My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Cleaning Off the Cobwebs.” In it, I discuss proactively cleaning up your personal brand.
When new jobseekers start their search for the perfect opportunity, they’re often met with one of two concerns. Either “I’m too old” or “I’m too young.” Those who are older feel their experience will be overlooked because they have too many gray hairs. Those who are young feel their lack of experience will trump their abilities.
Whether you’re young or old, you’re in a similar situation. Ironically, many interviewers aren’t great at guessing your age. They use cues and information you provide. You heard that right. They often guess your age based on your own actions. The question then becomes, “What can I do to change this perception?”
To read the entire article and get tips on spring cleaning your personal brand, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
United Technologies is seeking an Operations Manager at their Carrier location in Collierville.
This person will provide leadership to Assembly Operations on production planning, staffing, and managing day-to-day manufacturing operations within the plant budget. Participate on the EHS Management team to develop, implement or support plant and departmental objectives for Safety, Ergonomics, and Environmental. Lead assembly efforts for assistance in achieving Quality goals such as FPY, Escapes, Leak reduction, COPQ, Scrap reduction, and Warehouse Holds reduction.
They will also lead and facilitate department in meeting ACE requirements as well as ISO requirements. Assist assembly associates in maximizing potential and contribution to plant objectives through effective coaching, mentoring, counseling and accountability. Propose and implement changes to existing processes to streamline and improve overall performance while maintaining cost controls and creating cost effective use of resources. Work with engineering, maintenance and materials groups to ensure production goals are met within budget and assembly lines issues are mitigated efficiently.
To learn more or to apply online, visit the Carrier website here.
Do you compare yourself to others? Your accomplishments versus theirs? Your resume compared to them? Your clothes, even?
We all do it, and for some reason, we assume it’s helpful. I’d argue it is just the oppose for a few key reasons.
I spent part of last week working a booth at the NSBE Career Fair in Nashville. I heard the event drew something in the ballpark of 8,000 people, and I would assume over 300 employers and schools.
From an employer perspective, every large corporation that’s anybody in the technology space was there. Companies included Google, Facebook, IBM, Ford, Toyota, the CIA, Intel, Harley-Davidson, Proctor & Gamble, Visa, and many more. Schools included my undergraduate Alma mater, RPI, Harvard, Berkley, MIT, and Notre Dame, just to name a few.
Entering the fair was an overwhelming experience. After making it through security at the door, you were quickly hit with large displays from some of the biggest companies. They were tall, brightly colored, with moving parts, and eye catching features. The automotive companies even had cars in their booths. Overhead, the loud speakers blared contests and job opportunities.
A sea of participants (mostly current students) were huddled around the recruiters at each booth. All dressed in black business suits, with polished shoes, and portfolios for their freshly printed resumes and business cards, it was an intimidating scene. These job seekers looked so prepared that anyone else visiting would certainly feel uncomfortable.
Altogether, it was an incredible amount of information to process and navigate. At times, the amount of bumping into people felt like I was at a nightclub. It would be easy to see how someone who had never experienced this type of fair might feel out of place. Perhaps they didn’t realize that the fair was ‘business dress’ or maybe they weren’t a student.
In reality though, a professional with years of experience is also something these companies needed. And, it was different than what all those newly minted students could offer. Years of experience could easily be turned into a differentiator (as could many other traits). Those companies may have had less jobs for professionals, but all in all, there were also significantly less professionals at the fair. In this case, although there were fewer jobs for experienced professionals, there was also less competition.
Working a booth for two days also led me to some additional conclusions. First, some of the job seekers really didn’t know what they wanted. Many didn’t have business cards. Quite a few were there because they’re a member of a group that attended together. That same group probably gave their members a heads up on what to wear and bring.
The people who did the very best at the career fair stood out for some very obvious, but less visible reasons.
Although it helped when candidates were dressed to the nines, their attire was not the only deciding factor. Understanding who you are and what you’re looking for, and then being able to clearly communicate that message in a confident, friendly manner was hands down the most important thing.
Many of those incredibly intimidating business suit wearing participants were in fact college students. Some were even high school students. Many had never had a job of any kind before.
So, before you look around the room and decide you’re going to give up, think again. Remember that you’re making assumptions about those around you that may or may not be correct. Think back on all the great stuff you bring to the table, and be prepared with your own pitch (and business cards, and resume).
Focus a little less on your competition, and a little more on being the best you can be. You may just find you’re the one those companies are looking for. You may find that you’re the one who gets the job!
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. and his Staff are hosting a Town Hall Meeting for Young Professionals to engage attendees on a number of issues ranging from the City’s budget and pension to quality of life concerns and ways to get involved in moving our city forward. This is an open event and no RSVP is required.
If you are a young professional living in Memphis and looking to attend the Town Hall event on April 3, please fill out this short survey in advance of the event. Mayor Wharton will be discussing quality of life concerns and ways to get involved in moving our city forward. Part of what he will highlight will stem from survey results. Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
St. Jude (ALSAC) is looking for a Supervisor of their Donor Program.
Responsible for the Donor Program Representatives making Outbound Donor Calls and the contact they have with donors; including supervising the staff, monitoring the quality of the work, implementing organization policies and program procedures, and researching/developing new ways to reach department goals. Requires a high degree of judgment in order to handle problems, inquiries and special donors appropriately.
To learn more or to apply online, visit their website here.
Brother is looking for a Senior Manager – Business Partner in Memphis.
As a strategic business partner, the HR BP determines/aligns HR deliverables with the business objectives for designated business units. Partnering with their COE counterpart, it will be the HR BP’s responsibility to thoroughly understand their client group’s business priorities, imperatives, and customer business, and be able to translate this into an executable HR strategy. This position reports to the Director, HRBP and will have a strong dotted line reporting relationship to assigned business leaders.
To learn more or to apply online, visit the Brother website here.
The Germantown Community Theatre is looking for an Executive Director.
This person’s responsibilities will span major gifts fundraising, public relationships, artistic and financial planning, and management.
They’re looking for someone who has experience in a non-profit arts management/leadership position, with demonstrated experience in fund-raising, grant writing and marketing. They should possess strong budgeting and financial management skills and capacity to lead, manage, motivate and inspire the theatre’s team. They should have experience in public relations activities, including driving growth in ticket sales and associated revenues.
To learn more, visit the Germantown Community Theatre website here. Note that this link is a PDF file.
Faith in Action is hosting the Memphis Cleanup Friday, April 25 – Sunday, April 27.
Overall, the idea is simple – team up and, for three days, focus on cleaning up our community. Their goal is go have over 300 organizations, businesses, schools, and churches participate by engaging more than 10,000 volunteers in three days of service throughout the Mid-South. They have organized sites, like at McKellar Lake, the airport, and along Getwell, or groups can put together and tie in their own cleanup or beautification projects, such as in their neighborhood, on any one or each of the three days.
Visit www.faithinactionmemphis.com to learn more and sign up your team or project.
On Sunday, April 13th, there’s an event celebrating the Broad Avenue Water Tower Public Art Project.
Enjoy a locally-sourced dinner, live performances and artist presentations for the Broad Avenue Water Tower Public Art Project…then cast your vote in selecting the winning project.
To learn more, visit the Crosstown Arts website here.
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