I have the privilege of teaching an MBA course on social media and, out of 12 sessions total in the spring semester, I’m dedicating three to the topic of personal branding.
Why would I devote a full quarter of the class to one subject when there are so many other “cool” things like Twitter and video resumes to cover? The answer is simple.
Aside from a few – ahem – Facebook photos and incomplete LinkedIn profiles, most of my students don’t have a strong online presence yet. In other words, they are blank slates…..bare billboards…….TV static.
While social media sites can give them a potentially powerful microphone, here’s the problem with just diving in and uploading content on day one. Bare billboard + powerful microphone = more white noise on the web.
I don’t know about you, but I think the Internet has more than enough white noise as it is. Moreover, these students are in the process of looking for employment … and with sites like CAREEREALISM stating that there are now six job seekers for every one job available, I owe it to them to do what I can to prevent a “Fire, Ready, Aim” approach.
So here we are in Step One of the personal branding process, otherwise known as the discovery phase. It’s fitting to invoke the billboard reference above because my marketing background tells me that, like brands, billboards should state a clear message in six words or less.Therefore, my challenge to students, and to you, is this: What is your message?
If you’re having a hard time figuring that out, creating a “vision board” will help. Here’s how it works:
1.) You purchase a piece of poster board or foamcore
2.) You cut out words or images from magazines, websites, etc. that reflect something you want for yourself in the future
3.) You glue or spray mount the clippings together on the poster board
At the end of this process, you’ll have a visual representation of where you want to go in the next year or beyond. And while you should always put your goals on paper and reflect on them often, there’s just something different and uniquely motivating about coming face-to-face with them on your wall every day.
So if you’re a blank slate currently and you’d like to hone in on your brand or discover your message, try crafting a vision board. Worst case scenario is that you’ll have a neat piece of quasi-art to impress your friends. Ideally, though, you’ll discover what truly inspires you along the path to career success. Good luck!
This post was originally written for Dan Schawbel’s Personal Branding Blog. Check it out here.
Categories: Career Planning · Goals · Professional Development
Tagged: Career, Careers, Emily Bennington, executive, Focus, Goal Setting, new graduate, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Vision Board, Visioning
February 6, 2010 · 1 Comment
Everyone thinks it’s a great thing to be a hero at work. As you would imagine, it can be great when you’re the hero. It’s not so great when you’re the one who needs a hero.
Recently, I was speaking with a partner at a law firm who was working overtime to salvage one of their long-standing clients. This (very profitable) client was inches away from leaving the firm based on a pattern of poor customer service he had received from a new associate.
The final straw was when the associate promised to deliver an important file the client needed for a 4pm meeting. Not only did the associate miss the deadline, he didn’t even bother to call the client in advance!
Fast forward a few days… now the partner has to step in, absorb the blame, beg for forgiveness, and (hopefully) rectify the situation.
As a new employee, it’s obvious that you want those above you to provide guidance, coaching, and answer questions. What you definitely don’t want is to force them in to a situation like the one above where they have to fix something you’ve screwed up big time.
In other words, you don’t want a hero.
You don’t want to be that guy (or girl) who is at the center of a heated phone call from Client X to your boss, or worse, your boss’ boss. How do you avoid this fate?
TWO RULES:
1.) Have an excellent technical product. Make sure that everything (and I mean everything) you give a client represents the best thinking you and your team have to offer.
2.) Couch an excellent product in excellent service. If you’re unable to meet a deadline, tell the client. If you make a promise, keep it. If you’ve delivered a product, call to follow-up. If you haven’t heard from a client in a while, reach out. If the client sends you an email, respond before the end of the day.
I could go on and on about what is (and is not) excellent service, but I’ll save that for a future post. Just remember this: If you follow the rules above, you WILL NEVER need a hero at work.
And that will not only save the day…. it just might save your job.
