ABWA Beachwood Ohio

I ran across this article reading the Sun newspaper around Christmas time. I thought it was such a great motivational piece that I emailed the author. I particularly liked the idea of creating a ‘brag book’, and, of course, joining networking organizations (like ABWA!) and thought it would be ideal for our web site. Thank you Cyndi for your contribution! -Tracy
 

As you get ready to ring in 2009, is finding a new job on your list of resolutions? Here are 13 ideas to help turn your resolution into a reality:

1. Develop a profile of your ideal job. Are you really doing what you want to do? Are you targeting the type of work and organization that matches your true interests, personality and natural abilities?

2. Create an accomplishment-based resume. Instead of an inventory of previous responsibilities convert them into achievements.  Quantify or qualify whenever possible. Successes are more impressive to hiring authorities than merely rehashing your job description.

3. Prepare a personal infomercial.  In less than two minutes you should be able to communicate your skills, your experience, and what type of position and/or organization you are targeting. Being prepared to deliver a personal “sound bite” at a moment’s notice is critical to your job search.

4. Network! More people get jobs from personal contacts than by any other means. In the next week, pick three people whom you think could be beneficial to you to connect with in the new year and either call, schedule a time with them or send them an email.

5. Join a local “job club” or networking group targeted at supporting the jobseeker. Social support can be a great strengthener of motivation. Find such organizations by inquiring at your local public library, house of worship, college or university career centers, and your nearest
State Employment OneStop Career Center.

6. Find a job search “buddy.” Like hunters in the field who often team up for reasons of productivity and safety, creating a relationship of accountability and support with another job seeker will increase your likelihood for success.

7. Develop an efficient system for tracking your search. If you are conducting an active campaign there are a great deal of items to keep in order – networking contacts, follow up dates, correspondence to send, research to conduct, etc.

8.  Start a job search journal. A journal is a safe place to reflect on your current situation, brainstorm ideas, analyze options, formulate plans, document the progress of your job search, and learn more about yourself and your career. Journaling also gives you an outlet to express your emotions about your career progress.

9.  Create a “brag” book. Gather copies of performance appraisals, your best work, customer testimonials, thank you notes from co-workers, etc. Use the contents as a resource for strengthening your resume and preparing for interviews. Periodically throughout your job search take the time to review the content – it will boost your self-confidence.

10. Join a club or professional association. Being part of an organization is a great way to develop new networking contacts. By talking and meeting with people in your community or in your industry, you will learn about other organizations and the opportunities available within them. You may even find out about new openings before they are made public.

11. Take a course. Continuing to upgrade your skills is critical to success, especially in today’s job market. Take college level courses or attend a workshop or seminar that can sharpen your skills or expand your insight. You might also make valuable networking contacts or meet someone from your target company.

12.  Volunteer. Helping a non-profit organization provides much needed support and enables you to meet new people.  Volunteering may also generate a new set of contacts for you that could lead to re-employment or maybe a career in the not-for-profit sector. You can also learn new or strengthen existing job related skills. Volunteering is also a good self-esteem builder.

13.  Find a job search mentor. Identify an individual that will motivate you and keep you focused, as well as hold you accountable. Plan regular meetings with your “coach.”

Resolutions are even more effective motivating tools when they are written down and then shared with someone else. Being accountable to yourself is important, but the satisfaction of proving to another that you can stick to a resolution is great incentive as well.

Make it a great year!

You can reach Cyndi McCabe by email at ImprvmntCncpts@aol.com

Looking for a job in these tough times?

We all know that you are not alone. I have found a couple of places that might make your job hunting a bit easier.

1.)    Get on LinkedIn. This is a great place to put your skills and experiences in one place. It is a wonderful way to showcase the things and people you know. Ask people you have worked with to recommend your talents and skills. Recommend people you know.  Now, do not fret - you won’t get your profile filled out in one day! This is a process. Give it some time and quality attention.

2.)    Add a Google widget to your Google Reader. I just found this the other day. I’ve only tested it on one job title, but the sky is the limit. Simply create a Google home page if you do not have one already, click on iGoogle, and search for “Jobs” widgets in the “Add Stuff” search. You can add any widget to your Google home page, you may as well make it a productive one!

