Monthly Archives: February 2017

When looking for a new job, the majority of professionals need to conduct their job search without their current employer knowing. And with the advent of social media, and the importance of using LinkedIn in your search, it can be difficult to know how to conduct a job search effectively, yet discreetly.

First, take heart knowing you are not alone. According to LinkedIn's 2015 Talent Trends report, nearly one in three employees are actively searching for a new job a lot of professionals. So how can you go about looking for a new job, including utilizing LinkedIn and networking within your industry, without everyone finding out? Here are a few pointers:

Consider an internal change. When job searching, many people don't fully consider whether there is an opportunity for them in their own backyard. Before you send your resume to other companies, ask yourself if you are unhappy with your role and the organization you work for, or if it is just about your current job. Evaluate all options before you launch into a search.

Consider if there would be an opportunity for you within your current organization that would provide more job satisfaction. If there is, take the time to find out more before you make your final decision. You never know. When people are unsatisfied with their jobs, they tend to feel like they have to make a dramatic change. And nine times out of 10, they don't need to; they only need to make a course correction.

Don't search during work hours. It is unprofessional to search for a new job while on the clock at your current position. It may be tempting to do so if you are having a slow day or are incredibly unhappy in your job, but there is another thing to keep in mind besides professionalism. Most companies have a transparency policy with their computers and other devices, so keep in mind nothing you do is necessarily private on their devices.

Although not all companies spy on their employees, you never know when they might schedule a random check of websites you visit or emails you send. If you decide you really need to check on organizations currently hiring or make an urgent call about a job interview while on a work break, don't do so on your office computer, phone or tablet. And do it on your lunch hour. Keep your searches on your personal devices and on your own time.

Enable stealth mode online. LinkedIn and other job-search applications have settings to let you job search discreetly. These settings are always evolving, so make sure you understand how these features work in each application and that they haven't been changed before uploading a resume and cover letter. For example, on LinkedIn you can disable the feature where other users are notified if you make updates or changes to your profile. Check out your applications' privacy features thoroughly prior to launching your search.

And keep in mind that on LinkedIn, even though users may not be notified that you are making changes, you may want to make your updates slowly over time so they attract less attention, especially with a public profile.

Be careful who you tell. If you have decided that you need to make a change to a new organization or career path, you will want to share your news with your network and people who can assist you with your search. But before you tell everyone, consider the possible implications with each person.

If your uncle is close friends with your boss's boss, will the news accidentally be shared over a game of golf, for example? If you tell your close work buddies, could the news accidentally slip out at work when your boss can overhear? And if your industry is small and close-knit, does that mean that news could travel quickly? Whoever you decide to share your news with while you are still job searching, ask them to be discreet as well.

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Companies are checking you out online, so why not use social media to enhance your qualifications? A 2015CareerBuilder surveyof more than 2,000 hiring managers and human resource professionals revealed that 52 percent of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates.In fact, about one-thirdof thoseemployers have found content that made them more likely to hire a candidate. Here's howto build a positive, professional online presence to help you stand out.

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Almost 40 percent of those surveyed said that a candidate's personality on social media seemed like a good fit with company culture. How often have you thought: "If only I could get in front of someone and prove I am a good fit?" With social media, you can inject your style in status updates and even your LinkedIn summary. Sure, your skills and experience qualify you for jobs, but your personality is one more way to seal the deal.

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When employers see how your background information supports your qualifications for the job, you look like the real deal. Forty-two percent of employers liked the idea of being able to validate a candidate's experience by checking him or her out on social media. Make sure your LinkedIn and other social network profiles are consistent and match your rsum.

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What you say in your bio and on social profiles provides hiring managers with a glimpse of your professionalism. Thirty-eight percent of employers were impressed with the professional image presented by a candidate's site. Use a high-quality photo (preferably a headshot) with a neutral background that's free of distractions, such as pets or people. Wear work-appropriateclothes no prom pictures or beach shots. And pay attention to small details, such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spacing.

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You say you have excellent communication skills, but how can you further provide proof? Thirty-seven percent of employers said social network profiles and status updates offered evidence of great communication skills. As with your profile, punctuation, spelling and grammar are important in tweets, too. And remember to behave appropriately online. Avoid arguments, profanity and negative rants.

