Category Archives: Facebook

April 11, 2013

Are we missing the signs of depression on Facebook

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

depression1

“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.” – Elizabeth Wurtzel

Depression is all around us. It does not discriminate by gender, age or lifestyle. In infects us and spreads like a cancer and takes over our lives. For some, the signs are very clear while others hide it very well through their actions or lack of actions. With the world being brought at our finger tips are we missing the clear signs of depression or choosing to turn a blind eye to them?

Facebook is populated by over one-sixth of the human population. It has bridged our worlds and put the idea of voyeurism and stalking into every day activities. There are so many common indicators of depression and so many of us need to be aware and take action to help.

After all, these are our “friends”.

depression2

What are these signs that a person may be suffering from some level of depression?:

  • Aggressive use of language on the social networks (Facebook, Google+, Twitter)
  • Constant uploading of self portraits.  When someone is constantly putting up pictures of themselves or re-issuing their favorites looking for reinforcement of their “beauty”, that can be a clear indicator
  • Constant quotes about seeking a better place, a better life, a true utopia
  • Constantly checking in to reinforce to their circle how socially active they are
  • Posing a number of “what if” questions or commentary on society
  • Not having any pictures of yourself but friends and family only.  Perhaps a sign of hiding behind unfriendly aging
  • Showing many pictures of drinking or many check ins to bars
  • Late night random thoughts out of character
  • Adding many new friends often.  Needing to be surrounded by strangers and constant attention can be an indicator as well

This is just the tip of the iceberg.   We can list off another ten or fifteen behavioral indicators on Facebook that could be a silent scream for help.

How many of these have you seen?

depression3

How often have you reached out to try and help or even ask if someone needed help?

I am going to lean on a small percentage that have taken on the task of question number two.

I have witnessed these signs and later learned of depression, rehab, loneliness, sadness and rejection from these same people.

Maybe Facebook is the great savior for avoidance of responsibility since it is a virtual tool or maybe we have a higher responsibility to help.

Next time you witness behavior that is unorthodox, it doesn’t hurt to ask and just maybe you might be saving a life.

Leave a comment | posted in depression, Disease, Facebook, help, Loneliness, The Fray

January 30, 2013

Friendship Application – Test of True Friendship

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

friend

This is an official application for friendship. In order to be considered, the application must be completed in its entirety. This is also pending a satisfactory completion of background check and competency/intelligence test

This is a sure fire test to determine if that person you want in your life as a true friend is worthy of you.

Name (Yours please) __________________________________
Number of current friends (real life)  ____________________________
Number of Facebook friends ___________________________

Differential:  If Facebook friends to real friends is more than a 4 to 1 ratio, bad sign!

Do you smoke? ______
How often to you drink (Days a week) _________
How many minutes a month do you average on your mobile? __________
How many texts a month do you average on your mobile? ____________

When you are at the dinner table are you eyes on:

Television with the game on ______
Your phone on the table ______
Your friends/date ______
(Don’t lie, I will know)

When a friend calls you do you:

Call back when you can _______
Text them and say “whats up?” _______
Ignore it and call back when you are bored _______

How often to you Facebook stalk?

1 – 2 Times a week _________
3 – 5 Times a week _________
6 – 10 Times a week _________
11+ _________

Do you make plans ahead or do you wait until the last minute and if you have nothing to do, you call all your friends to hang out? _____________

When you make a plan, what is the percentage of time you will meet your commitment? _________

Do you typically call your friends or wait for them to call you?  ______________

What is your preferred method of communicating to your friends:

  • In person                 _______
  • Text                            _______
  • Talking on phone  _______
  • Skype                         _______
  • Walkie Talkie          _______
  • Other                         _______

What something important happens in your life, how do you tell your friends:

  • Group Text                                 ___________
  • Facebook Announcement   ___________
  • Call them                                    ___________
  • Individual Text                       ___________
  • Write a blog                              ___________
  • Call a meeting                          ___________

