SmartMomEDU

Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn: Privacy Controls

June 17, 2013 – 8:50 am

A key step in setting up your LinkedIn account is to ensure you have the correct privacy settings. If you’re a mom returning to the work force, you likely don’t have to worry about a current employer seeing your activity, but privacy concerns are always present when you are online.

To get to the privacy settings on LinkedIn, follow these steps:

From the LinkedIn Home page, hover your mouse over your picture in the upper right hand corner of the screen (see below) then select “Privacy & Settings” from the dropdown list

The settings tab allows you to adjust how LinkedIn works for you.

The settings tab looks like this:

You must be on the Profile tab (lower left) to adjust your privacy settings.

To get to your Privacy Controls, you must select the “Profile” tab near the lower left part of the screen. Under the Privacy Controls, you will see the following options:

“Turn on/off activity broadcasts” Activity broadcasts publicize what you do in your LinkedIn account (such as update your profile, follow people). It is recommended that you deselect (turn off) your activity broadcasts so you don’t spam your network while you are constructing your account. You can always turn it back on once you stabilize your account, however, if you’re already working and are looking for new job you may want to keep it off (as you don’t want to broadcast to your current work connections what you’re doing.)

“Select who can see your activity feed” Basically your activity feed is the same as your activity broadcasts. Updates will appear on your activity feed and the activity feed of your connections. Select “only you” and posts will only appear on your activity feed and not on anyone else’s feed. However, if you are currently out of the paid workforce and you’re trying to get back in, you may to change this selection to “your network” so your updates have more broadcast power. If you select “your connections” your updates will appear on the activity feeds of your 1^st level connections only.

Again, what you select depends on your business objective. Consider what are you trying to accomplish with LinkedIn.

“Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile” Select your name and headline which is recommended. If you select this option then you will also be able to see who viewed your page. If you select one of the other two options you will not be able to see who viewed your page (I’ll talk more about that in a later post). However, if you want to look up an old boyfriend then select totally anonymous!

“Select who can see your connections” Make this “your connections” because the whole point of being on LinkedIn is to network and build connections.

“Show/hide Viewers of this profile also viewed box” Deselect this option because typically this will display people similar to you who may be competing for the same jobs as you are. If a recruiter looks at your page and sees this box she may use it to find other candidates.

Your assignment for this week is to set all your privacy controls. It will only take a few minutes, but will make a big impact on how you use LinkedIn.

Here are some more links that you may find helpful as you establish your LinkedIn account.

Managing account settings (LinkedIn Help Center)

5 Key LinkedIn Privacy Control Settings (Intero Advisory)

By Lisa Ash | Posted in LinkedIn | Comments (0)

Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn: Joining LinkedIn and Building Connections

June 10, 2013 – 10:58 am

Are you confused about how to set up your new LinkedIn account? Do you feel like you should be on LinkedIn, but are unclear how to use it? We’ve blogged in the past about the value of being on LinkedIn. Click here see our blog on why it is so important to be on LinkedIn. For stay-at-home moms who have been out of the paid workforce, LinkedIn is an even more critical tool in your job search. Essentially all companies’ use LinkedIn to recruit candidates and you can quickly build your network by being on LinkedIn. Again, for stay-at-home moms who are lacking business connections, LinkedIn will really help you grow your network quickly.

It can feel overwhelming and a bit confusing when you first get on LinkedIn. You may not understand all the different facets of your LinkedIn account. Over the next several weeks, we will walk you through setting up your LinkedIn account with weekly blog posts. Hopefully, we can help you better navigate this great career management tool!

LinkedIn is all about making connections, so the first thing to understand about LinkedIn is how connections work. Creating connections is how you will grow your network. There are three levels of connections on LinkedIn.

1st Level Connections: these are the people you are directly connected to. In order to be directly connected, you have to invite someone to connect or get invited by someone else to connect and the invitation was accepted. This is the only level of connections you can control (more on that later).

2nd Level Connections: these are the connections of your first level of connections. So, if you have a 1st level connection with Sue, and Sue has a 1st level connection with Jane, you will have a 2nd level connection with Jane. Make sense?

3rd Level Connections: these are the connections of your 2nd level connections. Remember Jane from above… she was a 2nd level connection, right. Jane’s 1st level connections become your 3rd level connections. So, if you’re connected to Sue (1st level) and Sue is connected to Jane (2nd level) and Jane is connected to Mary, then Mary becomes a 3rd level connection to you. Whew… luckily, this is where the connections stop…there isn’t a 4th level of connections!

