LinkedIn. Time to Reset your Settings?

GUEST BLOGGER

Glenn Bass, CPA, Director of Recruiting, Security & Investigative Placement Consultants, LLC
Bethesda, Md.

The numbers are staggering. Every second, two new members join LinkedIn. In its official statement LinkedIn reports a total user base of 300 million worldwide. And with that, LinkedIn has become an indispensable tool for Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) to connect with other professionals in the fraud and investigative industry to gather advice and recommendations for potential hires and to discover job opportunities and apply for them. It’s a critical platform that allows CFEs to stay in touch with the pulse of the industry through its user groups, blogs, job listings and ability to connect with other CFEs.

As a recruiter specializing in fraud, investigations and security, I advise candidates to embrace LinkedIn to the fullest. In my own personal efforts to embrace it, I read and review many posts across the internet about LinkedIn. I came across a post by Cheryl Conner titled “The LinkedIn Setting Mistakes That Most People Still Make” which I think is important enough to share. You, as a savvy user, must stay on top of the continuing updates to the primary platforms as they evolve.

1. “I don’t want to be bothered with all those group emails.”

You have full control over which groups you receive email notifications from and the frequency with which you receive them. Ask yourself, “If I miss something from this group, would I be mad?” Your best bet is to keep track of a handful of groups, and let the updates from the other ones go.

2. ”This guy is driving me nuts with his silly status updates.”

We all have some people in our networks that are using their LinkedIn status updates like a Twitter account, or they don’t understand LinkedIn users don’t want to be sold to on a regular basis. This setting allows you to say “bye-bye” to their status updates. Here’s how to stop them: When you view one of the offending status updates on your home page, move the cursor to the top right of the update and click “Hide.”

3. “I don’t want to tell my network every time I change my profile this weekend.”

This is a big one. This is especially helpful if you are working on your profile in a condensed period of time and don’t want LinkedIn to report every change immediately. Be sure to turn the feature back on when you have completed your final changes. Having your network see your profile changes is a good thing on the whole. But it’s smart to turn off the activity broadcasts while you’re working on multiple changes, or are updating an item you’d rather not go out in email. To do this, go to Account Settings > Profile > Turn on/off your activity broadcasts.

4. “I don’t want people to see my connections.”

The default is that your first-degree connections can see who your other first-degree connections are. Allowing your contacts to know who your other contacts are has always been a valuable step in the networking process, however not everyone thinks the same on this. 
Many people would like this setting to be person-by-person and not all-or-nothing. Unfortunately, that option is not yet available on LinkedIn. But here’s how to change your current settings: Go to Account Settings > Profile > to select who can see your connections.

5. “How do other people get their picture, name and company name on ‘Who’s Viewed Your Profile’?”

The default is that you won’t see this detail, but most individuals who are interested in growing their brands would actually want this information to show. But if you’d like to change it – or would like to temporarily change it, go to Account Settings > Profile > Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile.

Lastly, as it drives to the core of ethics and common sense, it is crucial that you don’t exaggerate your efforts on your profile – everyone can see what you’ve written and yes, people will notice.  

These adjustments to your LinkedIn account and profile should make you user experience and networking within the CFE community all the better.

10 Must-Haves for Your Professional Toolkit

GUEST BLOGGER

Kathy Lavinder, CFE
Owner and Executive Director of Security & Investigative Placement Consultants 

Whether you’re actively looking for a new job or passively keeping an eye out for a professional challenge, here are 10 essentials:

1.       An up-to-date résumé:  If you keep your résumé current, you’ll be ready if an opportunity unexpectedly develops. You’ll also do a better job of capturing relevant accomplishments and results as you go. Plan to do a quarterly review and update of your résumé.

2.       A training log: Ditto for a training log. While you probably won’t share your training log until you are actively under consideration for a role, have it ready as a separate document.

3.       A demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning: Your résumé and your training log should document your commitment to professional development. Fraud is a dynamic landscape; keeping current is vital and it distinguishes you from the competition.

4.       An editor on standby: Identify a family member, friend or colleague who can be a proofreader and editor; ask him/her to carefully review your résumé before you send it anywhere. This person should also be a sounding board who can provide advice about how well your résumé aligns with the job you’re exploring and how well you’re communicating your experience, skills and knowledge.

5.       A well-crafted and appealing LinkedIn profile: Plan to do a LinkedIn review and update quarterly, if not more often. The importance of LinkedIn in the job search/career advancement process cannot be overstated. Communicate only what you are comfortable sharing and never be indiscreet. Make sure your profile communicates your value proposition for a potential employer. Select relevant skills in the Skills and Endorsements section, and seek out endorsements from colleagues. Include a photo in a professional pose with professional attire.

