Top 5 Things I’ve Learned from Twitter

03/13/2012 - 08:28:03am

My Twitter ‘hatch date’ (when I joined Twitter) was Sept. 20, 2009. Back then, it was a fairly new social networking platform, and I frequently found myself asking, “What’s the point?” As I approach my third anniversary, I’ve learned quite a bit from this new medium of online communication.

If you’re a boomer who has decided to brave the vast Twitterverse, here’s my list of the top five things I wish I knew when I started.

Tweeting for Boomer Beginners

02/29/2012 - 07:46:16am

As I said in a recent blog post, Twitter has a tendency to confuse millennials and boomers alike. Users are required to truncate thoughts to 140 characters (or less) and attempt to follow a never-ending stream of random conversation (or tweets) from people they may or may not know. It can be overwhelming.

Don’t be Sorry in the Morning (Or How to Build Meaningful Relationships Online)

02/22/2012 - 03:54:19pm

Social media can be a bit like Mardi Gras. It’s fun. It’s colorful. You meet lots of people from all walks of life. But, like any party, it’s not always clear who to give your phone number to at the end of the night.

I get a lot of questions about meeting new people online. The most common one is this: “What if I get Facebook and LinkedIn requests from people I’ve never met. Should I accept?”

That’s completely up to you, but here’s my take on building meaningful relationships online.

Facebook

Social Media 101 for Boomers

02/16/2012 - 05:34:22pm

If you’ve ever thought, “Hmmm, I ought to learn more about social media,” consider this blog post your toe in the water.

I'm a millennial and my job at Civic Ventures (www.encore.org) includes handling social media. Some of you are already familiar with social media. I hope I can make the rest of you comfortable enough to venture in.

Three Reasons Why You Shouldn't Use Mobile Apps in Your Job Search

12/13/2011 - 08:36:12am

The use of technology has allowed us to multi-task, speak to friends and family in far away lands and shop til we drop, but you should think twice before you use mobile technology to apply for open positions. Here’s why:

1. Lack of Customization
Mobile apps are meant for speed, so when you see a position you like while on the go, all you have to do is press “send resume.”

But that kind of rapid response won’t help you in your job search.

Purpose Prize Winners Recognized by Major Media

11/17/2011 - 11:06:23am

The 2011 Purpose Prize winners are making big news.

Since the five winners were announced November 3, media outlets from across the country have been highlighting the remarkable work that earned these social innovators the $100,000 award.

Tony La Russa's Encore Career?

11/01/2011 - 07:44:06am

On Monday morning, Tony La Russa retired as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The announcement was made three days after his third trip to the World Series as a manager. So long, La Russa?

Not quite.

David Brooks Asks for `a Gift' – Your Stories

10/28/2011 - 12:25:37pm

We have an opportunity to tell millions about the benefits of encore careers, but we need your help.

David Brooks, a columnist at The New York Times, recently asked folks over 70 to send him “a gift.”

Here’s what he wrote:

New York Times Explores Purpose Prize Winner’s Passion

10/14/2011 - 02:09:26pm

For years Friends of the Children, founded by Purpose Prize winner Duncan Campbell, has attracted attention and praise.

And the kudos keep coming: The New York Times just showcased the organization – which pays mentors to work with a small number of disadvantaged children for as long as 12 years – for its impact.

It's National Employ Older Workers Week!

09/19/2011 - 10:51:09am

It’s National Employ Older Workers Week (Sept. 18-24), and I hope that I can count on you to help spread the word!

An annual event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, National Employ Older Workers Week is a call to action for employers and employees alike to recognize the value and necessity of experienced workers in our nation’s workforce.