Month: August 2014

Are You Career Ready?

Several friends are currently looking for work because of company closings and downsizing. A few friends, who are gainfully employed, have expressed concerns about shaky futures with their company.

While none of us can accurately predict the future, we can prepare for it. As someone who handles crisis routinely, I follow certain steps and procedures to ensure readiness.

The same holds true for career preparedness. Here are five steps to keep you career ready:

  1. Update your resume. I review my resume at least once a year, and sometimes more. If I join a board, earn an award, add new responsibilities, I update the resume. It’s best to do it when the information is fresh.
  2. Maintain a list of companies/dream jobs: You may have a good position at the moment, but if there is a company that you dream of working for, follow it on LinkedIn or routinely check its website. That’s what I did with my most recent position. Keep the list and review it regularly. All of my jobs came when I wasn’t necessarily looking, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
  3. Be active on LinkedIn. Speaking of LinkedIn, it’s good to keep your profile updated and to check in at least once a week to review the latest openings in your profession and to see what others are talking about. The top stories often surface during job interviews. It’s also good to share information that would be of interest to others in your network.
  4. Network. Years ago a trusted advisor encouraged me to have lunch at least twice a month with individuals within my network. I took that to heart and went so far as to track my efforts and what was discussed until it simply became part of my career habits. I regularly meet with others in my network to share ideas and best practices, to learn what they are doing, to provide connections to others and, yes, sometimes to ask for something. It’s amazing how many people you will meet with in a year if you make this part of your routine.
  5. Collect work samples. Keep copies of your output offsite. You don’t want to be scrambling on the last day to find a copy of a great press release you wrote so that you have it to share at a job interview. Be sure to also maintain a list of key contacts away from the office. It’s one of the reasons, I find LinkedIn so valuable – I can always reach someone within my network through LinkedIn even if I can’t immediately find the person’s phone number or email.

4 Tips to Rethink How to Pitch Media

Today’s media landscape has greatly changed. Some of the changes include:

  • Reporters using social media for finding stories and fact checking. Ben Sharbaugh, associate director for digital strategy at Harvard University shared at a conference that 50 percent of people hear about news on social media before it’s published anywhere official.
  • Reporters covering unfamiliar beats.
  • Success measured in page views.
  • Copy editing is not a priority at many outlets.

If it’s your job to pitch the media, how do you adapt to these changes? According to Michael Smart, an independent communications trainer, you need to

  • Reframe the traditional stories that you pitch. It’s not enough to pitch the story angle. In addition, include sources, photos and video to create a package for the reporter.
  • Expand the types of stories you pitch. This involves finding unique or creative angles. For example, tweeting out what experts are available, especially if you tie it to a big story, can lead to success.
  • Widen the scope of outlets to which you pitch. Have you ever pitched Vox? You might want to. On its website, Vox says it, “Explains everything you need to know in two minutes.”
  • Refine the way you write your pitches. Smart recommends focusing on a few outlets and then mass sending to others.

 

Summer Blues or Summer Success?

August. Where has summer gone?

More importantly, have I made the most of my summer? With only a month left, I’m giving my summer some reflection – poolside, of course.

Did I read the books I wanted to read? For me, summer is a great time to relax by the pool on the weekends with a good book. At last count, I have finished 15, but I have about five more that I would like to finish before the school year starts. I know where I’ll be this weekend! I also am curtailing my television viewing so I have more time to read.

What defines a successful summer? For me, it’s about being outdoors as much as possible and visiting.SAMSUNG

I always enjoy my gardens (vegetable and flowers), and this year, I did a much better job of keeping up with them. During the hottest days I get lazy, and give in to the heat and the weeds, but on any comfortable days, I was planting, weeding or simply sitting in an Adirondack chair in the midst of the garden enjoying the beauty. That is success!

I mentioned reading poolside, and I count the weekends I can do that. The more pool visits, the more relaxed I am. This year was a great year for visiting the pool with friends.

Did I accomplish what I wanted to do? I had the requisite “To Do” list, which this summer focused on decluttering. Three trips to Goodwill and some filled trashcans were proof that I made significant progress in this area. Even better, I didn’t shop and replace the disposed of items.

The truest sense of my successful summer is that I’m ready for the fall season and the resumption of many extracurricular activities. I’ll miss the pool and garden, but I’m already planning my indoor activities.

Was your summer a success? Post your answer in the comments. Thanks!