I wanted to thank all of the sponsors, mentors, and participants. Our first Career Mentorship Symposium was a success. Please see photos of the event below.
Very truly yours,
Kevin L. Nichols
Moderator
Very truly yours,
Kevin L. Nichols
Moderator
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Career Mentorship Symposium
Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (PT)
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA 94105
Please RSVP at http://career-symposium.eventbrite.com
Please RSVP at http://career-symposium.eventbrite.com
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Your Participation in Our "Career Mentorship Symposium"
Greetings Potential Discussion Group Leader:
A couple of months ago, my disheartenment with the continuous unemployment of numerous members of our LinkedIn Downtown San Francisco Networking Group finally got the best of me. So I decided to organize an employment symposium in order to discern whether or not our members were well equipped to meet the challenges presented in this economic debacle that we are all experiencing. You can read today's official LinkedIn Blog http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/07/16/kevin-nichols-organize-networking-events-for-free-using-your-linkedin-network/ for more information regarding how we came about securing the location, logistics, etc. for this event.
I am writing to you for a couple of reasons, either you have expressed interest in wanting to be a panelist, or based on what I know, you would be a good presenter. We have decided to retreat from an educational type seminar where panelists would be in front of a large audience, have 5 mins to present on a topic, and answer questions. Instead, we are going to have mentors/coaches (i.e. YOU) sit at a round table with about 8 job seekers and have an informal discussion on a particular subject matter. This initial symposium's attendance will be limited to 75 people total, however, Golden Gate University has asked us to host the symposium every quarter to allow others to attend and lead a group in the future.
The Roundtable Discussions will last for 20 minutes and then individuals will rotate to a different topic. The goal is for job seekers to have more face time with a recruiter and to really understand what they are doing right and wrong. Below, please find some of the topics that we accumulated:
We are planning a two hour program. Here is the breakdown:
a.) 15 min for everyone to get their lunch and to find a seat;
b.) 10 min - Welcome, introduction of sponsors and panelists;
c.) 60 min (3 x 20 min sessions) - group lead discussions on resume writing, attire, interview tips, etc.)
d.) 10 min - Closing, disbursement of resource materials/goodie bags
e.) 25 min - Mini Career Fair
Please confirm by 5pm, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 whether or not you are available August 13, 2009 from 12pm-2pm, and can come to Golden Gate University in Downtown San Francisco. If so, please indicate your top 2 topics that you would like to lead. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
Very truly yours,
Kevin
Moderator
LinkedIn Downtown SF Networking Group
http://linkedindowntownsf.blogspot.com
www.linkedin.com/in/klnichols
Kevin L. Nichols
KLN Publishing, LLC
"Eclectic writing in its simplicity..."
Telephone (775) 255-4573
Telefacsimile (775) 258-1471
http://www.klnpublishing.com
kevin@klnpublishing.com
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/klnpublishing
Toll Free (877) 225-5928 x 7752554573
A couple of months ago, my disheartenment with the continuous unemployment of numerous members of our LinkedIn Downtown San Francisco Networking Group finally got the best of me. So I decided to organize an employment symposium in order to discern whether or not our members were well equipped to meet the challenges presented in this economic debacle that we are all experiencing. You can read today's official LinkedIn Blog http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/
I am writing to you for a couple of reasons, either you have expressed interest in wanting to be a panelist, or based on what I know, you would be a good presenter. We have decided to retreat from an educational type seminar where panelists would be in front of a large audience, have 5 mins to present on a topic, and answer questions. Instead, we are going to have mentors/coaches (i.e. YOU) sit at a round table with about 8 job seekers and have an informal discussion on a particular subject matter. This initial symposium's attendance will be limited to 75 people total, however, Golden Gate University has asked us to host the symposium every quarter to allow others to attend and lead a group in the future.
The Roundtable Discussions will last for 20 minutes and then individuals will rotate to a different topic. The goal is for job seekers to have more face time with a recruiter and to really understand what they are doing right and wrong. Below, please find some of the topics that we accumulated:
- Attention to detail
- What are some of the most egregious resume faux paus, i.e. "references available upon request"
- Using social networking
- How to prepare for an interview?
- How to research employers?
- What impresses/annoys hiring managers?
- How to handle following up before/after interview?
- What are the differences with dealing with recruiters vs. in-house hiring managers?
- How do you adopt the attitude of providing something to the employer as opposed to the employer providing something to the applicant?
- How do you dress for an interview?
- Does a firm handshake, etc. really matter?
We are planning a two hour program. Here is the breakdown:
a.) 15 min for everyone to get their lunch and to find a seat;
b.) 10 min - Welcome, introduction of sponsors and panelists;
c.) 60 min (3 x 20 min sessions) - group lead discussions on resume writing, attire, interview tips, etc.)
d.) 10 min - Closing, disbursement of resource materials/goodie bags
e.) 25 min - Mini Career Fair
Please confirm by 5pm, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 whether or not you are available August 13, 2009 from 12pm-2pm, and can come to Golden Gate University in Downtown San Francisco. If so, please indicate your top 2 topics that you would like to lead. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
Very truly yours,
Kevin
Moderator
LinkedIn Downtown SF Networking Group
http://linkedindowntownsf.
www.linkedin.com/in/klnichols
Kevin L. Nichols
KLN Publishing, LLC
"Eclectic writing in its simplicity..."