Do you check in everywhere you go?  _______

Do you take pictures everywhere you go and upload on Facebook or Google+?  _______

Can you go an entire day without your phone?  _______

Rank these things in order of importance in your life:

  • Car                         ____________
  • Phone                   ____________
  • Family                  ____________
  • Friends                ____________
  • Money                 ____________
  • Job                        ____________
  • Alcohol/Drugs ____________
  • Laptop/Tablet ____________
  • Clothes/Shoes ____________

A friend is taken to the hospital do you:

  • Drop everything and go immediately to see them     ________________
  • Text them and see if they are ok                                        ________________
  • Call them or a family member to check in                     ________________
  • Assume they are ok and go on with your life               ________________
  • Wait for someone to update you                                      ________________
  • Make a plan to see them later                                            ________________

A friend needs a shoulder to cry on, do you:

  • Ignore it because you hate dealing with bad news and emotions            _________________
  • Offer to be there for them as long as they need you                                       _________________
  • Promise to be there but something always comes up                                   _________________
  • Try to get another friend to take your place                                                     _________________

If a friend gives you a gift, do you:

  • Refuse because you don’t want to buy them one            ______________
  • Refuse because you are modest                                            ______________
  • Accept graciously                                                                       ______________

It is your friends birthday, you:

  • Take the lead in planning                                                                        ________________
  • Hope someone else takes the lead and wait to be invited         ________________
  • Hope nothing happens because you hate buying gifts               ________________
  • Accept that a wall update happy birthday is enough                  ________________

2 comments | posted in application, Facebook, Friends, Friendship, test

May 6, 2012

I Broke Up with Facebook…And I’m doing ok

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

It has been almost two weeks since I broke up with Facebook.
I have not liked, shared, checked-in or uploaded anything and it feels quite refreshing.

How ironic, on the cusp of perhaps the biggest IPO in history that will make a few key individuals billionaires within minutes, I have chosen to break up.

This is by no means finite. I downloaded my file to a zip and I can re-activate at any time. Please don’t shed any tears.

Before we move forward, there are several key points that need to be made:

1. I do much of my professional duties in the Social Media space.
2. I manage a successful blog and chose to walk away from the biggest social network in the world and currently the #2 ranked website in the world (Alexa.com Ranking of Facebook)). Yet there has been no significant decrease in traffic.
3. Since deactivation which removes all comments, likes and administrator duties, only 4 of my 1075 even noticed
4. Without the ability to share every activity of my life with pictures, video and commentary, I do not feel any less valued by society.

Now back to the story.

A recent study came out indicating that Facebook is increasing levels of loneliness and narcissism in people. Duh! A need for instant affirmation is critical with status updates, pictures, videos, comments, likes and shares. For those that stay at home and scroll down on all their friends and contacts out and about doing fun and exciting things could create a sense of loneliness and lack of societal value. That just saved thousands of dollars and labor hours. I should do more of these studies.

Why now do we feel we need instant gratification for each and every move of our lives? Is it society that has always been this way and now we have a tool to feed on these actions or has this tool contributed to the evolution of a new way of life? Interesting coffee time discussion if you ask me.

Whether it is an IPad, laptop or mobile device, millions of people around the globe are creating their own small version of The Truman Show. We are all open for broadcast 24/7 whether anyone is watching or not. Who is our target audience? Is it our friends, our family or ourselves? Maybe in a way, we need to document the timeline of our life to validate its importance to ourselves. These visual journals may create the perception of a higher sense of worth.

Facebook has given us the tool to bring us to the highest levels of happiness and depression almost simultaneously.

Divorce, Stalking, Crime – Facebook Style

Has Facebook become the new face of divorce? Not necessarily marriage divorce alone but relationship divorce. How many relationships are not official until it says so on Facebook. How many break ups happen because your significant other was seen doing something inappropriate or became friends with an attractive person.

