PR Job Coach -- Career Management & Mentoring

Reference Rules of the Road, Rigorous, Reliable, Respectable and Repeatable

2012-01-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

So you finally passed muster in the 15 interviews you endured at ABC Company over two weeks. You are exhausted. You lost about eight pounds, sweated bullets and are in the final throes of that seemingly elusive job offer. Now comes the hard part. Who and what references can you provide that will help seal the deal and pave the way towards the job offer that has had you in the waiting room for what appears to be a lifetime. References are critical to bringing to a close your search for your next gig.

So as you compile your list, pay heed to the quality of your references. Be rigorous in your selection. Pick colleagues who are reliable, rational and repeatable and by all means respectable. Here are some rules of the road on reference givers that can help you avoid the potholes that invariably and mysteriously appear on the highway to career contentment.

1. Former superiors or bosses. This is generally a good idea particularly if you have had a good, productive relationship. It is not advisable if your boss has ever appeared on Fortune magazine’s 10 Toughest Bosses lists or could be categorized as a screamer. Generally a tough boss may crucify you or simply allow the reference checker to read between the lines. And this is not always good. So insure that you select prior superiors with whom you have had a solid relationship. You would do well to inform them ahead of time and provide guidance on the areas of your job and performance most related to the new position you are hopeful to obtain.

2. Co-Workers. People with whom you have worked day to day can make excellent references for potential new employers. Stick with true colleagues who know and appreciate your experience, value and work ethic. Avoid folks with whom you have only had a casual work relationship. You will want to stick with people who have shared tough times as well as victories. Also choose a diverse base of former colleagues from differing job categories so that you portray your ability to easily navigate across the full spectrum of an enterprise. Inform the references ahead of time of potential reference checks and outline those areas on which you may want them to focus. Encourage them to tell stories of an accomplishment or two.

3. Friends. This can be tricky. Friends will always support you and likely convey all the good aspects about you. But reference checkers generally stay away from friends for obvious reasons. If you feel compelled, select friends who have known you for a long time. Friends that may have been exposed to your work habits, academic credentials or volunteer work. You want friends to be able to address your value and lifetime achievements. As with other references, let them know in advance that the may be receiving a call and coach them on the job that you are being referenced about.

4. Family. This is a category of people you would do well to avoid. Yes, sure, your Mom knows everything about you and she is your biggest fan. But a potential employer is not going to call your Mom or even your Dad, sister or brother. Where is the objectivity? The only circumstance where you may need to use a family member is if you were employed in the family business. Make this clear to the reference checker or company HR folks. And of course warn your family of the eventuality and make sure they know about the position you are seeking in advance.

5. Others not elsewhere classified. If you are not able to identify a sufficient population of references from the groups above, consider people with whom you have interacted in your life such as a preacher or priest, mentor, college professor, Scout Leader (Girl, Boy or Cub,) guidance counselor, teacher, coach or other professionals who know and respect you. Avoid your mailperson, milkperson, grocery delivery person, or purloiner of your favorite substance. These folks generally will not hold sway over your credentials or credibility. As always, let any of your references know ahead of time of the possibility of an email or phone call about your character and employability.

How Best to Employ Your Inner Voice in the Job Search - Respect Your Gut

2011-12-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

You just finished three job interviews in a week and are still Monday quarterbacking about how well you did or did not. You are analyzing every question and answer to grade your performance with the hope that you got a touchdown and will soon be on your second interview cycle with the offer letter close behind. Then reality sets in and you hear nothing for the next several weeks except the sound of your own criticism and an occasional heartbeat. What to do? Did you answer all the questions well? "Was it something I said?" "Did I say enough?" The pain and uncertainty are killing you.

Take a deep breath! One, two, three, etc..... Ok relax. Compose yourself as well as a thoughtful note of gratitude for having been given the opportunity to present your case for the job. Use your interview notes, analysis and intuition to present three essential points for why you are right person for the job. Then get on with it. Put it past you. Get beyond the distraction. If you used well your inner voice to communicate your value proposition, the hiring manager or HR person may take note and likely include you in the consideration set for the next round of interviews (or not.) If not, kiss that position goodbye, learn from it and move on. Here are a few other thoughts about employing your inner voice to de-stress about your interview.

1. Remember the law of averages. The more you interview the higher the probability you will connect with the right opportunity that will feel right and be the right fit. Trust your gut. The sober thought is that it is going to take time to find the right fit. But it will happen. A good friend of mine just landed after three years on the hunt -- a bear of an adventure he dares and hopes not to reprise.

2. Keep your expectations in check. If the job does not feel right, do the interview anyway for the experience. You may learn something about yourself and what makes you tick. Remember, the higher the expectations the greater the disappointment.

3. Maintain perspective. It is only one job. In your heart and mind you know there are others. Deep down you sensed that the job was just ok. Your heart did not race at the prospect of working for Mr. or Mrs. Big and your inner voice could care less. No big deal.

4. Recognize the chemistry. When you do get the interview for the job that is meant for you, there will be a ping of adrenalin that gets your mind racing and hopefully your imagimnation soaring. In this case, give it all you've got. Picture yourself in the role and let your inner voice speak about what you can accomplish and why the glove fit. Follow up with the authentic you and not some prepackaged response you got out of an outplacement manual. When the call comes, go for it. Otherwise move to Step 5

5. Go to step and repeat. When all else fails, respect your gut.

The Three Legged Stool of Career Management

2011-11-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Effectively managing your career in the economy of 2011 is a vastly different world than it was just a few short years ago. No longer does it suffice to have just a resume of qualifications and access to job boards and a few connections to executive search firms. Managing a career in the public relations and communications industry can often be a full time job akin to managing the communications strategy for a Fortune 1000 firm or being a product promotion specialist in the world of technology.

Successfully moving up the ladder of career accomplishment or searching for your next gig is a three legged stool, whereby the absence of just one strut can leave you without a competent platform to seek, secure and settle into an engaging role in public relations. Let me explain.

The resume is the first leg. While some may argue that the resume is an anachronism in today’s social media soaked society, the resume is perhaps the first piece of documentation that introduces you to hiring managers and other critical people in the supply chain of human capital formation. The big change though is how the resume has evolved, what it conveys and how it is now used.

Resumes are no longer just a recitation of the jobs you have held in your career. It is a window on your accomplishments and a critical piece of evidence that conveys how you have performed for prior and current employers. Done well, the resume can make all the difference in whether you end up in the select in pile or the circular file. The resume can contain many things about you. But given the fact that the hiring manager or HR person spends from 30 seconds to a minute and a half on the resume , you need to make it easy to read and a compelling sell.

Rules of thumb: The resume launches with a Summary, which is your thirty second elevator speech about you and your value. Next is the Experience section which succinctly details in reverse chronology your accomplishments in bulleted form surrounded by a tight row of white space that allows the achievement to pop. The current job should show three to five accomplishments and prior jobs no more than three. Professional Affiliations should be detailed to add weight to your career accomplishments and be relevant to the job you are seeking. Bringing up the rear are Honors and Awards. That is it. Forget computer skills, hobbies and the name of your pet.

The Network is Part Deux. It is said that 80 percent of people landing jobs today are doing it through their network. So do not over do it on job boards, search firms, classified ads or mass mailings. The network is where it is at. If you have one, expand it. If you do not, start building it. Here is how.

Pick your social platform of choice like Linkedin, Facebook, Plaxo, Ning, Viadeo, Unthink, Foundation3, etc. Take your existing Rolodex (if you are old enough to remember) or Contact list and begin inviting friends, acquaintances and colleagues to become part of your network. Institutionalizing your network on a social platform frees you from ever needing to update addresses or hiring a private eye to find your long lost friend. Most social networks are self sufficient.

And please do not limit yourself to the virtual world. Networking requires “pressing the flesh.” Get out there and meet people. Help them to know you well enough to enables them to render an opinion of your value and worth. It only takes one solid connection to get the gig you want. So do everything in your power to shine a light on your ability. And by the way, networking is a two way street. Remember the old adage, “It is better to give than receive.” There is much wisdom behind those words. If you can help someone, it will likely come back to you four fold. At least that is what the nuns told us in grade school. It works.

The last leg, “Virtual Me” – Can you be found is the essential question in the second decade of the 21st Century. The first destination of most hiring managers , human resource executives and search firm personnel is Google, followed closely behind by Bing and platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. If you do not show up on the radar, you may just as well look for an island beach in the Pacific.

There are ways, though, to raise your profile in cyberspace that are not taxing and require no investment other than your public relations skills. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Get engaged with your communities! Do you belong to industry or professional groups? If you do and are not engaged, consider getting involved. Join a committee, run for an office or board position, volunteer for an event. Often times being a part of a group that is doing worthwhile work can attract attention.

2. If you have a passion, blog!!! If you want to be recognized for something and develop a following, blogging can be a useful device. In fact, if you have a passion, blogging is a natural. But the key word is “passion.” If you are a thought leader or expert on something let people know and become recognized for your knowledge and enthusiasm. http://wordpress.com, http://blogspot.com and http://www.posterous.com are useful and free platforms to express yourself.

3. Join in social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, Plaxo, Ning, Foundation3, etc. Employing platforms like these enable you to craft the type of profile that spotlights your professional career and equally important your professional and personal accomplishments. Be sure to target those platforms that fit with your profession and your personal brand.

4. Take control of third party web-based databases. These would include but are not limited to www.zoominfo.com, www.spoke.com, www.jigsaw.com, www.spokeo.com, etc. Many of these sites allow you to take ownership of your profile and manage the content. Make sure to delete errors or mistakes that could derail your consideration.

5. Establish a showcase on www.slideshare.com. Slideshare is a fabulous and rich content site on which you can upload presentations. In this case, what you will do is produce a PowerPoint presentation about you not unlike a C.V. You can include your resume, links and URLs to your web content, expanded accomplishments, academic credentials, professional photos and video, publications and other career information that help you tell a compelling story about you as a brand and as a professional.

