How to Write a Functional Resume that Gets Results
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Careers

Career changers and those with little or no work experience often have a difficult time highlighting their skills in a way that really sells them to potential employers. Overcoming this challenge is as simple as creating a skills-based functional resume.

Read more about How to Write a Functional Resume that Gets Results

How to Write a Qualifications Letter
Mood:  bright
Topic: Careers

Qualifications letters, better known as Q-letters, are special types of cover letters that highlight your skills and qualifications in direct correlation with the requirements of the position you are applying for. Q-letters work better than the traditional cover letter because they provide an immediate representation of how your specific skills and experience will translate into value for the employer. A well-drafted Q-letter can even be sent in lieu of a resume for positions which are unsolicited and have not yet been announced.  Keep reading How to Write a Qualifications Letter

How to Find a New Job with Limited Work Experience
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Careers

Finding a new job with limited work experience can be quite challenging. Given that even highly educated and experienced workers are having a difficult time securing employment in this sluggish economy, having little or no work history can make finding a new job seem next to impossible. But don't be discouraged. Here are some tips and tools you can use to help you become gainfully employed in a new job despite your limited work experience. Read more about How to Find a New Job with Limited Work Experience.

 

How to Build Your Personal Brand
Mood:  amorous
Topic: Careers

The job market can be highly competitive. With so many other job candidates possessing the same level of education, experience and qualifications as you do, how then can you set yourself apart from the competition? You do this by building your personal brand. Read more about how to build your personal brand.

5 Myths About Breaking into the Field of Professional Speaking
Topic: Careers

Many professionals have heard how the art of professional speaking can be leveraged to help build their businesses; however, most are reluctant to put their first foot forward to break into this field of endless possibilities.  Their reluctance stems from fear as a result of several myths floating around regarding the difficulty of becoming a professional speaker.

 

Myth #1: I have to be famous.

This myth is completely false.  There are many no-name six- and seven-figure income earners making their livings as professional speakers.  Many organizations would rather hire those speakers who do not possess celebrity status because their audiences will have a much easier time connecting and relating to the average Joe or Jill.  How many seminars, workshops and conferences have you attended in which you had never heard of the keynote presenter but he/she delivered a dynamic presentation?

 

Myth #2: I have to have great credentials.

There are literally thousands of well-paid speakers who do not even possess a high school diploma, let alone a college degree.  The only credential that you need to be a speaker is a topic that you are both passionate and knowledgeable about and a true desire to help others by giving them access to what you know.  There is a popular speaker’s bureau in Chicago that is completely composed of former prostitutes.  This group of women travels across the country presenting motivational speeches to empower women and youth to value their own self-worth.  Some of this group recently delivered a presentation to a meeting of key decision makers on Capitol Hill.

 

Myth #3: There is too much competition.

True that there are a lot of professional speakers and aspiring speakers; however, there are more than enough speaking engagements to go around.  Every day, in the United States alone, there are approximately 7,000 speaking opportunities.  That is over 2.5 million potential speaking gigs per year.  There are more than enough speaking opportunities for you to take advantage of even if you share the same or a similar niche with other speakers.

 

Myth #4: I have to be a really good speaker.

While having good presentation skills can help your audience really tune in to your message, it is not necessary.  Even the most wet-behind-the-ears speaker can earn a decent living.  I have an aunt who has a speech impediment.  She has always had trouble pronouncing certain words even though she is a native English speaker.  At first, she thought this would be a hindrance but now she realizes that it is what makes her unique from her competition.  Use your quirks and idiosyncrasies to build your brand. Again, the important element in any speaker’s presentation is that there is a real message to be heard.  Know your subject matter and deliver it with passion.  If you can do this, then nothing else even matters.

 

Myth #5: It is too difficult to get started.

No it isn’t!  The biggest roadblock to getting started is you.  Throw away your fears and doubts and just jump into it.  There is nothing to it but to do it.  Become an expert on a topic that you feel passionate about it and just start speaking.  Share your message with every group you think could benefit from your knowledge and charge them a reasonable fee for your services.

 

© 2007 All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted only with inclusion of the author bylines.

 

About the Author: Niquenya D. Fulbright is a Chicago area executive life coach, mediator, professional speaker and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com

How to Get Started as a Professional Speaker
Topic: Careers

So you have heard all of the rumors that professional speaking is the way to go in order to get your products and services in front of massive audiences and really boost your business.  But how do you do it?  The truth of the matter is that professional speaking is not a difficult field to break into.  You just have to be willing to put in the work it takes to get paid speaking gigs.

 

The first step is to determine what you are passionate about and become an expert in that subject.  Your passion is what will drive you toward success.  Learn all that you can about your specialty.  Interview industry experts, join professional affiliations and read all available literature.  Subscribe to white papers and stay abreast of important innovations.  You want to be the one with all of the answers when it comes to your chosen topic.

