Millennials are often accused of losing their interpersonal skills because they depend on technology for too much. Regardless of what critics may say, technology and social networking play an important role in our futures in many ways. Millennials should take to their social networking sites not only to create larger networks, but also to showcase their skills for prospective employers.

Some websites are more directly associated with professional development. The most prominent website for such uses is LinkedIn, however Millennials should take advantage of Facebook, Twitter and blogging sites to market themselves as well.

Create a social resume.

In 2012, 92 percent of employers reported using social media for recruiting, according to OnlineColleges.com. Websites like LinkedIn make it easier than ever for users to showcase their industry-related experiences, projects and connections. However, there are a plethora of other websites that allow users to create different types of curricula vitae. More creative individuals may use ResumeSocial.com or VisualCV.com while more traditional individuals could turn their blogs into CVs using WordPress, Tumblr, or Typepad. Here are some examples.

Engage in professional conversations.

Whether it leads to taking part in Twitter chats or participating in conversations in LinkedIn groups, these activities will increase users’ visibility in their respective networks. Though Facebook is often used for social interactions, becoming involved in professional conversations on the site could also yield visibility to hiring employers. LinkedIn offers groups specifically for individuals seeking jobs in certain industries–join and participate in a group that pertains to your profession.

Participate in industry-related activities.

Actively seek job listings, conferences and chats using hashtags on Twitter and Facebook. Remember that each post you publish represents who you are through your online presence. Share thoughtful comments related to your field of interest and offer valuable input to conversations as such. The more active users are in specific topics, the more likely they are to create networks who can share employment opportunities.

Create a professional blog.

Sometimes Twitter’s 140 characters merely aren’t enough to express your ideas and opinions on specific industry-related topics. Your blog can double as an e-portfolio or social resume. This platform allows individuals to present their communication skills and work experience. Blogs are jobseekers’ way of creating relevant, interesting and unique information about themselves. Check out these great examples:

• Words to Good Effect
• Gary Vaynerchuk
• Moz
• The Smart Passive Income
• CopyBlogger

Engage with influencers.

Use LinkedIn influencer profiles to monitor industry-specific updates and innovations. Tweet at big name professionals in your field. Follow blogs of leading individuals in your industry. These different channels of social media will not only provide you with the most recent news in your specific area of interest, but also prepare you with valuable talking points at your next interview or networking event. Lastly, creating connections with influencers in your field could help you down the road.

The Internet provides endless opportunities for Millennials to showcase their valuable experiences, skills, and passion relevant to their careers. With so many resources literally available at their fingertips, Millennials should begin to think creatively about marketing their assets online. While doing so, Millennials should be careful not to plagiarize, badmouth former employers, or repeatedly post about controversial topics.

Use the Internet to your advantage to contact future employers in new, creative ways. Create video or photo resumes, design your own logo and showcase your passion through personalized posts. The age of online recruiting is on the rise and Millennials can beat the curve by creatively showcasing themselves through various platforms.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post How to Use Social Media to Land a Job appeared first on Law Street.

How do you draw the line between confidence and arrogance? We struggle all the time to discuss our aspirations and accomplishments without sounding like self-promotional salespeople. While we want to sell ourselves, we fear driving our audiences away by sounding arrogant.

However, confident doesn’t always mean arrogant. Once millennials learn to use their confidence appropriately, they will stand out from their peers in professional settings and job applications.

Here are some tips for presenting yourself confidently, without the arrogance.

Believe in yourself.

Confidence starts from within. Though some degree of being confident actually depends on genetics, you must believe in yourself to show others your confidence. Know your strengths and your weaknesses and you won’t be brought down.

In interviews, know how to discuss your accomplishments without sounding egotistical. Talk about the results of your work–did you increase sales by a certain percentage? Were you able to sign any big clients? Or, were you able to manage a crisis for your company? Turn your achievements into talking points that can foster deeper conversation.

Make eye contact.

Making eye contact with someone shows that you care about what that person has to say. Maintaining eye contact exudes confidence and fosters better communication. Avoid looking past the person you’re talking to, this may suggest that you’re disinterested or arrogant.

The smaller the setting, the more important making eye contact is. If you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone, be sure to lock eyes. If you’re at an informational session or some sort of larger networking event, try to make the most of your interactions. Whenever possible, try to be personable.

