Giving Back Comes Full Circle
There are many articles that discuss the importance of ‘giving back’ to the community and volunteering time for worthy causes. Sometimes it is difficult to decide which organization to become involved in; furthermore, it seems like all non-profits are constantly seeking active, productive, and involved members.
Much like others, I try to find an organization that fits my values, works with my schedule, and gives back in a meaningful way. When I was a senior in high school, I was honored as the Menomonie Optimist Club Youth of the Month. What did it mean to me at the time? It meant that I received a free breakfast for myself and my parents. It also meant that I received a beautiful plaque that is still housed in my cedar chest.
While that was over 16 years ago, it stayed with me; albeit, in the back of my mind. Last spring, I was approached by a networking contact to join the Menomonie Optimist Club. In contemplating how this was going to fit into my schedule, I began to think back to that morning when I had received my free breakfast and a wooden plaque. It meant a great deal that a local community organization believed in me as a high school senior. And, now, it means a great deal to me that the organization asked me to become part of it.
Now, as a member of the Menomonie Optimist Club, I see the area youth coming to the meetings each month and celebrating their futures. I think back to my morning at the meeting and realize that giving back has come full circle. Now, I have an opportunity to be on the contributing end of the organization and hope those students remember their mornings well into the future.
As part of the Menomonie Optimist Club, I have taken on the responsibility of the monthly newsletter. This is my area of expertise. And, that is how giving back to the community should work; you should be able to use your talents to give back in a meaningful way. There are meetings I cannot make and activities that I can’t do because of my work schedule. The newsletter – that is something I can do. And, the newsletter is e-mailed to many people beyond the organization, increasing the exposure for Feather Communications.
Giving back does come full circle. The circle may take 16 years (or longer) to complete itself. However, when it does, it will give you a gratifying feeling that cannot be taken away.
Asking for Recommendations on LinkedIn
So, you have a LinkedIn profile and it’s ‘out there’ for everyone to see. How can you make your LinkedIn profile more engaging and dynamic? Is there a way to add some sense of ‘importance’ or ‘relevance’ to your skills? If you are interested in making your LinkedIn profile stand out from the rest, I highly suggest asking for recommendations.
Before you ask for recommendations on LinkedIn, think about whom you want to ask. Do you want to ask everyone you know or have ever worked with for an endorsement? Probably not. I recommend making a list of current and former co-workers, supervisors, and customers that can attest to your work ethic, dependability, and work performance. Do not ask all co-workers, all friends, or all suppliers for positive feedback. Be sure to have a variety of endorsements from various viewpoints; this will show potential contacts and employers that you have an ability to work well with a diverse group of people.
And, consider the writing skills of the people you are asking for endorsements. Although you can review the recommendation before it goes public, consider how awkward it may be to have to re-write an endorsement given to you. Also, please realize that some people will want a recommendation in return for the one they give to you.
Finally, be specific about your recommendation requests. Instead of saying that you would like a general recommendation of your work, be precise about your needs. For example, for my business, Feather Communications, I may write something similar to the following: “Could you recommend me based upon my communication and presentation abilities?” This will give the person a starting point for providing the recommendation.
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on your LinkedIn profile. However, be careful and deliberate when selecting recommendation providers. Recommendations add relevance and build your reputation on your LinkedIn profile.
Finding Connections on LinkedIn
If you created a LinkedIn profile six months ago or a year ago and never use it, you are not alone. Or, you may only have ten connections and haven’t used LinkedIn for quite some time. If you are someone that has a stagnant LinkedIn profile, it is time to broaden your horizons and utilize this wonderful social media tool.
The first step in utilizing LinkedIn is to ensure that you are connected with people and potential business contacts. There are several methods for finding contacts within LinkedIn. In fact, LinkedIn makes it rather easy to search for those people you may already know. More importantly, the site lets you see the connections of those you are already connected to within the site. If you have an e-mail contact list, you may be able to import that list and match it up to those who are already using LinkedIn. Chances are, if these people are those you connect with via e-mail, they will be more than happy to connect with you via LinkedIn.
Secondly, you can ask a current connection to introduce you to one of their connections. This is a great way to get to know someone that could potentially lead to additional business, job opportunities, or a mentor within your field. Be sure to be specific when asking for a connection; people want to know who you are and how you found them. Mention that you have a mutual contact and hope to connect on social media through LinkedIn.
Finally, try to search by company or organizations. These can be companies where you have worked in the past or companies where you wish to work in the future. If you can connect with both current and past employees, you may find very valuable information about the organization. Also, connecting with past managers and co-workers gives you a great opportunity to ask for recommendations.
The most important thing to remember is that quantity may not necessarily outweigh quality. While it may be impressive to have 500+ connections, it is also imperative that these are quality connections that can be beneficial to you. When you agree to be connected with someone, you are also saying that you agree to help them as well. Connecting on LinkedIn is vital to your success on this social media site. Get started connecting today – search “Heather Rothbauer-Wanish” on LinkedIn and mention you saw this blog post. I look forward to connecting with you!
