Since September of 2009, the Job Search Secrets webshow has been coming to a live internet stream near you Sundays at 9 PM EST.  The weekly show features live guests as well as (me), your host talking about everything related to the job search.  Most television shows on the big three networks regularly take the summer off, and I am following suit.

Job Search Secrets on Mingle Media TV will taking the rest of the summer off with our first new show of our second season airing live at 9 PM EST on Sunday, September 26th.  Don’t fret because in the interim you can still view past episodes on Job Search Secrets’ web page on Mingle Media TV.

Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you will not miss any new and exciting announcements about the show, Xceptional HR, and Blogging4Jobs.

Thank you for all your support of our first season, and I promise the second season will be bigger and better than ever.

Have a great rest of the summer,

Jessica

Photo Credit Zazzle.

Jessica Miller-Merrell participates in 4 week Gotta Love Chevy Program

07.13.2010 – OKLAHOMA CITY — — A prominent Oklahoma City blogger is among those selected to test-drive a Chevy for the next four weeks. Jessica Miller-Merrell, an author, HR executive and business blogger at Blogging4Jobs.com will pick up her 2011 Chevy Malibu at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, July 14, at Mark Heitz, Exit 108 and I-35, Norman, Oklahoma.
The program is an indication of the growing role of bloggers in marketing and advertising. According to Miller-Merrell whose book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released earlier this year, the connection is growing between influential bloggers who command the attention of niche markets and companies with products to sell.
“Chevy decided to do something different,” Miller-Merrell said. “Advertising is very expensive and this is one way they figured out they could connect their brand with women for less.
“Research shows they are the primary decision makers when it comes to large purchases.”
Miller-Merrell, who began blogging 2007, will write twice a week about her experience driving the Chevy Malibu. “Anyone can start a blog,” she said. “Good blogging, however, takes a lot of time. I have worked hard to grow the community that has built up around my blog, but this is the first time I’ve entertained the idea of representing products.”
Chevy’s blogger program has previously selected bloggers in cities like Dallas and Houston, but this is the first time bloggers the program has come to Oklahoma.
“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” said Miller-Merrell. “It’s very exciting and a privilege to have been selected by Chevy.”
For more details, visit the Gotta Love Chevy OKC website, www.gottalovechevyokc.com and be sure to check out Jessica’s bio for the Gotta Love Chevy program below.
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CONTACT: Jennifer James, APR 405.401.1354 ■

■zenobiapr@cox.net zenobia, llc ■ zenobiapr.org

Jessica’s Bio from Jessica Miller-Merrell on Vimeo.

As a first time attendee to the SHRM Global Conference, I wanted to get the most out of every single minute in sessions, keynotes, and evening activities. A conference is more than just sessions, tracks, talks, and the bookstore.  It’s about a state of mind and experiencing your conference experience outside the box and outside of SHRM.

• Self Reflection. The conference is action packed but between sessions and events, we must self-reflect and decompress otherwise we can quickly approach information overload.  I found sanctuary during my state at SHRM in the HRCI Hideaway.  Certified professionals can relax, eat, and engage quietly from the crowds.  One of the highlights of my conference experience was my 15 minute back, neck and foot massage in the Hideaway.

• Mingle. Mingle outside your comfort zone and outside your circle of friends at large and small conferences and events such as this.  SHRM encourages networking among like-minded professionals in a comfortable and controlled atmosphere with a program called, Meet and Eat. I attended dinner at la Fiesta with 19 other strangers over dinner and met some amazing HR professionals from all over the United States. Meet and Eat has groups from large to small at a variety of different restaurants throughout the conference.  I encourage all professionals to attend an event such as this.

• Be Friends with Vendors. To make the most of my time when visiting the vendor hall, I targeted specific vendors in which to meet with.  Just like when making my grocery list, I created a list in order of booth number to make my visits organized, smooth, and controlled.  Because I am a consultant and business owner who is always in sales and engagement mode, I wanted to make the most of my time.  I employ this strategy at the grocery store by writing my list in order of the store and depending on how busy the store is, I leave with a cart full of groceries in 30 minutes.

