CM Access

Make sure it’s worth your time! We all know we should be attending events for the Marketing Association, for the Ad Club, for the Business Leaders Consortium, for the Sandwich Artist’s Union…[oh! Sorry, that was a former life…but you know what I mean!]

And from experience, I can tell you, I KNOW how awful they can be sometimes! Doesn’t this sound familiar?

…I’ve been there.

And before you get all “here comes another plug for her own projects” let me preface this with the absolute truth that I only promote things I strongly believe in. Honest. And I believe that the awards ceremonies that many creative professional associations hold in the springtime are some of the best networking events of the whole year! They recognize successful people and companies, typically a great turn out, and while more expensive-you get better quality!

These types of events typically draw a lot of local support from companies and agencies, too. Not only are great people recognized, but sponsors are in attendance to associate their company with those successful award winners! It’s a great way to meet the right people.

The Philly American Marketing Association is re-launching their recognition program for excellence in marketing with the Marketer of the Year. This year, the SVP of Comcast! Marvin Davis is the keynote speaker. That alone is enough reason to go, don’t you think? But even if you don’t get to talk to Mr. Davis, his colleagues and competition will be there, too!

And I could start another whole entry encouraging you to encourage your agency or department to consider submitting for any of these competitions. These are those things that make your resume stand a bit taller than the rest of the pile: “2007 Marketer of the Year recipient.” What do you have to lose, but a few minutes filling out the forms!? You’ve already done the work for your client, now get recognized by your peers!

::whew:: I can be long-winded, I know…but it’s true!

More info about the Marketer of the Year is at the PAMA website. (or through me!)

Technorati Tags: Philadelphia American Marketing Association, PAMA, Ad Club, awards, recognition, Comcast, Marvin Davis

I still believe there is no real secret strategy for guaranteed success in your job search, but there are a number of ways to enhance your comprehensive efforts. These inlcude: networking, relationship building, self-awareness (personally and professionally), and competitive advantage (what do YOU offer?).

But today I realized one of the easiest ways to get a leg up on 1-your competition, 2-networking conversation, 3-interview preparedness.

Read the local business journal. The Philadelphia Business Journal was recognized as the number one newspaper in Pennsylvania in 2006 and they are part of a network of 41 regional business journals. What does this mean for you, the job-seeker or proactive career manager? It means that they have accurate, timely and thorough coverage of business events and information throughout the region. Before this starts to sound like a “subscribe now!” pitch, let me reign it in.

I learned this morning directly from the publisher, at an eWomen Network breakfast, how to truly use the information in the Business Journal to my advantage. By reading sections like People on the Move, and The List, you can find out what’s going on in companies you’d like to work for (or their competition!), congratulate people who’ve recently been promoted (kissing butt is ALWAYS a good way to get a hiring manager’s attention!) or even just compile a list of relevant target companies you’d like to consider for your next career move.

Subscriptions to Business Journals also allow you to access the full content online, and sign up for email alerts. This is how you can stay current with news and events, and keep your contacts warm. Let them know you think of them and their business by sharing relevant articles and events.

Yes, it costs money. Yes, it takes time to read the articles and sort through to the “Good” stuff, but (absolutely, positively, without a doubt) YES, it’s worth it.

as always, thoughts, concerns or comments are encouraged!

Technorati Tags: Philadelphia Business Journals, networking, strategies, secrets

short answer: yes.

long answer: No doubt about it. The way you present yourself is inextricably linked with the way you manage your identity.

I’ve talked about why it’s necessary to maintain control over your online identity–your web presence needs to speak to your skills, personality and goals. This may be easier for designers who can showcase their samples, but we’ll continue to explore how marketers, copywriters, and even account managers need to harness Web 2.0 technology to create a branding YOU campaign for career management. It’s really no longer about the periodic job search. It’s about building a network, keeping your ear to the ground for growth opportunities, and always proactive about accomplishing career goals.

But more to today’s point: your physical identity and appearance are a big part of your career management. OK ok, so you always hear “dress nicely for your interview, make sure your handshake is effective…” blah blah blah. But many times this is hard to know unless you talk to the proper resources, right?

I recently met JoJami Tyler, who is a professional image consultant. Definitely the kind of person you want to have in your network! But if you’re not able find someone near you, check out her blog here, and her website, here. She can answer questions about your personal brand, how to dress for media engagments (definitely a plus for PR folks!) and even closet organization–which most of us could use!

Who wouldn’t take a few pointers about how to manage your professional image? You could even explore how to solidify visually that identity you’ve been working to build virtually! (and no, she doesn’t do Second Life image consultation!)

PS She is trying to make time to come to CreativeCamp 3–great opportunity to learn what she is all about! Be there to share!