If you have decided to start a LinkedIn profile, you are on the right track to making important connections within your existing networks and beyond. The important thing to remember is that LinkedIn only works if you actually use it. Part of ensuring you are using LinkedIn means that you need to complete a profile.
When you start filling in your profile, you will notice a percentage that represents how complete your profile is at that particular time. Profiles that achieve a 100% completion rate tend to rank higher on searches within LinkedIn. You can certainly start your profile and then finish it at a later time; however, I encourage users to think about what they want to write and finish it during a specified time period.
Next, you will be encouraged to upload a profile picture to your LinkedIn profile. My LinkedIn profile page has a very professional photograph; please remember this when completing your profile. The photograph on LinkedIn is very small—you want it to represent you at your very best. Personal photographs are appropriate for personal networking; however, LinkedIn is used for more professional purposes such as job seeking, connecting with groups, and representing your business.
Finally, remember that words are key components of your LinkedIn profile. Make a list of words that appeal to people in your particular areas of expertise. Utilize these words when writing your profile. For example, describe your areas of expertise, mention job positions that may be of interest to you, and describe your reasons for joining LinkedIn.
My LinkedIn profile summary is listed below. Because I want to use my LinkedIn profile to promote my business, Feather Communications, you will notice that I have used key words that pertain to the writing and communication industry. Search LinkedIn and view profiles to discover what will best represent your industry, your organization, and, ultimately, you as a professional.
With over 12 years of management and communication experience, I decided to begin Feather Communciations in January 2008. Since that time, I have enjoyed working with and writing for a variety of clients, including local, regional and national publications. I have already worked with several clients in Australia and hope to continue my business’ international expansion. Through my experiences, I have given numerous presentations on business communication, e-mail etiquette and freelance writing.
Starting a LinkedIn Profile
If you are a professional business person or someone seeking to expand your network of contacts, then you need to join LinkedIn. Over the next several weeks and months, I will be providing tips for designing your LinkedIn profile page, finding contacts, asking for recommendations, and becoming an expert in your professional area.
LinkedIn is another social media tool that can be considered much more “professional” than Facebook or Twitter. Think of utilizing LinkedIn as your online resume. There are over 75 million users on LinkedIn and that number is growing each day. Everyone knows there is only so much time in a day to use social media, so you need to make it count. And, in my opinion, LinkedIn is a way to make a statement in the social media atmosphere.
LinkedIn is designed to add to your list of contacts. It is a place to find people you already know and expand to those you want to know for networking purposes. It’s an opportunity to connect with people quickly and easily in a professional medium. Many people are starting to use LinkedIn profiles in addition to a traditional resume or a replacement for that document.
Find out the key words being utilized in your industry and use them on your profile, especially in your summary statement. This will help ensure your profile is found when individuals are searching for professionals in your field. Develop your areas of expertise and list those, along with accomplishments and job history. Finally, you may want to summarize why you have joined LinkedIn—perhaps you are interested in connecting with similar people in your field or maybe you are seeking additional job opportunities.
To start your LinkedIn profile, simply go to LinkedIn.com and sign up today. Watch for the next blog which details how to effectively develop your summary statement and design a profile worth seeking.
P.S. If you would like to connect with me on LinkedIn, search for “Heather Rothbauer-Wanish” and click “Connect.”
Divide Your Resume into “Chunks”
If you have written your own resume, you have probably opened the file and changed it from time-to-time after you send it to various companies. Sometimes you tweak the educational portion, listing important classes that are applicable to the job opening. Other times, you may change the core competencies to match the key words utilized in the advertisement. By the time you have applied for 4-5 jobs, you probably have 4-5 different versions of your resume. There is an easier way to accomplish the same feat: divide your resume into “chunks.”
I realize that “chunks” isn’t a technical word, but it is a great way of describing the method I use for my own resume. I have various sections that I utilize for different types of job openings and I save these sections in a separate Word document. For example, I have a great deal of experience working in creative environments like a commercial photography studio and printing company. I use the technical jargon I learned in those industries if I am applying to the same sort of position within a creative field. If I want to emphasize my business teaching skills, then I am sure to include a “chunk” that shows all of the classes I have taught and my teaching philosophy.
If you wish to have one education-related resume and one business-related resume, then you can change your core competencies to match either industry. When a job opening develops, you can simply open the file and switch the pertinent information. You can use this method to mix-and-match resumes for various opportunities that arise.
Saving your resume into various sections or “chunks” may not sound pretty, but it is a very useful tool. When I work with resume clients that wish to have more than one version of their resume, I often include a separate document with these sections so they can change when needed. The most important thing to remember is that one-size does not fit all. You need to change your resume to meet the needs of the marketplace. Dividing into “chunks” allows you to do that on a timely and efficient basis.
When coaching people through the interview process, I have continually found that people do not give themselves enough credit. Guess what? You have done a lot of great things in your career and you need to have the specifics to prove it.
Whenever possible during the interview process, provide specific examples of what you have accomplished, how you have saved clients’ money, methods you have utilized to increase sales, or how your idea helped boost production by 25 percent. These concrete examples put a numerical value on your accomplishments and provide another way for the interviewer to remember you.