Note: This is Part 8 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Client Service · Gene Kelly Dance Steps · Professionalism
Tagged: executive, new graduate, Career, First Impressions, newbie, Careers, Professional Development, workforce, Leadership, Professionalism, Emily Bennington, Client Service
By Jessica Holbrook
We’ve all heard of the mega-bestselling book Purpose Driven Life, right? What a great principle to apply to our resumes, cover letters, and job searches! Instead of utilizing a generic or jack-of-all trades resume, we should be using a purpose-driven, focused, and customized resume. In fact, if you have expertise in more than one area, then you should be broadcasting more than one resume.
After working recently with a client who had an extremely unfocused, all-over-the-place resume, I was prompted to sit down and write about how important a focused, customized, and branded resume really is. This particular client had his resume nicely written, and to tell the truth, it wasn’t half bad. It contained great wording, had an appealing format, and even included some terrific accomplishments. The problem was that this resume had multiple personalities—ten different job titles and no clear direction. So it was no wonder he hadn’t received even one call back. Hiring managers were probably reviewing the resume and thinking, “I have no idea where to put this person or what he really wants to do.”
If you have experience and expertise in several different areas, it certainly is not a negative, but blasting everything you have ever done all over your resume—where it looks like job titles and keywords just threw up all over it—is not going to get you an interview … or a call back for that matter. Here are three points you should consider in order to clean up your resume, communicate your purpose, and customize it:
1. Focus. Pick one position, one role, one industry. Then convey your achievements, contributions, experience, expertise, talent, passion, and vision for that one key role. This does not mean you can only apply for one position; this is where the technique of employing multiple resumes that are focused in different areas comes in to play.
2. Don’t just develop a resume with any old content. Create your personal branding statement, and then tie in all of the other elements of your resume to support that statement. If you are an amazing sales manager in the XYZ industry, then what makes you so great? How do your talent, passion, and vision play into that?
3. Customization is crucial. Fuse an appropriate branding statement and relevant career summary with industry-specific keywords and pertinent accomplishments. They should all relate back to the exact position to which you are applying at that very moment. Everything about your resume should address the key points of the job description and answer the question: “Why are you a perfect fit for this job?” If you can review the description and honestly answer, “I addressed all of their requirements—either through my branding statement, career summary, keywords, or accomplishments,” then you can be assured you have a purpose-driven resume.
CEO of Great Resumes Fast, Jessica Holbrook is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter. She has written more than 100 articles that are featured on some of the best career advice Web sites today. For a free resume analysis, please send your resume to info@greatresumesfast.com or visit online at http://www.greatresumesfast.com to view sample resumes and find information about professional resume writing services.
Categories: Job Search
Tagged: Jessica Holbrook, Job Search, new graduate, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Resume, workforce
By Skip Lineberg
Ever had one of those days where you just crushed it? When you were unstoppable?
I had one on Wednesday. Five important meetings. Five victories. Everything flowed. I was organized. I was focused and laser sharp. Felt amazing.
What made it such a great day? Was it luck … good fortune … karma? Nope. It was planning and preparation. Simply put, I had my $hit together. I had a good night’s sleep, which I seldom do. I made my To-Do list and prioritized it. I got to work early. I knew what to expect. I hit all my meetings and conference calls on time. Got all the boxes checked-off. Nothing magical – just good, solid planning and execution.
Now, here comes the insight.
When I woke up on Thursday, I reflected for a few moments on the great day before. What’s important, next, is what I did not do. I did not reward myself by sleeping in. I didn’t celebrate my excellent Wednesday performance with a leisurely breakfast at the diner, nor did I take an hour to goof off in any way. I didn’t boast of my accomplishments to my co-workers or post a cocky status update on Facebook. Sure, I thought about doing all of those things. But what I did, instead, was an exact repeat of the day before. I planned my day, created my To-Do list, prioritized it, got ready and headed straight back to the office.
In other words, I proceeded to excel again.
