Social media is part of the job search process. You should use social media to help you find job openings and target specific companies. Once you score that interview, you shouldn’t forget the power of social media. 1. Check the business’s social media profiles

Do your research: it’s importantto walk into a job interview informed. Start with their website and move to their social media sites. It’s easiest to find their social media sites through their official webpage.

2. Do a search on Twitter

Check to see what other people are saying about the company. See how the company uses Twitter. Do they have a sense of humor, are they active or have they failed to tweet for over two months.

3. Look up the individual(s) interviewing you

Check out the interviewer’s personal and professional social media sites to get a better understanding of who they are and what they are looking for. Learn about how they use social media and their specific role at the company.

4. Look at their Pinterest boards

Pinterest often gives a unique window into a company. It can display company culture in photos. The fact that they have Pinterest boards in the first place says a lot about the company.

5. Get social

Consider retweeting or liking individual posts on the company’s social media sites. This shows that you have done your homework. This is a fine line, so use your previous research to help you decide what’s a good fit.

6. Be on top your game

Search social media for general industry terms to be on top of what is happening. Nothing is worse than walking into an interview without the latest information in your field.

7. Focus on your social media profiles

Make sure to update your profiles to show them that you’re on the cutting edge of your field and on top of social media. Post industry news on your social sites.

8. Check out other employees

See who works at the company. Check out what they do and who they are. This can help you understand the company culture better and give you an idea of whom the company hires.

9. Look at the company profile on LinkedIn

Take a look at the company overview, careers and employee insights. See how big the company is and if any of your connections connect you to the company. If this is one of your target companies be sure to follow them on LinkedIn.

10. Beef up security

Clean up your social media. You know the photo of you dancing on the bar last weekend? Take it down. If you can’t guarantee that everything on your Facebook is appropriate for an employer and your grandma make it private.

11. Google yourself

Know what is going to come up when your name is typed into Google. It’s best to be aware of this because most, if not all employers will Google you.

12. Read the company blog

Be aware of what the company is currently working on and talking about. Take it a step further and formulate an opinion on the topic. Craft questions to ask during the interview related to the current happenings at the company and how your potential role will fit into the scheme of things.

With the recovering economy, the job search can be a tough place to be. Using these tips on social media combined with normal interview preparation can propel you to the top of the candidate pile and even land you the job.

What things do you do on social media before you go to an interview?

Featured image courtesy of AMagill licensed via Creative Commons

Source: 12most.com

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10 Things not to buy in 2014

Posted in Curiosity, Green Tech, IT, Marketing, Opinion, Techies, tagged 2014, Blu-ray, buy, cable tv, credit card, desktop, digital camera, drying technologies, DVD, GPS, landline, Laptop on January 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Dying technologies aren’t the only unnecessary drain on our wallets

1. Cable TV Cable television’s heyday is over. Subscribers have been declining since 2004, and analysts say there’s no end in sight. Roughly 54.8 million households currently pay for cable TV, down 3.3% from 2012 and down 17.6% from a decade prior, according to research firm IHS. Cable companies are expected to shed roughly 1.3 million subscribers in 2014.

The decline is due in part to so-called cord-cutters: consumers who are canceling cable and transitioning to lower-cost services, such as Hulu and Netflix NFLX -0.45%  , which provide much of the same programming at a fraction of the price. Using an Internet connection, consumers can stream many cable shows, news programs and sports games, as well as movies, directly to their TVs. Some channels’ websites also provide viewers access to their shows.

These services are mostly beneficial for people who do not mind watching shows after they’ve aired and are willing to part with most live programming.

2. Landline service

Fewer households are holding on to their landlines. Two in every five U.S. homes had wireless phones only during the first half of the year, up slightly from the first half of 2012, according to data released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number has been rising over the past decade: Roughly 90 million adults, or 38% of the population, are now wireless-only, versus 21% during the first half of 2009 — and fewer than 3% during the first half of 2003. Ditching the landline allows households to shed a monthly bill — but it doesn’t mean they’re restricted to their cellphones. There’s also Skype, which is free and allows video chatting via smartphones and other devices with friends and family anywhere in the world at no cost. FaceTime video can also be free with a Wi-Fi connection. Separately, magicJack Plus provides phone service when it’s connected to a USB port, computer, or regular phone router; it costs $49.95 in total for the device and for the first six months, after which service costs range from about $1.67 to $2.50 per month. (In contrast, most traditional telephone providers charge at least $10 a month.)

To be sure, these services require an Internet connection. Consumers who want the security of a landline — many Americans were without phone service after Hurricane Sandy disrupted cellphone and Internet service in some areas — may want to consider holding on to their home phone.

3. GPS devices

Up until a few years ago, personal navigation systems were considered a must-have for most drivers since they drastically reduced the chances of getting lost. But the tides have turned and demand for these gadgets is plummeting: 7.5 million personal navigation devices sold in 2012 in North America, down from a peak of 18 million in 2009, according to the latest data from Berg Insight, a Swedish research company.

The need for this service still exists, but consumers can get it for a lot cheaper. Rather than paying $70 to $300 for a new GPS device, drivers can use map apps to get around. They’re available on most smartphones or free to download.

