Resources for Marketing Communications Positions

If you're located in Northeast Ohio, specifically the Akron or Cleveland area and looking for a marketing position, here are some great resources and links that may help:

• http://www.aafcleveland.com


• http://www.akronadfed.net


• http://www.akronprsa.org


• http://www.clevelandama.com


• http://www.cleveland.careerboard.com


• http://www.iabccleveland.com


• http://www.prsacleveland.org


• http://www.pressclubcleveland.com


• http://www.webassociation.com

Job Hunting Ideas for Recent Grads or For Those Transitioning to a New Career

Take some ideas from these posts for recent graduates or other job hunters preparing to enter the job market for their next step with their career.. If you in the mode of transitioning from college to career or you're an experienced professional ready to move into a new opportunity, take a few moments to check out these helpful sites:

1. Google Student Blog's Grad Tips: Every Friday, this blog posts tips for recent grads that help streamline the job search process. The entire blog (not just Friday tips) are great for honing your computer shortcut skills.
   
   One of the first things that happens after you graduate and move away from your network in school is that you don't have your "brain trust" sitting in the next room. Google's Student Blog can help you discover new and faster ways of using Googles array of aps like Google Docs, and short cuts to using Gmail. It's like having your favorite computer nerd who knows every trick sitting next to you.
   


2. The Resume Girl : Lots of great thoughts and tips. Sign up for her newsletter and Facebook Fan page too. It looks like she's eager to provide some one-on-one coaching, which can be really helpful if you're stuck.
   


3. How to decide which job offer: Okay, okay. It seems like you're just trying to get an interview or find someone to talk with you about a possible position. But soon, could be very soon, you'll be faced with making a decision about taking an offer. Here's some good advice of things to consider other than just commute time, vacation package and salary.
   


4. Tips for various job hunting situations: Every situation is different, each person's story is different. Here is a site with many variations on a theme.

Women Leaders in India: first female parliament speaker

India already has a woman President, and now the first woman speaker.

NEW DELHI, June 3 (UPI) -- A member of a lower caste in the now outlawed caste system, Meira Kumar, Wednesday was unanimously elected the first woman speaker of India's parliament.

The 64-year-old lawmaker from the Congress party, whose coalition government was returned to power after last month's elections, will hold the country's top Constitutional post, the Press Trust of India reported. She was elected unopposed.

A resolution in parliament naming her speaker, which was moved by Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress-led coalition, was approved by a voice vote in the lower house of parliament. Leaders of all major opposition parties also had similar motions proposing her name for the post.

Kumar, a member of the Dalit community, is a former Indian Foreign Service officer and also had been a federal minister.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who belongs to the minority Sikh community, said Kumar's selection is a historic moment for the country, and praised her service as a distinguished diplomat and 25 years in parliament, PTI reported.

Kumar said she would make every effort to ensure the dignity of the lower house and its members.

She is the daughter of the late Jagjivan Ram, a former deputy prime minister of India.

India already has a woman President.

Ins and Outs of Internships: Study of 125 Companies Who Hire Interns

Considering an internship? You'll want to read the this recent study of 125 companies internship practices and pay rates in this 42 page PowerPoint report of the 2009 study.

Created by the Employers Resource Council and Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education, it was designed to provide Northeast Ohio employers with important information regarding internship employment practices to help them better attract, retain and develop new talent that will stimulate their long-term growth and success. I think that it also can help interns better understand what a company is looking for and how the process works.

It includes answers to questions like:

• What are the primary reasons the organizations use interns?
• What is the benefit to the organization?
• How much do organizations pay?
• What are the non-pay benefits that interns get?
• How do companies find the interns?

Check out the 2009 ERC / NOCHE Internship Pay Rates & Practices Survey.

Create a Brand Strategy to Help You Position Yourself

I think it's important to have a personal brand strategy before you begin job hunting when you want to build your career. It's fine not to have one if you just want a job to earn some money for a while.

But if you're in the early stages of building your career, or in the midst of a career transition, having a brand strategy is one of the key ways of helping you create a clear path for yourself.

Ask yourself these questions when building your strategy:

• What do I want to accomplish?
• What am I good at doing?
• What am I passionate about?
• What skills & knowledge are companies looking for?
• How do I want to be described when someone describes me to a potential job referral?

Jot down the words that entered your head when you read those questions. This is the beginning of a mind map, which is a way to capture feelings, thoughts and images all on a piece of paper. It's a great way to begin to organize your strategy on positioning yourself as a brand.