 

Once you are comfortable with your subject matter, write a book using the wealth of information that you have collected.  Publishing a book helps to establish you as an expert.  You will be the resource for people interested in your specialty.  The credibility that comes along with being a published author paves the way for speaking engagements.  Send out press releases to announce your new book.  Create a media kit that includes cover art and a synopsis of your book and forward it to your media contacts.  You should also send your media kit to libraries, colleges and other organizations that may have an interest in your subject matter.  You will soon find yourself being contacted by these folks to arrange book signings.  Books are also a great additional income stream that can be used to boost the revenue you earn at each speaking engagement through back-of-the-room sales.  Even if you are not chosen as a speaker for a particular event, your book may still be used in the absence of the chosen speaker having a published work.  Most bookstores have a “signed by author” stamp available.  Make sure that after every book signing event that you request the stamp and leave behind additional signed copies.  People will remember this personal touch and be more apt to contact you.

 

The third step is to market yourself as a speaker.  You will most definitely need a website if your business does not already have one.  Make sure that you include a highly visible line that reads “available for keynote or breakout session presentations” within your website’s content.  Create a brochure that highlights your niche topics and include a short bio about yourself.  Send your brochure and a professionally produced presentation clip, if available, to your target audience.  Your target audience may include universities, high schools, trade schools, professional associations, chambers of commerce, corporations and community groups.  Contact meeting planners, human resource managers, alumni associations, radio stations and orientation coordinators.  Decide which group will be most receptive to your expert topics and focus your marketing efforts in their direction.

 

Finally, leverage your bookings.  Ask for multiple bookings at a time.  Many conferences are multiple-day events and will have a need to fill several speaker vacancies.  Make the conference organizers aware of your availability to fill more than one slot.  This means you could present both a morning and an afternoon workshop. Event planners will be appreciative and remember how easy you are to work with for future events.  Request to be used again for events that will reoccur annually.  Also, request testimonial letters for a satisfactorily delivered presentation upfront.  Most event planners will be agreeable to providing these for you and then you don’t have to worry about chasing them down later as they would have already committed to giving you one.

 

Becoming a professional speaker is not rocket science.  It just takes a big of legwork and dedication.  The biggest thing to remember is that as long as you have a subject that you are passionate and knowledgeable about, all you need is a willingness to share the information in a way that will help others.  Secondly, it is important to note that the difference between an amateur and a professional is that professionals make money so make sure that you charge what you are worth for your services.

 

 

© 2007 All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted only with inclusion of the author bylines.

About the Author: Niquenya D. Fulbright is a Chicago area executive life coach, mediator, professional speaker and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com

Turn The Table On Your Interviewer
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Careers
Tips to Having a Successful Interview
By Niquenya D. Fulbright, Professional Life Coach
? 2006 All Rights Reserved

The interview process is a very important phase of your career search. Due to the current layoff trend and projections of a recessed economy, both recent graduates and seasoned professionals are competing for the most menial of entry-level positions. Possessing sharp interview skills is necessary if you want to maintain an advantage in today’s highly competitive job market.

Proper preparation is key. When accepting an invitation to interview, make sure you obtain as much information from the appointment setter as possible. Learn the name and title of the interviewer and/or the department head, the full title of the position being recruited for and the department in which the position will be held. If you did not retain a copy of the job announcement or if the advertisement was too vague, try to secure a complete job description as well. Visit the office prior to your interview, identify yourself as a potential candidate to the receptionist and let him/her know that you just wanted to make sure of the exact location of the company so he/she won’t be alarmed by your impromptu arrival. You can also request company literature and a job description if you had not previously obtained one. Usually, the receptionist will be willing to oblige. You can then use the information you have gathered to learn more about the company and what your expected role will be. Browse through the company website and locate your interviewer’s (or the department head’s) bio if there is one available. Take special notice of the company’s mission and think of a statement that would allow you to speak sincerely of how your own values align with the company’s objectives.

Don’t just leave it at company-specific research. Check out similar positions and other companies that operate in the same industry. Read the business section of local newspapers and trade magazines paying close attention to the status of public holdings. Look at current developments in the industry and the projected outlook of the field. Talk with people you know who hold comparable positions. Perform a salary comparison so you will know what type of compensation to expect and be in a better position for negotiation when the topic is broached. The information you obtain will prove valuable in letting the interviewer know you are truly interested in the position and will give you more ammunition during the inevitable small talk that occurs at the beginning and end of an interview.

Give yourself a mock interview. Think of answers to some of the most commonly asked interview questions such as “tell me about yourself?,” “what are your strengths…weaknesses?” and “where do you see yourself in five years?” Make sure your responses are positive. Turn negative experiences and weaknesses into strengths. For example, “I am very focused which is both a strength and a weakness because it prevents me from moving on to another task until I have completed the one I am currently working on” or “I am a really good listener which often allows for people to take advantage of my time with unnecessary chatter.” Jot down three to five facts from your research that can be developed into a great answer to the popular question, “why do you want to work for this company?” Also, create a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This is just as much an interview for the company as it is for you.