• Social Stream. Hands down the social stream in my opinion was the best way to engage the conference outside of the box whether you are here in San Diego or listening in from your office, smart phone, or living room.  At the time of this blog post being published, there were over 5,700 tweets that included the #shrm10 hash tag over 7 days.  The Monster Street team with @beneubanks and @cincyrecruiter, Smart Brief’s video coverage of the conference and  along with the other three members of the SHRM 10 Blog Squad, David Bowles, @akabruno, and @adowling.

I think that Eric Winegardner, the VP of Client Adoption at Monster Worldwide said it best, “This conference (SHRM) is about optimisim and with tools like social media we no longer have to say, see you next year.  We can say see you tomorrow.”

Winegardner’s sentiments have been echoed throughout this amazing event.   The openness is surprising refreshing and with the rapid adoption of social media at this conference, SHRM can truly say it’s officially moving to Next and outside of the conference, outside of the box.

Photo Credit Go Smell the Coffee.

I’m excited to announce that Blogging4Jobs & Xceptional HR has a new contributor and intern on our team.  His name is Blake McCammon.  I met Blake about a month ago via on a Twitter chat called #JobHuntChat that I host with my friend, Rich DeMatteo known as @Cornonthejob.  Blake had just relocated to Oklahoma City after graduating and is actively looking for a job opportunity in PR, Marketing, and Social Media.

One of the reasons I liked Blake and approached him about the internship opportunity is because of his experience in building social networks within the college and university setting at Northeastern State University.  Over the course of the next few months, Blake will be working on some exciting projects with me involving marketing and social media.  Additionally, he will serve as our Gen Y contributor twice monthly on Blogging4Jobs.  You don’t want miss Blake’s Gen Y POV and you can do that by subscribing to our RSS Feed.

Greg and I are excited to have Blake on board and look forward to seeing what the future has in store for him.  Blake’s first post will happen next Tuesday so stay tuned.  And in the meantime, I encourage you to connect with Blake on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.  Also keep in mind that Blake is actively looking for a full-time opportunity in Marketing, PR and Social Media.  Let’s give him a warm welcome as our first ever regular blog contributor.

Photo Credit Consult My Agent.

Last week I had the honor of presenting at Ignite Dallas.  My talk was titled, “7.2 Ways to Get Fired with Social Media.”  My talk was very different than most in that I poked fun as the Human Resources industry and went into character during my 5 minute, 20 slide presentation.  In front of hundreds of strangers and live steaming internet, I hung my ass out on the line.

I had a great time and met some amazing people.  The bottom line is that networking and building relationships takes time.  People have to get to know people no matter what the medium whether it’s social media, employees at your place of business, or face to face interaction in a new town or city like Dallas.  That’s really what my talk was all about.  Along the way I talked about social media tools from the point of view of an corporate Human Resource professional like Tweeter, Facebook, Blooging, SSR, and Google.

Take a look at my talk below and sit back and grab some reading materials including your company’s employee handbook and enjoy the ride.

Photo Credit Media Bistro.

An important announcement for any job seeker considering working with a recruiter as part of the search:

We are recruiters. We are not your agents.

We aren’t sitting at our desks with a roster of favorite candidates, madly dialing up companies to find the perfect job for you. (That, my friend, is YOUR job.)

I know that can be frustrating to hear. Especially when you’re in that “Oh s#*t, I’ve been canned!” manic panic mode. (This, by the way, usually hits just about three days after a layoff, shortly after you’ve cleared out your surplus of Johnny Walker Red and Ding Dongs.)

But it’s the truth, and you shall prevail if you understand how recruiters work before you waste even one minute calling every one you’ve ever talked to.

Generally speaking, recruiting firms get hired by corporations with open positions that they’re struggling to fill. Sometimes, this relationship is formed as a retained search; more often today, a contingency search.

What this means to you is this:

Recruiting agencies (and their recruiters) make money by finding the perfect candidates for the open positions that said corporations need filled. When the agency finds the match, the corporation pays the agency a percentage of that candidate’s base salary, often between 15-25%. If we don’t find the match? It’s donuts.

And it’s often a race, because recruiting agencies are frequently pitted against other agencies to fill positions. Speed wins.