3 Words that Contain the Secret of Getting the Next Job

Networking.
Networking.
Networking.

According to this report, 73% of executives get their next job by networking.

Only 3% by cold calling, researching companies... and only 1% by just sending out resumes.

Use online networking. Face to Face networking. Who do you know? Who do they know?

The 600 Seconds That Can Make All the Difference at a Job Interview

First impressions count! And even more so at a job interview.

You can improve your odds of success by mentally rehearsing the first 10 minutes.

Walk through your posture, your handshake, your accessories and especially your answers to the most common questions traditionally asked at the beginning of each interview. Practice. Practice. Practice.

What are those most common questions? No, I don't mean questions about the weather or if you had trouble finding the location.

Find them here in the 10 Biggest Minutes of Your Interview article. Thanks to executive recruiter Jim Walton at Black in Business for leading me to this article.

You're a Mentor Too -- Even if You Don't Realize It!

Great article on mentoring by Indie Business blog's Donna Marie. No matter what your age or your experience level, you can always reach back and give someone a hand.

If you are an Indie Business owner, rest assured that the next generation of entrepreneurs is watching you. They are looking to see you try new things, to observe what works and what doesn’t work. They’re watching what you say and what you do. They’re receiving guidance and direction from you when they visit your website, your blog, your Twitter page, your Facebook page, your YouTube page.

I think you're a mentor even if you're not an independent business owner.

During difficult economic times when it seems almost impossible to find a job of your dreams, helping others along the way is actually the key to making progress. Like the old saying "What goes around, comes around."

Job Hunters in Northeast Ohio

You may be interested in this link to the JobMagnet.org website.

The JobMagnet.org advanced manufacturing employment portal served Northeast Ohio employers, job seekers and students from June 2007 through December 2008. MAGNET thanks the hundreds of employers and job seekers who have used the JobMagnet.org database over the past 18 months.

I know that the unemployment figures in Northeast Ohio range from 9.3% in Summit County to 14.3% in Trumbull County.

Good luck to everyone searching for jobs and to the employers who are trying to stay in business when orders for products and services are reduced as a result of the economic downturn.

This may be the time for starting a business. I believe I heard from someone that the Chinese symbol for Change is also the same symbol for Opportunity.

Athena International Leadership Summit Hosts Women's Organizations in Panel Discussion

On Monday I attended the ATHENA International Leadership Summit where women's organizations discussed women in leadership. Interesting and dynamic discussions developed and I enjoyed learning more about each organization's role and leadership programs.

Brand Yourself On Line Using Social Media, Social Networking

While job hunting, branding helps you to position yourself in the market place. What type of employer are you trying to attract and how do you want them to think of you?

So how do you do that? Dan Schwabel invited Jacob Share as a guest author on Personal Branding has 50+ Tips to Brand Yourself Online


While some of the tips are HUGE and take months/years to perfect, you can start today by leaving insightful comments on blogs that pertain to your industry and field.

Just visit Google Blog Search to find blogs that deal with your subject matter. When you find the blog, read the post and leave an insightful reply. Don't just leave comment that is a mini ad for you and your services.

Two Women Business Owners Market their Own Business

I recently met two women who are business owners and are making the most of inexpensive marketing techniques:

Read more about the 4 inexpensive marketing techniques Crystal Robinson uses to market her SlimmerWithin business.

Read more about how Bella Rokhman helps people. Bella Rokhman owns ABC International Employment Services, Inc of Solon, Ohio USA.

Returnships (Think Internships) Help Women Returning to Workforce

Have you been out of the workforce for a while? One of the reasons cited for women making less than men on average is that many put their careers on hold to help raise the family, manage the household after a career move to a new state, or to help take care of aging parents.

Now there is a faster way to return to the workforce, thanks to a new program developed by Sara Lee's Brenda Barnes. Trendsite's Marti Barletta in Something Sweet From Sara Lee says:

Returnships will resonate with anyone who temporarily left the work force, or wished that they could have. Your brands will benefit -- I predict you will see them tossed into lots of shopping carts.

According to an article in Forbes magazine:

Sara Lee, which operates brands including Ball Park, Hillshire Farms and Jimmy Dean, can't promise full-time positions for the participants at the end of their returnship. The company laid off 300 of its 1,200 staffers in April; 100 of them worked at the headquarters. But there's always a need for talent, Barnes says. Women (and men) who want a slice of the pie should submit applications this fall for a February 2009 start.

