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A Few Tips for Balancing School and Work

Here at Search Influence, we have several employees who are still in school in addition to working here part-time or full-time. Some are in grad school and some are in undergrad at schools in the area like Tulane and UNO. Since I am not one of these ambitious employees, I thought we could all gain some insight from them in time management and life skills. I asked a few of my co-workers questions like “Why are you doing this?” and “How do you do it?” I got some thoughtful responses with a few common themes.

1) Know Your Priorities
Zachary has only been here for a month, but he already knows to be careful not to “load too many responsibilities on yourself, or you will crash and burn and fail at all of them.” If you intend to be an active member of several school clubs on top of working 20 hours a week, you will probably end up overwhelmed. Work, school, and a couple other activities will be plenty enough to fill your time.

2) Figure Out Your Interests
Mary says that working at a place like Search Influence where what we do is meaningful has made the stress level of balancing school and work a lot more manageable. If you like what you are doing (whether that’s your class subjects, job description, or extracurricular activity), you will be more likely to thrive since you are interested in all your daily activities.

3) Get You Some “ME” Time
A common theme for all the employees I interviewed was that you must set aside some time each week to unwind from the chaos of balancing school and work. Figure out something that makes you feel relaxed like reading, exercising, or hanging out with friends. If you can set aside a whole day to de-stress, that’s the best case scenario, but even an afternoon should do the trick!

Search Influence is constantly hiring for new positions, so if you think you can handle the time management challenge of school and work, be sure to check out our employment opportunities page!

December 3, 2013
New Influencer Faces: Fall 2013

We are excited to welcome nine new employees to the growing Search Influence team!

Account Management Team

Jordan Polhemus has joined Search Influence as a Junior Account Associate. She graduated Cum Laude from Georgia Southern University with a degree in entrepreneurship and a minor in marketing. While in college, she was in the University’s Honors Program and was an active member of Kappa Delta sorority. Before Search Influence, she was an asset manager for Keller Williams Realty.

Kristy Roldan is SI’s new Senior Account Manager. She is a recent transplant from Los Angeles, CA. Before joining Search Influence, Kristy was as a Senior Account Executive at advertising agency RPA in Santa Monica, where she worked on the Honda account amongst other projects. Kristy graduated from California State University with a degree in business marketing.

Sarah Lustberg has been hired as a Junior Account Associate. Originally from New Orleans, Sarah attended American University in Washington, DC, where she received her bachelor’s degree in public communication. Prior to joining Search Influence, she worked as a Public Relations Assistant for the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group in New York.

Production Team

Ian Adams has been hired as an Internet Marketing Associate. Originally from Portland, OR, Ian attended Loyola University in New Orleans where he received bachelor’s degree in economics. He previously worked for The World Trade Center of New Orleans as a Multimedia Production Intern.

Devin Olsen recently relocated to New Orleans from Tallahassee, FL and has joined SI as an Internet Marketing Associate. Devin has a marketing and web design background, having worked in the industry for Homes Media Solutions and Expedia.com.

Shaye Anderson has been hired as an Internet Marketing Associate. Having lived in eight different states, it is difficult to determine exactly where she is from. However, after attending Tulane and LSU, she is proud to call Louisiana home. Shaye previously worked as a teaching assistant in LSU’s philosophy department and served as a one of Delta Literary Journal’s editor-in-chiefs.

A New Orleans native, Caroline Robinson graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and psychology. Before becoming a Search Influence Internet Marketing Associate, Caroline worked as a Marketing and Administrative Assistant for Besh Restaurant Group and freelance writer for Rouses Magazine.

Juese Wang has joined Search Infuence as an Internet Marketing Associate. She was born in China and raised in New Orleans. Juese is a student at Tulane University studying marketing and business law and plans on graduating in May 2014.

Zachary Goldrich has been hired as an Internet Marketing Associate. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, he is studying marketing and public relations at Tulane University. Before joining Search Influence, Zach worked as a photographer and as a licensing intern at Amygdala Music.

November 11, 2013
Team Building In the Workplace

Sometime during the spring, I was invited to join the newly formed Team Building Committee for Search Influence. At first I had no idea why I was chosen and what we would be doing. I assumed we would just be planning office parties. Little did I know the activities we planned would be much more than simple get-togethers after office hours.

Our ice cream party was a hit!

