A little reminder to take a deep breath, lighten up and when in doubt, say “f**k you”.
More importantly, this song is awesome and what more could you ask for on a Wednesday? Spread the love, share this with your friends, and have a great day!
(Song & video c/o Cee-Lo Green – www.ceelogreen.com)
The following is a guest post from Jenny Foss. Jenny operates a nationally recognized recruiting firm and is creator of JobJenny.com. Your job search BFF and tough love expert on finding career passion, Jenny recently launched a Ridiculously Awesome Resume Service. You may also find Jenny on Twitter @JobJenny. I love the following post because Jenny represents 100% what I believe, that in order to thrive in today’s job-market, you need to embrace new-school tools and remember your old-school roots. Read on for more…you’ll be glad you did.
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Dear Job Seekers,
Before I venture off into my main topic, do allow me to offer up a very obvious message:
Old, passive search methods alone just won’t cut it in today’s job market.
If your current search strategy involves little more than posting a resume on Monster.com, firing off applications to a couple of blind mailboxes and dialing up a recruiter to “get on the case?”
Strap yourself in. It’s gonna be a long haul.
The game has changed, folks. Dramatically vs. even two or three years ago. If you want some assurance of landing a worthwhile gig – in a timely fashion – today? You’ve got to incorporate active, “guerilla” tactics into the mix.
Tactics that, generally speaking, involve social media.
Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and personal websites are driving huge dream job results for people. Don’t believe me? Just pop over to Marian Schembari’s site and check out her Facebook success story. Or take a look at Jason Zimdar’s personal website/cover letter that landed him an amazing job at 37signals.
There now.
But what about the resume? Do people still need a resume?
Two very good questions, and ones that are creating considerable debate among HR, recruiting and social media types. The major “pot stir,” it seems is this:
Some job search and social media experts are running about crying that the classic resume will soon (or already has) become an irrelevant, passé dinosaur.
ERRRRRRkkk (That’s my best brakes sound).
Dinosaur??
This friends, is where I will step on in and argue. As huge of a proponent as I am about the necessity of social media tactics in a job search, let me be very clear:
Resumes are not dead. And they won’t be anytime soon.
Regardless of the mass creativity we’re seeing among job seekers today – which is especially marked among GenY talent that grew up whizzing around on the Internet – Corporate America is still, well, mighty corporate and traditional in many sectors. Leaders and decision makers in several pockets of industry still consider weeding through a stack of resumes a mandatory part of the hiring process. They’re still looking for the one who shines on paper, so they may invite them in to see if they shine in real life.
You may have a Linkedin profile or search-focused personal blog that’s beyond sweet. But if the boss at your dream employer has no clue what a tweet or a hashtag or a status update even is? Frankly, it will have almost zero bearing on whether dream employer hires you or not.
For reals.
So. The point…
For heavens sakes, don’t abandon creative and strategic search tactics that leverage the massive power of social media. Truly, this will give you a key advantage in today’s crap-ola job market. Just please, pretty please, refuse to believe it when someone says “Resumes are Dead.”
You need a clear, accomplishment driven, simply formatted resume. It’s still your most important marketing document, and it will help you land an interview. (You will, of course, kill it from there.)
So go get ‘em, job seeker. (Oh, and let me know if you need some help on the paperwork!)
The past year of my life has been insane. Good insane. But insane.
Through it all, I’ve learned so much about myself, what I’m capable of, my flaws and my strengths. Chicago has embraced me with open arms and I have made incredible friendships and connections that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I am extremely grateful I’ve ended up where I am. To say that I never thought I would be where I am right now – at 24 years old – is an understatement. I remember sitting in my cubicle a little more than a year ago, writing for Life Without Pants, wondering if I could ever actually enjoy work, wondering what I was going to do with my life…
If you know me well, you know I’m the type of person who always has to have a ‘project’. That project can be personal or professional – but one of my greatest fears is not having that ‘something’ on the horizon, that BHAG in the distance to accomplish, an obstacle to overcome. Complacency isn’t in my DNA, sitting stagnant isn’t something I’ve ever done.
So here I am, married, running my own business…wondering what’s next…
“The early bird gets the worm”…You’ve heard the old saying time and time again. To be early, to be first – it’s something some of us commit to daily while others avoid it like a plague.
If you know me at all, you know I am a perpetual early-riser. It’s a blessing and a curse. I get a hell of a lot more done, but I also couldn’t sleep in if my life depended on it.
I’m also a huge believer in starting the day, getting a lot done, relaxing, or crossing things off my to-do list while the rest of the world sleeps (including my wife – I haven’t quite sold her on this yet).
When people have asked me what my key is to productivity, my first response is always “Wake up earlier”.
So today I implore you – as glorious as sleep can be, think about everything you could accomplish even if you set your alarm clock ONE hour earlier.
365 days in a year. Wake up one hour earlier and add 365 hours (about 15 days) to your life each year.
There’s a whole heck of a lot of potential out there if you just commit to waking up earlier. I know sleep is good, sleep is great, we need sleep to stay healthy. I’m not at all suggesting you adopt unhealthy habits. But in my experience, and in the experience of those close to me – the early bird may just get the worm.
So who’s with me in starting an early-riser revolution? Or maybe I’m just crazy…Probably the latter.
Finally, it has arrived. The summer drought is coming to an end and football season is upon us. There’s something about this time of year that seems to make everything that much better. Grilling out with your friends, throwing on your favorite hoodie, drinking a cold beer. Call me your stereotypical ‘guy’ but Fall is right around the corner, and hot damn, I’m ready for some football!
There’s something else about this time of year during the calm before the storm. We’re all optimistic. We’re all hopeful. We’re all confident that OUR team can win on any given Sunday (even you St. Louis fans). Every year there’s that team that sort of came out of nowhere and every year we’re confident that this year can be THE year.
And with the REAL NFL season comes the one behind the scenes. Ah yes, I’m talking Fantasy Football.
I’ve been an active Fantasy Football player for the past 5 years and love every minute of it. There’s no way I’d be even the slightest bit interested in the Cleveland – Jacksonville game on Thursday Night Football in October if it wasn’t for Fantasy Football. There’s no way I’d watch a second of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day if I wasn’t banking on a two-touchdown day from Calvin Johnson. Fantasy Football adds meaning to every game – and that’s what keeps me coming back.
And so, without further ado, I’m opening the doors to the 2010-2011 ‘Pantsless Fantasy Throwdown’. A 12-man (or woman) throwdown for all the pride, all the glory, all the cash, and a little something extra.
Here are the important details:
In addition to the $300 jackpot, I mentioned the winner would be getting ‘a little something extra’ – so, to sweeten the pot, The League Champion will also receive a FREE custom blog design courtesy of MATTCHEVY. If (or when) I win, I’ll select one of the league members at random to be the winner of the free design. If YOU win, and don’t have a need for a custom design – I’ll let you pick a deserving friend of your choice.
The league is open to the FIRST 12 PEOPLE who commit and pay their $25.00 entry-fee (via Paypal). So, this WILL fill up fast.
If you are interested in joining – leave a comment below, DM me on Twitter, or send me an e-mail with your NAME and E-MAIL ADDRESS. I’ll get in touch with you about next steps.
Let the games begin!
Round 1 of the PANTSLESS FANTASY THROWDOWN is now full! If you are interested in getting on the list for a potential “Second” League – please leave your information below or get in touch with me and I’ll get you added to the list.
