The Daily Machete

RESUMES: How to Get References and Recommendations

Mike Thomas — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:45:00 GMT

We continue our look at professional references today by taking a look at how to actually get professional references in the first place.

Ask. This is the best, yet most overlooked way to get someone to write a reference letter. Asking for a reference letter is perfectly acceptable. It's also a much more effective way to get a reference letter, too. After all, most people won't write an unsolicited letter of reference.

During v. after. It's always, Always, ALWAYS easier and more effective to get reference letters while you're still employed than when you're between jobs because you have immediate access to those who will write your reference letters. If you wait until after you're no longer at the company, then your references don't have an incentive to make it a priority.

North, south, east, west. Many job seekers falsely believe that you can only get reference letters from your supervisors and managers. I recommend getting letters of references from above, latteral and below. Getting reference letters from above shows what kind of employee you are. Getting letters of reference from those lateral to you shows what kind of team mate you are. And getting reference letters from those below you shows what kind of leader you are.

Write one first. Even though most people won't write an unsolicited letter of reference, I'm going to encourage you not to be "most people." Karma is a beautiful thing. If you write a reference letter for someone first, they will be more apt to return the favor and write a letter of reference for you, too. It's a win/win situation.

INTERVIEWING: Breaking Confrontational Interview Rhythm

Mike Thomas — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:42:00 GMT

Confrontational interviews can be nerve wracking because job seekers almost never see them coming until they're ambushed.

Confrontational interviews are used typically to gauge how job seekers perform under pressure and to test their patience. The questions are borderline abusive and usually accusatory. They're designed to make people sweat.

In confrontational interviews, only the strong survive. Strong, self-assured personalities, that is. And, while there is a lot of advice out there regarding hostile interviews, I recommend breaking the confrontational interview rhythm. That's mainly because most who endure confrontational interviews act like they're guarding their faces while their backs are up against the ropes.

Not surprising, breaking the rhythm of a confrontational interview isn't hard. Once you realize you're actually in a hostile interview, try:

"It seems you're trying to test me." This is a gentle notification to the hiring manager that you know it's a hostile interview. This also shows that you're confident enough to call a spade a spade.

"Give me the answer." Use this response if it seems the hiring manager, during the confrontational interview, is trying to trap you with questions in which there are no good answers. "Give me the answer" stops short of cockiness and shows you recognize what s/he is doing.

"We're both busy. Let's get to the point." This has a "been there, done that" tone. These two sentences also carry the weight of authority. While a potential turn off, keep in mind that it's not so much what you say as how you say it. Pause, sigh, lean forward, hold their eyes and deliver the sentences with a low pitched monotone.

Respond to silence with comfort. On subset of confrontational interviews is the silent interview. Here, the interviewers bore holes in job seekers by staring while remaining silent. This can be unnerving. If you encounter this interview method, remain calm and return the stare. Just remember it's as hard for the interviewer to be silent as it might be for you. Recognize it and relax. The first one to speak loses.

PARETO: How to Have All the Time You Want to Do Everything You Want

Mike Thomas — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:21:00 GMT

At the risk of sounding immodest, I have a full time job (helping people find jobs) and run several micro-enterprises. I'm also active in several community and civic groups, I spend quite a bit of time with The Lady of the House, work out on a regular basis, watch far too much television and still get enough sleep.

Some ask me how the heck I do this, since President Obama still has not lifted the ban on cloning. After all, they say, I seem to have all of the time to do everything I want to do - and they wonder how they can do the same. I tell them it comes down to a six-step process:

List it. I'm a notorious lister. I keep my lists on my iPod Touch, but you can keep track of your lists however you want. List everything that you need to do: civic club meetings, scouring for jobs, writing cover letters, the kids' softball games, working out, etc. List everything. Take 15-30 minutes every Sunday evening and 5-10 minutes every night (in case things come up) to do this.