6.       A “clean” social media presence: Regularly check your privacy settings since social media sites are always changing the privacy rules. Purge anything that is even remotely inappropriate, and never share information about your work or employer on social media sites outside of LinkedIn.  

7.       A strong network of peers: Maintain regular contact with an array of professional colleagues who can provide their insights and perspectives on the fraud arena. They are also often the best source for unannounced job openings.

8.       A variety of references: Maintain a current list of names and contact information. Include a former supervisor, a current or former colleague, a direct report (if possible) and an industry thought leader.

9.       An active account with Indeed.com: This job posting aggregator is free and it’s working for you all the time. Refine your search terms and geography as needed. 

10.   An understanding of applicant tracking systems: Many employers use applicant tracking software to sort and score résumés received through their web portals. Keyword matches in your résumé are vital, so résumé tailoring for each opportunity is critical to making the initial cut.

Technology and a crowded pool of job seekers have changed how companies find talent so knowing what you have to do to stand out is critical to your success.

The Key to Networking: Connect Early and Often

AUTHOR’S POST

Mandy Moody

ACFE Social Media Specialist

Most of the networking I do these days involves retweeting, forwarding, following and the occasional post that just happens to run longer than 140 characters. And, I have to admit, I often forget the value of conversing with a peer and sharing ideas the good old-fashioned way: face to face. This kind of networking is a crucial component of successful career growth, and one of the biggest benefits of the ACFE Annual Fraud Conference & Exhibition, June 17-22 in Orlando,is the opportunity for anti-fraud professionals to connect with one another… in person.

Prior to even setting foot in Orlando, you can connect with other attendees through the ACFE’s social media channels. By joining the 23rd Annual Fraud Conference group on LinkedIn, you can discuss hot topics, connect with other attendees and learn more about speakers and sessions. You can also like the ACFE’s Facebook page and follow the ACFE on Twitter to get the latest conference updates before, during and after the event. (For the most real-time updates, search the hashtag #fraudconf on Twitter.)

Beginning with Sunday evening’s Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall and culminating in Tuesday evening’s Networking Reception, you will be able to mingle with presenters, employers and exhibitors, helping to build lasting connections that you can take with you when you leave. The atmosphere is professional, yet relaxed. ACFE staff is always on-hand to answer questions and help introduce you to your colleagues, if desired.

With nearly 2,300 attendees expected, the ACFE Annual Fraud Conference offers you the chance to meet a diverse group of professionals from around the world. However, the Conference also creates more focused opportunities to bring together attendees in the same industries. Opportunities to network with like-minded professionals will be available at specially marked tables in the Conference general sessions, working lunches and an industry networking lounge located in the Exhibit Hall.

New Conference Mobile App

New this year, you will be able to stay informed on the go by downloading a Conference mobile app. Among the many features are the Conference agenda, session descriptions, venue map, social media connection and an exhibitor directory. 

Anti-Fraud Resources You Can’t Live Without

AUTHOR'S POST

Mandy Moody
ACFE Social Media Specialist

There are some tools an anti-fraud professional simply can’t do without: education, experience, training and networking, just to name a few. But, there is one that consistently creeps to the top of the list time and time again: an inquisitive and curious mind. Or, as some of the members of our LinkedIn discussion group put it, “Don’t trust, verify.”

Of the many fraud fighters I meet, they all share this unique characteristic and are able to hone this talent as the years go by. It is this curiosity and willingness to find the truth that sparks the initial ideas for some of the resources we make available during Fraud Week, both for rookies and veterans alike.

Check out just a few of the resources we have put together this year:

Director Notes: "The Role of the Board in Fraud Risk Management" (PDF)
Written by ACFE Director of Research Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, for the Conference Board, this paper provides an in-depth look at the impact a fully engaged board of directors can have in helping to protect an organization from fraud.

Fraud Prevention Check-Up
How vulnerable is your company to fraud? Do you have adequate controls in place to prevent it? Find out by using the ACFE's Fraud Prevention Check-Up, a simple yet powerful test of your company's fraud health.

Profile of a Fraudster (PowerPoint)
ACFE research helps identify common traits and behavioral red flags among those who perpetrate fraud. Presented in a short and insightful presentation for any audience.

Managing the Business Risk of Fraud: A Practical Guide (PDF)
This guidance paper, developed jointly by the ACFE, IIA and AICPA, provides key principles for proactively establishing an environment to effectively manage an organization’s fraud risks. It also provides tools, recommendations and real-life examples of how fraud risk management principles are applied.

For more resources, go here. Also, search for the hashtag #fraudweek on Twitter for the latest updates and even more resources offered by other companies.