We debuted this event last April and it was such a success that we’re bringing it back!
There’s no second chance to make a positive first impression and these days, that means looking your best online. I’m pleased to once again sponsor Headshot Days with the fabulous fashion photographer Audia. This special event takes place October 8-9 and we plan to sell out so get the scoop and make your appointment today.
The worst question in any interview is simply the one you’re not prepared to answer. For many of us, this one stops us dead in our tracks: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
This question is tricky for any number of reasons. For starters, many of us have never worked for one employer that long; my personal record was three! Statistically we’re likely to have at least 10 employers in our lifetime if not more which makes it pretty hard to gaze into the crystal ball and tell the future with any accuracy.
This question causes candidates to choke for another reason – the fear of appearing overzealous or conversely, not eager enough. Certainly the interviewer doesn’t want you tell him that you’re gunning for his job! Some managers are hesitant to hire a go-getter when the opportunity for advancement within the company is limited. On the hand, who wants to hire someone completely content to stand still?
Finally, candidates fear that the answer they give may lock them into a career path and prevent managers from considering them for special assignments or lateral moves.
The trick is to develop an answer that rings true and practice saying it until you can do so with ease. Your statement should be flexible enough to address the unique circumstances of the position.
I’m writing an article for an upcoming issue of Marketing News about this very topic and looking for quotes so let me ask you, how do you handle this killer question?
Summer jobs and part-time gigs can bring in extra cash but they often do little to help students improve their resume. When I was in college I waited tables, rented skates at the ice rink, booked tee times at the pro shop and and one particularly hot summer I spent all day on the phone as a bill collector – but that’s a story for another day. While I had plenty of chances to build my character, I never considered that I might also find opportunities to gain relevant career experience.
If I could do it all over again, I would have volunteered to work on the golf club’s newsletter or create promotions at the rink. I might have asked to re-write the restaurant’s training manual or create a special event to draw in a larger crowd.
Whether you’re saving up for tuition, back-to-school clothes, a new set of wheels or spring break in Cabo, part-time work is a right of passage for many of us. Rather than resigning yourself to boredom, ask your manager about taking on a little extra responsibility. When you graduate, you’ll be grateful to have relevant real-world experience on your resume.
Let’s not mince words: Losing your job bites. And if it’s the first time you’ve ever been laid off, you probably think the world just may come to an end.
I’m here to tell you otherwise, and I speak from experience. Whether you’re a victim of a hostile take-over or a by-product of declining sales I can promise you this: You will find another job. You will rise from the ashes and again be a contributing member of society. This much I know is true.
Once you catch your breath and accept that you will work again, here are 6 things you can do to stay sane and hit the ground running:
1. Speak positively about your prior employer, supervisor and co- workers; you may have good cause to grip but leave the trash-talk for professional athletes – no good can come from it.
2. Acknowledge your feelings. It’s normal to be hurt, angry or scared. Take 48-72 hours to come to grips with it. But if a week passes and you’re still too blue to get off the couch, it’s time to get a grip on your perspective. Unemployment isn’t fun or easy, but it is temporary – remember that.
3. Notify your network. Put everyone on notice that you’re on the move and open to leads, ideas and referrals. Make sure they know what you’re looking for; in other words, market yourself!
4. Analyze your finances. Unemployment insurance helps but it may not cover your monthly nut. Determine how long you can last, where you can borrow from and act accordingly. You will rebuild your empire but for now the game is survival.
5. Seek help if you need it. Career coaches, resume writers, image- makers and other professional counselors stand at the ready to help you put your best foot forward.
6. Schedule your time. You can’t bring your A-game if you’re looking for work 24/7. Set aside time to network, conduct research and make follow-up calls but don’t forget to schedule time to relax and re- energize.
Finding a new job is not unlike a marketing campaign – messaging, consistency and timing matter so whatever you do, don’t take time off before you get started. Instead, launch your search and then schedule downtime as needed.
By Sima Dahl
Chief Connector, Marketing Job Wire / President, Parlay Communications, Ltd.
The secret to successful self-promotion on LinkedIn is to first create a rock star profile and then remind people who you are, what you do, and why you’re special. Nearly every aspect of your online profile should underscore your personal brand – here are three power tips to get you started:
Headline. Your headline appears just below your name. Many people type their job title here, but why not utilize this space to tell people not what job you have but what skills you have? Here are some high-impact headlines:
Digital marketing leader experienced in lead generation
Senior-level B2B marketer, revenue-driver & brand builder
Experienced direct marketer seeking new opportunity
Status. Update your status at least once a week and mind the 80/20 guideline… eight out of every ten updates should reinforce your personal brand. Use this space to tell people about the work you’re doing, the type of employment you’re seeking, or about career-related events, books and articles. For example:
Sue is planning a national conference for mobile solution providers.