Given this, recruiters often just don’t have time nor incentive to shop your resume around town to a list of random companies with whom they may (or more likely, don’t) have relationships. Unless you are a great fit for one of an agency’s current openings? You aren’t going to be a high priority. We might like you a bunch, and hope like heck that we can find a good home for you, but you won’t be the Top Dog until/unless we have something available for you.

This doesn’t mean you should avoid recruiters, at all.

I, and most other good recruiters, certainly like to hear from you when you are considering a career move, trying to relocate geographically, etc. We’ll keep you in mind as things open up, absolutely.

But the important bottom line is this - you can’t expect to find a job today by simply getting a couple of recruiters “on the case.”

Proactivity and accountability are critical in today’s job race.

Blogging4Jobs guest blogger this week is Jennifer Foss.  Jenny runs Ladder Recruiting Group, LLC (www.ladderrecruiting.com), a boutique style independent recruiting firm with offices in Portland and Metro Detroit. She is known as @JobJenny or JobJenny.com and considers herself your job search BFF and tough love expert on finding your career passion.

Photo Credit FilmIndustry.com.

I try really hard to not be one of the people who is all talk and no action.  I talk a lot on my Job Search Secrets webshow and this blog about job seekers and professionals encouraging them to get outside of their comfort zone, defining your personal brand, and networking.  I will tell you that I am doing all those things on Wednesday night at Ignite Dallas.

Ignite Dallas is a networking event and presentation extravaganza on steroids.  Myself, along with 15 other speakers will be giving five minute presentations to 500 plus people with 20 slides that automatically advance every fifteen seconds.  Yes, fifteen seconds in the Big D, Dallas.

An event like this is good for a number of different reasons.  I’m putting myself out there as a speaker and taking a chance in a new city where I’m looking to build my network, make new friends, and grow my business. As a attendee, you get to meet some of the most creative and networked people in the city at a cost of only twenty bucks.  Events like Ignite Dallas are held all over the world.  In fact, Ignite OKC is next week and sadly I will have to miss because of travel.

If you happen to be in Dallas Wednesday evening, I’d love to see you.  There’s still time to register for the event.  Great networking, good times, and ME hanging with YOU.  The event opens at 6:00 PM CST and talks start at 7:30 PM.  For those that are unable to make the trip to the Granada for the event, you are welcome to watch the live stream (www.ustream.tv/user/ignitedallas) and tune into my talk and the 15 other brave soles who will also be giving talks on the Granada stage. I’ll make sure to alert the Twitterverse and Facebook folk before I go on stage.

My talk will be “7.2 Ways to Get Fired with Social Media.”  I don’t want to give the secret away but I plan on getting into character during my talk for some HR humor.  You won’t want to miss either an amazing presentation or a glorious disaster.  Either way, I can’t wait.

Photo Credits Launch DFW & GTPC Perth.

You may remember this little contest I had on my blog the last several weeks featuring Job Search Bloggers. The  results were amazing.  We had over 200 comments or votes posted on the blogs and a lot of interest and traffic on the world wide web.

Just to recap, here are our finalists-

• Joel White’s entry– OVERQUALIFIED! Need Not Apply.

• Benjamin McCall’s entry– Smile. . . You’re Overqualified.

• Lisa Correu’s entry– Oh Wise & Recent New Hire.

• Angela Current’s entry– How Not to be Chum Looking for a Job After 40.

• Jonathan Krass’s Entry– I Feel the Need…the Need for Speed (Networking).

• Nancy Anderson’s Entry– Personal Style and the Interview.

• Kirk Baumann’s Entry– FaceBook–Friend or Foe.

To recap–the top three blog posts with the most comments will receive gift certificates to Restaurant.com with first prize being a $100 gift card, second–$75, and third prize receiving$25 courtesy of Mingle Media TV & Restaurant.com.  Our top vote getter will also get the opportunity to be a guest on my Job Search Secrets webshow.

And now without further ado–Our winners are. . .

Third Place–Jonathan Krass with 32 votes!

Second Place–Angela Current with 42 votes!

First Place–Kirk Baumann with over 100 votes!

