Industry associations are a job seeker’s best friend—or at least they should be.
There are thousands of associations that cater to professionals in virtually every industry, from the American Society of Civil Engineers to the American Marketing Association. Name a profession and it probably has a group, and there might be a local chapter in your area.
Unfortunately, in my experience, not enough people join these groups, and those who join often fail to take full advantage of their membership.
Don’t make that mistake! Here are my tips for making the most of a professional association’s local chapter (these can also apply to involvement in the national associations, too).
1. Join a committee, serve on the board or volunteer in an individual capacity.
I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t have time for that. I’m busy looking for a job!” However, these activities are not mutually exclusive. Did you know that interacting with other volunteers is a great way to build relationships, which can lead to connections with employers of interest?
Also, don’t assume that you need to go anywhere to volunteer. Meetings can be conducted by conference call, for example.
Getting involved as a volunteer is as simple as letting the chapter leadership know that you’re interested in helping. They will be eager to put your talent to use!
2. Learn everyone’s names and remember them.
Being good with names is important in networking.
After you make positive connections with fellow members, get their business cards and connect with them on LinkedIn, which can help you remember their names. And try using memory tricks to associate faces with names.
Another idea is to volunteer for the check-in desk at chapter meetings. In this capacity, you’ll be greeting all attendees and giving them their name badges.
3. Go to events and be fully present.
Find the time and take advantage of the chapter’s regular meetings and special events.
If you have conflicts that prevent you from attending the chapter’s regular meetings, remember that there might be other events at different times that you could attend, like mixers, awards ceremonies and volunteer days.
Whenever possible, arrive at events early and stay late to maximize your networking time. Being able to interact with these people is a golden opportunity, so don’t be shy!
4. Read the newsletter and consider contributing.
Most chapters have newsletters with updates on events and member news. There are usually job ads, as well, but the rest of the content is equally valuable. You should read every word.
For example, an article by one of the members about a new industry trend could offer a way to start a thoughtful one-on-one conversation with that person at the next meeting. (It’s also good to stay current on your industry.)
Additionally, you can offer to contribute articles to the newsletter; sharing your expertise in this way can help to position you as a thought leader. Most groups are in need of content for their newsletters and will appreciate the help.
5. Follow up and stay in touch.
After meeting a hiring manager from a company of interest, or someone else who can help you, keep the connection alive.
You can follow up to see if you can arrange a short coffee meeting or phone chat. Don’t ask about openings or send your resume at this stage; simply express an interest in talking further. Having conversations with people who can help you is the most important job search activity you can spend time on.
Stay in touch with these contacts by commenting on their LinkedIn status updates, chatting with them every time you see them, and sending occasional emails with links to articles of interest.
So what are you waiting for?
If you’re not a member of a professional association in your industry yet, you can research groups with the search tool provided by the American Society of Association Executives (yep, there’s even a group for them!). You can also look into Meetup groups that might be relevant.
Once you’ve found an organization, get active and follow these tips—and watch your career opportunities multiply!
This article by Kelly Donovan first appeared on Tim’s Strategy.
LinkedIn redesign: the #1 mistake I see people making
LinkedIn, Online PresenceLinkedIn’s major overhaul of the site took place in 2017, yet many users seem oblivious to the impact this is having on their profiles.
One of the biggest changes was minimizing the amount of text that displays for each of your jobs as well as the About section (formerly known as the Summary section).
After the lines that display, there’s a link that says “see more” that people can click if they want to read the rest.
Don’t let a company description hog your most valuable real estate
A common resume tactic is to include a short description of each company you’ve worked for. I do this on most resumes I write, and it’s especially important if you’ve worked for companies that aren’t well known–or if you’re changing industries and the readers might not be as familiar with your past employers.
On a resume, the description of a company is often two lines long–sometimes even three if a lot of explanation is needed (mentioning a merger, for example). This works fine; I usually use italic font that is .5 pt smaller than the rest of the body font. This helps to convey that the information in question is distinct from the other text and being provided for context only.
