Networking and Elevator Pitch - by Debra Manente

Networking and Elevator Pitch Workshop

  by Debra Manente - Career Specialist on Apr 05, 2013

People will ask you what you do or what your goals are. You need to be ready with a short, concise, explanation of who you are, what you do, why you can be of a value and what your goal is. If your ...

There have been a lot of things happening in Career Services - one being the development of my newest workshop for Post University.   Now you can see that workshop online - the Networking and Elevator Pitch Workshop, which was presented to students on April 2nd.  Click on the link below to learn how you can make networking easy.   

 

People will ask you what you do and/or what your goals are. You always need to be ready with a short, concise, explanation of who you are, what you do, why you can be of a value and what your goal is. If your speech generates questions before you are finished talking, your speech did it's job. Be willing to take the conversation in another direction if the person you are talking to begins to ask you questions. Finally, always have enthusiasm for yourself and others you come in contact with.  If you aren't excited about what you do then how can you expect others to be excited about what you do?

http://www.slideshare.net/DebraMallickMEdCPRW/networking-and-elevator-pitch-workshop

 

Utilizing LinkedIn Groups to Your Benefit - by Debra Manente

I just recently spoke at the Connecticut Career Counseling & Development Association’s (CCCDA) Winter Professional Development Workshop – which was attended by career counselors and coaches from many of Connecticut’s colleges, universities, and Department of Labor locations – about the importance and benefits of using LinkedIn groups.  I am grateful that this turn-out was tremendous and the participation was uplifting. 

 

However, whenever I speak –whether it is at a work function or for a group of young people – I always worry whether or not I will have the time to include all the pertinent information needed to get my message across.  There is always so much information to squeeze into such a short amount of time and I still want to be able to answer questions.

 

During this pass, one gracious woman approached me and said that although she understands the importance of social media and all that I had to share, she just didn’t trust having an “online presence.”  I explained to her that if there were ever a place to “promote oneself,” LinkedIn is the place to start.  This is important for college students and recent graduates to know since LinkedIn is considered the place for professionals to interact with other professionals. It is unlike Facebook or Twitter and should be handled differently  – LinkedIn could potentially help one network and find work. With that in mind, it is utilized and looked upon differently.  I’m a big advocate for LinkedIn because of its professionalism and abilities; so what other place to build your online presence as an industry expert and increase your social reach than to join LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions and polls? 

 

The reason being, LinkedIn defines groups as a “Place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share content, find answers, post or view jobs, make business contacts, and establish themselves as an industry expert.”  By becoming a member, and participating in LinkedIn groups, you are increasing your social reach and getting the word out to the world how, and why, you are a professional and an expert at what it is you do.  There are four ways you can benefit and make LinkedIn work for you: Participate in discussions, exchange ideas, get advice, and link to other members. 

 

The whole purpose is to network with others like you.  You are building a reputation, along with gathering information and exchanging ideas.  However, remember, you are not there to sell yourself, but rather to build relationships.  Don’t jump into a group announcing that you are looking for a job, right away.  Instead, sit back, and first observe.  Participate where appropriate and build trust. 

 

Participate in Discussions – If you see that a discussion has started about an industry related topic and you are a specialist in that subject, by all means, write something.   It is ok to add your opinion and exchange ideas.  I know, in career services, one of the most talked about subjects is “How do we get students more involved with their career development and get them to come to Career Services?”  I have seen hundreds of comments and posts for the same thread, at times.  Some comments and ideas (and emails I have gotten) have seemed a little far-fetched, but I notice that people are trying to think outside the box to get students involved and if these people who are sharing were too afraid to comment, I would not have gotten some really good ideas that are helping me do my job.  So don’t be afraid to contribute.  If you don’t see any discussions that are an interest to you, feel free to start your own discussion.  An idea is to post an article to a group and ask what people think about the ideas in the article.  This is a good way to start discussion and get people to notice who you are. 

