Sunday, March 28, 2010

In Person Networking

I'm looking for a job, and I have been for months. My job search has been slow, mostly because I'm in the very lucky position of currently having a job while also looking for a job. I've also been thinking of doing some consulting. 

While I can be very social online, I've been trying to get out there and get to some in-person networking events. I'm an introvert at heart, and so these events are tricky for me. For some reason, there were three such events this week - a panel by the social media club, a PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) mixer and the spring mixer for the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators). 

When I attend these things, I have to really step outside of myself and be uncomfortable. I often find myself standing in a corner and have to make myself walk up and join a conversation. 

The good news is that it's working. I've reconnected with some people that I hadn't seen in awhile; I've met some people in person that I'd only previously known via Twitter; I made a connection that led to a small consulting gig; and I've made a lot of other connections that will hopefully continue to aid my job search. 

Posted via web from Sue Anne's Posterous

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I just want my @Facebook account back

Some of you may have read my post from earlier this week about my Yahoo account getting hacked

When they hacked my Yahoo mail, they requested and received a password change on Facebook. They logged in to Facebook -- and even tried to use the same scam on my friends via chat to get cash. 

About mid-day Sunday, I requested a password change from Facebook and took back over my Facebook account. Later that evening, I received an email from Facebook that due to suspicious behavior they had disabled my account. They said I needed to send them an email verifying that I was the account holder. I sent them the message with that info and didn't hear back from them. 

When I still couldn't access my account on Monday, I tried to request a password change and received a warning that my Facebook account had been disabled and that I needed to visit the FAQ

After visiting the FAQ, I followed the instructions about who to email and what info to share to get my account back. I did that on Monday and again on Wednesday and again on Thursday and have received zero word from Facebook. I even tried tweeting a couple of "Friends of friends" that work at Facebook. Again -- nothing. 

This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Facebook's faulty practice of tying fan pages to people's profiles. I manage the fan page for our non-profit and a couple of our auxiliaries. Thankfully, we've always had the practice of also listing another employee as an admin. But, it doesn't change the fact that I currently can't edit those pages and do a main part of my job. 

On the major bummer side, my nephew had a baby shortly before all of this happened. And, I know he's been talking about the baby and posting pictures, and I'm missing out on that. 

Posted via web from Sue Anne's Posterous

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Why I won't be attending #10NTC

If you work at a non-profit doing technology, marketing, communications, social media, PR, outreach or any other related field, the annual Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) held by the folks at the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) is a must to attend. I didn't attend in 2008, but really wish that I had. I attended in 2009, and even though it was a week before our major fundraiser, I feel like I learned a lot. 

So, it may surprise you that I won't be attending. It was a difficult decision, and I'm going to miss seeing a lot of folks.

Most of you know that I'm very seriously looking for a new job. If the stars align, I will be doing communications/online marketing work at a high-technology company soon. While I have really enjoyed working for a non-profit, I really want to get back in to the tech world. 

It came down to a question of value for my current non-profit. Flying me to Atlanta, putting me up in a hotel for a couple of nights and paying for the conference is a big expense. We have a fairly limited marketing budget, which is under more pressure due to the current California budget problems. While I know I would have a great time in Atlanta and have a lot of fun networking with great folks, the value of what I'd bring back to the organization would be limited.

The other option would be for me to pay for the conference myself, but given my short-term and long-term career goals that doesn't seem like the wise option. I am looking at other conference options ... SOBcon is on the list and so are others. 

Posted via web from Sue Anne's Posterous

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Yahoo Account Hacked

Early this morning, my Yahoo account was hacked. In addition to someone logging in to my account, they sent out emails to my friends and other contacts saying that I had been mugged in London and needed money sent right away. As if that wasn't bad enough, they reset my Facebook password and logged in to that account. They actually were chatting with people on Facebook basically giving them the same story. 

At present, I don't have access to my Yahoo or Facebook accounts. 

Probably the most interesting part of the whole story are the different reactions I've received from people who have received the email and/or were contacted on Facebook. 

My friend Missy said that she knew it wasn't me because of how much I hated to fly. Others knew that if I had been planning a trip to London, that I would have been talking about it on Facebook and Twitter. My friend Christina said that she knew it wasn't me because she just saw me yesterday. 

Hopefully, I'll be able to get this resolved sometime this week, and I've been changing other passwords all over the place. 

Posted via web from Sue Anne's Posterous