How dirty (digitally) are you?

Back in the day when I was still in the BPO industry, I remember interviewing this guy who had a bad-@$$ tattoo on his forearm and neck.  We had the interview inside one of our interview rooms with web access (in between interviews, I would use the terminal to do a quick background check on my applicants where perhaps a simple Google query would do - I'm pretty sure a lot of recruiters do the same).

Well, to measure his communication skills, I asked the guy to give me in detail how a normal day at work for him went (he was from a competing BPO).  So blah blah blah he went , and I glanced at his resume and on his online profile.  I saw a lot of drunk photos and I also noticed that some positions and companies were mentioned online but were left out in his resume.  So I asked about the gaps in his resume, without giving him an idea that I already saw the companies/job titles he shared online.  His face turned a bit red and, well ...we'll get back to him later.


After conducting so many interviews, I am pretty confident when someone is not being truthful to me.  But having the internet to check on a hunch is a pretty awesome tool for a recruiter... and this probably doesn't help a lot of job hunters who aren't mindful of the digital dirt they have out there.

photo from http://www.snarkdit.com/passed-out/

Take time to Reflect and Research about your presence online.  How many photos do you have drunk and passed out?  How many times did you make fun of someone at work or said a bad word about a company?  I know some job hunters who bad-mouth potential employers because of an interview that went awry or because they didn't offer enough moolah - things that your future interviewer can read and will try to put into context.


Do yourself a favor and Google yourself (or Yahoo, or Bing, or whatever tickles your fancy).  Key in your name, and check for the Web content, Images content, or Video content about you.  See if anything comes up, and if it does, see if you can do something about it (maybe simply un-tagging yourself would help or remove the content if possible).  You can also keep yourself updated through Google alerts: you just key in your name and choose the volume and frequency of the alerts - this nifty tool will send you an email each time your name comes up online & shares the link of the content.


Remember, what goes around comes around.  If you put a negative comment about a colleague or a former employer or even a brand, understand that it would be probably be unlikely that your former colleague would recommend you to their current HR for an interview.  Or that your former boss would ask you to apply in their new company. Or an HR from a company that you made fun of would look at your resume.  Take note that social networks make money in selling user data to companies, be it for market research or even to third-party background investigators. As the internet has made it easier for people to look for job openings, advancements in web technology definitely helps recruiters in finding better fit for their organizations.


Reform your online presence and start cleaning away your digital dirt.  The best way to avoid having digital dirt is to not have any. Always be careful of the photos you share (no matter how awesome!).  Be careful on what you say in public forums (please do not bad mouth your employers or bosses) and revise your Facebook privacy settings (avoid getting tagged in photos without your permission).  Make sure you "like" fan sites or join groups that that are safe (think like a recruiter or hiring manager! what sites or fan pages would give you a red flag about an applicant?).  Basically, if you are serious about job hunting then you are going to have to reform yourself and make sure you convey a mature presence - and do not do this just online, please.  Honesty is still the best policy - align your online presence with the resume that you send forward (get on LinkedIn, for starters, and there are a number of guides available to help you get started).

You can also secure the services of a company such as Reputation Defender . For a few thousand pesos, they would address your needs of cleaning up your online presence (I doubt if it is guaranteed though especially for job hunters outside of the USA).

I admittedly tend to joke a lot on my social networks or joke/comment about personalities from sports and politics - but I try to make sure that they sound like jokes and nothing extremely hateful.  Keep in mind that there is always that risk of offending someone who comes across your tweet or blog or comment - and this can eventually hurt your chances of progressing in a job interview.

Going back to the tattooed guy I interviewed - well, he tried to describe the gaps (albeit lie) he had in his resume without mentioning the titles he had on his online profile (if I remember correctly, he said he took breaks and went around the Philippines or tried to open a business etc.).  I then put on my inquisitor cap (sorry, this is a trade secret, folks) and I got him to admit why he was terminated from those other BPOs (in one BPO, he got terminated because of a scandal that happened inside the premises, and then in another due to poor performance, etc. etc. etc.).  Oh, and he pretty much had a lot of not-so-nice things to say about his former employers.  "Thank you and have a nice day", said this recruiter.

Photo from www.whosawesome.com

"Past behavior predicts future behavior", folks, and those of us who do behavioral interviews strongly believe in this.  So be mindful of what behaviors you display online.



Alonto for the assist...

Khairy Alonto took his MBA at AIM and now works there. Follow him on Twitter @khairyalonto or view his profile on http://ph.linkedin.com/in/khairyalonto

The 4 R's of the Job Hunt Cycle

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled... -  Led Zeppelin

Good grief, it has been a while since my last post.  It's been a rocky year but you gotta roll with the punches.

I just want to share a framework I devised from what I have learned these past two years working for the career management services office of the Asian Institute of Management.  This job allowed me to learn from   my respected professors, business owners, managers, headhuters, and HR practitioners from different parts of the world - and not to mention counselling a diverse student body composed of experienced individuals from all over as well.

There are a number of takes on the job hunt cycle available online, but I feel I can add another framework that is captured in a 4-part process, namely the 4 R's: Reflection - Research - Reform - Recruitment.
( If you don't like it, well then, to echo Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam: this is not for you.)

