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Terry Yoffe (left)
Ann Fry (right)
Laura Rivchun
Kristina Leonardi (left)
Belinda Plutz (right)
A. Adam Glenn
Laura Allen
Marion Gindes (right)
Alexandra Duran (left)
Jennifer Shaheen (right)
Reported by Michele Hush, Rayna Katz, Debbie Kunen, Susan King, Linda Levi and Tekla Szymanski.
On June 30, 2010, members and guests gathered at NYU’s Kimmel Center for NYWICI’s annual Night of the Coaches, an evening of structured networking and career roundtable discussions on a wide variety of career-enhancing topics. Attendees participated in two 1-hour sessions of their choice. The roundtables were led by NYWICI's esteemed career coaches.
We have gathered key points from each of the 10 roundtables.
“How to Reinvent Yourself in Challenging Times,” facilitated by Ann Fry, MSW, PCC (The ReInvention Hotshot and Executive Coach).
You want to change the direction of your life or your work and don’t know how? First, you have to recognize that you need to re-evaluate your situation. “It takes courage to want to step up and do something different.” Ask yourself: “How can I transfer my current skills to a new industry? What is the procedure for getting the career or job that I really want?” There is nothing wrong with pursuing your dreams. Here are four steps to keep in mind:
You want to change the direction of your life or your work and don’t know how? First, you have to recognize that you need to re-evaluate your situation. “It takes courage to want to step up and do something different.” Ask yourself: “How can I transfer my current skills to a new industry? What is the procedure for getting the career or job that I really want?” There is nothing wrong with pursuing your dreams. Here are four steps to keep in mind:
- Show up and be present. Don’t merely go through the steps mindlessly.
- Be willing to take stock of your individual circumstances.
- Tell the truth and ask yourself if you’re truly happy or not; you won’t make changes or take action until you are honest.
- Take action and pursue making changes. Explore the possibilities of what you can really have, although it isn’t easy.
View Ann's handout.
“Getting What YOU Want: How to Negotiate for a Job, a Raise, a Promotion, or a Freelance Opportunity in this Economy,” facilitated by Alexandra Duran, MSW, CSW, JD (Principal and CEO, Duran Consulting)
How do you negotiate effectively, leave less money on the table and gain respect in the process and acquire the right negotiation skills to deliver the best results regardless of market conditions? Alexandra’s advice is based on the idea that “long before you think about where to work, you have to decide who you want to be.”
How do you negotiate effectively, leave less money on the table and gain respect in the process and acquire the right negotiation skills to deliver the best results regardless of market conditions? Alexandra’s advice is based on the idea that “long before you think about where to work, you have to decide who you want to be.”
- Whoever does the best homework wins. Learn everything you can about the company and job you want and the salary it should command.
- Never send your resume to someone in HR. HR people want the most talent for the least money; you have to connect with someone higher up.
- Be prepared to make a case for the specific contribution and value you can add.
- If you’re negotiating for a raise, always follow up on paper or via e-mail with a recap of what was discussed.
- Show initiative. Be ready to demonstrate what you can do with an impressive idea or approach. Remember that negotiations can’t seem to be about you but about what you can bring to the company.
- If you need to break the “rules,” never ask permission. Act first and apologize later.
- Don’t be a good little girl. Nobody pays them well.
“Expanding and Using Your Network,” facilitated by Belinda Plutz (Principal, Career Mentors, Inc.)
Networking at its best is the mutual exchange of information and/or resources. But there are definite guidelines and etiquette practices to effective networking:
- Don’t be afraid to ASK for help, but prepare your ASK, practice your ASK, be specific in your ASK and be respectful and courteous.
- Stay connected with your contacts over time; as little as two “touches” a year can keep relationships alive.
- Be appropriately persistent; it can take five “touches” before you connect with someone.
- Embrace and befriend any contact gatekeepers; they could turn out to be your best proponent and ally.
- Being a resource to others, or giving as well as getting, helps build your credibility and may even plant a little guilt you can tap into at some later point in time.
- The bottom line: People hire people, so if you are job-hunting or looking to build or transition your career, networking should be one of your top priorities.
View Belinda's handout.
“Savvy Social Networking Tips & Etiquette,” facilitated by Jennifer Shaheen (eMarketing and Technology Therapist®, The Technology Therapy Group)
Social media are a great tool to brand yourself. But how can you leverage the technology effectively to capitalize on your marketing objectives and to stay on everyone’s mind without becoming an annoyance to others? Social Networking requires strategy:
- Manage your social network profile. Ask for endorsements, be specific; include volunteer and pro bono work on your profile.
- Companies now post on LinkedIn and Twitter. Use the information in your research: did a position you want open up? Did they land a new client? Will they be staffing to accommodate more business?
- Use lists in Facebook to segregate who sees your updates: Business contacts or only friends/family? Manage your privacy settings.
- On LinkedIn, post links to articles to generate a conversation, ask and post questions.
- Be strategic with groups, find the decision makers in your industry and position yourself among the executive level groups.
- Use “industry jargon” in your status updates. Industry insiders will appreciate that.
“Getting Back in the Workforce,” facilitated by Laura Rivchun (Founder, LR Consulting)
Laura, a former recruiter, gave an insider’s look at how companies screen candidates and résumés and what candidates can do to set themselves apart. Here are some points to remember:
Laura, a former recruiter, gave an insider’s look at how companies screen candidates and résumés and what candidates can do to set themselves apart. Here are some points to remember:
- Develop an answer to the interview question: “Tell me why I'd hire you?” A way to do this is to figure out what makes you unique. Think about what has made bosses want to promote you.