However, starting a job with a company description will NOT be a good approach on LinkedIn. If it’s a past job where only four lines will display before the “see more” link, that would mean that the first few lines are describing your employer and then there might only be a single line visible describing your work and accomplishments there!
That’s not very much room to “sell” your value. We need to get someone interested in clicking “see more” to read the rest, and company descriptions aren’t terribly exciting. They’re included on the resume to provide context, but ultimately the profile is supposed to be about YOU.
You can still weave in a very brief description of the company (eg., “Fortune 1000 manufacturer”) into those first few lines. Rather than this being the very first thing, you can gracefully incorporate it into the first sentence describing your work at the company.
Bear in mind that on LinkedIn, the company name and logo are clickable links to the company page (if the company has one and if you typed it in correctly so that the logo displays on your profile). The company page has information about the company, including its size, industry, and other details a recruiter or decision maker would appreciate.
Only a few visible lines at the start of the “About” section
The About section is the first thing a reader sees on your profile after the headline, head shot, and header graphic at the top. Now that only the first few lines display, it’s important to think about what the most critical things are for readers to know in case they don’t click “see more.” What would you want to be someone’s biggest takeaway? The top three takeaways?
You can also think about how to draw your reader in. Some advocate a creative storytelling approach to intrigue people. The potential downside is that if someone doesn’t read the rest, they might not grasp those key things you’d like them to know. Of course, it’s best to address those key things in the Experience section, too…but reinforcement is how you get people to remember something!
I like to strike a balance: get some key things in there that reinforce the messages and points we want to make, and do it in a way that’s informal, first-person, and conversational. That way it immediately shows that reader that you did NOT just copy and paste a boring resume summary filled with cliches. Unlike so many of the profiles on LinkedIn, you’re actually talking like a normal human being!
That being said, no two executives are the same, and out of every 30 or so LinkedIn profiles I write, I might do something a little different, like a very creative About section. It depends on the client’s career story and goals.
This article first appeared on KellyDonovan.com
Can you speak to your resume?
Career Advancement, Executive ResumesIn addition to the plethora of common interview questions you need to prepare for, you should also be prepared to address questions about your resume. About ANYTHING on your resume–even the smallest of details.
If you stumble or seem confused when an interviewer asks about something on the resume, that could be the end of your candidacy.
Here are the three ways you should be ready to speak about your resume content:
Make sure you’re familiar with every word on your resume and DON’T be caught off-guard by questions about it.
Interviewers will often interpret any confusion on your part in the worst possible way–assuming that you must have lied or fabricated information (remember lies is harder than remembering the truth, after all).
This article first appeared on www.KellyDonovan.com
Insight for making it to the C-suite
Career AdvancementI was recently interviewed by Reader’s Digest on the topic of “10 Things You’re Doing at Work that CEOs Wouldn’t.”
Although I’m not a CEO myself, I’ve been fortunate to soak up insight from the C-level executives I’ve worked with over the years, learning about some of the leadership practices and habits that are the most effective for today’s workplace.
The example I shared in the article dealt with communication. Among other things, I said, “My clients who have successfully advanced to the CEO position do an exceptional job of helping team members embrace change. They communicate transparently and seek input from subordinates.”
Other topics addressed in the article included:
My clients who are already at a senior executive level tend to be quite savvy with most of these–except, sometimes, the last one: networking. Specifically, it talks about the mistake of only networking when you’re looking for a job.
Too often I have executive clients who have allowed relationships to languish, and they unexpectedly find themselves facing a career transition. At that point it’s awkward to reach out since it will be obvious that your job search is the impetus, rather than a sincere desire for an ongoing relationship. (I’ll admit that I’m sometimes guilty myself of not maintaining contact as much as I’d like!)
You can check out the article here.
6 ways to avoid sabotaging your career with burned bridges
Career AdvancementWe’ve all had those days when we want to yell at our boss, quit, and storm out of the office. But burning bridges isn’t the best way to build your career, and chances are you’ll probably regret how you handled it.
Even if it is time to leave for new opportunities, you’ll usually be better off looking for a job when you still have a job. After accepting a position where you can be truly happy, you can put in your two-week notice and say good-bye to your boss and co-workers without damaging those relationships.
