My Online Blogging Activities Came Into Question

By Kim Hashemzadeh | Yahoo! Contributor Network

I have always enjoyed writing and researching online for my own knowledge on such issues as politics, arts, people, careers, education and so forth. Most of what I write is rather informative about leisure activities, but I have also written on political topics as well, which it turns out would come back to haunt me.

One day I came across a job listing for a part-time teacher's assistant at a daycare. I have a few years experience as a substitute teacher, a lead teacher and a after school teacher in which I have done fine work.

I made it on time to my interview and was asked the general questions interviewers typically ask during the first 10 minutes or so. Later on in the interview I was asked what I do in my spare time, so I explained that I am a very artistic person so I do a lot of crafts and I pay attention to the local politics in my area.

My Social Media History Came Back to Haunt Me

By Georgia Makitalo | Yahoo! Contributor Network


It happened a few years ago, but my social media activity came back to haunt me when what I wrote on my Myspace account came between me and a new job.

Seven years ago, I had been part of a professional organization that elected me the leader. Although I enjoyed this position, I found that it was assumed I would continue to grant special favors to a select few, which was something that previous leaders had done. This made my position very uncomfortable and compromised many of my personal values.

When the same people eventually prevented me from leading effectively, I made the mistake of expressing my dissatisfaction with the situation on my Myspace account, along with details of the favors I had granted and some foul language. 

Social Media and the Modern Job Search

By Zephy | Yahoo! Contributor Network

Sometimes it felt like I was searching and searching for a job and yet getting nowhere. I was without a job for about three months after my past job ended. The good thing about it was I was still in school pursuing a teaching degree.

I finished college within the three months of being jobless and was off to start looking for a teaching position. To my surprise I landed an interview almost instantly. Anyway, I spoke with the hiring manager over the phone to set-up an appointment and to go get the necessary medical records, background check, and physical. Everything checked out find and I before I knew it in about three weeks I was sitting in a class of 30 other individuals all pursuing a job as a substitute teacher or a teacher.

My Social Media Accounts Were Mined for Sales Leads

By Adam Wisely | Yahoo! Contributor Network

I was laid off in 2008 from a company where I had worked for almost three years. After the layoff, I applied for a job at a company that I had heard was looking for customer service people.

I filled out the application for the job online and within two days I was called in for an interview. The first thing I noticed that seemed to be a little strange was that I had to fill out another application once I got there. I filled it out and handed it back to the receptionist. She turned around with another paper and stated that I needed to fill it out as well in order to get the interview.

I remember thinking that this was weird, but I needed the job. I had never seen anything like this, though. The page that asked if I had a Twitter account, a Facebook account, or a Myspace account. It then asked for passwords to these accounts. I thought to myself, this really is unusual, so I wrote on the paper that I would be willing to discuss these accounts in the interview but I was not going to just give them my passwords.

I knew this was an invasion of my personal privacy, so I told the receptionist that I would discuss this information in the interview, but that I was not going to fill that section out. She said that she would have to see if they still wanted to interview me.

As I sat there waiting I recall thinking that this might not be the right job for me, but I decided to give it a shot to see how it went. I was informed that I was still going to be interviewed, because I did not refuse to not talk about my Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace accounts.

I was called into the hiring manager's office and was told to have a seat. I was first asked about the type of work I was seeking. I was then asked why I thought I would be a good fit for the company. I explained my answers and then answered some more questions. Towards the end of the interview I was asked if I would give them my social media account passwords.

I asked them why they needed them. The hiring manager said that they would need them to process leads for me to sell knives. I thought that was strange but possibly an effective way to sell their product and generate some new income, so I decided to give them the passwords. They looked up my account and saw that most of my associates on them live in completely different states than I do.

This prompted the manager to turn to me and ask me how I intend to sell these people these knives. I told the hiring manager that I would not be selling them any knives. The reason for that, of course, is that they live in completely different states. He told me that he was not going to be able to hire me and I thought that was the end of it.

That was until a couple days later when I got a phone call from my mom asking me why I sent her a nasty message on Facebook. I told my mom that it was not me and that asked her what the message said. She said that it stated that she was making it hard to sell her any knives since she was in another state. She asked me why I would be trying to sell her knives to begin with.

I explained the situation and ended up having to change my account and reconnect with everybody from the old account. This is how I first learned of the horrors involved in social media sites and some jobs that ask for this information. I will never again give my passwords to another company, job or no job

*Note: This was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Do you have a career story that you'd like to share? Sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own finance articles.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-social-media-accounts-were-mined-sales-212200378.html

When Does Social Recruiting Become Social Sleuthing?