Transition into the new face of stalking? Oh stalking. Now you can check up on your friends, your significant other, a potential candidate, a potential vendor, contractors or anyone. Not only does your profile reveal so much but your pictures, likes, comments are all becoming more and more public. All of this allows us to create (in our minds) a picture of who we think you are. If I see you curse on a comment or show what I feel is an inappropriate picture, will I not hire you? If you believe in something I am against, will I not become friends with you? Hmmmm interesting.

Has anything thought through the idea of crime. Take for a moment to think about a family going to Orlando, Florida for a week. They send pictures from the road, laughing with Mickey, dancing at night and all is peachy in the world. Now that means there is a likelihood the house is vacant. Is it that hard to use the White Pages, find an address and burglarize the house? I think not.

Situation #2, take a jaded ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, old boss or criminal that you put away with your witness testimony. If you continue to check in everywhere you go, you take the mystery away from someone who is trying to hurt you to find you.

None of this is new.
Safety and security concerns has come under constant scrutiny on Facebook for years but it is not stopping millions from becoming part of this global domination community.

Facebook is more than a social network
It is more than a business model
It is more than a community sharing device.
It is shaping a world that is weak to cultural acceptance
We all want to belong and what better place than the biggest virtual network in the world.

When we look back 50 years from now and there are more humanoids than humans, this could have been the catalyst that started us on the road to disconnection. It could be the moment that changed the face of Earth.

I have often asked myself, when did things start to go wrong…2003

Now as I begin week three single from Facebook, I can say the following things:

1. I have not thought being on the site.
2. It is very refreshing not having your work, lifestyle and relationships under constant radar.
3. It has freed up more time to live.
4. It’s only a social network. There are many many many more including but not limited to: Our Bucket List, Pinterest,
LinkedIn, Twitter, Deviant Art, Live Journal and Google+,

Whether you stay on Facebook or not is a personal choice and this article is not meant to sway you either way. Just make sure at the end of the day, you are happy.

3 comments | posted in break up, Culture, Deactivate, Facebook, Loneliness, narcissism, Society

February 5, 2012

The Super Bowl is over…Thanks to the cultural shift of immediacy provided by social media

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

It is official, the New York Giants have won Super Bowl XLVI. This comes as devestating news to the New England Patriots as well as Las Vegas and off shore gambling platforms who stand to lose billions of dollars over the next 12 hours. Now what do we do? The beer and wine are purchased, dips are being stirred, wings are being defrosted, corn hole and horses shoes are set up and jerseys are being ironed. The good news is that most of the commercials (Thank you Jerry Seinfeld and Matthew Broderick) have not yet been aired and we do not know the final score of the match up.

Early indication from analysts is that the commercials may very well disappoint lacking in creativity and originality but aside from Budweiser, Doritos and Go Daddy, we may see the next great commercial (aka Apple circa 1984). We hope the analysts are wrong given that there is not much other reason to watch the game. There is a possibility, the coin toss has not been decided and what type of polo shirt Peyton Manning will be wearing as well.

We look at the New York Giants premature declaration of victory (Website Mishap) and think back to some of the premature announcements of death by Twitter of Michael Jackson and Joe Paterno as well as the false deaths of Chuck Norris, Jon Bon Jovi and the great Rick Astley.

So, is this an issue that must be addressed or do we need to accept that with the instant tools of communication with social media platforms and smart phones these errors of judgement will occur because we want to be the first to break major news? We have all been inaugurated as junior newscasters to the world. As part of that duty, we must take the role of paparazzi and fight to break the news to the masses.