Many thanks to the winners, voters, readers, bloggers, and social media enthusiasts who helped make this contest so much fun!  Thanks again to Mingle Media TV and Restaurant.com.  Winners–I will contact you via email to get you the gift certificate details.  Otherwise email me directly at blogging4jobs@gmail.com or via twitter, @blogging4jobs.

Photo Credit Media.NJ.

Herding is a fine art.  Sheep dogs do it.  Cowboys too.  Security at concerts and high profile events use herding as a part of creating order in confusing, stressful, and complicated situations.

“HR Professionals?  Nope, I’m not buying it.”

Those were the exact words out of my mouth when I picked up this pin at a vendor booth at the Oklahoma Human Resource Conference.  Bacon pins I understand but cat herding, no.

And then I had a thought . . .

As an HR professional, our job is not unlike a cowboy driving employees from one direction to another.  As someone who is a mother to multiple cats, I can attest to the extremely fine art of cat herding.  And the methodology behind the process is something that can absolutely provide insight, learning, thoughts, and humor into engagement and Human Resources.

• Scatter. Groups whether feline or of the human variety have a tendency to scatter when times get tough or a challenging opportunity presents itself.  Any type of corporate or HR process involves running, ducking, determination, and redirection.

• Change. George, my cat who is 13 years young detests change.  Move his water bowl and there’s moaning and groaning.  Did I mention moaning and belly aching and for days?  Sound like anyone you know in your office or organization?

• Incentives. Finding the fabric that motivates your workforce or employee based is often found through the stomach.  Cats and employees are no different.  A good incentive can motivate and transform a culture or program sometimes on nothing more than a shoestring budget.  Tuna cat treats are my feline incentive of choice but only the crunchy variety will do.

• Love Them. Engagement equals loyalty, communication, and conversation.  Love your cats and they love you back.  People are no different.  The human relationship is the ultimate differentiation strategy.  Nicey, who is 4 years old and pictured to the above right sat underneath our bassinet for several weeks before Ryleigh was born.  Even after we brought her home from the hospital she served as a watch cat alerting me to any restlessness by Ryleigh.

• Boundaries. When herding cats, it helps to have boundaries and a direct plan for success.  Anticipate obstacles, plans for exit, and potential pitfalls.  A good cat herder prepares for the scatter, teaches and trains their team and workforce to do the same.  And sometimes we call for backup.

So what kind of cat herder or HR Professional are you? Be sure to check out the Cat Herding video below for a more detailed look into the world of Cat Herding and HR’s clear similarities. (Thanks, Patrick Allmond for sharing the cat herding video!)

Photo Credit Blogging4Jobs and shout out to The Presimmon Group for the inspirational button.

And announcing the finalists but first some ground rules.

These fine bloggers submitted their best of the best.  You can vote for your favorite blog post by leaving a comment on the blog post of your choice.  Vote as often as you like.  Voting for the contest begins now (May 3rd) and ends at 11:59 PM on Monday, May 11th, 2010.

Voters can vote or comment as often and as much as they like.  Featured blog posts can promote their blog and encourage voters in whatever matter and method they desire.  Personally, the more creative the better.  Encourage your friends, neighbors, and strangers to visit your blog post and vote as many times as they like.

The top three blog posts with the most comments will receive gift certificates to Restaurant.com with first prize being a $100 gift card, second–$75, and third prize receiving$25.  The top vote getter will also receive the honor of being a future and featured guest on my web show and maybe some additional prizes if someone decides to throw some more goodies our way.

And the now the finalists and in no particular order. . .

• Joel White’s entry– OVERQUALIFIED! Need Not Apply.

• Benjamin McCall’s entry– Smile. . . You’re Overqualified.

• Lisa Correu’s entry– Oh Wise & Recent New Hire.

• Angela Current’s entry– How Not to be Chum Looking for a Job After 40.

• Jonathan Krass’s Entry– I Feel the Need…the Need for Speed (Networking).

• Nancy Anderson’s Entry– Personal Style and the Interview.

• Kirk Baumann’s Entry– FaceBook–Friend or Foe.

