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Underground Railroad. By Colson Whitehead

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Very provocative book. At times it was hard to come to grips with the savagery of slavery. The cruelty. The idea that people were property. I had a hard time with moving from the truth of the slavery story and the fiction of his underground railroad as being real. I had a hard time getting past that.

Unfortunately, I also started this book before I hiked the PCT in early August and then stopped reading it for about 3 weeks, and only now finishing weeks after I started. I feel like I lost something on this.

I would be curious to hear what others think.

Using LinkedIn to Research: Who would have thought?

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Using LinkedIn to Research: Who would have thought?

LinkedIn may be social media but it is also the largest career database in the world. (Profiles of people, their career paths, jobs, and companies). Too many people do not realize the value of using LinkedIn to research.

using linkedIn to research

Yes, LinkedIn is:

  • your professional online presence
  • like your resume showing your experience and skills
  • a place to find jobs
  • a great networking platform
  • an information-sharing platform
  • also, a platform where you can do a ton of researching on companies and career pathways

Read this article or watch my screen capture to learn how you can:

  • Discover a company mission, goals, and values
  • Get a sense of the company culture
  • Identify people who work there now or did in the past to learn from and network with
  • See the career path of people who work (ed) there doing the type of job you want to do
  • See which skills, credentials, and training people have that are doing the type of work you want to do
  • And if you are lucky enough, to better prepare for an interview

After you have your LinkedIn profile to “All-Star” status (you don’t want people to see you are researching them or their company and have a profile that does not show your best)…

And, after you have refined your search and focused your career goals (even in broad terms, not necessarily narrowed down to 1 or 2 companies but at least you will want to be exploring some specific types of jobs)…

And, after you have done some research to identify your top 50 companies you are interested in learning more about… (Stuck in a Job Search? Find 50 Companies)

…then you are ready to use LinkedIn as one of your tools in your toolbox to discover mission, goals, values, culture, and much more.

Here are three areas in LinkedIn to research companies, career pathways, and people. 

Watch this screen capture of how to research companies on LinkedIn
(You can follow along with the  blog below)

Youtube LinkedIn
– – – CLICK ON THIS IMAGE FOR SCREEN CAPTURE

For demonstration purposes, I went to the Best Places to Work in Maine website and found a company I did not know well, called NFI North, Inc which provides mental health services.

Step 1] Company Research – Learning about their culture and career pathways.

In the SEARCH bar, type in the company you are researching and make sure you click on the “Company” logo.

This brings you to the company’s LinkedIn page. If you are interested in this company, or when you are interested after your research, click on “+Follow” so that you will begin to receive posts, announcements, and jobs. Look on the left side of the screen for the below tabs.

HOME tab.  Read what they have posted here to get a better understanding of the company culture.

  • Are they active here?
  • What are they posting?
  • Jobs?
  • Helpful tips?
  • Does this “feel” like a company you’d like to work for?

*Note: look to the right side of the screen and you’ll find “Similar pages”. This can be a very serendipitous way of discovering other similar companies

ABOUT tab. Typically gives you a nice overview of the company

JOBS tab. Yep…this is where you’ll find current job openings. Don’t worry if there are none posted or no jobs you’d like to do. Right now, research is what you want to do to find ways to network so you learn about jobs BEFORE they are posted.

PEOPLE tab. Here you will find six columns. You can only view two at a time and must navigate using the “Previous” or “Next” links to the right. (see image below).

LinkedIn to research

This is where you can identify people who work there, where they live, what they do, where they studied, what their major was, skills they have identified as needed in their jobs, and how you are connected. This is a treasure trove of information!

I recommend starting with the 3rd panel over, “What they do”. Click on the “Next” link. Then, click on the “Show more” at the bottom.

Find an area you are most interested in and click on it. (see image below).

This will then show you the people who are doing that job function.

Pretty cool 🙂

I choose “Community and Social Services” and at NFI North, it brings up 54 employees.

LinkedIn to research

You can then choose one of the six panels to narrow down your search even further as to Column 1 “Where they live”

Panel 2 “Where they studied”

Panel 4 “What they studied” You may want to find people who have a similar major

Panel 5 “What they are skilled at” This may help you determine skills you already have or skills you may want to develop

ACTION: this is where the “largest career database in the world” can help you look at career pathways to get to the job you want. Begin checking out some of the profiles of people and see how they got to their job. All the people who meet your criteria can be found below the chart. Pretty amazing isn’t it?