This is quite a cultural shift, almost to the point where it has numbed our ability to feel any longer. I recall several months back, I was at a pub enjoying some nice banter with a few friends and the television announced a surprise press conference from President Obama at midnight. A student two seats down turned to me and said “We killed Bin Laden”. I asked how he knew. He informed me that a friend of his was interning at the Capital and leaked him the information. Not entirely to my surprise, he was right, but more important was the reaction of the crowd. The bar cheered and then a full round of shots was bought for us and within 5 minutes, we were back to talking about the banter we were engaging in prior to the press conference. There was truly no time to allow the emotions to sing in and react to this monumental event. I can still recall the importance and length of my memories of some of the most life altering events in my life time. I can still remember every minute of the events before, during and after the Challenger Disaster and September 11.

When hundreds of thousands write RIP/R.I.P. on Twitter and Facebook without really knowing anything about the celebrities that pass, is it really a sign of remorse or a narcissistic attempt to be part of something? It is almost to a state of emotional void that our society has become. Have we lost the ability to feel? If we share a cause or express a comment of remorse, are we off the hook?

If you have not yet, put your money on the New York Giants while you can. History has been determined and for the second time since the 2007 season, the New York Giants have defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl. Enjoy the game, the commercials and the half time show.

When events happen in our lifetime that alter the way we think and the impact on our lives, give yourself some time to let it sink in and let yourself feel. Try not to break the news BEFORE it actually happens.

In the end, life is not about reporting it; its about living it.

Leave a comment | posted in Commercials, Emotions, Facebook, Feelings, Football, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Remorse, Social Media, Sports, Super Bowl, Twitter

December 31, 2011

How Facebook Makes Us Go from John Doe to Justin Bieber!!

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

This is not intended for the passive Facebook user or the professional user. This article is about the rarest of Facebook breeds. The ones hidden deep in the trenches of locked up bedrooms covered in music posters and pink polka dots and basements with hundreds of thousands of mint condition comics. Yes, the truest of Facebook users, the Facebook Addict!

The most refined addict is very much aware of their actions and behaviors but there are some of us that are sub-consciously brainwashed by the ultimate social network that we don’t even realize we have hit that status.

Time to wake up, smell the pokes, the uploads, the status updates, the friend lists, the stalking and the narcissistic real time comment responses and see what is right in front of you.

A Facebook addict generally has one main weapon, the smartphone. With its ability to be mobile, take instant pictures and video and upload faster than a speeding bullet, this tool is the weapon of choice. Whether it is an IPhone, Droid or…wait are there any others, is a personal preference.

We all know the Dark Knight has an IPhone.

We are all envious of celebrities. We look to the tabloids, fashion and entertainment magazines, paparazzi shots and flock to download the music or see movies. We all want the “Rock Star” lifestyle. Now we can have it.

The number one reason Facebook can take a John/Jane Doe and make them a Justin Bieber or Adele is “Instant Celebrity Status”. If you go to a blowout party, hike a mountain, finish a marathon or come up with a life changing affirmation, you can now provide the details through a choice of media solutions (video, picture, words) instantly to your profile so all your friends and acquaintances can live vicariously through you. If you are sitting at home one evening and you see what all your friends are doing on the social circuit, there is a little bit of jealously running through those veins. We are now celebrities with just a simple click.

Frequency of check ins enhances our celebrity status by showing your circle of social life what a public butterfly you can be.

Comments are the key. What is the point of a status update if no one acknowledges it. We want everyone to comment. Even if it is only a virtual friend whom you have never spoken to. They count. They ramp up your popularity numbers. Look at Klout! Does anyone know what it all means? No, but we still strive to increase our Klout score.

Unlike real celebrities, we are in control of our image. There are no paparazzi around but we do have to keep our eyes open for wandering smartphones who could capture our image at the blink of an eye. If we take a shot that does not get approved by the board of “You”, it can be deleted for a better shot.

You have the ability to set marketing trends. When you try on outfits or buy a new car, ask your friends what they think. Planting these images in their heads will sent subliminal messages and give you the unspoken credit for marketing/promotion.

