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Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts

This is a sister list to SoCal Networking Event Organizations and focuses on Networking and Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts. Please let me know if know of others to add, or if you have any feedback.

Check your Alma Mater's website - I know USC has a number of job search webinars and teleconferences they are offering on a monthly basis. And if you find one that isn't at your school, check if they have an open policy, or if it isn't obvious, ask them - the worst they can say is no.

Name: Omnikron - Competing for Your Future - Robin Borough
Sites: www.your-career-now.com, omnikron.typepad.com/careers/links.html, twitter.com/robinborough

Self-description: "Career management has gotten so complex - The new job landscape can seem disheartening.

Don't worry, we've got answers - Solutions that Can Turn Things Around Quickly!

Session 1: Build Your Audience & Prospecting Plan
Session 2: Winning Resume(s) & Compelling Sound-bytes
Session 3: Interview Finesse – Real Students

FREE TOOLS: Career Map, Career Plan, Career Blueprint

Things You'll Master by Attending this Career Management Series:
• Using the Internet for Success – Turning the Abyss into Your Best Research Friend
• Know the RIGHT way to create a great resume, every time
• Brilliant Job Search Strategies that outpace your competition
• Optimize Social Networks
• Find Hot Job Skills and Hot Job Markets
• Master Interview Brilliance"
Frequency: Should be repeating monthly or so.
Cost: Free
Review: This was an excellent 3-part webinar, recommended. Robin and her team covered a lot of ground, had great visual material, and provided free tools. They also had Q&A during the presentation, and if they didn't get to a question, they answered it via email afterwards.
Updated 1/28/10 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Link System - Free Fridays Networking Tips
Sites: thelinksystem.com/2009/10/10/free-fridays-networking-tips
Self-description: "THE LINK SYSTEM® is a four step curriculum that teaches how to pre-qualify and leverage a new contact into a lucrative business alliance. We call those relationships “Links”….“Links to Success”. A well-cultivated Link can open doors to prospects and opportunities far beyond that of a single client. From picking the event, qualifying the Link Prospect, to structuring the Link Relationship, The Link System® guides the student through the relationship-building process."
Frequency/Location: "You never have to pre register…just call this number every Friday morning" 8:30PT / Dial-in:(712) 432-1630 Access Code: 420322#
Cost: Free
Review: I attended at the beginning of Nov and it seems to have limited attendence (about 2 or 3) which isn't really a problem for a teleconference. Mindy spoke about general networking tips ("Don't bring resumes to business networkig events" which I agree with completely), venues for networking, and about her forthcoming book. There was plenty of time for questions.
Updated 11/23/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - Free Resume Writing Teleseminars
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/store/programs/teleseminars/resume-writing/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Self-description: "Workshop Highlights:

* Learn the three major obstacles your resume must overcome and how to deal with each one…
* Discover the most important question most resumes don’t answer and how you should address this in yours…
* Most successful corporations and products have a brand. Find out why you need one too, and how it will help move your resume to the top of the “to call” list…
* Discover how to avoid screenouts, those little hidden messages you’re putting on your resume that shout REJECTION!"
Frequency/Location: Monthly on some Thursday - check site / 1:30 PM Pacific time, 4:30 PM Eastern.
Cost: Free
Review: These are pretty good. I've listened to two of them. He's heavy on "branding". Expect a sales pitch and in follow-up emails.
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - “10 Tips for Job Seekers over 50″
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/store/programs/teleseminars/job-seekers-over-50/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Self-description: "As the Job Search Guy™, I’ll share 10 specific tips that can help older* workers score a job faster in this tight economy.

* Any worker over the age of 50. That includes me.

