50+ Tips to Brand Yourself Offline

50+ Tips to Brand Yourself Offline 65 Now that you know how to brand yourself online, complete your personal branding strategy with another handy list, this time of suggestions for branding yourself offline in the real world. It's all about leaving the best impression. General guidelines Show your expertise as much as possible. Give people every way to find out about your brand-related successes and achievements without you needing to brag about them. Make yourself easy to contact for thoughts and questions via telephone, cellphone, even a snail mail address. Help other people in your industry such as bloggers, Twitterers, colleagues, advice seekers, etc. Give people a reason to talk about you in a positive way that also matches your brand. Follow other people in your industry and anyone else who can teach you how to spread your message. Create and apply personal design guidelines that will share the values of your brand and are reusable online and offline. Your appearance Dress for success in whatever field you may be in. Corresponding hairstyle Confident posture Firm handshake Gestures you use Right vocabulary What you actually say to people and how you say it (to the point? Or always diplomatically?) Where to leave your branding in print A personal logo or monogram Your handwriting style Your signature Personal stationery Your mailing signature i.e. how you end your letters. Your resume or CV Portfolios Diplomas Test scores or grades Business cards Calling or visiting cards Thank you cards Event-related cards, such as holiday or condolence cards Books you write or contribute towards, such as in a foreword. Articles and white papers you publish in newspapers, journals, magazines, circulars, etc. Press releases Printed reports such as about the impact of recent changes in your industry by government or changes that you'd like to see. Posters Flyers Art Examples of choices that brand you The gadgets you carry. The car you drive. The brands, companies and people you associate with. The medals, trophies and awards you've won. The medals, trophies and awards you've given out. The people you admire and how you admire them. The people you dislike and how you dislike them. Opportunities to show your brand Information interviews at companies you'd like to impress. Out-of-the-box guerrilla actions that grab attention. Distribute samples of your work. Participate in events and activities where you will be introduced publicly. Speak at conferences. Throw a press conference if you have something newsworthy to share that's related to your brand. Do radio shows, regular or intermittent appearances, such as interviews. Get on TV, also for regular or intermittent appearances. Give free advice at business expositions and job fairs. Circulate an industry-related petition. Give seminars or workshops about a topic you know in depth. Participate in as many industry-related networking events that you can. Organize networking events for your industry. Join local, national and international brand-related communities such as business forums and professional groups. If there is no such brand-related community, organize one. Volunteer for groups where you are likely to attract the most positive attention. Give out a personally-branded version of a free tool that your audience will find useful. Think schwag from conferences. Pens are the most typical example, but magnets, flash lights, keychains with your contact information and personal tagline are also common. Use sandwich boards in a busy area. They're so low tech, they always get heads to turn. Do you have any other real world branding suggestions that have worked for you? I originally published this article on the terrific Personal Branding Blog.eval Building a personal brand?

What Should You Expect From the Company?

What Should You Expect From the Company?Before applying for a new job, Alison Course Resume Writing should be done for any company that is looking for a new employee. Alison Course is one of the best company training programs that will help an individual to develop good communication skills. In this article I will tell you what to expect from the company and how Alison Course Resume Writing can benefit you.The company actually started with a request from a customer and from there they have grown to be one of the most respected companies in the country. The level of expertise of the staff is second to none. Their objective is to teach each candidate how to communicate effectively so that the company can achieve its target customers. This process is called customer service.For a variety of reasons, different companies are using different methods to train their employees. By making Alison Course a part of the training program, it has made the company's business much more effective. In t he interview process, all employees learn what the company expects from them. The whole employee will be at ease with the company which will ensure the team works well together.You will be trained by the company so that you understand how to perform your job the way people want to be performed. You will also be able to give them the advice they need when it comes to customer service. It will take a very long time before you will be able to understand what exactly a customer wants from you but you will learn from someone who has already been through it.An Alison Course diploma will make you ready for whatever career you decide to take up. You can choose to work in the corporate office or perhaps as a clerk or receptionist. You can then move up to the executive level to work in the middle level management. If you decide to go into customer service, you will be glad to know that it is an interesting and rewarding career.Customer service is actually one of the easiest jobs in the busine ss world. The employees only have to listen to the customer and do what is required. As you go through the process, you will notice that the person that needs to be heard will be very efficient and punctual. You will also notice that your supervisor will be very impressed by your delivery.When you start out on your own career path, you may not be able to get the chance to do all the tasks required. Alison Course Resume Writing will help you understand what the company requires of its workers so that you can focus on those things.The company will only allow you to work where the customer traffic is as high as possible. If the traffic drops or there is a large amount of competition, the company will not be able to continue with the business. By working with the company, you will gain the confidence that you need in order to impress your employers.