Step 2] Advanced Search – Identifying people who work there or worked there.

I like to start by going to the SEARCH bar in the upper left of LinkedIn, putting my cursor in the box, and press ENTER. (no need to type anything in this now – I’ll show you why) 

LinkedIn Screenshot

I like to use the “All Filters” function which will allow us to find people who currently work at NFI North and who worked there in the past. Both can be very helpful in understanding company culture. Click on “All Filters” and you will see a number of options. Find “Current Companies” and type in the company you are researching. It should pull up their logo. Select it.

Then do the same for “Past Companies”.

APPLY – In my case, it shows 7 people who are connected to me. One of them is a 2nd level connection (Derik) and six are 3rd level connections. 

*Note: My 2nd level person identifies which of my 1st connections are connected with Derik – If I want to connect with Derik, I could always reach out to these folks for introductions. 

ACTION: At this time you could review these people’s profiles to see what they do there, but I want to continue the research.

*Note: Do NOT connect from this screen because it does not allow you to write a note. When connecting always go to the person’s profile, choose CONNECT, and add a note as to why you’d like to connect.

Let’s click on “ALL FILTERS” again in the upper right.

Many times I am looking for “warm connections”, so I want to see if anyone graduated from the same college as me. Scroll down and type in your college. I selected the University of Maine (even though I didn’t graduate from there, I’m pretty sure no one graduated from Oregon State University at NFI 🙂

APPLY

In my example here of using LinkedIn to research, I have one possible “warm connection” who attended the University of Maine. If you do not know this person, I do not recommend connecting. You can always connect later if you do an informational interview or meet them somewhere. Right now, your focus is researching.

Now you know people who work there, people who worked there in the past, and how you can find alumni. A good start for your company research. Remember, LinkedIn is a tool to use. If you want to reach out to any of these people, find their contact information and ask for 10-15 minutes of their time…but this is another blog.

Step 3] Leaving LinkedIn to research on company websites & social media

Click on “Visit website” at the top and begin to explore the company’s website. 

  • Is their messaging consistent with what you’ve learned so far?
  • Does their mission resonate with you?

Typically at the top or the bottom of the website, you will find their social media links. You’ve already done the LinkedIn research, now check out their “messaging” on Facebook, Twitter, and wherever else they are.

  • Is their messaging consistent with what you’ve learned so far?

Use your analytical skills to determine content but also pay attention to your instincts and feelings. Not everything can be explained with data, and you want a company that “feels” right to you.

There are many other ways to use LinkedIn as a “tool in your toolbox” to learn about companies, develop your network, and identify possible careers. This is just one way that many of my clients will use LinkedIn as the largest career database in the world.

————————————————–

Jim Peacock is the Principal at Peak-Careers Consulting and writes a monthly newsletter for career practitioners. Peak-Careers offers discussion-based online seminars for career practitioners focused on meeting continuing education needs for CCSP, GCDF and BCC certified professionals as well as workshops for career practitioners and individual career coaching. He is the author of A Field Guide for Career Practitioners: Helping Your Clients Create Their Next Move

Sign up here to receive my  TOP 10 TIPS WHEN WORKING WITH AN UNDECIDED PERSON.  You can also receive the career practitioners newsletter which includes a variety of career topics, industry news, interesting events, and more. 

Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Yes, I just read Uncle Tom’s Cabin, published in 1852. I had never read it before and while reading David McCullough’s book The Pioneers, he referenced that as Ohio was being developed (then called the Northwest Territories), they wrote their constitution to include that they would be slave-free state and he mentioned that Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a hugely influencing book on that topic.

This book was written at a time in our country when the discussions about slavery were rampant. Harriet Beecher Stowe listened to many stories from actual slaves and freed slaves and wove those true stories into her book. It is incredible that much of what is in this book was based on fact.

She was also able to really bring the different views of slavery into the book, from the slave owners and slaves to the people who lived in New England and New York. It is an eye-opening book filled with insight into how troubling and difficult the times were.

I found myself aghast at times to the terrible treatment that some plantation owners did to their slaves and to the view that these people were “property”. It makes me sad just thinking about this “scar” on our history.

If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. Read the final chapter first where it talks about how Harriet wrote this book based upon actual lives. Wow…

How to slow down

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Are you walking too fast?
Want to know how to slow down?

