Nicki Beekman has always been motivated by working with others to help them achieve their goals. She was able to put this entrepreneurial spirit into practice when she was laid off in 2009. A single mom who also takes care of her live-in mother, in addition to her teenage son, Nicki was terrified about her next career steps knowing that she had others to provide for. [Read more...]
Career Coach • Author • Speaker
Tis The Season for Pocket Resumes
December 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
With the holiday season in full swing some job seekers step away from networking because they fear it isn’t a good time to be seen and heard. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Take advantage of the seasonal cheer and the festivities that bring people together and get ready to network up a storm.
Employers, headhunters, and recruiters capitalize on hiring and reviewing resumes during the holiday season to meet end of the year goals and fill pressing company needs. Don’t wait until 2012 to ramp up your job search – mobilize now. Take advantage of networking receptions and holiday gatherings and fill your professional dance card with as many outings as you can.
Passing out full size resumes to those you meet at parties and events is not practical or advisable. But Lois Gilbert, The Career Communications WordSmith www.theresumewordsmith.com has a brilliant solution that is easy to produce and will set you apart from the crowd.
Lois believes in the power of pocket resumes – business card sized hand-outs that reflect your professional brand and highlights the skills and qualifications you want others to know you possess. This show-and-tell piece is a great way to briefly articulate your professional story and go a step beyond the basic business card that only includes your contact information. Whether you are looking for a new opportunity or want to grow your business, the pocket resume empowers you to share your message in a professional and portable way.
Here is an example of Lois’ two-sided pocket resume. These can be easily and inexpensively produced at your local copy store. Start thinking about the message you want to leave behind with your pocket resume and may the networking force be with you!
Why Everyone Needs a Business Card!
June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A business or personal card is your ticket to effective follow-up when networking. Learn why everybody should take advantage of this essential career tool.
Debbie Waitkus, Golf For Cause, LLC
June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Always an athlete, Debbie Waitkus played on the soccer team at the University of Arizona and after graduate school she went on to establish a thriving corporate career as president of a 37 year old, $130 million private mortgage banking firm. She always attributed golf as one of her keys to success since she would take her clients on golf outings to establish and steward professional relationships and business deals. When the CEO of her firm implemented a new strategy that didn’t follow suit with her professional values, Debbie knew it was time for a change and what better way to plan her reinvention than to leverage the game of golf in a new business.
The Power of Networking with CDH
June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Learn to demystify networking and use it to your best advantage in your job search or career management. Check out my new video and consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel for regular new video posts. http://www.youtube.com/user/cdowdhig?feature=mhee#p/u
Jacqui Rosshandler, Eat Whatever!
May 1, 2011 By 2 Comments
A native of Australia, Jacqui Rosshandler now calls New York City home and is enjoying a new career as CEO and Co-Founder of Jacquean Products. Trained as a lawyer, Jacqui never felt at home in the structured corporate world and took an entrepreneurial leap on New Year’s Day in 2007 when she summoned the courage to give her new business idea a whirl. Nine months later, she had her new product in hand. [Read more...]
Your Contacts Really Do Count
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I received a wonderful email from Lynne Waymon, CEO of Contacts Count. www.ContactsCount.com She read my most recent Huffington Post article and heartily agreed about the value of connecting with others in a job search.
Lynne has built her business on helping people put the tools of networking to work by reaching business and career goals. She is the co-author of the book Make Your Contacts Count and pointed me towards her site to share the 8 Competencies of Professional Networking with my readers.
Courtesy of Lynne, here is a quick glance at the competencies. Check out the website for full definitions and action steps.
- Capitalize on Style – appreciate how personality, mindset, and attitudes affect the ability to build relationships.
- Take a Strategic Approach – target specific organization and career outcomes and agenda build for networking events and outcomes.
- Envision the Ideal Network – identify WorkNet, OrgNet, ProNet and LifeNet contacts and leverage opportunities with each.