The Age Old Question...

The Age Old Question... So way back in the day I asked you all what you wanted to hear. Among the great comments, I got this one from Staci: How about age as a topic? I know it’s totally acceptable for a man to date a younger woman, but what about when a woman dates a younger man? It’s still considered taboo! I’m currently dating a guy that’s 5 years younger than me. Yeah, it is a little weird. It’s sometimes difficult to tell if his actions are due to his age or not. Time will tell? Anyway it’d be interesting to hear other’s thoughts. So what do you think? When, if ever, does age matter? To me it seems the older you get, the more year-notches on the belt,  the less important it is. My mom dated a man 5 years older than her and it wasnt even discussed. My twenty-something friend is dating a man 5 years older than her and it is a topic, but still, not too bad. When I dated a man 5 years older than me when I was 15, that was an issue. (this is fact did not happen but is a hypothetical 15-year-old me) It also could be more of a where you are in life situation than actual age. So for example, in Stacis situation, even though this man might be 5 years younger, if he is looking to settle down/has the same career goals/wants the same things in life, maybe it isnt an issue at all. According to my mathematical friend, your appropriate dating age is your age, divided by two, plus 7. So 24/2+7= 19. Ewe. But what happens when your friends and his his friends have a mutual get together? Is it oldies in one corner and youngins in the other? How does that work? So what do you think? Anyone else have an age difference dating situation? Lets talk. Happy Thursday yall!

Build Influence On High - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Build Influence On High - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career We may learn much from today’s political scene. Newscasters and folks on Twitter are now tallying “Pinocchio” statements for those in the news. That is, counting the lies that spew forth is now in full force in addition to becoming a game. In the business world, no one lasts long when lies are detected. Trust is the soul of sales. Why this matters so much is that our personal brand is at stake every time we speak. Those who watch us will match our statements with the actions we take. More than ever, people are recognizing a record number of inconsistencies  and are on the lookout to see if our words, actions and deeds match up. Job Interviews On job interviews or in client meetings, many times we hear questions that leave us stumbling. The next time you encounter one of these, stop to ask, “Please provide insight as to why you are asking so that I may give you an improved response.” Doing so provides an improved perspective. It also provides insight on how to answer in a way that will satisfy the question. When on job interviews, and upon hearing difficult questions arise, consider taking the following actions: Reply with what you know to be true Ask for more information as appropriate Defer the uncertain questions until adequate research provides you with a sound answer. Reputation Management In today’s online world, our reputations precede us. Yes, the right thing to do is to apologize when a blunder is made. But it’s even better to stop and think about the pointed inquiry, and how to approach the answer to avoid the misstep in its entirety. Raise Self-Awareness On the honesty meter, how would you rate yourself? Have you: “Fudged” answers on job interviews Misled prospective clients during meetings Added extras to your resume that arent 100% truthful? Any lingering doubt about some steps you previously took tells you that change is in order. The problem with not being wholly truthful is that stress comes into play. You worry about how things will work out and then create an entirely new host of issues with which to concern yourself. From this point forward, do the opposite of what we are currently hearing in the news. Take the pledge to avoid Pinocchio messaging and instead, tell the truth. It makes life easier. You will be far more likely to hear HIRED! Both hiring managers and clients will appreciate you all the more. Sales Tips Think before you speak Avoid having to apologize Ask the reasoning behind difficult questions After answering difficult questions, inquire if the answer was satisfactory Admit when you do not understand terminology. Suggest time be allowed for you to research additional information. Ask for timelines to provide requested details. Deliver your researched answers before the deadline. Gain agreement that everything is in good order. Celebrate success!

