Career

‘C’ Competencies Critical for Success

Last week I met with some alum from my university. While it was fun to meet and catch up, we were discussing serious business – preparing students for the future.

I’m a strong advocate of internships and mentoring, so this was a perfect conversation in which to be involved. Dr. Katherine Hawkins, dean of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences at Radford University, mentioned the “C” competencies for life success, and I followed up with her by email for more explanation.

Collaboration is a critical skill for success. (Photo : Radford University)

Collaboration is a critical skill for success. (Photo: Radford University)

“Employer surveys consistently demonstrate employers do not care so much about your major as they care about whether you have the competencies to do the job,” she said later.

While she preaches this sermon to all incoming students and their parents at orientation, the “C” competencies are critical at any stage. If you haven’t perfected them yet, it’s worth doing.

The “C” competencies include communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

Communication: Both oral and written communication, as well as something about how to use visual imagery to make messages more impactful. The top-ranked competency desired by employers is consistently excellent communication skills. If you are still developing this skill be sure to have someone else proof and edit your resume and cover letter.

Collaboration: Ability to work well with others in groups, as well as the ability to provide leadership as appropriate. Employers consistently state the ability to be an effective member of a work group is a highly desirable skill set. I don’t have a day go by in which I’m not collaborating with others.

Critical thinking: The ability to determine what the problem really is, identify what kind of information is needed to solve the problem, navigate through information universe to find the most accurate high quality information relevant to the problem, and use that information to make a good decision about how to solve the problem. “If you don’t have high quality information as a basis for decision making, you’re not likely to make a very good decision,” Hawkins said.

Creativity: Displaying resourcefulness and persistence in the face of resistance or initial failure. “Keep researching and attempting different approaches until you find a way to make it work,” Hawkins said.

Online Contest Helps With Employee Success

Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

None of us are perfect and that probably has much to do with the fact that most of us don’t like change, even when we adapt to it. In today’s world, change is the norm given how quickly technology advances and changes. Who would have ever thought we would be taking photos with our phones – phones that now fit into our pockets?

Embracing change is one of the must-have qualities of a modern employee, according to an article on Forbes.com.

Good thing then that NFPW is taking its contest online so members can continue to embrace change. Based on two years of research, online demonstrations and comparisons of services and costs, NFPW will host an online contest for NFPW, the high school competition and any affiliates that would like to participate, beginning with the next contest.

NFPW is moving to an online contest to create a streamlined process for entering the contest and because of the ease of use for entrants, judges and contest administrators. An online contest also cuts down on entries lost in the mail and saves on postage costs.

Change is necessary, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy. That is why it is critical to bring individuals along and not simply force the change upon them. During the recent NFPW conference, a session was offered explaining how the contest works and included a demonstration. A test site has been sent to all members so they can begin to familiarize themselves with how it functions. NFPW also will provide a Q&A document to all affiliate contest directors and presidents. The monthly newsletter and website will feature articles to explain the new process and ease anxiety.

As George Bernard Shaw once said, “Progress is impossible without change.” NFPW continues to make progress.

I’m looking forward to entering the online contest.

The Brand of You

How do you stand out in a crowd? More importantly, what sets you apart from others?

Please don’t say it’s your outstanding communications skills, your attention to detail or your ability to meet a deadline. At the NFPW conference, I asked communicators who had listed these skills on their resumes to stand. As you might suspect, lots of people were standing.

So how do you stand out? One way is to present the brand of you consistently. To do so, take a look at your resume, online platforms, personal business card, head shot, emails and network.

Resume Do you have an objective on your resume? If so, delete it. Instead include a summary statement, which is, essentially, your personal branding statement. It sums up what you do and how you do it. When you list your experience and places of employment be as specific as possible and demonstrate your success.

Online platforms Secure and establish your name domain. Do the same on social media networks. Even if you never use them you prevent others from doing so and potentially harming the brand of you. Be consistent in how you present yourself on each platform.