Support your own opinion.

Know about current issues in the world and form your own opinion of them. If you are knowledgeable about the issue and you can discuss in groups, voice your stance. If your view is not the most popular, don’t back down from the discussion–this is your chance to build confidence.

Midterm elections are coming up, #STOPTheGOP is trending and foreign affairs are a mess today. Every person is entitled to an opinion. Though politics is a touchy subject and should generally be avoided at networking events, if it does come up you should stand your ground. Are you particularly interested in border control or conflicts in the Middle East? Do you have a strong stance on an issue that you are knowledgable about? Make your voice heard! Not only will you impress (and maybe piss off) your audience, but most importantly, your firmness will prove your confidence.

Present yourself well.

As much as I hate to say it, appearance does matter. Dress the part for professional events. You don’t have to do anything over the top, but if you feel good about yourself, you will present yourself more confidently. Be careful not to overdress–you might come off as arrogant. Find balance.

I already covered the dos and don’ts for presenting yourself professionally, here, but it’s important to remember that different occasions call for different looks. The most important thing is to always appear well-put-together. That means avoiding wrinkly clothing, inappropriate logos, and overwhelming perfume or cologne. For more tips on how to present yourself professionally, click here.

Explore new ventures.

Not only will you have more talking points, but also you will improve your confidence. Try new things, explore life outside of your comfort zone. Once you explore new facets and force yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be more confident when presented in new situations. Join a local sports team or club; it’s also a great way to make new connections!

Next time you’re at a convention, a work dinner or an office party you’ll have more to bring to the table. Conversation is much more interesting when one has the real-world experience of a story and your new interests may fascinate your audience. What better way to boost your confidence than to be the life of the party?

Though the line between confidence and arrogance may be fine, it’s an important one to know. When applying for jobs or networking, confidence matters. Believe in yourself, expand your circles and you’ll be much better off.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Millennials: Be Confident, Not Arrogant appeared first on Law Street.

As Millennial women, we often have to take advantage of any possible networking opportunities to make a great first impression. But there’s a lot of variation in women’s clothing, and sometimes its difficult to figure out how to maximize your self-presentation. So, how should you dress for a professional event? Should you go with traditional black bottoms and a white blouse? Or can you spice it up with some bold colors and patterns?

In some cases it’s perfectly acceptable to stray from the traditional professional look, but there’s a fine line between jazzing up business casual and dressing for a party. Presenting oneself professionally can be challenging, but it’s imperative Millennial women learn to do so. Appearance and self-presentation go far beyond attire, and Millennials sometimes overlook minor details when preparing for professional events.

I witnessed many young women who failed and many who succeeded in presenting themselves professionally at the National Conference for the Public Relations Student Society of America this weekend. With more than 1,200 college students from across the country in attendance, I began to see a trend in my peers: some individuals truly understand how to present themselves professionally, but many Millennial women do not pay as much attention to detail in their appearances as they should.

While some style choices are obviously acceptable, other self-presentation decisions may negate professionalism. Below is a list of dos and don’ts for building a professional presence for interviews, conventions, conferences, and other professional events.

DO

• Wear modest clothes that cover your cleavage, lower back, midriff, and thighs.
• Wear light, natural-looking makeup, if you wear makeup at all. There’s no need to go for a full-on smoky eye look at the office.
• Bring professional accessories. Bring purses that can fit padfolios or other organizers and devices.
• Hand out your business cards! What better way is there to quickly promote your personal brand?
• Eradicate the use of filler words, for example, “like,” “uh,” or “um.” It’s extremely distracting when listening to someone ask a question in which every other words is “like.” This is easier said than done, no doubt; click here for some tips on how to stop saying “like.”

DON’T

• Wear too much perfume. Walking past someone whose scent is too strong can deter other individuals from approaching that person to talk.
• Wear short, tight skirts/dresses. Professional events are not the time to show off the results of all those squats you did. Skirts and dresses should at least lineup with your fingertips when your hands are at your sides.
• Wear heavy, gaudy or intense makeup. The makeup you wear in professional settings should enhance your natural beauty.
• Wear clothes that are too casual. Avoid wearing sneakers, T-shirts, sweat clothes, and clothes with company logos.
• Let your nail polish chip. Chipped nail polish can send messages that your are lazy. It’s harder to notice chips on lighter, softer colors than it is with dark or bright colors.