6. Highlight your career on www.visualCV.com. VisualCV portrays itself as “Your resume, only better.” VisualCV is customizable and can serve as a resume, online professional profile, business development tool or mini website. And to top it off, just like Slideshare, it is included in Google search engine results.

7. Don’t forget about Google and Google plus. Build a Google profile. Yes Google gives you the ability to have a profile. If you already have a Google or Gmail account, a Google profile is the next step. Just go to www.google.com/profiles. Google provides the ability to include basic information about who, what, why, where and when. You can also include information on where you live or have lived, your web links, personal and professional interests, education, employers and aliases. Best of all, the profile is included in search.

8. Become an active Twitterer! Yes I realize this seems strange because you really care not to daily Tweet your food choices. Well don’t. Instead, employ Twitter as a strategic tool to add value to the knowledge stream on the web. If you are an expert or thought leader on a particular topic or topics then provide a steady stream of pithy and helpful commentary that enlightens and entertains.

Can You Hear me Now? How to Handle “Radio Silence.

2011-09-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more frustrating in a job search than the lack of response by hiring managers or recruiters. You follow all the rules of a compelling cover letter. You compose a custom resume that matches your accomplishments to the job specifications posted by the company or the recruiter. You have scoured your network to find insiders at the company and you have followed their advice to the letter. Following all of this fine preparation you end up with radio silence that is both deafening and frustrating. How should you move forward with this scenario? Here are some constructive ideas:

Be patient. There are no hard and fast rules regarding wait time. The higher the position, the greater the time to response. Many firms take an inordinate amount of time to conduct due diligence. Hiring managers have a job to do and spending lots of time reviewing resumes and responding in a timely manner is not the order of the day. While it is extremely frustrating, a watched pot never boils. And neither should you. If the job is a fit, you will get a response in three to four weeks. If not, you may never get a response. The sad fact is courtesy often is pushed aside due to lack of good sense and sensitivity. Get past it.

Tap the network. If you are fortunate enough to have people from your network that are already employed with the ( j)object of your desire, contact them and ask them to inquire on the status of the company’s consideration of your candidacy. I have seen this done successfully but make sure that you are familiar enough with your contacts to make “the ask.” And when you do, volunteer to reciprocate at some point. Never expect something for nothing. But always give something for nothing. It pays in the long run.

Grab a hook. Give some thought to additional information that you may want to provide to the hiring manager or the recruiter as an incentive to ramp up consideration. Pay attention to the news of the day, changes in the market or some current event that would give you a rationale to introduce a new reason or “hook” to entice those with the hiring responsibility to hasten the search or put a priority on you as the candidate. For example, is there a competing company that has an interest in you and expressed as much or has the market had a competitive shift that warrants a change in business strategy. This could be reason enough for you to call the company directly or send an urgent email that explains the situation and the need for more urgent action in the
company’s hiring plans.

Move on. You never heard back – nada, zip, nothing. “What is wrong with those people? Why do they not respond? I have taken a lot of intellectual energy and time to make the case for my candidacy. Could they not be courteous and let me know if I have a shot or not?” The fact is that your priorities are just that – yours. Companies today do not have the time or inclination to hold hands and make everyone comfy. And in this tumultuous economy, backed by “beltway bickering” good sense and good manners are out the door. Just move on. It is not worth your sanity to get uptight or ticked off. Hopefully there are other fish to fry and the law of averages argues putting lost causes behind you and pushing forward with other firms and opportunities. The more the merrier.

Cover Your Bases and Home Runs - The Job Pitch Letter

2011-08-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Cover letters and resumes play critical roles in career management and job search. You can argue that one trumps the other but the fact is they work together as a team. And the cover letter plays a starring role because it can get the recruiter, HR folks and the hiring manager warmed up for the main pitch of the resume. In short, the cover letter should cover your bases and home runs.

I recently read a blog that talked about what should not be in the cover letter. Well how about we talk about what should be in the cover letter. After all, it pays to operate with the glass half full rather than half empty. So here goes:

1. Relevance. Tell the recipient why you are writing, something like “I am writing to present my credentials for the role of director of corporate relations. “ Make it short, sweet and to the point.

2. Elevator speech. You should be able to describe succinctly who you are in a statement that embeds your essential value. Note well that the elevator speech (the 30-second variety) is the same one you employ when you meet someone and greet them with your introduction. It pays to know who you are and have it roll off the tongue consistently and forcefully each and every time you employ it. In this case, it is the written version of the elevator pitch of no more than two sentences.

3. The bases. The cover letter should enumerate how the candidate matches the requirements of the position based on a thorough analysis and understanding of the job specs covering all the bases. And it would not hurt to elaborate how the candidate’s experience exceeds the major critical job specs.

4. Home runs. This is the best part and frankly should be the best part. Here is where you talk about your record home runs. You do not need to list them all. Just discuss the best two or three, tops. Employers want to get a sense of how you will perform for them. And describing your best hits is one of the best means for potential bosses to envision your performance.

5. Availability. Let the employer or recruiter know that you are available at their convenience to further discuss your credentials and their needs.

6. Gratitude. Express it well and sincerely. Thank the employer or recruiter for taking time to be considerate of you, your expression of interest and credentials.

How to Invent Your Next Job

2011-07-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

As government bickering and inaction continues, job seekers are growing ever restless, frustrated and annoyed because, for many folks, there just are no jobs to be had. You are either too old, too young, suffering the stigma of no job or you have run out of runway in your network. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, “More than one in three of the unemployed were out of work for at least a year in a handful of U.S. states that appear to be disproportionately caught up in the long-term unemployment problem.” So if you are sitting in the unemployment barrel with a bunch of lemons, it is high time to make lemonade.

Have you thought about making a job for yourself? And I am not talking about flipping burgers. Let’s look at the landscape that is you. A key to inventing a job is to take inventory and look within yourself to your hobbies, interests, passions and skills. Here is a potential subscription for engineering your own gig:

Many people have hobbies and passions that allow them to escape the madness of the daily grind. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a hobby is “an activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working.” What do you for a hobby: collect stamps, ride a motorcycle, write poetry or sample every restaurant in town? Take a hard look at what you do for leisure and see if there might be a business model for earning a living.

1. Make a spreadsheet listing all of your passions, hobbies, interests and skills. Rank them in order of priority or interest level.

2. Scour the internet for information on each and make note of which ones have potential for being a market or a potential revenue generator and are already a business for someone.

3. Absorb and digest everything you find in cyberspace, paying strict attention to facts that validate their business potential.

4. Consider different business models for monetizing your hobby. For example, can you take your knowledge of the subject matter and sell it as a commodity or turn it into a saleable product? Can you make what you enjoy a service for others to purchase?

5. If so, develop a thumbnail business plan that outlines the product or service and how it can be sold and serviced and to whom.

6. Set up a brain storming session with family, and a few friends or colleagues and bounce off the ideas to them taking note of their commentary, good or bad.

7. Select a model you feel works well for you based on your research with friends and family.

8. Assess your capital needs. You may be surprised at how little investment you need to kick start the business. If it requires more than you have, develop is list of potential investors who are willing to take a flyer on you. Also look at other creative financing such as selling that old antique car or HO train set that is sitting in your closet collecting dust. Worst comes to worse use your credit cards but sparingly. And don’t forget about sweat equity.

9. Start building your own “thought leadership” credentials by blogging, commenting, tweeting or employing numerous other social infrastructure platforms. Stay focused and comment heavily on what you know and for what you have a passion. If you start, don’t stop.

10. Brand yourself consistently and tightly. Take a review of your online presence. Review every social platform in which you participate. Update the platforms so that you present yourself uniformly and consistently. Have the same positioning, platform to platform. For example, make sure your single-minded brand identity and thought leadership comes to the fore on Facebook, Linkedin, Quora, Twitter, FourSquare, MyWebCareer, Google+, Plaxo, VisualCV, Slideshare, etc., etc. Leave no stone unturned.

For better or worse, we are living in unusual times that are fast becoming the usual. You often are your only back up plan. So take control of your own destiny and make one.

Connectiquette - The Etiquette of Managing Connections

2011-06-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Connectiquette is not a typo or a new state in the U.S. It refers to a process of thoughtful deliberation.

This age of the network and personal collaboration is bringing important benefits to people around the world. Technology has brought us all closer together, afforded the ability to create like communities, given voice to all and particularly to those who previously had no voice and enabled countless good deeds and beneficiaries. The proliferation of social collaboration platforms is making it easy to connect with long-lost friends and family, new friends, business colleagues and other people who have similar interests, aspirations and goals. And these same platforms have become crucial in job search and career management. We now have the ability and liberty to identify hiring managers and influencers that play significant roles in the hiring process.

But with all good things comes the idea of responsibility, taking care to be ethical and transparent about how we use technology to advance and effectively manage our careers and career goals. So in the spirit of being responsible, here are several recommendations on how to handle networking and connecting with people you feel can have an influence on your job search or career development.

Making the Ask:

1. Typically only connect with people you know and who know you.

2. If you want to connect with someone you have not met, ask for a referral from someone you know who does have a connection. Explain your rationale for wanting to link and make the ask. Also do not forget to offer to reciprocate.

3. If you do not have any linkage to someone to whom you absolutely, positively must connect, do your research, strategize on your ask,” compose a logical pitch and make the ask. If your request is reasonable, logical, friendly, open and you offer to return the courtesy, your chances of a connection are significantly higher than if you did not do your due diligence.

4. One other technique to consider is a simple, yet thoughtful, hand-written letter of introduction that you send via snail mail to outline your background and mission in requesting to connect. Many times this technique will achieve the desired effect because it is different, offline and in some circles, considered classy and unique.

