Always Be Job Hunting

Trash your former boss – maybe not

Posted on August 2, 2013 by John N. Frank

Trash your former boss in a job interview? It should be obvious to anyone that doing that is a bad idea. Yet apparently people still do it. Or at least need to be told not to.

Yahoo ran a piece from Monster.com recently on five things that will make your interviewer hate you. Jumping at the chance to trash talk about a former boss was number one on that list.

Trash talk your former boss in a job interview? Not the best idea.

Second was telling your interviewer what you would change if you got the new job. The Monster piece notes that sometimes interviewers will ask you what you would change; often they’re looking for change agents to shake a place up or to implement new programs and new ideas. But be careful how you frame your new ideas. The piece suggests finding a constructive way to do did not want someone who could be rattled that easily working for me. Continue reading →

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Boss brashing, bosses, job hunting, trash talking your boss | 1 Comment

Job Opening — Director of External Communications, Northwestern

Posted on August 1, 2013 by John N. Frank

Here’s a major PR position I just saw last night in a jobs roundup I receive from Indeed.com. Good luck, good hunting, and always be job hunting.
John N. Frank

Dir, External Communications
Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
About the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is a premier institution for management education. Founded in 1908 and based just outside of Chicago, Kellogg is home to a renowned, research-based faculty and the best and brightest MBA students from around the world.

Global business education is different today because of the teamwork and collaboration models that Kellogg pioneered 40 years ago. And, in the 21st century, Kellogg is truly a different voice in management education: We believe business can be bravely led, passionately collaborative and world changing.

HELP WANTED

At Kellogg, we are educating, equipping and inspiring leaders to excel in today’s complex Collaboration Economy. As a global community, Kellogg welcomes and embraces diverse perspectives that together enrich learning. Our vibrancy can be seen throughout our dynamic community: Continue reading →

Posted in Job opening | Tagged education, job opening, public relations | Leave a comment

Best Cities to work in – California leads the way

Posted on July 31, 2013 by John N. Frank

San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco top a list of best cities to work in compiled by job app Glassdoor.com.

San Francisco

Those cities are home to five of the Top 50 best companies to work at, according to Glassdoor. Apparently people are happy at tech giants like Google. LinkedIn, Apple and Facebook, all in one or the other of those top two cities.

Other top cities are Seattle, Salt Lake City and, surprisingly enough given what people tend to think of politics, Washington, D.C., Glassdoor reports. Continue reading →

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Job search tips, working conditions | Tagged job hunting, working environment | Leave a comment

CareerCloud.com — a social (media) approach to job hunting

Posted on July 30, 2013 by John N. Frank

Recently, a staffer with CareerCloud.com wrote me about a new social jobs referral tool called Jobs With Friends and offered me the opportunity to do an e-mail Q&A with the site’s CEO Chris Russell. A company-supplied bio says of Russell: “Chris Russell is considered the mad scientist of online recruiting. Helping connect jobseekers to employers through technology is his only mission. Currently he is the founder & CEO of CareerCloud.com based in Connecticut. Follow him on twitter @chrisrussell.”

CareerCloud launched January 2013 and Jobs With Friends in June 2013.

Below is our Q&A with Russell, let us know what you think of the concept

ABJH: Was is the thinking behind the creation of Jobs With Friends, how is it different from other job hunting tools?

Russell: The idea stems from the fact that people get hired faster if they know someone at a company. And by piecing together one’s Facebook and LinkedIn connections into one giant database of people you know, the idea kind of created itself. It’s different because it lets you “company hunt” by browsing your connections, viewing available jobs and easily ask them for a referral though a one click button.

Chris Russell

ABJH: What can the site do that someone can’t do on their own by contacting friends, associates, etc?

Russell: Jobs With Friends automates some of that process and also makes it easier to browse and filter your contacts. I have a few hundred Facebook friends but over 2,000 LinkedIn connections so being able to filter and sort through that data makes it much easier as a job hunting tool.

ABJH: Should job hunters use your site in conjunction with aggregation sites like Indeed.com as well as job sites like CareerBuilder.com? If so, how? Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job search tips | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, career changes, job hunting, personal brand building, search tips | Leave a comment

Job hunting basics — basic but necessary

Posted on July 29, 2013 by John N. Frank

I’ve recently been involved in a LinkedIn discussion with someone trying to start a journalism career. My heart goes out to him, trying to start a career in a profession going through massive upheaval is difficult, if not impossible.