We are moving toward making therapists extinct, except for Los Angeles. It is just plain trendy out there. If we get dumped or suffer from the loss of a loved one, we pour our emotions out. People flock to provide advice and sympathy. Though not professional, it is the multitude of comments that helps us feel a little better about our situations. Those many profiles of deceased are kept open as memorials so that we can continue to reach out as if they are still beside us in their earthly state.

The most important thing to look for in a Facebook Addict is instant gratification. How quickly do they partake in an activity or event and get that shots/video up on Facebook? Is it a few weeks, a few days, or a few minutes? The quicker the upload, the more critical the addiction status. They also expect the comments to come flying in rather quickly as well.

We all want to be liked. We all want to feel loved and wanted. We all want the appreciation of feeling like a celebrity.

Facebook may have began as a site to rate the looks of students, but has created a culture shifting from 15 minutes of fame to instant celebrity status.

So to all the Facebook addicts, get out there and embrace life. Live it to the fullest but make sure you document every second. It is not enough to scale the Grand Canyon or surf Maui anymore. We are all a part of the Truman Show.

Lights, camera, action.

1 comment | posted in Celebrity, Facebook, paparazzi, photos, Status updates, Video

November 2, 2011

Half Of Young Professionals Value Facebook Access, Smartphone Options Over Salary

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

Half Of Young Professionals Value Facebook Access, Smartphone Options Over Salary: Report

By: Austin Carr

For a whole new generation of tech-savvy young professionals, having access to social media or the right smartphone in the workplace is at times more important than earning a higher salary. For businesses, that means adapting to this change in priorities rather than resisting it–if the Mad Men-era job force expected noon whiskeys and female secretaries, then our modern-day equivalent demands Facebook and iPhones.

The findings come thanks to Cisco’s second annual Connected World Technology Report, a study released today that says attracting and maintaining Millennial talent takes more than the number of zeroes attached to a weekly paycheck. The company surveyed 1,400 college students aged 18 to 23 and 1,400 young professionals under the age of 30 across 14 countries. HR and IT managers take note: “The growing use of the Internet and mobile devices in the workplace is creating a significant impact on job decisions, hiring and work-life balance,” the report concluded. “The ability to use social media, mobile devices, and the Internet more freely in the workplace is strong enough to influence job choice, sometimes more than salary.”

Cisco’s findings are telling of a generation that’s been glued to LCD screens and wired to social networks from an early age. According to the report, 40% of college students and 45% of young professionals would accept lower-paying jobs if they had more access to social media, more choice in the devices they could use at work, and more flexibility in working remotely. More than half of the college students surveyed indicated that if an employer banned access to networks like Facebook at work, “they would either not accept a job offer from them or would join and find a way to circumvent.”

This technology addiction represents a major opportunity for employers looking to add to their bottom lines while recruiting top talent. For just a few simple workplace concessions (say, allowing employees to choose an iPhone over a BlackBerry, and opening up access to social networks), recruits could be more likely to accept job offers–and at a lower salary. One in four college students, according to the report, said issues like these–while likely baffling to older generations–would represent key factors in their decision to accept a job offer. (To demonstrate just how obsessed Millennials are with their precious tech, Cisco also discovered that more than half of respondents said they’d rather lose their wallets or purses before losing their smartphones or mobile devices.)

At Cisco, the company is exploring internal opportunities to take advantage of the report’s findings, which continue to show an increased melding between one’s professional and personal life. Employees more and more show an interest in working from home, using a work-issued mobile device for personal purposes, and connect to social networks while on the job. (There’s a reason why services such as Yammer, the enterprise version of Facebook, are becoming so popular.) In fact, seven out of 10 college students said company-issued devices should be allowed for personal use. That’s why Cisco, for example, is internally testing what’s called BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, meaning employees can come to work with whatever technology they prefer–be it an Android smartphone, an iPad, or a Windows-based laptop.

If that’s what it takes to recruit top talent these days–especially at a potentially lower price–how can you complain?