When you hear the term “extended network” it means your level 2 and 3 connections. “Out-of-network” means anyone who is beyond a level 3 connection.

What is really terrific is you can grow your network passively through your 1st and 2nd level connections This growth really helps us moms build our professional networks which can help in our career relaunch. While you’re busy making dinner or chaperoning a field trip, you’re network continues to grow because your 1st and 2nd level connections are always adding connections.

You can only add 1st level connections. You cannot add someone as a 2nd or 3rd level connection. Those connections are solely based your 1st level connections. You can, however, promote a 2nd or 3rd level connection to a 1st level connection by directly inviting them to connect with you. If they accept your invitation (and who wouldn’t because you’re so fabulous!), they become a 1st level connection.

You’re assignment for this first week is to sign up for your own LinkedIn account. If you already have one check back next Monday and we’ll talk about how to set up your privacy settings. To join LinkedIn go to linkedin.com and follow the steps for free registration (don’t worry, the free basic account is fine, you don’t need to pay to upgrade to the premium account).

If you need help setting up your account, check out these great links:

How to set up a LinkedIn account (About.com)

Signing up to join LinkedIn (LinkedIn help center)

5 simple steps to get started on LinkedIn (Des Walsh)

By Lisa Ash | Posted in LinkedIn | Comments (0)

LinkedIn – Change Privacy Settings During “Construction”

May 31, 2013 – 11:38 am

Flowers planted in concrete planters on a concrete bench look pretty in front of my ferns!

It’s an amazingly beautiful Friday here in Minnesota. After an extreme number of rainy days my yard is so green and lovely that I want to photograph and share almost everything in it.

These iris plants are 100 years old and given to me last fall. I can't wait to see them bloom and spread over the years!

These iris plants are 100 years old and were given to me last fall. I can’t wait to see them bloom and spread over the years!

You know how, when you are digging up a garden or cleaning out a closet, the process has to get a bit ugly before it gets beautiful. Well, that can be true with a lot of things. There are areas in my yard that I wouldn’t want to share.

What a nightmare! This area in my backyard is just a project on my list full of ideas! I’m only sharing this to prove a point

Lisa and I attended a LinkedIn workshop last week and the first hour was spent on privacy settings. You really don’t want messages sent out every time you add a skill or tweak your profile.

Change your LinkedIn Privacy settings while you are working on your profile.

So, here are a few suggestions our instructor advised for making changes within the profile section (see above pic to locate these settings):

Privacy Controls

Turn on/off your activity broadcasts (turn this off)
Select who can see your activity feed select (Only You)
Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile (select your Name and Headline)
Select who can see your connections (select Your Connections)
Change your profile photo & visibility (select Everyone)
Show/hide “Viewers of this profile also viewed” box (uncheck this box “Display Viewers of this profile also viewed” box on my Profile page”)

By Sue Lawlor | Posted in LinkedIn | Comments (0)

Maximize your Listening Skills

May 10, 2013 – 8:08 am

Listen carefully when you hear this.

I Love you Mom

Seriously doesn’t all perfect communication start and end here? This phase says it all. It’s generous and grateful. What a perfectly beautiful expression.

Enjoy.

Speaking of communication this was written in the Harvard Business Review , “The number one criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is an ability to communicate effectively.” If we want to maximize our personal potential inside or outside of the home we may have some work to do here.

I’m a believer and I know I have quite a bit of room for improvement which is probably why, when I am looking to read something in the non-fiction genre, I’m drawn to communication based books. Fiction is really all about communication or miscommunication after-all. Some of the best troubles in literature are solved by a long awaited clarification of meaning (Pride and Prejudice anyone?)

In reality, the framework of communication is quite simple….deceptively simple perhaps:

Listen
Share what you have in common

Without the first step the whole process fails so here is a list of things to work on to become a better listener. Here are 8 words I have gathered which describe an effective listener.

Silent: a good listener should not be interrupting but simply listening. (wait now….. you’ll get your turn to talk)
Curious: ask questions so you can get a better idea of what is really being said. Bring out you inner Oprah.
Open: this is not the time to argue or criticize. You’re trying to communicate not win an argument. If you feel you win here, you will be a big loser when it comes to listening (I’m just saying…)
Patient: allow some time for the other person to finish their thoughts before you jump in.
Empathetic: Try to take a few “steps in their shoes” with your imagination.
Focused: There is no universe where you can be a good listener with the TV on or while checking your iPhone, cell phone or email!
Relaxed: make sure you body appears to be at ease while you listen. It’s a cue that helps someone want to share. .

