Oh No My Klout Score is Low!

Last Thursday night Colin Kapp, Assistant Vice President & Marketing Manager at Commerce National Bank in Newport Beach (like that plug Colin!) invited me to a Social Media for Small Business Seminar. I like to learn and like to hear new ideas. I was hoping I’d learn something new so off I went to the bank to hear Niklas Myhr, Ph.D. and Global Social Media Professor at Chapman University. 

I was very pleasantly surprised and I had a great time. Professor Myhr was funny, highly entertaining and educational – gotta love learning while you’re laughing.  The one thing I learned that will impact me the most is his view on blogs --  they don’t have to be perfect and that  a blog should focus on serendipity, satisfaction, service, sustainability and sharing. He also said to be happy to make up your mind and happy to change your mind.  I think I’ve been over thinking my blog and making it more like a boring business blog. Good business is my style but boring business isn’t.  In the future I’ll plan on trying to keep his 5 S’s in mind while writing. 

Next I learned to check my Klout Score – which is low a 10!  Obviously they don’t consider me an influencer.  Some of the reason I think my score is low is my Face Book is not for business (do you really want to see pictures of me sledding with my kids) and our You Tube videos are connected to Dave’s email and his Face Book not mine. So eventually I’ll sort out our media and with the all the tips Professor Myhr provided, maybe up my Klout Score to a reasonable number.  Hey Twitter worked for me this week after 2 years of using it – I’ll get my score up eventually.

What to do with your hands when at a networking event-

This morning I got a question from one of the Chapman grads I work with frequently and it’s a good one that I should share.

Chapman grad – “I realized last week in a networking setting that I have NO idea what to do with my hands when I'm standing in a group of people. I never land on anything that works, and then overthink it and feel awkward about it. Any advice?”

I loved his questions because I struggle with what to do with my hands at times when all I want to do is flip my pen around. A few things that work for me –

Things to do - You can keep both hands behind your back with your fingers clasped. Clasped in front works too but some men make it look awkward. You can put your thumb in one pant or suit pocket hang the rest of your hand out while keeping the other hand at your side. If you put both thumbs in your pockets it looks like a “John Wayne” stance – howdy cowboy - although, I do that all the time and it works for me. I fidget all the time so I like to lock down my hands.

I like to keep my business cards in my left pocket so I can shake with my right while handing my business card with your left. Sometimes I totally mess this up and hand the card to the person upside down but heck I’m human and I make mistakes too.

Things not to do – don’t cross your arms in front of you - it makes you unapproachable. Although if someone is annoying you with a rambling conversation it’s a good thing to do because it verbally signals – I’m done. Also don’t hold on to one arm with the other arm – it looks awkward. I see people doing this all the time because they are nervous, every time I see people do this I think they are nervous and/or shy.

Sticky List Radar

I love my smart phone, computer and tablet but sometimes old school paper works just as well. I keep a list of hot candidates on my desk and it’s a bunch of sticky multicolored notes all stuck together and sometimes taped if they’ve ripped. It’s not glamorous but it works.

Why keep a short list? Sometimes I remember everything about a person work history, what they wore when they met me and where they met me but I confuse their name - is it David Smith, David Moore, David Ankenbrandt, and I need a cheat sheet. The list also has some of my favorite people - yes, recruiters have favorites. Once someone is placed they may get crossed off the list. Sometimes they stay on forever even though they are happy working – they stay on because it’s a great way to stay in touch! Sure I can create a list on my computer, and I do that too but I prefer my sticky list radar.

Hey David - thanks for naming the list! And - yes you're on it.

Happy New Year - 2012

My last post was in November! What happened to December - it just flew by - the holidays took over and my life got crazy. We did close out the year in a great way! We placed quite a few people and it felt good to get people working in 2012. I did enjoy taking the week off between Christmas and New Years. We took the time to hang out with our boys and take it easy. Now I've been back to work recruiting but also spending a lot of time helping people craft their resumes.

I have a lot of resume tips spread out through this blog but no one - including me - wants to dig through the entire blog. In the next few weeks I'm putting together a resume guide to post here so you have one place to go for resume help.

Happy New Year!! We hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!! Call us at the office if you need any assistance with your search.

Thank You Note

I was talking to one of my candidates this a.m. about a thank you note she was going to write. I was relieved to learn that she was hand writing a short note instead of emailing it. Email is great but not for thank you notes. I’ve found most emailed thank you notes candidates write to their interviewer to be too long, too much about themselves (instead of the company), and are often hastily and poorly written. I prefer a short, legible hand written note on good stationary. Keep it simple and to the point. Mail it immediately after an interview - it has a much bigger impact than any email.

Call us yourself!

If your spouse or girlfriend, sister or cousin needs a job don’t call a search firm for them. At Ankenbrandt we are happy to give advice, coach you a bit and lead you in the right direction but - call us yourself.

If you’re looking for a management job you should be able to pick up the phone and call me, shoot me an articulate email and do a Google search on job hunting - yourself. Attention all you well-meaning spouses, siblings, and cousins don’t “help” by phoning us. These people are not children. You calling us for them diminishes them in our eyes. If they can’t handle a phone call or make time to chat with us how are they able to get a job done? How are they going to find time to interview? It sets up a bad first impression. Stop “helping” and let them do it themselves!

B4 Facebook

Last Thursday I was distracted from work because I was waiting for feedback on an interview. (For those of you who get anxious waiting for interview feedback I feel your pain!) I usually have the discipline to continue to work but I couldn’t focus and I was checking Facebook - a lot. I took a long lunch while reading the Wall Street Journal but still had time to kill. So what did I do when I got back to my desk - checked Facebook!

In the past, did we hang out at the coffee pot waiting for a co-worker to stop by, visit the receptionist, pace the halls, clean the ever messy desk or call a few random friends? I can’t remember. Facebook has become my social hub and go to spot when I need a distraction. Will Google+ start being of interest to me now too?

I do know that with all our instant communication ability it’s tough to wait for people to get back to you but interviews do take time and my patience was being tested. The interview worked out, everyone was pleased and he’s moving forward in the process. But seriously, what did we do before Facebook?