Prioritize by day. Now that you've got your list, break it down by day. Keep in mind that you have a finite amount of time in the day - give yourself enough time to do your tasks, and do them well. Now prioritize them. Your priorities may be situational. A job interview, for instance, would be at a certain place on a certain day at a certain time. That's a priority. Other days, your daughter's softball game will be the most important thing on your list.

Procrastinate. The Lady of the House laughs when I tell her how important procrastinating is. If something has to be done by a certain time and only takes a certain amount of time to do, then why do it before it absolutely, positively has to be done? If it's not a priority, it can be delayed.

Crowdsource. Crowdsourcing is a great way to get things done. Crowdsourcing, in short, is a way to focus many brains (and minds and hands) on a particular task. I've been known to crowdsource by using specific email lists, Facebook and LinkedIn to generate ideas for a project, find jobs for clients, and speak to groups to ask for help in getting tasks completed.

Hard start and stop. I set aside an hour every morning after my workout and an hour every evening (yes, after my second workout) to write posts for my blogs. I start at a specific time, set the timer, and finish on time. There's a hard start and a hard stop. And, being realistic, I know there are some things (like my daughter's softball games) that I don't have control over a hard stop. Most tasks, however, can be - and are - completed in a specific amount of time.

Ignore it. It's surprising how many things can be totally ignored. I hardly ever check my voicemail, for instance (though job seekers obviously SHOULD!). In fact, I've trained my customers and my colleagues to NOT call me on the phone because I won't ever - and I mean EVER - return a call. Instead, I check my email and call them. Likewise, if there's a webinar that's on my to-do list that I absolutely know will be a waste of time, I'll blow it off. If you're between jobs, then trust me when I say the dirty dishes or the laundry can be ignored. At least, for a little while.

NETWORKING: Planting Your Networking Seeds

Mike Thomas — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:59:00 GMT

Gardens don't magically appear with fruits and veggies fully formed and ready to pick.

Ditto with networking.

It's a process. And if you want to grow a fruitful plant, then you have to plant the seed first.

Ditto with networking.

Research who you want to contact. You may not know what type of tomato you'd like to plant, but you can research the varieties to find the right kind. The same holds true with networking. Conduct a little research to find valuable potential networking contacts. LinkedIn and even your local business section can be good sources of information.

Plan who you want to contact. An unplanned garden will not be as fruitful as one that is. Now that you've conducted research on potential networking contacts, it's time to determine who might be the most beneficial to your professional aspirations AND who you could provide the most benefit TO.

Get referred. It's always easier to meet someone if you're introduced by someone who knows you both. Prior to making first contact, ask your contact in common to speak to the potential contact on your behalf. This will provide the lube you'll need.

Make contact. Once you've been referred, it's time to make contact. A proven way to start the conversation is to mention your associate in common, then talk about why you wanted to meet him/her and what you have to offer.

RESUMES: Professional References

Mike Thomas — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:43:00 GMT

One of the most common topics that job seekers ask me about is professional references. They ask about professional references so often, in fact, that we'll need a few Monday posts to really answer all of the questions.

The first - and most common question about professional references is this: "How do I give employers my references?" Let's look at the options:

References available upon request. You've written that at the bottom of your resume. Come on. Admit it. We all have. That statement has been at the bottom of resumes for as long as resumes have been around. It's typically used in the place of "The End" or "I'm done writing now." It's a throw-away line. OF COURSE you will supply your professional references to an employer when asked. If this statement is still on your resume, then take it off.

Attaching list of references. A better course is to provide a listing of your professional references when submitting your resume. The list of your professional references should contain their titles, companies, phone and email addresses.

Reference letters. Scanning your letters of reference allows you to submit them electronically and to have them handy in case you need to print out more copies. Reference letters show that professionals thought highly enough of you to take the time to laud you. That's as good as gold.

Link to online kudos. Another great method to provide your professional references to employers is to add a link to your LinkedIn.com profile so they can see what others have said about you and how many people have taken the time to give you props. Again, this is as good as gold.