 

Advice – Let’s say you are a 2^nd or 3^rd degree connection with someone you want to connect with and you can’t because their privacy settings are set so that they don’t receive messages from 2^nd or 3^rd degree connections, you can still reach out to them and ask them questions or send them emails to connect IF you both belong to the same group.  I have done this so many times to people all across the world.  It has broadened my network and I’ve met some really cool people.  Don’t be afraid to ask for ideas and advice.  It is the practice of asking for ideas and advice that will get people talking to you.  People LOVE to give advice…if they didn’t like to communicate and give advice, then being on LinkedIn is the wrong avenue for them.  For the most part, people participate in groups because they want to exchange ideas, get advice and network with others.

  

That leads me to Networking – If you are NOT connected to other members in your group, feel free to reach out to them and introduce yourself.  Send them a LinkedIn invitation to connect.  The one piece of personal advice I would give here is if you do decide to reach out to someone you have never met before, send them a more personalized message.  Instead of clicking on “Connect” and using the defaulted LinkedIn message, customize your message and make it more personal.  I am sure there have been times where EVERYONE has gotten an invite from someone they didn’t know, who isn’t even in the same industry or state.  It can be a little creepy.  Therefore instead, send a personalized message saying something like, “Hi Judy, I noticed you and I are in the same group and I enjoy the contributions you make in the discussions.  Would you mind if I added you to my connections?”  The person on the receiving end will appreciate it and you are building trust.   

 

Overall, LinkedIn can be used to help build trust, create relationships that get you noticed and provide you with valuable industry information that just might make you shine.  Don’t be afraid at how other people will receive you.  Everyone on LinkedIn has the same result in mind and LinkedIn’s privacy settings are so user friendly.  Try it out and see how you like it.  It has helped me tremendously and I am sure it can help you, also.  - Debra Manente

The ABC's of Having Grace and Charm (Good Etiquette)

You create charm, or are considered charming, while using proper etiquette or having good manners.  In turn, having good manners means you don't make others feel uncomfortable around you.  It's not just about eating quietly and neatly, it's about paying attention to the person who is talking to you, not interrupting.  It's all about making the person you are with deeling valued and you show that you care.  Good manners are a form of caring, and having empathy, for others that we come in contact with.

Having manners and charm also bridges between cultures and lifestyles.  Knowing the protocol of the other culture is a form of etiquette and each culture has it's own set of rules.  Knowing when it is appropriate to give others the spotlight, and when to listen instead of talking, shows that you care and are interested in what others have to say or what they are doing - even if you don't.

By knowing how to behave in certain situations, it could help impress those who you come in contact with.  Having these skills could potentially help you get scholarships, get into college, win friends, and ultimately, help you find a job.

Occasionally, I am asked to teach an etiquette class, or more commonly, a "CHARM" event.  I love the participation and the positive comments I get from the parents.   I feel great knowing that I have made a difference in young lives.  Like any young person, children will be children.  However, by knowing the unspoken rules that are governed by society and if parents are consistent with what they teach, children and young adults can grow up to be respectful and productive people who can continue to promote a more civilized culture of their own.  If you are interested in learning more, please email me. 

The ABC’s of Having Grace and CHARM

By Debra Manente

 

Always cover your mouth in the bend of your elbow when you sneeze or cough.

Become a person known for being trustworthy.

Cultivate a happy demeanor.  No one enjoys negative/dramatic people.

Do R.S.V.P.within a week after any type of formal invitation.

Eye contact is the cornerstone for good communication.

Food should never be played with while eating.

Greet others cheerfully and genuinely when you see them.

Hand shaking properly is a must for anyone who wants to impress.

If you desire to be respected, keep clean. The finest attire and decorations will add nothing to your appearance or beauty if it is untidy or done in poor taste.

Joining in any type of gossip is rude and unkind.

Kindly wait until someone is off the phone or done talking to another before you interrupt. When you need to, remember to say, "Excuse me."

