Send Me Your Resume.

Posted on 19. Jan, 2012 by

Um. I don’t have one.

This was my recent response to a colleague yesterday when I was asked to send my resume for a teaching position I hope to have this fall at Champlain College. When I started PMG with Ken, I thought two things:

  1. I would never have to manage anyone again. After all, how big would our firm ever be?! We all know how that turned out, eight associates and growing later…
  2. I can ditch my resume. Never again will I have to apply for a job – assuming PMG survives (it was the beginning of the recession, so that always lingered in the back of my head). To ensure that I did not have an easy escape I trashed every digital file of my resume. Every. Last. One.

And then came the email: Please send me a current copy of your CV.

Crap.

I sent the other items that were asked for and then asked for more time to send my resume. I was honest. I don’t have a resume. I would need the weekend to write it.

And then, it hit me. I DO have a resume. A social resume. LinkedIn to the rescue. I keep my profile there up to date. I have used the site to network with others, research potential candidates for open positions at PMG, and research companies that we want to work with. I have always overlooked the “print” and the “pdf” buttons. Until now.

Here’s a snippet of my resume. Clearly, if I am to use this to actually find a job (which I am not – don’t worry, Ken!), I would need to edit it slightly. The best feature is the recommendations section. This actually prints to the bottom of your LinkedIn resume.

With that realized, when was the last time that you asked past employers, employees, vendors, etc for a recommendation via LinkedIn? This is a great way to build your social resume. When was the last time you wrote a recommendation for a super-star unasked? That is also a great way to market your personal brand and that of your company.

Is your LinkedIn resume up to date?

Do One Thing: Write a Recommendation

Posted on 12. Oct, 2011 by

As part of an ongoing series of blog posts, we will be highlighting one thing that you can do to better your business, self, or your community. Sometimes we need a reminder to slow down and just do one thing… We’d love your feedback as we go.

We were reminded this past week as a few great emails from clients and PMG friends came in to the firm saying “hey, we like your style. Keep up the good work.” It certainly meant a lot to me, and I know that our associates live for the kudos, too.

A great way to express your feelings for an individual or company is by writing a recommendation. Often times, we only do this when asked. Be proactive, get on LinkedIn or Facebook and write a recommendation.

On Facebook, you can write a recommendation on a Facebook Page. On LinkedIn you can write an individual a recommendation or one for a business. After watching LinkedIn for the past several months, I do believe that their site is becoming more useful as a marketing tool by the month. This is an easy way to harness that channel for business purposes.

Chances are that your efforts will not only be appreciated, but will be returned by another.

Social Networking Spam?

Posted on 08. Aug, 2008 by

As the global community figures out how to best use all of the social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc., etc., etc), marketers are trying out different methods to reach customers and other prospects through these mediums.

From time to time discussion begins on if tactic executed by a salesperson or marketer is considered spam or misuse of these mediums.  Here you will find one discussion regarding a Twitter communication.

What is your take?

We often “pitch” and Twitter about client news and happenings as well as post regarding blog updates, etc on Facebook.  Does this make PMG a spammer?  What are your thoughts?

Nicole

What is with all of this social networking?

Posted on 28. May, 2008 by

I was a guest panelist last week at the Vermont Business EXPO on social networking and how to make it work for your business.  I was privileged to present alongside some of Vermont’s experts on technology including:

·      Elaine Young, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Program Director of e-Business Management and        Marketing, Champlain College

·      Ted Adler, Founder and President, Union Street Media

·      Dave Winslow, President and CEO, EpikOne

·      Dan Cypress, Realtor, end user for business and personal use. 

I am a huge advocate of networking – both virtually and in person.  Sure, social networking cannot achieve what traditional networking would –when you look at it, emails cannot beat out old-fashioned phone calls when working with clients, vendors or tying to close that important sale.

But, when you are working with Gen Y, or marketing to them it is unavoidable.  In fact, many companies do not ask for references anymore, they just check your recommendations on LinkedIn.  And as marketers are setting up company pages on Facebook and other social networks that allow businesses to have a presence, it is becoming increasingly important for key management to setup a personal profiles as well.

Is it necessary for you or your business to embrace this social networking fad? Well, I once thought email was a fad  - and now, fortunately or unfortunately, am one of the most hyper-connected people I know (it is the nature of my business).  Needless to say, PMG has its own Facebook page and I have embraced many social networking sites for both reconnecting with old friends and building the PMG brand.

My biggest tip? Protect your contacts.  It is ok not to “friend” or connect with someone.  Your contacts are yours – and should be treated as you would your old fashioned rolodex… treat those relationships with care.  

Here is a great video that Elaine featured at the panel, which gives a good overview of what social networking is.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc&hl=en&rel=0]

Is it right for you?  Well, you can’t know if you don’t try – and since it is free (except your time), give it a whirl.  Let me know what works and what does not.

Bonne chance!

Nicole Ravlin