What's the Next Big Tool for Jobseekers...After LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is definitely the #1 took for jobseekers when it comes to connecting with your network to find leads, contacts, and opportunities … but it's not the first tool you can use in your job search, and it won't be the last.

An article in TechCrunch talks about a new tool that will help you analyze your existing connections to help you reach the people you want to know. It's called "Conspire," and it analyzes your email (Gmail, specifically) to help you connect to people you want to meet -- and, in particular, it helps you analyze the strength of the connection to the people you already know to make that introduction.

Read the TechCrunch article here:
Forget LinkedIn, Conspire Analyzes Email To Be Your Next Networking Tool

Right now, the app has the strongest successes within the tech community. When I tested it out, it helped me identify people I already knew, but wasn't as successful helping me reach people one connection out. Part of the challenge is that it only uses Gmail right now, and I don't use my Gmail email as much as I do my BeAResumeWriter.com and Resume Writers' Digest emails for work contacts.

For example, I tried Conspire to see how it would do with two of the career industry's top thought leaders. First, I tried Wendy Enelow:

Because I have corresponded with Wendy through my Gmail account (occasionally -- I usually correspond with her through my Resume Writer's Digest email), it found we had a direct connection, although it was weak.

Next, I tried Louise Kursmark … which, considering my connection with Wendy, I should have some sort of connection with her on Conspire:

Nope. Not only did it not connect me with Louise through Wendy, but it didn't show any connection with her at all. (I actually correspond with Louise through my Resume Writers' Digest email account).

So, it's not perfect yet, but it's definitely worth a try. It's another tool in the toolbox for jobseekers … but LinkedIn is still #1. Perhaps as the Conspire network grows, it will become more effective and powerful.

Check out Conspire here. It's free.

Gmail, What Are You Doing??

If you're a Gmail user, please keep reading. (If you're not a Gmail user, this doesn't apply and 

you can return to your "regularly scheduled programming.)

As you're probably aware by now, Gmail has rolled out a new "inbox organization" system. Your inbox now has "tabs" where your emails are "sorted" for you into one of five categories:

• Primary
• Social
• Promotions
• Updates
• Forums

The problem is, Gmail decides FOR YOU which category emails are routed into. Unfortunately for you (and me!), emails from me (ones that will come from Resume Writers' Digest and/or BeAResumeWriter) will automatically be put into the "Promotions" tab ... because Gmail doesn't realize that the majority of the emails I'm sending you aren't "promotional" at all -- but solid content. Invitations to free, value-packed trainings. Links to take surveys (that I share the results from freely with the careers industry community). Free special reports to help you in your resume writing business, and with your clients.

But you may not see them, unless you take swift action!

Check your Promotions tab at the top of your Gmail account. Choose an email from me (they come from Resume Writers' Digest or Bridget Brooks or BeAResumeWriter.com) and drag and drop it to your Primary inbox tab. A message will pop up asking if you want to do this for all future emails from me. Click YES and you'll be assured you won't miss anything.

If you want to completely remove the new tab feature in Gmail, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings box in the upper righthand corner of your inbox
   and select "Settings." 
2. Click on the "Inbox" tab and unselect all categories except "Primary." 
3. Save your changes.

That's all there is to it!

Unfortunately, if you don't take action, you'll only be able to find my emails in your "Promotion" tab. Which is fine ... if you check that regularly. Otherwise, you'll miss out on valuable free teleseminars, articles, and resources to help you grow your resume writing business!

This Huffington Post article includes a video showing you the changes.