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In a similar CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,000 hiring and HR managers last year, 40 percent of employers selected candidates who seemed well-rounded on their profiles and social media updates. Share your volunteer involvement and other activities that show how you enjoy spending your free time. However, avoid mentioning controversial or extreme interests.

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Employers often seek candidates who can think outside the box. Thirty-six percent of theemployers in last year's surveysaida candidate's creativity on social media made a difference in the hiring decision. Show off your creative abilities online by displaying an infographic rsum, using new technology or posting clever status updates.

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Thirty percent of companies liked seeing references posted about a candidate, according to the 2014 survey. Unsolicited or nonreciprocal recommendations are powerful. LinkedIn allows you to display recommendations within your profile, so be sure to ask a boss or happy customer to write one for you. You can make it even easier for them when you provide suggestions or key points you believe are worth mentioning.

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In your cover letter or rsum, you may have said you were a top performer or gained recognition for your stellar accomplishments. In the 2014 survey, 31 percent of employers found proof of such recognition online and said it worked in the candidates' favor. Snap a photo or grab a screenshot to capture your success. Then share it for all to see, and embed it in your LinkedIn profile.

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Companies with social media accounts want to engage in conversation. Twenty-four percent of theemployers in last year's surveysaid they liked it when a candidate interacted with one of their social media accounts. Check the company's website to see which social networks are listed, especially the accounts related to careers. Always be positive and complimentary, and ask questions beyond: "Did you get my application?"

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Fourteen percent of employers see a large following or subscriber base as a positive, according to the 2014 survey. If people are following you, then you might just have something interesting or valuable to say. Thought leadership and community engagement can benefit the company. Build your following organically by providing information that is valuable to your target audience. Interact with like-minded professionals online. Gaining a following isn't easy. But, if you are a good social community citizen, it could be an asset to your future employer.

Read more here:

Looking for a New Job? 4 Ways to Job Search Discreetly - U.S. News & World Report (blog)

From Texas Standard:

Selene Moreno is a senior at Benito Juarez-Abraham Lincoln High School in La Joya, Texas. She says shes looking forward to graduation.

Im planning to become a physical therapist after I graduate from high school and Im planning on going to Texas A&M, Moreno says.

Moreno is petite and soft-spoken. Shes also ambitious taking college courses and a bunch of AP classes. That can be especially difficult because she doesnt have Internet access at home.

Some parts of Texas are at the epicenter of what's called the digital divide. Thats the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and theInternet,and those who dont.

The Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas found the two metropolitan areas in the country with the lowest broadband access are in the Rio Grande Valley. Those most impacted by the digital divide may be students in the Valley from low-income families, like Moreno.

Moreno does have some access to the Internet, but she says it isnt enough.

I do have a cellphone and that has Internet, but sometimes its really slow and its hard to catch up because it takestimeto get it done, she says. I wish I had fast Internet to get it done faster.

She often finds herself having to work on projects until 2 or 3 a.m.

I remember one time I stayed up to cry, Moreno says. I worked through my tears to stay up late. And sometimes I would come sleepless to school and I wouldnt be able to concentrate the next day.

Moreno's story isnt unique.

Clem Garza is La Joya Independent School District's Director of Instructional Resources and Technology.

Theresparents that sit, take lawn chairs, outside a campus so they can access the web, Garza says. There are students that sit outside by the fence on the grass so they can access the web to do homework. And that tugged at me and that visual never left my mind.

So Garza came up with a plan.

We equipped the buses with routers and antennas so that our students are able to accessInterneton the school buses, Garza says.

Only two of the district's buses have Internet access right now.

Equipping thebusescost a little more than $4,000. But this is not an out-of-pocket expense for the district. Verizon and other businesses are paying for it.

Juarez LincolnHigh School teacher Karim Briseno says the program is also helping teachers. They now feel better about assigning projects that require Internet access. Although most families dont have the Internet at home, kids do ride the bus.

If they spend that much time, from 30 to 45 minutes on the bus, Briseno says, Im pretty sure they can use that time in order for them to do research, homework [and] communicate with teachers [any] questions they might have.

Briseno says she hopes the program will soon be accessible to more students.

I think every bus should have Wifi, Briseno says.

An expansion is in the works, but first La Joya ISD needs to look at the data from the pilot program.

How many users logged on, what types of sites, not necessarily individual sites, but let's say how many educational sites were accessed, how many social sites were accessed, Garza says. Were able to use that and then to see are they mainly streaming, are they downloading, uploading? What are the students doing?