Writing Resume Acquisitions and Mergers For Hospitality Job Opportunities

Writing Resume Acquisitions and Mergers For Hospitality Job OpportunitiesAs a leader in the hospitality industry, you are often tasked with writing a hospitality resume acquisitions and mergers. Many job seekers think that the only type of employer that they should focus on is the largest, most successful establishment. While it is true that some employers may have more resources than others, sometimes it is not where your work begins or ends.You should always aim to find a job where you will be treated with respect and given an opportunity to showcase your skills. This can sometimes become a difficult task when looking for employment. However, if you are unsure of what the work culture is like, you should certainly talk to several different people before you make your decision. Do not give up!Many hotel chains have an application process that you will be required to fill out. Regardless of how you arrive at your position within the chain, you should always ensure that you do not giv e your application an unfair advantage over others. You should always try to speak to individuals that worked in the position you are applying for and discuss the responsibilities and the perks of working for the hotel.You may want to discuss business development, travel opportunities, or the room service with them. It is also important to remember that there may be certain duties that they will not allow you to do. If you are uncertain about this, it is always a good idea to ask for clarification so that you can avoid any hassles in the future.A number of hospital staff members have a variety of different responsibilities that you will be able to take advantage of. Even though you may have a company that you currently work for, it is important to remember that this will not always be the case. Additionally, hospitality jobs may also allow you to take part in corporate events.When you are writing your resumes and cover letters, you should be sure to highlight any experience that you have had in business development. If you have worked for any hotel management companies in the past, you should list this as a line of work that you have completed. However, you should also highlight any other types of projects that you have worked on in the past.An excellent way to help you get into the right headspace is to talk to people that have previously worked in the same field. Ask them about what sort of things they found to be extremely challenging. Once you have covered all of these bases, you should then come up with a short list of several employers.Finally, you should always ask for clarification on how the position fits into your current company. You should also ask whether or not you could transfer to a new role if you are hired for a hospitality job. In addition, you should also be prepared to explain why you are so great in this job that you would be a perfect fit for any company that you are considering.

6 Practical Reasons That Will Make You Write Every Day - CareerMetis.com

6 Practical Reasons That Will Make You Write Every Day “You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next.” Ray BradburyWriting in its essence is a means of communication, with yourself and with others. Millions of thoughts race through our minds every day. These thoughts, and possibly new ideas need an outlet to survive, and writing is the ideal way to give them life. When you develop a habit of writing every day you see its benefits presenting themselves in every aspect of your life.evalBut writing in itself won’t get you all the benefits. You need to put an actual pen on paper to get the most out of it, as two scientists from UCLA pointed out in their 2014 study. Test subjects who took down notes in longhand performed better on both factual learning and higher-order conceptual learning compared to their counterparts who used a laptop.Here are 6 reasons that will convince you to put pe n on paper day on end.1. You Remember Every Detail Of Your DayevalI can never remember my grocery list unless I write it down. And when I do write it down, I stop needing it anymore because it’s stuck in my head. It’s the same with every wisp of information that flutters by my short term memory never to be seen again.When I take the time to make a timeline of my day on paper I always end up remembering interesting tidbits about the day and new insights which would have disappeared the moment I put my head on my pillow.But the best part about it is, I can finally stop asking my acquaintances for their name till they start hating me.2. You’re In Touch with YourselfDo you know how the latest Star Wars movie grossed more than $1 billion? The film series already had a huge fan following and studio knew just the right chord to pull to bring in the masses- nostalgia. Parents came with their children in droves to see the movie just so they could revel in relieving a bygone era. You mi ght be wondering what this has to do with writing everyday. Well, the latest Star Wars movie proved beyond a doubt that humans attach immense emotional significance to reliving moments from their past.evalIf a movie can bring to surface so many emotions imagine the emotional roller-coaster ride you would have going through your old journals. Being in touch with your feelings and memories is a great way to improve your emotional quotient and writing makes it possible.3. You Start Being More RationalThinking about every part of your day can be an exhausting experience where you constantly get lost in a muddle of thoughts. Putting words down on paper gives a sense of clarity to your actions and decisions. It’s like a file cabinet for your head with all your crazy ideas and wrong decisions neatly arranged and stacked for future reference.So, the next time you’re about to go out on a night of binge drinking before the day of the big presentation, the neatly stored file in your head f rom one month back pops up with a warning sign.4. Your Creative Genes Go Into OverdriveevalFear not, when you run out of things to write or face a bout of “writer’s block”, as psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler called it. You can never really run out of topics. There is too much to write about. This is your chance to let your imagination take over and try your hand at “free writing”, a prewriting technique where you write continuously about anything or nothing with no regard for grammar or spelling.The only rule: Words have to appear! Letting your mind lose without the constraints of having to write about something specific encourages your mind to work at forming connections and stories. At the end of the exercise you might be surprised at how good your work turned out.5. Your Sound SmarterevalI learnt the word “quintessence” yesterday. I still remember it because Exercising your pen every day is the best way to get your writing skills in shape and give less room for embarra ssing moments. The fact that a Grammarly study found a direct correlation between fewer grammatical errors and more promotions should give you some extra incentive.FINAL THOUGHTSScheduling your daily writing for a certain time, say 9pm to 9.30pm every day, is great if you can stick to the schedule. But for those of you, who have to manage writing with your day job, I’d suggest sticking to a more flexible schedule.Maybe you’re meeting ran for too long and you got home late, maybe you’re just too tired and decide to put it off for the next day; it doesn’t matter! You can write as less and as much as you want.The important thing is that you put words on paper everyday.Usually when I’m too lazy to write, I like to use the “2-minute rule” by author James Clear to motivate myself. The rule basically says “If it takes less than 2 minutes, then do it now.”. “It’s 2 minutes; just 120 seconds; that’s nothing; I could do that.” is my thought process. I’ve yet to put my pen down after those two minutes, which I think is great. But I leave it up to you to decide for yourself.eval

