The Power of Podcasting - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Power of Podcasting - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career For decades, consumers have been trying to control the way they get their entertainment. From cassette tapes, recorded at just the right time, to burning CDs with the latest MP3s, to those VHS tapes littered with artifacts and distortions from recording dozens of episodes of our favorite shows on the same tape, we did everything we could to hold onto our favorite things. Nowadays, we don’t even bother to own a CD or even a DVD anymore, with streaming services meeting the needs of anyone looking for that song that’s stuck in their head or that movie they hadn’t seen since they were a kid. We have the internet to thank for this. And with the internet, not only have we found new ways to consume our media, but we have new mediums as well, which is exciting for anyone who was looking to get their voice heard. One such medium is the podcast. Despite podcasting being over twelve years old, it’s still a form of media that’s still new to a lot of people. It is often described as internet radio, which is somewhat true. There are plenty of podcasts with DJs who play music, give the news, and share a slice of life like traditional talk radio. The only difference is, is that anyone can do it, and that’s a great thing. It can seem intimidating at first, with many podcasts hosted by well-known comedians, actors, scientists, and social media influencers. From my time creating podcasts, I learned one important thing. If you love what you’re talking about, an audience will follow. There is someone out there who wants to hear what you have to say, no matter what it is. Are you a struggling artist? Talk about your process, what you love about the craft, and who inspires you. You will find someone who relates to you and is interested in what you have to say. Podcasting is a tool that is just reaching its potential. Many use it as a platform to share their love of a fandom, or share stories, and ideas, but it can be used for so much more. I used to work for a small family run business that did podcasts to promote their company. They would do skits with a comedian and impersonator that were creative, fun, and informative. Other companies like Sephora and General Electric have used podcasting in creative ways to promote their products and company. The one rule for making a branded podcast is not to make it a commercial. Make it imaginative and light-hearted and people will come. But let’s take a step back and talk about how I got into podcasting, and why I continue to do it eight years later. During a difficult time in my life, when I was homeless and living in my car, I needed a means to keep my mind busy. I listened to a lot of podcasts to stay informed and make me laugh. Just to name a few: Buzz Out Loud, the Frosty, Heidi, Frank show, Kevin and Bean, and so many others I can’t remember. The fact that these folk, many of whom are professional broadcasters, encouraged me to do my own show. It was a form a therapy with everything that was going on in my life. So I started my first podcast, called Geek Love Radio (a show title I didn’t know I was stealing from an older defunct podcast). I got myself a Blue Snowball mic and began to record my thoughts and feelings onto MP3. I wrote out scripts, to make sure I made sense, and I would spend hours recording myself, editing the audio on Audacity, every beginning sound editor’s friend, and hoping I didn’t sound like a complete fool. I had a small, dedicated audience, who didn’t really interact with me, but from what I could tell, kept downloading the show every week. And every week, I’d wear my heart on my sleeve and prepared myself for the inevitable hate mail. Twenty episodes in, a listener sent in my first e-mail and I was elated. It came from a man in Ireland who was enjoying the show but felt that the one man format was a little stilted. I appreciated the constructive criticism and was open to his suggestion of getting a co-host on the show. He suggested himself. I’m a sucker for Ireland. Been fascinated with the country since I was a child. Having a cohost from Ireland sounded like the best thing I could do. It made me international, which I thought would also bring in an international audience. Dave the Drummer, from Ireland, soon joined my podcast, and I’ve been doing shows ever since. I tried to be unique with every show I created. I did one on nostalgia, one on un-pop culture, and some on fandoms. Podcasting gave me an outlet, and opened doors for me that I never knew were doors I could go through. I met new friends, guested on other podcasts and YouTube shows, and have been press at several local and not so local comic book conventions. I used to discourage people from taking up podcasting. It’s a very saturated medium with plenty of people trying to find a way to cut through the noise. But so is music, and so is television, and every other version of entertainment out there. That should not be a reason to not let your voice be heard. Therefore, if you are at all interested in recording your voice, and putting it out there in a podcast, do it. Get a good mic, a quiet room, put in the legwork with your editing, talk about something you’re passionate about, and you will find people who want to listen to you.