At professional events, your appearance is your brand. The way you look is the first information you convey to others about your personality. Thus, paying attention to details and adhering to some typical professional attire standards can help you appear more professional. You can be trendy and professional at the same time–your style may even help get you noticed.

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Natasha Paulmeno (@NatashaPaulmeno) is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends.

Featured image courtesy of [Vladimir Yaitskiy via Flickr]

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post The Do’s and Don’ts of Professional Presentation for Millennial Women appeared first on Law Street.

A history of consistent temporary work may be comparable with full time experience in the eyes of senior hiring managers. So why aren’t more millennials taking advantage of their temporary work history as resume boosters and learning experiences?

Temp jobs teach young professionals a wide variety of skills they wouldn’t have otherwise acquired. These temporary work opportunities expose young business pros to many new industries and work environments. The flexibility temp workers develop under these conditions offers desirable traits to prospective employers.

Temporary work experience ranges from part-time employment to covering for full-time employees during their absences. This type of experience is unique in that it allows employees to participate in new work environments and develop skills unique to specific industries.

In order to make the most of their temporary work experience, millennials should consider the following tips to turn their temp jobs into full-time careers.

1. Ask for more work. Be eager to help out in the workplace. If you’ve finished the task you’ve been assigned, ask for more. You can be assigned jobs you normally wouldn’t be and develop valuable skills. Don’t waste your time waiting to be given a job, seize the opportunity by the horns!
2. Seek new experiences. When asking for more work, try to seek projects or tasks in new fields. The variety of skills you will develop can help you market yourself better to prospective employers in the future.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s better to ask for help than to complete a task incorrectly. Save your employer and yourself time by asking for specific instructions. Your employer will understand that you have plenty to learn and your dedication to the task will reflect in your work.
4. Get to know your coworkers. Temporary work, just like every other professional experience, is an opportunity to network. The people you meet at these jobs can vouch for your professionalism in future references. Exchange contact information with your coworkers, send thank you emails to anyone who’s helped you along the way and stay in touch even after you’ve left the position.
5. Take each assignment seriously. Temporary work should not be taken any less seriously than full-time work. Temp jobs allow professionals to develop various skill sets and each assignment should be treated the way it would be at a full-time job. Some temporary jobs may eventually become full-time positions, so leave good impressions with these companies.

Even without any full-time experience, young professionals can build their resumes with their experiences from temporary jobs. In order to maximize the value of temporary work experiences, millennials should relate the relevant skills to each job application. Include specific assignments, skills developed and awards earned during temporary jobs. With luck, millennials’ temporary positions can become full-time careers.

Aside from bolstering resumes, temporary work experiences offer individuals an edge other applicants might not have. The nature of temporary work allows employees to explore industries and earn money while developing valuable professional skills. Each temporary role functions as a stepping stone for millennials to establish a full-time career.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Resume Booster: Maximize Your Temporary Work Experience appeared first on Law Street.

Networking is a powerful tool for millennials. For example, the other day I left class and I was heading to my next activity. I usually ignore the people who stand by the door trying to sell stuff, but this week they had freebies. Obviously I couldn’t pass the opportunity for some free goodies, so I started talking to the people at the table. Next thing I know, I’m planning to attend an information session for a possible internship next summer.

Had I not stopped at this table and began talking to the recruiters, I never would have found out about the internship possibility. Making small talk with the recruiters was easy–they had their purpose and I had mine. Sometimes, small talk is not that easy. You may feel awkward and pressured to say something intelligent, which might make you clam up.

There’s no need to fear small talk. Networking is a part of every millennial’s professional development and with these tips, you’ll be sure to succeed.

Firstly, shake off the layer of anxiety you carry with you. In a professional environment, there is no need to stress about small talk. Before you attend the conference or meeting in which you will have to chat to succeed, mentally prepare yourself. If breathing exercises calm you down, breathe deep my friends. Prepare some solid talking points that you are willing to discuss–what have you read lately, where have you traveled, and what plans do you have for the next weekend or holiday?