INTERVIEWING: Make Hiring Managers Like You

Mike Thomas — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:38:00 GMT

Job interviews are sales calls.

Popular wisdom would have you believe that you have to sell yourself during job interviews. But that wisdom is wrong.

It's wrong because we don't usually buy goods or services. We buy relationships. Even with something like toothpaste, most consumers are brand loyal based upon a perceived relationship.

In other words, we buy from those whom we like. So it's a good idea to make hiring managers like you quickly, then leverage that newly forged relationship. You can get hiring managers to like you pretty quickly with:

Promptness. Always show up 10 to 15 minutes early, because it's better for you to wait than those who interview you. If there's any paperwork, then you can use the time to complete it. If not, you have time to make small talk with the receptionist.

Greeting. A firm yet comfortable handshake, solid eye contact when introducing yourself and a smile. Those three things, when used simultaneously, will allow you to go far in life. They're also a great way to appear likable.

Preparedness. Bring a notebook and two pens (the first won't work and you looks bad when you borrow one). Also bring AT LEAST two more copies of your resume than the number of people with whom you expect to interview (in case you're thrown into a surprise panel interview).

Address by name. There is no sound sweeter than the sound of one's own name. When you use someone's name, they will like being around you, thus like you. Address the interviewer(s) by name every so often. Write the interviewer(s) name(s) at the top of the first sheet of your notebook to help you remember.

Courtesy. Manners are a hallmark of professionalism. Thanking those interviewing you when you start and again when you end will show them that you're likable. And, to reinforce their good feelings about you, be sure to send a hand written thank you card (one for each person who interviewed you) within 24 hours of the job interview.

PARETO: Make It Easier and Quicker

Mike Thomas — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:17:00 GMT

Most of my in-person clients follow my advice. Most, for instance, batch and limit their online scouring. Some, however, could make their job search easier - and more efficient - by:

RSS and bookmarks. Instead of running the same query for the same jobs on the same sites every day, save your searches as bookmarks. Or, if you prefer, grab the RSS feed. This can save you a LOT of time - particularly if you have a slow computer and/or hit a lot of sites.

Create a template. There is absolutely no sense reinventing the wheel. Since you're probably looking for the same two or three jobs, you might as well have a cover letter template set up for each job. This way, you can plug in where or from whom you learned about the job and the employer's contact information.

Get into the groove. One of the reasons batching your tasks together works so well is that you get into a groove. Your brain is running in a linear path. That means you're focused and ideas will come much quicker. And that's a good thing.

NETWORKING: What's Your Online Profile Say About You?

Mike Thomas — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:55:00 GMT

LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Those are the hot social networking sites currently and some professionals treat them almost the same. Should you?

Same status update or different? Some of my contacts are connected with me on all three social networks. And their status updates are the exact same on all three. I'm not a fan of that since LinkedIn is for professional networking, Facebook is less professional and more personal, and Twitter can go in any direction.

Consistency. Those who post the same status updates across all their social networks are obviously trying to show consistency. And that's good. I choose to be network-consistent: I have the same fun tone for all of my Facebook updates; I put on my professional hat when writing LinkedIn updates; and I toggle between the two tones on Twitter.

Pictures. I'm generally very leery of pictures on social networks. A 30-something associate has hundreds of pictures of herself on Facebook, and in all of them she looks posed and attempts to look sexy. What does that say about her? Even though she isn't nude in these pictures, potential employers may not respect her enough to give her an interview, because they won't be able to take her seriously.

Groups. I join groups on LinkedIn so that I can help my in-person job seeker clients...and also to get educated in different fields. LinkedIn groups are pretty safe for your online life; employers like to see that you're a member of a few groups. Facebook groups, pages and causes, however, can cause problems. Stay away from (or get out of) Facebook groups that are risque or on the fringe of society. They may scare employers off.

Games and applications. LinkedIn and Twitter don't have games. Facebook, however, does. What would a non-profit hiring manager think about your Mafia Wars involvement? This isn't to discourage playing games on Facebook - just to have you consider whether those games would be viewed in a favorable light or not by potential employers.