Next share what you have in common with humility and sincerely!

Speaking of sharing, I hope you enjoy beautiful little poem.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The sweetest sounds to mortals given

Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.

~William Goldsmith Brown

By Sue Lawlor | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

4 ways to refresh your skills before relaunching back into the workforce

May 8, 2013 – 4:17 pm

When you have been a stay-at-home mom who has been out of the paid workforce for a number of years, it is easy to lose confidence in your professional skills and abilities. If you are planning a career reentry, you may want to refresh your skills. Updating your skills can help you feel more confident when launching your career comeback or while interviewing.

It is imperative that you are competent in basic computer skills such as emailing, Internet searching, and knowing Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. As a stay-at-home mother, you may not be fluent in these programs. If you aren’t, it is important to learn them. Check out local community education classes or visit our Member Classroom for some basic classes (we’re planning to grow our library of courses).

If you’re planning to pursue a new career or if you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time, you may consider going back to school. Returning to school may require a big time and financial commitment; however, there are a number of options (which I’ll discuss below) and you’ll likely be able to find a program that will work for you. Additionally, the financial and time commitment you make now will likely payoff in the long run with greater earning power and career satisfaction.

Some educational possibilities for moms who want to return to work include:

A full-degree program: This back-to-school option is the best if you want to make a major career change. I have friend who always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She spent 3 years going to school at night (thankfully, she had a supportive husband), to earn her elementary education degree. She quit her full-time job at a law firm, and began teaching 3rd grade last fall. She says it has all been worth it because she loves teaching. She adores her students has more time with her own school-aged children.

Certificate Program: Certificate programs are a great way to improve your skills in a specific area with a lower financial and time commitment. I’ve become increasing interested in adult learning and training, and have found a number of certificate programs in these areas. The University of Minnesota has a College of Continuing Education along with other certificate programs offered through various programs. You could check out your local colleges to see if they offer similar programs. Search “post baccalaureate certificate programs” online and see what you can find. If you don’t live near a college or university, there also are a number of online programs.

Community and Technical Colleges: Community colleges offer associate degrees which can be completed in 2 years or less. These programs cost less than 4-year programs and usually offer greater flexibility for non-traditional students. There has been an increase over the last few years of college graduates enrolling in associate degree programs. Another benefit of community and technical colleges is that they prepare you for more specific careers which is appealing to career changers and relaunchers.

Self-Study: If you decide against going back to school for formal training, at least take some time on your own to spruce up your skills and knowledge. You can do this by reading books, magazines, or industry publications about your target industry. You can also join an industry or professional association. As noted in my blog a few weeks ago about LinkedIn, don’t forget about joining groups related to your industry there – it’s a great (free) way to find information on your professional interests.

In this information age, there is no shortage of information. Take advantage of this fact and use this time to keep abreast of the latest trends and information in your areas of interest. This knowledge will help you boost your confidence as you embark upon your career relaunch!

By Lisa Ash | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Create a Clever, Clever LinkedIn Headline

April 17, 2013 – 1:59 pm

Life’s too short to have a boring LinkedIn Headline too!

I saw this fun little picture on Pinterest today and had to share. Yes, it’s about fashion but also about showing something of yourself to the world.

That’s why it made me think again about Lisa’s LinkedIn article (Getting LinkedIn) that she posted last week. She wrote: “Be creative with your Headline too. The Headline is the hook to people finding you on LinkedIn. It defaults to what you list as your current job description, but try to make it more personal and interesting. Use it to tell people what you can offer or share your personal brand statement..” Well, this is perfect for someone who may be looking to communicate their niche but not necessarily their current job title! How about creating a Headline for your vision board before you are ready to “go live” with it?

Here are a few samples:

Clever LinkedIn Headline Samples

Be unique, not a version of someone else. Role models are to be admired not copied and are most useful as “teachers.”

Be the best version of yourself not the average/satisfactory version. The version of yourself that is constantly improving and aiming for excellence. The best version of yourself is ambitious, bold, smart, learning, generous, forward thinking, purposeful, curious and clever!