Whether it’s been big events, like a crawfish boil or laser tag, or smaller gatherings, like an ice cream social or movie night, it’s been somewhat surprising (in a good way) to see how receptive an office can be to these ideas. One of the biggest keys I’ve noticed to making sure these events are successful is to ensure everyone feels like they are involved and they have a say in what types of things the office does.

Additionally, not everyone is going to like the same thing, so finding the proper medium is important to having everyone enjoy the event. It’s also important to keep in mind that while some activities are fun, they might not be conducive to the team building incentive you’ve set. Every team building experience should be designed with goals in mind, such as improving employee morale or having everyone in the office get to know each other better.

If you feel your office could use a boost, consider starting up a team building squad and get some ideas flowing. Be sure keep an eye on the Search Influence blog to see what we come up with in the future and to see examples of activities you could be doing!

November 8, 2013
Influencer Spotlight: Sarah Lustberg

After growing up in New Orleans and graduating from McGehee, Sarah Lustberg got her degree in Public Communication from American University in Washington, DC, and promptly moved to NYC to pursue a career in PR – along with just about every other twenty-something in the world. After working for the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group (think Southern Living, Real Simple and Cooking Light), Sarah moved back home to New Orleans with her husband Casey and her dog Mario.

How long have you been working at SI?

Just started on October 7!

As a Junior Account Associate, what do you find yourself doing at work on an average day?

Since I’m still in training, it really depends on what I’ve most recently learned. You can find me doing anything from editing articles to researching keywords to scheduling Facebook posts for clients.

What is your favorite thing about working at SI?

I love that everyone in the office is so young! Also nice is the fact that I can wear leggings to work…

Tell us a little more about your life in NOLA. In your free time, what do you do for fun around here?

Since I moved away in 2006 and only returned a few months ago, I’ve been having lots of fun rediscovering all the cool things that there are to do around this city. From restaurants to music venues to bars, there’s always something exciting going on. When I’m not at work, you can usually find me out with friends stalking the Taceaux Loceaux truck.

If you could identify yourself with one neighborhood in NOLA which would it be and why?

This is a tough one! I’ve lived all over the place (Uptown, Old Metairie, Metairie, West Bank) but I have to say that the Warehouse District is my favorite these days. There’s just so much going on!

November 1, 2013
Search Influence: Home of Master Pumpkin Carvers

At Search Influence, we are a “Work hard, play hard” bunch! With it being the spooky Halloween season, a few of our account managers decided to get together to carve pumpkins! “Team Megan,” named for our Senior Account Manager, Megan Lindsey, left Search Influence promptly at 5:30pm on Thursday, October, 24th and drove straight to the nearest pumpkin patch.

After picking out the perfect pumpkins, we all headed back to Sarah’s house. Once we were there, Megan whipped up some delicious taco soup (recipe listed below). While the soup was simmering on the stove, we got to work on the carving.

Carving our pumpkins. From left to right, Erika Karas, Julie Simmons, Jordan Polhemus, Samantha Wright and Sarah Gallagher

Between stencils, steak knives, pumpkin carving kits and some patience we brought our pumpkins to life. On the top left you’ll see Jordan Polhemus’ pumpkin. In an attempt to carve a southern take on “BOO!”, she had carved “Boo Y’all!!” into her pumpkin. This turned out to look more like “Hoo Y’all!!” but it was fitting as we had two owls! Megan Lindsey’s pumpkin, in the middle left, might just take flight! Sarah Gallagher is our team “Wanna-Be-Hipster” and free handed a crescent moon and stars onto her pumpkin! #nostencil

Top right we have our other owl, carved by Samantha Wright. Below we have Julie Simmon’s ghost. By the way, this pumpkin was carved exclusively with a steak knife. Julie wasn’t wasting any time on tiny pumpkin carving tools! Finally, at the bottom right, you have my (Erika Karas’) headless man! #stencilrequired

After all of the pumpkins were carved, candles lit and pictures taken, we went back inside and roasted our pumpkin seeds. Between six pumpkins we made three types: cinnamon sugar, garlic, and salt and pepper!

Happy Halloween from Team Megan!

Megan’s Taco Soup Recipe:
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 cans pinto beans
1 can pink kidney beans
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomatoes with chiles
2 cans diced green chiles
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips, for serving
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheese, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish

Directions
Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese and green onions.

October 31, 2013
Search Influence Wins Inc. Magazine’s Hire Power Award

We’re excited to announce that Search Influence was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s 2013 Hire Power Award winners. The award recognizes private American businesses that have generated the most jobs in the past three years. The Hire Power Awards are a “salute to the job creators who are restoring the lives and rebuilding the economy by putting Americans back to work.” The entire Search Influence team is incredibly proud to be recognized as a contributor to Louisiana’s job growth and economy.