I'm from the nineties so I am more of an OHP guy than a PPT guy, so here's my diagram on the 4 R's  

Why is it a cycle? Well, frankly, your job hunt typically doesn't end after a rejected interview or after landing a job.  This cycle can take place in long stretches of time or even almost immediately after a job interview.

Essentially, the first part of the cycle is Reflection.  This is when you look internally and ask yourself: what are my transferable skills? what motivates me? who am I carrying this bag of bricks for? am I in the right place?  I feel we owe it to ourselves and it's practically our responsibility to always be on the lookout for better opportunities to grab within our organization or outside.  After failing an interview, do I automatically give up on my dream? (the answer: hell no).  

Richard Bolle's guide to job hunting is an excellent resource and you can grab a copy at almost any bookstore.  He talks about your skills that are transferable across different functions or industries- you don't have to box yourself into thinking that what you currently do for one position is limited to only being done within that organization.  Leadership, communication skills, adaptability - these are all competencies that are not restricted by job titles or companies. 

You have to know what your skills are (I recently asked my students to take the Bloomberg Assessment Test which is an excellent tool for those who want a career in finance) and find out where you are lacking.

You have to reflect and figure out for yourself what the next step is in your career. You have to align your capabilities, core values, your mission in life, your wants & needs, and your career objectives to be happy (and isn't that essentially what we are after - happiness?).

What will make you happy, you might ask?  Well, job hunter, you then have to do your Research: where and when do you take that next step?

You have to know more about the market and where you have a competitive advantage.  Ask around - is it the right time to jump into a certain industry or to join a certain company?  Know more about the industry that interests you and the roles that you find intriguing.  You might find out that in order to move careers, you can consider taking internships as a gateway or apply for management trainee programs (it could mean taking a considerable pay cut in the short term, but in the long run it can reap tremendous benefits especially if we are talking about self-fulfillment).  If you find you are lacking in some areas of a desired career, then you go on to the next step which is:

Reform.
Our needs and wants, our situations, etc. will always change (ergo the overly used mantra that the only thing constant in this world is change), and as talents we have to constantly adjust in our pursuit of happiness.

Michael Jordan,  well known for his aerial ability, re-entered the NBA after his first retirement without the same hops BUT learned to do the best fade-away jumper in the history of basketball.

M. Night Shyamalayan, known for suspense thrillers (I see dead people), learned (I hope) that he should stay away from adaptations (I see sleeping people) . 

But that doesn't mean I didn't reform over the years, so here's the same diagram in a more PPT friendly format 

Be it by adding skills through learning programs at work or taking further education  (e.g. take an MBA at AIM, it's awesome here), improving your communication skills , learning how to dress or present yourself properly (try the courses of John Robert Powers), learning a new language, or getting physically fit, you have got to make change happen (yup, I Obama'd that one). 

Here's another overly used quote but I love and believe in: "be the change you want to see in the world" (if you don't know who said that, then you are no fun).

The change has to be aligned with your goals and objectives which you should have covered in Reflection and Research.  You also will probably need to learn how to tailor-fit your resumes to make them more targeted and to learn how to handle case interviews or job interviews in general.

Also, you definitely need to improve your personal network.  For starters, go on LinkedIn.  As a job hunter, you have to think like a hiring manager - more often than not, you would want to hire someone you are already familiar with.  At AIM, I tell my students that they should use their internships as a break into the company and get more contacts whom they can approach for career advice.

You then enter the "battle" of Recruitment. If you did a good job in the first three components of the cycle, then this should be a breeze.  I've come across a lot of  job hunters who only think of this phase of the cycle and end up getting frustrated.  It isn't just about attending job fairs and taking interviews - you have to know what you're made of, what openings match you, what things you need to add to your utility belt, before you go for an interview.

I really feel that if you give a lot of thought and effort in addressing these areas, you'll be able to sift through job openings you find on JobStreet, Jobsdb or Monster quicker and you would only apply for the ones that really matter to you.  You'll know how to tackle the job opening with the right resume and the right approach during interviews. You'll know who to talk to in the organization because you improved your network.

Don't get lost in a sea of job hunters...

Is job hunting as simple as that? At the end of the day, this all depends on you, dear reader.

Be ready to explore possibilities and be targeted in your job hunt, but more importantly, be brave enough to fail. Because dude, it's a cycle - so, rock and roll.


Alonto for the assist...

Khairy Alonto took his MBA at AIM and now works there. Follow him on Twitter @khairyalonto or view his profile on http://ph.linkedin.com/in/khairyalonto


(by the way, my team at the Career Management Services of the AIM W.SyCip Graduate School of Business helps out in addressing the needs of our students with regards to the job hunt cycle intricately. Shameless plug.)

Choice Picks from Career Tools

This is a list of choice Career Tools podcasts from Manager Tools that I think would be helpful to any type of job-hunter.  Career Tools are discussions between Michael Auzenne and Mark Horstman and they provide advice on topics about job hunting, work etiquette, and career decisions.

You can visit their website at www.manager-tools.com 
Thank you to the guys at Manager Tools for this resource.