The challenge is keeping your cool when your frustration level with your job is off the charts.
Here are some tips for avoiding a meltdown your office will be talking about for years.
1. Call an understanding friend or your spouse to get your concerns off your chest.
Instead of sending your boss an angry email or storming into his office, tell someone you trust first. Just talking about it usually helps you feel better. (However, don’t complain excessively to your co-workers, which can create a toxic environment.)
2. Take a mental health day.
After a really bad day at work, consider calling in sick and taking a “mental health day” the next day. This shouldn’t be a regular occurrence, but if you know you would probably quit or explode at your boss if you go to work, you’re probably better off staying home.
3. Go to a therapist.
Venting to spouses and friends can be cathartic, but they’re not therapists. If you need more support, consider seeing a therapist. It’s not a sign of weakness and doesn’t make you “crazy.”
4. Keep a diary, or write a letter to your boss.
Writing about your feelings can be an amazing release. If you like writing, try maintaining a diary to write about your workplace frustrations. You could also write a letter to your boss on your home computer, but never send it.
5. Wait until calming down before sending an email.
Hitting “send” when you’re fuming is usually a bad idea. Some experts recommend setting it aside for 24 hours before sending. At the very least, read your email before sending it and ask yourself if everything in it is respectful and professional.
6. Don’t be disrespectful.
As in any personal relationships, tone is key. If you need to address concerns you have, avoid accusatory and inflammatory language and state plainly what the concern is in a non-judgmental manner.
In career and life, relationships are everything. Don’t burn bridges with an employer by behaving unprofessionally.
This article by Kelly Donovan first appeared on Tim’s Strategy.
5 secrets for using industry groups in job search
Job SearchIndustry associations are a job seeker’s best friend—or at least they should be.
There are thousands of associations that cater to professionals in virtually every industry, from the American Society of Civil Engineers to the American Marketing Association. Name a profession and it probably has a group, and there might be a local chapter in your area.
Unfortunately, in my experience, not enough people join these groups, and those who join often fail to take full advantage of their membership.
Don’t make that mistake! Here are my tips for making the most of a professional association’s local chapter (these can also apply to involvement in the national associations, too).
1. Join a committee, serve on the board or volunteer in an individual capacity.
I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t have time for that. I’m busy looking for a job!” However, these activities are not mutually exclusive. Did you know that interacting with other volunteers is a great way to build relationships, which can lead to connections with employers of interest?
Also, don’t assume that you need to go anywhere to volunteer. Meetings can be conducted by conference call, for example.
Getting involved as a volunteer is as simple as letting the chapter leadership know that you’re interested in helping. They will be eager to put your talent to use!
2. Learn everyone’s names and remember them.
Being good with names is important in networking.
After you make positive connections with fellow members, get their business cards and connect with them on LinkedIn, which can help you remember their names. And try using memory tricks to associate faces with names.
Another idea is to volunteer for the check-in desk at chapter meetings. In this capacity, you’ll be greeting all attendees and giving them their name badges.
3. Go to events and be fully present.
Find the time and take advantage of the chapter’s regular meetings and special events.
If you have conflicts that prevent you from attending the chapter’s regular meetings, remember that there might be other events at different times that you could attend, like mixers, awards ceremonies and volunteer days.
Whenever possible, arrive at events early and stay late to maximize your networking time. Being able to interact with these people is a golden opportunity, so don’t be shy!
4. Read the newsletter and consider contributing.
Most chapters have newsletters with updates on events and member news. There are usually job ads, as well, but the rest of the content is equally valuable. You should read every word.
For example, an article by one of the members about a new industry trend could offer a way to start a thoughtful one-on-one conversation with that person at the next meeting. (It’s also good to stay current on your industry.)
Additionally, you can offer to contribute articles to the newsletter; sharing your expertise in this way can help to position you as a thought leader. Most groups are in need of content for their newsletters and will appreciate the help.
5. Follow up and stay in touch.
After meeting a hiring manager from a company of interest, or someone else who can help you, keep the connection alive.