RESUMES: Professional Summaries Work

Mike Thomas — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:39:00 GMT

Last Monday, we looked at why resume objectives suck, and noted that professional summaries are the way to go.

Instead of the typical resume objective (which sucks) we used last week:

To obtain a challenging ___ position with a progressive company that blah blah blah and rewards progress.

You should use a professional summary with statements such as:

Over 12 years experience in cost accounting for a $4.5 million plastics developer, utilizing Quickbooks, Peachtree and Microsoft Excel.

Compare this winning professional summary statement with the typical (and horrible) resume objective above. You'll probably notice that winning professional summaries have four things:

Years of experience. In this professional summary statement, the job seeker has stated her level of experience. This lets employers know if she meets their years of experience needs or not.

Quantification. 12 years. $4.5 million. Numbers stand out and numbers sell. Would that professional summary statement be as powerful without those numbers? In a word: No.

Processes and software. In this example, our job seeker specifically mentioned "cost accounting," which tells potential employers the type of accounting she has done. It also specifically states the software used.

Variety. Professional summaries on resumes contain several bulletted statements. Our sample job seeker, for instance, would write two or three additional statements that show the other accounting-related experience she has, which helps complete the picture.

INTERVIEWING: Ace the Phone Interview

Mike Thomas — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:34:00 GMT

Many job seekers ask how to handle a phone interview.

The truth is, having a successful phone interview is a lot like having a successful "normal" job interview:

Dress for it. While you could wear bunny slippers and a robe during a phone interview, you won't feel as professional as you will when dressed for a normal job interview. When you feel professional, you will project a professional attitude with your voice.

Mirror. Like dressing for a phone interview, having a mirror in front of you is also a good idea, and one that's often used in inside sales. Think "smile while you dial." Smiling gives your voice a friendly tonality and, as such, you will project a friendly professional voice during phone interviews.

Hands free solution. Nothing is quite so cumbersome during phone interviews as holding the phone between your head and a shoulder. It's far better to go hands free so that you can gesture normally and take notes without being limited by an awkward posture. The perfect solution for phone interviews? Find a decent headset (speakerphones often cause echoes and/or delays).

Their web site. One phone interview advantage for job seekers is that they can be on the company website while conducting a phone interview. This essentially turns a phone interview into an open notes test; it allows you to research while answering (and asking) questions. Just don't make it obvious by typing too hard (the interviewer might your keyboard clicking).

Follow up. Many job seekers, surprisingly, fail to follow up with the interviewer after the phone interview. Like a standard job interview, a hand written thank you card is appropriate. So, too, is a follow up call if you haven't heard anything after a week.

PARETO: Get the Household Buy In

Mike Thomas — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:12:00 GMT

It can be challenging to implement efficiencies into your job search and your life.

But it is SO worth it!

It's one thing implementing these efficiencies if you live by yourself. But as soon as you have other people living with you, well, it can be even more challenging.

All is not lost, however, if you live with others. You can - and should - develop and use new efficiencies. But getting the buy in of the rest of the household is important - and hopefully not that difficult. This four-step plan might help:

Plan as a group. It's always easier to get everybody's buy in if they feel like their voices are heard. If, for instance, you plan on batching your social network activities for an hour every day, then you have to sell them on how important it is to not be disturbed. And, if you're spending two hours every day at networking groups, they need to know that you're not available simply because you're not employed.

Consequences. If you have kids, then they need to be aware that disturbing you carries consequences. If your kids interrupt you with a non-emergency while you're scouring for jobs, for instance, they need to know ahead of time what may happen. Ditto for adults. Obviously, the consequences will be different for kids than adults.

Rewards. I'm actually torn on rewarding behavior that's expected and agreed upon ahead of time. (Hey - they agreed to it ahead of time, right?) But some find holding a carrot on a stick works well. If your family gives you two hours of undisturbed time to draft cover letters, say, then you might reward them with video game privileges or an ice cream.

