Sarah Palin Teaches Job Seekers Not to Throw in the Towel -

Sarah Palin Teaches Job Seekers Not to Throw in the Towel - I dont believe that its a good idea to inject politics into the workplace. Inevitably, people will disagree, and some will feel its necessary to convert people to their right way of thinking. In any case, its a can of worms, a Pandoras box once opened, it cant be contained again. So, I dont choose political sides on my blog. However, Ive been a bit of a political junkie since I was a kid. Somehow, I cant get enough of the talk shows and articles and blogs about the ins and outs of the presidential election. I cant help but be inspired to write a post about John McCains choice of Sarah Palin for his VP spot. Two angles that interest me as a blogger writing about career issues: Governor Palins relative inexperience. The blog that some credit for raising her profile. Experience in the Job Hunt No matter what your political bent, you are probably surprised that McCain chose someone from such a small state, who, on paper, has less experience than any VP pick in modern history (per the Huffington Post). What does this mean for job seekers? I think it means you never know! On one hand, I just blogged about the risks of taking a job that is beyond your experience. On the other hand, maybe Palins accomplishments and specific skills (including the less quantifiable soft skills) make her very well qualified to balance a ticket with McCain. Sometimes, the right person for the job may not be as obvious as it seems. The lesson? Maybe there is a promotion at your organization that youd like to shoot for, but you figure another candidate is a shoo-in. Dont throw in the towel! Think about what you can do to stand out. What makes you just right for the job? Think outside of the box, focus on all of your skills and contributions and make sure the decision makers know what you have to offer. Which brings us to point #2: Some Credit Blogger for VP Pick Adam Brickley, a 21-year old college student apparently has been blogging in an effort to win Sarah Palin a spot on the Republican ticket since last year. The power of social media? Perhaps! Just as you dont really know what the tipping point is that causes an organization to choose one qualified candidate over another, seemingly equally qualified candidate, well never really know how much influence (or not) this blog had. Brickley did report that he received a call from the Palins after McCains official announcement. The lesson for job seekers here? You never know what can tip the scales. While Brickleys blog may have had little influence, it is safe to say that his impact was more than just blowing into the wind. I often tell job seekers that blogging can be good for their careers. For a strong writer, starting a blog is a great way to demonstrate expertise in an area. With employers Googling applicants, blogging is one way to help control your digital footprint (what people find when they search for your name). If you blog, you directly impact what comes up, which is especially useful if you arent happy with current search results. Only time will tell how Governor Palin will fare in the VP race, but no matter what the outcome, dont ignore the lessons for your own career or job hunt! If you want to receive free up-to-date tips to help with your job hunt, Click here to subscribe to receive future blogs sent directly to you! Thinking of reaching for a position that seems out of reach? Need some help to give your job hunt a boost? Visit Keppie Careers online for information about our services, including resume writing, interview preparation and job hunt coaching: