Who Introduced You to LinkedIn?

Do you even remember who sent you the very first invitation to join LinkedIn?

I didn't.

The invitation seemed so inconsequential at the moment, I'm not sure I even gave it a second thought.

Until recently.

Without question, LinkedIn has been the most prolific recruiting tool in the last 12 months of my career. Yet, the idea of not knowing who sent me the first invitation just kept gnawing at me (it's the same feeling I have every year the Sooners lose in a bowl game). But I digress.

So I decided to call my friend, George Seiters, who happens to be extremely connected at LinkedIn. Well, he should be - he works there. I figured if anybody could get me a bit of history about my account, it would be George.

Sure enough. A few days later I received an email from George. My reply, "Wow, really?!"

So, here's a big thank you to one cool friend and awesome recruiter, Michelle Balatico-Hayes!

Thanks Michelle! You sent me the very first LinkedIn invitation that made me scratch my head and say,

"Now why in the world would I want to join a network like this?!"

Well, a few thousand connections later, it all makes sense.

So, who introduced you to LinkedIn?



P.S. If you haven't joined my "WirelessJobs" Group on LinkedIn, please accept this invitation! We're growing like crazy and would like to see if you can help us top the 5,000 member mark! In fact, I'll do a special post and recognize the person that becomes the 5,000th member to join!

(Click HERE to join)

Wireless Database Administrator - Cox Communications

Job Title: Wireless Database Administrator
Company: Cox Communications
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Contact: Trevor.Harding@cox.com (404.269.0874)

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
This position is a hand’s on senior DBA responsible for support of architecture, development and test efforts to meet project requirements. The ideal candidate will haven an expert level understanding of ORACLE RAC environments and associated skills necessary to develop, deliver and support Oracle 9I and 10G RAC implementations.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design of relational database models for J2EE and J2ME applications.
- Data warehouse modeling and implementation.
- Participate in standards bodies.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Seven to ten years with Oracle database design and tuning
- Seven to ten years experience with shell scripting
- Seven to ten years experience with PLSQL
- Seven to ten years experience in data modeling
- Ability to define and articulate style standards
- Work independently with development teams on multiple inter-related projects
- Five to seven years experience working in Unix environments, preferably Solaris
- Excellent communication and peoples skills required
- Masters degree or combination of undergraduate degree and equivalent work experience required

Web 2.0 Must Have's in 2008

Actually, this is the Web 2.0 that Arrington (as in TechCrunch) can't live without, and it's worth a look whether you are a Web 2.0 Geek or not.

He's noted his Web 2.0's faves since 2006, and it's interesting to see what's survived and what has gone by the wayside.

Gone: Bloglines

Gone: Feedburner

Survivor: Amie Street, Netvibes, Skype, Digg

Back: Delicious

My faves on the list: TechMeme , Facebook, and Google Reader.

Arrington's complete web 2.0 list HERE.

HR Generalist (engineering firm) Seattle, WA

Engineering / Technology firm in Seattle area is searching for an HR Generalist to lead their day-to-day operations at their headquarters location in the Seattle area.

Excellent benefits package and the opportunity to impact every facet of the HR discipline, with direct involvement in benefits - compensation - employee retention and recruiting.

Compensation targeted at level for those with approximately 5 years of HR Generalist experience.

Please forward resume to: TalentResourceGroup@gmail.com - include one paragraph detailing your most significant accomplishment of 2007.

Human Resources Generalist:
This position will manage the day-to-day operations of the HR office, including benefits, compensation, recruiting, and employee retention.

Essential Functions
* Manage the recruitment process for exempt and non-exempt employees and interns and serve as the single point of contact and hands-on recruiting resource for managers and owners.

* Assist with the development and administration of programs, procedures, and guidelines to help align the workforce with the strategic goals of the company.

* Assist with the monitoring of the company wage and salary structure within the company, including bonuses and raises.

* Provide competitive market research and prepare pay studies

* Oversee/conduct new hire orientation

Required Experience
* 5 years progressive HR exp
* PHR preferred
* Bachelor's degree in related field.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, applicant tracking systems, and the internet.

Why Are Blogs Such a Big Deal?

Still struggling with this whole blog-thing?

In 3 minutes, CommonCraft explains blogs in simple English:

RecruitingBlogs.com: Best Recruiting Blogs of 2007

RecruitingBlogs.com has launched the 2007 Best Recruiting Blog Awards, and my WirelessJobs.com site has been nominated.

But really, there's some incredible blogs represented here, so if I don't win the grand prize (a trip to Vegas, sponsored by ZoomInfo.com) I won't be too disappointed.

Below is a final list of all of the Best Recruiting Blogs of 2007 that have been nominated.

Good luck to the bloggers, and a big thanks to RecruitingBlogs.com (Jason Davis) for pulling this together.

Gautam Ghosh
Your HR Guy
Recruiting Animal
The Chad
Instigator Blog
CollegeRecruiter Blog
CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Employers Blog
Marketing Headhunter
Xtra Cheezhead
Sourcing Corner
Jeremy Langhans
Jobmatchbox
Secrets Of The Job Hunt
Good To Know
Diggings
Staffing Software Talk
HR Search Marketing
The Hire Sense
MNheadhunter
Hiring Revolution
Wired & Hired
Digital Recruiter
Digital Recruiting
Cheezhead
Jim Stroud
Talent In China
Six Degrees From Dave
CyberSleuthing
Job Search Marketing
Recruitomatic
Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters
Career Hub
Career Waymark
Penelope Trunk
JibberJobber
WirelessJobs.com
Utah Tech Jobs
Executive Restaurant Recruiter
Sitting Xlegged
Neil Hernandez
Recruiting Edge
HRM Direct
Systematic HR
Workfarce
Social Median
One Louder
I, Donato
Checkster Blog
SalesRepRecruiter
Amybeth Hale Blog

Application Developer (Wireless) - Madison, WI

A large wireless/telecom client in Madison, WI is searching for an Application Developer to join their development.

Face it...the wireless business is cool. And growing like crazy. And they need top developers to keeping pushing the envelope and developing applications that make the wireless junkies go wild.

Hard to resist, eh?

If you want to be part of this wireless craziness, and you've got a year or two of development experience, email me: smithtx@gmail.com (App Developer in subject line).

Look forward to talking,

Dennis Smith
Director, Talent Strategy
WorldLink, Inc.
Editor, WirelessJobs.com


*Here's the full techie lowdown on the skills:

Software Engineering: C, PL-SQL, SQL Plus, K Shell

eSkills: HTML/CSS, Java/JSP, J2EE, XML

Databases: Oracle