I got a Borders gift card for Christmas and wanted to spend it as fast as I could, so last Monday I went to see what was out there. Armed with Mashable’s list of “10 Must-Read eBooks For Social Media Lovers” (http://mashable.com/2009/12/21/must-read-ebooks/), I picked up three that looked especially promising for my purposes — Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk , Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition by Guy Kawasaki, and Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trustby Chris Brogan and Julien Smith . I vowed to give 20 minutes to each book, at the end of which time I would make a decision and cash-out. I’ll spare you the suspense. . . I chose Brogan and Smith.

I’ll explain why in a minute, but first a brief sidebar. As I started the process I sent a tweet asking my followers for their recommendation. Interestingly enough, @GuyKawasaki (or someone tweeting for him) shot back a reply, “all three!” As I said, I chose Brogan and Smith, so “sorry Guy” — but I have good reason, and the fact that you responded to my tweet puts you on top of the list for when I spend the Barnes and Noble card I got!

I am a Career Coach, Small Business Coach, and professional speaker. When I look for something to read I usually try to find something that will give me double mileage for my time, because, like you, I’m busy! I am currently doing a lot of work helping job seekers and small businesses integrate social media into their marketing strategy. My specialty is helping old people like me (I’ll be 50 this year) understand the value of Social Media basics like Twitter and Facebook. You see, my generation grew up without all of this fancy technology. My family had a black and white tv until I was in High School – ONE TV! There were 4 channels and we had to fight to watch our favorite shows. (Luckily, my favorite was everyone else’s favorite as well. Let’s just say we never missed a “Gilligan’s Island” re-run.)

Anyway, my generation wasn’t raised with computers. We didn’t have cell phones. My generation is skeptical, but we know that we need to learn how and why to use Social Media, if for no other reason than to keep up with our kids! Much of what I do in this space is to help my generation understand the strategic value and opportunities involved in Social Media for business and finding job opportunities. That’s why I chose Brogan and Smith. I’ve devoured Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies“ by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff. I’ve drunk from the cup of professional bloggers such as Brian Clark, Darren Rowse, and Yaro Starak — I’m even a member of the “Teaching Sells” community. I have accounts at Digg.com, Technorati, and Delicious (although, admittedly. I don’t use them enough). I attend our local Wordcamp, Beer and Blog, and an ocassional SEMPdx event. I’m good friends with Joshua Waldman (affiliate link), Eric Mann (my publisher) and Pete Wright (my personal videographer) — three guys I consider to be SoMe Gurus. I’m pretty hooked on social media, but to the rest of my generation I’m a bit of an enigma. Most of us “old folks”*** are skeptical of these newfangled contraptions! I have heard on many occasions a statement that was recently made by my friend Elaine.  She said, “I don’t want everyone knowing my business.”

Well I have news for you Elaine, everyone already knows your business! Your life is an open book for all to see, all they need to do is Google your name and they can find your picture, your phone number, your home address, even the fact that you remodeled your basement to the tune of $7,500 in 2008 and took out a permit that cost you $75.00.

“Everyone already knows your business, Elaine.”

That’s the point I’m trying to make in this post. Part of my current mission is to help people raised on rotary phones and Gilligan’s Island re-runs learn the value of using social media to grow their business or find their perfect career position or simply to enhance their life. I picked up the three books mentioned above and chose the one I felt will best help me with that mission.  Vaynerchuk’s book is a great option for helping people find and live their passion.  I intend to use it in my coaching practice with job seekers, however, it didn’t quit hit the spot with my need to help my generation understand and use social media.  Kawasaki’s book (IMHO) felt like it is more aimed at the corporate enterprise than the individual. It’s got some gems, but is a little more corporate than I needed this time.  I will buy those books later, for a different purpose, just not now.  Right now, I need something that will give me the philosophical framework and language tools I need to help my generation embrace Web 2.0 and social media.  Brogan and Smith’s book does exactly that.  I think what really sold me was the little section titled: A Final Lesson: Don’t Be “That Guy” (p. 110 & following). Here’s the specific quote:

“A trust agent’s job is . . to make people feel comfortable, all the way, building deep relationships before ever asking something of others.  You should be there for THEM.”

Yep.  That’s what I need.  My generation is the generation of love, peace (and drugs).  We can understand a social media philosophy that encourages us to “be there for them.” This book is just what I need right now.

Thanks @Chrisbrogan and @julien. And sorry @guykawasaki.  Maybe next time. . .

*** [A old fella was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect.'   'Really,' answered the neighbor. 'What kind is it?'   ' Twelve thirty.']

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• A Day In The Life Of A Successful Job Seeker
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Social media posts this week confirmed the three most popular reasons to give thanks – family, friends and a four-day weekend.

Scores of posts and tweets about blissful days away from work have me wondering … does anyone like his job? Do hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans spend every day grasping for a chance at a job just so they can dream of a four-day weekend?

One friend gave me this perspective; “Don’t get me wrong, I like what I do and I don’t mind my job, I just don’t want to be there.”

So it seems like this recession offers the ideal time to evaluate the way we work and make improvements that benefit the employee, the employer and the environment. News articles and blogs point to a shift in how we exchange goods and services and earn money. Thankfully the shift includes flexible options.

Small businesses are springing up like wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest. I doubt these new business owners expect many four-day weekends, but they don’t have to worry about getting fired. They work long hours, yet can arrange a work schedule that starts earlier (in pajamas if desired), accommodates family time and is all around more flexible. It’s hard to hide from the office, but you are the boss.

Home offices are another viable option for disciplined people. Truthfully, if our bosses said, “here is your stack of work for the day, leave when it’s done,” most people would not be in the office eight hours a day. Those that can avoid distractions will be more efficient and hopefully more content.