- As job hunters, we're often networking with people who have a lot to offer. While career coaches stress that there should be a relationship, a give and take, you might feel that you aren’t necessarily in the position to reciprocate. Just say, “if there's anything I can ever do for you, just let me know.”
- And last but not least: “When it doubt, wear a suit.”
View Laura's handout.
“New Job, New Boss, New Anxiety: Getting off to the right start in your first 90 days on the job,” facilitated by Marion Gindes, Ph.D. (Gindes Consulting)
Congratulations! You are now part of a new team. Yet, how do you navigate the murky waters of office politics and make the best impression? Try to find out key information already during the interviewing process. Get a sense of who they are, what you need to make it there, what is the culture. On the new job:
Congratulations! You are now part of a new team. Yet, how do you navigate the murky waters of office politics and make the best impression? Try to find out key information already during the interviewing process. Get a sense of who they are, what you need to make it there, what is the culture. On the new job:
- Observe and listen: What do people wear? Dress on the conservative side until you figure out what’s appropriate. How do people interact with each other?
- Ask your boss what needs to be done. Make yourself available for work and information. You want to be the “go to” person, but know that it can be a balancing act.
- Develop allies above and below your level: superiors, subordinates and support staff.
- Find a mentor. You won’t know whom to trust, so proceed with caution.
- Don’t get involved with office politics and don’t contribute to gossip.
“Essential Communication Skills for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers,” facilitated by Terry R. Yoffe, CPCC, PCC (Managing Director, TRY Coaching)
Communication is power and you can you use communication skills to negotiate successfully. Terry’s philosophy is that “what you can accomplish every day relates to how you think and feel about yourself, the language you use to express yourself, your well-being, your attitude, how you respond to challenges and opportunities, and how you set and meet goals.” To meet those,
Communication is power and you can you use communication skills to negotiate successfully. Terry’s philosophy is that “what you can accomplish every day relates to how you think and feel about yourself, the language you use to express yourself, your well-being, your attitude, how you respond to challenges and opportunities, and how you set and meet goals.” To meet those,
- Develop a clear, unambiguous message about what you are offering, selling or bringing to the table. Keep it simple, but don’t make people guess.
- Mind your body language and make sure it’s aligned with your voice.
- Identify which person in your target company needs to be persuaded.
- Prepare yourself for every meeting. Assess your own emotional and mental state, take the time to optimize it and know what outcome you want.
- Shut down your internal dialog and really listen.
- Don’t just talk, but communicate.
- Always pay attention to the clients’ mood.
View Terry's handout.
“Four Steps to Creating the Perfect 15-Second Pitch for Job Seekers,” facilitated by Laura Allen(Co-Founder, 15SecondPitch.com)
“So, what do you do?” is the first question most people will ask. Your answer will determine how successful you are at networking and landing a new job or a new freelance contract. Here are key steps to creating an effective 15-Second Pitch:
“So, what do you do?” is the first question most people will ask. Your answer will determine how successful you are at networking and landing a new job or a new freelance contract. Here are key steps to creating an effective 15-Second Pitch:
- Focus on one point only: "Here's why you need to hire me!" and be clear about the value you bring to the job or why a client should work with you vs. the competition.
- Use four steps for your pitch: who you are (name); what you do (name one specific area only); why you are the best at what you do (and be bold!); a call to action (i.e. ask for a meeting, when you’ll follow up, ask for contact information).
View Laura's handout.
“Authentic Branding: Letting the Real You Shine in Any Situation,” Facilitated by Kristina Leonardi(Founder, the Women’s Mosaic®)
Getting to know and accept who you are, what you have to offer and how you fit into any situation is your key to success. When you are in tune with yourself and project that image out into the world, you can more easily facilitate, create and attract the outcomes you desire in every area of your life.
Getting to know and accept who you are, what you have to offer and how you fit into any situation is your key to success. When you are in tune with yourself and project that image out into the world, you can more easily facilitate, create and attract the outcomes you desire in every area of your life.
- Spend quality time with yourself. This is your most intimate relationship. Tuning out can be productive.
- Determine your mission in life and what makes you unique. Accept, embrace and constantly perfect it; own it, don’t hide it! Be authentic and take control.
- Accept that your brand will change over time.
- Name three adjectives that you want people to associate you with and remember, mistakes are OK.
- Be in harmony with your inner and outer self. Be grateful.
- Become the best version of yourself and enjoy the journey!
View Kristina's handout.
“Transitioning your Career: Tools for a Digital Era,” facilitated by A. Adam Glenn (Interactive Faculty, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism; Digital Media Consultant, a2g Media)
How do you use social media in this digital age and why should you care? Because you need to be on people’s radar to stand out and succeed.
How do you use social media in this digital age and why should you care? Because you need to be on people’s radar to stand out and succeed.
- Be open-minded: Use the tools that work for you but don’t lose sight of your message and the larger issues.
- Be versatile: Assess your skills and learn more to leverage your current abilities.
- Be multi-media: You don’t need to become an expert on all platforms but become efficient enough to work with those who are the experts.
- Be multiplatform: web, mobile, social media and blogging.
- Be collaborative to get the most out of digital media’s potential — and your own. Network, share, seek partners, interact, become aware of other’s work and support them.
View A. Adam's handout.
In this video, the coaches share their most important piece of career advice:
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Location:
NYU The Kimmel Center
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