You can follow up to see if you can arrange a short coffee meeting or phone chat. Don’t ask about openings or send your resume at this stage; simply express an interest in talking further. Having conversations with people who can help you is the most important job search activity you can spend time on.
Stay in touch with these contacts by commenting on their LinkedIn status updates, chatting with them every time you see them, and sending occasional emails with links to articles of interest.
So what are you waiting for?
If you’re not a member of a professional association in your industry yet, you can research groups with the search tool provided by the American Society of Association Executives (yep, there’s even a group for them!). You can also look into Meetup groups that might be relevant.
Once you’ve found an organization, get active and follow these tips—and watch your career opportunities multiply!
This article by Kelly Donovan first appeared on Tim’s Strategy.
Why you need a mentor and how to find one
Career AdvancementLast night, I was fortunate to have a conversation with a highly successful entrepreneur who offered some excellent advice for improving and growing my business.
Previously, I’d been stuck on one stumbling block that was holding me back (keeping me stuck). Afterward, the path I need to take was clear.
This experience made me think about the power of mentorship and why you need to be mentored by someone who has been there. This is true whether your goal is career advancement, changing careers, or growing a business.
You would be amazed how many successful people have had mentors along the way who helped them. In fact, I suspect that most successful people have probably been mentored at some point.
Advice from random people isn’t nearly as valuable as advice from mentors who have achieved what you’re trying to achieve. And books are great, but a book can’t talk to you and give you tailored feedback.
Securing a Mentor
At this point you might be wondering where and how to find a mentor.
You might look within your organization for a leader you admire who is two or three (or more) steps above you.
You can also locate a successful person in your field through a professional association or by using a tool like LinkedIn, and contact the person.
I listened to career guru Don Orlando give an amazing presentation about mentorship in which he shared his expertise on approaching prospective mentors thoughtfully (learn more in this short clip from his presentation).
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The worst thing someone can say is “no.”
Working with a Mentor
Once you’ve found a mentor, you want to make the most of the relationship.
For starters, you need to open minded about any advice your mentor provides. Don’t shoot down ideas or suggestions right away without considering them. Instead, ask more questions.
It’s also important that you actually implement your mentor’s advice and tell the mentor that you implemented it. (Remember that good advice is only helpful when it gets followed.)
Also, knowing that you’re actually benefiting from the mentorship and using the advice will give the mentor positive encouragement to continue mentoring you. Otherwise, the conversations are just wasted time.
And, finally, be sure to express your gratitude regularly. Find ways to return the favor by helping your mentor. In the case of entrepreneurial mentorship, your mentor might appreciate compensation. Bottom-line: just make sure it’s not a one-way relationship.
If you’re serious about achieving your goals, getting mentorship is critical. Don’t let anything hold you back from taking this important step toward your dreams.
Thank you, laughlin for the great photo on Flickr.
This article by Kelly Donovan first appeared on Tim’s Strategy.
Should you be working for free?
Job SearchAt some point in your career, you’ve probably been faced with the question of whether working for free made sense.
And, whether it was a volunteer gig with a non-profit or freelance work on a pro bono basis, you still need to be aware of the impact on your time and income.
All of these opportunities can offer advantages, similar to internships. But there are also pitfalls to be aware of.
Let’s look at the most common reasons to work for free:
Clearly, there are compelling reasons to work for free. However, I’ve seen too many situations in which a well-intentioned person agrees to work for free and emerges a frazzled, bitter, burned-out mess—without gaining any real benefits.
Here are 8 points you should consider before you begin working for free.
1. Begin with the end in mind.
Be clear with the organization (and yourself) about what you need to get out of the deal to make it worth your while. Be very specific so there are no misunderstandings.
2. Provide an invoice.
If you’re providing pro bono services as a freelancer, give the organization an invoice showing what your services would normally cost, and subtracting that amount for a balance of $0. That way the organization understands the value of the services.
3. Choose an appropriate role for your experience level.
If you’re brand new to a field, it’s reasonable to volunteer as a worker bee as long as you’re gaining relevant experience and knowledge.
However, if you have experience and expertise in a field, and you want to do volunteer work to expand your network or give back, think twice before putting in long hours.
