How to NOT Present Yourself in an Interview

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#advice, #executives, bakercreative, interview, jobs

As the younger generation is starting to apply and interview for higher profile jobs, executives are seeing some interesting interviewees. Maybe the younger generation thinks that since it’s 2013 they do not have to follow interview etiquette. We wanted to create a list of things you still shouldn’t do in interviews and rules you should always follow.

No toes, tummies or ta-tas – When getting ready for an interview, make sure your shoes do not show your toes. If that means changing your outfit, than change it. Toes are not what executives want to see. After you put your blouse or dress shirt on, raise your arms and make sure your tummy doesn’t show. Also, sit down in front of a mirror and make sure you can’t see your belly in between the buttons. For the ladies, please no cleavage in an interview. Cover yourself up because if you have to interview with a woman, that will be an automatic no. Put a tank top or a thin blouse under the shirt your wearing.

Make-up and jewelry should be kept to a minimum – Ladies should keep their make-up to natural colors. No bright eye shadow, thick eyeliner or bright pink lipstick. You are not being interviewed for your looks; you are being interviewed for your skills. If you have a lot of facial piercings, you might as well take those out now. Lip rings, eyebrow rings, nose rings and ten ear studs are not going to be appealing in an office setting. Most restaurants do not allow that as well. A simple necklace, bracelet and ring should do fine. Remember, you want all the attention of the interviewer on your words, not the bright, bulky necklace you have on.

No cell-phone zone – Please make sure your phone is off. Not vibrate, because now of days people can hear those. You also don’t want it lighting up in your pocket. That is a distraction. If you can, leave it in your car. You should have all your references and contact information printed out already so there is no need for the phone to come out. If they want you to write down a phone number or email, keep a little notebook and pen in your pocket or purse.

Do not just “roll out of bed” – The messy hair look is not accepted in an interview. Shower, shave, do your hair, brush your teeth and apply the necessities depending on your gender. Also, for males and females, make sure your nails are clean and filed. Executives will shake your hand and they will notice dirt or chewed on fingers. If you have to get up an hour early, do it! It will be worth getting a job to start your career.

One last thing everyone should know is dress professionally. Black or navy pants or medium skirts, white shirts and black or navy suit jacket. It will be worth the investment to buy a suit and if you shop smart you can find one on sale. Good luck with the interviews.

Using Twitter for as a job board

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bakercreative, FOX news job day#, hiring#, jobs

Twitter is a great tool for searching for jobs. Here are some quick steps on how to set one up.

Step 1: log into your Twitter account. If you do not have one you can set one up at Twitter.com

Step 2: Go into the advanced search icon that looks like a small gear in the upper right hand corner of your screen.

Step 3: Fill in the fields for example, you can search for the exact phrase or hashtags# used in someones tweet to search for. We used the search term “hiring” since it brings up more content vs the search term jobs.  I would recommend under the Places area to place your local zip code and search for 15 miles of this distance to keep your search to your local area.  After you fill in the areas hit the search button.

If the search term comes up with a 0 search try a wider mile radius for the search or a a different word to search under the advanced search again.

If could also save this search and add it to your RSS feed.

Why do social media bios matter?

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#socialmedia, bakercreative, Facebook, jobs, Twitter

Branding yourself or your company is key online. Your audience is unfamiliar with what you do and who you are. How you decide to define that can make the difference between being found or being part of the sea of content easily ignored. Writing a social media bio can be challenging. Some platforms only give you 140 characters to tell the world “I’m worth reading. I count!”

Memorable Twitter bios:

Ellen DeGeneres:
Comedian, talk show host and ice road trucker. My tweets are real, and they’re spectacular.

@bgibbs73:
Currently working towards an MBA with an emphasis in fantasy football.

@nancyfalls:
I’m @JasonFalls’s wife. I am not on Twitter. Go do something useful.

@JAMCollective:
Puttin’ the ‘elation’ in ‘Public Relations.’

NYT Small Business:
A place where small-business owners can compare notes, ask questions, get advice, and learn from one another’s mistakes. New York, NY · http://www.nytimes.com/smallbusiness

They all tell a story in a clear, concise manner. Some have a voice that says something beyond “Hi, my name is John Mooney and I am an accountant at XYZ Firm.” Try to avoid typing in all caps. This makes the viewer feel like your yelling at him like a bad low discount car dealership ad. Blah.

Your bio should show your personality, along with the highlights. Think of it as your mini commercial online. What is the impression you want your audience to leave with? What will attract them to dig deeper or follow you? Take some time and craft a few different bios. The right one will jump out as the winner to post to your social media bio.

Send me your improved bios for a quick critique at baker-creative.com.

Ref:Twitter.com

New years resolutions are promises of your future waiting to happen

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jobs, new years#, party

A few more tips for the job searcher.

Tags

agency, bakercreative, business, Columbus Ohio, interview tips, jobs

As a business owner, I am sometimes amazed when I interview people for open positions. I would like to give some tips I come across of what not to do.