Benefits. Perhaps the most important part of getting their buy in is to tell them ahead of time what the benefits are of either helping you with your job search related tasks - or leaving you alone while you complete them - is to show how such behavior will benefit them. You might, for instance, tell your spouse that painting the trim is less important than your job search because, with a job, your family will have more money.

Getting the buy in from those who live with you is pretty important. But, with a solid sales plan, you'll be able to implement your job search efficiencies because you've gotten your family's buy in.

NETWORKING: Networking Icebreakers

Mike Thomas — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:53:00 GMT

Like some other job search professionals, I like to use the dating metaphor.

Looking for work really is like looking for a date, and particularly when it comes to starting a conversation with a potential networking contact.

Which one's yours? Mine's number 5. If you have kids, then chances are you attend sporting events and recitals. And if you don't have kids of your own, then you should "adopt" your relatives' and friends' kids and attend their events. Sit next to the other parents and chat them up. Soon enough, the conversation will turn turn to work.

He's a German Shorthair, right? Out in the park? Neighbors walking their dog? Take a few minutes to talk about their dog and, if you're comfortable, to pet their dog, too. This is a great icebreaker and yes, the conversation will turn to work. If it doesn't the first time you talk, then it will soon enough.

Heck of a day for a race, eh? Most people have hobbies. Mine happens to be running. And, because I'm a slow runner, I line up toward the end of the racers. Slow runners don't mind chatting. Those lining up with the fast runners? They're concentrating too much on the race to hold a conversation. Slow runners offer more networking opportunities.

RESUMES: Why Resume Objectives Suck

Mike Thomas — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:34:00 GMT

Are you still using an objective on your resume?

Kill it. Take it off. You should be using a professional summary.

Resume objective statements suck. Consider, for a moment, what most of them look like:

To obtain a challenging ___ position with a progressive company that blah blah blah and rewards progress.

Many of my clients come in for resume reviews with objective statements that read almost exactly like that. The first question I ask them is this: "What do you mean by 'progressive'?"

None of them have been able to answer. Not one of them.

The thing is, resume objective statements are outdated and shouldn't be used. That's because resume objective statements:

Don't add to marketability. Re-read the sample objective statement above. How does that push promote the job seeker's qualifications? How does that grab an employer's interest? Both answers are: it doesn't. You're far better served with a professional summary that gives a snapshot of who you are as a professional.

Don't say anything. Other than the job title filling in the blank, objective statements don't actually say anything. They're simply sucking up space that could be better used. Most job seekers try to cram as many dollar sized words into their objectives as they can, while trying to sound like every other objective statement out there.

Too interchangeable. Employers know that most job seekers simply replace the job title on every resume. It's not individualized. Not really. That, and, as stated above, almost every resume objective reads exactly like every other one. That means the statements are interchangable - and so are the candidates. How can you hope to stand out like that?!?

PARETO: iPhone and iPod Touch Apps for Job Seekers

Mike Thomas — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:18:00 GMT

Full disclosure: I have an iPod Touch and a separate cell phone. I chose this arrangement because I'm perfectly happy with my cell phone provider and didn't want to go through the hassle of transferring my number. I'm funny that way.

Whether you have an iPod Touch or iPhone (or some other smart phone), however, the two most important things are: 1) having the right apps to help you reduce your job search time; 2) traveling light. Thankfully, there are enough quality apps out there to satisfy even the most jaded job seeker. If you're looking for work and toting an iPod Touch or iPhone, then these are the kind of apps you should have loaded:

Calendar apps. When you're looking for work, you know that time is money. As such, it makes sense to keep track of your schedule and be able to make efficient plans. I've tried a lot - A LOT!!! - of calendar apps on my iPod Touch. If you've browsed around the iTunes Store for calendar apps and to-do apps, then you know there are tons of them. But after checking a bunch of them out, I've decided to stick with the calendar app that came pre-loaded on my iPod Touch. You may want to use a different calendar app, and that's absolutely fine. But keeping your calendar on your iPhone or iPod Touch makes sense because you don't have to carry a separate planner around with you.

