Add Facebook Skills To Your Resume

We're now being rewarded for our addictions to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

If you haven't yet noticed, companies are becoming more hip to social networking sites, and they're seeking ways to include these tools into their communication strategies.  However, at the same time, "Tweeting" might as well be another language.  Company heads understand that these sites (and others like them) exist, but they don't understand how to use them, and most importantly ... they don't understand how to effectively incorporate them into a game plan. 

That's where you become more marketable.  With a change in perspective of your favorite tool for procrastination, you become the new "social media guru" who can lend insight and assistance into what differentiates Facebook from the other sites.  Why and how you should upload a video to YouTube.  And how to best leverage the "live" capabilities of Twitter. 

With the creation of positions such as "social media specialist," you can most certainly brag about your know-how of Facebook -- just remember to remove any suspect tags and postings first!

Song to Share: "Shine"

I just heard a great song that I wanted to share by Laura Izibor called "Shine."  I've never heard it before but find it uplifting and inspiring, especially at this junction in my life where I'm trying to make sure I'm on the right path. 

Click here to check out the song on YouTube: "Shine."

When your dream doesn't pay the bills

As a "young professional," you're just now getting started with your career path.  You're "learning the ropes."  "Finding your nitch."  And "finding yourself." 

Throughout this journey of finding our place in the workforce, the initial goal is typically to find a job along the lines of whatever degree we studied in school.  Then of course, you want to find a job doing something that you love.  As us YPers get older and become less naive, we learn what the working world is "really like" and we begin to experience more of what those older folks call "real life" -- and bills!  Then, our priorities most likely change and we are more inclined to settle for a "9 to 5," or switch careers to enter a more promising field, or after relocating for whatever reason, find the first available job.

Even when faced with the bitter taste of reality, I believe it is crucial to hold on to our passions.  We do not want to suddenly find ourselves at age 45, trying to play catch up and relive sweet memories from our youth because we suddendly denied ourselves that joy.  Even if you find yourself having to pursue a job that's more "practical," pays more, or allows you to move up the ranks faster, you don't have to ignore your dreams.  Your passions are a crucial part of who you are, so if need be, do comedy shows on the side, paint for personal pleasure, or join a local football team ... whatever.  Just remember, just because you can't pursue your dream full-time doesn't mean you have to let it go. 

Being "Let Go" ... What to do now?

Depending upon your source, we're learning that the economic recession is coming to its end but immediate job growth will remain shaky for the next year or two -- depending on your field.  In the meantime, I'm looking at several friends being "let go," having their hours cut and struggling to re-enter the workforce.  So, what's a YP to do when faced with these challenges?  I've posted a few links to some interesting articles on re-entering the market and what to do after being let go, but I encourage you to share your thoughts and any resources.    

• Re-entering the Job Market
• Networking, Communication Skills Are Key
• "What To Do If You Get Laid Off" (Tips on how to respond, dealing with emotions, etc.)
• "Laid-off 101" (Information on insurance, COBRA, your 401K, etc.)
• Inspirational Stories: 3-part series on the impact of the recession in Baltimore

The Dating Application

Dating is like applying for a job.  Are you qualified for the job?  More specifically, are you the right fit for this job?

It takes at least a few "first dates" before you can get a good understanding of the applicant and during that time you're either wondering where s/he has been all of your life.  Or, you think "you look really cute, but I think that might be all to you."  Or, you're wondering what his/her intentions are -- no judgments either way, but you're trying to figure out if they're consistent with your desires.

To cut through the bulls&*#, it would be much easier to filter through the mess with a simple "dating application."  Everyone who wants to date me must first answer a series of questions for consideration.  To get us started, below are a few things that I think need to go on the application.  Feel free to suggest more additions.     

• Have you ever had a HIV and/or STD test? 
• If yes, what were the results?  Also, if yes, what was the date of your last sexual encounter, and the date of your test?  (It takes three months before the HIV virus can be detected.)
• If no, please throw away this application.
• What are your aspirations?
• Are you employed? Either way, please provide details
• Have you ever been incarcerated?
• If yes, please explain (however, be prepared to discard this application).
• If no, please continue.
• What are your intentions with me?
• Do you have any kids?
• If yes, how many?  Also, if yes, how many "baby mammas/daddies" do you have?
• If no, please continue.  Also, if no, do you want kids? 
• Do you believe in God/a higher being? 

Downtime At Work ... Is Everyone BUT Me Busy?

No matter what industry you're in, there's a moment when you have some downtime at work while all of your colleagues appear to be quite busy.  That's a nervous feeling, don't cha think? 

If you work at a firm, you're thinking of meeting your quota for billable hours.  Or, you start questioning if you forgot about something that you should be working on.  Perhaps you missed a step in one of your projects and you only appear to be further along than others.  Or (here's the extreme logic), are you seeing the result of a gradual shift in workload, and you're now about to receive "that talk" from management?  Talk about paranoia ... haha.  

At times I can learn to appreciate the slow periods at work and the natural ebb and flow, however for the most part I absolutely despise extended downtime at work.  I'd rather be up to my ears with a project.  For some reason I also think better and I'm more efficient when I have a heavy workload.  Haha ... am I alone with this? 

Me, A Computer Expert? ... Yeah Right!

Funny story ... One of my former bosses (GREAT guy, by the way) wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to computers.  One day, he called me into his office to help out with some computer problem.  There was an error message that would not go away and you had to press the "OK" button in order to move on.  Soooo ... I press the "OK" button and as we try to figure things out, shut down the computer.  The problem persists, and we eventually call in the official IT guy only to learn that there's a new virus on my boss' computer.  I'm not sure if I was responsible for it, or if that was the initial problem.  Either way, my boss was surely convinced that I did it.  All worked out in the end, and he did not fire me.  :-)

For everyone who's ever been in my position and has been the de facto "computer know-it all," I think you'll enjoy this:

Joining A Toastmasters Club

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're in the middle of a conversation and suddenly get choked up?  Or, as you're talking, you realize that everyone in the room really is listening to you (including the CEO), so you better make sense ... and then ... oh, wait ... what was I saying again?  Or, you're at a networking event and become unable to compile a logical sentence after a whole 2 hours of small talk. 

Hopefully, I'm not the only one who has been through this.  Regardless, I hope to reduce the amount of times that this happens.  So, that's why I'm going to test out a Toastmasters club to brush up on my public speaking skills.  I'm going to try out the Toastmasters' Wisconsin Club next Thursday ... fingers crossed!  Not sure what to expect, but I'll let you know.

WOD: discursive - passing aimlessly from one subject to another; digressive; rambling.