Loud laughter, loud talking, or other boisterous gestures should be checked in the society of others, especially in public places.

Manners show that you take pride in yourself.

Never carry on a private conversation in company. If secrecy is necessary, withdraw from the company.

Open the door for others, especially for others older than yourself.

Put back things the way they were if you borrow or use them.

Quietly wait in lines without talking loud or making a scene.

Respect yourself.  If you don’t, others won’t either.

Send thank you notes promptly. 

Take pride in the way you keep your surroundings.

Use a napkin when you eat.  Always place it on your lap before you do anything else.

Vow to be a good example to others.

Walk tall, and stand and sit up straight.  It radiates confidence.

X-press kindness and appreciation, genuinely. Always talk and act cordial.

Yield to others while entering an elevator.  The rule is to let others off first.

Zealously practicing good manners makes the world a more civilized place.

DMALLICK 1/13

5 Things That Can Make You a Better Employee – Understanding Proper Work Etiquette Could Help You Keep Your Job

Being in the work that I do, career coaching and career development, I am always looking for ways to be a better employee, trends in the workplace, and tips to share with the students that I work with so they can obtain and RETAIN employment.   With that, I occasionally seek out friends and family to see what they think is inappropriate work behavior and their various career ideas and advice.   Along with my own viewpoints and experiences, I have come to realize that what makes a person a great employee has a common thread throughout industries.  For the most part, there is an “etiquette” that we should adhere to if we want to keep our jobs.

Let’s face it, there isn’t a single person who is perfect but there are clear cut ways on how to grab respect…and annoying others is not what is going to help you climb up the corporate ladder and get you that corner office.   Many stories I have heard were really funny and some continue to make me raise my eyebrows.  Anyhow, read on my fellow bloggies and let me know if any of this sounds familiar.  I look forward to reading your stories and maybe some of them I can include in my next blog about inappropriate work behavior.

1.      Don’t cut your toenails while you are at work. 

Seriously, I have heard several people, at different times in my experience, cutting their nails in their cubicles.  What ever happen to proper etiquette?  Apparently, no one ever taught these individuals that proper etiquette does not include personal grooming while at work when others are around.

2.      Don’t cook smelly foods. 

You might say, “What is the big deal about cooking left over fish in the microwave at work?”  For one, it can be physically agonizing for someone who is allergic to fish or shellfish.   I once knew a woman who would get physically sick and vomit when she smelled fish.  For some, even the smell of something can trigger an allergic reaction and cause an unwelcoming response.  

In graduate school, we were constantly being reminded of the people who had allergies to nuts. It was medically important to take into consideration these people if we brought “nutty” coffee or cookies to class.  I can only imagine that having allergies to common things like nuts, shellfish or even the cat hair on the coat jacket that you hang in your cubicle can be utterly miserable.  It happens though and everyday there are people in our offices that cope with these issues but simply choose not say anything out of shear fear of looking out of place. 

3.      Don’t wear strong perfumes or colognes. 

The same thing goes for perfumes and colognes as I stated in number two.  For anyone who has any type of upper respiratory auto-immune disease or allergy, the act of smelling something strong can trigger an allergic reaction and with these types of people, the response would not be the same as that for anyone without an auto-immune disease or allergy.  Therefore, please take into consideration how it may affect others.  What you decide to wear to a club or out to eat is an entirely different story.

4.      Don’t pee on the toilet seat and not clean it. 

Not only is this disgusting, rude and disrespectful – it is a sanitary hazard and …did I say Disgusting?  Need I say more?

5.      Don’t talk so loud – Use your “inside” voice.

If people can hear you down the hall, you are too loud.  There is no reason for the entire floor to have to hear your conversation.  Always use an “inside” voice because you never know who is nearby.

There are many things we could all do if we really wanted to piss off the people we work with but why would anyone want to do any of that in the first place?  Many people I talk to say it’s simply just a lack of understanding.  In some cultures, I am sure bringing fish to work is a natural, everyday occurrence. 