The conversation eventually turned ugly, as can happen in high stress situations, with him assailing people who had told him to try some job hunting basics such as network, go to events, etc.

My suggestion, go where the jobs are, was attacked by him and others to which I simply posted links from a media job site listing jobs by location to show what I was talking about. Continue reading →

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting, Uncategorized | Tagged career changes, career crisis, skills training | 1 Comment

10 Don’ts That Will Help You Avoid Workplace Dysfunction

Posted on July 25, 2013 by John N. Frank

Great piece from a colleague’s blog.
John

10 Don’ts That Will Help You Avoid Workplace Dysfunction.

Posted in management issues, working conditions | Tagged coping with a new job, working environment | Leave a comment

Job Opening — digital outreach director, Washington, D.C.

Posted on July 24, 2013 by John N. Frank

Saw this on LinkedIn, go there to get the apply now link. Good luck and always be job hunting.
John

Title: Director of Digital Outreach
Reports to: EVP, Media and Content Strategy

Location: Washington, D.C.

Note: Local candidates only. To apply, please submit resume and cover letter. No phone calls, please. EOE.

HOME FRONT COMMUNICATIONS is seeking a full-time Director of Digital Outreach to design, manage, lead and execute targeted digital media outreach and engagement projects on behalf of a wide range of clients. The Director of Digital Outreach will work closely with the EVP, Media and Content Strategy and the Director of Digital Content to build a digital outreach practice and portfolio. This will include bidding on new work and establishing a system for targeted digital media outreach.

We are looking for a driven individual with high digital literacy and previous, demonstrable experience in securing earned media, content placements and audience engagement through targeted digital media outreach. Successful applicants may have background in political outreach operations; issue advocacy work; grassroots and/or grasstops mobilization; digital content creation and distribution, including journalism and/or niche blogging; or external communications. Successful applicants will have at least 3+ years of full-time, professional experience, with the bulk of that work being in digital media.

The Director of Digital Outreach will develop strategic communication and rollout plans; craft content based on core messaging; and work directly with news media, non-media organizations and individuals to secure coverage and placement of client projects. The Director of Digital Outreach will be a member of our Media and Content Strategy Division and will collaborate closely with senior and junior members of our team. The Director of Digital Outreach will play a key role in helping influence the team’s direction going forward.

Candidates must have passion for and skill in communications and media strategy; system development; creative thinking; research, writing and editing; emerging platforms and traditional media; tactical execution; client relations; and team-oriented, collaborative work.

We are looking for an innovative, motivated individual who is extremely organized, creative, thoughtful and diplomatic. This individual will work with colleagues in all of our company’s divisions and will have important responsibilities requiring professionalism, polish and a keen sensibility about forging strong, collaborative relationships with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities:
Build, with the EVP, Media and Content Strategy, a digital media outreach practice and portfolio
Manage accounts and client relationships
Conceive, implement and execute strategic communications, rollout and outreach plans targeting news media sites, blogs, online communities and social networks, as well as non-media organizations, including foundations, non-profits, issue advocacy groups, public-private partnerships and government
Craft messaging and content for use on multiple platforms by multiple target audiences
Write alerts, releases and other forms of digital communication based on client messaging and informed by a thorough understanding of media interests in national, regional, state, local, hyperlocal and niche markets
Conduct targeted outreach and pitching to journalists, online writers, bloggers, communications professionals and other individuals at news media and non-media organizations
Oversee contributions by colleagues to outreach and engagement projects
Research, track and present metrics for targeted outreach and engagement projects, including both quantitative and qualitative measurements
Collaborate with colleagues across divisions on strategic, multi-platform content creation, distribution, audience engagement and community mobilization projects
Provide research, writing and editing support for proposal and strategy memos
Contribute, as needed, to other company initiatives including, but not limited to, pro bono work Continue reading →

Posted in Job opening | Tagged job hunting, job opening | Leave a comment

Job opening — breaking news producer, New York

Posted on July 23, 2013 by John N. Frank

Almost every job listing coming my way recently has been for an East Coast position, anyone hiring in the rest of the country? I post openings free of charge on my blog. Let me know. Good luck and always be job hunting.
John

Company: Digital First Media
Position:
Breaking News producer
Location:
New York, New York
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires:
August 20, 2013
Job ID: 1511663
Description:
Digital First Media’s Thunderdome operation, a national news hub, is seeking a breaking news Web producer to work on our high-metabolism breaking news team as we work to re-imagine digital breaking news. The producer position requires strong digital and journalism skills, and a love for fast-paced Web news.
We provide a variety of services to our 70-plus daily and numerous non-daily news sites, which include The Denver Post, Salt Lake Tribune, Detroit News, El Paso Times, San Jose Mercury News, Boulder Daily Camera, New Haven Register, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and many others. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing news operation.