(Just click on the sub-heading for each podcast. )


The Rule of 50
I was asked by one of our students about how does one maintain their professional network.  This question, although it sounds quite basic, lead me to a search and thus finding Career Tools on iTunes.  This podcast is a very healthy discussion about this topic, and I really like the simple & helpful (and more importantly, DOABLE) tips.

Getting Started with LinkedIn Part 1
Getting Started with LinkedIn Part 2
Recent news have said that LinkedIn already has more users than MySpace, and being the professional social network, it must now be considered as a must-have in your bag of weapons for the job hunt.  These podcasts guide you on setting up your profile on LinkedIn and approaching your network.

Resumes for Graduates
Your Resume Stinks!
Resume Update 2010 Part 1
Resume Update 2010 Part 2
These podcasts are about the latest video games and movie trailers. NOT!
I just wanted to make sure I still have your attention.  These discussions provide helpful advice on how to craft a one-page resume.  Ever since I joined AIM, I have recommended the use of 1-page resumes in job applications and I have coached so many already.  I understand how difficult it is to put all of your work experience on one page, and these podcasts support what I have already shared with our students.

What to Take to an Interview
Interviewing - What to Do While You Wait
The Eight Minute Rule
These are select podcasts about what to do or not do for job interviews. I really enjoyed the Eight Minute Rule (i.e. the perfect time to arrive for your interview is arrive eight minutes early).

Other must-listen Career Tools podcasts:
The Career Tools Rule of Job Applications: 75%
Finish a Conversation
Asking your Network About an Opportunity
How to Ask for Advice
Writing Resumes for Consultants and Project Managers



I highly recommend Michael and Mark's podcasts, and you can get a full list of their audio files on iTunes (look for Career Tools) or at http://www.manager-tools.com/podcasts/career-tools 

Alonto for the assist...

Khairy Alonto took his MBA at AIM and now works there. Follow him on Twitter @khairyalonto or view his profile on http://ph.linkedin.com/in/khairyalonto

Electronic Mail Etiquette

As a recruiter and HR practitioner, I always remind employees about HR rules and regulations (because I care, and also for the obvious selfish reason that I don’t want my attrition to go up). One of the rules that are usually discussed during orientations in most companies is email decorum – I doubt any business today can survive without email unless you’re Old Man Jenkins, and I doubt any employee can survive without using proper email decorum.

During my time with a BPO, there was this one employee, let’s call him Guy A, who was given a commendation by his team leader on an email addressed to the team. Another member of his team, Guy B - fairly new and fresh out of client training - replied to the email with four words: “GOOD JOB, SNOW* JOB!” (*I know you know that word isn’t snow)

I guess everyone on that team was comfortable with that kind of language. But it just so happened that the email was sent to “All”. And since I worked for a global company, everyone from Manila to Arizona got Guy B’s message loud and clear. It was funny, until it became a serious disciplinary action I guess. I don’t think Guy B was aware of what he did until it was spelled out to him.

So what is proper email decorum at work, you might ask? Well, based on experience and from the numerous sources out there, these following tips sure help:

• If you can say it nicely, then say it nicely (don’t be a beach)
• Fill in the subject line; you don’t want it to stay forever in someone’s inbox because they didn’t bother reading your un-titled message
• DON’T CAPITALIZE YOUR LETTERS – IT LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE SHOUTING!
• Don’t send chain-mail (especially to me)
• Don’t send racy jokes at work that could offend someone; if you don’t know if something is offensive, have yourself checked too
• Be discreet and don’t gossip at work especially on email. Dude, your name is traceable. But hey, did you hear about the time ____ and _____ did the ____? (you have a dirty mind…)
• Don’t use email as a substitute during difficult issues that require face-to-face discussion, like how do you remove your officemate’s necktie from the printer feeder?
• Don’t use your work email for personal messages (that’s why Facebook was invented, duh)
• Use pRopEr puncTuation and Full sentenc
• Be brief – K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid, I mean, Keep It Short and Simple)
• Avoid unnecessary comments/opinions
• Don’t use emoticons, ok? ;-)
• Answer emails ASAP (I try to respond to my students within 24 hours. I said I try)
• Full greetings and salutations are necessary. You can start with “Greetings and Salutations” and end with “May the Force be with you” (or just use “Dear Mr. “and end with “Best Regards, “)
• Write down your thoughts so that it can help you capture the essence of your email.
• You should read the email and then refine it (again, KISS).
• Use an appropriate email signature (with designation and company address/contact info – just make sure the signature won’t be larger than the message)
• Review your email before hitting send (do your best impersonation of an MSWord spellcheck while you’re at it) and make sure you’re sending it to the right people and that it is virus-free

Also, if you make an honest mistake, don’t be afraid to recall the email (you can do this on MS Outlook) or apologize to the recipient about any error (just apologize ASAP). Nobody’s perfect anyway, but the problem really is if you didn’t even know that you made an error. Don’t be like Guy B (I was so glad he was not my hire).

Alonto for the assist...


Khairy Alonto took his MBA at AIM and now works there. Follow him on Twitter @khairyalonto or view his profile on http://ph.linkedin.com/in/khairyalonto