In short, for those of you who work for yourselves, you are the lucky few and I aspire to be like you someday.  As for those who are independently wealthy…well, I am still waiting for that winning lottery ticket.  Until then, I vow that I will do my best not to piss off the people that I work with.

If you have any funny stories or one that just makes you go…hmmmmm, don’t forget to leave a comment.  I look forward to hearing from you.   Until then, have a happy work day.  - Debra Manente

Cover Letter - How Powerful is YOURS? - by Debra Manente

I am usually asked if it is important to include a cover letter with a résumé and unless you are specifically told not to, my response is always, absolutely!!!  However, not all cover letter formats are effective.   There is one technique though, that I feel gives a punch and I recommend over all the others.  It is called the Power Impact Technique.

The Power Impact Technique cuts to the chase and conveys to the employer why they should listen to you.  It is a two-step process.  First, you need to understand what skills you have that the employer is looking for and second, you need to demonstrate to the employer how you are qualified and how your skills will help them in regards to what they are looking for. 

I’ve noticed that, over the years, many cover letters that have crossed my desk have listed what the applicant is looking for and what they want.  Many people don’t realize that instead, they need to convey what it is they can OFFER the employer and not their own wants and needs.  By using the Power Impact Technique, this technique outlines why an applicant is qualified to do a particular job and it showcases accomplishments instead of past duties or job descriptions. 

Since the average applicant competes with about 300 other applicants for any particular position, it is absolutely critical that the cover letter they submit GRABS the attention of the reader and compels that person to want to turn the page and read the résumé – or pick up the phone to call to set an interview. 

The worst way to begin a cover letter is by saying, “I am writing to apply for the ad that I saw in the Sunday paper (online, etc.).  Well, of course you are or you would not be applying, right? Applying because you “saw an ad” somewhere goes without being said.  There is no need to waste valuable space on your cover letter by telling the reader the obvious.  Instead, you might want to start by saying something like, “I noticed you are looking for a graphic artist and I have over ten years of experience working with clients to help them produce effective marketing tools.”  This reminds the employer, straight off, what they need and why you are applying.

To help guide you in this process, take a look at the steps below and see how you can incorporate them into your next letter.  

1.      Analyze the job you are applying to.  Understand both the assumed and noted needs the employer is seeking. 

2.      Determine if you have what the employer needs.  Typically, if you have at least 70% of the skills needed, it is safe to apply.

3.      Begin with a strong opening that focuses on the skills you have in accordance to what they are looking for.

4.      The body of your letter is used to demonstrate “proof” that you can perform the duties the employer desires.

5.      Ask yourself – What were the results of your efforts on previous jobs, projects, or tasks that you have undertaken?  By relaying these facts to the employer, you qualify that you can do the job.

In writing your letter, you don’t want to waste too much time, or space, talking about job duties.  It is more effective to talk about the accomplishments you produced in response to those job duties. 

Finally, conclude your letter with something like, “I would like to talk about the valuable contributions that I can bring to your company,” and always include a phone number so they know how to reach you.  You don’t know how many cover letters and résumés I have screened that did not have phone numbers on them.  It’s a shame that those people missed out on good opportunities because they did not include a way to be contacted.  If you say you will contact them at the end of next week to follow up, make sure you follow up.  Don’t write anything in your letter that you do not intend to do.    

Here is a template to help you get started.  Good luck and please let me know if this worked for you.  I would love to hear your success stories!!! - Debra Manente

THE “POWER IMPACT TECHNIQUE”

YOUR NAME

YOUR ADDRESS

YOUR PHONE ▪ YOUR EMAIL

Date:

Name of Contact:

Business Name:

Address:

Phone: (You do not need to list this if you do not know it.)

Fax: (You do not need to list this if you do not know it.)