AGAIN, THE RULES–

• Only one blog entry person individual so send me your best.  Must be related to the job search either as a job seeker providing insight or experience or a career expert (recruiter, job coach, resume writer, HR, and so on) providing tips and tricks.
• I make the final decision on which blog posts are to be selected to be part of the voting process and I reserve the right as owner of Blogging4Jobs.  The voters decide the final winner with voting.
• Once the blog posts have been selected and announced, the voting begins.  Voters or commenters can vote as many times as they like and their is no limit to the number of comments one can leave.  I encourage creative strategies to promote your blog, the more the better.  Let’s make this fun and competitive.

So let the submissions begin.  Feel free to email me or tweet me at @blogging4jobs with any questions.  A special thanks to MingleMediaTV, my network for my Job Search Secretswebshow and Restaurant.com for helping me in promoting the Job Search Blogger Contest.  Don’t forget to watch my web show live on Sundays at 9 PM EST.

Colleges and universities are working hard to find new ways to engage, embrace, and educate students on the how to’s surrounding finding a job.  I was humbled to be asked to attend Oklahoma’s Association for Career and Employment Services (called OKACE) as a speaker.  It’s no secret that the job search is tough these days and uber competitive.  A career service department is working hard to do just that.

There were many topics, discussions, and conversations surrounding the future of employment services and how companies and universities can work together.  I feel this is key in teaching our future employees and recent graduates especially since communication is of the essence.  The overwhelming response from the audience was that communication was important and the number current challenge.  With the increase of texting, twitter, and social media as a increasingly popular form of communication.  According to Career Services, the fine art of face to face communication is being lost.

• Communication. In the business word this is essential.  The written word can be interpreted so many different ways and in this electronic word face to face interaction is even more important.  Career Service departments and Universities should provide additional training and instruction on how and why verbal communication is a must.  This could be in the form of company testimonials or workshops.  This is a problem that is not going away and by working together we can help to provide mentorship and examples of how and why communication is important.

• Leveraging Social Media. This is becoming a must in our new media world.  The concept of social recruiting is becoming an important topic among recruiters and businesses who are looking to adapt to the world of FaceBook & Twitter.  Companies like Best Buy are no longer relying on job boards and traditional forms of advertisements using social media and texting to drive candidates to apply for openings.  Social Media is more than just a FaceBook Like Page and Twitter.  It’s about engagement and being available to your audience whenever and wherever they are.  Social Media does that.

• Twitter Lists. The University of Oklahoma Career Services department shared with me that companies are asking students to engage them on Twitter and follow them to learn about jobs and internships instead of advertising openings with colleges and job boards.  Career Services can help educate students on this new media world while also encouraging them to engage companies on social media through Twitter lists.  Career Services can create lists and categorize companies and jobs using this tool allowing for students to easily follow companies with the click of a mouse.

• The Real World. The University and College system does not always mirror reality for students and university employees.  I encourage Career Service departments to get out there and experience the work environment of both the private and public sectors.  This could include attending events and groups outside of the traditional norm, job or company shadowing and having a constant and open dialogue with companies and businesses.  This includes speaking with hiring managers, human resource professionals, line managers, resume writers, and everyone associated with the hiring and decision making process.  These conversations although they seem time consuming are key in helping CS evaluate if they are meeting the needs of the student and business populations in which they serve.

Photo Credit Tree Hugger.

The job search presents many challenges for candidates who are eager to land a new position as well as recruiters and hiring managers.  Experts like career coaches, job coaches, and resume writers provide job seekers valuable resources to help them get a leg up in the job search.  As someone who has been in both the job seeker and the hiring manager’s shoes I can see both sides, and lived the frustration.

Bottom line–it’s tough both ways and as someone who’s been there I am extremely passionate about helping to bridge the communication gap for both parties making the hiring, candidate, and interview process as enjoyable as possible.  With this in mind, I’ve teamed up with MingleMediaTV & Restaurant.com and put together a fantastic contest involving $200 in gift certificates and prizes (yes $200).

Job seekers, career experts including recruiters, HR, job coaches, resume writers, and so on can submit one blog post to me at blogging4jobs@gmail.com no later than Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 11:59 PM.  Post must be related to the job search and be between 250-500 words.  Video blogs, slide decks, and podcasts are also accepted.  Posts must be emailed as a word attachment with pictures attached to the email separately.