Considering the Ask

1. Connect. If you know the person and have had positive interaction, your decision is easy. Frankly, the larger your personal network of people the better equipped you will be in your business or in a job search. You never know when some opportunity or challenge comes along where you will require some help or an appropriate connection in your job. So why tempt fate? Connect.

2. Do due diligence. If you receive a request by an unknown person to link, closely examine the name and conduct a quick background check. If the person and the company are to your liking and you see value, connect.

3. A positive link. If the requestor is connected to someone you know, respect and appreciate and the person has provided a reason to link, you may want to connect.

4. Assess the potential. If the requestor is unknown, try a Google search. Check Linkedin and/or Facebook or even Jigsaw, Ning, Spoke or Plaxo. If the person moves in your sphere, is engaged in your business, and has potential as a connection to you, make an educated guesstimate to their value to you and your value to them. If it is positive and additive, just connect!

Taking a Pass?

1. Forget the guilt. If you do not know the person and they live in Nigeria, there may be reason to take a pass.

2. Be honest and respond. If you cannot muster any interest or logical reason to connect after doing due diligence on your requestor, take a pass. If you are compassionate nonetheless, respond with a “Thanks you for your request to connect. Being honest though, I do not know you, have no link with your network and you have provided no logical reason to connect, I am going to take a pass. I wish you all the best.”

As has been said many times, networking can be both benefit and bane. The key is to manage the network so that you have the ability to receive its rewards and the opportunity to pay it forward or back. What is clear is that networks are essential to human progress. They are useless unless you effectively employ them to gain advantage or give advantage. The key is to operate them in a way that is mutually beneficial, efficient to manage and implemented with respect, reciprocity and rigor.

Membership has its Privileges – Why Joining is Essential to Staying in Touch!

2011-05-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

In this age when knowledge and information are king and social infrastructure platforms are proliferating, professional membership organizations are becoming even more essential to the progress and professional development of public relations and communications professionals. With credit to American Express, membership does have its privileges and rewards and these days membership organizations are a quick means to building a network.

The fact is the network is the currency of today’s knowledge and wisdom society. A strong network has many benefits that span career advancement, benchmarking, job performance, effective crisis management, on the job problem solving and a myriad of other factors where it pays to have a broad and wide network of people with whom to collaborate and knowledge share.

One other interesting fact to consider, in today's job market, roughly 70% of people who are landing jobs are doing so as a result of their networks. So it is both wise and prudent to have and maintain a network. My recommendation therefore is to look at joining organizations that reflect your professional interests and aspirations. By joining, you have reason and rationale to stay in touch. Here are some thoughts to consider regarding membership organizations and networks.

• Membership organizations are one of the best means of developing and building a network. For example, the Public Relations Society of America, with more than 21,000 members, is the world’s largest organization of public relations professionals. Being a member of this type of a membership organization is tantamount to an instant network. And as you engage and get involved with the organization you build networking capital that contributes to awareness of you and your capabilities. Membership also affords the ability to share your vision, career aspirations, professional affiliations and interests.

• Institutionalize your network. If you have not already done so, consider using one or more of today's social media platforms like Linkedin or Facebook to “hard wire” your network and those you meet in your membership associations. Employing such platforms is efficient. You never (or rarely) will need to track down the whereabouts of a friend or former colleague. The platform typically is self-regulating and updating. No need to comb the web to find your contact’s latest gig or place in
time. Another benefit is the capability to unobtrusively and instantly communicate your presence and needs.

• Networking means both connecting and collaborating with people in person as well as through
other channels like the phone. To insure that folks get to know you well, it is important to meet face to face and not merely Facebook to Facebook. Seeing the “cut of your jib” is an essential means to get folks to know and understand you, witness your character and appreciate what are your abilities and personality. So get out there and meet and greet your fellow members and show them who you are.

• Invite every person with whom you come in contact to join your network on your preferred platform. Even if you only met the person once through a meeting or casual encounter, you never know when that one spark will flare up with a remembrance of you, particularly as a potential job candidate.

• Reach out and help someone. Networking is a two way street. Networks operate effectively if in
fact you use them to help others as well as to ask for help. Remember the old adage, “It is better give than receive.” There is significant wisdom in that axiom. You just never know when a good deed will be come back to help you.

• Go pro bono. If you have time on your hands, use them to help and become a member of a local non-profit. And there likely are several non-profits in your town that could benefit from your experience and abilities. Volunteering is also a great way to build your network.

Eight Tips to Reboot Your Resume

2011-04-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

You are what you write. I recently did a search on resume tips on a popular search engine that starts with a “G” and to no surprise found more than 37 million pages dedicated to some form of tips for resumes. Everyone has an opinion and I am no different.

As I coach though, I have seen literally hundreds of resumes and have come to consensus about their content. Resumes that paint a picture of a personality and tell a story about accomplishments have a higher probability of attracting interest and actionable attention. Moreover, if you are in the market for an advertising, communications or public relations role, a stellar resume demands that you take the time to succinctly but creatively portray your abilities in quick but compelling fashion.

So grab your keyboard or your favorite resume writer and get to work.

1. The resume is about your character, personality and ability. Give it life by using action words that paint a picture of who you are and what is your value.

2. Excite your audience. Do not make the resume a boring recitation of the tasks that comprise the jobs you have held. No one cares. And no one will hire you based on the job functions. They will only hire you if you fit the bill, can move the needle and suit the organization’s culture.

3. Be creative and convincing in telling your story. Do not just list your jobs like some accounting table. Use story telling techniques to weave the facts about you and the most interesting and important accomplishments of your career.

4. Take the high road and make the glass half full not half empty. Sure you may have had challenges in your career. You have had bosses that bossed but surely you have had leaders that have led. In every phrase and every sentence keep the tone upbeat and reflective of your positive attitude about your success and the great job you have done for your bosses and employers.

5. Make the resume fit each opportunity. No two jobs are exactly the same. So do not use the same resume for every position that looks interesting. Take the time to digest the job spec and tailor the resume appropriately. I know, it may feel like work but if you take the time to target your chances of snagging an interview are greater.

6. Employ the three E’s. Experience goes first in reverse chronology, Education second and Extra-curricular activities last. When a hiring manager looks at a resume they want to know where you have been, “experience.” Next they want to know where and what type of “education” you have under your belt. And last, help the hiring manager understand what else you have accomplished by way of your professional affiliations, pro bono work you have done and any notable awards you received that can have bearing on your performance and abilities.

7. Leave out skills, hobbies and references. There is a time and place for everything. In today’s knowledge world it is assumed that you know how to use a computer, can enter text through a keyboard and build a presentation. So do not waste valuable real estate telling folks you have computer skills. And forget the hobbies. You are not going to be hired because you can play hoops or effortlessly drive a ball out of a sand trap. Lastly, if they want a reference they will ask.

8. Grab their attention with your cover letter. It should not be a repeat of the resume. Say something startling and provocative that opens the door to your resume. Study the job spec and the company. Is there something you can add to the firm that no one else can? Is there some factoid about you that can be the wedge that leverages you into an interview? What is the one most important value that you bring to the table? Put it in the cover letter.

Even though the economy is on the mend, the job market is still in the recovery room awaiting further medication. So you need to have the best possible resume because you are competing with thousands of other people. Help yourself by looking distinguished, unique and savvy. Words count, so make yours!

Look Before You Leap: Factors to Consider before Accepting a Job Offer

2011-02-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

For certain we are enduring one of the worst job markets since the 1930s. Unemployment is still near double digits and we are now only seeing early buds of a recovery. Jobs are far and few between and those landing are bolstered by solid networks and a great ability to communicate their accomplishments to employers only too willing to hire the best, the brightest and the most economical.

With that as a backdrop you would logically think that landing any job under any circumstance would be the order of the day. Not so Kemosahbee! In my view, we operate in an era that I will loosely call “employment trust,” whereby employee and employer are on equal footing with each having the right of first recusal. This means that both the job seeker and the employer have equal rights to find each other unfit or unqualified. Sure jobs and job offers are hard to come by. But jumping at the first job that comes along might well be fool hardy at best or a disaster of major proportions at worst.

So what is the litmus test to ascertain if an employer is unfit to have you grace its presence? Look before you leap. Here are some red flags to ponder.

1. Learn the history, assuming the position is one that lights your fire and about which you have much passion and interest. What is the background of the position you are filling? Who was in the job and did the person leave voluntarily? For that matter, has the role been a revolving door? Have you spoken with your predecessor and how many folks have held the position? Unless your predecessor was promoted up the ladder or went on to greener pastures, you may want to take a pass. These are warning signs that there is danger looming ahead.

2. Examine management stability. Look at the top as well. Has the CEO been at the company for some time? If not, how long has that person been on the job? And what is the history of the CEO slot? If the company has had a string of leaders, chances are the company is operating without a rudder. Let that ship sail without you.

3. Study the company’s vision and values. If they are not in sync with your own goals and objectives, don’t be blindsided by the offer. It may not be a good fit. Make certain there is resonance with your own thinking, chemistry and personality. Do not compromise your own integrity.

4. Is your potential employer really an “unemployer.” Do your Google or Bing research. Does the company have a record of layoffs, restructurings or strategy shifts? These are an indication of poor management. If uncertainty is not your cup of tea, run and do not look back.

5. Consider profitability. Unless the company is a startup and in the formation mode, the company ought to be making money. If not, make haste and forget that loser.

6. The office ambience is cloudy with a chance of rain. Pay attention to the office environment. Do the people look happy or is everyone running around shoulders slumped and eyes to the ground? Unless you encounter enthusiastic smiles and energetic movement, you may want to think twice about a gig where the atmosphere is likely gloomy and grey.