Re: (This is where you put the purpose of this letter, (ex. Re: Internship or Re: Marketing Coordinator Position, etc.)).

Dear: (name of person or “Hiring Manager”)

Over ____ (#) years of experience (or “current senior in college studying marketing), in ______________ (field/key words) is the expertise I’d bring to the _____(job opening) position at ________ (company).  My strengths are in the areas of _______, _____ and ________.

Highlights of my experience/college experience include (Relate these to what the employer is looking for):

• __________
• __________
• __________

The opportunity at _______ (company) sounds very exciting to me and I am impressed with how ___________ (company) ___________(list comments about the company’s website).

I feel there is a great deal I can bring to ______(company) because I have ______, ______, _____.  Please call me at _______ (phone #) to discuss the valuable contributions I can make as part of your team.

Sincerely,

Name

Email Etiquette - Are You Making These Five Email Blunders? - by Debra Manente

Email Etiquette

I have a pet peeve.  Call me picky, but when it comes to any type of email etiquette, you need to make an impression that lends to the fact that you are a credible professional.  I see too many people - young professionals and seasoned professionals - send emails that would make anyone’s high school English teacher cringe.  You only have one chance to make a good first impression which will be invaluable to building trust and confidence.  Call it snobbish, call it stuck up...call it what you will, but true professionals act - and write like it.

Don't get me wrong, there is a method behind my madness.  When I write emails, I read and re-read and re-read, before I hit send. I always want to make sure what I am sending is factual, considerate, professional, and to the point.  It’s my way of saying, "Hey, I value our professional relationship.” I wish more people would adopt this way of thinking.  But hey, that’s just me.

Are You Making These Five Email Blunders? 

1.      The “SUBJECT” field can determine if your email will even be opened.  If this is an initial contact with a customer based on their request through your site or otherwise, be sure to have a short SUBJECT: that indicates clearly, the topic of the email. Typos, all caps or all small case letters, can lend to the impression you may be spammer.

2.      The“TO:” field, make sure you have your contact’s name formally typed. John B. Doe – not john b doe or JOHN B DOE…

a.      …BCc: Stands for "Blind Carbon Copy" and you should use this field when e-mailing a group of contacts who do not personally know each other. By listing an arm’s length list of e-mail addresses in the Cc or TO fields of contacts who do not know each other or who have never met is conducive to publishing their e-mail address to strangers. This is a privacy issue! With those you are forging partnerships with, visibly listing their e-mail address in with a group of strangers will make one wonder what other privacy issues you may not respect or understand.

b.    ...Cc:  Stands for "Carbon Copy" and you should use this this field when there are a handful of associates involved in a discussion that requires all be on the same page. These business people know each other or have been introduced and have no problem having their e-mail address exposed to the parties involved.If you are not sure if a business associate would mind their address being made public, ask!

3.      Formatting: Refain from using any formatting in yout day-to-day business email communications.  Unless you would type something in bold crimson letters on business letterhead, don’t do it when emailing. With all the spam filtering going on today; the more formatting or embedded images, the higher the chance that your e-mail will be blocked and considered spam mail.  Even something as simple as using a different font makes your email’s display contingent upon the recipient having that specific font on their system or it defaults to their designated default font.

Keep in mind the recipient may not have their e-mail program configured in such a way as to display your formatting the way it appears on your system. You must take into consideration the fact that others may not have the latest version of Microsoft Word that you typed your letter with and/or they may not understand how to acquire it.

Anotherthing to consider when formatting an email is to removeparts of the previous e-mail that no longer applies to your response.  This includes email headers and signature files.  By doing so, it removes the clutter. By making the effort to reply, point by point, keeps the conversation on track and leads to fewer misunderstandings.

4.      CommonCourtesy: “Hello, Hi, Good Day, Thank You, Sincerely, BestRegards,” all those intros and sign offs that are a staple of professional business communications should also be used in your business email communications. Always have a salutation and sign off that includes your name with every email. Here again – think business letterhead. 

