SXSW Sessions and Schedule for HR Professionals & Recruiters

South by Southwest 2012 Offers Something for Everyone.  HR Included.

You’ve got your SXSW tickets in hand but need a few more tips on exactly what is SXSW?  Check out my Beginner’s Guide for SXSW and don’t forget to register for the Social Siesta on Saturday, March 10th from 12-2 PM.

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We are literally just 8 days away from SXSW.  The momentum is building, and I’m excited to announce the location of the Social Siesta hosted by Rayanne and I during SXSW.  But before I go into the specific details, let me explain the premise of the event.  SXSW has nearly 24,000 in attendance and because of its sheer size it is sometimes hard to make a personal connection.  (Check out my HR & Recruiters Guide to SXSW)  Thousands of events and sessions are happening all around with little focus on the HR and Recruiting industry which is why we put together a meetup three years ago.

This year’s meetup is called “Social Siesta” and is being hosted during lunch hour on Saturday, March 10th from 12-2 PM.  You can nurse your hangover and relax with new friends and old in a more casual atmosphere than a loud bar where real conversations don’t open happen during the lunch hour. We’re limited to just 150 in attendance.  That’s why I’m proud to announce our location is La Condesa just a short 10 minute walk away from the madness that is SXSW.

The address for La Condesa is 400A West 2nd St in Austin, TX.  If you have an interest in attending, you can register below.  If there are no tickets available, add yourself to wait list.  I’ll be adding more tickets as we get closer to the date of the event.  Looking forward to connecting with you at SXSW and Social Siesta in 2012.

I’m also still expecting sponsorship opportunities.  Feel free to contact me with questions and inquiries.  And don’t forget to consider attending Talent Net Live Austin where I’ll be speaking on Friday, March 9, 2012.

*This event is not in any way affiliated with SXSW.

The past three years I have hosted a networking event for HR, Recruiters, human capital management folks, and interesting people I wanted to connect with at the interactive media conference SXSW.  This year (2012) we decided to do something a little different.  Instead of  hosting an evening event with loud music and little opportunity to talk among the group, we are hosting an lunchish event called “Social Siesta.”

The location is yet to be announced but this event is VIP only meaning that you should suck up big time.  That means tweeting us directly, leaving comments here on the blog and sending us raving fan mail.  So if you are in Austin March 10, 2012 sign up for our Social Siesta event during SXSW.  Meet amazing technology folks, human capital management professionals, and nurse that hangover.  Don’t worry because the bloody mary’s and light lunch are on us . . .

We are in the market for sponsors so if you are a vendor that’s looking to engage 150 of the awesomest minds in HCM and social media, hit me up.  Sponsor pricing starts at $2,500.  I’m doing a full scale PR campaign both SEO optimized and social media.  Last year we had over 20,000 views of our event page so it’s a good bet you will get some eyes on your logo.  Contact me via this form or by phone at 405.293.2564 for pricing and more details.

**Disclaimer:  We are not affiliated in any way with SXSW. 

The job search is a process.   A process that involves training, strategy, and patience.  Much like an artist works to craft and design their masterpiece.  The planning and strategy involved with your job search should begin no less than six months prior to when your job search begins.  These preparations involved include fostering relationships, establishing connections, creating an online presence and developing a long-term strategy to grow your professional skills.

For your job search to be effective, one must start at the beginning.  This involves an honest assessment of your skills, qualifications, and how you stack up against the competition.  I liken this to artists drawing sketches or creating molds prior to casting their iron masterpiece.  This preparation involves a great deal of time and attention.

The most effective way in which to develop your job search strategy involves conducting a gap analysis. A gap analysis is a common planning and strategy tactic used by businesses to determine ways a brand can adapt to market conditions to reach their goals.  For a job seeker, these goals could be to meet new industry connections, get their work published, or to find a new position.

Performing a gap analysis involves a simple five-step process:

1. Start with a list known gaps — holes in the market where a need is not being served by the products and services currently available.
2. List potential gaps — areas of opportunity that could arise later.
3. Make a list of triggers that may lead to gaps — what could you do to turn a potential gap into a real opportunity?
4. List market trends related to your industry or blog specialization. Where do you fit in?
5. Assign actions you can take in these areas.