Technorati Tags: JoJami Tyler, professional image, identity, career management, networking, organization, Cafe Glam, Mode Image, CreativeCamp

As testament to the awesome power of networking, I was able to connect to a really talented creative professional today. He was referred by someone in my network, and while I knew very little about him, it shows respect to my contact to give the guy a call. Thank goodness I did!

Ken Thurlbeck is a very accomplished problem solver in the advertising and design world. He has a successful photography side, has created over 1000 television commercials, and can even claim ownership of one of the first successful websites back in the 90s.

I just wanted to share a personal experience of networking success-I simply appreciate that he took the time to listen to what I had to say about CM Access. And even more importantly, he let me know that he recently published a book entitled “Creating the Breakthrough Portfolio” which is a very effective resource for those looking for help in putting together materials for the job search.

You can see sample pages here and you can buy the book here. This guy knows what a successful portfolio should look like.

Let me know what you think! And, as always, if you have a success story–share it!

Technorati Tags: Ken Thurlbeck, portfolio, breakthrough, networking

I have to admit I’m a bit embarassed. I thought I came up with an idea on my own, but have recently discovered that I’m far from the first person to come up with this idea. I guess there’s something to be said for “no ideas are new anymore”.

I thought I discovered a correlation between the job search and the marketing/sales process. And while I still believe it to be the best way to approach the situation–applying the principles of marketing to yourself as the product–it turns out someone has already done a great job of telling you how. [Ok, I admit that it’s silly to think I’m the first to have come up with the idea.]

I mentioned it just the other day, that I’ve started reading this book called “How to Land Your Dream Job” but now that I’ve gotten further into it, I’m able to truthfully proclaim it’s greatness! Yes, I’m still bummed that I didn’t think of it myself, but this book is a great guide to how to apply marketing principles and the sales process to your job search. Highlights include:

–glossary of sales terms and how they apply to the job search
–easy to read style and short chapters make it easily digestible
–motivation to be creative in your search: you may not be a salesperson or a marketer, but you’ll learn quickly how necessary those skills are for success in your job search.

I could go into more detail but I won’t for the sake of redundancy. It’s already here and in this book! Jeffrey J. Fox knows what he’s talking about, so no need to restate it!

In related news, part 2 of my conversation with Chris Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast is up today. It’s the section that talks about resumes, cover letters, Linked In and how to approach the search more from a marketing perspective. Thought it was appropriate for emphasis on the “MarketingMe” side of the job search.

Technorati Tags: MarketingMe, LinkedIn, Financial Aid Podcast, Jeffrey J. Fox

So according to Punxatawney Phil from Gobbler’s Knob PA, who didn’t see his shadow, we’re going to have an early spring season this year. Not sure I believe in all that, but I sure do enjoy when they play the “Pennsylvania Polka” as Phil crawls back into his cozy home for more sleeping.

It’s become quite a tradition for Pennsylvanians to gather in the freezing temperatures before dawn to wait for Phil’s famous yearly prediction. And while I’m not quite sure how to tie this into something career or marketing related, one can always find a connection for the life lesson in anything!

And in this case we’ll go with the movie, Groundhog Day (which I’ve not seen). As I understand it, Bill Murray is given a new chance each day to improve his life, through a more positive attitude, every time he wakes up in the morning.

I will refrain from repeating the general “Today is the first day of your life” mantra here. I will refrain from repeating that there are new tactics you can employ with little effort to add variety and diversity to your job search or career development. And I will refrain from being overly motivational about how you’re worth something better, something more enjoyable and how you’re in control of your own destiny (while all are entirely true).

For this post, all I’ll say is: SMILE. Take a deep breath and think, “At least it’s no longer January. We’re well into 2007 now. Time to buckle down.”

And remember, I’m here to help you through it–just ask!

Couple things to mention:
Great books–“The Quarterlife Crisis”: the unique challenges of life in your twenties
“How to Land your Dream Job: No Resume! And Other Secrets to Get You in the Door” [note: I can’t wait to expound on this little number in the very near future!]

Great ways to meet people:

Technorati Tags: eWomen Network, Punxatawney Phil, PAMA, Quarterlife Crisis, How to Land your Dream Job, SuperBowl Smackdown, CreativeCamp, Groundhog Day

So that means it’s only going to get better! From Fox News:

Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the depressing formula.

His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling a need to take action.

Taken together, they calculate to equal “Blue Monday.”

Here’s what I take from this: that cheesy cliche that “today is the first day of the rest of your life” is really quite intuitive. I suffer daily from my chronic Avoidance of the Gym Syndrome, and I also make bargains with myself like “if you work out today, then you can treat yourself to a piece of chocolate cake” knowing FULL WELL that this is NOT the way to achieve my goals.