How to slow down

I just finished an 81-mile backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in California with my two hiking buddies of 38 years. (Rees and Howard). We have been section-hiking the entire 2650 mile trail from Mexico to Canada since 1981 and Howard was completing the PCT on this 81-mile section…I had to be there with him.

There are many ways to hike the PCT. We choose to do sections ranging from 50 miles to 400 miles in length picking different sections from 1981 to present. Other people, called ‘through-hikers” attempt to do it in a single season, typically from April to October.

While walking about 11 miles per day and reflecting on many things, I considered the dichotomy of these two approaches to the same trail.  My hiking buddies Rees and Howard often talked about what the through-hikers were missing in their sprint to do the 2650 miles in ~5 months. My point has always been that there is more than one way of hiking this trail…just like there is more than one way of navigating your career development.

Section hiking allows us to hike at some of the best seasons for each section of trail. Rees and I hiked in the Mojave desert three years ago in April and were lucky enough to catch the desert bloom. The wildflowers were amazing!! We were able to hike this last 81-mile section in early August after a HUGE snowfall year that shut down the high Sierra’s in May and caused many through-hikers to wait or skip ahead because the snow was simply too deep.

— Stopping to enjoy the Mule Ear flowers in bloom–

Section hiking also allows us to manage our miles/day better. Most years we hiked about 12-15 miles per day. This year, our goal was 11 miles per day which was very comfortable. We often had our miles for the day completed by 1 pm which gave us a great siesta time in the heat of the day.

Meanwhile, the through-hikers we met along the trail (they were heading north and we were heading south) were all under pressure to hike 25-30 miles per day…some were actually hiking 40 miles per day!! While these hikers were getting up at dawn and walking until dark, we were stopping for breaks on the tops of mountains, taking 2-3 hour lunch breaks with naps, and setting up camp as early as 1 pm and no later than 5 pm every day.

One thing we do on the trail is to have discussions on things like “You are the average of the six people you hang out with. Who are your six people and what characteristics do they have you would like to emulate?” and “What are your goals for the next couple of years?” With 11 miles to walk each day, there is plenty of time to think and discuss many topics.

Not everyone can hike the PCT for 11 miles per day as we did…
so how do you slow down?

Just like in career development, there are many paths to success.

Is through-hiking the PCT in one season better or worse than section hiking? I believe there are times you must be goal-oriented and focused, like the through-hikers doing 25 miles per day (or more) totally focused on getting to Canada by October 1st when the weather turns nasty. And then there are times when we need to slow down and enjoy the moments of life presented to us each day.

For those of you who are “through-hikers” in your careers, “go for it” and push for your goals. But…(there is always a but isn’t there?) don’t forget that your brain and body need breaks from the intensity.

For those of you who are “section-hikers” in your careers, where the goals are not as intense as some, make sure you carve out the time each day to be “present” with yourself and the people you love.

How To Slow Down

  • Create a routine in your day that builds in quiet time to either read, write in a journal, or simply reflect.
  • Set a timer so that you never sit longer than 45 minutes. Then stand up, stretch, do Qi Gong, walk around, and maybe instead of texting or emailing someone, walk over and talk with them.
  • Practice mindfulness in your day. This can be a simple as eating your lunch or snack with no distractions. No checking your email, watching T.V., or listening to music. Just chew your food, one forkful or bite at a time. Don’t take the 2nd bite until you have thoroughly eaten the first bite. Focus on eating only. Clear your mind of everything else. Be mindful of the moment.
  • Take a short walk to get outside if you can. Being outdoors has scientific proof that it is good for us. (No music, no podcasts, just walk alone or with a friend).
  • Be “present” when you are with someone. This is a trait that my hiking buddy Howard is great at. When you are with Howard, he is totally with you and you can feel it.
  • Turn off your phone for a period of the day. Too often, we are “chasing” messages, phone calls, and emails. They can wait. Take control over your day.
  • If you can, take a “tech-free” retreat for a half-day or a full-day. I try to take a full-day “tech-free” retreat once per month. I write, read, meditate, and plan for the upcoming months. My brother chooses the months of the year that has five Friday’s in it, as there can be no ‘standing’ meetings scheduled on that day. He does his retreat about five times each year.