Here’s Why You Need This Free Teleseminar:

*Over this past year, the economy has collapsed to create the greatest recession we’ve had since the thirties.
* Technology has exploded in this industry making most everything you know about job search either outdated or obsolete.
* As if that isn’t enough, almost every hiring manager you encounter will be younger that you are – sometimes MUCH younger. Age bias is real and you need to learn how you can counteract it.
* How will you win a job in spite of these challenges?"
Frequency/Location: Monthly on some Tuesday - check site / 1:00 PM Pacific (4:00 PM Eastern)
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Job Search Guy - Radio Shows and Podcasts
Sites: http://www.jobsearchguy.com/radio/
Self-description:, http://www.jobsearchguy.com/podcasts/, twitter.com/Joeturner2
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/28/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: "Ask the Career Coach" - PeopleThink - Karen Colligan
Sites: http://www.peoplethink.biz/
Self-description: "Join Karen Colligan, as she personally answers your questions about your career, resume, interviewing, job search strategies and more."
Frequency/Location: Weekly (dates shown through Nov 09)
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Be Your Own Headhunter / Paul DeBettignies
Sites: mnheadhunter.com/, linkedin.com/groups?gid=1812693
Self-description: "For those not familiar with me and are wondering if a session(s) would be a good use of your time I am an IT Recruiter with 11 years if experience and have been speaking to groups of all ages and skill sets in groups of 20-200 and now online for 7 years."
Frequency: Usually weekly
Cost: Free
Review: I've taken his three 1hr+ seminars "Job Search Toolkit - Be Your Own Headhunter", "LinkedIn A to Z - Use LinkedIn Like A Headhunter", and "Using Social Media For Networking, Lead Generation And Job Search", and they are great.  He's personable and takes questions at the end.
Added 9/16/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Social Media Webinar Hosted by Sean Malarkey & Lewis Howes
Sites: lewishowes.com/, linkedin.com/groups?gid=138352, twitter.com/Lewishowes, twitter.com/SEANMALARKEY
Self-description: "Learn MORE of our top secrets with Twitter & LinkedIn. WE will be pulling back the curtains on our top strategies and methods on how to best use these Twitter & LinkedIn for Success. Straight content - no hype or fluff! What you'll learn on the webinar:
* Why You Should be Using Social Media
* What is Social Media and why is it so hot?
* What is Twitter and why you should be using it
* What is LinkedIn and why you should be using it.
* Exactly How you should be Using Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to Build Followers & Connections fast
* How to Broadcast Video and Pictures on Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to build value & trust with your followers on Twitter & LinkedIn
* How to Integrate Twitter & LinkedIn to efforts you are already doing.
* How to use Twitter & LinkedIn conjunction with other social networks
* How to integrate Twitter & LinkedIn with your website and blog "
Frequency: Monthly, varies
Cost: Free
Review: I've attended a couple of these and there's always great info and inspiration, granted some is overly enthusiastic and there's a sales pitch at the end.
Added 9/16/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Get To The RIGHT Decision Makers / answerQUEST
Sites: answerquest.net  , answerquest.webex.com/mw0306l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=answerquest
Self-description: "Rebecca Bamman, the VP of Career Management at answerQUEST, and formally the #1 Ranked Recruiter in her industry for the last three years will be hosting this exciting webinar. Rebecca has also been ranked in the "Top 10 Recruiters in the Southeast" for the past 4 years and has surpassed $1M in career placement fees. She is a certified and successful Career Coach who has helped 1000's of individuals think like a recruiter, develop a strategic job search plan and land positions they LOVE!"
Frequency: Varies
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 9/15/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: The Connections Show by Stan Relihan (Podcast)
Sites: connections.thepodcastnetwork.com
Self-description: "Stan Relihan is an intelligent and passionate LinkedIn user who tells it like it is. Being both a recruiter and one of the most connected users in the World (definitely #1 in his native Australia), he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table with his podcast series. Maybe it’s the Australian accent, but he gives us all a fresh persepctive on LinkedIn and networking in general through his series of 30+ 15-minute long podcasts, which are still being updated regularly. Each podcast is actually an interview with behind-the-scenes top networkers, authors, business people, et. al., and the conversation is usually (but not always) LinkedIn-centric. A great listen during your commute."
Frequency: Recurring
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 9/18/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Layoff Bounce Back - Sharon Rich
Sites: layoffbounceback.com, leadershipincorporated.wordpress.com, twitter.com/sharonrich
Self-description: "unemployed? join Sharon Rich, ACC, CPBA, the Transition Specialist, for a FREE 90-Minute Teleseminar - bouncing back after being laid off.
How do you bounce back quickly after getting fired? The difference between those who find work and rebuild their lives quickly after being downsized— and those who don't— comes down to 5 things:
1) Know your strengths and your weaknesses
Learning how to make the most of what you've got going for you.
2) Define and expand your direction. Know where you're heading. What are you looking for? What are you willing to do?
3) Get organized. Plan your job search—and follow it.
4) Get support. You don't have to do this alone. Find resources and use them!
5) Get into action. Now."
Frequency: "the first monday of every month, 9am sharp (PST) as long as the massive layoffs continue"
Cost: Free "(REGISTER BELOW TO RECEIVE DIAL-IN INFO)"
Review: I attended one of these in early September and I found it to be helpful in developing a positive "can-do" attitude and also with "realizing the possibilities." Unlike many other very specific action-based seminars, this one is mostly about attitude.
Updated 2/15/2010 by Todd Zebert