Contacts apps. It wasn't long ago when everybody carried their planners around with them. All daily planners had space to store important phone numbers and contact information. iPhones and iPod Touches do the same things - but take up much less space. Like my calendar app of choice, I roll with the contacts app that came pre-loaded on my iPod Touch. It's also handy to have the bump app (bump the units together and you share contact info with each other).

Social networking apps. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, then you're probably on Facebook. You're probably also on LinkedIn (you should be!) and Twitter, too. Stay in touch with your network with the Facebook app and LinkedIn app. There are tons of Twitter apps out there, so you'll find one that fits what you're looking for. The only downside with having an iPod Touch, though, is that you're reliant upon having an available wi-fi network.

Browsing apps. As with having social networking apps, having an Internet browser app on your iPod Touch means you have to have access to an open wi-fi network. That's a minor inconvenience, however, if you know where to find access. The bonus, of course, is that there aren't any data charges. Popping online with your handheld provides a major value when you're looking for directions to your job interview, getting last-minute facts before networking, and more.

eReader apps. I love to read for both business and pleasure. But I hate carrying more than one book. One solution would be to carry an ereader like the Kindle which can hold at least 1,000 books. My solution, though, is the Kindle app on my iPod Touch. I never leave home without my iPod Touch because of all of the other efficiency apps on it, so it makes sense to put my books on it, too. Barnes and Noble has their own free ereader app, and so do many other companies. Find one that suits your needs and style and load it today.

NETWORKING: How to Network Everywhere

Mike Thomas — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:11:00 GMT

Some of my clients think that professional networking only happens at events that are specifically labeled "networking events" or "networking groups."

Which means they're not tapping the opportunities that present themselves in everyday life. By following a simple sandwich technique (small talk, work talk, small talk), you can network everywhere, including:

Social situations. If you belong to a religious organization, a civic group, or even volunteer, then you can leverage the social aspects of these groups by talking to others about work. In fact, several of my contacts obtained jobs as a direct result of who they met at church.

Small talk while waiting. Do you have kids anywhere in your life? If so, then you've probably attended sporting events or recitals. Why not chat up the other adults? Ditto if you're in line at the movies or grocery store.

Solo in public. I've increased my professional network doing what I normally do. When I'm warming up for a 5K race, for instance, I'll begin chatting with other runners. When I used to hit the weights hard and heavy, I'd do the same with the other gym rats. In both cases, I developed long-lasting personal and professional relationships.

RESUMES: Good Redundancies

Mike Thomas — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:08:00 GMT

Bad redundancies are bad. They're from the Department of Redundancy Department.

But there are good redundancies, too. Resume redundancies are good things for several reasons:

Take advantage of search technology. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important part of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS). Most search firms and large companies use HRIS to find qualified candidates. "Qualified," in terms of HRIS, means "having high key word density." As such, using the same key words several times throughout your resume can help you be found when employers and recruiters use HRIS.

Stupidity. Computers are incredibly stupid; they'll only spit out exactly what you ask them to. And, at the risk of offending a lot of my colleagues, I'll put forth that a lot of HR people are stupid, too, because they don't search on the right key words. You can make your resume stupid-proof by using good redundancies. For instance, if your skills include Microsoft Office, then you might also want to list the individual programs (Word, Excel, etc.) afterwards. That way, no matter what piece of software in that suite is searched for, you have a chance of coming up.

Hammer the point home. Know why you remember songs from your youth? It's the catchy refrains that are repeated over and over. Ditto with slogans from commercials. And when you listen to radio commercials, it's a sure thing that you'll hear the company name at least three times per commercial. Redundancies hammer the point home.

INTERVIEWING: The Only Pre-Job Interview Checklist You'll Ever Need

Mike Thomas — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:03:00 GMT

Trying to develop a pre-job interview checklist? Relax. We've got you covered.

