I know it's been a while, but I'm back, ready to serve up advice, instruction, food for thought, and all else in between.

This week, my friend Kevin D. Turner is my guest. He was actually on my LinkedIn live back in December, but I thought his advice was relevant for all job seekers.

Here's what you should know about Kevin:

1. Fortune 50 Sales & Marketing Management to Venture Capital (VP), to Public & Private Turnarounds (CEO & VP), executively leading a Non-Profit 50 internationally into 140 countries (International Director).
2. He's helped thousands with LinkedIn profile optimizations.
3. Held Sales, Marketing, and Branding leadership roles with SONY, Stone VC, Thomas Nelson, TurneRRounD, American Teachers, American Heart Association, & TNT Brand Strategist.
4. Director of International Development for the American Heart Association.
   
   Here are a few of Kevin's main points:

• Open to Work and the LinkedIn verification process.
• LinkedIn Recruiting tool and its safety concerns.
• Impersonations of legitimate career services professionals.
• Scammers' use of emerging technology makes fake profiles look legit.
• LinkedIn, like many sites with jobs, has had data breaches or exposure.

This week, my guest is Lorraine K. Lee, the former editor of LinkedIn News and Prezi. She is now a Trainer, Professor, Speaker, and author of "Unforgettable Presence."

Highlights:

Lorraine emphasizes the importance of having both confidence and presence during job interviews. She explains that presence doesn't only relate to executive levels but is crucial for everyone in their career.

Presence video with intentional tech setup, energy, and aesthetics, collectively termed as the "T method."

Lorraine highlights how non-verbal cues, such as body language and hand gestures, influence perceptions during video interviews.

Lorraine discusses the significance of video presence, particularly in virtual interviews, where technical aspects such as lighting, sound, and framing play a crucial role.

Eliminating backlighting, ensuring eye contact, and using gestures naturally to appear more personable.

Lorraine advises job seekers to focus on storytelling and to convey their passion for the role to create a stronger connection with the interviewer.

We delve into overcoming challenges faced by new graduates during interviews. Lorraine points out that being intentional about one's presence on platforms like LinkedIn and during virtual meetings contributes to building a professional reputation over time.

Lorraine shares insights on handling interviews with AI avatars, emphasizing the importance of a positive setup and practicing with real people to get feedback.

I was invited to participate in a job search panel at St. Xavier University along with James Miller (who coordinated the event), Lauren Milligan, Nathan Peck, and Dr. Vincent Alexander Davis. Approximately 30-40 students attended and asked questions in areas such as resumes, career changes, job scams, networking, and more.

A few of the highlights include:

This lecture, sponsored by Enterprise, explored the current job market, the importance of soft skills, networking, job scams, effective interviewing, and strategies for securing internships and jobs.

Job Market Trends (2024 vs. 2014)

The job market is now more fragmented by industry, with varying opportunities across different fields.

- Tech and healthcare allow for "overemployment" (holding multiple high-paying jobs remotely).

- Awareness of burnout and mental health has increased since the pandemic.

Entry-level jobs are becoming increasingly challenging to find due to automation and AI, with a greater emphasis on internships.

The Importance of Networking and Soft Skills

- Soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability) are essential and less commonly developed in today's remote/tech environments.

Networking is crucial for finding jobs and gaining insight into various industries.

Maintaining positive professional relationships is essential to stand out.

- Informational interviews (short conversations with professionals) help you gather career insights and expand your network.

LinkedIn is a vital tool for networking and maintaining professional contacts.