From the category archives:

Networking

There’s a word for what happens to people like you

by Stephanie A. Lloyd on November 6, 2010

in Cover Letters,I'm looking for a job,Networking

I recently received an email from someone I don’t know who said he was interested in learning more about a firm I have a connection with.

Hi Stephanie,

[Recruiter name] at [confidential] suggested I contact you regarding my interest learning more about [your firm].  Feel free to reach out to me on linkedin.com.
–

Sincerely,

NAME WITHHELD

Annoyed that this person, who is asking me for help, did not even bother to take the time to:

  1. give me a reason as to why I would want to,
  2. provide me with ANY information about himself, or
  3. provide me with a direct link to his LinkedIn profile; rather, he expected me to hunt it down myself.

I was then further irritated when I took the initiative to find him on LinkedIn, only to discover that HIS PROFILE HAD BEEN REMOVED.

Cartoon by Hugh MacLeod

At first I thought I would write a snarky blog post about all of this (shocking, I know), but I decided instead to use it as an opportunity to help anyone who feels inclined to reach out to a recruiter (or ANYONE) and ask them for help.

  • Don’t make the person you want something from have to go and research to find out who you are. Introduce yourself right up front, and provide some background. Give them a reason to want to know a little more about you.

NOTE: This is especially true for LinkedIn invitations. One of my biggest pet peeves is the default LinkedIn invitation. It’s just rude.

  • Know something about the person you’re reaching out to and prove that by mentioning it in your introductory note.
  • [Genuine] compliments are even better.
  • Include DIRECT links to things you want people to see.
  • Be sure these links will present you in a professional light. For example I do not recommend providing a link to your MySpace page that has pictures of the keg party where you passed out in the bathroom all over it. Also if you provide a few links people will read what you want them to read about you rather than Googling you and finding your attrocious MySpace page.
  • Be interesting. Provide some insight or a brief, interesting story.
  • Be personable and friendly. Nobody wants to read a stodgy, stuffy anything.
  • Thank the recipient for their time and consideration. It’s polite.

If you want to see a shining example of someone who did it right, check out my previous blog post, Being interested in the human condition and being interested in you isn’t the same thing, babe.

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Tagged as: Ask the recruiter, Cartoon by Hugh, Do you want this job or not, Get a life, Recruiters, Stephanie A. Lloyd

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10 reasons to start a blog

by Stephanie A. Lloyd on August 14, 2010 · 1 comment

in I'm looking for a job,Networking,Social Media

Cartoon by Hugh

I am always amused by blogging about blogging but I’ve done it before and this post came to me when I was lying in bed wide awake at 3:00 a.m.

I had just woken from a dream in which I was in a field being bombarded with large flying objects coming at me out of the sky, ducking for cover, while Laurie Ruettimann was trying to convince me to start a new multi-million dollar business venture with her in Tel Aviv keeping terrorists out.

??

And now you know why I have a lot of insomnia.

10 reason to start a blog

1. You have a goal. Whether your goal is to run an ultra- marathon or lose 50 pounds or learn to cook or build a basket-weaving business, you can learn about it through blogging. At the same time you can 2. document your journey in order to give you 3. accountability as well as 4. share it with others such as friends, family, colleagues, and/or others in the webosphere with similar interests.

5. To improve your career. Whether you have a business, are an employee, or just want to continue to 6. build your network by 7. sharing your expertise and conversing with others, a blog can help you. A blog can lead to 8. conference invitations, 9. speaking engagements, and 10. opportunities for new jobs and/or project work. It’s a place for you to demonstrate your knowledge and interests…and to be found.

Questions? Comments? What have I missed?

Why did you start your blog?

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Tagged as: Blogging, Cartoon by Hugh, Stephanie A. Lloyd

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To all the naysayers

by Stephanie A. Lloyd on March 9, 2010 · 10 comments

in I work in HR,I'm looking for a job,Management,Marketing,Networking

Cartoon by Hugh MacLeod

Yes, you CAN get a job on Twitter.

I HAVE PROOF.

Last Tuesday morning I woke up waayyyy too early so I grabbed my iPhone and scanned Tweetdeck while deciding whether to go ahead and get up or try and go back to sleep for a bit.

I happened to see a tweet from someone in the #HR community I’ve been following for at least a couple of years. She is located in upstate NY and we’d never met IRL – or even spoken on the phone, for that matter. She stated that she was looking for a contract sourcer.