There are many ways to slow down in our lives, but all too often, we do not take advantage of it. My backpacking trips help reinforce the importance of slowing down. When I am off the trail, I often think back to our 11-15 mile days and how I feel when I can remove the clutter of our fast-paced world.

I’d love to hear what you can do to slow down in your day.
Please share your thoughts here.

Jim Peacock is the Principal at Peak-Careers Consulting and writes a monthly newsletter for career practitioners. Peak-Careers offers discussion-based online seminars for career practitioners focused on meeting continuing education needs for CCSP, GCDF and BCC certified professionals as well as workshops for career practitioners and individual career coaching. He is the author of A Field Guide for Career Practitioners: Helping Your Clients Create Their Next Move

Sign up here to receive my  TOP 10 TIPS WHEN WORKING WITH AN UNDECIDED PERSON.  You can also receive the career practitioners newsletter which includes a variety of career topics, industry news, interesting events, and more. 

Peak Careers - Professional Development for Careers

INTERVIEW: Staffing & Recruiting Agencies

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Why should career coaches and career service providers know about staffing and recruiting agencies?

Listen to this interview with an owner of a staffing agency and a top recruiter discuss why you might want to
refer a client or student to a staffing and recruiting agency.

My guests today are:

Wendy Schoen, CEO & Managing Partner of Schoen Legal Search
Cathy DeMerchant, President and Co-Owner of Capital Area Staffing Solutions

What we explore:

  • When might career coaches and practitioners refer their clients to a staffing or recruiting agency?
  • What recommendations do you have for identifying the right recruiter for the client?

This complements my blog on the same topic Read Blog

staffing and recruiting agencies

Watch the interview now

BIOS

Wendy Schoen, CEO & managing partner of Schoen Legal Search, is an example to all of the up and coming women professionals today that you can succeed in your chosen career if you want to. And if not, you can change your career, multiple times in fact, and be tremendously successful.  Wendy was one of a handful of women to earn her MBA from the University of Chicago in 1980. She returned to Wall Street where she worked in investment banking through the turbulent and exciting ‘80s. Wendy made the first of her career turnarounds when she earned her law degree in 1991 from Boston University Law School. She embraced this second career by clerking and then joining a law firm.
By late 1992 Wendy knew that practicing law wasn’t for her so it was time for another career change, and she turned herself into the legal recruiter she is today. Twenty some odd years later and she is one of the top legal recruiters in New York, placing attorneys into law firms, banks, management consulting firms, and funds through her own company Schoen Legal Search. Wendy places general counsel, partners, counsel, and associates.  More importantly, she has a list of connections that just cannot be beat.

Cathy DeMerchant is president and co-owner of Capital Area Staffing Solutions. Cathy and her two partners, Edward Moran and Peter E. Dunn, Jr., opened the corporate office of Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc. in March of 2003 in Augusta Maine, followed by their first branch, Bangor Area Staffing Solutions, in 2011. She has been in the staffing industry since 1996 and was a founding member of the Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association. Cathy has active memberships on the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, the Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association, the Maine Staffing Association, the American Staffing Association, and the Society for Human Resource Management. An avid hunter, Cathy and her husband live in Vassalboro with their labs, Buck and Trapper.

Jim Peacock is the principal at Peak-Careers Consulting and writes a monthly newsletter for career practitioners. Peak-Careers offers discussion-based online seminars for career practitioners focused on meeting continuing education needs for CCSP, GCDF and BCC certified professionals as well as workshops for career practitioners and individual career coaching. He is the author of A Field Guide for Career Practitioners: Helping Your Clients Create Their Next Move

Sign up to receive my TOP 10 TIPS WHEN WORKING WITH AN UNDECIDED PERSON. You can also receive the career practitioners newsletter which includes a variety of career topics, industry news, interesting events, and more.

Peak Careers - Professional Development for Careers

The Martian by Andy Weir

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Never saw the movie but I want to now. Wow!

What an adventure Mark Whitney had being left on Mars after an accidentwith the rest of his crew who had to bolt thinking Mark was dead…he should have been but somehow survived.  Now what do you do when you realize that the next spaceship to Mars is coming in over a year…about 1500 kilometers away from where you are?  Well this botanist was very creative and would have made a great settler in the 1700’s.

I could not put this book down and hated for it to end. One problem after another that needed real creative engineering.

If you are looking for a good summer read, this is a great choice.