7. Your salary negotiations are a marathon. Are you spending a lot of time debating your salary and or justifying your desired level compensation package? Are you being nickel and dimed to death in benefits? Is a contract an issue? Look, if you are the right fit and you have the skills the company needs, there should be no need for lengthy negotiations. Take a walk; it is not worth the aggravation.

8. The customers have unanswered gripes. Before you take the final step. Talk to some customers. Find out if they are pleased with the product as well as the service. Let’s face it, the “customer is always right.” So if you encounter complaints of any sort that remain unanswered, where there is smoke there is fire. Just walk on by that frying pan.

9. GlassDoor.com gives the company a thumbs down. Glassdoor.com is a web site that takes an inside look at jobs and companies from anonymous sources. What you may find is a broad spectrum of opinion from disgruntled former employees or delightfully happy current employees. Consider the source but stay the course. Read all of the reviews and judge for yourself. If you find two or more red flags you may have a lemon on your hands. Forewarned is forearmed.

How to Get Valuable Insight on Your Career and Digital Footprint

2011-02-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

There are a myriad of web tools that allow you to keep score on your personal brand whether it is your Web site, Linkedin page, Twitter account, Facebook site, blog or even your Google presence. And I have used them all for a variety of reasons including benchmarking and continuous improvement. But what these tools really help with is perspective and insight.

Recently I came across a unique assessment tool that evaluates virtually your entire digital footprint by examining a wide swath of your brand on platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter and even your footprint on Google. The tool is www.MyWebCareer.com. MyWebCareer is the first platform I have found that simultaneously looks at multiple platforms with the goal of helping you improve your personal brand.

The site not only provides a career score but it presents a variety of data sets that help you better understand your footprint.

Here is how the firm describes its product, which by the way in its basic form is free and provides a graphical UI that is intuitive and instructive.

“At MyWebCareer we have created a free online service that enables you to uncover and evaluate your digital footprint. Our objective is to provide consumers with insight into their Professional Online Brand and to offer tools to make this data accessible, manageable, and actionable. We use sophisticated link analysis, visualization, and semantics technologies to enable you to quickly evaluate and explore data that may relate to you. Our patent-pending Career Score allows you to easily assess your Professional Online Brand and stay on top of any changes to it with our monthly monitoring service.”

One of the reasons I think this is an interesting tool for insight is the how MyCareerWeb examines the connections, links, career strata and other factoids to present a picture of your digital footprint that is intuitive, easy to read and provides great insight to your career characteristics.

You could spend several days or weeks to do the analysis yourself to achieve a similar result. But the MyCareerWeb tool is lightening fast and cuts to the chase to give you insights into industries, themes, companies, people, locations and connections that can help you focus on where you have been from a career perspective and guide you to where you may want to point yourself if you are looking for new challenges.

MyCareerWeb is really a nifty and comprehensive tool to analyze your path and your connections. The data presented is simple to understand and includes variety of ways to digest and map your contacts and career network and the many relationships that you have with people, companies and industries. If you are in a transition or just want better personal career insight, MyCareerWeb is the consummate platform to employ.

Ten Steps to a Resonant Personal Brand Statement

2011-01-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

As public relations experts we strive to successfully deliver the goods for our customers and clients. “Brand” for us is critical and a solid reputation is what is important at the end of the day. Words are the vital threads that we weave together in a cohesive statement that fully and succinctly describes the organization so that it strongly resonates with customers and other audiences. Yet who among us has taken the time to consider a statement that describes who and what we are and the value we bring to those with whom we work and interact.

Perhaps it is time to treat ourselves as clients and spend the intellectual capital required to effectively brand ourselves. So how best can you smartly craft a brand statement that will help you strongly resonate with customers, clients, friends and family? Here is a ten step approach that can help you encapsulate the essence of "you." Bear in mind this exercise may take up to two weeks to two months depending on how responsive your friends and colleagues are and the amount of brain power you dedicate.

The basic framework for a smart brand statement is typically one sentence that succinctly captures your value in a way that is memorable and intuitive. The structure might be as follows but use your best judgment based on your own style:

“I am (your name) and (an/a) (descriptive attribute) (title/role noun) (descriptive verb of value) (object of value noun).“

For example, "I am John Doe and a versatile and experienced PR brand strategist focused on surfacing and promoting the vital attributes for organizations to strongly bond with their audiences.”

Statement Guidelines: As noted, the simpler the statement, the likelihood it will be more memorable. So keep these criteria in mind as you craft your brand description.

1. Keep it simple
2. A reminder of the beneficial effects of your talents/skills
3. Intuitive
4. Understandable
5. Easy to Remember6. Paints a picture
7. Universally understood

The Process: As you go through the ten step process, be thoughtful, penetrating, honest and brief.

1. For each session that you spend on this exercise, sit down in a comfortable place with your favorite instrument of composition and beverage of choice.

2. Compose a list of your six best characteristics as you view them. Be succinct but descriptive. For example, “versatile,” “strong writer,” “insightful strategist,” “intuitive thinker,” etc.

3. Ask five of your best friends to compose a similar list of your best six characteristics as they view them.

4. Next ask five colleagues at your place of work/business to do the same assuming you are actively employed. If not, ask five colleagues in your support group.

5. With all characteristics in hand, create a 6 by 11 matrix so that you can assess, cross check and select the characteristics that are most common among you, your friends and work colleagues. Make sure that the most common characteristics or traits personally resonate with you.

6. With your characteristics narrowed down and in hand construct three sample statements based on the framework noted above that are authentic, fit your thinking and match your character.

7. With the three statements in hand, enlist the help of your colleagues and friends to provide to you their favorite two statements.

8. Go through the same exercise as step 5 and select the two most preferred statements. And sleep on it.

9. With fresh eyes and brain, select the one statement that most resonates with you and commit it to memory.

10. From here on in, use this statement religiously and consistently until you decide it is time for a new role for yourself. Feel free to use this statement for the introduction on your Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter profiles or any other social infrastructure platforms that you employ.

The Appropriate Ask -- The Top Ten Questions to Ask a New Network Connection

2010-11-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

The majority of folks landing new jobs today are doing it through networking and their networks. Tools like job boards, classified ads, job fairs and blind mailings are useful but there is nothing like good old fashioned networking whether it’s in person or not.

The question is “what are the best questions to ask of a new or renewed connection?” It depends on how well you know this person and how long you have had a relationship. For some friends and acquaintances you do not need much guidance to get started – just ask from the heart. But if it is a new connection or a renewed contact a little forethought is required. Here are my top ten questions to ask new or renewed contacts if you are in the market for a new gig.

1. “How are you doing?” It is better to give than receive. So before you start ‘the ask’ for yourself, inquire about the well-being and state of the other person.

2. “How is your company?” Eliciting information about your connection’s own firm is likely to initially reveal how well or how little the person feels about their own organization. If the contact says good things, it is a good sign and a good point of departure. If not, it may be a warning to steer clear.

3. “If you were me how would you approach job search in the (insert your own) industry?” Chances are your connection possesses some interesting and valuable perspective about your search for a new position or some inside knowledge about a particular industry. Anyway, people enjoy speaking about what they know. So ask! You may get some great insight.

4. “Would you please give me your advice?” Ask your contact what advice she or he would give to you given your current situation and desire to find a "certain" position in a "given" city, in a certain field, etc.

5. “Who else would you recommend I speak with?” Ask your connection if there are other folks that you should be in touch with or can contact. Chances are your connection’s network may hold the key to your next gig or the right person who can open a door or two.

6. “Would you be my mentor?” Ask your contact if she or he would be willing to serve as a mentor for you. We all need a mentor – a person that will get us through challenges and or show how they surmounted an obstacle. A mentor is also someone to whom you can bounce off ideas and questions and respond in a helpful, information-filled manner.

7. “What can I do for you?” Ask if there is anything you can do for your contact? The old adage “it is better to give than receive” is true. Dividends await those who have an attitude of gratitude and always give back or pay it forward. A good deed never goes unrecognized. So if you can help a connection, by all means, do so!

8. “Can I add you to my network?” Invite your contact to connect on Linkedin, Facebook, Plaxo or whatever is your preferred social platform. Social platforms make it easy to touch, stay in touch and be touched. You never need to update your connections because they are self-sustaining for the most part. And you can never have too many contacts. Remember, you need your contacts and they need you.

9. Is there someone in my network who can be helpful to you? You never know where the next opportunity may come from or what serendipity has in store for you. So always volunteer to make an introduction or to employ your network for the benefit of others. We are all on this earth temporarily, so let’s make the best of it for others as well as ourselves.

10. “How can I thank you for your counsel?” Thank your contact for her or his willingness to speak with you, to give you advice and for taking their valuable time to support your job campaign and make you the beneficiary of their experience.

Is the Resume Dead?

2010-11-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

I often have commented in blogs and guest posts why it is important today to speak to and about your accomplishments. Fact is companies want to know what you have accomplished not just what jobs you have held. Your past accomplishments are an indicator of how you will perform in the future. So in this hotly competitive job market, you must “stand out” and be “outstanding.” Yet it is well to be aware that the bar on job search is rising.

The resume is no longer the primary means for getting considered for a job. The race to hire the best is stepping up. Companies are no longer just relying on what you tell them through your resume and cover letters. Companies and recruiters are heading straight to Google, Bing, Blekko and other search engines to see what you are truly up to and how large is your web footprint.

So you say, “how do I become visible and what can do insure a visible presence in cyberspace?” Is the resume a relic of the past. The short answer is no. But the resume today is only one of several means of highlighting you as a brand. Here are some other ideas:

1. Distinguish yourself. As the U.S. Army’s 1986 recruiting slogan said, “Be all you can be.” If you have a job you love, do it well and exceed expectations. People love a winner. And if you are a winner at what you do, people will talk!