Search Influence generated 20 jobs from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, placing us among the top four private business job creators within the state of Louisiana. Search Influence is among 437 private growth companies Hire Power Award honorees, leading the way in creating more American jobs. Search Influence founders Will and Angie Scott started Search Influence with just three employees shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Today, Search Influence has 55 full-time New Orleans-area employees in addition to our 25+ contract workers.

“We’re really honored to be on this prestigious list,” Will Scott said. “We’ve focused on providing the products our customers need, and they’ve rewarded us with more business. Our growth in staff is an indication that we’re putting the right products in the market and putting our customers’ needs first.”

To view the entire Inc. Hire Power list, click here.

October 25, 2013
X-TREME Team Building

The Search Influence team took off early on Friday and headed to Adventure Quest for some good old-fashioned fun. Bumper cars, laser tag, blowing up terminators in the arcade—it was definitely our most extreme team building session yet. Below are some photos and a few quotes from Influencers about their favorite part of the day.

Some of our wonderful account managers: (L to R) Jordan, Maggie, Rebekah, Laura, Alison, Jeanne, Sarah, and Gabrielle.

“Showing off my mad air hockey skillz.” – Tracy Stoller

Alison showing off her basketball prowess.

“The amazed looks on everyone’s faces as they realized Leigh was a DDR champion.” -Luke Ledet

Julie and Sarah racing.

“Running face first into a wall to avoid getting shot with a laser.” – David Fransen

Mac, David, Jason, Rafiq (pre-war paint), and Will gearing up for the next game.

“When I first got there, I heard Rafiq laughing in the bathroom. David said, “You’ve gotta see this, dude,” and then Rafiq came out wearing gratuitous black paint on his face, still laughing at the application of it. Rafiq went on to destroy everyone at laser tag. All hail camouflage.” – Leigh Aucoin

Rebekah was probably the most prepared for laser tag, wearing not only war paint, but also camouflage. I’m not sure if it helped her at air hockey at all though…

“Kicking butt in laser tag! Or trying to…” – Maggie Johnson

Thank you SI Team Building Committee for yet another successful event. We’re already looking forward to the next!

October 14, 2013
The Search Influence Life: A Six-Month Update

I’m coming up on the six-month mark here at Search Influence, and in these last six months, I’ve come to really enjoy this company. I’ve always been rather picky about where I work, as I like an atmosphere that encourages learning and team work. I believe in positive reinforcement for a job well done and recognize the need for constructive criticism to ensure your work is up to the high standards clients deserve. I prefer to dress casual, as I believe working comfortably and being yourself produces higher quality work consistently. I’m a single father, and on occasion I have to leave work in order to make appointments with my son’s school or doctor. Because of that, I need an employer that can understand this and allow me some flexibility to ensure both my work and home responsibilities are taken care of.

During my job hunting several months ago, I turned down several employment offers from companies that still believe in stuffy uptight office environments with little to no personality. I accepted the offer to work here at Search Influence, because it seemed to have all of the qualities I look for. I’m so happy to report Search Influence has delivered on all of my personal requirements in a job — and even gone above and beyond my expectations!

My fellow employees are amazing, and they aren’t afraid to show you how much they appreciate it when you provide quality work. This place is FULL of highly competent experts in the field — all more than willing to help another co-worker at a moment’s notice. The management here comes through on its promises, encourages personal growth and seems to understand that happy employees are productive employees! The internal team building committee provides paid time for co-workers to enjoy each other’s company outside of the office as well. I’m looking forward to kicking butt in the upcoming laser tag game!

So thanks to Search Influence and to my fellow co-workers for making this the perfect job for me!

October 9, 2013
Attention Small Business Owners! We’re Hosting a Complimentary Online Marketing Seminar.

Search Influence is hosting a complimentary Online Marketing Seminar as part of New Orleans Tech Week to help a limited number of New Orleans businesses grow their online presence and attract new customers.

SI online marketing experts will teach seminar attendees the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, online advertising and reputation management. Attendees will learn how to gain more reviews online, build their customer base, and how to properly optimize their business websites/listings for better search engine results. We will also offer a comprehensive takeaway guide for attendees to take home after the session.

