One rainy cold day in October, the Paul Mitchell group decided to give everyone on Fayetteville Street hugs. What a great concept actually. This is one thing that will make you smile on a rainy day. So, Brian Nichols, our sales guy comes in the back conference room and says, you have to get up and see this. We got up, checked it out, and here are the results.

Are you part of social media? Are you in the Triangle? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then your presence should be mandatory at the Triangle Social Media Club. Just want to start out by saying thanks to @Capstrat for hosting the event. If you have not been there, let me say it is completely AWESOME!!! Another thanks to #ourhashtag for pulling these events together and getting some great speakers and content. So, a small recap for those of you who weren’t there (hit me up on Twitter with your best excuse for why you were not there, and I have 2 free tickets for @zachward performances at DSI Comedy. It’s a show that you can’t miss).

Last night’s main speaker was none other than Laurie Ruettimann who gave a completely awe-inspiring performance. She is an industry vet, well sought after speaker, writer and thought leader. Her topic tonight was on using some of the more well known social media tools to  land a job as well as some interesting thoughts on personal branding and a couple of key HR concepts. Couple of key points:

1. The biggest HR secret (and she even said it’s not really a secret) is that people hire you because they like you.

2. Another interesting point, HR people hire you within the first 11 seconds of meeting you, seeing you, talking to you, etc.

3. When looking for jobs online, find people in the company that make the hiring decisions and find out how to get in touch with them. (i.e. Linkedin)

4. Companies would much rather hire people through networking.

5. Twitter Search is a great resource. Look up things like job angels. Also, using a tool like Indeed.com which is a great site that pulls all jobs into one search from a multitude of sites. (Laurie mentioned something here about her brother-in-law maybe needs to use this site, funny!)

6. Job boards are worthless. Don’t use them, they are full of spam and MLM’s.

7. 4 keys to success. Presence, ability, skills, and a way into the company.

8. Laurie says networking should be selfless. If you call into a company, offer something to them, help them with something or give them something that they can use, make sure it’s not one sided.

9. Burning bridges is a thing of the past. If you have a really bad experience with a company or an interviewee, don’t be afraid to put it out to your networks and talk about your experience. (talk about controversial)

10. If a company is checking you out online and judging you for things online that could possibly be incorrect, or worse, not even be you, be ready to move onto the next opportunity.

Some great comments tonight that made everyone laugh.

• I am the @waynesutton of the Kozlowski family (The Winner)
• Nut up and be a man and go home (Very nice Laurie)
• Zach Ward = Astroboy… ( I love it)
• Love what you do (and you too can work 110 hours a week like Zach)
• Brian McDonald you can not wear any more earth tones
• That girl was a HOT MESS!! (My favorite) – Lylian

I have seen tons of resumes over the years and done many interviews. One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is a canned cover letter. One that you see taken right out of a book. @Cord mentioned that he will still receives resumes that have the “insert_company_here” statement in them.  I can hardly fathom that someone would do this, but  yeah, this is an immediate dismissal right into the digital paper shredder. Be original in your cover letter. Find something to say that no one else does. Tell us why you want to be a part of our team, because our team really becomes our family. I personally would love something like a video resume, (even though Laurie says be-careful with that) but it shows me creativity. Tell us something you saw about us or on our website that you liked or disliked. Grab our attention, show us you care and be memorable.

To end the meeting @dgtlpapercuts gave some great shameless plugs (Wayne said he counted 10) and shared with us some personal branding tips and techniques.   Another plug for Jeff, check out his personal blog here. (because I can’t write all the plugs in) Jeff L. Cohen’s Blog Also, you can check out his business card WP theme at www.jeffreylcohen.com. Ryan Boyles also mentioned you can check out Free Digital Business Cards

The night ended with a bang and a video that I will never ever EVER forget. Wayne and Jeff were sitting at the top of Dorton Arena and talking about the October 22nd Deep Fried Tweet up “staring Jeff and Wayne. The event will be held in the Folk Festival Tent from 7 to 9 p.m. on Food Lion Hunger Relief Day. Bring four cans of food for Free entry to the fair. Be sure to take advantage of free registration for the Deep Fried Tweetup here Deep Fried Triangle Tweetup. (I hear that attendees will receive neato badges for the event). The night ended with some good beer, great conversation and flying nerf missile fight. It was awesome. Don’t miss the next one.