In essence, I pulled a “Groundhog Day.” (Short version of the 1993 film: a weatherman relives the same day over and over again. Disregard the fact that he’s having a bad day, and instead imagine that it’s you–and you’re having a great day.)
That’s the mark of a true professional. You bring your “A game.”
You finish your day in strong fashion. And then …. you wake up and do it all over again. So embrace the rhythm and consistency of maintained excellence. Embrace your Groundhog Day.
Note: This is Part 7 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Gene Kelly Dance Steps · Professionalism
Tagged: consistency, excellence, execution, planning, preparation, Professionalism
I’m a lucky girl.
Why, you ask?
Because I have the privilege of working with Bob Simpson. For those of you who don’t know Bob, he’s a succession planning expert, a partner in the accounting firm of Dixon Hughes, and an all-around leadership junkie. Bob has the aura of a great mentor and, while I’ve never filled out a tax return (ever), I’ve learned a lot from him about how to be a professional with class.
One of the most valuable things I’ve picked up from Bob is the notion of “Five Star Service.” Indeed, we talk a lot in business about having “first-class customer service”, but what does that really mean? Before his firm merged with Dixon Hughes a few years ago, Bob used to give new employees a wallet-sized card that served as a small, yet convenient reminder of what was expected of them as representatives of the company.
In short, Five Star Service.
The cards were a casualty of the merger, but I found one recently stuffed under a label maker and probably long since forgotten. As I reviewed the card, I was impressed by how a grand behemoth like customer service could be distilled to something the size of a driver’s license.
In fact, what makes the card so effective is its simplicity. The basics of Five Star Service for large accounting firms are, in effect, the same as top notch service in a restaurant. In other words:
1.) Take the Order: Listen to your customers and find out exactly what they’re looking for. Be crystal clear on the frontend to avoid headaches on the backend.
2.) Connect: Develop a relationship with the customer based on attentive service to their needs. Go over and above their expectations.
3.) Deliver the Order: This is more than just turning in the work – it’s about ascertaining satisfaction by asking what you did right and how you could improve in the future. Don’t be afraid of honest answers – learn from them.
4.) Offer Dessert: A good waiter / waitress will always show you the dessert menu, even if you claim to be on a diet. So take a cue from this tactic and identify additional opportunities to service your client. Even if they don’t take you up on the offer, you can give them a small deliverable you know they’ll need later at no charge, e.g. “Provide a mint.”
5.) Collect the Check: Some people squirm at the very thought of asking for money, but if you’ve “taken the order” accurately, and “provided a mint”, you should be able to bill and get paid promptly.
Whether you follow these principles or not, I challenge you to condense your own customer service philosophy to the size of a business card. Just be sure to keep it from under the label maker, OK?
Note: This is Part 6 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Client Service · Professional Development · Professionalism
Tagged: Career, Careers, Emily Bennington, Etiquette, executive, First Impressions, Five Star Service, Leadership, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Professionalism, workforce
By Skip Lineberg
By nature, most of us are either internally driven (ego) or externally conditioned (family, school, athletics, dating, etc.) to focus on making ourselves look good. But how much time do we spend making others look good? Honestly, very few of us spend any time on it at all. However, we should …if we truly desire to reach our ultimate level of success.
Here’s how it goes: When I spotlight (or glorify) myself, one person might benefit. Me. (Maybe.) But when I shine the spotlight (or edify) a colleague, two people benefit: both my colleague and I.
Here’s an illustrative example. Say my co-author Emily Bennington and I are meeting with a potential new client. He’s looking to hire someone to conduct a full-day seminar on professionalism and teamwork for his first-year employees. At the meeting, I could spend time pontificating on how great I am – or – I could shine the spotlight on Emily. I could talk about Emily’s education and her leadership skills, citing examples such as the young professional’s group she led. In a very sincere, genuine manner, I would also talk what a great communicator Emily is, both as a writer and a speaker … making certain to mention her wit, her world travels, and her love of literature. I would likely wrap up by discussing how much time Emily spends recruiting and advising young professionals in her work for a large, national accounting firm…adding in praise for how she manages to achieve so much while balancing her responsibilities as a mother, wife and community leader.