On next Sunday, May 2nd, I will announce those that have been selected to compete in the contest.  Those that follow the rules and bring original and interesting content are more likely to be selected.  So bring the creativity and be original.  Blog posts that are selected will be featured on Blogging4Jobs.com.   Selected blog posts will receive a vote when someone leaves a comment on their preferred blog post.  Voting or commenting ends Sunday, May 9th with the winner announced also on my show.

Voters can vote or comment as often and as much as they like.  Featured blog posts can promote their blog and encourage voters in whatever matter and method they desire.  Personally, the more creative the better.  Encourage your friends, neighbors, and strangers to visit your blog post and vote as many times as they like.

The top three blog posts with the most comments will receive gift certificates to Restaurant.com with first prize being a $100 gift card, second–$75, and third prize receiving $25.  The top vote getter will also receive the honor of being a future and featured guest on my web show and maybe some additional prizes if someone decides to throw some more goodies our way.

AGAIN, THE RULES–

• Only one blog entry person individual so send me your best.  Must be related to the job search either as a job seeker providing insight or experience or a career expert (recruiter, job coach, resume writer, HR, and so on) providing tips and tricks.
• Interested parties can submit their blog post to me (blogging4jobs@gmail.com) no later than Friday, May 7th, 2010.  You must include your name, email, bio, and any pictures you’d like included in your email.  Recommend that you attach a word document with your blog post & attach any additional pictures or photos separately.
• I make the final decision on which blog posts are to be selected to be part of the voting process and I reserve the right as owner of Blogging4Jobs.  The voters decide the final winner with voting.
• Once the blog posts have been selected and announced, the voting begins.  Voters or commenters can vote as many times as they like and their is no limit to the number of comments one can leave.  I encourage creative strategies to promote your blog, the more the better.  Let’s make this fun and competitive.

So let the submissions begin.  Feel free to email me or tweet me at @blogging4jobs with any questions.  A special thanks to MingleMediaTV, my network for my Job Search Secrets webshow and Restaurant.com for helping me in promoting the Job Search Blogger Contest.  Don’t forget to watch my web show live on Sundays at 9 PM EST.

Photo Credit Bumper Shine.

A Blogging4Jobs reader asked, “I was just laid off on 4/8. I live in Texas and if I can would like to find a job here. If by the end of May I do not have any success, I would like to relocate to California as my children live there (I am divorced).  My question is, can I relocate and collect unemployment there until I find a job?”

This is frequent question from my readers and job seekers who tune into my weekly Job Search Secrets Webshow.  Job seekers often consider all their options when looking for employment after being displaced.  Sometimes we, as job seekers are re-evaluating our priorities and choose to relocate for personal reasons and other times job seekers are moving to regions and cities where the employment picture is most more pleasant.  Whatever the reason, this question is not unusual and is certainly one worth addressing with a blog post.

The answer is yes, you can relocate and continue to collect unemployment.  State requirements vary, however, so it is extremely important to visit your new local employment office as soon as possible and let them know you wish to transfer your unemployment benefits.  The internet is also extremely helpful as well, and I recommend that you visit your the current state where in collect UI as well as the new state you are relocating to.  For example, if you are relocating to Alaska, you can visit their FAQ section of their website to learn about UI benefits in Alaska if you have relocated.

Most states will need time to re-evaluate your unemployment benefits upon relocation which is one of the reasons why it is so very important to do your homework prior to renting and packing the U-Haul.  I also recommend that you have some money socked away to cover expenses while the state processes your UI transfer request.  Just like when you initially file for unemployment and prior to its approval, you may go a period of several weeks without payment.  It’s important to prepare for that possibility on the front end versus the back.  This makes your move and transition much more pleasant.

One of my most popular blog posts on this site is from November 2008 where I list the Weekly Maximum Unemployment Benefits by State.  Visit your state’s unemployment benefits page to obtain the most up to date weekly unemployment benefits information.  Most websites also provide you information about the UI claim’s process including the ability to file UI online, by phone, and the review process and unemployment hearing.  Having an understanding of the entire process is important in order to plan, protect, and prepare you and your family as you start this new chapter.