Provided by Fast Company (www.fastcompany.com)

http://www.fastcompany.com/1792349/cisco-report-half-of-young-professionals-value-social-media-access-over-salary

Leave a comment | posted in Cisco, College Graduates, Facebook, Fast Company, Jobs, Smartphones, Study, Young Professionals

October 3, 2011

Are We Becoming a Society of “Text Therapy”

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

“Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear, which is inherent in a human condition” – Graham Greene

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” – Hubert H. Humphrey

What is “Text Therapy”?

If you search the truth (aka Urban Dictionary) you will find several self imposed definitions of the growing phenomenon in our social sphere. Some view it as the consolidation of emotions into a small phrase on Twitter, Facebook or text to a discriminate or non-discriminate audience. The thought of pouring your emotions to faceless millions does sound appealing to some and almost crazy to others.

In a time where social courage is running rampant, it is no surprise that this is a growing trend. We can meet and reject dates without ever meeting them in person via dating sites, dismiss a friendship with one click, share an new relationship to a global community without making one call or expressing sorrow over the loss of a loved one to the masses. Voices are silenced but never have they been so loud.

When was it acceptable to extend the arm of vulnerability in one hundred and forty characters? Is the first thought on our minds after a divorce or break up to tell anyone in front of a computer or smartphone that will listen that it is over, I am a free person and he/she does not know what they are missing? Are we looking for a reaction from the audience that clearly, by being a friend, paid admission to witness this commment? Does the immediacy of the reactions lend a higher weight to how valued you are by your social community? Are we so in need of virtual and immediate comfort that we don’t even take the time to let the situation sink in and accept the normal course of reaction time?

All valid questions that require a much deeper evaluation of the individuals participating in this ritualistic trend. But, if this piece exceeds 800 words, we will lose the core audience and thus eliminate any value that could be served.

I would like to shift gears away from the non-discriminate form of emotional up chuck and move to a targeted approach and what I believe is “Text Therapy”. Using the small sample size of my circle of friends, I have in the past been a shoulder of comfort to some creating the grand illusion of an open ear and voice of rational thought. The acceptance of friends coming to me for advice and consultation is not new in my world. What I have begun to bear witness is the exceedingly increasing use of text therapy sessions where I would receive a long text indicating depression, fear, anxiety, loneliness, heartache and trauma.

My first reaction is to offer phone time as these are not local friends, but rarely is the offer accepted. Without the ability to give a true and sensible response via text, I offer comfort through only a few simple words. Then a few more texts may ensue or silence. I will follow up and often times I get a “I feel a little better” or “I’m ok” but no clear sign of recovery from the drama that began with the first text.

Can this free and immediate consolidated therapy provide any long term help for the distressed. I am not a doctor, but my analysis is no. I sense that the social revolution has not only brought the world closer together but created a “right now” mentality that has corrupted our ability to feel.

I vividly remember the Challenger Disaster, September 11, 2001 and the announcement of the Death of Osama Bin Laden. The first two still leave vivid details in my memory box and lingering emotions for days and years. Bin Laden was very different. First, I found out 30 minutes before the President made the announcement as it was leaked out through various channels and within 5 minutes after the announcement, the bar did a round of free shots, some continued talking about what had transpired, but most of us moved on other subjects of sports, school, dating and life. We have almost turned ourselves into drones who are incapable of feeling for a long period of time.

That is a scary thought. The ability to feel and connect is what makes us human and thus the most intelligent beings on this planet. If we lose that, we are robots, void of emotion and void of feelings of love and compassion.

Let that sink in next time you reach out and request your next immediate text therapy session.

PS – 785 Words

2 comments | posted in Comfort, Emotion, Facebook, Text Therapy, Texting, Twitter

September 25, 2011

Why Facebook is so important today…

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

As Americans and world citizens look at the events that have transpired since 2007 to present, we are looking to others for answers. As we seemingly ended a two year recessionary period and began a new era of prosperity, we had the carpet dragged out from under us. Housing start ups are at record lows along with interest rates and mortgage rates, consumer confidence is drained, unemployment rates are staggeringly high and the security of the banking/lending industry is at risk. It is an epidemic in which each one of us is or knows someone affected by this crisis.