Create a Clever LinkedIn Headline!

By Sue Lawlor | Posted in LinkedIn, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Getting LinkedIn

April 12, 2013 – 8:42 am

Even if you are not working outside of the home right now, you should really get on LinkedIn. Why? Because someday you may want to return to a career outside the home or launch a business or just stay engaged with professional adults! Heck, you can even use LinkedIn to figure out what career you want to pursue. There are so many different groups on LinkedIn, you’re bound to find several that appeal to your personal interests.

If you’re a mom who is ready to start your job search, but feel that social media is not for you or you’re afraid of social media, you need to overcome these fears. If you’re a mom who is already working and would like to make a career change, but are worried about being seen on LinkedIn by your employer, you don’t need to worry about it. I have a part-time job and not only I am on LinkedIn, all of my co-workers are too (including my boss!).

How important is it to be on LinkedIn? Just look at this information from Jobvite, the leading recruitment platform for the social web,

Jobvite today (July 9, 2012) announced the results of its annual Social Recruiting Survey. The data reveals social recruiting has become an essential HR practice, with 92% of U.S. companies using social networks and media to find talent in 2012, up from 78% five years ago. LinkedIn continues to be a dominant recruiting network, while Facebook and Twitter have seen major adoption growth in the past year. 2/3 of companies now recruit through Facebook and more than half (54%) use Twitter to find new talent. Jobvite also found that employers scrutinize social media activity, noting more than half of respondents would have a negative reaction to seeing a spelling or grammar mistake in a social profile. Overall, social recruiting has become an essential resource in the war for talent as competition is fiercer than ever – 89% of companies report plans to increase hiring this year.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to get started on LinkedIn. All you need to do is visited LinkedIn.com to sign up for a free account. Here’s the link to get started! Always remember, this is a professional social networking sight, so always be professional – from your profile picture (no vacation pics please) to your email contact info (hotmama@yahoo may not be a good choice for LinkedIn!).

After you sign up, there a few key steps you need to take.

1) Complete your profile. You may not finish it all in one sitting and that’s okay, but do try to get it 100% complete. Your profile is the first thing people see, so take your time and get it right. You want to include your current position (if you have one) and a few past postions, but only if they are relevant to your current search (check out this article to learn more about creating a marketable LinkedIn profile), your educational history, your specialities, photo, recommendations, and a summary. Don’t skip the summary – this is the area where you can really show your personal brand – see examples here. Be creative with your Headline too. The Headline is the hook to people finding you on LinkedIn. It defaults to what you list as your current job description, but try to make it more personal and interesting. Use it to tell people what you can offer or share your personal brand statement. Click here to see some examples of great LinkedIn headlines.

2) Make connections. The whole point of being on LinkedIn is to make connections and network. Try to connect with those in the profession or areas of interest you want to pursue. When you connect, try to personalize your message. Follow this link to for tips on requesting new connections. I’ve added connections through neighbors, past and current colleagues, LinkedIn groups (see more below), and friends. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can make your network grow when you start working on connections.

3) Join Groups. Not only I have make some great connections through groups on LinkedIn, I’ve also found a lot of great resources and information because of these groups. I’m sometime surprised how much time has passed when I’ve gotten sucked in to group conversations, links, and articles. Join groups that fit with your strategy or brand. If you are interested in returning to work as a Project Manager, seek out groups about project management. If you are considering starting your own CSA farm, seek out groups focused on sustainable farming. You can find LinkedIn groups on just about any topic. Use your past educational or employment history to connect in groups. A great place to start is by searching college alumni groups.

4) Participate. To make your LinkedIn experience successful, you need to participate on LinkedIn. This means making connections and joining groups as noted above. You should also comment on articles, share information, and provide answers to questions people post. You can establish yourself as a subject matter expert in areas where you are knowledgeable. By participating in these online conversations you can strategically grow your network by connecting with people in the areas you are interested in.

Get out there and try it! Being on LinkedIn is a must if you’re heading back to work or trying to change careers, but even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, you can benefit from LinkedIn too!

By Lisa Ash | Posted in LinkedIn, Social Media | Comments (0)

Getting it all done

April 3, 2013 – 10:00 am

Last week I attended a local networking event put on by the women’s networking group WIN. Not only did I have the opportunity to make some great connections with a few of the women I ate lunch with, I was able to listen to a wonderful speaker, and most importantly, I was inspired and re-energized. Sometimes when you spend a lot of time alone, out of the corporate world, life can get a bit isolating and there is nothing like spending an hour and a half with an engaging and inspiring group of women to get you motivated.