Are you making the same chronic mistakes? Are you getting saddened and depressed because things aren’t changing? It might be a good time to evaluate what isn’t working, and explore new ways to make changes. You probably already know what you should be doing.

Instead of sending that resume through that job board site, or emailing “job@company.com”, try to find a new way to get in contact with that company’s HR or marketing department. THINK CREATIVELY.

And with the promise of your mood and success only getting better, why put off until tomorrow what you can do today!?

[this installment of the MaryHelen Motivates! series is brought to you by caffeine, a fleeting moment of absolute optimism, and the realization that you have to take small steps to travel long distances]

Technorati Tags: Resolutions, job search strategies, optimism, sadness

Peter Weddle writes an e-newsletter (and then some) about career development and job searching. This guy knows what he’s talking about. And this is just one example: More great insights on networking for your search activities.

There is no one sure way to find a new or better job. Over the years, however, networking has consistently yielded the best return (in terms of the quality and the quantity of opportunities it uncovers) from your investment of time and effort. Thanks to the Internet and the technique of electronic networking, you can enhance its benefit even more and, in the process, ensure that you are in charge of any change in your employment situation…rather than its victim.

First, electronic networking occurs via e-mail

[and you can find new email contacts everywhere: LinkedIn, MySpace, association websites, etc]

Second, the Golden Rule of Networking applies as much online as it does in the real world. Networking works because it’s based on people helping each other out. So, the Golden Rule is simple but very important: You have to give as good as you get.

Third, electronic networking is a contact sport. Traditional networking is based on “who you know.” If you know the right person, you can find your dream job. Electronic networking, on the other hand, is an exercise in “who knows you.”

[so develop your online presence through getting your name and information out there]

Fourth, networking is netWORK, not netRELAX.

[again, you will not succeed with apathy, and you have to put in some effort]

Technorati Tags: Peter Weddle, networking, resources

My family and friends will tell you that I am not content for things to be simple or easy. I can’t watch television passively. I tend to enjoy movies that have some sort of message, or discussion, even if I have to make it up (”But did you notice the buttons on all of the characters’ shirts? What was the costume designer trying to say with that detail??”).

And best of all–I LOVE to watch commercials.

My current faves are (of course) the Geico cavemen (the actor is the guy on the new TBS sitcom 10 Items or Less), those incomprehensible Skittles commercials, and pretty much any that make you say “whaaaaa?!”

This is one reason I’m very much looking forward to the Philly AMA’s Super Bowl Smackdown event on Feb 7th (yes, I’m plugging it). This is the best event of the year (except I really enjoyed 21st Century Marketing with Jeff Greene of Gold-Group) where marketers and advertisers gorge on Dave and Buster’s amazing mini-hamburgers and debate the success and entertainment value of the top commercials aired during the big game!

I saw this post at the Church of the Customer, and thought about how this facet of advertising might make it into the discussion. Jackie makes a great point about how, if the winning ideas are then turned over to ad agencies to produce the spot, then what’s the point? Free labor?

Technorati Tags: Superbowl, Smack Down, American Marketing Association, PAMA, commericials, Church of the Customer, consumer-generated

well, moving on.

Seth Godin posted this today, relating to a three year old post here when he contributed to FastCompany. And I was excited to see that what he’s saying is not all that far off from what I’ve said before: what’s easiest, most convenient, ‘fun’, is usually not what’s best in the long run.

Seth points out that there are things that are hard, and then there are things that are actually difficult. Taking a risk, trying something new, suggesting a change to the status quo–these are uncomfortable, difficult, with uncertain results. And these are what is causing a whole lot blah in our culture.

We are given all of these amazing ways to communicate with each other, but we’re finding that the true relating-the true conversations-are the more difficult ones. So what do we do? We hide behind these new, less direct ways to communicate.

We send an email to reject someone from consideration for a job, rather than calling to say, respectfully, that “it doesn’t seem to be the best fit, but how can I help you find something better for you?”

We always opt to do the more risky communicating by texting, emailing, IMing, anything except talking face-to-face. When did our expectations change? Why do we no longer hold ourselves, or others accountable?

We accept “it’s not my responsibility/but this is how we’ve always done it/I need proof/and my personal favorite: I just assumed…”

I’m just saying, once again, we need to put ourselves out there, ask the tough questions (like “why?”) and even though it hurts or is uncomfortable, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Just like networking: going to one AMA or AIGA event may be awful, but after 3 or 4, you recognize people, you start to move away from the back row…

You should have great expectations of yourself. You deserve a great job. You deserve a face-to-face rejection, and to ask “Why?”

Technorati Tags: networking, expectations, Seth Godin, risks, challenges, communication, hard work, FastCompany