December 2009
9 posts
White Lies Can Go Viral.
Kevin Colvin, intern at Anglo Irish Bank’s North American arm, told his manager he had to miss work due to what colleagues took to be a “family emergency.”
Photos soon surfaced Facebook from a Halloween party Colvin apparently missed work to attend.
After the email thread busting him was circulated around the office, it surfaced on the internet.
Now Kevin Colvin serves...
How to Win the Keyword War
The word Kokomo evokes images of ‘bodies in the sand’ and perhaps the ‘tropical drink melting in your hand.’ That’s what the Beach Boys sung about in their 1988 #1 hit. For a refresher:
Funny thing is that Kokomo is actually the 13th largest city in Indiana- not a tropical destination. No sand and not too many of their drinks come with those nifty toothpick umbrellas.
This is where...
Recession Job Search Facts
What does a recessionary economy mean for the job market? The headlines are clear: we have the highest initial jobless claims since September 2001 coupled with a continuing claims level not seen since 1983. This means people are not only losing jobs, but more importantly having a hard time finding new ones. How are companies adapting to this economy? Layoffs: Whether it’s called “corporate...
Been Fired? Google Yourself.
Career Distinction, the seminal personal branding book by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixon makes the case for investing in your personal brand. One story in particular stands out:
Perhaps your Google results don’t convey the image you want to share with the world. That was the case for Susan, a marketing executive who had been fired by the board of her company. Her company posted the...
Research: What Your Online Brand Says About You
Within the industry, we have facts and figures on the prevalence and importance of personal branding using virtual environments. What we often lack, however, is the human element: a psychological, emotional, and social understanding of what our websites or profile pages on online networks truly mean.
The Book
Enter Dr. Sam Gosling, University of Texas professor, and author of Snoop: What Your...
Facebook Leads to a Conviction
The headline is striking: “Facebook Photo Convicts School Aide of Drinking Charge” What: Facebook photograph shows part-time teaching aide at Ohio high school with three cheerleaders holding Smirnoff bottles. When: The Court of Appeals of Ohio, 12th District, rules on Feb. 9. Outcome: Conviction for allowing minors to possess alcohol upheld. What happened, according to court documents...
How Twitter Ruined a Job Interview
A recent exchange between a prospective Cisco hire and a Cisco channel partner on the microblog Twitter shows the dangers of a poorly managed online presence. The first tweet (post) reads:
Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the wor
The tweet was seen by Tim Levad, a channel partner advocate for...
The Hard Facts
82% of executives expect online screening during their next job search.
80% of recruiters use Google to screen candidates applying for jobs.
66% of employers check online networks to keep tabs on employees.
50% of Americans Google each other.
43% of dating-service respondents Google their date before going out.
43% of recruiters disqualify job candidates based on online content.
26% of...
Personal Information Engines
Information about you that is currently available online for free:
Your age Current and past addresses Current and past phone numbers Names of your immediate relatives (spouse, children, parents) Donations made to political parties
Information about you that is currently available for some money:
Your criminal record Your bankruptcy and lien history All court documents
Your educational and...