When Youre Not Unique Your Career Could Fail CareerMetis.com

When You’re Not Unique Your Career Could Fail â€" CareerMetis.com Source â€" DepositPhotos.comIf you are not different from others in some meaningful way, you will likely achieve no more than 50% of your potential; you leave 50% of your net worth on the table.This is what young professionals face today as they begin their journey to fulfill their career dreams and be successful.There are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs.evalAnd the people in the crowd approaching organizations for an opportunity look the same.The typical interviewevalWhen being interviewed, members of the job hunting herd are literally indistinguishable from one another.They have a boilerplate résumé they probably downloaded from the internetThey talk mostly about their academic credentials and the marks they earned.They exhibit a superficial understanding of the organization they are speaking to and the challenges it faces.They don’t ask meaningful penetrating questions about the company and the markets it serves.Their answers to interview questions rely more o n what they’ve been taught in school rather than from a practical perspective.The conversation is replete with standard cliches: “My strength is dealing with people”; “I understand new technologies”; “My weakness is trying to do too much, or I’m impatient at times” and on it goes.When they cannot demonstrate something unique about themselves, they unfortunately provide a hiring organizations no compelling reason to pay attention to them over others and to consider them high for employment potential.Some say that it is ok to possess skills and competencies similar to others; that there is a limit on how people can be different.You can differentiate yourselfHOGWASH! That’s like saying there is no way you can turn a commodity into a differentiated product and we all know that is absolute rubbish.Products can be made to be special in a myriad of ways and all it takes is imagination and creativity to create something different and unmatched in the marketplace â€" ever h eard of The Heart Attack Grillin Las Vegas?It’s no different with people.evalEach and every one of us can be distinct from every other person in some special way if we are motivated to discover our specialness.The problem is we have never been led to think that being different was expected. Rather, “the system” imposes on us conformance and compliance expectations and has brainwashed us to believe that fitting in was the only acceptable outcome.The school system is all about grinding our students who have all mastered the same stuff in the same way.Being different is not driven into young people; it’s frowned upon.evalSo the consequences of not being different are, first, young people have an extremely tough time getting a job and launching their career, and second, organizations are robbed of the creativity they need to survive and thrive in our unpredictable and chaotic world.Double jeopardy with very unfortunate outcomes.

Apply to Jobs with Smarts and Style - Hire Imaging

Apply to Jobs with Smarts and Style - Hire Imaging When you’re applying to jobs in your search, try your best to stand out from the pack. Apply with panache and style. You want them to pick you! Think about doing something creative and different (just keep it professional)! For example, let’s say you are a graphic designer applying for a job at a new company. Why not send a small portfolio of your most impressive work? I don’t recommend stopping by; people are busy and may or may not respond well to the interruption. That said, you can certainly drop off a portfolio or resume if you’re in the neighborhood. So much depends on the company, your role, and your target audience. But the key is to feel okay to think outside the box! I had a client who sent a red rose to the receptionist, with a note that he appreciated how tough her job was; and that his hat was still in the ring. She knew his motive, but she still melted. He got the interview that previously had been out of reach. Style and standing out are just as important when you apply for a job as when you interview for one. It takes time, but it will serve you well. At a minimum, make sure that your resume reflects the required skills in the targeted job, in terms that your audience understands. Speak their language. This is particularly important when you’re applying online. Recruiters, HR, and hiring managers do not have time to call you and ask, “Do you have this skill?” So, they don’t get beyond talking to the candidates who do have the skills, because they found their good fits. Tailor your resume as much as you can. Then energize your resume with a compelling cover letter. Tell them why you’re that great fit to help their pain! Here are two examples: You need someone to drive process improvements. “In my last position, I boosted productivity 43% by creating new systems, job descriptions, and protocol that integrated benchmarks, best practices, and daily dialogue between staff and management.” You need someone to lead a team representing several departments. “In my last position, I hired, trained and managed cross-functional management. I groomed two people into management roles, increased customer satisfaction survey results 33% and eliminated the need for outsourced contracts.” How do you avoid wasting time with the overwhelming number of advertised jobs you see and are attracted to? When jobs come to you and you’re interested, you have to stop and ask yourself: Does the job really fit what I want according to my self-analysis? Do I have at least 80% of the required qualifications listed â€" 8 out of 10? If yes, and you’re interested, first go to your network and see if you can find someone inside that company to introduce you to the right hiring authority or at least someone a bit closer in the hierarchy to that person. If you don’t find a referral, call the company and ask to speak with the head of whatever area you’re trying to get into (Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, Information Technology, etc.). If all this fails, then apply online â€" but only if you’re really enthusiastic about it and you are qualified (80% of the qualifications). There are multiple ways to stand out from the pack when applying to a job. Research the company and be clear about what you can do that will help them. Master the art of online applications and applicant tracking systems (ATS) with technically-compatible formatting and tailored resumes. Focus on your proficiency and ability portfolio â€" your brag book. Provide relevant examples of your success that correlate with the employers’ needs. Add personality and flavor to your online identity with a personal website, a blog or social media profiles. Get noticed before you even apply. Get LinkedIn recommendations and endorse others. Have lots of informational meetings. And follow up â€" at least twice. Every time you go after a job, you have the chance to be a standout, a star, or at least a unique person with talents that may be a great fit for the employer’s needs. It takes energy and discernment. Be selective. Be persistent. Go get it! And shine! Do you have other ideas for applying to jobs with smarts and style? I’d love to hear from you!