Rather than being a worker bee, could you serve in advisory capacity? The organization could recruit a college student to perform the grunt work, while you simply oversee the work being done.
4. Put the terms of the arrangement in writing.
This will ensure there are no misunderstandings.
5. Be certain the experience is directly relevant to your short-term or long-term goals.
If you don’t have an interest in what a particular organization does, be careful. Serving as a volunteer simply because the opportunity is presented to you doesn’t make a lot of sense.
6. Decide whether your portfolio and resume are already robust enough.
Working for free is great when you’re first getting started. But you will reach a point when you have enough experience that it’s time to start getting paid for your labor.
7. Set parameters for the work you will be doing.
If it’s a freelance project, stipulate a specific scope, either based on the number of hours you will spend, or the specifications of the project. Like designing a brochure that is no more than four pages, for example.
Also be sure to stipulate the timeline for project completion and any deadlines the organization needs to meet to get the project done on time.
Once you agree that working for free is OK, the organization will often expect the same level of service you would provide to a paying client or employer. This can make your life difficult when you have paying clients or a job that need to take priority.
8. Put in just the right amount of effort.
Don’t take on a pro bono or volunteer project and then do a sloppy job because you’re preoccupied with work you’re getting paid to do. This will end up being worse than if you hadn’t done the project at all, because it affects your reputation.
On the other hand, don’t go overboard and strive for perfection if you have other, more important, things on your plate. Work that you consider good might be considered excellent by the organization.
This article appeared first on Tim’s Strategy and is republished with permission.
Get known in your field: 3 ways
Job Search, Personal BrandIntroductions will be smoother when people have already heard of you. Doors will open more readily. And employers may be contacting you instead of the other way around.
Building this kind of awareness for your personal brand takes time, but it’s worth it. Here are a few of my favorite strategies.
1. Publish, publish, publish—both online and offline.
Never before have there been so many opportunities to publish content that demonstrates your expertise.
Traditional examples include articles for trade publications, op-ed submissions for general interest publications, and contributions to newsletters—however small or large the audience.
Don’t be afraid to approach a publication with a contribution; just make sure you read that publication regularly and understand what kind of content would be suitable.
You can also start your own blog or write for an existing industry blog. Having your own blog can be labor-intensive, but it allows you to publish as frequently as you want, and it also gives you the ability to build a home for your brand on the web.
If you’re ambitious, consider writing a book or e-book. In this age of e-books, self-publishing, and print-on-demand services, you don’t need to worry about finding a publishing company to print your book.
Use social media to amplify whatever you publish by posting links to it and getting friends to share it with their networks.
2. Get featured or quoted in the media.
Depending on the nature of your profession, you might have found yourself in the media spotlight at some point—or the mere thought of being in the media might be unfamiliar territory.
If a media outlet of any kind (print, radio, online, TV) features you or includes quotes attributed to you, that inclusion reinforces your expert status. Don’t be shy—if you’re fairly accomplished in your career and stay current in your industry, you probably have value to offer.
Seek coverage by reaching out to reporters who cover relevant topics for print or online publications that cover your industry.
A great way to identify journalists is by reading articles related to your expertise and paying attention to who writes them. Often, the writer’s email address is provided—it doesn’t get much easier than that!
Be sure to present yourself as someone who’s offering to share expertise on a topic related to your industry that is currently in the news. Suggest an article topic that you could comment on, or offer yourself as an expert source for future research.
And remember that most of the value of media coverage comes from what you do afterwards. If you never mention it to anyone, you won’t get much value from it; but if you add it to your bio, include it on your LinkedIn profile, and link to it on your blog, you’ll get a lot more mileage from it.
3. Speak and train on relevant topics at both traditional and virtual events.
Sharing your knowledge with an audience is a powerful way to energize your career.
Identify organizations that would benefit from having you as a speaker, and reach out to them to pitch your proposed presentation. If you’re a member of a professional association in your industry (you should be!), this is a great place to start.
Keep in mind that virtual training seminars held by teleconference or via the web are very common nowadays, and organizations need speakers for these events, too.
Promote your speaking engagements on social media; in addition to drawing attendees, your network will take note of your growing stature in your field.
