online social networking

Looking for a Job? Only Twitter Applicants Need Apply.

Looking for a Job? Only Twitter Applicants Need Apply.

As social media begins to envelop every part of a corporate organization, it becomes important that every employee begins to have a certain level of literacy in using social media tools.  This becomes even more important in outward-facing rules where “social business” is changing the way companies engage with present and potential customers over Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and blogs.  At some point, just as companies emerged that used the Internet as their platform (Amazon, Netflix, etc.), we will see new companies arise that purely use social media as their platform.  And when that happens, it is a natural that they …

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Social Media Etiquette: 6 Important Lessons Learned from One Japanese Company’s Major Twitter Mistake

Social Media Etiquette: 6 Important Lessons Learned from One Japanese Company’s Major Twitter Mistake

Social media is a fascinating and new medium for businesses.  If done right, social media can be an incredibly viral way of spreading the word about your company, brand, or product.  However, because of its “viral” nature, companies are learning the hard way that social media can amplify the good, and the bad, about your company and/or products.  All it takes is one mistake in social media etiquette to damage your brand and have bloggers and tweeters from around the world spreading the message about what you did wrong.  That harm can be tremendous and should not be underestimated. Today we look at …

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When I Win, YOU Win: Giving Away FREE Social Media Books to Those Who Participate in Social Media!

When I Win, YOU Win: Giving Away FREE Social Media Books to Those Who Participate in Social Media!

Yesterday, I issued a press release talking about how my LinkedIn book, “Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing LinkedIn” won and Honorable Mention for Best Non-Fiction Book of 2009.  To say that I am happy about this is an understatement: as someone who risked all credibility with publishers by going the self-published route, it is extremely satisfying.  But social media is about you, not about me, so I want to share in the victory by offering you some free social media books.  What do you need to do?  Just participate!  Keep reading for details

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Jobseekers: Start Thinking Like a Social Media Strategist

Jobseekers: Start Thinking Like a Social Media Strategist

In 2010, the landscape for jobseekers continues to change as the world around us changes.  As social media begins to envelop almost every part of a corporate organization, and as more corporate employees are required to use it as part of their professional jobs, the impact it has on the jobseeker is tremendous.  However, most companies are still trying to figure out how to use social media, and initial planning usually starts with the social media marketing strategy.  What hints for the jobseeker might social media strategies that businesses implement have?  A lot.

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How Should I Deal with a LinkedIn Recommendation Request I Don’t Want to Give?

How Should I Deal with a LinkedIn Recommendation Request I Don’t Want to Give?

If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it will soon: the dreaded request for a LinkedIn Recommendation from a former co-worker or employee that you may not want to give one to.  Why?  Well, every time you make a recommendation, it appears on your profile and becomes part of your LinkedIn Brand.  Perhaps you don’t want to be associated in any way with this person.  What to do?

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6 Tips on LinkedIn for Recruiting: My Advice for Recruiters & Headhunters

6 Tips on LinkedIn for Recruiting: My Advice for Recruiters & Headhunters

I will start out this post by letting you know that I am not in any way nor have ever been a recruiter or a headhunter.  While I have been a hiring manager for previous companies, my experience in being able to write this post comes from helping out many recruiters looking for candidates on or off LinkedIn. Because I am a Windmill Networker, I see great value in establishing relationships with recruiters and helping them out when I can.  In fact, my LinkedIn Profile Contact Settings explicitly state: I also enjoy speaking with recruiters and providing introductions whenever possible …

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HOW TO: Tweet Your Way to Finding a Job on Twitter

HOW TO: Tweet Your Way to Finding a Job on Twitter

I have given many presentations on social media and your job search.  Everybody is finally “getting” LinkedIn, but few are looking at Twitter or even Facebook as platforms which could aid those in transition in their job search.  Today I want to talk about one strategy that I discuss on Twitter and your job search, and a story of how one Windmill Networker found success through thinking outside of the box and integrating the people he meets on Twitter with LinkedIn with real-life! Personal branding is important in your job search to help differentiate yourself from all the other job …

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Meteoric Growth in Social Networking – “It’s a Small World after All,” or Is It?

Network of Dutch windmills from the 1740s in Kinderdijk

Today’s guest blog post is from someone I met Windmill Networking on LinkedIn: my new friend from Holland Rudolf Kriens (it is coincidental yet fitting that Rudolf comes from the land of the windmill!).  Rudolf Kriens is an engineering management advisor, educator & keynote speaker. His specialty is streamlining of clients’ product development processes. Rudolf’s career spans both industry and academia, and combines deep industry knowledge with expertise in a wide range of technology domains. He has over 25 years experience in managing applied research, innovation, and new product development. Rudolf’s professional interest in networked collaboration dates back to the …

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