An analysis like this can be as involved or as simple as you wish.  The goal is to benefit the end user and its complexity depends on the complexity of your own brand, a new job and long-term career goals.  The key is to focus on the long-term strategy being meticulous and calculated.  Just like a work of art, your career and job is often a reflection and celebration of your accomplishments.  With a clear strategy and plan to get there, you’re job search and personal brand can be a work of art.

Are you a recruiter, hiring manager, or business leader?  Consider joining in the #GiveLabor Day movement and spend 15 minutes on Labor Day to help get America back to work.  Learn more by visiting the press release, get your badge, and follow the Twitter hash tag #GiveLabor to learn more.  Leave a comment and tell me how you are going to make a difference. 

Photo Credit Rogueego. 

FTC Disclosure: Smartrecruiters is a client of Xceptional HR. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. And I believe in the Zero Unemployment Movement.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In 2007, I started blogging here at Blogging4Jobs with the intention of providing job seekers information, resources, and insights into why they couldn’t get the job.  As a corporate HR and Recruiting pro, my hands were tied.  Attorney’s advised me from giving you the real reason you didn’t get the job for fear it could result in legal action.  They’re risk averse in general.  It’s not that we were likely doing anything wrong, it’s just status quo.  My blog started to give you more than, “I’m sorry you weren’t the right fit for the position,” and here I am.

One thing I’ve noticed  from last year to this year at SHRM there seems to be smaller amount of after hour parties as part of the 2011 SHRM Annual Conference.  That could be largely due to the fact that Vegas is packed full of shows, events, and entertainment for days.  Or maybe I’m just not cool enough to be invited.  Sometimes these things happen at the last minute at least that’s what I’m telling myself.  I’m sure the amount of outside activity choices is the reason and not the $20,000 minimim cost to reserve a cocktail room in Vegas for a two hour soire.  Otherwise, you’d be seeing a Blogging4Jobs tweetup I promise you.

I’ve combed the web for you to find some events, activities, and after hours meetups happening during the 2011 SHRM Annual Conference.  If you have one (a SHRM party) I didn’t mention, be sure to include it in the comments with a link for registration and I’ll add it to the list.

• SHRM Stratosphere Event.  Sunday night, June 26th from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Stratosphere Tower hosted by Merchants Leasing.  Register.

• TNLTup. Sunday night, June 26th from 7:30-9:30 PM at the Lavo Club in the Palazzo Hotel Resort Hotel.  Register.

• McGraw-Hill Professional SHRM Happy Hour Meetup.  Monday night June 27th from 5:00-6:00 PM at the Pub at Monte Carlo Resort and Hotel.  Limited registration.  Register.

• Michigan SHRM Member Event. Monday night, June 27th from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Hilton Grand Vacation Resort, Poolside Patio.  I’m not from Michigan but it sounds like fun. Register.

• Direct Employers & Career Arc Group SHRM 11 Meetup. Monday night, June 27th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Hilton Hotel Elvis Suite.  RSVP required as Elvis is in attendance.  Register.

• Fisher & Phillips SHRM Mixer. Monday night, June 27th from 5:30-8:00 PM at Mix atop THEHotel.  Limited registration.  Register or email jgreenbaum@laborlawyers.com.

• Wine & Whiskey Tasting Event. Monday night, June 27th from 6:00-late PM at Double Helix.  Hosted by Robert Hohman, CEO of Glassdoor.  Private event.  Details.

• Monster Private Concert. Monday night, June 25th from 7:30-late PM at the Aria Resort and Casino. Private event. Register to win tickets,  Details.

• SHRM Tweetup.  Monday night, June 27th  starting at 8:00 PM at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum just in front of the Venetian.  I attended last years and it was a great time.  Register.

• Keith Urban in Concert.  Tuesday night, June 28th.  Time not yet announced.  Location is at the Vegas Convention Center.  More information here.

• SHRM Deals.  SHRM has partnered with a site that offers discounts on shows and events throughout the conference.  I’m excited to get 35% of Cirque show tickets if I can fit it into my schedule.  Details here .

Photo Credit Life 123.