| June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions | | | | (not political), but something that has a broad based |
| have been made and most are already broken. It's | | | | appeal. Look for a topic that will elicit a response. Just |
| time to take a hard look at where you are going in 05 | | | | pull a few ideas from recent news: spelling bee winner, |
| and beyond. One of the most important things you can | | | | final episodes (TV). Get the picture?First impressions |
| do for yourself is to update all your personal | | | | count! Have you heard someone speak that you |
| credentials including your bio & your resume.Have you | | | | thought was a total dork? What turned you off? Did |
| done your spring cleaning (professional) yet? Do you | | | | they look slovenly or unkempt? Were they dressed |
| have solid career plans for the balance of 05? Why | | | | appropriately? Did they |
| are you waiting to get started improving your | | | | sound incoherent with poor speech patterns? |
| career?Ask yourself these questions:How dated is the | | | | Appearance is one benchmark that will immediately |
| material that you have been using to present your skill | | | | determine how receptive the listener is to what you |
| sets? Is the language professional? Are you using | | | | have to say. Do you have colleagues and associates |
| current, contemporary lingo in your materials? When | | | | that either turns you off or on when they speak? Pay |
| was the last time you spent time assessing your | | | | attention to their style of speaking and mannerisms. |
| personal portfolio? I know it's hard to think about those | | | | What attributes do you like? Are they funny? Humor |
| aspects of your career, but believe me its time well | | | | always has a way of breaking the ice or diffusing an |
| spent.Look at your resume, does it seem "dated." The | | | | uncomfortable moment.If, in a chance meeting, you run |
| resume today is nothing like those of the past. So if it's | | | | into someone you consider to be important, do you |
| not current, it will immediately present a negative | | | | sound like a bumbling fool? It's easy to prepare |
| connotation about your "contemporary-ness"Have you | | | | yourself to put your best foot forward. All it takes is |
| ever seen a celebrity on TV who sounds illiterate? | | | | practice. If you are not sure how professional you will |
| They are stars, so people over look how dumb they | | | | seem, practice now. Find a friend or colleague and |
| appear to be. That is not going to work for you. You | | | | engage in dialogue. Don't talk to them about work, but |
| will be evaluated by both your verbal and written skills. | | | | in general conversation ask them to critique what you |
| Can you put together a coherent sentence without | | | | said. Were you interesting? Were you engaging? Did |
| using the word LIKE? If not, you better begin to | | | | you talk too long or sound boring? Did they want to |
| practice your pitch. Start with a written a paragraph | | | | keep the conversation going? Establish a comfort level |
| about what you have accomplished, what do you | | | | with your words and speaking style. Adapt it to what |
| have to offer. Write it down and then read it over and | | | | you are like and don't imitate anyone. Create you own |
| over. Does it make sense? Does it grab your | | | | unique personal speaking style.JoAnn Hines' specialty is |
| attention? Does it compel people to ask more?If not, | | | | PACKAGING PEOPLE. Whether you want to be paid |
| try different version, substitute words, refine and hone | | | | more, you just lost your job, or you want to progress in |
| down your core message so you sound credible and | | | | the one you have, Ms. Hines advice and expertise can |
| believable. Action words are really important you want | | | | help you transform your personal brand. She can |
| to convey an image. If you need help, get a thesaurus | | | | show you how to package yourself and make your |
| and look for synonyms of the words you plan to use | | | | brand a hot commodity. It's easy once you know the |
| in your pitch. | | | | ropes and begin to utilize her insider's secrets. She |
| Tip: If you never use big or unusual words, don't start | | | | shows you step by step how to increase your visibility, |
| now.Are you good at small talk? This is a great way | | | | credibility and marketability with easy to use tutorials |
| to open a dialogue or keep one going. The best | | | | and templates.It is time to get started "Packaging |
| method for small talk is to find something in the news | | | | Yourself. |