Separately, many new cars come with built-in navigation systems: 49% of 2013 model-year vehicles have a standard navigation system (in at least one of their styles), up from 33% of 2010 models, according to Edmunds.com.

4. DVD and Blu-ray players

DVD sales and rentals are down, so it’s not a surprise that fewer consumers are buying DVD players. Sales of DVD and Blu-ray players totaled 21.3 million in 2012, down 20.1% from a year prior and down 24.8% from 2010, according to research firm SNL Kagan.

Instead, experts say, consumers are increasingly streaming movies from Internet-based subscription services like Hulu and Netflix. Gamers can also use their consoles, such as the Xbox One and PlayStation4, to watch DVDs.

5. Hotel rooms

As more travelers book vacations, demand for hotels is rising and so are room rates. The daily rate at U.S. hotels averages $110.59 this year, up 4.1% from 2012 and up 12.6% from 2010, according to professional-services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The average price is expected to rise to $115.68 in 2014.

There’s another, cheaper alternative: Travelers can reserve apartments or homes in their destinations at a lower price with more space to boot. Several services, such as Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner, allow consumers to choose from an assortment of homes to stay in. Some owners also offer free airport pickups and drop-offs.

It can also be more helpful and cost-effective for large groups that are traveling together (you can book a large home with many bedrooms) or families with young children who require privacy and can cook in the home rather than paying to eat out. The downside, however, is less security than what hotels offer.

6. Two-year phone contracts

Consumers are encountering more setbacks than benefits with two-year cellphone contracts. There’s no way to change phones within this period of time without incurring a fee. And there’s the fine print many of these plans come with that result in consumers paying more than the starting monthly price they’re quoted in the store.

Mobile users have several alternatives. They can opt for no-contract providers that sell the phones at full price (that’s more than the upfront price they’ll pay for a phone with a contract) but monthly payments are much lower (often half). They’re available through MetroPCS as well as big-box retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Most regular wireless providers also offer this option.

7. Desktop and laptop computers

There’s little reason to buy a desktop or laptop computer anymore. Tablets perform the same functions — playing music, sharing photos, Web surfing — that most consumers use PCs for and they’re made to use while on the go. They can also be a lot cheaper. For instance, Apple’s iMac’s start at $1,299 and MacBook laptops start at $999 while iPads start at $299.

Of course, ditching desktop PCs isn’t for everyone: Graphic designers and traders, for instance, who require large screens will find it hard to part with traditional computers.

But data shows that PCs are starting to fall out of favor: Worldwide shipments fell 4% in 2012 from a year prior — to the lowest level since 2009, according to the latest data from IDC, an information-technology research firm.

8. Extra legroom in economy

Over the past few years it’s become common practice for airlines, including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, to charge many passengers extra — up to an additional $180 — for roomier seats (read: extra three to six inches of legroom) in coach. These seats are often in the exit rows or first row in economy.

But for a similar payment of $100 to $200, travelers can get upgraded to business class where the seats are much more comfortable and the service is of a higher caliber. These upgrades used to be reserved for airlines’ frequent fliers, but many now give them out to passengers who are willing to pay a bit more when they check in or at the gate.

9. Credit cards with points or miles programs

Card issuers have been ramping up some of their rewards programs in the past few years, but consumers should steer clear of one common promotion: credit cards with rewards programs that are comprised of points or miles.

Many card issuers are devaluing their rewards programs by requiring cardholders to spend more in order to get the same “free award” they could have gotten previously with fewer points. What’s more, many of these cards come with annual fees, ranging from $30 to $75.

Instead, consider a credit card with a “cash-back” program — a rewards program that’s a lot more straightforward: consumers get 1% to 5% cash back per a certain number of dollars they swipe on their card.

10. Digital cameras

Their small size and sleek look made digital “point and shoot” cameras all the rage for years. Now, demand is sunsetting. Roughly 11.5 million are estimated to have sold this year in the U.S., down 44% from 2012, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, which represents consumer technology companies. Sales are expected to drop to just under 8 million next year.

The cameras are suffering from an identity crisis. Consumers who want high-quality photos are opting for the larger, DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras. Others prefer to stick with just one gadget — their smartphone — which takes pictures.

And there’s new competition from cameras intended for the outdoor thrill-seeker, like the GoPro, for people who want photos capturing action (the camera attaches to your body while white water rafting or scuba diving, for instance) rather than stopping to pose for a pic.

11. Extra thing – In 2014 not to buy…

… nothing that was created more than 5 years ago… Everyday we have new and better things.

Source: marketwatch.com

18 abreviaturas de Twitter que debes conocer

Posted in Curiosity, Internet, tagged Twitter on October 2, 2013| Leave a Comment » A medida que se extiende el microblogging en plataformas como Twitter, se vuelve más habitual usar ciertos acrónimos y abreviaturas que facilitan transmitir mensajes e información en tan solo 140 caracteres. Aquí reunimos algunos que deberías conocer.

B/C: abreviatura en inglés de “Porque…” (Because)

BFN: acrónimo en inglés de “Hasta luego” (Bye for now).