The 1970′s underwent a turbulent period itself. As the Vietnam war raged on sinking tax payer money into a war many of us didn’t understand and a country was being divided by pro and anti-war sentiment, we were witnessing an economic crisis at home. Gas shortages, high interest rates and dangerous unemployment were key concerns for the Ford and Carter administrations.

How do you distract yourself from the harsh realities all around you? The great emancipation is in the ability to find another addictive element to off set the pains so many are feeling. In 1972, Nolan Bushnell became a pioneer creating what may have been the greatest addictive savior of the last century. Founding the video game and home computer company Atari and thus bringing the age of video games to the household. In 1977, the Atari 2600, which would be the most financially successful of the product releases, would take us into the next decade and spearhead the age of MTV, handheld gaming devices, computer based games, Myspace, IPods and Facebook.

In a moment of crisis where budgets are tight, families are worried and a state of confusion and unrest fills the air, what greater contribution to society than a device no more than five pounds that can hold a family captive hours at a time, day after day. Whether it was Frogger, Donkey Kong, Astroids, Centipede or Star Wars, this now primitive technology won the hearts of millions and gave us a reason not to focus on our own lives.

Now a new generation is scared.
We can’t spend our money…Malls, sporting events, concerts and dining are out.
We can’t find jobs…Boredom and depression are now susceptible realities.
We can’t travel…Alternative ways to see the world must be found
We can’t drive or talk on the phone…Costs are too high…How do I keep in touch with friends and family

Mark Zuckerberg could not have had better timing in 2003 when The Facebook hit the campus scene and then the world. 2007 began our generations Great Depression. With no signs that recovery is in the immediate future, now more than ever do we need another “Great Distractor”

Thank you Facebook for giving us a tool to take our minds off of the banking and housing crisis, terrorism, unemployment, budget struggles, world trade, political unrest and gas prices. We needed a platform with games, communication channels, quizzes, video/picture sharing tools, wall posts, message boards, communities and networking capability at the comfort of your own home, mobile device or coffee shop.

Mark Zuckerberg to some is a pioneer and to others a fortunate recipient of opportunity. Either way, he is this generations Nolan Bushnell. Without Facebook, perhaps there would be another tool to help numb our minds of global conditions but maybe not. We might spend hours a day on Facebook, complain about the new format, talk about how it is taking over our lives, start theories how they know everything (which they probably do), and even make a New Year’s Resolution to quit but the bottom line is that it is doing society a much needed service.

Thank you Facebook for being the most addictive non-narcotic creating a smoke screen to over one billion people daily and sheltering us from the harsh realities.

1 comment | posted in Addiction, Atari, Banking, Distraction, Economy, Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, Mortgages, Nolan Bushnell, Polictics, Recession, Unemployment

September 2, 2011

What if Moses Had Social Media to Execute His Mission to the Promise Land..

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

If modern technology and social communication channel existed for Moses, he could have been much more efficient in his efforts to free the Jews from Pharaoh and lead them to the promise land….

Enjoy this reenactment provided by Aish.com and Youtube

Leave a comment | posted in Amazon, Email, Exodus, Facebook, History, Humor, Jews, Pharaoh, Plagues, Social Media

August 25, 2011

The Throw it and See What Sticks Approach will not work in your job search!

By Recruiterpoet - Professionalism With Flare

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller

“Hey Mark-

Thank you for accepting my invitation to connect on LinkedIn.

Please let me know how I can help you.

I am a Purchasing Professional in transition. Any suggestions?”