Top 3 Mistakes and Excuses Why You Dont Track Your Job Search

Top 3 Mistakes and Excuses Why You Don’t Track Your Job Search Top 3 Mistakes and Excuses Why You Don’t Track Your Job Search When I talk to anyone from college graduates to corporate executives about their efforts to find their next career moves, I ask them to show me their job search tracking. How do they capture their job descriptions, websites, contact information, applications, and follow up? Most stare at me as if I have three eyeballs. On the other hand, when I talk about this common gap in process, others say, “but that’s just common sense.” YES, it is common sense, but the majority of job seekers isn’t applying that common sense and has no tracking system. As a result, the job search suffers. Are you making these mistakes? Mistake #1: Starting a tracker then dropping it within weeks, believing “I got this and no longer need the tool,” or just plain forgetting about it. I see this over and over again. Yes, it’s work. No salesperson likes to enter their sales activity in a customer relationship management (CRM) software for their company. Yet you are selling yourself to companies and there are a lot of steps required to take a job opportunity from cold lead to an interview. The ONLY way to manage every step is to log every move you make, and follow up religiously. NOTE: You don’t get to stop using your tracker until you begin the first day of your new job! Mistake #2: Incomplete tracker, being lazy and trying to use only some of it. Later, you will need some key information that you didn’t populate. Shortcuts don’t work. Period. You may think all you need is the link to the job description and the date you applied. You’ll remember that a friend, Sam, told you about Bob, who might have a position and then Bob sent you to Susan. Three months later, after interviews and job offer, will you remember to send Sam and Bob and Susan a nice bottle of wine, thanking them for their support? Mistake #3: Just not doing it. Period. By the way, how are those yellow sticky notes working for you? Or the random folders on your PC full of word documents and the “favorites” in your web browser? Not even close to a process. When you wake up every morning, do you have a list of 10 things that need to be done to follow up on your pipeline or do something new? I guarantee you this list will be generated from your great process AND you will feel better, emotionally, about your job search because you will be busy. You will see and feel the progress forward. Are you using any of these excuses? Excuse #1: “What I did during my last job search worked just fine.” That was then, this is now! Excuse #2: “I’m not a spreadsheet person.” Well, first, good luck in any future position where you may be asked to be comfortable with a spreadsheet! Excuse #3: “Job searching is all about relationships, not tracking tools and lists of things to do.” I just heard this one last week and was shocked! Remember, CRAP comes in two forms: mistakes and excuses, both of which will sabotage your job search efforts and slow down your progress. You can do this! Download the best job search tracker and other tools here so you can get started or re-start on the right foot. https://www.danamanciagli.com/tool-downloads/