Do you think it’s more credible and convincing for him to hear about Emily’s accomplishments from me, rather than from her? You bet. Plus, the conversation not only makes Emily look good, it’s also gratifying to her ego. This might bolster her confidence, elevate her mood and increase her positive energy—thus improving the chances for a great meeting. Finally, this approach makes me look good too, as someone with Emily’s talent and credentials would not have a slouch as her business partner.
In short, to edify is to uplift. It is the act of shining a spotlight on the talents, skills or qualities of another in a manner that builds faith and confidence in that person. This is a subtle yet very powerful skill and, because it is so rarely practiced, it is huge opportunity to differentiate yourself and win respect from others. Try it!
Note: This is Part 5 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Communication · Etiquette · Gene Kelly Dance Steps · Leadership · Professional Development
Tagged: Career, Careers, Edify, Emily Bennington, Leadership, new graduate, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Professionalism, Skip Lineberg, workforce
I was in a meeting recently with a young woman who wasn’t getting her way. She was pushing for an idea she strongly believed in… but the others were less convinced.
As the meeting wore on, she became increasingly aggressive. As she continued to state her case, her voice got higher and more hostile. When forced to listen to opposing views, she sunk low in her seat with her arms folded until, eventually, the meeting chairman tabled the issue altogether.
As I witnessed the exchange, I couldn’t help but think that if this woman were aware of how she was coming across to everyone else, she would be embarrassed. In fact, up until the point she allowed her raw passion take over, I had viewed her as smart, savvy…even poised.
In the end, she never did get her way but, more than that, she alienated a few colleagues, causing rifts that have not entirely subsided many weeks later.
This exchange underscores the 60/30/10 rule of communication. In other words….
60% of communication is body language. I’m sure this woman thought she was doing the “proper” thing in listening to others voice their concerns, but her crossed arms and eye rolling spoke volumes about how she really felt.
30% is how clearly you speak. In the meeting above, as everyone became more impassioned about their own points of view, the less those points actually made sense. Accordingly, because people eventually just started reacting to each other with no advance thought, nothing was accomplished.
10% is the message. To be honest, I can no longer remember what my colleague was originally so fired up about, but I do remember how she lost her cool in a professional environment.
Assuming you’re reading this because you want to become a leader within your organization, it’s important for you to be highly aware of your own body language when communicating with others. So don’t let a good message get lost in poor delivery. Because when it comes to communicating effectively, how you say it is always as important as what you say.
Note: This is Part 4 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Communication · Etiquette · Leadership · Professional Development · Professionalism
Tagged: 60/30/10 communications, Career, Careers, Communication, Emily Bennington, Etiquette, executive, Leadership, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Professionalism, workforce
By Skip Lineberg
That’s right. Cleavage.
As the owner of a boutique communications firm, I’ve hired and worked with young executives for over a decade and there’s something I need to get off MY chest. I know everyone wants to be attractive and stylish. But if your cleavage is screaming, “Look at me!” it’s tough to get others to pay attention to anything else, especially your great ideas.
If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of your attire, ask a trusted friend for their opinion. Otherwise, if it feels like people (especially men) are looking at you differently… you may be suffering from the proverbial wardrobe malfunction.
So ladies, by all means stand out because of what you have on top. Just make sure it’s your mind.
P.S. Guys – if you’re showing cleavage, we need to talk, too.
Note: This is Part 3 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Etiquette · Fashion · Sex
Tagged: Career, Careers, Etiquette, executive, First Impressions, new graduate, newbie, Professional Development, Professionalism, Skip Lineberg
Ever had a quote change your life? I’ve had three.
Here’s the first: “Want it and you’ll never have it. Become it and it’s yours.” I have to admit that it took a while before this one really clicked. About nine years in the workforce to be exact. I’ve spent (that is, wasted) a lot of time wanting to be a lot of things in my career… a more sophisticated executive, an author, teacher, expert, you name it.