I happen to know a lot of people who might be interested in such an opportunity so I DMd (direct messaged) her with my email address and asked her to share details with me.

She replied, asking if I knew of anyone, and I said I might. She emailed me and we arranged to speak that afternoon.

We had a great conversation during which she provided me with some additional insight in to the nature of the work. I told her I had a few people in mind and would reach out to them on her behalf and send them her way if appropriate.

The first person I mentioned it to had already spoken to her about it. He’s also very active on Twitter…imagine that! ;-)

Several hours later, completely out of the blue, I received the following DM from another friend on Twitter.

Top secret – just found out that I’ll be part of a reduction next week. Would love it if you kept eye/ears peeled for any opportunities.

She is located in Texas, and while we haven’t met (yet), we have spoken on the phone and collaborate on a fun “volunteer” project helping job-seekers.

I replied:

@TXFriend, reach out to @NYFriend and tell her I sent you. she’s looking for a contract sourcer – could be long-term :-)

18 HOURS LATER, @TXFriend sent me this DM:

Yay! Great connection with @NYFriend. Signed a contract to source for her this morning. You’re awesome!

It still shocks me when I hear negative talk about Twitter…”it’s a waste of time, I don’t care what someone ate for breakfast, blah blah blah.”

1-800-GETALIFE.

I’d love to hear from others who have landed a new work project or job opportunity via Twitter…or a new client, even. Same thing, really. It’s paid work, right?

And, speaking of the power of Twitter, our most recent He Said, She Said episode was centered on this very subject. You can catch it here! 

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Tagged as: Cartoon by Hugh, Get a life, I need a job, I work in HR, Social Media, Stephanie A. Lloyd, Twitter, Yes I am actually being serious

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The PunkRock Champagne Holiday Social #punkATL 2009 | Atlanta, GA

by Stephanie A. Lloyd on December 18, 2009 · 8 comments

in I work in HR,Networking,Recruiters,Tweetups

For those of you who missed — and those of you who were there — below is a video compilation of photos taken that night.

Todd, Laurie, and I are truly grateful to all of you who made the trek – some from as far away as Seattle, Toronto, Dallas, Raleigh, and Florida – to join us!

We are also very grateful for our amazing sponsors including FuegoMundo, RecruitingBlogs, PunkRockHR, Recruiter House Party, #TalentNetLive, and many more! The generosity was overwhelming and most appreciated.

Please enjoy the video, and know that we are very much looking forward to #punkATL 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing everyone all the best in the coming year.

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Tagged as: #punkATL, Atlanta, Do you want to have fun or not, Get a life, I work in HR, Jenny DeVaughn, Miriam Salpeter, Recruiters, Social Media, Stephanie A. Lloyd, Todd Schnick, Tweetups, Yes I am actually being serious

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Atlanta Holiday Bash to Help Local Victims of 2009 Floods | #ATLBash

November 18, 2009

Many, many thanks to Randy Barnes for this fantastic video highlighting the needs of the #ATLFlood victims! Please join us at the St. Regis Hotel on 12.03.09 for a party with a purpose! Ticket prices include food and 2 drinks per person, and proceeds benefit the flood victims – many of whom have lost everything [...]

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The Not-So-Silent-Night Holiday Bash in Atlanta, GA | 12.03.09

November 13, 2009

I’m working with several friends and colleagues to raise $15,000 to aid Atlanta-area flood victims who are still in desperate need. Not So Silent Night Atlanta Holiday Bash benefitting Atlanta flood victims who aren’t in the news anymore, but still in desperate need. Proceeds from the event go directly to Cobb Disaster Recovery and The [...]

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A Red Shoe Project Tweetup video! | photos from 10.08.09

November 2, 2009

Finally! I was able to learn how to get the photos on my iPhone transferred onto my computer and make a video from the Red Shoe Project Tweetup I co-hosted with Michael Long, a.k.a., The Red Recruiter, on October 8, 2009, at FuegoMundo. We had a great time! Looking forward to having Michael back in [...]

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Why denim is the new black. Sometimes.

October 31, 2009

I was so happy to stumble upon this article in the Wall Street Journal, “The Relentless Rise of Power Jeans: World Leaders and Executives Wear Them (Mostly Well); How to Get Denim Right.” I love, love, love to wear jeans, and for nine or ten months out of the year I wear them pretty much [...]

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