Personal business card Many of you have a professional business card but it’s helpful to have a personal card, too. You never know who you might meet who could benefit from your talent and expertise.  My personal business card contains my name, phone number and email address and a link to my blog. Presenting a person with a business card is much more professional than scribbling my name and email on a piece of paper.

A ghost image does not help define the brand of you.

A ghost image does not help define the brand of you.

Head shot A head shot is more than a photograph. It is often the first impression you make online. One study found that recruiters looked at a candidate’s head shot longer than they looked at any other portion of a profile so make it professional. If you are going to be on social media use a photo. Don’t use the ghost image and said the wrong message. 

Emails Think of your personal email signature as a personal calling card. Use it to share links to your social media profiles or to share about a recent honor or award. My email signature includes a link to this blog.

Network How many people are in your professional network? What are you doing to grow it and to learn more about the members? When you attend a conference, make it a point to introduce yourself to at least five people. Then follow up with them during the conference. Schedule lunches with individuals with whom you want to network. If lunch is too demanding try breakfast or just coffee. Networking should be about assisting others and not simply focused on what the other person can do for you. After a networking opportunity, be sure to follow-up.

Does the brand of you need some tweaking? If so make the time to do so now.

Pay It Forward

You just never know when you may impact a person’s life.

The other week I wrote a blog about picking a face for work. Soon after it posted, I received an email from a former colleague, Mary-Hope. I had hired her as an intern, and then was able to hire her full-time. Eventually, we both moved on to new positions. We keep in touch, but not as often as either one of us would like.

List

Mary-Hope keeps a list of key things to keep in mind when writing.

She had attached two pictures to the email. They depict editorial notes I had provided on her writing that she says she won’t forget.

“I started a little note pad with some of these reminders to help me write when my brain seems to freeze up!” she said. “…[These] will stay with me as long as I’m writing, or typing!”

I admit: It was one of the most rewarding emails I had received. Part of that was because I’ve been trying to pay it forward, as the saying goes.

I have been blessed with amazing teacher and mentors throughout my life. Both my high school journalism and British literature teachers taught me much about the subjects. They also taught me life lessons. The same holds true for my mentors, who continue to help me navigate my career path.

Because of the guidance of these individuals and their impact on my career, I’ve always strived to help others starting out in their careers. I’ve never been concerned about a payback, but I admit, that email made my day.

How do you pay it forward?

5 Tips to Get the Most From a Conference

Business cards

Don’t just collect business cards. Follow up with the people you have met following the conference. (Photo by Cynthia Price)

Bring Business Cards. A conference is a great opportunity to network. You will want to have business cards to distribute so when you meet someone they will have your name, title and contact details. When I receive someone’s business card, I jot a few notes on the card so I can remember our conversation when I return to my office. Also, if I’ve promised to send or share information I make a note of it so that I can do so. I also send LinkedIn requests so additional networking can occur online.

Review the Schedule. Before the conference begins take some time to review the schedule and speaker bios. Highlight the sessions that you want to attend and make sure that the title aligns with the session description so you aren’t disappointed. Make note of any speakers with whom you would like to have a conversation. I’ve switched sessions after reading a speaker’s bio and realizing they were speaking on a topic that would resonate with me.

Branch Out. When there are meals or networking opportunities, make an effort to sit with individuals with whom you don’t know. Speaking to strangers isn’t always easy, but at a conference you have a good opening for a conversation. Ask why they are attending and what they hope to gain from the conference. Share your reasons for being there.

Build in Down Time. Conferences can be exhausting. Networking is hard work. Sleeping in a strange bed can be a challenge. Keeping up with the office creates challenges. While it’s admirable to want to attend every session and network to all hours, you also need to take care of yourself. Be sure to give yourself some down time if you need it.

Schedule Follow-Up. Following a conference, I’m always reengaged. I have great plans to meet with colleagues and continue the conversations. I schedule the lunches, coffees and phone calls within the first two weeks back; otherwise, I get too caught up in the minutia of my job. If I have follow-up assignments, I try to complete them within a week of returning, if possible.