Name: SixFigureStart - Ask SixFigureStart Career Coaching
Sites: sixfigurestart.wordpress.com
Self-description: "Ask your questions about job search or career and hear candid feedback from former Fortune 500 recruiters

Here are some of the questions we’ve answered in previous workshops:

* I am losing jobs after getting to the final round interviews. What could be wrong?
* I am not comfortable with networking. How do I get started?
* I don’t want to show my hand right away. How do I respond when a job posting asks for salary?
* I am still working so conducting my job search part-time. How do I best manage my time?
* I am miserable in my new job after less than six months. How can I leave without damaging future prospects?
* I hear a lot about using online networks. How do I best use LinkedIn to leverage my job search?"
Frequency/Location: "Every first Friday of the month at 1p ET"
Cost: Free
Review: They also offer reasonably priced ($27) Virtual Workshops on a variety of topics, multiple times a month.
Added 10/10/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Reach Personal Branding Interview Series
Sites: reachpersonalbranding.com/resources/interview/
Self-description: "Personal branding is a revolution in the way you manage your career or business. Your personal brand is what is authentic to you, differentiating from your peers and relevant and compelling to those who are making decisions about you. In a phrase, it’s your unique promise of value.

Personal Branding is…
…the process of unearthing your unique promise of value and demonstrating that value in everything you do. It’s about consistently being your best self so you achieve your goals while adding tremendous value to your team, organization and company.

Personal Branding is not…
…about creating a false image for the outside world or being self-centered or self indulgent. It’s about being your authentic self and delivering value to those around you.

The Reach 1-2-3 Success!™ personal branding process was developed by William Arruda and has been proven with thousands of executives and entrepreneurs around the world. Comprised of three steps, Extract, Express and Exude, it’s a structured methodology for building, communicating and nurturing your personal brand."
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free. They have 150 lines per call, and most/all are available as recordings afterward.
Review: I've listened to a number of these interviews and usually they are quite good. Some have downloadable handouts. Also check out their Online ID Calculator "Are you Digitally Disguised? Digitally Distinct?"
Added 10/13/09 by Todd Zebert

How do you get to 500+ LinkedIn connections? (Without being a LION?)

If you're a recruiter or otherwise have an opportunity for me then the "If you’d like to connect with me..." portion below doesn't apply... just say so! (updated 10/20/09)

I was recently asked how I reached “500+” connections. Interesting question, since I'm not an "open" networker (LION = LinkedIn Open Networker).

I've been on for only a couple years (since July 2007, Discover your LinkedIn Start Date… ) but kept good track of my contacts prior.

See below on how to initially populate your LinkedIn Contacts.

Where do you find Contacts?
I worked as a consultant for a number of years, so was always working with different colleagues and customers. And for the last number of years I worked for a few divisions within a very large company so I met many people. I met quite a few people while pursuing my MBA. I’ve been involved in various online and in-person organizations.

