By Nicole Williams, Works
Twitter, blogs, Facebook have made it easier than ever before to network with people who could help you gain valuable advice, insight and connections. But just because it’s easy to access people, doesn’t mean you should. Or at least it doesn’t mean you should just reach out without at least a nod to some good old fashioned etiquette rules of the pre 2.0 era.
I am VERY pleased to share some good news reported by By Joel Dresang of the Journal Sentinel. In this Sunday’s Journal, Dresang highlighted some job search SUCCESS stories – including my pal Robert (Bob) Bachman (read Bob’s story here).
My blog readers may recall Bob – he’s The Likable Engineer who created this tag line using what he learned in my personal branding presentation. As he says in the Journal Sentinel story, “You make your own luck. If you don’t work at it, you don’t get lucky.”
Thanks to Joel and Bob for spreading the good news!
PS: Common theme throughout the story? NETWORKING. Want more help on how to network like a rock star? Check out “Rock Your Network for Job Seekers.”
Things are heating up here in Milwaukee this summer. We’ve got Summerfest starting this week (yes I am going!) and on July 9th check out JobCamp2. This is a very exciting daylong event for job seekers. And it is FREE, that’s right, FREE.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2009
Register here: http://jobcamp2.eventbrite.com/
Price of admission: FREE
OK practically free. All you need to do is to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit the Hunger Task Force. You can do that! What’s a can of peas cost? How about tuna?
What you get: An ENTIRE DAY of experts! Workshops all day long. PLUS, table talks where you can ask the expert questions about job-related topics.
My gig: 11 a.m. BE THERE
Job Seekers – Personal Branding: Stand Out; Get Hired Faster!
Nike, Starbucks, and Trump: These companies know that branding is critical – it’s what makes them stand apart from their competition. However, branding isn’t just for big companies with big advertising budgets. To win in today’s competitive job market, personal branding is an essential part of the game.
Wendy Terwelp, Career Coach and Personal Branding Strategist (www.knocks.com) says, “Everything you do, say, and wear says something about you. The challenge for most professionals is that they lack the discipline necessary to take control of their personal brands. As a result, their peers choose it for them. Unfortunately, the personal brand others select for you will not always be the personal brand you would have selected for yourself.”
During this workshop-style program, Wendy Terwelp shares her tips, tricks, and strategies to help you stand out from the crowd the right way to get what you want. Whether it’s a promotion, new job, or more business, knowing – and taking control – of your brand is the first step. Get ready to rock during this program and discover YOUR brand, tips to take control, and strategies to make you a rock star at work.
Note: Fabulous door prizes will be awarded!
Follow-on Table Topic: Noon
Job Seekers – Personal Branding
Entrepreneurs – don’t miss out on branding! My table talk for entrepreneurs is at 2 p.m.
Topic: Personal Branding: Stand Out; Get More Clients
See you there!
Hired Engineer
Guest Blogger: Robert Bachman, The Likable Engineer
(with editorial notes by Wendy Terwelp)
Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know I successfully landed a position as a Project Manager. It is a great fit and I am looking forward to starting my new position. I wish to thank you again for the chat we had after your branding workshop and the advice you provided me.
(Note: Bob landed his new gig less than 4 weeks after attending my workshop.)
I have received many positive comments on my tag line “The Likable Engineer”. I have only received one negative from another engineer, who thought it trite and self-serving, but at least he remembered. OBTW: He’s typical engineer that can’t get out of his comfort zone and network.
(Note: Bob gets it. Strong personal brands attract and repel. It’s OK the other engineer didn’t get it, because Bob did – and is hired with a company that fits his brand.)
Here is a synopsis of my search, since as an engineer I like to focus on numbers, and also what I learned this time around.
To share my numbers in 141 days of searching it was a 6-to-7 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week job. I sent out 28 resumes, 32 marketing letters, had 41 one-on-one networking meetings, went to 31 networking events, had 15 interviews, did 7 mentoring/coaching sessions with people [some their first search in 20+ years], volunteered for 5 events, spoke to 4 groups on the techniques of networking in the job search from the perspective of someone doing it daily, and did a great deal of sharing my job seeking knowledge.
(Note: Check out how Bob totally embraced the “givers gain” philosophy – even though he was out of work – he still helped others! Bob’s rock star attitude is important to grasp as well as his givers gain actions. Hence my bold phrases in the above paragraph.)
I often get asked what did I learn in the process:
1) I learned I am in sales and marketing selling MY value proposition,
2) I learned language is so important. It’s not I think I can do the job, it’s I know I can do the job. Think, can, and maybe where appropriate are replaced with know, will, and absolutely.
3) I discovered in myself a real desire to help others through this process. I will continue to provide support where I can through 40Plus and other venues to coach and mentor. I have learned too much to bury it in the sand. It continues to make me wonder what else God has planned for me.
We learn more from giving then we do from getting.
(Note: What more can I say? Bob, you have said it all. I hope readers find this inspiring. Feel free to share your story!)
Randy’s story: “I have truly been blessed to the job search efforts pay off so handsomely during: one of the longest recessions on record, the Holiday Season, the end of a lame-duck presidency, and a career change. On top of financial stability, I am able to spend more time with my family in my new career… life is good! I am grateful for your service – thank you for helping me land a great gig during the holidays!”
Randy got this gig for lots of reasons:
Most importantly, Randy had the right attitude throughout the process. He stayed positive, never gave up, and took action on what he learned.
If you want to get hired in this economy, learn from Randy!
Amy did. She’s got an interview this week. She learned about a gig through her network, updated her resume, and directly referenced the networking connection in her cover letter, and got it to the decision maker within two days. She landed an interview with “the big cheese.”
Challenge: What action can you take this week to land your next big gig?
Rock Your Career® 