3.)    Join oDesk. If you are a techy or an MBA grad, this is the place for you. This is a quickly growing  job bank. The process is: Read about oDesk (they have training also!), read and sign the contract (basically saying that you will allow oDesk to manage your billing, and that you will not take a client off line – thereby stealing their lead), sign up for job alerts, and watch the job offers roll in. You are now a contractor and can work your own hours. Be careful, make sure you read everything, the contract and the job listings. You are also competing with young wiz kids and talented folks outside of the US, so you may have to offer a low, competitive price in order to get a job.

4.)    Attend all the job fairs you can. Check out the “Women for Hire” web pages, LinkedInand Facebook. These keep you up to date on people who are hiring, the latest Women for Hire job fairs. WfH prides itself on bringing women quality companies and high paying jobs to their fairs. I have not seen a fair in the Cleveland area yet, but it may be worth your while to attend one anyway. We have their streaming video on our web site to get you charged up about women taking their careers by the horns.

5.)    Get good advice. In the LinkedIn “QA”, Women for Hire posted a discussion“Avoiding the 10 biggest job search mistakes”.  a LinkedIn member posted the Webinar that she attended and felt that it was worthwhile to share.  Check it out.

6.)    Join networking organizations like ABWA! This is a great place to meet wonderful people who care about your future. Take time to meet new people and develop relationships. You can do this by volunteering to be on committees, or come to all the meetings.  Even if you do not like small talk, the messages from the speakers are like breathing fresh air. The topics are timely and just what you needed that day!

Try what you think is best. Try more than one, more than one time. This is your future-take charge of it!

Women of Wisdom Would like to Present …Our Theme for 2009 

 

“The Pursuit of WOW!!

Based on author Tom Peter’s

popular book

Come out and join us for this dynamic four part series and take the first step in becoming
the CEO OF YOU LIFE

Join us for this exciting four part series

The “The Pursuit of WOW!! program will include the following:

_______________________________________________ 

                   Finding Your Voice 
                                                featuring:

July 8^th - Harvey Zay – Radio 107.3 The Wave “Using Your Voice for Passion and Profit”

Aug 12^th – Wanda Owens & Deborah Willis “The Art of Presentation through Interactive Storytelling”

Sept 9^th – Susan Orion – “
Writing Ways Workshops” 

_______________________________________________ 

  Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things 
                featuring:

October 14^th Women of Wisdom 3^rd Anniversary featured speaker Jean Torrence Hauer author, “Millionaire Women” 

Nov 11^th - Melony Butler, Cleveland Chapter Dress for Success

Dec 9^th Women of Wisdom Annual Holiday Party

____________________________________________________________
Contact Information 

      For further information, or if you would like to sign up for ABWA’s Pursuit of WOW Programs , please call Celeste  Noah, President, Women of Wisdom Chapter (216) 283 1699 or (216) 375 5576 , visit our web site  www.abwaohio.com

***************************************************************
Special Offers
 

Ø      Guest signing up for a year’s membership in our PURSUIT OF WOW Program Series will receive a 15% discount.

Ø      Discounts and bonuses available for ABWA members who sign up for the entire series.

We listen to our members! We had rearranged our 2008 calendar to accommodate your schedule! We offered topics that were important to you! Here is what people are saying about ABWA  - Beachwood Ohio, Women of Wisdom…

“The networking and development of new friendships is invaluable! The series of speakers this past season has expanded my self development and has helped me move out of my comfort zone to grow my business.”

From Jen, one of our newest members who has already gained invaluable friendship and business connections.

This could be you. Join today!

and National Dues.

Invocation

Lord,

In the quiet of this hour,

We come to Thee for wisdom and for power;

To view Thy world through only love-filled eyes;

To grow in understanding,

To be wise.

And sure to see Thy guiding light,

And thus to know each other

As Thou knowest us.

Amen

Benediction

O Guiding Spirit,

Guardian of our days,

Be with us as we go our separate ways.

Help us to feel those thoughts that lift and bless,

To know a closer bond of friendliness;

To see Thy beauty always, every day,

Translated into living

This we pray.

Amen

Executive Women Series— Learn about their trail to the top. Meet models of corporate behavior and learn from their experiences. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet these fascinating women!

