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Ellen Nordahl
Madison
Recruiter, Epic
Information Technology
Fans (264)
Groups (32)

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Ellen Nordahl Do you have a way with words? Epic's currently looking for sharp college grads to join our writing team. Find out more the opportunity here: http://bit.ly/aQWnC5

75 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors, Journalism and Journalists, Blogging Ideas, Copywriters and Entry-Level Young Professionals3 more

JR Moreau: I wish they were hiring when I was still in Madison!
75 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl Do you have a way with words? Epic's currently looking for sharp college grads to join our writing team. Find out more the opportunity here: http://bit.ly/aQWnC5

75 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors, Journalism and Journalists, Blogging Ideas and Entry-Level Young Professionals2 more

 
Ellen Nordahl Harvard Business Review takes on #GenY entering the workforce; claims we won't change much: http://bit.ly/bMy9u8. I beg to differ. #brazen

79 weeks ago from

 
Ellen Nordahl Check out the fantastic artwork of @animalcanon this Friday night @ the Project Lodge: http://bit.ly/aIjcwX #Madison #brazen #art

80 weeks ago from

 
Ryan Paugh Hey everybody -- I just posted an event for all of our local Madtown friends. We're organizing a good old-fashioned Happy Hour next Tuesday, July 13 w/ Bizwerks & ERE.net at 6PM. It's going to held at Atomic Koi which is outside of downtown. I hope that you'll all be adventurous enough to trek out and join us! Click here to RSVP >> http://bit.ly/9ZDXMr

83 weeks ago from Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites), Wisconsin Badgers, Madison Foodies, Madison MAGNET and The Madtown Crew3 more

Ryan Paugh: @Laura -- At the very least we will have to meet up in Milwaukee next time we swing into town, which is pretty often :)

Keep trying! There are a ...More
@Laura -- At the very least we will have to meet up in Milwaukee next time we swing into town, which is pretty often :)

Keep trying! There are a lot of SM folks in Milwaukee. Met a lot of them through the UnGeeked conference in early summer.

81 weeks ago
Laura Benson-Hadley: That would be awesome!!
81 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl #Brazen Goodness: "What I Know About Getting A Job" - free e-book from HR Execs, Bloggers & Recruiters! Get it here: http://bit.ly/bGqHKf

81 weeks ago from

 
Ellen Nordahl Nothing worse than getting the "dead fish." Everyone should read Lifehacker's Scientifically Perfect Handshake: http://bit.ly/cIHeFC #brazen

81 weeks ago from

 
Louisa Zelm Hi everyone! I'm looking to begin a career in HR and am not sure what sort of entry-level positions I qualify for to get my foot in the door. I have a four-year degree in psychology (with business classes and business research projects to boot) and have been getting varying answers. Can anyone offer some clarification for me?

82 weeks ago from Entry-Level Young Professionals

Arielle: I would actually disagree with some of the suggestions above (respectfully, of course!). Look for job titles such as HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, ...MoreI would actually disagree with some of the suggestions above (respectfully, of course!). Look for job titles such as HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, or HR Junior Generalist. I have an HR background and I've found that it is often very difficult for recruiters to make the transition to an HR Generalist type role because recruiting is so narrowly focused (you can make the jump, but you might get stuck in recruiting for a few years). Same with executive assistant roles - you don't want to get stuck as an assistant if HR is really what you're trying to do. An MBA is obviously very helpful but of course if you're looking for a job now, an MBA isn't a short term solution. As far as certifications, I'm sure it looks great on a resume and would definitely help with your confidence as far as subject knowledge is concerned, but it's definitely not necessary. I don't know anyone who has an HR certification and I know a ton of HR professionals! The point is, if you're looking for an entry level role, as long as you have a bachelor's degree you are definitely qualified. HR professionals come from all educational backgrounds, you just need to show that you're interested in the field and can get up to speed quickly! They'll train you to do everything else. =)
81 weeks ago
Scott Carlisle: Exactly well said
81 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl I agree that it's completely unprofessional. After I've interviewed someone, I call him/her regardless of whether we've decided to hire them or if we've found someone else who better fit for the position. If you as an interviewee take the time to go through the interview process, you deserve a follow-up. While no one likes getting a rejection call (or e-mail), there's nothing worse than not knowing.

82 weeks ago from Entry-Level Young Professionals

Ellen Nordahl: I meant that it's unprofessional for the recruiter or interviewer NOT to contact you after you've interviewed. You should always receive a follow ...MoreI meant that it's unprofessional for the recruiter or interviewer NOT to contact you after you've interviewed. You should always receive a follow up from him or her, be it good news or bad news.
82 weeks ago
Stanley Lee: I agree with the ethics, but as a candidate, there is no control of what the organization would do. I personally just assume the worst happening ...MoreI agree with the ethics, but as a candidate, there is no control of what the organization would do. I personally just assume the worst happening as usual and move on, although I may be on the pessimistic side.
82 weeks ago
 

82 weeks ago

 
Ellen Nordahl #u30pro chat to begin shortly. This week's topic: influence. As always, jump in, and apologies for flooding the tweet stream. #brazen

83 weeks ago from

 
Ellen Nordahl What's the first thing 1/3 of young women do in the morning? If you guessed check Facebook, +1 for you. http://bit.ly/9HuQy4 #brazen

83 weeks ago from

 
Sabera (Kapasi) Photographer I moved to the US a year ago from India and have been doing a whole lot of shopping to update my wardrobe to suit the weather here. With much apprehension, I walked into a Clothes Mentor the other day and was surprised with the clothes I found after some patient digging into the racks! Picked up a beautiful Guess top for just $6. Also bought a killer Liz Claiborne pencil skirt for $15! How many of you shop from 2nd-hand stores? Do you tell your friends you're wearing something that's 2nd hand?