By Lindsay Olson | U.S.News & World Report LP

We know that employers are sometimes checking your Facebook or Twitter to verify if you're hire-worthy. But what should you do if you're asked for your login information during a job interview? It's become a reality, as employers realize that they can learn a lot about job candidates through their social media profiles. And since many people set their profiles to private, where only those they approve can view intimate details, some employers may want access to your account.

"Asking a candidate to open up their private profile and network for you to see is not social recruiting," says Dan Finnigan, chief executive officer for the social recruiting software platform company Jobvite. "It is the old-fashioned behavior of a bully. And it is not the appropriate behavior of a hiring manager or recruiting professional? If this becomes standard, people will only revert to a more generic definition of themselves, an almost fake online facade, extinguishing the value of this emerging new social world."

Most people are outraged at the idea of employers essentially snooping through their virtual home. After all, you go to Facebook to let down your hair and talk about your personal life. Even if you've got nothing to hide, it still feels like an invasion of privacy. And while the Department of Justice recognizes that allowing someone else to log-in under your account violates terms of service, there are no laws--to date--that prosecute employers who are doing so.

In a press release, Facebook's Chief Privacy Officer for Policy Erin Egan stated that this practice "undermines the privacy expectations and the security of both the user and the user's friends. It also potentially exposes the employer who seeks this access to unanticipated legal liability."

This is potentially a ticking time bomb: Employers who practice "social sleuthing," which is using a social media site like Facebook to glean personal information about a prospective employee, are violating Facebook's company values.

So what should you do if an employer asks for your login info? You always have the option to refuse to hand over your password, though it may jeopardize your chances of getting the job. But consider whether you want to work for a company that thinks nothing of personal privacy.

Before letting them log-in to your account, suggest accepting their friendship so they can view your profile. Or guide them to your LinkedIn profile, which is designed to showcase your professional side. It's better to do this than allow them access to your account. Sad as it is, filtering what you post to your social profiles might be your best bet for getting the job you want.

Lindsay Olson is a founding partner and public relations recruiter with Paradigm Staffing and Hoojobs.com, a niche job board for public relations, communications, and social media jobs. She blogs at LindsayOlson.com, where she discusses recruiting and job search issues.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/does-social-recruiting-become-social-131143373.html;

How to Land Your Dream Job

By Dr. Drew's Lifechangers | Secrets to Your Success 

In this economy, jobs are hard to find. It's tough to secure an interview, and if you do, there is still no guarantee you'll get the job.

Lifechangers has assembled a list of simple tips to help you land the job you've always wanted, from the beginning of the job process, to the end!

The Guide:

#1: Understanding Job Descriptions

Job descriptions may give subtle clues about the type of work environment you might find at that company and the type of traits they are looking for in a potential candidate.

Here is a list of commonly used job listing phrases and how to decode them:

"Lots of Growth Opportunity": This statement is a favorite among start-up companies with big dreams and small budgets. What they often don't tell you is that they expect you to work for minimal pay in exchange for the "opportunity" to grow. Before you get sucked in by a phrase like this, make sure that the company is actually one where you can see yourself working for a long time.

"Flexibility on Work Hours": This is another favorite among start-ups (and nonprofits, too). At other times this will mean you'll be expected to pull an all-nighter to finish a PowerPoint deck or come in an hour early a few times a month to prep for a meeting. It varies, but usually when this is outlined as a requirement in the job description, they don't mean they'll be flexible with your schedule. Instead, you're expected to be flexible to theirs.

#2: The New Rules for Posting on Social Media

If you're job hunting, your personal accounts can spell disaster, and if you already have a job, they can even get you fired! LifechangerCareer Coach Maribel Aber weighs in on what you shouldn't be sharing with everyone:

True Confessions: People have come to use their social media accounts as online diaries, confessing everything from "getting totally wasted the night before" to "admitting to cheating on a test or girlfriend." If you're going to do that, you might as well post, "Don't hire me!" 

Be Sensitive: Just a few months ago, comedian Gilbert Gottfried was fired by AFLAC after posting jokes about the tragic tsunami in Japan on his Twitter account. His offensive remarks created a media nightmare for AFLAC, because a majority of their business is in Japan. Remember: it's not how your statements are meant; it's how they are perceived, and employers will stay far away from someone who might one day be a liability.

#3: Reinventing Your Resume

Resume writing is no one's favorite Saturday night activity, but smart women know that a killer resume can be an incredibly powerful career tool. It's worth a few hours of revising and re-energizing the big R if you want a promotion or a new job.