Courtesy also includes that you make the effort to communicate as an educated adult. You must type in full sentences, with proper sentence structure.  Do not type using all caps and do not type using all small letters.

Take the time to proofread and use proper capitalization and punctuation.  This is not only a must, but it conveys the fact that you take the time and pride in yourself – that you are an educated person who wants to be taken seriously. Therefore,you need to communicate as such. All caps or all small case letters either leads people to believe you lack education, tech/business savvy — or you are just plain lazy. None of which is positive for instilling confidence or encouraging others to want to do business with you.

5.      RespondPromptly: Let’s face it, time is of the essence. You should do your best to respond to your business communications as quickly as possible. You would want people to respond to you in a timely manner, right?  This is true, even if it just means typing a one line message, for example, “I do not have an answer right now but as soon as I have more information I will get back to you.”  In the least, this is the considerate thingto do.  This is a customer service issue that should not be underestimated. By not responding promptly you appear unorganized, uncaring or worse yet, risk being outperformed by your competitors who understand the importance of appearing efficient and on the ball.

I can’t help but think that our society has gotten lazy with the way it communicates.  Who can blame me when so many have grown accustomed to texting and finding ways to do things at the speed of light?  With that understanding, I am still very traditional when it comes to how business correspondence should be conducted.  The bottom line is, when it comes to business, regardless of the mode of communication, professionalism and courtesy never go out of style!

Let me know what you think.  I welcome comments and look forward to what you have to say.  Thanks and happy job hunting. - Debra Manente

LinkedIn Headlines

Today, I saw a question on Linkedin about writing affective "Headlines" for Linkedin profiles. It was, "What is your first impression when you read the following LinkedIn Summary: "Sales Professional" or "Human Resources Professional"? Do you think it is niave and assume that the person is unemployed?

I feel that by stating your current title, or your profession, you are doing yourself a disservice.  By doing this, it is not the most affective way to get noticed if you are looking for work.  Have you ever heard the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover"? Well, unfortunately, we do judge books by their covers and so do hiring managers and recruiters when they look at profiles on Linkedin.  People are judged by their "headlines," and a generic headline does not give an employer a compelling reason to want to continue reading.  It doesn't tell the reader what your unique skills are or what you can offer an employer if they hire you.

In today's age of job searching and competition, you have to exhaust all possibilities when it comes to getting noticed. Let’s face it, there is so much competition that hiring managers really have their pick of the litter.  When they come across anything that does not grab their attention, they are going to move on to the next person who, possibly, has a more eye catching headline; one that displays the skills they are seeking in a job candidate.

You see, Linkedin's search algorithm indexes the headline first. This is why it is so important for a job seeker to use strong keywords and phrases instead of generic keywords. They will show up in searches before any of the people who have generic headlines do.  In essence, a prepared job seeker will look more proactive and technically savvy.  For example, instead of going about it the familiar way, it is best to use words like (I'll use myself as an example): Branding Guru | Career Search Specialist | Search Engine Optimizationalist....etc.  These types of phrases are more interesting and demonstrate the skills I bring to the table.  You can also seperate them with lines or astericks so they will stand out better.

If I was searching for job candidates and came across a profile that was generic, I would not feel compelled to read further.  First, I would wonder if the person who wrote it was lazy, and second, I would wonder if they even understood why it is better to use a unique skill set instead of a generic title. Maybe no one even told them what it is they should do.

The bottom line...a person needs to take the time to think about what makes them different from everyone else and what employers want to see; what compels employers to want to read further? Using generic headlines and keywords is not going to do it.  Taking the time to create a more personal, professional headline, while utilizing more powerful skill sets, is what is going to help you raise above the competition.

With all this in mind, I challenge you to look at your Linkedin profile and ask yourself, "How can I make it better so I am not just another profile in the mix?" Good luck and I look forward to your creativity.  - Debra Manente