97 weeks ago from Dress Code Personal Style

Tyna Chua: Shopping second hand also has the benefit of almost zero carbon footprint, and usually the item is more "unique" than what you get off the typical ...MoreShopping second hand also has the benefit of almost zero carbon footprint, and usually the item is more "unique" than what you get off the typical department store racks!
83 weeks ago
Raquel Elle Bell: I love vintage and unique clothes... Often I find cool items and tailor them to fit today's styles. I found this really cute 50's style dress. It ...MoreI love vintage and unique clothes... Often I find cool items and tailor them to fit today's styles. I found this really cute 50's style dress. It had a great pattern so I chopped off the bottom and made it into a really short bell mini then found a chunky leather belt and voila fabulous...
83 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl Is regulating the unpaid #internship doing more harm than good? What are your thoughts? http://nyti.ms/cDroot #brazen

83 weeks ago from

 
Ellen Nordahl Do you think beauty is a well-written sentence? Show off your skills on Epic's Writing team (Check out our page on Brazen). As a writer, you'll help our customers by creating simple, clear, and effective documentation for physicians, nurses, schedulers, project teams, and other audiences. Our writers have a knack for explaining complex topics and enjoy tackling challenges with others. Interested? Apply online at http://careers.epic.com. If you have any questions, send me a message.

85 weeks ago from Copywriters, We're Hiring, Professional Writers and Editors and Journalism and Journalists2 more

Jay Hepner: Done!
85 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl When you're looking to switch careers and make a move to a new city, what not-so-obvious factors do you consider during the search? I think an important (and often overlooked) factor is the economic health of the region you're looking to move to. Money Magazine recently came out with a list of the nation's "Recession Proof" cities http://bit.ly/cLTk3s. If the general economy of a region was taking a turn for the worse, would it put you off from making a move?

85 weeks ago from Career Changers, JobSTART 101, Untemplater and u30pro2 more

Josh Allan Dykstra: Interesting article! Thanks for sharing, Ellen.
85 weeks ago
Danver Chandler: I just moved to an economically NOT proof state and city. There are jobs, but my career line is Education and I have NEVER felt there would ever ...MoreI just moved to an economically NOT proof state and city. There are jobs, but my career line is Education and I have NEVER felt there would ever be a problem getting employed as a teacher. I did consider this, but continue to believe I'll over come the obvious...I have a teaching interview tomorrow, but I have been looking for nearly 5 months! Before Atlanta I was more concerned about zip codes and crime rates...so every time I move I look on the police site and see which zip codes I will not live in, but would be willing to work in.

*So, in answer to your question I'd consider it, but if I really wanted to move, I'd still move and send out good vibes to the Universe! :-)

85 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl What resources have you found to be valuable in time management? At Epic, all employees receive a copy of "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, and everyone has a professional development fund to put toward materials that are beneficial to their career development. I'm putting some of mine toward "Rework" by Jason Fried, but I would love to hear any recommendations for productivity-focused books.

85 weeks ago from Epic, Project Managers and Productivity & Time-Management1 more

Ellen Nordahl: Great advice! I've noticed a lot of articles about the pitfalls of multitasking lately - the Harvard Business Review blog has offered several ...MoreGreat advice! I've noticed a lot of articles about the pitfalls of multitasking lately - the Harvard Business Review blog has offered several thought-provoking posts on the subject.

How (and why) to Stop Multitasking: http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/05/how-and-why-to-stop-multitaski.html

In Defense of Multitasking: http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2010/06/in-defense-of-multitasking.html

I'll definitely look in to the Lifehacker book (I read the site daily), and I'm intrigued to learn that there's a follow-up to Allen's first book. Your Brain at Work also sounds like an interesting read. Keep up the awesome suggestions! (And Eric - I agree - it is great to feel like your company is truly devoted to providing the resources you need to stay sharp and on top of your game).

85 weeks ago
John Heartlein: Autofocus has worked for me.
More
Autofocus has worked for me.
http://blog.alecsatin.com/autofocus4/

85 weeks ago
 
Terrie Green Our company is switching to EPIC within the next year, cant wait to get rid of our system!