Research
Researched company website
Determined where the company stands in the marketplace
Determined how the position fits into bigger picture
Contacted hiring manager

Supplies
At least two more copies of your resume than expected interviewers
Two writing implements
Daily planner

Appearance
Dressed two levels higher than the position for which you're interviewing
Not over dressed
Clothes clean and ironed
Clothes matched
Shoes match clothes
Conservative make up (women)
Shaved or well-groomed facial hair (men)
Hair combed
Teeth free of particles
Fresh breath
Positive attitude

Follow up
Hand written thank you card sent within 24 hours
Call one week after interview
Call one week after that

PARETO: Carry Less, Do More

Mike Thomas — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:15:00 GMT

I hate carrying a lot of stuff.

You might say "hate" is a strong word - and it is - but I really do hate carrying a lot of stuff. But I also want to be fully prepared for any situation. Here's how I carry less - but am able to do more - than most others:

Smart phone with right apps. To be quite honest, I have a cell phone and an iPod Touch because I like my cell service. The apps - from calendar to contacts to social networking and more - keep me on track and keep me focused. It takes the place of a gazillion things and it's small. I like that.

Minimalist wallet/purse. I don't have a lot of credit cards because I don't need a lot of credit cards. My minimalist wallet contains the following: $40 or less, my driver's license, one debit and one credit card, and, of course, my medical insurance card. It also has one laminated card with all of the bar codes I need for discounts at stores.

Writing implement. I rarely have to write anything down, but it's helpful to be prepared for those times when I do. That's why I carry a pen that can handle the warmth of a pocket for extended periods without exploding and/or leaking.

Now, you might wonder what I do with my keys. I'm still working on finding an acceptable solution for that.

NETWORKING: How to Organically Grow Your Social Networks

Mike Thomas — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:06:00 GMT

One thing that worries job seekers when networking online is this:

"How do I reach out to others without seeming desperate?"

It's a valid concern, isn't it? After all, no one wants to date someone who appears desperate - and nobody wants to network with anyone who does, either.

You can grow your social networks organically, however, so that people will be drawn to you and also so that you won't appear desperate when you do reach out.

Start with people you know well. If you have 3 connections and you want to connect with the local billionaire, then good luck to you! Let us know how that works out for you. It's far better to connect with those you already know in the real world. They, after all, would be organic connections.

Ask for introductions. Being introduced is an organic way of meeting new people - and there's nothing wrong with asking your current contacts to introduce you to a few of their contacts.

Reach critical mass. Once you have a certain number of first-level contacts in your social networks, you'll notice a few magical things happen. First, you'll be able to reach almost anybody in just a step or two, and second, people will be drawn to you and seek you out. That's when your social networks really start to grow organically.

Regular updates. Whether you're using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or all three, a key factor to organically growing your social networks is posting regular updates. This lets your existing circle know you're still around and what you're up to. This keeps you on their minds, which often leads to them volunteering to connect you with others in their networks.

Participate in forums and conversations. Do you already contribute to discussion boards and forums? It's a great way to organically grow your network. Once you get into discussions with others online, you may want to deepen your professional relationships by connecting on one or more of your social networks.

RESUMES: Proofread Your Resume Like a Pro

Mike Thomas — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:05:00 GMT

I rely on spell check and so do you.

Come on. Admit it. You rely on spell check.

Here's the thing, though. As advanced as spell checkers have gotten, they have one major fault: they can't tell you if you chose the right word. They'll tell you that you spelled "their" correctly, for instance, but not that you should have used "there" or "they're."

Other common instances are "to," "too" and "two." Also "your" and "you're."

The best way to pick up these glaring errors is to use your own eyes (and borrow a set of someone nearby) and read your resume backwards, from bottom to top, from right to left.

The reason for this is simple. When we read normally (top to bottom, left to right), our eyes capture groups of words. When we read backwards, however, our eyes are forced to stop on each word individually.

Neat trick, eh? Proofreaders have been using it for years. And, before sending your resume or cover letter out, you should, too.