How to Write About Sales Jobs and Resume

How to Write About Sales Jobs and ResumeHow can you write about sales jobs and resume? The answer is that you need to have a plan.When you are writing about sales job, you need to be specific about what you want to write about. Some people are so in love with the work that they tend to get carried away with the subject.You have to make sure that you have actually made the effort to look at the resumes that will benefit you and then make a note of the ones that are lacking. After you have made a note of the ones that are lacking, you need to read them again and make sure that you actually know what you want to write about. If you think that the job will be one that you want to move up, you have to make sure that you really are the right person for the job.There is also another aspect to this, which is that you must be determined to be the best at what you want to do and make sure that you are clear about what your potential job involves. You have to make sure that you take into accoun t that some people would like to be an entrepreneur, while some people prefer a job that is not as dynamic. This is why you need to take a minute and look at what would fit the best for you. The reality is that these kinds of job is going to be changing in the future.When you are writing about sales job, you need to have a lot of time. Some people find it difficult to stick to a deadline because they are just too busy. If you do not have the discipline to stick to a schedule, you need to reconsider what you are going to do in order to achieve this.You can also use the internet as a resource for ideas, but be careful as there are many people who will try to rip you off. You should be aware of scams on the internet so that you are able to make an informed decision about what you are going to do.When you are writing about sales job, you also need to make sure that you create a nice job description. You can do this by using a formula or a vocabulary and phrases that can be used when you are writing about sales jobs.Overall, writing about sales job resume can be very complex because it involves both writing and evaluating skills. These are things that you need to learn as you go along.

Tips On Creating A Resume Portfolio Folder

Tips On Creating A Resume Portfolio FolderIf you have a work history in the recruitment industry, then you need to get your resume portfolio out there. It's very important that you do as this will help other recruiters as well as job hunters. In addition, it is vital that you keep up to date with the latest work trends and techniques that have been made famous in the workplace.There are many reasons why you might want to create a portfolio of your formal resume. The first and the most obvious reason is to demonstrate what makes your skills, knowledge and abilities special and unique. There is nothing wrong with writing a good portfolio or a work history that has been put together. This is the best way to get noticed.You should always consider how to create a good portfolio. It should be easy to browse through and simple to read. Never go overboard with your selection of photos or multimedia.Before creating your portfolio folder, you should think about what you want to highlight. This can be a great way to make a point and draw the attention of potential employers to the qualities of your resume. However, you may also want to include work history and relevant samples of job applications to make your resume stand out from the crowd.A good portfolio of your resume should also have details of the dates on which you have worked, the areas you have worked in and the reasons for why you ended up in the specific position. It's also a good idea to include a photo of yourself that includes your name, age, body type and education.When designing your portfolio, you may want to try and include as much information as possible into the folder, even if the folder is small. When you start to upload your portfolio to the internet, you need to also give it the perfect exposure, through your resume website.Resume portfolios can really show a prospective employer what you are all about and what you can offer. Using the right resume portfolio, you can really increase your chances of getting the job that you are looking for.