An idea I am really fond of is flextime. The brilliant concept is widely popular in other countries and could answer issues of recession, conservation and life-work balance. As suggested by the name, the flex differs from person to person. Some want to avoid high traffic times and others need to be home when the school bus arrives. Many workers telecommute part time just because they can.

Another friend planned to leave her design job and be a consultant for other companies. She loves her company yet struggles to balance family time and work time, especially with set hours, commuting and two children. Instead of letting her go, the company’s head honcho offered her a part-time, work-from-home option in which she dictated the hours and schedule. The company retained an amazing designer and my friend got everything she needed.

On the green side of things, offices that work four 10-hour shifts, like many government bureaus, conserve energy and fuel. I realize a 10-hour work day is not ideal for all. But, the timing is right to consider all options that would help people get more three-day weekends and save companies money. It’s feasible that we can come out of the recession with more people laboring joyfully – and tweets and posts to prove it.

While preparing to write a post on staying positive during the job search I posted this tweet on Twitter and Facebook.  I thought I would glean some of the thoughts of my friends and followers – thinking perhaps one or two would respond.  Boy, was I surprised when I got more than 15 amazing comments!  Instead of compacting them, I thought I’d just share them with you.  There are some gems here . . . as well as some, well, let’s just say “tongue in cheek.”  I’ve condensed the name to just the initials, because I don’t have copyright permission to share the names.  Here’s what I posted, and the responses.

“Working on a blog post- what do you do to stay positive during your job search? Please RT.”

NS - Exercise!

SA - Hang-out with an Optimist… no, really!

LG - Think positive things, count blessings and be grateful.

SW - Honestly? I vent to Mom, who reminds me that I will find something. That I always do. Oh, and a dose or two of chocolate.

DC – Burbon and valium.

JG - Read Sean Harry’s facebook updates.

BP – Network….

FD - Do your job search outside of the home (at a coffee shop, the library etc) it keeps you social and moving. Also, networking events are rife with equally unemployed people, so instead of focusing only on making connections in professional circles, pick up a hobby that you wouldn’t ordinarily do. It’s a great way to meet new people without pushing your resume and you feel insanely accomplished for exploring something new.

LW - No matter what the circumstances I am in are, I, and only I, am responsible for how I experience those circumstances.

I create a possibility to live my life into every day. That is, I create a way of being that is empowering to me, and recreate myself in that way of being. And I take on experiencing all my circumstances, all day long, from that point of view.

I have people I touch base with on a daily basis regarding this.

I thus make myself accountable for:
What I did yesterday,
What I’m doing today, and
Where I’m stopped.

(software people will recognize this as an ‘Agile scrum’)

AUS – When I was in my transition time out of general ministry and into… whatever the future was going to be… I worked closely with a career coach and touched base with her a couple of times a month. I was a proactive networker, seeing more than 250 people in the course of nine months or so. I guess the positive thing for me was not seeing it as a “job search” but as a search for a new direction. Big difference.

LG – Since I tried thinking positive and was having a hard day, I took NS’ advice and exercised (while praying thanks for blessings) … woo-hoo … when in doubt, do it all!

SL - Attend a Toastmasters meeting and volunteer for Table Topics.

SVD - The October issue of Guideposts magazine had a great article about a man named Seth Reams, in Portland, OR(!) who found himself depressed due to extended unemployment. He wrote a post on Craigslist and joined with other jobless people to volunteer to help others with needs. They started a blog: wevegottimetohelp.blogspot.com.

RS – Take it to the outdoors! As long as it’s not pouring rain, I have taken more walks and hikes than ever before. It’s refreshing to get back to nature and have time to literally “stop and smell the roses.” I also play with my dog way more, he’s going to have withdrawls when I go back to work Oh – and volunteer!!!!

I have learned 2 things from this exercise:
1) YES, people DO read what you post on social media (i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter).
2) My friends are SMART!

Of course, I would add that if you don’t have your FREE account set up on Careers 2.0, you are missing out on an amazing opportunity.  (Of course I would say that!

What do YOU do to stay positive during the job search?  We’d love to see your responses too!

I don’t often hand out testimonials for other career coaches, but when it comes to getting the most out of your job search I’ve been impressed with the work of Joshua Waldman. Joshua runs a website called Career Enlightenment (at www.joshuawaldman.net).  Joshua is a former sales and marketing professional who brings his expertise to help job seekers learn how to effectively use social media in the job search. His career advice is right on. In my opinion, Joshua gets it.

Joshua knows that the job search is about more than simply checking out the job boards.  He knows that in order to find the perfect career, you must utilize the best job search tools available to you.  Joshua teaches his clients how to use LinkedIn, facebook, Twitter and other social media tools to promote your personal brand.  Joshua searches the Internet to find helpful tools that make your job search more effective.  He conducts interviews with key career coaches and industry leaders. His recent blog post (“Is Your Brand The Ultimate Narcissism?”)  has even been featured in the Brazen Careerist.  Other professionals recognize Joshua’s work as well!

One of the reasons I feel so strongly about Joshua’s work is because he understands how to network.  Joshua’s philosophy on networking is a lot like mine – give, give, give, and good things will come back to you. Joshua gives of himself, his time and his expertise to help people in their job search.  Lately Joshua has been speaking to job seekers in my home town of Portland, Oregon.  I caught his workshop and was impressed with his knowledge.  For those who see the value in what Joshua has to offer, he is available for individual coaching.  If you want to learn how to use social media to extend your personal brand, give Joshua a call. I have learned a lot from Joshua, and you can too!

If you are in a job search, thinking about changing careers or just getting started at choosing a career, check out Joshua Waldman’s work.  He is a great networker and a powerful resource for anyone in the job hunt.

Join us next time for: “The Cost of Being Unemployed”