• When a potential employer calls for an interview – don’t say now what job is this? I have applied to so many I can’t keep track. In a environment where customization will make you stand out, keep a spread sheet of who and the positions you are pursuing.

• If you show up for an interview, actually research the company you are interviewing for. Understand their business and see what value you bring to the table. I can’t tell you how many fail to show an interest in who they may be working for.

• A job post indicates they don’t want any calls regarding the job and ask for a resume. Follow instructions and give the necessary info I need to make the right choice. No one wants to go to an interview for a job that is simply not the right fit.

• Spell check everything.

• Some fail to read the job description and don’t even know what job they applied for. I had an applicant try to sell himself as a PR guy for an account rep job. Don’t apply for something your not passionate about. Your wasting everyone’s time.

• My biggest pet peeve of all: During the initial phone and interview process, don’t argue about the amount of pay you may be getting. I sometimes hear the attitude that a job isn’t worth going to unless they make so much more than they did whey they had a full time job. They rather be unemployed. A person with that attitude will NEVER be happy regardless what any employer would offer to them. They get in the way of themselves landing the job. So who is it to say, you were the right candidate in the first place? Please reserve those conversations for a second interview where negotiation is more appropriate.

I truly feel for the applicants that apply for the jobs posted. I see it’s tough out there. I so appreciate the ones with great attitudes, well prepared and are appreciative for the opportunity.

Lots of luck in your job search.

Reaching the youth market

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bakercreative, branding, goals, jobs, marketing, media, pr social media, Social media, trends

With estimated spending by 14- to 34-year-old consumers at more than $1.2 trillion dollars annually, it’s not surprising that more and more businesses are focusing on new ways of communicating with this segment of the population. One target selling point: today’s youth are extremely “cause” conscious. According to a study done by market researcher Mintel International, nearly two-thirds of young adults feel that it’s important that businesses they choose to use are tied to social movements, such as the environment, or other cause-related initiatives that have the potential to affect social change.

Although many brands have come to this conclusion, very few have actually been able to successfully implement these values into their marketing plans. As the business of doing good becomes more of a standard in business practices today, many companies are adding Cause Marketing to their tactical mix. As businesses, it is essential that we understand the important distinctions between cause marketing, cause-related marketing and corporate social responsibility in meeting these objectives.

The best way to begin incorporating cause-conscious marketing into your practice? Create a blueprint for successfully integrating your product or service with a relevant cause. Find out what cause or project your product or service can identify with or benefit. Conduct research on your product’s market, and see what the competition is doing. Most importantly, listen to your audience. They will be the best way to choose a direction in which to begin. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. By keeping cause-conscious marketing in the forefront of your creative and coordination processes, your business can gradually begin to develop a tie to something bigger than the product you sell.

Facebook – It’s all about the networking.

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baker creative, business, Facebook, jobs, life, pr social media, Social media, web, you

Facebook’s slogan says it all – the social networking site is there solely to help you “connect and share with the people in your life.” But is this actually the case?

According to one recent study conducted by Red Associates, the majority of social media users are still unfamiliar with the social uses of the sites, and many don’t use Facebook to “connect” with their friends at all. The study found that 90 percent of users expect Facebook to “deepen and strengthen their friendships”. However, very few respondents claim that the site has met these expectations. More than half of those surveyed stated that Facebook is good for basic management of relationships, comparing it to a “public phone book or search engine” than to an actual social network.

With the gradual merging of social and professional realms, many believe Facebook – and all social media sites, at that – are becoming less personal and more professional. Companies are hopping on the social media bandwagon daily – but at what expense? Are social networking sites becoming more of a venue for professional connections and less for social connections? Or will they continue to serve as a gray area – part friendship, part business? The trend thus far has been the blur between professional and personal worlds-especially in social media. Our lives are a mishmash of these worlds, as more and more professions access new business from families and friends via these networks. There will always be a fine line to walk down between those worlds – and we will continue to take it a step at a time.

Could your agency be in need of some spring cleaning?

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advertising, agency, baker creative, branding, business, jobs, marketing, media, news, PR, reputation, web

Organization and focus is key in the advertising world. So why not take the time periodically to de-clutter your agency? By identifying the key aspects of your agency’s business, you can streamline your efforts and reach greater success. As an industry, we are consistently evolving and transforming on a daily basis. To adapt to the changes, we must constantly monitor and edit our own processes, systems and our role with our clients.
Agencies who experience growth undoubtedly add new functions, positions and titles. What is your agency’s process? Where does social media fit within the organization? Who is the target audience? When it comes to conceiving campaigns, who is heading the creative department? Who works with whom? Where do account planning and account service play the biggest roles? And more importantly, who is involved at what part of the process? How do you balance creativity and innovation with time and financial limitations? How do you avoid creating internal conflict and company confusion? How do you align with the rest of the world’s goals and objectives?

The more we explore questions like this, the more we discover that there is a large grey area, rather than a single black and white answer. Role development and business process needs to be tailored to each individual situation and client, based on their unique needs and the scope of their work. It makes total sense, right? Our business is custom work based on our clients. Shouldn’t our efforts be custom tailored as well?