Photo Credit Ad Lads.

“Bringing like-minded people together in an un-conference format.”

That’s the petty much sums up the idea of Get Social Conference.  My friend, Bryan Wempen and I have put together a series of 1/2 traveling unconferences that will reach a number of midwest locations.  For a number of the general professional population, the concept of social media is still very new.  Budgets are tight.  Businesses can’t afford to send their teams or employees to events like the 140 Conference in NYC or SXSW.  It’s just not in the budget and with cut backs and re-organizations. The workload shift for a team is a hard burdon to manage while someone runs off to sunny Austin attending late night parties and interactive sessions.

Our solution lies in bringing the conference to them.  Yes, we’ll travel to you!  Our events will consist of small 100+ person venues in an intimate and informal atmosphere that allows for interaction, learning, creativity, and collaboration, the good stuff.  Persons who can benefit by attending these events are decision makers, creatives or curious, and people who are new to social media or seasoned but eager to learn how different industries, thought leaders, and businesses are using social media to grow their companies and organizations.  We aim to bring business leaders from a variety of different industries–publication, PR, Marketing, entreprenuers, bloggers, HR, Services, and more.

It’s going to be fun!  And what is really exciting is that we have just opened registration for our first event in Tulsa, Oklahoma for May 4th, 2010.  The cost to register is $75 and includes 9 tracks with leaders from literally all over the world.  Registration starts at 1:30 that day with tracks ending at 5:00 followed by a networking event or tweetup.

To learn more or register visit our Tulsa Get Social Page and feel free to visit the site.  Companies can also inquire about sponsorship opportunities at the Tulsa event or upcoming events as we begin to travel the Midwest.

Leveraging your network is extremely important in your job search.  Collaboration is no different.  It’s essential in making your job search happen and with positive results. The job market is extremely competitive.  Because of this, it is easy for companies and hiring manager’s to overlook qualified candidates because they are inundated with hundreds or thousands of candidates for one solitary position.  Our friends and network can help make us stand out in a crowded market placing our name squarely and frequently in front of the eyes of the decision maker multiple times and multiple ways.

My friend, Bryon Abramawitz (The HR Technologist) feels the same way about the job search which is why we’re teamed up to bring you the 10 Most Creative Job Search Secrets (Guaranteed).   Bryon lists his Top 5 Job Search Tips on his blog HERE and mine below.

1.  Google Alerts. Set up a google alert for your name, common misspellings, and your target companies. Stay up to date on what people are saying about you and your company(s) of choice.

2.  Use KnowEm. This service protects your brand and creates profiles for you on up to 350 social media accounts. There is a fee associate with this service, but I guarantee it is worth your time.  You provide KnowEm with a profile picture and bio, and they do the rest opening and setting up your profile with just a click of a mouse.

3.  Canvasing. This is a common practice among groups and Greek organizations in college. Build a guerrilla PR team and start canvasing helping to market yourself both online and offline. This could be in the form of offering free window washing services in the downtown area for executives or flash mobs at public areas or events if you are a creative.  Online your PR team can promote you by recommending you on LinkedIn, commenting and promoting your blog, and singing your praises.  Divide and conquer is an great strategy that will provide fantastic results in half the time.

4.  Weekly Profile Updates. Update your CareerBuilder, Monster, LinkedIn and other job board profiles weekly (or twice a week) to keep them fresh, current, and at the top of the search results. This makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to find you.

5.  Host Your Own Event. Host a cocktail mixer at your home or favorite classy bar. Invite friends & ask them to invite a friend. You control the guest list and will be sure to meet and welcome each new guest. Make your job search intentions known in a casual and fun atmosphere.

The job search doesn’t have to be a lonely and solitary place.  By using our friends, colleagues, network we can have a little fun, differentiate ourselves in the competitive marketplace, and land  a job that fits our experience and personality.  Visit Bryon’s blog post for the remaining 5 Job Search Tips in our Top 10 Creative Job Search Secrets–Guaranteed collaboration.

Photo Credit Work Strategically.