New research shows that being ignored on social media is mental hell

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Is this picture like looking in the mirror? Source: News Corp Australia

WHAT do you go on social media for? To see how your friend’s baby is going? To catch up on your mate’s latest trip to Europe? Or maybe to gloat about the awesome things in your life you think will impress others?

Now don’t try and deny it, we all know the answer’s the last one.

We know that you only go on to post your latest photo of you doing some daring activity or at some exotic location with the hopes that at least 20 people will like your photo.

It should come as no surprise then, that rejection on social media is causing us mental hell.

New research by the University of Queensland shows our rejection on social media makes us feel “invisible”, excluded and less important than our online buddies who receive a few more thumbs ups.

This conclusion came from two studies. The first one had half the group posting to Facebook, while the other half were only allowed to browse their feeds, stalk their crushes and watch comments flow without being able to join in the conversation. This made them feel “invisible”.

The other study allowed the test subjects to use Facebook to their heart’s content, to post endless selfies and to post as many statuses as they desired. However, half of these people had their accounts set up so they couldn’t receive any likes, comments or essentially any recognition from anyone else. These people reinforced the trend of feeling invisible, less important and excluded.

“I swear, if this doesn’t get 50 likes...” Source: AP

It may or may not have been intentional when it was created, but social media now has the majority of us trapped.

We feel trapped because we fear social rejection and loneliness if not enough people respond to our own posts. It’s as though we are denied the chance to portray the version of ourselves which we would like our our friends and family to see.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/new-research-shows-that-being-ignored-on-social-media-is-mental-hell/story-fnjwnhzf-1226914590180

RIP, Facebook Poke

Finger fail: the Facebook Poke app, the last vestige of an old feature on the social network, is no more.

IMAGE: FLICKR, KEVIN SHINE

BY CHRIS TAYLOR2 DAYS AGO

Facebook quietly withdrew its Poke app from the iOS app store Friday, ending the run of an app that was both a Snapchat competitor and the final iteration of a joke that's as old as Facebook itself.

Poke allowed you to send ephemeral messages, photos and videos to your friends that would last up to 10 seconds before vanishing forever. If that sounds familiar, it should — it's an almost exact clone of Snapchat.

But Snapchat was launched at the end of 2011, and rapidly gained traction to the point where users now send 700 million photos and videos per day, according to the startup. Facebook Poke was launched a year later, and Facebook hasn't ever revealed usage stats. All we know is it dropped out of the top 25 most downloaded iOS apps very shortly after its launch.

It was, however, rather popular with the Zuckerberg family during the 2012 holidays, leading to this infamous photo of family members reacting to "Pokes":

IMAGE: CALLIE SCHWEITZER

That was from Vox Media Director of Marketing Callie Schweitzer, and famously led to a privacy complaint from Randi Zuckerberg, sister of the Facebook founder. It was about the only memorable incident in the Poke app's short history.

Even the Facebook page detailing exactly what the Poke app is all about has been taken down. We managed to get a screenshot, however:

IMAGE: FACEBOOK

So where does this leave the original Facebook poke — the ability to "poke" your friends on the service, for no reason and with no explicit meaning, which has been part of Facebook since it was founded in 2004? It's no longer advertised on your homepage or timeline, but amazingly, it's still there. Go to Facebook.com/pokes, and you can still get recommendations on who you should poke.

The public Poke is dead, then — but long live the secret poke.

Source: http://mashable.com/2014/05/09/rip-facebook-poke/

First Post-Grad Job

IMAGE: FLICKR, JOHN REISER

BY BOB MYHAL8 HOURS AGO

For college graduates, the reality of finding a job has never been more imminent.

There's a bright side for this generation's grads: The number of smart digital tools and technology resources at your fingertips is increasing by the day. Check out these digital tactics that can help secure introductions, interviews and the highly sought-after offer.

1. Unlock the “key” to LinkedIn

There’s no question that you need to have a LinkedIn profile these days. What you might not know is that using keywords is a critical technique for leveraging your LinkedIn profile: Recruiters searching for candidates hone in on specific keywords that correlate with a job description. So make sure that your profile highlights the terms being used by your would-be employers.

To accomplish this, look closely at the job descriptions you are responding to and considering, and then make sure your profile (as well as your resume) aligns with the keywords found in that job description. For example, if the positions you’re applying to call for a "Social Media Community Manager" and you're listing your previous experience as "Twitter Ninja," then you may be missing a tremendous opportunity to align your credentials directly with the description.

2. Drill down to niche job boards

Companies create niche job boards to narrow a talent pool down to a dedicated, unique and engaged audience, which makes them excellent places for a job seeker to start their search. For instance, Dice and Mashable’s Job Board are great sites for those with tech talent seeking to connect with potential employers.

Ask around within your network, do research online and scour the publications that pertain to your industry to locate the niche job boards (and even LinkedIn groups) that might prove lucrative for your desired career path.

3. Convert your smartphone into a career center

There are dozens of apps for the job seeker — focused on everything from finding jobs to building a resume. If you're unsure about which of these are the real deal and which are a waste of time, here are a few standouts.

• JobAware: This free tool combines resources, job searches, progress tracking and city comparisons.
• Resume Builder Pro: An app that helps you easily update your resume to reflect your most current information and experience.
• Interview Questions Pro: In familiar flashcard format, this app provides a helpful resource for interview prep and practice.
• SuperJobSearch: This tool offers everything from job listings by region or profession to search advice.
• iPQ Career Planner: An app for “job matchmaking” that helps candidates identify the types of jobs they're best suited for.
• LunchMeet: A unique networking app to help you meet up with other professionals for lunch.

4. Own social media; don’t let it own you

The toga party pics probably need to come down — or at least be placed into a private album where potential employers won't have easy access to them. But beyond tidying up, social media is an excellent tool to showcase your personality and career achievements. Here are a couple tips for using it to your advantage.

• Put your best face forward (literally): Make sure your social profile pictures are professional and convey the “personal brand” you want to present to employers.
• Be consistent: Does your resume say you are currently interning at an ad firm, but your LinkedIn page says you’re working in a restaurant? The discrepancy might raise red flags for recruiters and hiring managers. Make sure your information across social networks is up-to-date and aligned with your resume.

5. Prep for a one-way interview

Video interviews are becoming increasingly common thanks to the time and money savings they offer. Beyond two-way interviews, many companies are using one-way interviews for pre-screening. (Think of this as a hybrid format that falls between phone screens and face-to-face meetings.) To nail your interview, try these tricks.

Source: http://mashable.com/2014/05/11/new-grad-hiring-tips/