I've been going to, on average, a couple networking events a week since I was laid off the end of January. Here's my list of SoCal networking events, updated weekly.

So, here’s a by-no-means-complete  list of where to find your Contacts:

• Fellow Employees (past & present)
• Customers & Clients
• Vendors
• Networking events & Seminars
• Any online group, social networking (like Facebook), or organization
• In person organizations (charities, religious, social, etc)
• Friends, Family & Neighbors

Who do you Connect with?
LIONS will connect with anyone, and while some have made good cases for it, it seems unless you are in general direct sales, this isn’t the best approach. For some, it seems to be nothing more than the challenge of being in the Top 50/10/whatever.

With few exceptions, each connection and I have engaged in conversation. Sometimes it’s in person, or over the phone, or even completely virtual. I feel if the person can’t recall who you are, even if you need to prompt them a bit, and put a few good words together about you or what you do, the value of the connection is questionable. In simple terms, having a “relationship” is more valuable than just a “connection”.

Honestly, perhaps the most important part is actually sending the LinkedIn request, and then following up on it a week or so later if you haven't heard back. People seem to think “the other guy” will put in the request, and then nothing happens. It’s important that you “add a personal note” to the invitation. Now, this doesn’t need to be customized specifically for each person, and it certainly doesn’t need to be longer than a sentence or two. What I do is tack something in front of the text they provide, such as:

We met the Tues 9/28 at the Pink Slip Mixer’s event in Santa Monica. I’m the IT Leader with a background in Financial Services. I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

If it’s not as recent, or you feel they may not remember you or what you talked about, and/or you want to increase your chance that they will respond, try something like this to them specifically:

We met the Tues 9/28 at the Pink Slip Mixer’s event in Santa Monica. I’m the IT Leader with a background in Financial Services. We discussed Macs and knowing everything you can about the company you’re interviewing at. I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

What do you do after Connecting?
Once the connection is made, I always make a note of when and where I met them, and perhaps another piece of info, on their LinkedIn page "note". This is personal to you.

Now is also the time to follow up on anything that was discussed, any takeaways, connections you’d make for them, or prompt them for any they mentioned.

How do you maintain Connections?
This is a bit trickier, but for now, here are some simply tips that works with active LinkedIn users check LinkedIn every other day or so in the following areas:

• From your Home page, look at the “Network Updates” (don’t forget the various “show more”) – comment or email them on their activity.
• Find shared Groups - engage them in conversation in the Discussions, News, or Jobs tabs
• Enable the “Blog Link” Application - engage them on their Blog/Twitter posts
• In the Events – engage with them in person at a shared event

Good luck with your LinkedIn Connections!

PS. If you’d like to connect with me, try engaging me in conversation in any of my more public venues:

• In the LinkedIn groups
• At an Event I’ve RSVP’d to on LinkedIn.
• On my Twitter
• On my Blog

How to initially populate your LinkedIn Contacts?
The first thing you’re going to want to do (after at least partially completely your profile), is import your contacts. Click on the “Add Connections” button in the left panel. Under “See Who You Already Know on LinkedIn” you can enter an email address and password, or upload a file. Currently you can add Contacts from:

• Hotmail.com
• Gmail.com
• Yahoo.com
• Aol.com
• CSV (comma-separated value) files exported from Outlook, Palm Desktop, or ACT!
• TXT (Tab-separated) files from the Palm Desktop
• VCF (vCard) files from Palm Desktop, Mac OS X Address Book, and probably others

Once the data has been processed, you’ll be presented with an “Imported Contacts” page. Click “Invite Connections” to return to the previous screen and continue to add contacts from all the sources you have.

Once complete, at the “Imported Contacts” page, look for those that have a small blue “in” box on the right. These people have LinkedIn accounts, and select those you’d like to send an invitation. You may also select those without the LinkedIn “in” logo, but they will receive an email and would then have to create a LinkedIn account. This is less likely.

Create a “personal” note as I suggested above and click “invite selected contacts”. Then repeat for the next contact group.