2. Pay it forward and pay it back. If you have been helped by others, reciprocate. There are countless non-profit organizations in the world who can benefit from the gray matter between your ears. And in the process of helping them, you may just receive some recognition that ends up in cyberspace.

3. Create your own content, particularly if you have a point of view, “the gift of gab,” and/or can offer wisdom to the masses or at least those with an interest.

4. Develop and curate a blog that focuses on a topic about which you have a passion and are a thought leader. People love stories. So employ the art of storytelling in your blog as a way to make it interesting and compelling. And keep in mind that the end game with blogging is to educate, enlighten, entertain or enrage.

5. Set up a “Topic-based Twitter” moniker. If your passion is deep sea diving, set up a twitter account like @deepdivedan and focus all of your tweets on everything someone would need to know to be a “deep diver,” including the who, what, where, when and why of diving. At some point folks will recognize your passion and expertise and wait for your next 140 characters to learn something new or be enlightened. Furthermore, your tweets forever become part of the cyber stream and likely show up in a web search.

6. Answer the question. Take advantage of the Q&A platforms on social platforms like Facebook and Linkedin and answer questions in your area of expertise or sphere of influence. Over time your connections and acquaintances will recognize your knowledge and come to respect your wisdom. Your reputation is likely to precede you.

7. Take control of your content. There are many websites out there that trawl the internet, gathering, storing and then presenting information about as many people as possible. No doubt you will have a profile somewhere on www.zoominfo.com, www.spokeo.com, www.jigsaw.com, etc. Many of these websites allow you to take control of your ‘contact card’ and choose what is displayed. Delete any errors and create a profile that is accurate and compliments your career.

8. Using social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Xing is a key component to establishing your personal brand online. Each or these websites are highly ranked by search engines, so a profile created on these platforms will rise higher in search results than other lesser used information platforms. It is also a great way to compete with others who may have your same name. A noted of caution: Take time to develop your online profiles; you cannot simply replicate your resume. You must concisely portray your key professional and personal accomplishments with an executive summary that immediately draws interest from industry leaders, hiring managers and executive recruiters.

9. Employ the best of Google! Google has a profiles option which is integrated with the rest of Google’s expansive list of programs such as Gmail or Google Reader (a must have RSS reader). Having a Google profile will help you get another link found by search engines, and beat that rival executive with the same name. Visit www.google.com/profiles to create an online profile much like Linkedin or Facebook – because of the high visibility in Google’s own search engine, I would suggest keeping personal info out and making it a professional extension of your personal brand.

10. Create a portfolio or presentation about you employing the SlideShare Platform (www.slideshare.com.) SlideShare is an online service used to host presentations online, and share with internet users worldwide. SlideShare is a great way to establish yourself as an industry leader by sharing presentations demonstrating your knowledge and helping readers to learn from your experience and see your content first hand. Create a personal branding presentation similar to a C.V. or resume. Include links to company websites and other content that is relevant to your personal brand. Outline your professional history, include photos and videos to tell your story, and start with a clear executive summary. Lastly, publish it on your LinkedIn profile by visiting the LinkedIn home screen, scroll to the end of the right column and choose Slideshare presentation from the ‘add application’ button.

Think outside the resume! The bottom line is that a presence in cyberspace can be a “third party” validation of who you are, what you have done, who you have helped and the value you bring to your environment and those with whom you associate. And increasingly the footprint or “cyberprint” you leave can be the trail to your next opportunity.

Five basics that still count. What's your score?

2010-09-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Social media platforms continue to proliferate and evolve at a fast clip. It was only a short six years ago that blogging and podcasting came into their own and only two years ago when Twitter and Facebook became the soup du jour . All of these platforms serve to bring people and communities closer together and allow more people to have a voice in those communities and in society at large. These platforms also have made job search and networking more efficient. It is a good thing!

And change and evolution are good! Twitter is just rolling out the new and improved “Twitter.” Woohoo! But as much as technology helps society move forward to help people be more efficient and collaborative, what has not changed is the basics. Have you taken stock?

1. Get it write! Languages have not changed appreciably. They have rules and conventions that are designed for clarity, logic and efficiency. While we may be tempted to take short cuts, generally most languages and their guiding rules for sentence structure, tense and grammar (among other issues) have served humanity well for a very long time. Do not mess with success. Write it right the first time.

2. Spelling is not just for bees. Spelling still has standards. I know that new words come into the lexicon all of the time. But we are communicating here. And it makes sense to spell correctly so we all have the same basis and common understanding of words we use to c o m m u n i c a t e.

3. Keep it simple! People are people! I know that is obvious. But what it means is that people by nature prefer simplicity. And simplicity can be elegant and effective. So when you write, write like you speak. Keep sentences simple so they have maximum comprehension. This is particularly true when your communications is read by people not of your native language. So if you want to be global, make short and sweet.

4. Courtesy is king! Everyone wants it and deserves it but not everyone gives it. If you want courtesy give it. Whether you are networking, writing a cover letter or interviewing, keep in mind that courtesy can often get you everywhere.

5. Say the magic word. No I am not referring to Groucho Marx. He made the phrase famous but parents of toddlers and small children use it all the time. If you want something, say “please.” If you get it, say “thank you.” This holds true whether you are writing to request an interview or asking for a job. The magic word often works.

Read to Get Read

2010-08-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

In my early years in public relations, I was constantly reminded by reporters, editors and columnists that the cardinal sin of media relations was trying to pitch without knowing, reading or understanding the reporter’s work and beat. In their quest for a quick hit, wet-behind-the-ears PR newbies pitched stories and ideas that fell flat because the stories or ideas were either not related or just plain irrelevant to the writer’s interest. In the process these poor souls harmed their credibility and reputation, sometimes forever.

The same thinking can be and should be applied to career search. Do the research required to understand the organization and the people involved in managing the company. If you see a firm or job that attracts your interest, prepare yourself well to pitch. Read everything that you can get your hands and eyes on. Bear in mind this simple axiom, if you want to get your letter and resume read, you better read. Consider these finer points of interest and insight.

1. When and if you see a position that fits your desires and skills, thoughtfully comb the company’s web site paying attention to exactly what it does, what it makes, the team involved and any cultural and environmental clues you pick up from its web site.

2. Carefully read the media that follow the company. Monitor, absorb and understand what is being written by reporters and pundits about the firm and its management.

3. If you are able to identify who is the hiring manager, put on your scanners. Check sites like Google, Bing, Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, ZoomInfo, Spoke, Pipl, Classmates, Naymz, Slideshare, etc. Look for profiles, blogs, articles, white papers, biographies and other information types that can give you a sense of the person’s interests, priorities, passions and preferences.

4. Use what you have read and absorbed to craft your cover letter. Often, some insight that you pick up from reading about the company and its management can make a significant difference in whether you are selected or not for an interview with the firm. Bottom line: tailor your cover letter to the job spec and to the insight you have gained from your research about the organization, its management and the hiring executive.

Using Passion to Help Your Search

2010-08-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

Passion is a term defined as strong emotion. The term is hardly synonymous with job search. But in these days when job seekers outnumber jobs by six to one, passion is precisely the emotion that bears harnessing if you want to distinguish yourself in the job market.

So what does it take to harness passion. Words like enthusiasm, energy, engagement, excitement, eagerness, elation, exhilaration, esprit, and élan are apt terms to describe the characteristics hiring managers are likely to look for when narrowing down the list of best candidates. Passion is the essence of your persona and your organs are the tools required to effectively demonstrate the essence of whom and what you are. Your passion should be evident and abundant in all that you do in your job campaign. Let me elaborate.

• Brain - The chief operating organ or COO. The brain is the central source of your knowledge, intuition, intellect and memory. Use it well and use it often. It is a requirement when you are writing your resume, cover letters and thank you notes. It perhaps is most useful in interviews and should be employed liberally to demonstrate knowledge, wisdom and common sense. Warning: do not use it to overwhelm, intimidate or obfuscate.

• Mouth, Vocal Chords and Larynx - You talk with them and produce a voice. Your voice should emanate authority, authenticity and enthusiasm. If your voice is clear, strong and decisive, you will likely capture the undivided attention of your interviewer. Attenuating your voice to emphasize facts, figures and feelings can amplify your energy and heighten interest in what you are saying particularly if the interview is by phone. If the interview is in person, the quality and tone that you employ, combined with good eye contact, can communicate the energy of your personality. Note well: active voice trumps passive voice.

• Eyes - Keep them open and use them. Eyes are the windows on the mind and communicate a lot about a person. If you are in an interview use your eyes to look into those with whom you are speaking. If your eyes wander, gaze and generally avoid contact, those with whom you are speaking certainly will wonder why the lack of connection. Game over.

• Ears - There is a reason you have two. Listen and hear. The words may seem like synonyms but have subtle differences that matter. Use your ears to hear so the brain can listen and absorb what is being said or asked of you or about you. Refrain from using your voice until you have comprehended the words you hear. The brain is required here and should be consulted often in the process.

• Heart - Speak from it! The heart is an essential partner of the brain, mouth and voice. And speaking from the heart can be a confirmation of your sincerity and integrity. Speaking from the heart can also add just the right amount of emotion that validates your authenticity. I cannot emphasize too much that the brain also plays a critical role here. The knowledge from the brain gives the heart the intellectual ammunition for authenticity. So, be real!

• Torso & Limbs - The torso contains all the body parts and connects the limbs. The torso is an important vessel for it houses all of the essential organs required for a successful job search. It also connects the limbs you need for self mobility. And when used together as a unified body in harmony and synchronicity, they can telegraph a great deal about attitude, personality and transparency. It is called body language and must be used in concert with the heart and brain.