Thanks for the info Marti!

What "Advice" Would You Give to Someone in College Before They Go Into Business?

At a recent mastermind group, several business professionals came up with this list of keys to career advice:

• Think globally (Learn Chinese!)
• Listen.
• Ask the right question to the right person at the right time
• Find your passion
• Be humble
• Do what you are
• Acknowledge your weaknesses and play to your strengths
• Be a continuous learner
• Don’t fear change. Take advantage of it and view it as an opportunity
• Change if you're not having fun -- careers, companies or positions.
• Be an expert in your field
• Develop your “people” skills.

What is missing? What is outdated? Please post your thoughts!

Small Business TV interviews owners at Cleveland's business conference

COSE interview

Each year in the fall The Cleveland Chamber of Commerce's Council of Smaller Enterprises (better known as COSE) puts on a wonderful business conference with many seminars, workshops and exibits.

In October 2008 I was interviewed on Small Business Television SBTV.com during the COSE business conference.

You can watch the whole interview with me at SBTV.com's website where they have posted many business owners' interviews.

If you're thinking of starting a business... or you're already running one, I'm sure you'll find some insights and strategies that will be helpful.

CAREER PATH INTERVIEW: Video Production Company Owner

Maureen Isern's Career Path Story to Owning Her Own Successful Business

Maureen Isern is the producer and owner of MOPED PRODUCTIONS, a New York City-based video production company serving philanthropic businesses and non-profit organizations to help them "mobilize their mission" through the use of video, audio and photography. Her company is an award-winning, full-service media consulting and production company dedicated to turning her clients' mission into a powerful, customized visual message.

Today she shares insights into her career choices and video production business in this interview:

How did you select this type of business?
I saw an opportunity to tell the stories of organizations that were doing good things, in a way that would illuminate them more expansively and draw in new donors, volunteers and recognition. Non-profits, community organizations, and philanthropic businesses are often reluctant to ‘advertise’ -- in a way, believing that people will give credit where credit is due. I agree the credit is due. But the media pool is so much bigger now. These organizations are only given the chance to shine when they create their own spotlight.

Best thing about my job: We get to help those who are helping others. We get to work with organizations that are having incredible impacts on our communities and it’s very fulfilling to help mobilize their missions through media.

Biggest challenge: As a young media company, it’s easy to be distracted with the hundreds of directions we could potentially go in. There’s so much overlap now between content development and marketing/branding – between web, print and tv – that I want to make sure we offer a robust level of service that meets multiple needs, and at the same maintain that sky-high level of quality and know-how.

Biggest surprise: Things seem to be taking a turn for the better in our business, even during this recession, in that groups are realizing the importance of talking about what they’re doing. They seem to be more receptive to creative directions they may have not considered before – both in terms of messaging and distribution. The tight purse strings are pushing them to be more resourceful, more forward-thinking and more experimental than the non-profit sector has tended to be in the past.

I worry about: making Moped a secure, reliable place to work as a creative professional. In this economic situation and witnessing the downsizing throughout major media companies and non-profits alike, it’s worrisome to think the industry workflow may slow down and a freelancer who counts on me may not have a project for a few weeks. So far, we’re in solid shape, but it’s something that keeps my brain spinning sometimes.

Most important lesson learned: You are only as good as your last work.

Best advice I ever got: If you are really good at what you do, you will find yourself learning something every day. If you’re not, you’ll think you know everything already.

When the going gets tough, I: remind myself that tomorrow morning I will be given a fresh start. My grandmother always said to me ‘and this, too, shall pass.’ That applies to both the good and bad times. I tend to use it more during the bad times!

For relaxation, I: um…. Not much of that these days -- going into the 3rd year of business. I try to make it to a weekend stretch class as often as possible. And every once in a while I reward myself with a visit it to my favorite salon for a pedicure or a facial if I’m feeling fancy. I hope to take a vacation in the spring.

Someone considering this for a career should: know that there is little room for a specialty trade person in media anymore. You can certainly survive only knowing how to produce, or only knowing how to build websites, but you are setting yourself up for hitting your ceiling early. The more you can expand your creative, industry and business know-how, the more indispensably imbedded you’ll be in your field. That means constantly teaching yourself and learning from those around you.

How did you get interested in your career area?
I started in tv journalism, telling community stories via local news. I found my strength in telling difficult stories, personal stories. I knew I wanted to work in a longer, less formulaic format very quickly.
What training did you have? I studied communication and journalism at FSU and FAMU, interned at the WOFL-FOX station in Orlando, and trained as a production assistant and associate producer at WCTV-CBS in Tallahassee, Florida during my last year in college.