If you began working in the advertising industry a decade ago, your job today is completely different. If you began work in the advertising industry a year ago, your job today is completely different. If you began work in the advertising industry a week ago…your job today is probably still completely different. So, what does this mean for you and your agency? It means revisiting the roles of not just your agency’s departments, but the individuals that compose them as well. This is where a business model comes into play. How do you want your agency to run? Evaluate the strengths of your current team. Build a framework, a vision, and a concept of what you’d like your business to become. And most importantly, create a work environment that welcomes change – on a daily basis. Agencies that embrace change will become those who lead the field; those who are one step ahead of their clients and their consumers, who ask questions, who constantly seek insight and opportunity. These are the agencies who always succeed.

Evaluating and changing your agency at this point in time is scary and exciting, regardless of size, experience or revenue. But with change comes innovation. What clutter stands between you and a more productive relationship with your current and future clients? What are you doing to build your success?

Client relationships: 7 simple rules

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baker creative, business, client relationships, jobs, reputation, reputation management

We all know that client relationships are important. Being creative and resourceful is essential to maintaining and growing your client base. Wendi McNeill, owner of Charli Jane Speaker Services, an informational web-based business for speakers and meeting planners, provides seminars and coaching programs to help small businesses foster positive client relationships based on seven simple steps.

1. Be Nice.
Okay, it sounds pretty elementary but if you really think about it, it makes perfect sense. How many negative people do you run across in a day? You don’t want to interact with them nor be around them, so why would you want to do business with them? If you’re having a bad day and can’t seem to turn it around, then don’t interact with your clients. One bad day can turn a client in the other direction, or send a potential client running to someone else.

2. Follow up.
Most people can’t seem to find enough hours in a day in today’s business world. But you have to understand the importance of following up with both potential clients and current clients. The simple act of following up will not only make you stand out from your competitors, but will let your clients know that you do care about them. Successful follow up actions can simply include an email, handwritten letters, an invitation to an event, or a phone call. You want to choose follow up actions that will fit your style and remember to do them on a regular basis. If you can consistently implement follow up actions into your business, you will be amazed at how much your network grows. Remember people are what counts, not just another sale or client to add to your list. Make them feel special and let them know you do care.

3. Give Yourself.
Most people today think about what they can get from other people, how they can advance in their careers or grow their business. Let’s turn this around and consider what you can give your clients and your network that will help them grow or help them solve a problem. Give from your heart – not expecting in return. You might be amazed at the results. Keep in mind that building relationships is a two-way street that begins with you. Always approach relationships in a generous, giving, and positive manner.

4. Establish trust.
Yes, this is an important one. People will not do business with someone they don’t trust. Start your relationships off in an honest manner, giving what you promised and always keeping your word. First make yourself known to your audience and your network, and then build those relationships to the highest level of trust. Always work with integrity!

5. Make Eye Contact.
If you want to form a relationship with clients, make eye contact when speaking to them. Don’t talk to the ceiling, or the walls, or the floor – speak directly to them. You will be surprised how quickly you can set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd by simply smiling and making eye contact.

6. Give.
Build stronger relationships by giving. I don’t mean literally buying business or new clients. If you know a client is sick or going through a difficult time, send an email or pick up the phone and give them a call to let them know you’re there if they need anything. Remember to have a giving attitude and not expect anything in return, except to know that you have made someone’s day.

7. Be Yourself.
You will get much further in life and be so much happier in your business just by being yourself. When doing business and developing relationships be authentic – it will work to your benefit. Don’t brand yourself or your company in a false light – it will waste more time and effort than you realize.

There are numerous ways to build client relationships and many of them tie into each other. Just remember to be kind, be pleasant, and be yourself, and always work with integrity. Remember to treat your clients the way you want to be treated. It’s the Golden Rule – and it’s really that simple.

Wendi offers valuable tips and advice on marketing and growth strategies providing speaking leads, speaker services, and resources that help boost their business both online and off. To learn more about Wendi visit her online at www.wendimcneill.com.

Give your resume a facelift.

Tags

baker creative, bakercreative, branding, columbus, hunting, jobs, OH, Ohio, PR, resumes

Looking to give your resume a face lift. The more mature workforce out there have either too much detailed information on their resumes or lack some of the new important tools out there.

Here a are a few tips that should be on your resume:
• Start your own blog. Give employers further insight on how you think and write. It can position you as an expert in your field. It’s a great place to highlight your knowledge.

• Get on Facebook and LinkedIn. These are great resources to connect and network with people.

• Get a great picture taken of you to post in social media. Real estate, professional speakers and entertainment should be the only applications to use your picture on your resume.

• Stick to the facts on your resume. I see resumes that go on way too long about trivial details. Hit the big facts and show your great skills. That will get my attention.

• Be sure to add current references. Nothing is worse when a employer checks your references and they are not valid . It will hurt your credibility.

• Never lie on a resume. It’s better to be honest than over exaggerate your skill set. For example, if you got hired and you can’t truly perform all the duties because you over sold yourself, you’ll be out of a job any way. Remember to be honest. Be yourself.