Garza says that information will go to the school board. Itll be up to the board to implement the program. One thing that will help her case, Garza has already found funding for 20 of the 261 buses in the district.

View post:

How a WiFi Pilot Program Is Helping Students in the Rio Grande Valley - Texas Public Radio

Are you livingyour life for you or for other peoples opinion of you? Are you tryingto earn bragging rights for empty instances of your life? Are you trying to convince everyone that you are living the life of your dreams, when it is actually far from true?

As human beings, at one point or the other in our existence, we all seek validation. Everyone loves to be seen and heard. Since the advent of Facebook and other social media applications, being seen and heard just moved to another level. It has gone way overboard, such that most people have lost touch with reality. They live under illusions, wishes and hopes.

Where do we really draw the line between trying to be heard and showing off? How do we differentiate between reality and vanity when many have virtually lost touch with reality in a bid to keep up with the Joneses.

Have you been at a church wedding where the sermon was going on and people were outside taking pictures with their expensive gadgets? There are some who are even daring enough to take pictures right inside the church. At that point, they dont care about enjoying the event, because showing off to people is better than being present there

But why is it that the first thing that comes to mind after dressing up for an occasion is how to upload mixes to social media?

Is it an attention seeking disorder to want other peoples reassurance that we look good or that the clothes we wear look good on us? Or is it an insecurity issue?

Why is marriage a competition on Facebook? You will see people uploading their wedding pictures on the same night they are supposed to be tired and be in bed.

What is the brain behind all the long names? Who is competing your spouses name with you that you just have to put everything out there? Sometimes up to four names. For example, Yetunde Olasiyan Adebayo Phillips. What does that mean? Some who try to be modest go like this: Yetunde-Adebayo Phillips.

Is Facebook a form of official page where you must do a change of name? Even our official change of names dont look anything near this. It is strictly your name and new surname.

With the way people churn out beautiful messages and poetry lyrics to their boo and bae on Facebook, they give me a run for my money. Why? Because so many writers have now evolved on Facebook with the almost perfect way they write out these inspirational messages. I am talking about a full page of tributes.

If everybodys boo and bae is this perfect on social media, who then owns those ones who are mummys pets, those that beat their wives or those who act like garrison commanders in their homes?

Im not writing a tribute is bad, but what is the motive behind it? Is it to truly appreciate your spouse or to pretend to the whole world that your spouse is almost faultless?

Then why is it a problem when your post doesnt get many likes or comment and you get resentful against those who werent loyal enough to support your appreciation of your spouse. Those silent resentments are very real though unspoken. You hear things like he/she has never liked my posts, I wont like his picture too.

Having everybody know that we have visited the abroad isnt even the big deal but when we do not know the limits at which putting pictures at the restaurant, on the street of DC, in the swimming pool(of probably your neighbour ) becomes a little bit distateful and no longer appealing.

But before you say, go and argue these points with your village deity. What concerns you with other peoples habits anyways? Arent we all guilty one way or the other? Ifwe all do the same thing in an attempt to be different, dont we all end up being the same person in the process?

Of course, there are wonderful talented people on Facebook who are wordsmiths and are role models. Thats one positive thing. These people share inspiring and revelational thoughts that brings healthy discussions.

Asides this, arent we gradually turning into a profane people? Arent we gradually projecting false personalities? A place where I worked had banned its workers from accessing Facebook during office hours. The connection was even suspended such that you could not access certain social sites except check and respond to your mails. It was discovered that good quality productive time was spent on the internet.

Why is it that instead of people to help accident victims or someone undergoing jungle justice, people would rather stand and take live videos and photos?

During my mums burial(she died young and it wasnt a celebration), I was shocked that some people were moving up and down in front of me and my siblings, trying to take our pictures. We were looking so sad and forlorn; yet, they kept brandishing their IPads and tabs just to take videos and photos. They kept distracting and blocking my view.

We even had to tell one of them to go and sit down.

What about you? What do you do on social media?

Photo Credit: Kadettmann | Dreamstime.com

Here is a sneak peek; she is a freelance writer, blogger and poet. Blogs at yettyolas.wordpress.com Please contact her for any freelance writing gigs on any topic via nikeolasiyan@yahoo.com Follow her on twitter@nikeolasiyan.

Read more:

Yetunde Olasiyan: Between Having a Voice & the Need to Show Off on Social Media - Bella Naija