For example, suppose an interviewer asked the following question: “Do you have experience managing people?” Many people would answer that question with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. However, think of the question differently: “How do you have experience managing people?” If you insert the word ‘how’ into most questions, you will begin providing the information that most employers seek during the interview process.
Suppose someone answered ‘yes’ to the above question. They have managed people. Although it tells me WHAT they did, it does not tell me HOW they did it. Imagine this answer from a prospective employee: “I have managed a sales force of up to 25 people. This included bi-weekly meetings in person and conference calls once per week. In this position, I was also able to assist my salespeople in setting goals, objectives, and sales targets on a monthly basis.” This provides much more information than a simple ‘yes’ response would have provided.
Be specific in your interview responses. Concrete examples, detailed information, and precise answers provide a memorable impression for the employer. As human beings, we remember specifics that make us think, educate, and allow us to recall someone. Use this to your advantage when answering questions during an interview.
A large part of my business is working with people to create new resumes and cover letters for their respective job searches. Earlier this month, I appeared on WQOW-TV18 Daybreak and offered several tips to those looking to find new employment opportunities.
One major tip for those seeking job opportunities includes updating your resume on a continual basis. Reviewing this document several times per year gives you the opportunity to add new skills, change job titles if necessary, and update your educational background. It is much easier to update as-you-go, rather than saving all updates for one time every two to three years. And, continual updating helps employees remember things that may otherwise be forgotten.
An important part of the job search process is ensuring that the potential employee can follow directions. Be sure to follow the directions of the employment advertisement. If the newspaper advertisement or the online job opportunity asks for a list of references, then be sure to include that with your application package. If the advertisement states “no phone calls,” then do not call the potential employer. Simply following the directions can ensure your resume is still considered for the job opening.
Watch the short video clip (click below) from the WQOW-TV18 Daybreak show. Utilizing these vital tips and advice can help job seekers ensure they are on the right pathway to employment success.
Networking Pays Off in a Big Way
I am consistently asked how I “get” new clients. For example, how have I had the opportunity to speak at local chambers of commerce events? How do I get new resume clients? And, how do I find businesses that need marketing, public relations, and writing assistance? The answer is simple: networking.
First, starting a writing and speaking business can be an interesting endeavor. How do you get your name out there? How do you let people know that you are available for marketing and writing opportunities? And, probably most interesting of all, how do potential clients know that you are actually a good writer/marketer/public relations person?
I started my business my writing articles and other small marketing pieces for local non-profit organizations. Obviously, these were volunteer assignments and I did not get paid. What did I get? I was able to secure numerous individuals that understood my diligent work ethic, timeliness when completing job assignments, and writing skills. These people were worth more to me than the monetary value I would have received if these jobs were paid. However, this networking started my business and continues it today.
My business is a member of two local chambers of commerce. Most networking events through these organizations are free or only cost a minimal fee. If your business is a member of these organizations, take advantage of the opportunities they offer. Attend luncheons, networking events, and business expos. Don’t be afraid to invite other chamber of commerce members to lunch or to your business. Reaching out to these individuals starts to build your “web” of business contacts. Once you meet enough people, your “web” starts to expand itself.
Feather Communications will start its fifth year of business on January 1, 2012. While I have only advertised in a few publications, most of my business has developed from networking. In fact, this upcoming week includes meetings with three potential new clients that I have met through networking, meetings, and organizations.
The best tip I can offer for networking is this: do it. You can’t talk about it, read about it, and expect it to happen. You have to actually go to the meeting, attend the after-hours event, and start meeting people. But, once you start to network with business professionals, you will be amazed by the results. Trust me – it has built my business for the past four years and I know it will continue to do so well into the future.
For most people, the idea of working on a resume is less than appealing and may even bring a sense of dread. However, it is much easier to have an updated and accurate resume when you continually update you update the document on a regular basis.
Why is this important? If an unexpected job opportunity arises, you will need to have your resume available to the potential employer. It is much easier to keep a resume up-to-date than to start from the beginning once every few years when you decide to conduct a job search.
First, plan to review the electronic copy of your resume every three to six months. Setting a timeline is an easier way to keep track of your information and to hold yourself accountable for the modifications. It is also a good idea to print your resume each time you make a change. Saving this hard copy will ensure you have a back-up in case the electronic file becomes corrupt or lost.
Secondly, update your resume after any education is completed. This could include earning a bachelors degree, professional certificate, or attending a seminar. At this point, it is a good idea to list all education. If you apply for a particular job and some of the education is no longer pertinent, then it can be removed at that later date.
Next, add any new job titles as they occur in your career. Even if you are at the same company, if your title changes, you need to reflect that change on your resume. Moving ahead within a company shows longevity, initiative, and a hard-working attitude.
Finally, it is a good idea to add tasks, job duties, and other relevant information as you experience it in the workplace. When I write a resume for clients, I ask for EVERYTHING they did while on-the-job. While much of this information may not appear on the final document, I would rather work with too much information than too little information.
Keeping your resume up-to-date and accurate is a simple way to ensure you are ready for any exciting job opportunity that may come your way. Schedule a time to review your resume and make those changes now – your dream job could be just ahead!