You can practice small talking with your classmates, professors and even distant friends. The more you create casual (and appropriate) conversation, the more you will hone your ability to make natural small talk.

When you’re chatting with a prospective employer at a networking event, you should prepare a few topics beforehand. Whether this be a topic that is specific to your field of work or a general trend in the news, this will make you less nervous when the time comes to small talk. It’s always better to come prepared than freeze up on the spot.

A good way to start off a chat is to start off with a declaration. This helps to avoid an awkward situation if you are unprepared for an unsatisfactory answer. If you start off with a declaration, it stimulates conversation and can help connect you with the person you are speaking with. You can declare something as simple as, “the National Gallery of Art opened up a new exhibit today. I’ve heard it’s supposed to be amazing.” As long as the topic you choose is relatable to the people you will be conversing with, this declaration will function as a conversation stimulant.

Asking conversational questions can help lead you to others for networking purposes. The Week suggests asking the three golden questions at the end of any professional meeting or encounter:

1. How can I help you?
2. What ideas do you have for me?
3. Who else do you know that I should talk to?

Showing your audience you are an active listener is important. If you are talking to a possible future employer, you should show them you are listening and thinking about what they have to say. This will show that you value what he or she has to say and can be a powerful characteristic to showcase.

Next time you’re at a work convention, professional conference, or networking event, use some of these tips to prepare yourself better for small talk. Making small talk efficient and creating a connection with your audience is at the core of networking. These days, networking is the lifeblood of many professionals’ careers, and a valuable skill for any millennial.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Small Talk Doesn’t Have to Be Scary appeared first on Law Street.

No one likes a liar. So why do people put their careers and professional reputations in jeopardy just to enhance their resumes? According to Forbes, about 60 percent of hiring managers catch lies on resumes, and the number of applicants who lie on their applications increased since the recession. But why do applicants still lie if they get caught? Aside from looking bad, his or her reputation is tarnished and any future work opportunities with the company are shot.

Moral of the story is don’t do it, but we can take a look at some of the most ridiculous resume lies.

1. Do your research. According to Forbes, one guy wrote on his resume that he was the assistant to the prime minister. The catch? The country he claimed to work for doesn’t even have one. Oops.
   What we learned: When you are truthfully associating yourself with any organization or group, you should do your background research on it. Know who you want to work for. This way you know who and what you represent and ensure you hold the same ideals.
2. Don’t act a fool. One 32-year-old applicant claimed to have 25 years of work experience. She must have matured rapidly as a  seven year old.
   What we learned: Putting ridiculous claims on your resume doesn’t fool anyone, it actually makes you look like a fool. Be as truthful as possible and learn the difference between embellishing your resume to make it shine and lying to get ahead.
3. Be truthful about your history. When applying to the same position at a company on two separate occasions, one applicant provided different work history for each application. That did wonders for the applicant’s reputation.
   What we learned: Employers can and will find out about your history, so be honest. It’s better to be up front than have to confess to a lie you previously told in an interview.
4. List references who will benefit your reputation. An applicant who listed three jobs in several years was definitely disappointed when he didn’t receive a call back. When the interviewer contacted the employers, she found out the applicant held one job for two days, another job for one day, and never worked at the third job. Yikes.
   What we learned: Use references to your advantage. They should make you look and sound great and vouch for your professional skills. Also, listing references who will uncover lies you told on a resume or application will definitely make you look bad.
5. Don’t burn bridges. After an applicant was fired from a company, he promptly applied to a different position at the same company. The company was listed under previous employment on his resume, but according to the applicant, he quit his previous job. The company’s records revealed the truth.
   What we learned: In every industry, people have connections all over the country, even the world. With our highly interconnected society, word of mouth spreads like wildfire. It would be wise to make graceful exits and maintain positive relationships in your professional career.

Though these are just a few examples of ridiculous lies applicants have told, many more have been caught. Embellishing resumes is a common problem – applicants who exaggerate their capabilities with coding and design skills, for example, are often embarrassed when tasked with those duties but they’re unable to perform.

Resume fluff just isn’t worth it. Be truthful, be honest and use colorful verbs to enhance your actual experience.

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Natasha Paulmeno (@NatashaPaulmeno) is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Resume Lies Really Are the Worst Decision Ever appeared first on Law Street.