What jobs have you held over the years to prepare you for this career? After becoming a field reporter and weekend anchor at WCTV, my producing and editing skills were honed through freelance work in New York, particularly at mtvU, MTV’s college network. mtvU is where I really witnessed the multi-leveled production work that happened with brand integration, opportunities for students, and creating ‘on-air, online and on-the-ground’ elements, as they would say, for their larger initiatives. I also freelanced as an on-camera host for a few different outlets in the city, which will ultimately make anyone a better producer/director. And truly, each client project is like having a new job. You always learn something throughout each creative process.

What things should they do now to get ready for this career? Skills, personality traits. Definitely learn to do your job consistently well, first and foremost. But your standard for success should go beyond accomplishing your tasks. It’s about valuing your own skills and talents in a way that makes the people around you feel good about what you bring to the table. You are you’re own salesperson, no matter what field you’re in.

What are the disadvantages of this career area? I think a lot of people don’t realize the level of conceptual and technical work that goes into planning and creating distribution-quality media products. With the cost of technology going down, and everyone’s nephew having an editing system on their laptop, I think there’s a perception that storytelling and editing are skills you can just ‘pick up.’ There are certain skills that come with time and experience that certainly compounds with talent; neither survives without the other for very long.

What suggestions do you have for someone who wants to pursue your career area? Try everything once. When I was reporting the news in 2001, I never expected to be a non-linear editor or be able to project revenue goals. I have always been open to taking on different types of projects for the sake of experiencing a new aspect of the business. It teaches you something, including what you’re really bad at. I will never be a live-studio soundboard operator.

What I think I’ll be doing 10 years from now: I believe Moped will have evolved into a larger-scale media services company, with online, on-air and print distribution components. I hope to be at a place where I’m overseeing that business, helping other entrepreneurs launch their businesses, and seeing a few little kiddies off to kindergarten and first grade!

Parting shot/ Words of Wisdom to other Women: Nothing gets done without taking the first step. The turtle doesn’t move forward without sticking his neck out. The world makes way for people who know where they’re going. Be a business-woman, not a woman in the business.

Publisher's note:I met Maureen last month at the ATHENA International awards ceremony in Chicago where one of her documentary style videos made it's debut. You can view it at her website or the ATHENA International leadership website as well.

LEED Certified -- Chitra Matthai Becomes a "Green Interior Designer"

Chitra Matthai, my good friend from our AM Akron Toastmaster's group, recently achieved a major milestone.

She became a LEED certified Interior Designer. This means that she really understands what building green for sustainability means and how to achieve it!

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the Green Building Council. This certification comes as a result of many classes, much study and a comprehensive test. It is truly an undertaking and a real accomplishment to receive this certification.

She will become one of the people who will help to save our planet for future generations!

Congratulations, Chitra Matthai!

To find out more about becoming an interior designer, an architect or a green building expert, check out these resources:

• Interior Design Careers


• http://www.usgbc.org/ for direct information on LEED from the US Green Building Council


• Green Building Research


• ARCHcareers


• Become an Architect!
  
  
  
  
  

Kent State Dedicates New Entrepreneurial Lab

Good news for those who want to create jobs and create a new business! Last Friday, Kent State University dedicated the new Entrepreneurial Lab in the Business building on the Kent Campus. Julie Messing, who serves as the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation says:

The lab provides students with a place to be inspired to achieve excellence, including all of the “bells and whistles” for stimulating minds. The technology available in the space is top rate, with students having access to all of the necessary tools to make business happen.

I think that this is another powerful tool for growth of Northeast Ohio. Read more here: Kent State Dedicates John S. Brinzo Entrepreneurial Lab

More local entrepreneurship news:

• Tonight I am a guest speaker at University of Akron as a Professor for a Day in their entrepreneurship class called "New Venture Creation." My topic: A Story of Entrepreneurship: How I Started and Grew a Full Service Marketing Agency During Tough Economic Times.
  
• Tomorrow I speak to 38 business professionals at the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce about "Three Branding Secrets Every Business Owner MUST Embrace"
  
• Next week on Monday I am planning to attend the Founders' Cafe where business entrepreneurs brainstorm ways of building and growing new business and on Tuesday the Entrepreneurs for Sustainability program in Cleveland. I enjoy just being part of that group and learning from others about what keeps a business growing.
  
