blogging4jobs |  |
Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:19 AM PDT  With the explosion of social media it seems that individuals and companies alike are using social networks to make personal and business connections. From tweeting customer complaints to maintaining photo albums on Facebook, it has become the norm to take everyday tasks to a social medium. But what about job searching? Countless employers and recruiters are present on Twitter, Facebook and now maybe even Google+. With the job market still floundering, social media is a natural fit for many job seekers, especially recent college graduates who tend to be tech-savvy and accustomed to social networking already. To determine how to successfully navigate the job search process in today's digital landscape, let's examine the benefits and potential pitfalls of using social media for professional purposes. Why Social May Not Be the Solution.
Rich Milgram is a guest blogger for Blogging4Jobs and CEO of Beyond.com. Beyond.com is the one career network as focused as you are. You can learn more about @Beyond_com on Twitter. Photo Credit SimRegdeogun.            |
Posted: 30 Aug 2011 04:33 AM PDT  Peter Senge is one of my influencers and author of one of my favorite business books, The Fifth Discipline. Senge is a lecturer at MIT and has taught for years about using strategic thought when organizing not only your business and work, but also your life. Recognizing that every influence, every working part, every part of a system plays a major role in success is the key philosophy of the book and Senge’s well-played out line of thought.Often, when something goes wrong, the first thing we do is blame a person or an event. Instead, a system’s thinking approach blames the system – a breakdown occurred somewhere in communication, collaboration, and / or corroboration. If the system had been a well-oiled machine, then the breakdown would never have taken place. This approach gives merit to the thought that are no small roles or responsibilities; each participant finishes the puzzle, builds the bridge, completes the sentence and increases organizational value. If there is a breakdown or failure, it is up the system to provide a solution or resolution. Conflict is rarely one-sided or without underlying support – somewhere – deep. So, it stands to reason that the solution would not come from an individual but from a unit that supports the answer – the cure. This distinguishes a “learning organization” from one that stays stagnant, unwilling and unyielding to change or achieve betterment. Without the choice to support change and flexibility, the long and continual road to success becomes almost impassable. Imagine if Apple or Microsoft had decided one product – or one incarnation of a product was enough. Imagine if an industry decided that the “fax” was the only way to conduct business, to communicate – oh wait, the mortgage industry did and look how that turned out. Does Polaroid ring a bell? Innovation warns: “Digital is coming and it’s going to be big – jump on the wagon, change it up…” Polaroid responds: “No thanks, we’re fine. Our product will last forever.” *crickets* Conflict and friction must be seen as ways to improve, not reasons to blame employees or color inside the lines. Imagine Picasso or Charles Bukowski coloring inside the lines?I consistently rely on my colleagues and superiors to support or direct me. And sometimes, I show them the beauty of “outside the lines” or they show me. That is collaboration, that is a system. Many forget that in a system, we are all on the same page – or should be – we should all want the same things: success, longevity, and perpetual erudition. Learn and grow or die <– it is true. Incorporating systems’ ideas and an approach can be easy in an organization that already recognizes the power and strength of unity. A company or business that really needs a revolution and struggles with change will rightly fear or deny strategic thought. And they will suffer until changes are made and then, the change itself will be quite painful. A good doctor will treat beyond the symptoms, looking for the cause of the symptoms – a good leader or system will look beyond an infraction or failure. They will look, in great depth, at what caused the failure or misconduct or misunderstanding in order to gain a full understanding and present a resolution. It’s simply called, learning from mistakes. It works in life, why not in business?  Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.      |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Blogging4Jobs To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