Resume Writing for Entry Level Position - Overview

Resume Writing for Entry Level Position - Overview Name the precise position you're interested in and show that you've read the work ad attentively. For instance, you might be an excellent writer and a social butterfly, making marketing a wonderful option. If you're applying for the position that needs a personal portfolio, it can be connected to the email and ought to be shown during the interview. Should you do, you are going to get tripped up in the interview. You have to be in a position to brag a little here. Avoiding the rare exceptions, when you're asking for an entry level position, then it's most effective to continue to keep your resume to a single page. Matching duties with quantifiable numbers shows just what you have done previously and that which you can do to help a prospective employer. You may also have RELEVANT coursework, dependent on the role to which you're applying. When you're asking for an entry-level position, composing a cover letter can be chall enging as you may not own a lot of work experience. Simply take a while to think what activities will fit the work description. Generally speaking, applying for employment is a ritualized course of action. The Resume Writing for Entry Level Position Pitfall Based on your experience, you can outline skills that are associated with the work opening. If you don't have experience, then attempt to obtain an internship whenever possible. In addition, it's simple to find experience fast for nearly every job. Therefore, you will need experience to find an entry-level job, but minus the job, you can't acquire experience. The Lost Secret of Resume Writing for Entry Level Position There's no rocket-science behind writing a resume, but be sure you deliver high excellent content and offer information that's crystal clear and error free. Therefore, if you're looking into going into the world of information entry, be sure your comfortable with keyboard. Resume creators enable jobseekers to make and download their finished resumes right from the world wide web to begin applying straight away. Double-check to be certain you've written over the normal info and altered the date. The Downside Risk of Resume Writing for Entry Level Position Providing references, particularly when you are asking for an entry level position can be quite supportive and impressive. Obviously, there's a great infographic and plenty of numbers with visual imagery that will help you see what the vast majority of students are searching for in employment targets. A great deal of positions don't need a lot of education to do effectively. You will observe many positions across multiple important job banks. An eye-catching resume, though, will assist with the rest. Each business with an open position would like to fill it using a particular person who can continue to keep that information flowing smoothly and steadily. If you already know what sort of job that you're searching for, there are particular job boards that produce high-quality outcomes. The very first portion of obtaining a job is beginning your work search.

Top 10 Professional Certifications For A Bright Future - Work It Daily

Top 10 Professional Certifications For A Bright Future - Work It Daily The world is changing so fast. With the emergence of new technologies and ideas in work, people must think differently. People need to be more creative than ever. To keep pace with this change, people should expand their skills by taking different professional certification courses. Professional certification is a process in which a person proves that he or she has the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job. A wide variety of industries and careers offer professional certification. Selftest training provides professionals with a benchmark of their ability to pass any certification exam. The certificate assures employers, customers, students, and the public that the certificate holder is competent in their line of work. In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment and practice. Certification can prove a person is important, committed,and well-trained professionally. Professionals with certifications generally can expect: Better employment and opportunities Good remuneration packages Social/professional recognition To be more competitive than others Here are a few certifications to consider: 1. MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) These certifications prove that someone has the comprehensive set of skills to perform a particular IT job role, such as enterprise messaging administrator database administrator. 2. MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) This certification proves a professional's skills on a particular Microsoft technology, such as the Microsoft Exchange Server, Windows operating system, Microsoft SQL Server, or Microsoft Visual Studio. 3. MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) This certification is for web application developers who develop computer applications using Microsoft technologies and frameworks such as Visual Studio, HTM5L/CSS/Javascript and C#. 4. MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainers) An MCT is a professional trainer who has been certified by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) instructor-led courses to Information Technology (IT) professionals and developers. 5. MCITP (Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional) The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification is one of Microsoft's new generation of credentials is designed to validate your skills on the features and functionality of key technologies. 6. VCP (VMware Certified Professional) VMware certifications offer opportunity to validate their products technical knowledge. Candidates will be proficient with the installation, management, deployment and support of their products. 7. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) This covers skills necessary to administer devices on small or medium-sized networks. 8. PMP (Project Management Professional) Project Management Professional demonstrates that a person is experienced and educated to successfully lead and direct projects. 9. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) A CPA is a certified public accountant and is licensed by the state. 10. ACSP (Apple Certified Support Professional) This certifies your ability to understand the operating system and is earned based on the OS version. Earning a certification does not guarantee that you will walk into a higher paying job. Certification helps, but employers count on several factors when hiring people, including experience. There was a time when certification holders were reasonably assured of landing a job. Today it is more of a qualifier - not having a certification means you may not even get an interview.   Want more advice like this? Sign up below to receive our *daily* career tips in your Inbox! Email:   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!