Torsos and limbs vary greatly from person to person. So take that into account. How they are wrapped is a critical element to successful job campaigns. The material employed to cover the torso and limbs should be attractive to the interviewer and or hiring manager for maximum effect. If the job interviews are in person, the torso and limbs should be appropriately dressed in garb that reflects your professionalism, style and passion and complement the culture of the organization for which you wish to work. If you are a public relations professional, a bit of flair in your garments could be an important ingredient in communicating your passion and creativity. If you are an accountant, perhaps a blue suit or skirt with a white shirt or blouse is adequate. You be the judge. If the interview is by phone, PJs will suffice.

• Constitution - It better be strong and enduring. I know that the "constitution" is not an organ. But you have one. We all do. And you need it to be courageous, fearless and enduring. During the job search you will encounter people that are inspiring, encouraging and supportive. Hopefully they will offset those who are not. You will also surely face rejection, ignorance, complacence and arrogance. The constitution is wonderful in that it will help you get past the morass and give you the passion and fortitude to drive forward.

Virtual Attraction: Five Rules of the Road for Building your Online Presence

2010-07-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

As the job market continues its snail’s pace recovery, it bears noting that now more than ever your virtual footprint should well reflect your achievements, professionalism, savvy and hire-ability. There is no room for compromise when it comes to your profile and track record or what I call your Virtual Data Points. When an HR person or an executive recruiter goes looking for evidence of your worth on the web, make sure it screams your value and integrity.

In celebration of the birth of a nation, here are five road rules to consider to insure that your background and virtual profile send sparks above the rest.

1. Be authentic. Your voice is your word. Don’t embellish beyond reality. Tell the truth. Speak from the heart. Your authentic voice has a way of shining through and shining true.

2. Be strategic. When you blog, tweet, comment, answer questions, post your status or an image or video, consider well what it says about you from the outside. Do you come across smart? Do you portray professionalism and knowledge? Does what you say reflect your true character? Can people divine your value and passion? Are you positioned the way you want?

3. Be a sculptor. Fine tune what you say and how you say it. Whether it is a profile on Facebook, a chirp on Twitter or an answer on Linkedin, think about the content you create. Make sure it leaves the impressions you hope and expect. Fashion your words so that they speak well about your abilities, character, knowledge and thought process.

4. Be a thought leader. If you want people to think well of you, give them something! Add value. Impart wisdom that is yours. Say something meaningful and helpful. Add to the stream, don’t subtract from it.

5. Think before you post! A great rule of the road from time immemorial, “don’t say it, if you don’t want to see it.” Too often in haste, we make left hand comments that later have the potential of diverting our reputation off the straight and narrow. Don’t let it happen. If you want to post out of humor, anger, frustration or fear, first consider the consequences.

Wordsworth - What are yours? Eight Ideas to Enhance Your Voice.

2010-06-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

What you say and how you say it matter significantly. Your words and the choice of the words you employ say much about you, your character, your integrity, your brand and the very essence of who you are and what you represent.

So as you write your resume, your cover letters, your social-platform profiles, your blog, your twits and other prose, pay critical attention to your words and how you use them.

Here are some thoughts to keep in mind to help you stay true to your character and resonate with your personal brand.

1. Write like you speak. Use words that are natural to your inner voice. Do not use vocabulary that does not fit your personality.

2. Use simple declarative sentences -- a subject, verb and object. Keep it simple and succinct.

3. Tell a story. From our infancy, we are read stories to entertain, engage and educate. It is a form of communications to which we all have become accustomed. Use words that tell a story and paint a picture of the point of view that you hold, the achievements you have made, the opinions you have and the knowledge you possess.

4. Say what you know and believe. Speak from your experience, your knowledge, your research, your understanding, your premise. Forget invention unless fiction is your intention.

5. Be honest. Tell what is true. Do not lie, obfuscate, hide or distort. Human nature is savvy. People can often sense insincerity. Even if, in some cases, the insincerity is not obvious, the truth will out.

6. Use active voice. People often respond better to language that is energetic. So in simple terms make the subject the actor and the object the recipient of the action. An example: “The company benefitted greatly from my focus on return on invested capital” is passive. Instead use: “My strong focus on return on invested capital significantly improved the company’s financial position.”

7. Edit yourself. It is human nature that we can be our own worst critic. Yet, we can also be great editors if we give enough time and space in between writing and editing. So after you have written your latest blog or cover letter, sleep on it then edit.

8. Get other opinions. Sometimes the people who best know us can be authentic editors. They can tell us if our voice is stretched, out of tune or not in sync. Objective critics can sometimes be that final tuning fork that makes our words and word strings harmonize.

HOW TO BE FOUND IN SEARCH ENGINES

2010-05-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Increasingly search engines like Google and Bing are becoming the first destination of choice for companies and their search firms and human resource professionals when looking for people to recruit or vetting job candidates.

The chief dilemma for the job seeker is to how to make sure you can be found through search engines. Short of stardom and employing advertising, there are certain techniques you can employ to make sure you can be found and in a way that is controllable, professional and complementary.

1. Become part of social media platforms like Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Plaxo, Ning, etc. Employing platforms like these enable you to craft the type of profile that spotlights your professional career and equally important your professional and personal accomplishments. Be sure to target those platforms that fit with your profession and your personal brand.

2. Take control of third party web-based databases. These would include but are not limited to www.zoominfo.com, www.spoke.com, www.jigsaw.com, www.spokeo.com, etc. Many of these sites allow you to take ownership of your profile and manage the content. Make sure to delete errors or mistakes that could derail your consideration.

3. Establish a showcase on www.slideshare.com. Slideshare is a fabulous and rich content site on which you can upload presentations. In this case, what you will do is produce a PowerPoint presentation about you not unlike a C.V. You can include your resume, links and URLs to your web content, expanded accomplishments, academic credentials, professional photos and video, publications and other career information that help you tell a compelling story about you as a brand and as a professional. And you can be as creative as you want and need. Remember this is a multimedia medium where you need not spare any expense. Include enough information to tell your story. Last but not least, incorporate your Slideshare profile within your profile on www.linkedin.com, both of which are included in search engine results.

4. Highlight your career on www.visualCV.com. VisualCV portrays itself as “Your resume, only better.” VisualCV is customizable and can serve as a resume, online professional profile, business development tool or mini website. And to top it off, just like Slideshare, it is included in Google search engine results.

5. Don’t forget about Google. Build a Google profile. Yes Google gives you the ability to have a profile. If you already have a Google or Gmail account, a Google profile is the next step. Just go to www.google.com/profiles. Google provides the ability to include basic information about who, what, why, where and when. You can also include information on where you live or have lived, your web links, personal and professional interests, education, employers and aliases. Best of all, the profile is included in search.

6. Become an active Twitterer! Yes I realize this seems strange because you really care not to daily Tweet your food choices. Well don’t. Instead, employ Twitter as a strategic tool to add value to the knowledge stream on the web. If you are an expert or thought leader on a particular topic or topics then provide a steady stream of pithy and helpful commentary that enlightens and entertains. Twitter is actively searched in most search engines.

7. If you have a passion, blog!!! If you want to be recognized for something and develop a following, blogging can be a useful device. In fact, if you have a passion, blogging is a natural. But the key word is “passion.” If you are a thought leader or expert on something let people know and become recognized for your knowledge an enthusiasm. http://wordpress.com and http://blogspot.com are both useful and free platforms to express yourself. Get busy!

8. Get engaged with your communities! Do you belong to industry or professional groups? If you do and are not engaged, consider getting involved. Join a committee, run for an office or board position, volunteer for an event. Often times being a part of a group that is doing worthwhile things can attract attention.

Job Search - While you are wading or waiting!

2010-04-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

No doubt about it, this economy is the one of the worst for job hunters in many years. What used to take days and weeks is now taking months and years. Despite the good news in The Wall Street Journal on Monday April 19 about hiring of young engineers in Silicon Valley, by and large the outlook for old and young alike is abysmal.
Anecdotally and otherwise, I am constantly hearing stories of incredible age discrimination in today’s job market. It seems that employers want young and cheap. Folks above the age of 45 are increasingly reporting that they are washed up and no longer have the skills that companies are seeking. Young people sit frustrated due to lack of response from companies and headhunters due to their seeming lack of experience.

Well, it may be the current situation. But I do think that the tide will likely turn when employers realize that they are missing out on a surplus of great experience and talent that can significantly bolster their productivity and help them quickly accommodate the recovering economy.

So to those who have suffered through a lengthy period of job search, here are some suggestions of things to do while wading through the mire of unemployment or waiting for the economic storm clouds to part.

1. Take a break from the search. If you are looking everyday, you can become jaded and frustrated. A day or two wine tasting, golfing, bike riding or even sitting on a log at the beach is therapy from the daily grind.

2. Go pro bono! I know it’s not a paying gig. But doing what you enjoy for others can often lift the spirits and give you a sense of renewal that you are indeed talented and effective. If you are in the business of PR, marketing, creative processes, etc., there are folks who can use your skills. The Taproot Foundation http://www.taprootfoundation.org is one such organization that cherishes your writing skills, account and project management abilities, marketing savvy, IT wizardry and other talents. Also, look around in your own town, there are likely organizations waiting for your call.

3. Try a couple of acts of random generosity and expect nothing in return. If you have friends or colleagues that are in your same spot, offer to help them out. Buy them a mocha java and commiserate. Counsel them on their job search and things they may want to do to improve their marketability. Take a break from yourself.

4. Develop a brand statement. Conduct a brainstorm session with your friends to ferret out what is your personal brand promise. Do a focus group about you. Ask other people to identify what might be your brand essence. See if you can identify or label yourself in three words. Do a self exam and combine that with what your friends say. The result may surprise and enlighten you. If you like it, use it as your Linkedin description.

5. Present yourself in Multimedia. Take your statement of brand essence and let that be your inspiration for your own Microsoft Power Point presentation. Make it as long as you need or want. Get creative, add photos and video, include web links to your content, talk about your family if it helps describe your value in life.