These are just a few of the ways you can make yourself known. What other approaches do you use, or plan to use?
This article by Kelly Donovan originally appeared as a guest post on Tim’s Strategy.
8 ways to navigate networking introductions with grace
Job SearchIt can be awkward when you’re being introduced to someone in a networking capacity as part of your job search. This is also where a lot of job seekers, even executives, miss out on potential opportunities because of how they approach the introduction.
Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes (and chances are you have been in that situation before!).
If you’re in a leadership role at a company and your friend Tom is introducing you via email to his former co-worker, John Doe, how would you feel if John Doe said one of the following to you:
For some recipients, this feels awkward. If the employer doesn’t currently have any relevant openings, that could be the end of the conversation. On the other hand, if there are openings, but the recipient isn’t sure whether John Doe would be the best candidate, her or she might be worried about offending John Doe or offending the mutual contact.
Now what if John Doe simply said he’d be interested in asking you some questions about trends in your industry–10 minutes max? That might feel less intimidating. And then based on the conversation, you might be able to figure out that he actually is an ideal candidate for an opening, and at that point you could invite him to interview for it (or refer him to the hiring manager).
We can think of this as a relationship-building approach.
On the other hand, some executives and managers like the transparency of saying upfront that you’re interested in jobs at their company.
A compromise could be to take a relationship-building approach, while still expressing an interest in the company in a way that’s not aggressive or intimidating.
There’s no right or wrong way, and the way you choose won’t necessarily be the best approach for every person. You’ll have to do what feels right to you in each situation.
Here’s what feels right to me — and what has worked well for many of my clients.
How to navigate networking introductions with grace:
For tips #7 and #8 to work, you will need to have a “targeting list” of companies you’re interested in working for. This enables you to have a proactive game plan for your job search instead of just waiting for recruiters to contact you or perusing job boards.
Someone can actually understand how to help you if you say “I’m interested in sales executive roles at CPG companies; who do you know at Nestle, Kraft Heinz, or Kellogg?” versus “I’m open to anything, any industry…let me know if you hear of anything!”
This article appeared first on KellyDonovan.com
5 reasons to use only one LinkedIn Profile, not two
LinkedInFrom time to time, folks tell me they want to have two LinkedIn accounts.
Some of the reasons include:
Regardless of the situation, I always advise clients to use only one LinkedIn account.
Here are the top five reasons why I see two accounts as being problematic:
How to get by with one account
Hopefully you’re convinced to stick with one account; so now you might be wondering how to make one account work for you!
Keeping your job search secret
There are plenty of ways you can keep your job search private. Turn off the notifications that automatically go out when you update your profile. Don’t say anything on your profile that would imply that you’re job hunting.
You can also include some wording on your profile that promotes your current employer’s mission or goals, which can help imply that you’re actually on LinkedIn to help them out rather than look for a job!
Remember that there are plenty of reasons to be on LinkedIn other than job hunting, including keeping up on industry news and “buzz” through membership in industry groups on LinkedIn. Join these groups, follow news on the site, research potential clients, and be ready to share with your boss and co-workers the business value you’re getting from LinkedIn.
Highlighting your multiple interests or different “hats”
If you have two different job targets, it’ll be best if you identify one of them to focus your profile on, or find a way to highlight both of them in a cohesive manner. This is just one more reason it’s best to try being as focused as possible in your job search. The less job targets, the better.
It’s fine to keep your LinkedIn profile more broad if you have two similar versions of your resume for different job targets. Just make sure it’s not too “all over the place.”
If you have a day job and a side hustle, you can include both on your profile, and decide which will be your priority for LinkedIn. Ask yourself: is LinkedIn important for your day job? Is it a primary way you expect to gain customers for your side hustle? Remember that LinkedIn is geared toward businesspeople.
If your day job is enterprise software sales and your side hustle is selling kids’ T-shirts online, then platforms like Instagram or Pinterest might be more helpful for the T-shirt business, while LinkedIn would be more helpful for the enterprise software sales.
With a little effort, you can make a single LinkedIn profile work for you!
This article appeared first on KellyDonovan.com