Got a product, app, or idea you want to bring to life? Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb, shares how he helped turn a simple concept into a global brand. I talk with him about Airbnb’s early days, the challenges they faced, and their new Co-Host Network. Plus, he explains how Airbnb tackles concerns like hidden cameras in rentals.
Looking for work? 5 mistakes that will hurt your chances of getting hired
Social media is a place where we can loosen up a little. You can post jokes, silly pictures, or whatever on Instagram, X, Facebook and more. Unlike most social media sites, our sponsor, LinkedIn, is pretty buttoned-up.
You always need to put your best foot forward. After all, it’s where you connect with coworkers and find new careers. That means you should avoid being too personal since that can damage your credibility.
But that’s just one of many common LinkedIn flubs. You may be guilty of a few more subtle errors without knowing it. Avoid these LinkedIn mistakes — they might hurt you in the long run.
Error No. 1: The net you’re casting is too wide
Filmmakers design blockbusters to appeal to a broad audience. They want as many warm bodies in the seats as possible, so they avoid plotlines that may alienate audience members. The plot is all very general: The good guy fights the bad guy, the bad guy loses, they all live happily ever after, and so on.
Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t have to follow general guidelines like that. You want to appeal to niche audiences.
Tailor your LinkedIn page to show people you’re a respectable professional in your industry. If you’re too vague and don’t include personal details, you may have general appeal … but lack individual distinction.
Bottom line: When job hunting, you want to stand out. Emphasize the experiences that make you different. Cast too wide a net, and the best fish will slip away.
Error No. 2: You say ‘yes’ to every friend request
You may get overly excited by the influx of friend invites when new to LinkedIn. You may think a surplus of connections shows recruiters you’re social and have a vast network. However, if they go through your contacts and find obvious scam accounts, that could be a strike against you.
Indiscriminate connections can be tempting, but inflating your numbers makes it more difficult for recruiters to understand who you are. They want to understand what drives you, which helps them determine if you’re a good fit for a role.
For example, if you’re a journalist and have 100 friends in the construction industry, they may wonder what’s going on. Are you considering a career shift? Are you more interested in carpentry than fact-checking?
Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacy
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Using the internet is a complicated affair. It may not feel like that to you as a user. You click on your browser and get on with your day — it’s as easy as pie.
Behind the scenes, though, is a whole different story. It’s full of numbers like your Internet Protocol (IP) address, basically your digital home address. This numeric label distinguishes your phone or computer from other devices worldwide.
Turn your business idea into reality with Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk
🦍 Tag, you’re it: If you’ve got kids obsessed with the Meta VR game “Gorilla Tag,” talk to them. There are videos all over the internet telling them to install the free VPN app Big Mama to cheat. It’s just a front for selling access to your home internet and network. Need a VPN you can trust? Here’s my pick.
11.4 million viewers
For the “Yellowstone” series finale on Sunday, Dec. 15. (I was one of ‘em!) Season 5’s second-half premiere pulled in 16.4 million viewers across all platforms, but Sunday’s finale is a record high for the Paramount Network and CMT. Talk about going to the train station …
Security tip: Next time you stay at a hotel, turn on your VPN
Did you know the average American spends more than 24 hours each week online? That is a considerable chunk of time.
If you’re one of many with multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. A virtual private network or VPN is the best way to do this.
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
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If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
🛑 Help during a bus driver shortage: School districts around the country are cutting bus routes big time. About 36% of students took a bus in 2017, but now, it’s only 28%. If you’re having trouble getting the kids to school, check out ride-hailing apps like the PiggyBack Network and HopSkipDrive.
Haven't logged into LinkedIn lately? 5 reasons you really should be using it
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How much do you know about LinkedIn? Sure, you probably understand it’s a social network for professionals, but it’s so much more.
Unlike most social networks that are used to share the latest vacation pictures, LinkedIn was designed for more important reasons. It can help you make connections, share work experience and find or post jobs.
Job site comparison: LinkedIn vs. ZipRecruiter vs. Craigslist
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Where do you look for your next career move? There are several job boards, but which is right for you?
Let’s look at a few places job seekers go online and find the right one for your needs.
7 LinkedIn tips for a recent high school or college grad
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New to LinkedIn? Newly-graduated students may have used the platform before, but the game changes as the stakes increase after college.
Presenting a professional and friendly persona through your profile is vital to potential employers. Experience, interests and a great bio can all get you far.
Smart ways to make more money and find new customers
Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.
Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.
October 5th, 2024
Verizon’s network crashed for millions, and nobody’s explaining why. Also, Hitler speeches are blowing up on TikTok with jaw-dropping comments. Plus, teeth-cleaning robots, catcallers trapping a woman in a Waymo, and a step-by-step on how to vanish from Google.
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
How to rock a remote interview: Tips for shining over the phone or on video
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Remote interviews are the present and the future. Why? The pandemic forced many companies nationwide to move to a remote system nearly overnight.
Now that we’ve been operating remotely for a while, many employers have seen the positive benefits of having remote employees. Increased productivity is one of them.
The danger of free VPNs
If you want to stay safe, you need a solid self-defense plan. This applies to both the real world and our digital lives. One of the best ways to stay safe online is by using a VPN or a virtual private network.
As a quick recap, a VPN is a cybersecurity tool you download onto your devices. You can hide your IP address, encrypt internet traffic and protect your browsing history. VPNs even help you get around geoblocking, which refers to content barriers based on your location.
VPNs: How they work and how to choose the best one for you
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I’m sure you’ve heard me mention VPNs before on my show. With hackers, thieves and scammers constantly out in full force, ready to steal your money, now’s the time to get on board.
VPN is short for virtual private network. What this means is when doing your banking online, hackers can’t step in the middle and steal your account information and drain your money. A VPN also stops your internet provider from tracking you and lets you unblock websites and bypass filters. You need it on your computer, laptop, tablet and phone.
August 3rd, 2024
A family says an Amazon driver stole their beloved cat Feefee, and how your scammer could be a victim of human trafficking. Plus, Bytedance apps get banned from U.S. government devices and a free pet alert network.
How to track down an email address online
If you’re on the job hunt but can’t seem to get to the interview stage, I’ll let you in on a tip: Find the hiring manager or team leader’s email address online, and send a personalized note after you apply. It’ll help them put a face to a name and help you stand out in a sea of resumes.
Your worth on the Dark Web
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Here’s a shocker for you: With as little as $1,000, a cyber creep can go to the Dark Web and buy your entire identity. That means they get your Social Security number, bank account info and anything else they need to pose as you — or someone you love — online.