How to Politely Back Out of an Interview - Punched Clocks

How to Politely Back Out of an Interview - Punched Clocks A hundred applications later, and you’re finally starting to get bites in the job interview pond. Some jobs are more of the “this will get me through” or “I can bear this” type, while others are the “cross my fingers and hope I get this dream job” type. Just as college applicants have their list of safety schools and dream schools, so it is with the job search. The problem arises when one or more hiring managers come knocking at your door. Many applicants end up attending an interview only to realize on the way or in the middle of the hiring manager’s version of twenty questions that they’re just not that into this gig. Do you have to go on this interview? How do you gracefully back out of an interview without looking like you’re ungrateful or rude? What if you’re in the middle of the interview and realize it’s not for you â€" they could be nice people but the salary and benefits are paltry. Try these solutions to back out of an interview gracefully. Hang in There When the interview is feeling iffy, hang in there. Hear them out, because first meetings always have an element of awkwardness. If you’re in the middle of the interview and realize this position isn’t right for you, finish the meeting out. Weigh the pros and cons after the interview, and in your follow-up, thank the company for its time, but say you’d like to be removed from consideration. It’s rare that a bad interview is truly a waste of time, especially if the salary sucks. Remember these are factors that you can negotiate now or later, when a job offer arises, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth. See a bad interview as an opportunity to practice for a better one. There’s much to learn about what you do and don’t want in a position, and what position you’re willing to take in order to make a living. That said, if you ever feel you’re in danger or someone is expressing extreme rudeness or distastefulness,  you can back out of that interview immediately. Look for What Fits Just because the position you interviewed for doesn’t fit, doesn’t mean the company isn’t right for you. A better-suited role may come in the near future or be ready for you right now. So what do you do? Keep shining a light on your personality and talent, highlighting your other skills and how you want your career to develop. Be memorable. The interviewers are likely to discuss you among themselves, upper-level executives and with other departments if you are an impressive and dynamic candidate. Express that you’re interested in the work of the company beyond this position, highlighting specifics you’ve read about. Look for what fits, and show interest in the company itself. During or after the interview, express that you would like to stay in touch and grow with the company in a role best suited for you, as your career goals are in line with its vision for the future. It’s up to you to take the initiative to engage the interviewer, keeping them interested in you for a future opportunity. When Your Gut Says Not to Go Is your gut telling you to pull out of this interview stat? No matter your reasons, if you are absolutely positive you don’t want to go on this interview, say so immediately. Don’t waste your valuable time or the time of the company. What mode of communication will work best for you if you feel awkward? Is it phone or email? Don’t make excuses, but leave it brief and a little personal, especially if you could see yourself being interested in another opportunity with this company. Be sure you’re not opting out because you’re afraid you’ll do poorly on the interview itself. An email gives you time to review your response carefully when looking for a way to politely back out of an interview. Don’t think of this as a rejection. Look at your statement as a grateful thank you but not connecting paths at this moment. Ideally, everyone would go to a job interview and feel excited, but that’s often not the case â€" and this is completely okay. In your email or phone call, thank the company for its consideration. List a few positives about the business that stood out to you. Get personal with what you liked. If you discussed a specific project or vision for the future in a preliminary phone call, express your interest and say you’d like to remain in touch for future opportunities or discussions. This job wasn’t for you, but you made a new addition to your network. It’s Okay to Back Out, With a Positive, Polite Attitude It may feel ridiculous to back out of an interview when it’s so rare to get one in the first place. Yes, interviewing is a privilege, but it also wastes your time and the company’s time if you’re absolutely sure you’re not interested in the job. If you’re in the middle of the interview and still unsure, see it through since you did arrive. Hear them out. Ask questions you want answers to and see this as an opportunity to develop your interview skills. Ask about what else the company is doing or wants to do, especially if you love the company itself but not this gig. It’s okay to take time to make your final decision. It’s also a good idea to ask other professionals in your network, family and friends what they think for extra insight and clarity. The key to bowing out gracefully is to stick to the positives and be honest but brief with your no. Earnestly thank the company for this opportunity, and express your interest in leaving the door open, if you want to. What’s your experience with backing out of an interview? Are there ways to back out of an interview that you found helpful? Share your wisdom in the comments, and be sure to share this post and subscribe to Punched Clocks for more career insight. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.