Knowledge is just half the battle. You must also look the part. The popular advice is to dress business professional. While this is not bad advice, it is not always practical to follow it. During your fact-gathering visit to the company, you should have also taken a good look at how the employees were dressed and keep in mind what is the industry standard. You don’t want to show up for an interview in four-inch heeled pumps to discover that you have to walk across a slippery factory floor nor should you be in jeans and sneakers to sit down with the Chief Financial Officer of a major marketing firm. The rule of thumb is never wear less than a pair of slacks and loafers and always be well-groomed with minimal jewelry (you can pull out a few piercings for a day) and without excessive makeup. Times are changing fast but old traditions still hold true to form. Unless it is an acceptable practice to the company at which you seek to be hired, cover up tattoos and save another day to try out that new green and purple hair dye.

This really should go without saying but be on time. You should arrive approximately ten to fifteen minutes early for your interview. You don’t want to be too early as this tends to just confuse your interviewer and you don’t want to be late at all. Tardiness is not an attribute you want to give your potential employer as a first impression. Now this may come as a shock to you but your interviewer should not be late either. Remember, you are there to interview the company just as the company is interviewing you so your time must also be respected. An appropriate wait time for an interview is no more than thirty minutes. Most employers allow ten to fifteen minutes for your arrival and an additional fifteen minutes for any paperwork you might need to complete. Anything in excess of an half hour is an abuse of your time and grounds for you to reconsider your candidacy at the company.

During the interview, be energetic and upbeat. Be articulate and self-aware. Use good attentive body language and refrain from chewing gum, cracking knuckles, twiddling thumbs and any other annoying habits. Turn off cell phones or pagers. Wear an authentic smile and maintain good eye contact. Ask the interviewer if you may take notes and actually do so, marking off any of your prepared questions that get answered. Take your time so you don’t rush responses. This will be especially helpful if you are asked a difficult or unpredicted question like “if you were a fruit, what type of fruit would you be and why?” Many interviewers like to throw these types of questions at you to see how you might handle stress or the unexpected. Taking your time will allow your senses to get over the initial shock so you can think of a creative response to the question. Ask the remaining questions from your prepared list. Stay away from salary and benefits talk. Most interviewers will bring it up themselves but if they don’t, make sure it is not among your first questions. End the interview with a firm handshake and request a business card. Make sure you ask how soon it will be before you can expect a response.

Follow up the interview with a thank you card or letter. In the letter, you should tie in any information you may have left out during the interview that might enhance your qualifications and recap significant points of discussion to demonstrate that you were listening. It helps to throw in a personal tidbit using any small talk that may have been offered up by the interviewer. For instance, the interviewer may have mentioned that his wife is expecting. You could say something like, “Congratulations on joining the ranks of fatherhood.” The interviewer will be flattered by the sentiment and more apt to remember your name.

Interviews can be difficult but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself ahead of the competition. Be as sincere, courteous and professional as possible. Remember, skills and qualifications are only a fraction of the screening process. Most companies hire based on who it was they liked the most rather than who was the most qualified.

Choosing A Career
Topic: Careers
Choosing a Career
By Niquenya Fulbright, Professional Life Coach
? 2006 All Rights Reserved

Facing the tough challenge of choosing a career can be overwhelming. With changing technology and growing international markets, there are a lot of options to choose from. The possibilities are truly endless so where does one start?

Your chosen career should be a harmonious blend of your skills, education, personality and interests. A self-assessment is a great way to identify a starting place for your search. Take time to jot down your likes and dislikes on a sheet of paper. Brainstorm several jobs that would utilize at least two of your likes yet avoid your dislikes. Use the list you have come up with to research and evaluate these options. You can gather job descriptions, examine the education and experience requirements, check out the career’s longevity outlook, interview others already in the position and visit the library for additional resources. Following this process will put you in a much better position for choosing which direction you would like to pursue in your career.

You could also take a formal skills assessment test. Several good ones, most of which are free, include those provided by careerlab.com, keirsey.com, the Princeton Review Career Quiz and CareerFitter.com. You should take a mix of tests as no one is infallible but all may present opportunities you had not previously considered. Taking advantage of a career coach or counselor is a great idea if you can afford it. These professionals can help you examine key areas in which you excel and point you in the right direction. Many often have their own skills evaluations as well. If a coach or counseling structure is not an option, you can get free advice from parents, friends or colleagues. Be careful when listening to the often biased opinions of parents; however, as their agenda tends to be geared towards the monetary aspect rather than what would be a good fit for you. Choosing a satisfying career should not rely on how high a position pays but rather how close it embodies your own goals and interests.

If you are young, I suggest temping. Join one or two temporary staffing agencies that specialize in your primary fields of interests. This would allow you to try out several different positions without committing yourself to a particular company. As an added bonus, you can use the temp agency experience to pad your resume. Then, if you do decide to pursue a career along the same lines of the temporary positions you have held, you may have gained some very important industry reference contacts. Don’t worry if you are already in a permanent position. You really don’t have to be stuck in one job forever. Take smart risks and explore what’s out there. Careers can become dated just as hairstyles. What fits today may not fit tomorrow and because all temp jobs can be listed under its relative agency, your resume will not reflect you as a “job bouncer.”

Choosing a career can be a grueling task. Try to only look at options that keep your interests at the forefront. Remember, going into a job simply because it pays well will not keep you happy. You want to find a career that offers the most growth potential, is attuned to your passions and properly rewards your performance.