6. Spread the gospel of YOU! Get yourself an account on www.slideshare.com. Take your Power Point presentation and convert it into an Adobe Acrobat file. Upload it to your Slide Share account and then incorporate it into your Linkedin profile. All of this content eventually will be included in search results of Google and Bing, making it easier for companies and search firms to find you and learn your value.

Bottom line is, get creative, think outside the box, think outside the bun, run it up the flagpole, drop back ten and punt, get out of your routine and take a fresh look at yourself, at others and other things!

Advice for Newly and Soon-to-be Minted PR Pros - How to Thrive and Survive in PR

2010-03-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 18, 2010, I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to about 80 newly and soon-to-be minted public relations professionals at a regional PR student conference at San Jose State University The theme of the conference was "Surviving in the Public Relations Industry." These energetic students, all members of the Public Relations Student Society of America, from San Jose State, Sacramento State and Cal Poly Pomona were eager to pick every morsel of wisdom from all who spoke.

Upon the gracious invitation of Matt Malone, I agreed to speak about both Thriving and Surviving Public Relations. I spoke about the State of the PR Job Market, How you distinguish yourself, what are Characteristics and Skills of a PR Pro, Managing your online brand, and How best to approach a job search.

State of the PR Job Market

Still in the hole
Be patient, it is a virtue
The Market is starting to open up
Locals have the advantage
Social media an absolute

How to distinguish yourself

The resume, it’s about accomplishments
Can you be found in cyberspace?
It’s the network – “Got network”?
A Great Portfolio in Cyberspace (the evidence)
What's your brand!

Characteristics of a PR Pro

Adept communicator
Good writer
Diplomatic
Grace under pressure
Jack of all trades
Patient
Presentation skills
Short learning curve
Team player
Trend/Industry follower
Solid understanding of business

PR Pro Hard Skills

Corporate finance
Economics
Marketing
Media relations
Public relations
Strategic planning
Statistics
Writing

PR Pro Soft Skills

Credibility and integrity
Flexibility
Persuasiveness
Articulate
Analytical
Team player
Organized
Objective
Diplomatic
Selling ability
Think strategically

Managing your online brand

Do you have brand?
Do you appear on Google?
Is your Facebook profile “pro”?
Are your tweets instructive or destructive?
Is your Linkedin Profile compelling
Take ownership of your brand at sites like http://www.zoominfo.com/, www.spoke.com, www.linkedin.com, www.google.com/profile , etc.
Well craft your content
If you blog, be passionate
If you tweet, be smart

How best to approach a job search

Job search is a job, treat it that way
Use the available resources: e.g. http://prjobcoach.com
Have a compelling resume and cover letter
Customize the resume and letter to the spec
Be found on Google
Network like crazy, but don’t ask for a job
Pay it back and pay it forward
Go Pro bono and build your portfolio and resume – Just Do It
Thank everyone regardless of how large or small the help!

In thinking about your career in public relations and how to thrive consider these realities:

You are a product of your education
You are a product of your environment
You are the sum of your experiences

So carefully craft your experiences and make the best of the opportunities before you!

It’s About the Accomplishments, Stupid! Tell Them Well!

2010-02-23T22:42:00.000-08:00

Resumes today are, or should be, more about what you have achieved not about what you do. The job market is so tight in the current economy that it is easy to hear the squeaks and squeals of people reading the thousands of resumes that are targeted at every available job. The problem is that according to a recent New York Times piece “Job seekers now outnumber jobs by six to one.”

So how is it possible to distinguish your resume from everyone else seeking to become part of the selected pile by the hiring manager? Craft a resume that clearly and boldly outlines what you have accomplished for your employers or clients and how you have helped them move the needle.

Here is a recommendation:

1. While I may stir some debate here, develop the resume in reverse chronological order to make it easy for the hiring manager to get a sense of flow of your career. The goal is to make it easy to read for the hiring manager, not you, not your fans and not your family.

2. It’s the accomplishments, stupid. To borrow and twist a quote from former president Bill Clinton. The resume is about accomplishments, not a job description.

3. So get yourself a comfortable working space, your favorite beverage, a pad of paper or an eye pad if you have one and sit down and think long and hard about all of your jobs.

4. Next, throw caution to the wind and write down four to five accomplishments for each position, giving careful thought to what you achieved for your employer, how you did it and what were the outcomes.

5. When you are finished, go back and edit each accomplishment and prioritize them all based on importance.

6. Save all of the accomplishments in a file marked “accomplishments bank.”

7. Based on the prioritization, pick the top three or four for each job and these become your primary proof points for the resume.

8. Also, feel free to mix and match the accomplishments, targeting the type of position to which you are applying, creating a customized resume for each job based on the position specs.

9. And as long as we are talking about targeting, make sure that your both your resume and cover letter are targeted to the position specs and to the company. Organizations either screen resumes by hand or automatically with software that analyzes keywords. If your letter and resume do not contain the right keywords, it is likely to end up in the "selected-out" pile. So target, target, target.

10. Lastly, don't forget the white space. Resumes that are copy heavy can easily get “selected out.” Make sure your resume is clean and easy to read so that it gets “selected in.”

At the end of the day or the “stack of resumes,” make sure your resume is the one that is included. Tell your story well and in a fashion that highlights your accomplishments not your positions.

Tactics for Assuring that Your Resume Gets Included and Not Discarded

2010-02-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

A recent graduate with Masters and Bachelors wrote to ask for a recommendation on handling internships on a resume. This eager job seeker has limited communications experience largely focused on internships. The primary experience gained while attending college was in retail merchandising and healthcare. The question is whether a functional resume is better since the communications internships are more important and relevant to landing and thus should be at the top.

Well, no doubt the communications internships are more relevant since they relate directly to obtaining a position in communications and ultimately a lifelong career.

Today, however, with so many people looking for work in a down economy, brevity, clarity and substance are the key factors in a resume. Resumes that are the simplest read, easy to understand and compelling are the ones that get to "selected-in" rather than discarded out.

So here are some to do’s for optimizing the chances that your resume ends up in the “selected-in” pile and not the “selected-out” bin:

1. Develop a resume in reverse chronological order to make it easy for the hiring manager to get a sense of flow of your career and avoid the danger of obfuscation.

2. A resume is about accomplishments, not a job description. So get yourself a comfortable working space and sit down and think long about all of the jobs you have had. Next, write down your accomplishments for each, giving careful thought to what you achieved for your employer. Prioritize the points and pick the top three or four to place in your resume.

3. For those jobs not directly related to PR, consider those accomplishments that have implications for public relations functions or disciplines. For example, if you worked at retail, think about how you helped customers select a product or solved an issue related to what they purchased. This kind of experience could be valuable to a potential employer that is looking for a PR person with retail experience.

4. Also target, target, target. If you are able, make sure that your resume and cover letter are targeted to the position specs and to the company. Organizations either screen resumes by hand or automatically with software that analyzes keywords. If your letter and resume do not contain the right keywords, it is likely to end up in the "selected-out" pile. So target, target, target.

Basic Training - Preparing for the Road to a Public Relations Career

2009-11-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

I love it when I receive questions from young inquiring minds. And normally it is folks just getting started in the public relations field. Never did I expect to see a question from an energetic person in high school who is anxious for success in our industry.

The inquiry from the high schooler went something like this. I am in high school want to pursue a career as a celebrity publicist. But I always wondered how would i get to such a big step like this. So what steps should I take to become BIG, starting at high school and through my college life?

Every one has the opportunity to create their own road to success as a public relations professional. My take is that your need to get a good dose of the fundamentals and then some added ingredients. Here are several ideas of actions that those very early in their training can take now to prep for a career in public relations and in particular "celebrity PR."

1. Learn to write well. This means being able to string together ideas in simple declarative sentences, including knowing and using proper grammar and spelling.

2. Read as much as you can in terms of literature, both fiction and non fiction. A person who is well grounded in the arts and intellect can go far in the public relations field. To be well spoken and written requires being well read.

3. Start building your "social and professional" network now. As you meet people and make friends add them to your network using today's social media tools such as Linkedin, Facebook, Plaxo, Ning, etc. And part of good networking is to also help people. (See next.)

4. Volunteer. Volunteer in your community, at the community theater, in school, at your place of worship, or simply help family and friends. Develop a charitable outlook on life. The old adage "It is better to give than receive" works. And you can't expect people to do things for you unless you do things for others.

5. Consider writing a blog about what is your passion. If you like to write (and good writing is a building block of success in PR,) write about things that hold great or intense interest for you. If you are an expert on something, write about it. And learn more about it.

6. Be active and engaged in school. Join the theater club, write for the school paper, be engaged in student government and even tutor your classmates.

7. Study the field. Go to your local library and even the web sites of organizations that focus on the the public relations and communications fields - like PRSA, IABC, NIRI, WIC, Arthur Page Society, and Social Media Club, etc. Look up books and white papers about the field. Start reading about the industry.

8. Learn the tools. Besides being a great writer, insure that you know what are the tools and how to acquire and use them to sustain a competitive edge. You will learn many tools when you embark on your college pursuits. But there are others like social media tools and platforms that help you optimize the reach to the people with whom you want to build a relationship.

These are but the tip of the iceberg of things you can do now to pave a solid road for yourself in your journey to a successful career in the public relations field.

Pay it Back, Pay it Forward – A Moral Imperative - The Do's of Career Search Help

2009-11-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

This is a guest blog that I penned for http://lindsayolson.com, the blog site for search executive Lindsay Olson of Paradigm Staffing http://www.paradigmstaffing.com.

The blog is repeated here to convey the urgency of helping reduce unemployment by raising awareness of those who are gainfully employed to the plight of those who are not.