Shortly after sending a LinkedIn request from this gentleman, I received this email. I am certain I am one of many recruiters this individual reached out to. Naturally, this person had no idea what my industry, role support or leverage/networking capability was. He was hoping that someone could link up with him and provide him with the next career opportunity. Without further information about what specific area of purchasing he was involved in (vendor relations, supply chain, operations, inventory, etc.) it was impossible to provide an educated response so I did reach out for further information and at the the time of publication have yet to hear back (Four days later).

It got me thinking that with all the emphasis on the high unemployment rate and the slowing job creation growth rate, maybe the slowing growth rate is not the only concern. My experiences have indicated that for many, we don’t know how to be “unemployed”. The art of the career search is a delicate process of focus, research, marketing, communications and sales. It is a precise and patient process that in the end, if done correctly, could yield you a career move that is far better than your previous role. So why are so many cheating or being just lazy with their approach?

Because they believe they can solve their unemployment dilemma with volume and numbers.

I am here to tell you that the “Throw it and see what sticks approach” rarely works.

Before I committed to my theory, I decided to try a little experiment. Thank you to my physics and chemistry teachers in high school for providing me with the precise know how to effectively conduct the experience, examine my findings and draw efficient conclusions. I took marshmallows, gummi bears and Swedish fish and began. I will say the sample sizes were equal before I began, but the Swedish fish are so yummy. One by one I threw them against the white wall of the house to see if in fact they would stick. My results were conclusive. One hundred percent of the test samples did not stick. Thus, the practice of “throw it and see what sticks” does in fact not work.

Then I decided to extend my social experiment to Facebook. I have a number of Facebook “friends” in the Charleston area. Predominately, they are businesses and the reason behind my many local business connections is for the social calendar it presents. It is an opportunity for me to see what music, theater, and dining options are available to me on any given day or week. Since I have a high number of “mutual friends” I have gotten a number of requests for connecting with people I have never spoken a word to nor do I expect to. I am trying to figure out why. I am not a local business, I am not offering a service. I am just ME! So why? Maybe they just feel like they need to since we have many mutual friends or because of the large numbers of connections they feel they should know more for some reason unknown to themselves. I even see this as a sub-set to the “throw it and see what sticks” approach.

Now what is wrong with this approach? Beyond the obvious that it lacks focus, innovation and research, it is a flawed approach. Given the increasing population and the limited job growth concerns that we will be dealing with for several years to come, organizations are becoming leaner and relying on specialized talent to fill the limited needs. Having industry knowledge, cultural experience, soft skills and technical skills are going to be the key to success in this job market.

Companies are becoming more in tune with the “complete candidate” The complete candidate is a package deal. That is the resume, the career flow, the soft skills, the specific technical capabilities and the social interaction. Social Interaction: What does that mean?

That means:

1. The behaviors and actions on social networking channels?
2. How aggressive and focused is your behavior in your job search process (How many roles do you apply to, how often do you call recruiters, how much effort are you putting into your search.)
3. How well do you know yourself (What are your strengths, what are your areas of improvement? Are you leveraging your strengths?)
4. Are you showing personal and professional growth?
5. What other areas of your life are completing your personality (Volunteer work, community service, communities)

We are no longer summed up by a resume/CV. We are now part of the growing cloud of life; the sum of all our actions. Each choice we make in our careers, training, community and social life is a permanent tattoo on our image or personal brand.

The key to a successful career transition is a clear focus on what has made you who you are and then take that mirror image of yourself to the next level and think different. In a market that is more competitive now than it has ever been before, the critical need to stand out from the crowd and re-invent may be the most important aspect of your search. Your skills will provide your with the tool kit to succeed once you have the job, but your unique approach will get your foot in the door.

When you wake up and sit down in front of your IPad, PC or laptop, think about how you will approach your career search, determine if your current marketing plan is working and then re-invent yourself.

Leave a comment | posted in Apple, Careers, Facebook, Job Search, Jobs, Linkedin, Marketing, Resume, Think Different

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