Stubborn or Independent?

If find myself, now that I'm settled in Brisbane, back in the looking for work mode. If you've been reading my recent posts you know that I've been studying Social Learning in the workplace and how social media is used to do this. From this I've learned that my social media networks or connections are people I could contact who could help with my search, however, I feel quite hesitant to do this. Cold calling or emailing, even if I'm connected on sites like LinkedIn, is not something I'm very fond of.

I'm feeling a little disappointed that I haven't been offered an interview although I've only been seriously searching for about a month! And because I've had a few 'thanks but no thanks' emails I'm feeling less confident in what I have to offer a prospective employer. I'm also wondering if my age is an issue (not that I put my birth date on my CV, by the way) but that doesn't stop me from wondering. Yes, I'm in the latter years of my working life which means I have a depth and breadth of highly valuable skills and experience.

Because of this I'm trying to work out how to attract the attention of the recruiter. In my last job I did a lot of recruiting and I know how boring it can be to read through the enormous amount of applications that come through, especially when you're trying to find in the cover letter or CV anything that relates to the selection criteria.

I'm currently signed up to SEEK and have spent some time looking at their tips on 'killer CVs' and cover letters, some of which I'll certainly take up. I receive daily email alerts for possible jobs but to be honest, none fill me with passion or excitement. I haven't made face-to-face contact with any recruitment agency - is this wrong? I'm beginning to think it's time to arrange an appointment with a couple of recruitment agencies.

At present I feel like I'm in a weird place where I don't quite know what I would like to be doing but recognise that I need to find paid work. It's like I'm waiting for that 'dream job' to fall into my lap. Ha, as if ...

It's interesting to note that when I applied to Brisbane Seniors Online for a volunteer position, I got an instant response and am heading off to meet the people next week. So this gives me heart that my skills and experience are valuable!

In the meantime, I'll keep looking for that dream job!

Your thoughts and/or advice will be gratefully received.

Others discussing Social Learning

Social Learning - What is it? 

Charles Jennings - 70:20:10

Harold Jarche - Social Learning for Business

So, what is social learning?

You might say that social learning is something we all do and have done since we were babies.  In some ways it seems silly to see this as a new thing ... it's not. However, social learning in the workplace has not been very well captured by organisations learning and development departments as they have been focused on formal training. You know, a training needs analysis is conducted, analysis is made of organisation wide training needs as well as the individual's training needs. A training plan is developed and implemented. And hopefully, staff performance will improve. Think again. An organisation will be lucky if 20% of their staff implemented what they learnt in a formal training setting.

In fact, 80% of learning is informal, that is, learned on the job through conversation, observation and practising. It's no wonder there's a growing recognition of this.

So, what is social learning?  Frederic Domon provides a fairly good definition:

Social learning can be viewed as the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes while connected to others (peers, mentors, experts) in an electronic surround of digital media, both real-time and asynchronous.

As does Harold Jarche and Jane Hart:

Social learning happens everyday – naturally and continuously – both inside and outside of training and education as we converse with our friends and colleagues. However, the use of social media to support the social aspects of learning is now increasingly being referred to as Social Learning.

When I first came across this concept it was like a little epiphany for me. I'd been feeling discontented with the formal approach to training taken by the Vocational Education & Training (VET) sector through training packages, although I have to admit, that recognition of prior learning (RPL) does attempt to address a learner's current skills and experience no matter where it was learned.

However, it doesn't address how an organisation can move from a hierarchy to a 'wirearchy':

http://www.jarche.com/2010/02/a-framework-for-social-learning-in-the-enterprise/

Jon Husband’s working definition of “Wirearchy” is “a dynamic two-way flow of power and authority, based on knowledge, trust, credibility and a focus on results, enabled by interconnected people and technology”.

As a learning and development practitioner, have you identified this phenomenon? If so, what have you done to facilitate or enhance this to improve workplace performance? Do you think there's a need for L&D professionals to take this on?

2012 ... My Social Learning

I have been very interested in the shift from formal training to what Jane Hart calls 'Social Learning'.

I find her writing and thinking on Training and Development in the workplace interesting and well worth following.

This year, my focus will be entirely on learning as much as I can on this very new subject and then incorporating it into my workplace practices.

I will aim to regularly post my thoughts and ideas on Social Learning for your feedback, comments and thoughts.

What prompted me was Jane's latest blog post, where she quotes:

Up to now, for many organisations, Social Business has been about social media marketing and engaging customers, but as IBM explains …

“A Social Business isn’t just a company that has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. A Social Business is one that embraces and cultivates a spirit of collaboration and community throughout its organization—both internally and externally.”

 Her words ring true. With my learning I want to be someone who assists businesses to embrace and cultivate a spirit of collaboration and community in their organisation.

Another blogger, Harold Jarche, is also worth keeping tabs on. He too is writing about the shift in the Learning & Development departments.

Stay tuned ...