- Develop Relationships – see relationship building in stages and manage the trust building process by building character and competence.
- Increase Social Acumen – become more comfortable, confident, and professional by mastering relationship rituals.
- Assess Opportunities – choose optimum networking opportunities and make participation pay off.
- Deliver Value – contribute to the organization’s networking culture and capitalize on networking to affect the bottom line.
You can even test your own networking skills by taking the Networking Competency Assessment on the bottom of the Contacts Count homepage. As you start the New Year with a focus on relationship building, you can learn a great deal from Contacts Count and Lynne Waymon’s expertise. Thank you for sharing, Lynne!
Can You Really Conduct a Social Media Job Hunt?
January 3, 2011 By 1 Comment
Perhaps I’m old fashioned but I still believe that the power of in-person networking is the best resource for job hunting. But I am also plugged into technology enough to know that job seekers need to capitalize on social media to amplify their search strategies. Muriel Vega from Pink Magazine says – “It’s not only about who you know, but who you follow.” This of course, refers to social media and who you are seeking out to leverage your online network.
More and more companies are using social networks to recruit and every now and again, a recruiter will find you from an online search. But how do you attract a headhunter to your profile?
In a Pink Magazine article, Jill Smart, Chief Human Resources Officer at Accenture shared that you must “…actively leverage networks you have on social media channels. Don’t just post a profile on Facebook or LinkedIn – update your profile regularly and reach out to your network consistently. Keep active and respond to other people’s requests for information.”
My recruiter friends shared that your online profile makes a significant first impression in the job placement world. Be sure to present a profile that showcases your professional best and this includes your photo!
Another way to gain online validation is to subscribe to blogs in your industry. Keep up with trends and advertize what you do well by tweeting or composing new articles in your area of expertise.
Since 80% of jobs are still found in the hidden market and by word of mouth, use LinkedIn Groups to communicate in cyber conversations. Seek out job advice, position openings, and the inside scoop from current employees by requesting informational interviews and job shadow opportunities.
Make sure you are also registered on the top job sites that include Jobster, CareerBuilder and Plaxo With Simply Hired. Don’t forget to capitalize on former classmates and their connections in the work world. Reach out to fellow alumni and former faculty members to re-engage in conversations and showcase your strengths. Those that know you are more apt to recommend you for opportunities that cross their path for which you are a good fit.
While conducting 100% of your job search using social media would be unwise, it’s certainly worth at least 20% of your time in self promotion, industry research, and expanding your network!
Barbara Ann Radnofsky is running for Texas Attorney General
October 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Barbara Ann Radnofsky’s campaign website describes her as a proud mother, a loving wife, a dedicated teacher, a patient mediator, and a top attorney. Her fans describe her as Texas Tough. With an impressive 30 year legal career, Barbara Ann served as lead counsel in jury trials ranging from commercial disputes, medical malpractice, and malicious prosecution to assault and worker’s compensation matters, to name just a few. She has argued successfully before the Fifth Circuit on pro bono prisoner’s rights and torts matters; conducted appeals there, and in Texas state appellate courts and represented clients in Congressional hearings and administrative tribunals.
But Barbara Ann left her thriving legal career to pursue political office. First, an unsuccessful run for a Senate seat, she is now in the midst of a campaign for Texas Attorney General. This unflappable career woman has a call to serve and is determined to make a difference as part of her Texas career legacy. [Read more...]
Debra Fine – Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Best Selling Author
September 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
First an engineer and then a stay at home Mom, Debra Fine experienced a life transformation that led to a new career. After shedding 70 pounds and experiencing a painful and complicated divorce, Debra found herself a single mother with two small children and no income. With a renewed sense of self awareness after the weight loss, Debra literally began to watch and listen to people and study their conversations. A self described awkward and dorky youngster who excelled at school but not with interpersonal skills, Debra evolved into her authentic self and found her pearl within. [Read more...]