1. My dog ate it

Digital Translation – My computer got a virus

The infamous “my dog ate” can no longer be accepted as a viable excuse these days because, well there are just so many better ways to say it, and frankly teachers or employers just are buying it.  However, one that they have difficulty proving and rarely have heard these days is, “my computer got a virus” This has instantaneous success.

2. I lost my keys

Digital Translation – My cell phone battery died and I couldn’t find my charger anywhere.

Digital Translation – My cell phone battery died and I couldn’t find my charger anywhere.

This excuse has monumental ramifications.  The reason being, EVERYTHING is on your cell phone.  How to get to class/work, phone numbers for people to call, your email, heck even your homework you can store on your cell phone (google iphone app air sharing)

3. I went to the wrong conference room

Digital Translation -  The message I got when I called into the conference bridge was “ I am sorry, this conference call is now full”

This is a great one.  Often times when I worked at a company that I am not going to name (IBM HA) … when I didn’t want to actually call into a conference call or I was late for a meeting, I would just use, “I got this weird message that the conference call is full”  Nobody could prove it, and it gave me an hour of my life back to do more work (or to goof off).

4. I guess it got lost in the mail or my mailman isn’t very good

Digital Translation – did you check your junk mail?

True story for us though when we were in Wake Forest J.  Our IRS taxes were sent back as well as our statement for our insurance, but you cant complain to the government. However, I did hear of a hotline you could call to complain about your mailman (or do you have to say mailperson these days) but I doubt if anyone even answers the line.  If you ever hear me say, did you check your junk mail, I probably forgot to send the email

5. I gave the memo  to so and so…

Digital Translation – Hmmm, maybe I sent it to the wrong email address or, one I use often, dern.. it was in my draft folder, no wonder

Long gone are the days where you can say, I gave it to so and so, because well lets face it, nobody prints anything anymore.  (I know I am going to take some slack for that).  Again the draft folder excuse or I sent it to the wrong email adderss works wonders, especially if they have a common name.  You can go as far as blaming it on the type ahead feature in your email client selecting the wrong person.  Good stuff here.

6. I wasn’t home, so I didn’t get your message

Digital Translation – I think I was in a dead zone all day, or my phone is acting up because it got wet, I think I have to get a new one

Classic line used in many scenarios.  Could be a good one to get rid of a potential stalker or even to avoid the pointed haired boss man on a weekend. Whatever you use it for, be careful.  Remembering what you lied about often takes a bigger toll on you than just telling the truth.

7. The library didn’t have that book… teacher!

Digital Translation – The website was down all day, I couldn’t do anything

A great one for college students and even high school students alike.  This could potentially become more of an issue as education systems depend more and more on technology.  We will see how this one unfolds.

8. My grandmother died (still a favorite I think, I think mine had like 9 lives)

Digital Translation – My grandmothers computer died

Ok, so I feel really bad now that all my grandparents have passed on, however they saved me on many occasions. I honestly think my grandmother had 9 lives.  The downfall to this is again, you need to remember where you lied, and who you told that to.  So instead of committing this horrendous sin, just use a much simpler one, one which repenting for will be much easier for conscious relief.   My grandmothers computer died. I mean, how can grandma keep up on her Facebook status if something happens to her.

9. I stopped in at your office, your secretary said you weren’t there, weird.. I will try again later….

Digital Translation – I shot you an email about this last night, didn’t you get it? Are you sure you are reading all of your emails? Let me re-forward it again, sigh!

The issue with the old excuse is the victim could easily check with their assistant to see if what you were saying was actually true.  Now, by using technology, they have no idea how to get in touch with the IT guy to check and probably figures that it would be way too much work.  This one is GOLDEN!

10. I forgot

Digital Translation – well..its on my calender, I am not sure why it didn’t remind me. That’s weird.

Blame it on technology. That’s the name of the game.  By the end of this post, you should feel much more versed in using technology in the art of “getting by”. I take absolutely no responsibility for anyone using any of these suggestions however I can almost guarantee that these will work with repetition and practice.  Please let me know if there are any I forgot to add or that deserve a top 10 mention.

Our pool table recently went through a major renovation. If you saw it when we were in our offices in Wake Forest, you know that it desperately needed a new look and feel. We talked to some guys on Wilmington Street by the name of Met-Tech who completely hooked us up. They even went as far as putting a new plate with the name of Twine Interactive, Raleigh NC, check this picture out here. The make over includes new bumpers and rails, new speed felt, a complete color make over to our company colors, as well as new leather pockets to boot. Check out this amazing transformation with fast forward effect on the  video here…..