To help, here are some resume reinvention tips from Lifechanger and Career Expert Nicole Williams:

Include a Profile or Summary Statement: A two-to-three-sentence sales-y statement at the top of a resume is a place to connect your past experiences to the new path you want to pursue, giving your reader an overview of the skills and experience you've listed beneath it. This is especially important if you are making a career change. 

Use Keywords: Employers' eyes are naturally drawn to the words they're looking for -- the brand names, skills, and experience they need. The best way to find the right keywords is to look at the job listing for the position you're interested in, then include some of the most prominent words and phrases in the description.

#4: Prep Time for Interview Day

Once you land the coveted interview, preparation is crucial. You are still in competition for the job. And, even if you don't get the job, you still want to make a lasting impression to be considered for future opportunities at the firm. Career Coach Maribel Aber has some tips to get you ready for game day!

Interview Preparation List:

Elevator Pitch: One of the easiest/hardest questions that can make or break your first impression, is how you respond to, "Can you tell me a little about yourself?" Step away from your resume, and take time to write out your 60-second pitch. Think about how you want to be branded. Start by writing a paragraph, then edit that down to two sentences.

Top 3 Interview Questions: Especially in the beginning stages of the interview process, hiring managers will likely ask you to address the following: (1) "What is your greatest strength/weakness?" (2) "Describe a past challenge on the job and how you handled it." (3) "What sets you apart from other job candidates?" The interview is like a first date. You want to have an engaging conversation that weaves in things about you and your experience as it relates to the job and the company with whom you want to enter into a long-term relationship.

Dr. Drew's Lifechangers has partnered with LinkedIn to help put America back to work. We sent hundreds of people on job interviews, and on Monday, February 13 we'll reveal how their lives have changed! Watch a preview of our most life-changing episodeyet, then tune in at 3PM on the CW to see the full episode!

 

There are still jobs available… apply today!

http://shine.yahoo.com/power-your-future/land-dream-job-183800720.html

5 Things Women Are Good at (but They Don't Even Know It!)

By Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine | Secrets to Your Success 

It's widely understood that there are some things women just naturally do better than men, like tolerate colds (just ask any woman who's ever nursed her guy through the "man flu") and find lost objects (just ask your mom!). But according to a recent study, we are better at something that might surprise you and the man in your life ... parking cars! 

The study, conducted by a U.K.-based car park firm, covertly observed 2,500 drivers in 700 parking lots and rated these seven key characteristics of parking styles: appropriate space-finding speed; pre-parking pose; reverse into space; forward into space; speed of maneuver; reposition shuffle; central finish.

Women scored higher on six of the seven -- but when researchers questioned women drivers, only one-fifth (18 percent) thought they were better parkers than men and less than a third (28 percent) believed they were better parkers than their partners. This got us thinking: What else are women great at but probably don't even know it? Here are four more things you can add to your list of skills: 

Handling job interview stress. The next time you're feeling anxious before a big interview, take heart. According to new research from the University of Western Ontario, while women may feel more anxiety and stress before meeting with a prospective employer, they're more likely than men to cope with that stress and, in turn, perform better during the interview. The reason for this, say researchers, is women are more likely to find productive ways of adapting to their stress -- calling loved ones for support, preparing thoroughly, etc. -- while men are more likely to try to ignore their anxiety.

Investing. Oh yes, that's right. When it comes to money matters, a study done by Barclays Wealth and Ledbury Research found that women make better investors than men. Why? In a nutshell, women tend not to take as many foolish risks as men. Women buy, hold and make money. The study found that men are more likely to self-identify as "risk-takers" while women were shown to place a high value on self-control. The end result? Women make more money from their smart, strategic investment choices. 

Tasting beer! According to Dan Abrams, who wrote an entire book on all the things women do better than men (it's called Man Down: Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt That Women Are Better Cops, Drivers, Gamblers, Spies, World Leaders, Beer Tasters, Hedge Fund Managers, and Just About Everything Else, if you're looking for a bedside read that will no doubt bug the heck out of your man), research proves that not only do women have a better sense of smell than men do, but we're more likely to have a greater number of more-sensitive taste buds. Ergo, we can taste better!

Staying healthy. Not only do women tend to eat a healthier diet than men do (a study of 14,000 Americans conducted by the University of Minnesota found that men are more likely to eat fast food and pizza, while women are more likely to go for fruits and veggies), we have stronger natural immune systems. A study from McGill University found that estrogen plays a part in boosting our immune systems, and more recent research from Ghent University in Belgium discovered that we can thank the MicroRNAs on our X chromosomes for giving us stronger natural immune systems. Just don't tell your guy about this the next time you get a cold, or he'll never bring you tea in bed again! 

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/5-things-women-good-dont-even-know-184700735.html