Tom is reading The New Rules of Marketing and PR and highly recommends it! http://bit.ly/1lANnY
Sima is hosting a High Speed Networking event on November 16. Register now to grow your network. http://bit.ly/2pxKm8
Joe is researching St. Louis area pharma companies for entry-level marketing opportunities.
Updating your status is what I call a two-for: One, it reminds people of what you do and two, it helps keep you high on your network’s radar.
Summary. If you’re going to beat your chest a bit, this is the place to do it. If it’s hard for you to brag about yourself, partner with a fellow marketer and work on each other’s profiles instead. Reinforce your achievements, summarize your credentials and position yourself for your next job.
Specialties. Don’t skip this important aspect of your profile. It’s easy to overlook as it is tucked within the Summary section. This area helps drive the LinkedIn search function so practice your best SEO and include words and phrases that highlight your talent such as Events, Copy Writing, Advertising, Lead Generation, etc.
Custom URL. LinkedIn automatically assigns a URL that links directly to your public profile but you can customize it. Mine is www.linkedin.com/in/SimaSays – simply because I use SimaSays as my social media “handle” on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Flickr, etc. Most people opt to use their first and last name. If your first+last name is no longer available, be creative:
/MarySmith_Marketer
/LeadGenLarry
JohnAdamsinPhilly
You can use this URL in your email signature, on business cards and in social networking profiles to drive traffic back to your rock star profile.
If you have any questions or other suggestions to share I’d be happy to hear from you on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
By Sima Dahl
Chief Connector, Marketing Job Wire / President, Parlay Communications, Ltd.
This column was suggested by reader John K. who asked me for some tips on the art of interviewing. Here are my top 5 pointers for anyone new to the experience or feeling a bit rusty:
1. Be Prepared
In an earlier column I outlined 4 steps to prep for an interview like a pro. As I reread the list I have one more to add: do a dress rehearsal! One job seeker just this week told me that she forgot her best suit was at the dry cleaners until it was too late so she ended up wearing a pair of slacks there were too tight and feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious during the entire interview. Try on your interview ensemble and look at yourself in a mirror forwards, backwards and sideways to be sure your external appearance is as sharp as your marketing skills.
2. Be Punctual and Polite
You may think it goes without saying but being on time matters. Even if you’re typically a punctual person, allow an extra 60-90 minutes to get ready and travel to your interview. That way if traffic is bad or you spill coffee on your shirt you have a built-in buffer. I like to scout out a nearby coffee shop where I can sit quietly and collect my thoughts.
Upon arrival, turn on the charm. Make small talk with whoever greets you; offer a firm handshake; make appropriate eye contact; express gratitude; ask permission to take a seat… dust off all the etiquette you ever learned and apply it now.
3. Pace Yourself
Interviewing can be a nail-biting, nerve-racking, heart-racing experience so it’s no wonder that you’re in a hurry it to end. But successful interviewers know that they have to pace themselves. On the one hand, you shouldn’t appear to be in a hurry but rather as if the interview is the single most important place and event in your entire week. On the other, if your interviewer is not moving things along and you fear you may in fact run out of time before you can effectively make your case, it’s okay to politely ask, “How are we doing on time? I want to be sure we get to all of your questions and I have prepared a couple of my own that I hope to ask.”
4. Practice
If you friends tell you that you talk too fast, practice slowing down. If you’re a low talker, practice taking it up a notch. Recruit a friend to help you with mock interview sessions or schedule some extra informational interviews to help you gain confidence. Remember that even Olympic gold medalists practice daily!
5. Follow-Up Promptly
Send your thank-you notes within 24-36 hours. I’m not a fan of the group thank you note but instead encourage my clients to send individual emails to everyone they met. If you would like to send a hand-written note as well then do so but be sure to send an email first as this is become expected behavior. What can you do if they go radio silence on you? Not much else but be patient. If you were an update within seven days but don’t receive one you can send a follow-up email. I recommend no more than three total attempts to follow-up. In an ideal world the recruiter or hiring manager would give you honest feedback and explain who ultimately got the job and why but that is a rare occurrence.
If you’re able to solicit feedback on your interview performance, accept it graciously then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and set your sights on landing the next one.
Bonus Tip: Give yourself a hug. Interviewing is miserable; rejection is worse. Remember that no one enjoys this very much – not even the person on the other side of the table. I believe that the right job is out there for you somewhere and with persistence you will ultimately find it.