Telephone (775) 255-4573
Telefacsimile (775) 258-1471
http://www.klnpublishing.com
kevin@klnpublishing.com
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/
Toll Free (877) 225-5928 x 7752554573
Why social networking is an important tool for effective job hunting
Please read this article written by Kenya McCullum published by the Examiner.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13521-SF-Workplace-Communication-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Why-social-networking-is-an-important-tool-for-effective-job-hunting
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13521-SF-Workplace-Communication-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Why-social-networking-is-an-important-tool-for-effective-job-hunting
Friday, July 10, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Q&A With LinkedIn's Downtown San Francisco Networking Group leader, Kevin Nichols
Nichols: San Francisco leader, entrepreneur, and family man.
By: Christine Cruzm Young Professionals, San Francisco Examiner
If you are a young professional in San Francisco who attends networking events regularly, you probably have spotted Kevin Nichols, president and CEO of KLN Publishing on more than one occasion. It could have been at the Embarcadero Chevy's LinkedIn Cinco De Mayo mixer while you balanced that margarita in one hand and passed out your business cards with the other. Or it could have been at the downtown MR The Barbershop social where you scarfed down the pita at the front while greeting other attendees.
Whether you attend these events in the city to network for new clients, meet new people, or to simply get free food, get to know Kevin because he is THE go-to-person and moderator for LinkedIn's Downtown San Francisco Networking Group. The UC Berkeley graduate organizes symposiums, monthly mixers, and coffee sessions around the city that provides opportunities for San Francisco's young professionals to network in the local business community.
Kevin opens up to Examiner readers about the power of social networking and why you should be using these sites to strengthen your career. In addition, he talks about his guest appearance as a leadership expert on upcoming radio shows this month, and the group's plans to organize an Employment Symposium for job seekers and employers to connect in the city.
Q: What is KLN Publishing, LLC?
A: KLN Publishing, LLC is a small independent publishing company located in Northern California that specializes in writing and publishing various forms of media since its conception in 2004. We specialize in providing expertise in the following areas to our clients: public relations, media relations, social networking, marketing, communications, and event planning.
In addition to serving our clients, KLN Publishing publishes material on food, wine, travel, entertainment, politics, community involvement, business, career guidance, and self-help topics in various mediums such as magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and the like.
Q: Why should San Francisco's young professionals use online social networking for their careers?
A: Social networking has become one of the most profitable industries in the world over the last 3-4 years. Billions of people have created profiles on various networking sites and are allowed to express themselves as well as meet individuals that would normally be outside of their reach. For example, in the past, a young writer would have to query a literary agent in order to pitch a book idea, but now that same individual could theoretically submit his / her resume query directly to the CEO of that publishing company via email. That's powerful.
Q: What specific social networking sites do you recommend for professional networking?
A: LinkedIn is hands down the best for professional networking. It automatically provides legitimacy to your purpose. Facebook, I use primarily for friends and family but have created numerous business opportunities from there as well. Twitter, I am still learning how to maximize this but who needs a press release these days when you have this? And MySpace, depending on your industry and value.
Q: Online social networking can cause problems. Some professionals have lost their jobs, gotten sued, or not been hired due to their online reputation. Where and how do you draw the line between separating social networking for professional and personal purposes?
A: Unfortunately, there is no line between the two. You have to be responsible on these sites no matter what. How you represent yourself has to be consistent on all of your sites. There are ways to make your accounts private but still overall, these sites can provide business opportunities. One might be concerned with doing business with someone who brags about his/her marijuana usage on the weekends or is cruel to animals. I am more laid back on my Facebook and Twitter but still have to be (conscious) of my audiences whenever I "publish" something, because that is what in fact we are all doing. Rarely can you "take something back" so you have to make wise decisions about what you post and where.
Q: Describe a personal professional success story that resulted from you using social networking in San Francisco
A: A friend of mine from high school is starting a new venture called Live Your Dreams Production and saw my profile on LinkedIn. Since I was "living my dream" per se, he asked me if I would be willing to be interviewed on camera for his company. I agreed. His director / producer handed me his business card and I saw the company's name and logo. Ironically, I had just published an article that day to raise funds for his non-profit media company. Now is this world small or what?
Q: Tell us about your upcoming radio shows.
I will be a guest on Leadership Lessons with life coach and consultant, Dr. Milondra Coleman on www.blogtalkradio/leadershiplessons on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 3 p.m. PST discussing how I define leadership and manage a full-time job; entrepreneurial endeavors; and family. On Saturday, June 20, 2009, from 9-10 a.m., I will be a guest on Nurse Rona's Community Forum on Green 960 AM discussing fatherhood on Father's Day. People should tune in because there is always something that can be learned from other people's experiences to make life's challenges a little less complicated.
Q: Tell us about your Employment Symposium. How can San Francisco's young professionals get involved?
A: I am the moderator of the Downtown San Francisco Networking Group on LinkedIn. Back in March we had a "Wealth Management Symposium" and it went well. We have decided to continue doing symposiums on various topics and industries periodically. I have been saddened by the state of the economy, and many of our group members have been unemployed for 8-10 months. So we decided to organize a symposium where job seekers can improve their marketability, fine tune their resumes, and learn any tips while providing employers the opportunity to interact with cream of the crop talent. It is currently in the planning stages so if anyone is interested in being a panelist, is an employer looking to hire, or a job seeker looking for your next opportunity, please visit http://linkedindowntownsf.blogspot.com for more information.
Q: What are 3 restaurants or venues you like meeting with clients for business in San Francisco?
A: I love coffee. I enjoy meeting at Peet's and Starbucks because they are close, fast, and cheap. However, when I do dine, I like Kokkari, the Waterfront, Osha, Unicorn, and Aqua.
For more information: LinkedIn's Downtown San Francisco Networking Group and the Employment Symposium, go to http://linkedindowntownsf.blogspot.com
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