DM: acrónimo de “Mensaje directo” (Direct Message).

EM: abreviatura de “E-mail”.?

FTF: abreviatura en inglés de “Cara a cara” (Face to face).

ICYMI: acrónimo en inglés de “Por si lo has olvidado” (In case you missed it), usado cuando se reenvia un tuit antiguo.

IMHO: acrónimo de “En mi humilde opinión”.

IRL: acrónimo en inglés de “En la vida real” (In real life).

LMLT: acrónimo en inglés de “Mira mi último tuit” (Look my last tweet).

NP: acrónimo de “Ningún problema”.

OH: abreviatura de “Escuchado como rumor” (OverHead).

PLZ: abreviatura de “Por favor” (Please).

QOTD: acrónimo en inglés de “Frase del día” (Quote of the day).

RT: abreviatura de retuit, es decir, reenvío de un tuit.

PRT: abreviatura en inglés de “retuit parcial” (parcial retweet). Se usa cuando el tuit que se envía es otro acortado por el usuario.

RTRL: acrónimo en inglés de “Retuiteado de la vida real” (Retweet real life), que transcribe información escuchada en una conversación off-line.

TMI: acrónimo en inglés de “Demasiada información” (Too much information).

TY: acrónimo en inglés de “Gracias” (Thank you).

Twitter’s 10 Most Retweeted Tweets Of All Time

Posted in Curiosity, Social Networks, tagged Gaga, Justin Bieber, Kardashian, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Obama, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Top, Tweet, Twitter on November 7, 2012| 4 Comments »

As you might expect, Twitter’s list of the most retweeted tweets of all time is dominated by celebrities.

And it changes a lot. Currently, Twitter’s retweet champion is President Barack Obama, with his November 7 re-election victory tweet racking up more than half a million shares, good enough to keep previous title-holder Justin Bieber very much in his taillights.

Here are Twitter’s ten most retweeted tweets of all time.*

1. Barack Obama (500K+) 2. Justin Bieber (200K+) 3. T.J. Lang (98K+) 4. Floyd Mayweather (89K+) 5. Kim Kardashian (68K+) 6. Lady Gaga (34K+) 7. Katy Perry (33K+) 8. Selena Gomez (32K+) 9. Rihanna (29K+) 10. Taylor Swift (25K+) * For the purposes of this article I’ve included only the most-retweeted tweet from any given celebrity. Otherwise, Bieber would probably have most of the top ten. And nobody wants that. Not here, and certainly not in the charts.

Source: Twitsprout

10 Gadgets You’d Be a Fool to Buy Right Now Here are 10 products you’d be a fool to buy today.

The iPhone Windows Tablets Sprint Phones MacBook Pros Android Tablets Smart TVs Windows Phones Microsoft prepara el lanzamiento de Office para iPad

Posted in Curiosity, Mobile, Techies, tagged Apple, iPad, Microsoft, Office on May 25, 2012| Leave a Comment » Microsoft lanzará su suite de ofimática Office el próximo mes de noviembre para el iPad. Sin embargo, Office no estará exclusivamente disponible para el ‘tablet’ iOS sino también para los ‘tablets’ con sistema operativo Android. Los de Redmond lanzarán la suite de ofimática al mismo tiempo para las dos plataformas, que se esperan para el mes de noviembre.

Desde el pasado mes de noviembre, una serie de rumores apuntaban hacia la existencia de Office para iPad y su inminente lanzamiento. Estas informaciones aseguraban que el gigante Microsoft podría estar desarrollando una adaptación de la versión actual de Office en forma de aplicación para iPad y, además, también lanzaría una nueva versión de Office para el OS X Lion de Mac a finales del 2012.

Ya en febrero, nuevas informaciones apuntaban que en ese mismo mes la aplicación de Office para iPad llegaría a la App Store, ya que solo faltaba la aprobación de Apple. Sin embargo, por el momento nada relacionado con Office ha aparecido en la tienda de aplicaciones de Apple.

Ahora, según ha confirmado una “fuente confiable” de Microsoft al portal BGR la aplicación de Microsoft Office para iPad llegará el próximo mes de noviembre, pero no lo hará solo para esta plataforma. La misma fuente asegura que los ‘tablets’ con sistema operativo Android también disfrutarán de esta aplicación, y serán lanzadas a la vez en ambas tiendas de aplicaciones.

Microsoft ya cuenta con algunas aplicaciones disponibles para el iPad como Bing, MSN y ONIT OnPoint MSN. Hay incluso más aplicaciones disponibles para el iPhone, donde se incluyen Microsoft Tag, Windows Live Messenger y Wonderwall. Por su parte, Office es el software más vendido de Microsoft, sólo superado por Windows. En 2011, la suite de software supuso 11.139 millones de euros (15.000 millones de dólares) para Microsoft.

Five Leadership Lessons From James T. Kirk

Posted in Curiosity, Techies, tagged Forbes, James T. Kirk, Leadership, Spock, Star Trek, Trekkie on March 6, 2012| 1 Comment » 1. Never Stop Learning

2. Have Advisors With Different Worldviews 3. Be Part Of The Away Team
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