I came across Ted Malaska’s YouTube animation today and was impressed with his novel approach to seeking employment at Google.  Check it out.

Innovators Win

I praise the animation as an example of a creative way to secure an employer’s attention.  Mission accomplished in capturing attention.  Google will like his innovative approach and so might other employers.  He has set himself apart, an important objective for each job seeker.

Job Boards So Last Decade

Job seekers who prefer to focus their search using job boards are knocking on doors to empty offices in a manner of speaking.  Job boards are quickly becoming so last decade. We might peg them now as “old fashioned.”  Still on occasion they add value so job seekers are wise to pay them some attention like the WantAds in the newspaper.  Employers use these media less and less as they utilize Google and LinkedIn as their primary sources for identifying talent.

Why Google and Other Employers Won’t Reach Ted.

Ted has a problem.  He chooses NOT to be contacted via LinkedIn.  While he shares his LinkedIn profile,  his LinkedIn settings prohibit anyone from contacting him.  His LinkedIn settings shun requests for Introductions and LinkedIn InMail, the very means recruiters and employers use to connect with possible candidates for hire.  His preference for privacy protection is an obstacle to his own success.

The Solution in LinkedIn Settings

If Ted wishes to really be contacted by anyone who can help him secure employment at Google, he needs to adjust his LinkedIn Settings.

1. Access the Settings link atop each LinkedIn page in the right hand corner
2. Select “Contact Settings” under “Email Notifications”
3. Choose to accept both Introductions & InMail under “Types of Messages You’ll Accept”
4. Choose Career Opportunities under “Opportunity Preferences”

InMail permits recruiters and others to contact Ted, a privilege they pay for as a premium subscriber.   Subscribers do not get member contact information, just the privilege to reach a member via email.

If Ted’s LinkedIn profile is current, he continues to hope and wish to work for Google.   Here’s hoping he changes his settings and becomes more accessible and wins his next gig being rewarded for his creativity.

I’ll soon post another idea I have for Ted and how he might secure that job with Google by suggesting changes to his profile that is quite well crafted presently.