Clean up your Facebook

Barbara Ortutay, AP (which I used to trust), says the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that people are managing their privacy and other rights better on the internet.

Nearly half deleted things from their profiles in 2011, up from 36% in 2009.

Supposedly the administration is proposing tighter protections, but personally I think if they did it’s so they can be the only ones spying on us.

You need to delete ”friends” more or not accept them in the first place. Delete names from photos.

Sixty-seven percent of women set their profiles so only friends can see. Men do this less.

People with the highest level of education had the most trouble figuring this out. So THAT is why I don’t get any of this.

Young people deleted unwanted comments more.

I am merciless about this. I don’t know how this works half the time—people on my “wall” on FB are friends of friends or something—if they say pro-administration things, I zap off their comments.

Since I don’t know who they are anyway…

Why are we doing this—remind me.

Phone manners can make or break

Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, asks what if a would-be employer calls? Often they do a phoner first.

Phone interviews can be crucial

Some people answer with “Hey, how ya doin’?” There may be rock in the background. This is not good.

Don’t use a cell—dropped calls weird noises. Phone interviews—land line.

Don’t use a headset, these can garble.

Don’t multitask—no dishes, no typing. If you are smoking, this also comes across.

Don’t answer on the first ring. When you do—say HELLO. Don’t state your name as a greeting, this says. I do that.

Be sure you have done your homework on the company and position. Read the day’s headlines—in paper or online.

Shut the dog out, get a sitter.

This expert says don’t take the first time offered for the phoner. Act busy.

If the interviewer calls more than 15 mins late—let the voice mail pick up, then reschedule.

I am not sure I am onboard with this hard to get stuff—what do you think?

Why temp might be right for you

Nancy Mann Jackson, glassdoor.com, says some people disdain temp work, but it can be a gateway job (like gateway drug—get it?) to a job.

More than a third of companies say they are making do with fewer people.

In 2011, 34% of companies said they hired temps, up from 28% in 2009.

Some jobs that are available are physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, admin assts, mechanics, industrial maintenance techs.

The advantages of temping are you get to work—keep your momentum.

In a third of temp cases, you can slide into permanent.

You meet people.

You add skills to your resume.

The downside is few if any benefits and lack of security.

Security, however, is a joke these days anyhow.

Older workers rock

Well, maybe rock a little slowly—but they are fun.

If you are a 20-something and don’t want to hire your Mom—maybe you won’t be if you pick the next over 50-ish.

Was your Mom ever “with the band”?

Did your Mom ever hitchhike across the country?

Does your Mom know your business and how to make you look good?

Maybe—or maybe not. But an older worker may fit this.

Older workers may be best for industries catering to older people—health care, residential living, etc.

They show up, they have that annoying work ethic, which means they work.

They also tend to be people-oriented—schmoozing customers along, conversing, engaging them.

Old but not dead—remember that.

Not dead. Not going on and on about trying to return a hammer to Home Depot. Not cranky--in fact, maybe even interesting!

Ooops--hate it

People feel locked into jobs these days. Despite the orchestrated “new wisdom,” things are not getting that much better, if at all.

So if you do get a job, you may feel you need to hang in no matter what.

To be fair, give it some time. Things can smooth out when people get more comfortable. I have a relative who was hired alongside another temp and the other temp was a terror—a terror temp. Eventually, the TT was let go—problem solved.

When you are upset, it is natural for all other job situations to seem perfect. Remember—they aren’t.

Try to learn—why is this bad. This way, you won’t repeat it.

Try to be nice to yourself—exercise, good foods, time with friends.

Everything passes—this will, too.

Texting bugs me

I don’t have a cellphone—why would I? I never go anywhere.

But people clicking into those little boxes while I am sitting there really annoy me. Maybe I just feel left out…but is what they are saying – um, typing—really so blazingly urgent?

Basically, the texter is having another conversation in front of me.

Is this justified at work maybe? Melanie Yamagucki wrote about this in the AZ Republic, Feb 26, 2012.

First, at work, with those touchscreens—you could send a text to the boss that is not boss material—catch my drift?

If the phone is company-owned this can be an even worse problem—no personal business on company phones.

Yes, sometimes silence is golden—you need to communicate quietly. Isn't this pretty rare--someone cited being in a music editing suite. Rare!

But texting is shorthand-based, not very effective as communication, say with a client.

Information – texting.

Conversation,persuasion, back and forth – voice.

Don’t thumb-out anything you would not want Mom to read. Stay out of trouble.

What gets me is we never needed to do this before—we talked on the phone or when we saw the person…And the earth kept on spinning.

The worst part—one line that ends: From My Blackberry. Oooo—you have a Blackberry! Or a 4G.

What is a 4G—I don’t even know and am resentful.

Others may see you differently

Example: I think I am an amusing cynic. Other people think I am a negative grump.

Ooops.

Anita Bruzzese of Gannett writes about perceptions and how they can influence work life.

Perception is more important than “truth,” even if truth could be determined.

You need to let people know what you are like—but in the context of helping others. If you did something nice for a customer, couch it in terms of how this can help the company and others can do it—just just how great you are.

If only one person thinks you are a drag, try to work on that person.

You may have been raised to be modest and quiet—you may need to amp up your game.

Try to match the boss’s outgoingness.

Hang out with people at work with good reputations—not the …er…negative grumps.