for the running of a company's office as well as doing administrative tasks such as giving out orders, collecting information, managing accounts, and making sure employees are paid on time. They have to be a punctual employee, dedicated, self-motivated, and friendly. If you are a recruiter and want to understand how to write a resume for an administrative assistant, you must first understand the types of duties that an administrative assistant performs.In the United States, administrative assistants generally work in corporate settings where they manage workers and projects, which may include handling mail, issuing creden tials, writing reports, or tracking attendance. A supervisor might assign an administrative assistant to particular duties, such as getting mail from receptionist or keeping track of registration time. Depending on the company and the size of the office, the administrative assistant might also be responsible for stocking supplies, reporting on payroll, shipping materials, and taking orders from customers.An administrative assistant does not have to have any formal education. Instead, they receive training through an apprenticeship program, seminars or workshops, and various other strategies. They are highly educated and trained, which means they must be able to analyze data, solve problems, and keep a straight face. Because of their carefree nature, they can be quite difficult to work with.The position of administrative assistant requires a great deal of organization skills. They often must stay organized by keeping all deadlines in mind and coming up with creative solutions when pr oblems arise. These skills will serve the administrator well when working with clients. An administrative assistant needs to understand the fundamentals of marketing, finance, and bookkeeping, as well as computer networking and computer applications.When trying to write a resume for an administrative assistant, it helps to determine the specific responsibilities that an administrative assistant performs. You should look for listings such as 'punctuality,' 'communication skills,' and 'satisfaction.' By using these skills to your advantage, you will be able to best convey your qualifications and information to a potential employer.If you think that the position of administrative assistant is ideal for you, then start preparing a resume. You should make sure that the skills you possess are listed on your resume. Another key to success in the job market is to show that you have several years of experience, which means having proof of previous employment such as references, on your resum e. You may also want to include your goals for the future, if any, as well as whether you feel qualified to pursue certain types of positions.When trying to write a resume for an administrative assistant, there are no real rules that govern what should be included. As long as you have a real interest in the field, you will probably have many employers wanting to interview you.

4 ways to prepare for your job interview - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

4 ways to prepare for your job interview You might have been searching for a new job for months, or perhaps you’ve finally landed an interview for your dream job. Whatever your position right now, the pressure is on to nail that interview! When it comes to an interview, you can never be too prepared. Even if you have lots of experience in job interviews, you should never take one lightly and always apply the same planning and focus to each one you undertake. Don’t be fooled by those outlandish TV or film moments where the main character wings their interview and happens to land the job. It’s always best to stick to real life preparation and homework! Read on for 4 ways to prepare for your job interview. Have copies of your CV ready To have got to the interview stage itself, you no doubt will have written a killer CV, listing all your work history and responsibilities, your skills and ambitions. If you are asked to submit additional material after the first interview (such as a piece of academic resarch) make sure you cite any 3rd party text using an APA tool  like this.  In addition, although the prospective employer will have a copy, its always worth printing off a second version of your CV and taking it into your interview. Remember as well, youll probably be asked questions relating to your CV so make sure you read through it again and make yourself familiar with it. Research the company Any prospective employer will expect all candidates to have a basic grasp of what the company does and what their ethos is. Doing plenty of research shows your interviewer that you’ve done your homework and you’re really keen on working for the company. Consider facts such as how old the company is, how big it is, how many people it employs, who their customers are, who are their biggest competitors etc. Knowing these facts adds value to the conversation! Write things down Of course you won’t know what questions are going to come up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take down some notes and take them into your interview with you. These notes might help you answer questions about your work experience, your skills and ambitions and times when you went above and beyond for a customer. You don’t have to rely on memorised answers, you won’t be penalised for having notes! Pick your outfit in advance It sounds silly but you’ll undoubtedly be so nervous on the interview day, the last thing you want is to be desperately searching for something to wear. Choose your outfit in advance. Wear it around the house for a few hours, sit, stand, move about. Make sure its comfortable in every position, the last thing you want to be worrying about is an uncomfortable blouse when you’re being asked questions on your work experience. I always layer up for interviews, so if I become to warm (stress sweating to the max here!) I can remove my blazer to feel more comfortable. Likewise, if it’s freezing cold you can keep warm and stay focused.

Physical activity increases office productivity - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Physical activity increases office productivity - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Felcher and Sons increased their productivity by 46% when they put a linebacker in their offices. Extremely funny! Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related