If you have any questions or other suggestions to share I’d be happy to hear from you on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
By Sima Dahl
Chief Connector, Marketing Job Wire / President, Parlay Communications, Ltd.
When it comes to your career, there’s no such thing as standing still: you’re either moving forward or falling behind.
In an article I recently penned for Marketing News I advised readers to “take stock of your recent achievements and set some goals to advance your career”. Here are the three strategies I outlined plus two bonus tips you can apply now to beef up your personal brand and stand out from the pack:
1. Learn To Talk Tech
If you think technology is just for the back office then think again. Smart marketers need to stay abreast of trends in the marketing technology space. Tools such as marketing automation, marketing resource management, and customer data integration are becoming more affordable and prevalent in companies of all sizes.
Action Item: Pick an area that interests you and learn everything you can about how technology can improve the marketing function.
2. Start Cross-Training
Successful leaders connect people with purpose and passion toward a common goal. And that requires a deep understanding of what makes people tick. To put your career on the fast track you’d be well advised to understand what “success” means to your peers in other. Only when you understand what matters to them are you able to create win~win scenarios.
Action Item: Find a willing peer or mentor in another department and help each other learn what makes each business function tick.
3. Get Engaged
Being a member of a marketing association like the AMA is great, but being well known inside that organization is even better. Building a network is a lifelong activity. If you don’t have strong ties to the local marketing community, start building them now.
Action Item: Pick one group or association that interests you and make a commitment to regularly attend meetings or volunteer in a meaningful way. Establish yourself as someone willing to help who follows through.
4. Do The Math
Many marketers dread nothing more than being called the “keeper of the tchotchke closet” or being asked to “make the logo bigger.” To ensure your counterparts understand the value you deliver, get good at demonstrating your worth with metrics.
Action Item: Pick an aspect of your job that you can most easily tie to top-line growth or bottom-line revenue and begin reporting on your efforts. The sales team will never dismiss you again.
5. Step It Up
A new report from The Conference Board cites job satisfaction at an all-time low. You can immediately differentiate yourself on the job by demonstrating a zest for your work and a willingness to take on new challenges.
Action Item: If you’re bored do something about it. Propose a task force, volunteer for a special project or find another way to step up and add incremental value.
If you have suggestions for future columns I’d be delighted to hear from you on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
By Sima Dahl
As marketers, we spend our professional days promoting someone else’s brand but remember this: each of us is our own brand too. Promoting brand “you” is an area that most of us could pay more attention to, and social networks make it easy to get started.
If you’re already a member of a social network like LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter then I encourage you to consider how you can leverage these tools to establish your personal brand and enrich your career. The word “networking” is an action verb that requires you to do something, and social networking is no different. Here are 3 areas to think about the next time you tweet, friend or link online:
1. Think SEO
Keywords matter, especially on LinkedIn. Your profile is not only searchable within LinkedIn but indexed by Google too. If you are a researcher trying to make a name for yourself in neuroscience, be sure that the word ‘neuroscience’ and all related terms appear with a high propensity in your profile. Start at the very top with your Headline, Summary and Specialties and then weave key words in your Experience and Interests too.
For example, my Headline could be my title, President of Parlay Communications, but that doesn’t say much about my value proposition or me. Instead I use the following key words to “shape my space:”
Marketing Consultant | Social Media Strategist | Networking Coach | Speaker | Trainer | LinkedIn Expert
2. Think SHARE
Sharing information is a powerful way to attract targeted attention to your profile. You can share information in any number of ways: your LinkedIn or Facebook status, your tweets, your Facebook wall, and so on. Any place you have the opportunity to contribute content or share information is an opportunity to reinforce your personal brand position. All those widgets that enable sharing? Use them!
For example, I might use my LinkedIn status to share an article about B2B social media that I think is well written. It doesn’t even need to be authored by me, it just needs to add value and remind you of what I do. Or I might suggest the American Marketing Association page on Facebook to my friends who aren’t yet members.
3. Think SUBTLE
Remember that a little self-promotion goes a long way. Braggers are equally if not more annoying online than they are in person, perhaps because it is difficult to read humor or intention in short posts and status updates. The best way to shape your personal brand is to pay it forward. The old adage about “giving to get” is especially true within social networks where your actions are visible (and often re-tweetable) to thousands.
If you view social networking as a pulpit to promote yourself or your business, you’re missing out. Savvy networkers know that conversation precedes conversion. Aim to chat, not sell, and you’ll be well on your way to building a network of champions.