• During November I will present "Seize the Market" at the Akron Urban League for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Are you thinking of starting a business? There are many places to look for helpful resources.

Are you a business owner? What resources do you use to gain additional knowledge? Feel free to comment!

Do You Know How to Use the Tools You Need in the Office?

In a post called the GROWING PRODUCTIVITY DIVIDE Seth Godin wrote a quick quiz with tools you need to know how to use to make your work more productive.

Take a few minutes to scan his list and see how many of his tools you use regularly.

1. Can you capture something you see on your screen and paste it into Word or PowerPoint?
2. Do you have a blog?
3. Can you open a link you get in an email message?
4. Do you read more than five blogs a day?
5. Do you have a signature in your outbound email?
6. Do you have an RSS reader?
7. Can you generate a PDF document from a Word file you're working on?
8. Do you know how to build and share a simple spreadsheet using Google Docs?
9. Do have a shortcut for sending mail to the six co-workers you usually write to?
10. Are you able to find what you're looking for on Google most of the time?
11. Do you know how to download a file from the internet?
12. Do you back up your work?
13. Do you keep track of contacts using a digital tool?
14. Do you use anti-virus software?
15. Do you fall for internet hoaxes and forward stuff to friends and then regret it?
16. Have you ever bought something from a piece of spam?

How many did you say yes to? (Hopefully the answers top 15 and 16 were NO.) How many questions did you say "what's RSS? or Google Docs? or PDF software costs too much!"

If you're trying to make the transition into the workforce and found you didn't have a high score, you may want to use this list as a springboard to learn how to become more productive.

When you go for an interview and the person says something like:
"Why should I hire you?"
You will have something to say.

Print out this list. Learn a new skill each week and continue to use it. And when the interviewer asks, you can say: "You should hire me because I am extremely productive. I know and use many computer shortcuts and can help other people in the office learn them as well." Then whip out your list with check marks after each of the 16 questions and leave it with the interviewer. Good bet the interviewer won't admit it but only knows how to do a few.

This list is not meant to intimidate, but if you find you're not familiar with the ideas, you'll be 3 steps ahead if you use it as a to-do list to learn new ways to become more productive.

Twenty years ago (when the world was running on 386's, Wangs and Radio Shack TRS80's & most departments had a secretary taking messages) the list might have looked like:

1. Do you keep pre-filled out overnight FedEx forms ready and know where the last pick up box is within a 45 minute drive of the office?
2. Do you know how to create a cover sheet and send a faxsimile?
3. Have you created a filing system that cross references your outgoing and incoming faxes?
4. Can you find and fix the paper jam in the copy machine without getting toner all over your business suit?
5. Do you know how to program a simple formula into Lotus 123?
6. Do you know how to use a text editor?
7. Do you use a Franklin Planner?
8. Can you program an Kodak Ectographic viewer?
9. Do you have overheads on a cardboard frame to make your presentations look more professional?

Okay, for those who are re-entering the workforce, you may recognize some of those terms, but recent college graduates will probably wonder what I'm talking about.

Being "the one" who knows how to do something that the others don't can go a long way into getting you the job and also making your co-workers feel that you helped to save the day when a big presentation was going south or another deadline loomed.

More productivity ideas for the office from Ben Yoskovitz at the Instigator Blog. I met Ben at conference in Chicago about 18 months ago. He asked his readership for their best productivity tips. If you are feeling smug about getting a 90-100% on Seth Godin's list... take a look at the tips that are shared there.

Some of my favorites:

1. Make a to do list for tomorrow at the end of the day so you start fresh.
2. Empty your InBox every day -- both paper and electronic.
3. Create files (both paper & electronic) so you can retrieve information when you need it quickly.
4. Back up electronic files.
5. Discard old files or store somewhere that won't slow down your system.
6. Make it easy to find frequently needed phone numbers, email, addresses.

What's your best productivity tool?

Hearts & Halos Helps Women with Cancer with Housecleaning

One of the women in my Twitter network, JoAnn DiPierro, is running the kind of business that brings tears of gratitude to my eyes. She helps women who are fighting cancer with their housecleaning by organizing volunteers in the Akron area to donate 2 or 3 hours a month.

"Last year, JPT assisted 15 women at both offices and donated over $15,000 worth of services," explained JoAnn in a story in today's Akron Beacon Journal.

Read more at her blog: JoAnn's Pro Touch or in the Akron Beacon Journal article Hearts & Halos (scroll 1/2 way down.)