The ideal candidate should
> Stay on top of breaking news and trending stories
> Excel at searching for news and information online
> Be versatile, efficient and pay attention to detail
> Have experience working in content management systems and a demonstrated ability to learn new systems and tools
> Be experienced in all aspects of Web production, including editing copy, writing headlines and incorporating multimedia elements
> Be able to produce clean, accurate copy with an adaptable voice
> Have editing experience
> Understand and be interested in how a digital audience consumes news
> Have a basic understanding of HTML and AP style
> Pitch and produce compelling, recurring features that help build an audience over time
> Be capable of assisting other sections with producing or reporting as necessary
> Mobile experience is a plus.

HELP WANTED

Continue reading →

Posted in job hunting, Job opening | Tagged job hunting, job opening | Leave a comment

A coworker reviews “Always Be Job Hunting”

Posted on July 22, 2013 by John N. Frank

When a coworker asked to buy a copy of my book, Always Be Job Hunting, recently, I wondered what her reaction would be to reading about my career and the choices I have made. Last week, she gave me my answer in the form of this book review. I was truly touched by her insights and sentiments about the book, I hope it will help others as well.

Always Be Job Hunting. The title says it all. When I first heard my new coworker at the time had written a book, I was quite surprised. When I heard it was a book about his career search, I was intrigued and interested. However, I was not quite ready to take the plunge and read it.

Now more than a year later, after some soul searching of my own, I have read and can truly appreciate it for what it is: a coming of age story. Throughout John’s account from the very beginnings of his career to the last chapter when he starts at Mintel, I feel I am with him every step of the way through happier times, fast times, fun times, and even sad times in his career.

Throughout, everything John goes through in this book can be summed up into the five core lessons below:
1) Always be on the lookout for the next best thing. John reminds us to never become too comfortable and stagnant, and to continue to be on the lookout for the next best thing. The glass ceiling is real!
2) Anything is possible. When one door closes, an even better door (or job opportunity) is right behind a new door with your name on it.
3) Maintain a positive attitude and outlook. Although there are a few instances where his mercurial nature emerges, John’s natural calm demeanor always prevails allowing him to make level headed decisions in his career.
4) Make the most of every situation. Each and every position, role, and responsibility is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, and how you handle them is what matters most.
5) Never settle. This is perhaps the most important realization in the book. As the saying goes, you are what you put up with and what you accept. Accept only the best.

However, throughout his job hopping, John’s realization of what is most important is evident: you work with that which is most important to you. John’s desire to achieve a work and family balance makes him a pioneer in working from home and provides a very stark reminder to never sacrifice what you love most for a job. What I learned most from this book is that jobs may come and go, however it is very important that you maintain your integrity and keep that which is closest to you in your heart, and never sacrifice your family and personal life for a job or career.

As someone fairly early in their career, I appreciate the practical tips, tricks, and advice on navigating the job search, as well as the heartfelt wisdom on balancing career needs and family needs. This book is a must read for anyone — college students, recent college graduates, and anyone who is contemplating a serious career change. For the more experienced worker, this book is a refresher and inspiring story to keep the faith, believe, and walk in the direction that best fits you. Hey, If John can do it, so I can too!

Thanks John for such an inspirational tale into your work life. It was just I need to move forward with everything.

Posted in finding a first job, job hunting | Tagged Always Be Job Hunting, First job, job hunting, job opening | Leave a comment

Home vs. office: Where should you work?

Posted on July 22, 2013 by John N. Frank

Working from home wins hands-down for me because writing is a solitary endeavor. I do wonder about this idea, mentioned here, that chance meetings in an office are really what sparks corporate creativity. Have companies become that creatively bankrupt that they’re leaving their creativity to chance now?