Barbara J. Danforth
President & CEO
YWCA Greater Cleveland

Under Barbara J. Danforth’s 11-year leadership the YWCA of Greater Cleveland has transformed from one of Cleveland’s “best kept secrets” to a vibrant organization that remains relevant to the needs of women at all stages and places in their lives. 

Ms. Danforth draws upon her social work and juris doctorate education and her experience in the insurance industry and the government legal arena to implement the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

Most recently, Ms. Danforth led the launch of the YWCA Women’s Leadership Initiative and two programs offered in partnership with Corporate College: Leadership Boot Camp and Momentum. Both of these programs  are designed to help professional women advance their careers.  “A career ladder can be climbed in heels,” is her mantra and a driving force behind the advancement of this program. 

Ms. Danforth’s dedication to improving the lives of women extends beyond career advancement.  She has overseen the YWCA’s program growth in the areas of domestic violence education and prevention, teen pregnancy support, teen pregnancy and substance use prevention and child care. 
Learn more about Barbara Danforth and the YWCA at http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=8oIDLSOyGoF&b=2286609

RSVP: Niki Kramarz  nkramarz@hotmail.com , or by phone at 440-376-2274 at least 3 days prior to event.
$5 ABWA Chapter member & students, $10 non member.

Where are the meetings???
Baldwin-Wallace East Campus
Landmark Center Building
25700 Science Park Drive
Suite 100
Beachwood, Ohio 44122

When are the meetings??
Meetings start at 6:00pm, but you can come as early as 5:30pm to EAT, MEET, AND GREET!
Click here to see the CALENDAR
Not invited? Click here to be…

     Debra  has 25 years of human resource experience.  Since joining Westfield Group in 1985, she has held several management positions, and is currently Chief Human Resources Officer with expanded responsibilities for Corporate Hospitality and Real Estate Operations.  These responsibilities include all Human Resources operations and delivery functions, including compensation, employee benefits, training, development, performance management, sourcing and staffing, HRMS shared services, metrics, relationship management, corporate real estate assets, both owned and leased, business continuity and disaster recovery, corporate security, country club operations, and corporate event planning.

     Debra  serves on the Human Resource Committee of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCIA), the Board of Trustees for Akron General Hospital , the Business Advisory Board of Baldwin Wallace College  . Debra is the president elect of the Baldwin Wallace Alumni Association , a member  of the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), Board of director and member of In Counsel With Women (ICWW)  and Leadership Medina County .  Debra is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a B.A. Degree in Communications and  the Executive MBA program at CWRU Weatherhead School of Management. She  has attained the professional designation of SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and is a certified executive coach.   Debra was named Northern Ohio Live Magazine’s Rainmaker in 2006.

RSVP: Niki Kramarz  nkramarz@hotmail.com , or by phone at 440-376-2274 at least 3 days prior to event.
Or, RSVP through Google Calendar:
$5 ABWA Chapter member & students, $10 non member.

Where are the meetings???
Baldwin-Wallace East Campus
Landmark Center Building
25700 Science Park Drive
Suite 100
Beachwood, Ohio 44122

When are the meetings??
Meetings start at 6:00pm, but you can come as early as 5:30pm to EAT, MEET, AND GREET!
Click here to see the CALENDAR

1. Decide what you want
Why are your attending networking events? Are you looking for a new job? More business? Social contacts in a new home town? Whatever your purpose, stay focused on it, or things can slide into just another long lunch.

2. Attend the right event
If you are, say, a graphic designed looking for clients, why spend your time at an event for graphic designers? OK, you might be able to pick up some overload business from some designer who is super busy, but that’s a very small poor to fish in. You’d be much better off mixing with folks from businesses who use design work. Seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many people make this mistake.

3. Talk to the right people
Don’t spend your valuable networking time chatting to people you already know, who ar not in your traget group. It’s tempting, of course, because it’s easy and fun-but it’s not networking! Look for new people and make the effort to meet and greet them.

4. Keep track of your results
Every month or so, track back through your networking opportunities. Who did you meet? Where did you meet them? How did they fit with your reasons for being there? Did anyone help you achieve your objective?

Of course, you’ll also meet people who are pleasant additions to your social circle, some of whom may even become friends. Do include them in your success picture, but if you find you make more casual acquaintances than the people you are there to meet, you may need to change your networking activites so that they bring you a higher Return On Investment.

Happy Networking!

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