85 weeks ago from Epic

Ellen Nordahl: It's so encouraging to hear from health care professionals like yourself that you're excited about the software we take so much pride in building. ...MoreIt's so encouraging to hear from health care professionals like yourself that you're excited about the software we take so much pride in building. We're looking forward to working with you and the rest of the team at Park Nicollet!
85 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl When you're researching companies for career opportunities, how important is the company's name or brand recognition? Are you more inclined to seek out opportunities with a company that is well-known because of media coverage and marketing (e.g., Google, Apple, Target, P&G), or are you more interested in the long-term growth and stability of the organization? How do you find out about opportunities with companies that aren't well-known by the general public?

86 weeks ago from JobSTART 101, We're Hiring, Brazen Careerist's Top 50 Gen-Y Companies and Career Changers2 more

Jamie Nacht Farrell: Two questions here:

In response to your first question: Just because you haven't "heard" of a 'brand' does not mean that it's not long term or ...More
Two questions here:

In response to your first question: Just because you haven't "heard" of a 'brand' does not mean that it's not long term or sustainable. Vice versa, just because you have heard of a brand, doesn't mean it's sustainable or long term either (we can all see this from BP's issue now). Hence, I use 2 things to determine where I'm going to get the most traction in terms of careers/clients. 1) Connections - as you know, 92% of jobs are found via connections / recommendations vs. just "applying" so I go for where there is a higher likelihood of me getting int the door. 2) I then go to Linkedin. I join the networks in the industry I'm looking and then review the 'members' lists / see where they are working. If the individual + the company looks interesting, I build a connection that way to get in as a recommendation.

Second Question: To find opportunities that are not well known, I do the same thing. Pro-actively engage in LinkedIn networks.

What @Raquel states is true, however there are different kinds of notoriety in "brands". For example, there are companies that are very well branded regionally, but perhaps not nationally. Example - in TX, everyone knows what "Whataburger" is. In FL, I've never heard of it. So make sure you are not narrowing yourself to 1 region or area unless you are 100% certain you will stay there.

86 weeks ago
Ellen Nordahl: Great point about regional differences in brand notoriety. I also think a lot of B2B companies fly under the radar because we as consumers aren't ...MoreGreat point about regional differences in brand notoriety. I also think a lot of B2B companies fly under the radar because we as consumers aren't exposed to their marketing and advertising efforts. There are some tremendous opportunities out there if you take the time to research an industry and identify its key players.
86 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl As engineers, are you more interested in a career that directly corresponds to the engineering-specific education you received, or one that allows you to employ the same technical and problem-solving skill set in a more customer-facing role? What are your top 3 criteria as you evaluate companies in your job search?

86 weeks ago from Engineers

Raquel Elle Bell: Engineers facing customers... Hmm is that another oxymoron? LOL
86 weeks ago
Aurian Campbell: Ellen, I think the stereotypical introverted engineer is possibly less common among newer engineers than with our predecessors. I can even ...MoreEllen, I think the stereotypical introverted engineer is possibly less common among newer engineers than with our predecessors. I can even remember the first time I met a colleague who stated that they weren't interested in anything except getting their work done and avoiding too much people contact. I was adequately surprised, because all of my peers until then had been fairly amenable to working with others.

I think Amy is right, though, that there is a niche to be found by understanding the technical side and being able to communicate concepts in a way which makes sense to people in different fields. In my experience this is the hard part for most engineers. It's more a lack of desire (or inability) to adapt our communication styles to people with different backgrounds than a real inclination to be shy or antisocial.

86 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out the new Epic page on #Brazen - we're excited to join this great community. We'll be using this page to connect with potential candidates and those interested in learning more about the healthcare IT industry. We've been growing consistently for the past 10 years, and we're always on the lookout for bright and motivated people to join our team. Feel free to ask questions and share your thoughts and ideas; we'd love to hear from you.

86 weeks ago from Epic

 
Ryan Paugh Hey guys. How about that heat wave? Since the weather is getting nicer and nicer I'm really thinking a lot about putting some Madison Tweet Ups together. I'm thinking that the best way to get started is to create a Brazen/Madison Twitter List. So reply below with your Twitter handle so I can start putting a list of people together.

89 weeks ago from Madison MAGNET, The Madtown Crew, Wisconsin Badgers and Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites)2 more

Tom Kuplic: @tbkuplic
83 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh: Just posted our first meet up of the summer over here >> MoreJust posted our first meet up of the summer over here >> http://bit.ly/9ZDXMr
83 weeks ago
 
Ellen Nordahl Take a look at this infographic detailing the change in Facebook's default privacy settings over the years. http://bit.ly/d42QFa At SXSW, Dana Boyle stated that 60% of Facebook users don't understand their current privacy settings. How do you feel about the changes that have been made? Have any of you left the network in lieu of how complicated it has become to manage what you share and don't share with the rest of the Internet?

91 weeks ago

Interests
reading, writing, snowboarding, pilates, biking, interior design and architecture, social media, live music.
Goals
  1. Learn Adobe CS4 and build my online portfolio.
  2. Read a book a week.
  3. Travel to Thailand & Japan.
  4. Try out for Jeopardy.
  5. Go white-water rafting.

Groups (32)

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Fans (264)

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Following (50)

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