The seminar will take place on Wednesday, October 9 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at our office at 8120 Oak Street in New Orleans. To register for the event, click here or go to www.nolaonlinemarketing.eventbrite.com. Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop we will only be able to accommodate 20 attendees.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from the best in the industry! Attendees are welcome to bring their laptops for the seminar.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact: [email protected] or (504) 208-3900 x218.

October 7, 2013
6 Tips for Preparing for a Job Interview
Searching for a new job can be a daunting project for most people. First, you must figure out what types of opportunities that you are qualified for interest you. Then, you need to create a resume that sells your skills and craft a cover letter that not only outlines why you would be a great fit for the position, but also why this position is the perfect fit for you and your ambitions. That in itself can be a lot of work. But many successful job searchers will tell you that the real work begins after the company has reached out to you for an interview. Below are six tips designed to help increase your chances of having a successful interview.

1. Read the job description/posting thoroughly

Most employers have taken a great amount of time to develop a job description that outlines what they are looking for. Although they do not think of it this way, they have given you some of the interview questions ahead of time. They have outlined the skills, behaviors and characteristics that the successful candidate will possess. Now its your job to deliver a story that convinces them that you have demonstrated that skill, behavior or characteristic in the past. My advice here is:
- List out all of the potential questions.
- Create your best STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story for each question.
- Practice delivering the story.
- Get feedback if possible.
- Go back and practice it more.
When you get the question, you will appear confident and comfortable as you wow your future employer. Additional tip: Write down your answers. You will be surprised how often skills, behaviors and characteristics are repeated across employers, especially for similar jobs. You may be able to recycle these stories during your next interview.

2. Know your resume

This should really go without saying. If you come across this question during an interview, you can consider it a freebie. I cringe every time I ask someone to walk me through their resume and they pull it out to read it to me. I cringe for two reasons:
1. You can assume that I read it.
2. You should know it, as it is your experience.
This is another area where a little practice can go a long way. The great thing about this is that you can recycle this for every potential employer. After you get this down for one interview, you will only need to review it briefly before your next interviews, to ensure that you are highlighting the experiences that are most relevant to the position.

3. Do some research on the company

One of the best ways to show that you are truly interested in a company is by showing that you took the time to find out what they do, who they do it for, and how long they have been doing it. Here are some places that you should look:
- Their website – This is perhaps the best place to find information on your prospective employer. Here you can learn about the company history, what they do, who they do it for, and in some cases, who is on the team. Additional tip: If you cannot determine what they do from their website, do a quick Google search on their industry. Wikipedia or a competitor may have explained the industry in deeper detail.
- Google the Company Name – This can be a good way to find a great deal of useful information:
  - Company Reviews – What are their customers saying about them? Does it tell you anything about their competitive advantage?
  - Company News – What have they been up to? Have they received any awards? Recruiters are generally proud of the companies they work for. If you can bring up a recent headline during the interview, you may score extra points. Additional Tip: Try working this research into a question (See Tip 4 for more on this).
4. Prepare some questions

At the end of almost every interview, you will be afforded the chance to ask some questions. Not only is this a chance to get some information about the company, but it is a chance to show off how thoughtful you are. One caveat here, know your audience. You may want to avoid asking the entry level recruiter a question about the high level strategy of the company. Although they may be aware of the company’s direction, if they are not, you run the risk of embarrassing them.

If you really want to impress the interviewer, develop a question from the research that you did on the company. If you are able to ask a question about the impact of some recent company news, it will not only remind them that you did your research, but will also show that you have done some critical thinking on the topic. It may even give them the chance to do some bragging on their own company, something most interviewers love doing.

5. Do a Google / LinkedIn search on the interviewer

See above. If they love talking about their company, imagine how much they love talking about their own background and accomplishments.

6. Follow Up

Ok, so this is not really preparation, but it can still be important. As with everything, timing is paramount, and sooner is much better than later in this instance. A well written thank you will not only show your gratitude for the meeting, but it can also reaffirm why you are a strong candidate for the position. The key here is to personalize it. You just spent upwards of 30 minutes with this person, and hopefully you connected on something. Use that to your advantage. Be sure to tie your letter back to some of the questions that they dove deeper on and sell yourself. This may be their last impression of you before they decide on the next steps.

These steps may have seemed basic as you read them, and to an extent they are. That said, you would be surprised at how many of them are often overlooked. Don’t get overconfident during your job search. Put in the time, and ensure that you are prepared. If you do, your search will be much more successful.
September 27, 2013