Our speaker was Virtual Assistant and Productivity Consultant, Amy Thill. Amy is the owner of VAST Business Solutions located in Excelsior, MN. According to Amy, her passion is helping women eliminate stress so they can expand their business and enjoy their lives. She sounds like someone I should spend more time with!

Amy had some great tips to help women stay focused and organized. Here are her top 7 tips to help you be more productive.

1. Gather your to do items: gather post-it notes, lists, school forms and so on, and get them all in one place.

2. Use a capture tool: find a tool that you can use consistently to keep all your to items together – such as MS Outlook, EverNote, a notepad, or my personal favorite, the Teux Deux app.

3. Focus on the wildly improtant: work towards only your top 2-3 goals until they are done. If you have too many goals, you won’t accomplish any of them.

4. Ask yourself: Ask important questions like… what do you want to do? What can you eliminate? What’s working? What’s not? What can you delegate? Be honest about the answers.

5. Your calendar is like your closet: You must keep it updated and organized. Often it works well to put “like” things together in your calendar. For example, run all your errands together on Wednesday.

6. Set your intention: Plan tomorrow at the end of today. Plan next week on Friday afternoon. Plan May the last week of April.

7. Just say no: Don’t underestimate the power of the word no, and how saying no can add to your own happiness and productivity.

Hope you find Amy’s tips as helpful as I do.

By Lisa Ash | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

The Retro (Modern) Wife

March 25, 2013 – 2:52 pm

Retro Wife...(honestly she is much more modern and cute when she is not so staged!)

A few days ago Mika Brzezinski mentioned an article; The Retro Wife (Feminists who say they have it all by choosing to stay at home- by Lisa Miller) and I knew I had to read it! Here’s a shot of Mika’s Twitter feed. Intriguing right?

Great conversation @MorningMika

As you can imagine, the article classifies the subject, Kelly Makino/“Retro Wife”, as a mom who has chosen to give up her career to stay at home. Labels, labels, labels…. Honestly! Retro ( “going back in time or position”…..) is not necessarily a positive term. Being a wife and mom is actually pretty high level/cutting edge business and it always has been. Choosing to work is not exactly being a “Modern Wife” either. Maybe being a “Modern Wife” is successfully navigating life without having to choose labeled sides that are so easy to toss about. It certainly involves staying sharp and educated on the latest trends and technologies. It can mean electing to stay at home, work for pay or perhaps volunteering for the benefit of the community.

The author writes; “But Kelly’s priorities are nothing if not retrograde. She has given herself over entirely to the care and feeding of her family. Undistracted by office politics and unfettered by meetings or a nerve-fraying commute, she spends hours upon hours doing things that would make another kind of woman scream with boredom.”

Wow, that’s what my mom would call a “zinger!” Why can’t she be described as a creative, flexible wife who is realistic about what she wants to do? Kind of more “Retro-Wonderful-Creative” than “Retro-Mindless-Boring.” Anyway, the article is worth reading and talking about. (as a side note to the above mentioned “care and feeding” reference …. my son is really good about his fish so I am grateful for the reminder to compliment him. haha!)

I love Campbell Brown’s description of “leaning in at certain moments and leaning out” in the clip below. She is sincere and honest when she remarks, “I think that’s totally unrealistic.”

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

By Sue Lawlor | Posted in Life, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Folding a fitted sheet

March 15, 2013 – 1:11 pm

Okay, I know this post won’t pad your resume or help you land a new job, but I just felt the need to share. Yesterday, as I was driving to work I was listening to Marketplace on Minnesota Public Radio. On the program there was little blurb about how to expertly fold a fitted sheet! I wondered if I heard correctly since folding a fitted sheet doesn’t fit in with usual Marketplace stories. I checked out their website, and sure enough, they had this video of how to fold a fitted sheet from the site LivingOnADime.com.

I don’t know about you, but I have never been able to fold a fitted sheet properly, so I found this information quite exciting. Again, this skill may not be transferable on a resume, but I’ll sure feel good about myself when my linen closet looks so orderly! Plus, I love what she says at the end about learning something new, “like any new thing you learn, it might feel awkward at first, don’t worry with a little bit of practice you’ll do just fine.” Truer words have never been spoken!