Paying it Back/Paying it Forward - Do's for Helping a Job Search

More than 100 people have sought advice from me in just the last six months on topics ranging from cold calling, search techniques, bad bosses, jumping ship, jumping fences, compelling resumes, coaching references, and building networks. I have seen or heard the good bad and the downright ugly. Consistently what strikes me as I look back is the lack of knowing or understanding “the art of doing well by doing good.” I am talking about paying it back and paying it forward.

While it may be a generalization, so many of the “gainfully employed” are woefully ignorant of the nature of the job search and the incredible frustration endured by job seekers as they pursue the hunt. Sometimes it bears remembering that the shoe can be on the other foot. With this in mind, here are a few do’s for those working stiffs who may be contacted by people looking to get out of the unemployment queue.

1.Respond to your friends’ requests for advice, connections or referrals! Sure you are busy. But take some time to consider helping a friend and even someone who could be a potential friend or colleague.

2.Remember and heed the past! Consider those times when you were in the job hunt. Do you recall how disappointing it was to get no response from anyone? Why not shave 15 minutes off your lunch hour to make a couple of calls or emails to help folks connect.

3.Return the favor! Are there folks who have helped you in your job or during your career that are facing bleak career prospects? How about the supplier who saved your skin at the last minute or the client that kept you in business with more business? Reciprocity is a two way street. Get busy helping!

4.Be proactive! In the course of your day, have you received a call from a recruiter looking for referrals? How much time could it take to provide names of friends and/or colleagues that might fit the job description? Are there jobs going begging in your own company? Why not reach out to friends that could be a good fit and get them into your firm for interviews?

5.Say a good word! If you have friends, colleagues or acquaintances looking for new opportunities, consider endorsing their capabilities. Web sites such as LinkedIn are a great platform to sing the praises of folks that have done a particularly spectacular job for you either as boss, employee, supplier, mentor or even nemesis.

6.Students are people too! Get involved in helping young people. Did you ever have a mentor that showed you the ropes or gave you disaster-avoiding advice? Sure you did. Take some time and be a mentor. Help others avoid pitfalls that may have challenged you. Spread your wings and take a couple people under them.

Paying it back and paying it forward is just the moral thing to do. In this economy, or any economy, helping people always pays dividends.

Gerard “Gerry” F. Corbett is the PR Job Coach and Founder and Consultant of Redphlag LLC, a marketing consulting firm. He has served four decades in technology PR most recently as vice president of branding of Hitachi for more than 12 years. You can contact Gerry at coach at http://www.prjobcoach.com/ or follow him on Twitter @prjobcoach.

The Sky's the Limit. What do you want to do!

2009-10-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages of the public relations field is that there are many components that allow you to generalize or specialize not unlike the medical field. I just received an inquiry from a student pondering the question of "what to do."

I am a recent grad with a degree in multidisciplinary studies with three minors including public relations, arts administration, and entrepreneurship. My degree is not specialized and I'm having a hard time figuring out for what type of jobs I should apply. I would love to work in public relations and I've been applying to jobs and I'm willing to relocate. Where is the best place to look for public relations jobs and is it better to just to move to where I want live first or relocate after I have a job?

My first question for this person is to ask "What do you want to do?"

1. What is your passion?

2. What subjects or classes most energized you?

3. What do you do well?

If you are able to answer these three questions, it will likely give you a clue to what jobs may be ideal for you. So before you think about relocating, consider these ideas.

1. Do the research that includes speaking with people in the fields in which you studied.

2. Find and network with people that do what you want to do.

3. See if it is possible to job shadow folks that have positions you like.

4. Look for professional development seminars that might cover things in which you have an interest. For example, have you attended any sort of PR boot camp? Check the PRSA or IABC Web sites for PR or communications bootcamps near you.

5. Sit down and make a list of all you learned from your research. Write down the jobs that look interesting and prioritize them based on your passion and interests.

6. With this information in hand, start checking the job boards and your network for positions that look interesting.

7. Make sure you have a compelling resume that expresses well your interests, passion and capabilities.

8. Develop or put together an online portfolio.

9. When you have done the prep work and have your ducks in order, start applying to jobs that fit your passion and interests. And make sure your resume and cover letters are targeted specifically to the posted position.

When You Have Lemons, Make Lemonade

2009-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

I recently heard from a young pro about a career predicament that likely occurs far too often. The job was not as advertised.

Here is what this young pro had to say:

"I need advice on which direction to go with my career. I graduated in 2008 BA in PR and four internships. I took a job with a new company and was promised training. My job responsibilities were suppose to be creating marketing initiatives, writing press releases, and some design. I have been here for eight months and all I do is call stores and see if they want a catalog of our product. What makes the situation worse is that the marketing office were I work is separate from the main company office by a couple of states, and my boss, who is located in my office, is never around, she works out of her home office. What should I do?"

When you have lemons, you make lemonade. Your best bet is to improve your current job situation and get enough experience under your belt so that you can eventually seek a better position. Bottom line, keep the job you have and consider these ideas.

1. Focus tightly on your current responsibilities. Do them well and with a positive attitude. Excel at what you do without regard to whether someone will notice.

2. Look at other ways you can expand your job. When you call stores do more than just inquire about catalogue needs. Ask the store manager on what type of communications will help the store sell more. Investigate if there is some additional way of communicating to customers that will pull them in to the stores.

3. When in doubt do some research. Do a survey of all the stores under your purview and find out what will help them. As you do the research, are there any patterns among the stores? Are there any interesting trends? Assess each store's CRM system. Is it working? Is it making customers more loyal or not. If not why?

4. Develop a solution. Design a program that can be put in place to help store management and customers.

5. Document your work. Once you have done your due diligence, produce a report of what the store needs and or what its communications needs are for customers and sales people at the stores. You may find some interesting insight.

6. With a well documented and well drafted report in hand, set up a lunch meeting with your absentee boss. Show her what you have learned and what programs can be put in place to make the stores better for customers and employees.

The point here is to think outside the box. Take the learnings from your PR education and apply them to your current employer. When the market gets better, you'll be better equipped to sell your skills and experience.

Mission Impossible? Migrating to a Career in Public Relations

2009-10-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here is another guest blog of mine on Lindsay Olson's site on migrating from a career in journalism to one in public relations.

http://lindsayolson.com/mission-impossible-migrating-to-a-career-in-public-relations/

Being a public relations job coach, I am constantly advising folks about how best to manage and architect their growth as public relations professionals. Lately though, I am receiving queries about how to migrate into a career in PR from journalism.

Welcome to Mission Impossible! Making a career change in this economic environment is challenging at best. However, it is doable with some planning and diligence. For certain, if you currently have a job in journalism it is definitely good training for a career in PR. That said, do not quit your day job until you have done some preparation.

Here are some steps to consider:

1. Enroll yourself in a PR bootcamp. Check the professional development sites of PRSA, IABC and/or other professional communications organization Web sites.

2. Start developing a network of PR professionals who can give you insight into their jobs. You might even ask one or two PR pros to allow you to shadow them for a couple days to give you first hand knowledge of what public relations folks do. You can do this by attending meetings and workshops by your local PRSA, IABC, or publicity club chapters.

3. Expand your network of contacts and begin to institutionalize them through tools such as Linkedin and Facebook.

4. Start building an online portfolio of your work that you can use at some point when you begin looking for PR positions.

5. Pick up a couple of books on public relations and read them. You can get some recommendations at Amazon.

6. Start assessing your online brand and insure that what is on the web about you is correct and is positioned the way you want. Build, enhance and/or check your profiles on Linkedin, Facebook, Myspace, Google Profile, Twitter, Digg, Tumblr, Ning, etc. etc. Make sure the information is accurate and says what you want.

Eat and Run? Should I Leave the Table Hoping for Something Better?

2009-10-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here is my guest blog at Lindsay Olson's Blog on job hunting.

http://lindsayolson.com/eat-and-run-should-i-leave-the-table-hoping-for-something-better/

Thanks to the skittish economy, the job market today is not easy pickings. I have gotten more than a handful of letters asking whether now is the time to leave an existing role for hoped-for greener pastures. My answer is now is not the time to jump head first into the job market. If you read the New York Times on Sunday September 26, you learned that job seekers now outnumber openings by six to one. These are not great odds. So stick with the current gig, try to expand it, broaden your skill set and prepare for better times.

Since you currently have a position, use your time now to plan well and perform the due diligence required to take advantage of any upturn in the job market for public relations professionals. So what would I recommend? If you have the time, use it wisely and judiciously. Here are some rules of the road.

1. If you have not done so already, network and keep building your network. Get out and meet other colleagues. Get active in your local PRSA, IABC, Social Media, Publicity Club organization or chapter of your choice. Go to meetings and engage.

2. Institutionalize your network using tools like Linkedin, Facebook, Plaxo, etc. Tools like these afford you the luxury of never having to update your own Rolodex®. Your network keeps it up to date.

3. Check your online brand. Google yourself. If there is nothing about you, start building it on your terms. Craft your profile on Linkedin, Facebook, Google Profiles, Plaxo, etc. in ways that shine light on your accomplishments. If you are there, insure it is on your terms.

4. Even look at other interesting venues like Slideshare and VisualCV to help you illustrate what you do well and how you do it. Most important, spotlight how you have helped your employers move the needle.

5. Volunteer. Believe it or not, employers do not discount volunteer experiences, they may likely admire your generosity to give back or “pay it forward.” Volunteering is not just good for the beneficiary, but you. Volunteering can help you stretch and learn new skills and expand your value add.

6. Also try to broaden your current job responsibilities. Look at ways that you can do your job better, for lower cost or greater efficiency. Volunteer to take on new responsibilities that relate to what you already do. Demonstrate to your current employer that you have its interest at heart and are the consummate superstar they have always dreamed of attracting.

Again, while you have a gig, do it well. And build your current asset base so when the time comes to change, you'll be ready.