Making the Social Net...Work!

 As many of you know, for the last 10 months I’ve been navigating the choppy waters of finding a job. During this time my motto has been “…I will land on with both feet on the ground…in Chanel Boots!” Well, friends, it’s time to start shopping! Last week, I landed as the newest member of the Online Marketing & Media team at Aristotle, Inc. My primary focus will be social networking and Online PR. It seems only fitting that I got this job as a result of a real-life connection initiated through Twitter.com.

I am a witness that online/social networking during the job search can and will pay off. It was after attending a presentation at the Arkansas Hospitality Association Trade Show that I realized the power of social media – personally and professionally. The presentation opened my eyes to the possibilities with social networking. It was then that I began to pursue social media as a career option.

Through research, webinars, and connecting with professionals at Tweetups; I learned as much as I could about the subject. After months of tenacious efforts, I landed an opportunity in online marketing using my new interest and knowledge in social media.

For those who are still job searching, don’t give up! Keep the faith. Be strategic; and most of all, stay positive. If I can be of any assistance, I am only an e-mail, a tweet or a comment away! I would love to hear your story. How have you used social networks to find job opportunities?


Last, but not least, I would like to thank @CateyLeo everything she did to lead me to my new opportunity. You rock!

Find me on LinkedIn.

Slowly but Surely...99 Days to a Better Person Continues

Day 32 – The good news keeps coming this week! I was chosen to interview for a position with a local college. This position is outside of the marketing industry, but still a great opportunity. It will be a panel interview. Panel interviews are always a challenge. I’ve done them before. So, there will be more researching and preparing for the meeting next week. In other news, two family members passed this week and a separate cousin was involved in a bad car accident. Both memorial services are on the same day – in two different states. With God’s help the family will manage.

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Day 31 - Still on my list for this week: sending networking emails. These are always so hard, but maybe I’m putting too much thought into the process. I plan to identify 15 people and touch base with them before Sunday night. Recently, I acquired the audiobook, “Brag: How to Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It.” Today, I began listening and taking notes (as usual). Patty Klaus provides some good information. I need to work on my Brag-a-logue and Brag Bag. I also caught the tailend of a webinar from the Road Show (LA Office) on partnership opportunities with Disney/ABC Television Distribution.

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Day 30 – Still working to change my life. Good news!! I got a call back for a second round interview. Super excited!! It’s a job that I’m definitely interested in and look forward to speaking with the hiring manager. I spent the reading and researching on social media. I am energized after the great webinar yesterday. I also attended the Little Rock Arkansas Alumni Board meeting for volunteer training, and left as the newly elected 2010 Chapter Secretary. I can put my stellar note-taking skills to good use.  I was able to meet new people and be active. Love it!

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Day 29 – The day started off fine. I attended a webinar on social media by the International Social Media Association. Great information was shared and I got a shout out from the facilitator! I also joined the association today. Added that to my resume! However, things took an unexpected turn when I got in a screaming match with my father. Too deep to detail here, but we argued about my younger brother, a heated topic in our household. I spent the rest of the afternoon in my room – researching. I made dinner and things are better now.

Making Connections

Day 26 – Finally a sunny day in the area. I was tempted to go to the State Fair, but decided against it. I spent time at the Department of Workforce Services instead. I found a few jobs to apply for next week. I hope this will be a fruitful venture. Wonder if they have workshops on job search techniques. On my way home, I drove through a part of the city that I hadn’t been to in a long time. It was nice to see the changes and glad I didn’t get lost!

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Day 25 – The Arkansas Advertising Federation meeting went well last night. I met new people and learned about “Social Media before Social Media was Social Media” from Neal Stewart. He gave great tips and excellent information on finding and using brand influencers. He also mentioned field marketing. Note to self: check this out! I met Brant Collins who put a new idea in my mind – doing a presentation on multicultural marketing at a future ArkAF meeting. He said people would value what I had to say. There are so many different cultures that the ArkAF members don’t understand. I am seriously considering it!