Brenda's Blog

Join me and special guest, Keith Keller (coming all the way from Australia for these events!), as we present Social Media Savvy on Sat., Sept. 18th/10. Keith is a Social Media Job Search Specialist, Career Change Coach, Founder of Career Journeys Australia, and Co-Host of the widely acclaimed Career Success Radio.

The morning is for Career Development Practitioners. As Career Development Practitioners it's our job to stay on top of trends in our field and stay ahead of our clients' needs regarding up-to-date strategies. Now, more than ever, the use of social media is quickly becoming the norm for career exploration and job search, as well as for career maintenance, advancement, and business growth in many fields. Whether skeptical or not, we must move forward with technology and demand, by role modeling and sharing knowledge to aid in client self-sufficiency and career success. (All materials...facilitation guide, slides, etc. are provided on a USB...all included in the price!) For more information and registration: http://www.brendablackburn.com/events/smss/index.php

The afternoon is open to the general public. Whether you're looking for a new career, a new job, or new business ventures, you'll want to use up-to-date strategies. Now, more than ever, the use of social media is quickly becoming the norm for career exploration and job search, as well as for career maintenance, advancement, and business growth in many fields. A great deal at only $47 (Early Bird rate!) For more information and registration, see: http://www.brendablackburn.com/events/smss/job-seekers.php

(Limited seating.)

Hope to see you there! :)

“The future belongs to a different kind of person.

Designers, inventors, teachers, storytellers—creative and empathetic right-brain thinkers
whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who doesn’t.”

Daniel Pink, Author of "Whole New Mind"

Today I was watching an interesting TED Talk with Simon Sinek on The Power of Why and how this relates to marketing, branding, and so on. This can be easily applied to our career growth, networking, etc.

Here's how he explained it:
* He drew a few circles on a flipchart: the outer circle being WHAT, the circle inside that being HOW, and the very inner circle being WHY. This diagram is called the Golden Circle.
* He mentioned that most people/companies operate from the outside in. (They talk about WHAT they do/make, HOW they do it, and lastly WHY they do it.)
* He explains how the best innovators instead do it in the reverse and work from the inside out.

(You can check it on the video at: http://www.startwithwhy.com/)

Here's how it works:
* first the WHY: why you do what you do which includes: your purpose, cause or belief; driving motivation for action
* then the HOW: how you're different, how you do it (how you deliver your "why"): strategies, principles, actions you take or environment in which you work best
* and lastly the WHAT: what you offer and/or do

You need to promote to and attract people who believe what we believe. People buy what you believe.

Interestingly enough, I was a call-in guest today on Career Success Radio, and a live example of the Golden Circle was used. Co-host Keith Keller FIRST asked author Karen Adamedes about what the inspiration was behind her book. In other words, what he first cared to know about was the WHY. A great real life example of how valuable this marketing perspective can be.

I thought about it and decided to give it a try with my own business...

* WHY I do what I do: I believe that people enjoy personal and professional growth and development if the process is one of self-discovery or re-discovery. I believe that we learn best when our minds are illuminated, when we feel inspired, when the learning is interactive and we can immediately integrate our learning into real life application for positive results.

* HOW: By facilitating a fun, dynamic, and experiential process. By delivering a level of service that is transparent and authentic, enthusiastic and engaging, personable and professional.

* WHAT: Powerful Personal Enrichment Workshops on a variety of topics: http://www.brendablackburn.com/training/race-training-topics.pdf

I think this is a great little exercise that you can use to aid in your own career. For example, whether you are exploring new careers, job searching, wanting career advancement, or strategizing for your business, you can use this WHY, HOW, WHAT model for your branding, marketing, promotion, and networking.

Please feel free to comment by sharing your examples of your WHY, HOW, WHAT!

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page: http://careersuccessradio.com/2010/04/referee-help-needed-q9-job-search-careerradio/

The full question:
I actively looking for work and cannot provide my current boss as a referee as they don’t know about my intentions to move. What can I do? — Paul F

Hi Paul,

I’m guessing you’re referring to what we call “references” here in Canada.

It would be great if you could obtain some references from your current workplace. Do you have any colleagues who know your work well that could provide a reference and who you trust to keep it in confidence? Sometimes our colleagues know our work even better than our bosses!

Check with your references from your past employers and colleagues to let them know about your situation. Never list or give references unless you have connected with them currently. Also, it’s important to “coach” them as to what your needs are, the position(s) you’re applying for, and skills that are important to mention. (See Donna’s notes on this.)

Ensure you list references in priority order (just like you would do with the qualifications on your resume or CV!) Bosses/supervisors first, then colleagues, then professors, association members, volunteer relations, community members, etc.

Also, ensure you are networking well with your social media contacts. Do you utilize LinkedIn and do you have recommendations there you can also use? Feel free to look at my profile for examples if you like. I have some via LinkedIn, but also have added some myself within different contract positions I’ve had. Keeping your LinkedIn fresh is something you can always do while working and comes in handy in times like this! Please feel free to add me to your network and contact me with any questions if you like. http://ca.linkedin.com/in/brendablackburn

Best of luck on your career journey!
Brenda
http://www.twitter.com/brenblackburn
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profile/BrendaBlackburn

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page: http://careersuccessradio.com/2010/04/no-progressive-responsibilities-help-q8-career-careerradio/

The full question:
I have ten years experience in a great office where no one leaves and so no one gets promoted. How do I show progressive responsibility of my resume? — Michael B

Hi Michael,

Sounds like you have lots of great experience and a great work environment! Such a great place to be at, yet I can see the challenge if there is no upward movement.

Without being able to show title advancement within your company on your resume, you will want to ensure your skills speak to that instead. I would suggest you really evaluate what you have done over the last 10 years and list out all your skills to review. Which ones show progressive responsibility? List those on your resume. Ask your boss for a performance appraisal that will address ways your skills/responsibilities may have advanced over the years. If you plan to leave your company, ask for a reference that will address this area.

And if you find your skills have stayed fairly static, and you want to stay with your company, I would suggest practicing effective (assertive) communication skills with your boss. In other words, have you discussed this with him/her? In addition to Queen Schmooze’s great suggestions, if you are unsure of ways you can take initiative in this area, why not let your boss know you are ready for skill/responsibility advancement and challenge, and ask how you can provide that service? Work together collaboratively with your team and your boss. Also, are there ways you can take further schooling/upgrading in your field to heighten your expertise? What are some creative ways you can contribute to your company in new/fresh, challenging and exciting ways?

Hope this helps Michael. Best wishes on your career journey,

Brenda Blackburn
http://www.twitter.com/brenblackburn
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/no-progressive

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