I spent a full year trying (unsuccessfully) to find an agent for my book before I finally said, “Screw it. I’m going to write the damn thing anyway.” And once I started writing, something happened.
I started to see myself as an author and my pride in the work swelled exponentially. So I kept on writing – and being disciplined about it – because that’s what authors do. As you might expect, when I shifted my self-perception from “would-be” to “current” author, I found an agent.
Which brings me to Quote #2: “The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his mind.” When I stumbled upon this James Truslow Adams quote a few years ago, it reminded me that success isn’t always about who has the most talent. More often than not, it’s about who believes in themselves the most. It’s a mental game where confidence and positivity win.
Today, I try very hard to block negative thought patterns entirely. If something goes wrong at work, my immediate response is not, “Who’s responsible?” but “How can we fix it?” If I’m disappointed because things aren’t happening quickly enough in my career, I replace the pessimistic notions with a positive action item I could get to work on instead. Worrying isn’t going to help me accomplish my goals, but being productive will. Make sense? This one doesn’t come natural, but I’m proof that it will come with concentration and practice over time.
Finally, Quote #3 is my favorite because it’s really a summation of the other two: “We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions, whereas others judge us by our actions.” I confess I don’t know who said that, but I wish I had. So today, if you’re spinning your wheels dreaming about what you’re going to do or going to become in 2010, stop dreaming and start doing. Create a vision of your best possible self and become that person right now. What are you waiting for?
Note: This is Part 2 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Career Planning · Goals · Professional Development · Publishing
Note: This is the first post in a new series Emily and I created called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z.” Over the next several weeks, we are providing concise – and alphabetical – tips designed to help you elevate your game at work.
A = Aim.
Aim to be the best at something. Become the best writer. The best number-cruncher. The best presenter. Whatever. The point is to aim.
As I look back on 2009, the things in my life and in my work where I had the most success were totally aligned with my goals. I wrote them down. I looked at them often, and I tracked my progress. Throughout the year, I remained conscious of my ultimate aim.
If you are following this blog, there is a good chance that you are an ambitious go-getter. You want to succeed and, to do that, you need to differentiate and distinguish yourself.
So, set some goals. Take aim!!
I can guarantee you this: if you just go along with the program… regardless of how diligent and dutiful you are… you are not going to move up or get ahead. The “system” will not advance you. You must aim to become the best. This point may seem simple, but you would be surprised at the percentage of so-called professionals who mindlessly drift along through their work, never achieving all they are capable of.
Therefore, if you are truly committed to your success… if you are ready to take aim… here’s my challenge to you: shoot for the 4% club.
Most people think it’s good to get to the top 20% of one’s class/group/profession. We all know the 80/20 rule, right? 80 percent of performance results are generated by 20 percent of performers. But I want you to get into the top 20% of the top 20%. In other words, The 4% Club.
This is entirely possible! What’s required to get there is aim (focus), the ongoing commitment to refine your skills, the desire to acquire new skills, and the determination to become the best.
Everyone in the top 20% has talent and smarts. Those in the top 4%, however, tend to be more focused and more apt to put in the extra work. Think of the top 20 sprinters in the sport of track & field. There’s a huge difference in the best times between #1 and #20–but not much difference between #1 and #4. Extra practice, better running form, better nutrition and better rest/recuperation are the factors likely that separate the top 4% from the others. Simply stated, they are more focused and their aim is more precise.
Do you have the desire and the fortitude to get to The 4% Club?
Categories: A - Z Career Challenge · Career Planning · Goals · Professional Development
Tagged: Career, Careers, executive, Goal Setting, new graduate, newbie, professional, Professional Development, Professionalism, Skip Lineberg, workforce
I have the privilege of teaching an MBA course on social media and, out of 12 sessions total in the spring semester, I’m dedicating three to the topic of personal branding.
