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Your Business Card

June 27, 2010 by 8 Comments

Do you have a business card?  If you do not you need to get one.  You do not want to attend a networking group or interview without one.    Your business card says something about who you are.  It should have your name, title, email and phone number at the least on it.  Some people like to place a saying about their business or what they are known for on the back of the card.

I thought this was a good idea and use to have a saying on the back of my business card until it was suggested that I leave the back of the card blank.  This was done to allow the person who I left the card with a place for them to write a note on the back of my card.  People write where they met you,  their impression, or as a reminder to send your some type of communication.  I left the back of my business card blank from that time forward.

I recommend using a high quality stock paper for your business card and recommend getting the card laminated too.  Your business card will feel rich in hands of the person you give it to and leave a good first impression. Be sure to obtain the business card of the person you are speaking too.  It is an opportunity for you to reach them again in the future.

Filed Under: First Impression, Job Search, Video Tagged With: , , ,

A Cover Letter That Fits You to a T

June 25, 2010 by 2 Comments

A cover letter is like a calling card for the job seeker. It is the first impression that the Human Resource professional will get about you.   This is why it is so very important that you ensure your cover letter presents you in the best way possible.

Let’s think about this for a moment.  If you were the Human Resource professional looking at cover letters what would you like to see?  I believe you would like to see a well organized, cover letter on a quality bonded paper, with no less than 12 point type.  I would recommend that the cover letter text be typed in a sans serif font which will make it easy to read.

How many cover letters do you think that a Human Resource professional will look at in a day?  40, 60, they can look at more than 100 letters and resumes in a day.  With so many cover letters passing through their fingers how do you increase the odds of your cover letter being chosen?  You make it easy for the reader to see that you have exactly what they are looking for to fill the vacant position.  Makes sense does it not.

The best way to do this is to include in the first sentence of your letter the name of the position with any reference numbers associated with the job posting.  The next step is to draw a two column table in your word document.  On the left hand side the table heading will be “Position Requirements” and the right hand column heading will read “My Qualifications”.

Under the “Position Requirements” heading you are going to review the job offer and review each job requirement in its own individual row (similar to a grocery list). In the “My Qualifications” column you are going to write how your experience meets the qualifications of each specific job requirement.  This format is commonly called the T letter, because of the headings of the two columns with a line between looks like the letter T.  It is the best way that I know relate your experience to the job and make it easy to read in a cover letter.

We are not finished yet.  To write a cover letter that will fit you to a T you must relate your value in it.  Your value is not the job but rather the result of you accomplishing the job.  For example, if the job requirement says, “handles phone call and greets customers” your qualifications may read, “excellent customer service skills, focused on exceeding customer’s expectations on the telephone and in person greeting everyone with a smile.”  This shows the result of you doing the job which is the benefit of hiring you over someone else. You do not want to answer, “Customer receptionist and greeter” because even though you are it does not relate to the experience the customer will receive from hiring you to do that job in this new company.

You want to communicate a message that relays the value and the experience the customer will have from the company hiring you.  Remember the company wants to hire you for the value you will bring to the organization.  Making it easier for the reader to see your qualification as they directly relate to the specific job requirements is the best way I know to get you to the next step in the hiring process.  Best of luck with your next cover letter and make sure that your cover letter fits you to a T.

Filed Under: Business, First Impression, Job Search, Resume Tagged With: , , , , ,

Do Not Overlook The Details

June 21, 2010 by 4 Comments

We all have heard that we need to dress for success and I would like to clarify this statement.  Dressing for success might mean different things to different people.  Some people think of dressing for success as wearing a suit with a white shirt and tie if you are a man or a suit jacket and skirt if you are a woman.  This is true but we need to look a little deeper and pay attention to the details.

Shoes – What type of shoes are you wearing?  Depending on the culture of the organization that you are planning to do business with or going on a job interview will determine the type of shoe you wear.  This is especially true for women.  You do not want to wear too high of a heel especially if the office standard dress is conservative.  Men should make sure that their shoes are polished and absent of any marks or blemishes.  You may consider carrying a disposable neutral color shoe shine packet in your pocket just in case your shoes get scared in your travels.

Cleaners – Prepare yourself for the meeting in advance by placing your suit for this meeting in the cleaners.  Ideally you want to wear the outfit that was newly cleaned.  This will ensure that it is pressed and will present you in the best possible light.

Eat in Your Undies – Now I know this might sound strange but I recommend that you eat breakfast before you get dressed for the meeting.  This will prevent you from spilling something on the outfit you are going to wear.  It would be bad if you spilled something on your outfit for the day and had to wipe it off.  But worse than that, you might spill something and not be aware of it.  Eating and doing your morning preparations, brushing your teeth and the like should be done prior to dressing in the outfit that you plan to wear for the day.

Paying attention to these details will help you dress to make a good first impression.   Please feel free to share tips and strategies that you use when dressing for an important business meeting.

Filed Under: Business, First Impression Tagged With: , , , ,

What Your Hand Shake Says About You

June 19, 2010 by 5 Comments

When you prepare to shake someones hand what is going though your mind?  I ask this question because how you answer it speaks to your success in making a good first impression.  Have you ever met someone for the first time and when they shock your hand they squeeze it so hard that it feels like they are trying to hurt you?  You remember the incident but it did not leave you with a good first impression.

How about the hand shake you received when it appeared that the person hardly wanted to touch you?  There hand was limp, pointed toward the floor and they pulled away as soon as possible.  They left an impression too, but not one that was welcoming or fostered the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship.

How you shake hands is vitally important to developing a good relationship.  You should offer your hand and lean forward (to show interest – inviting a return hand shake).  When you receive the other persons’ hand in yours I recommend that you make eye contact and smile.   This will help to instill trust and open the opportunity to develop a relationship.  Making first contact with someone new is like a waltz.  It is a dance done with grace and dignity.  The approach is slow, intentional and deliberate.  You do not want to have a rock and roll approach where you are moving without an anticipated next step.

You make a physical connection when you shake hands.  I know that you want it to be a good, lasting and positive impression that you make when the hand shake is over.  Feel free to share your hand shaking experiences both good and bad below.

Filed Under: Business, First Impression, Relationship Tagged With: , , ,

Be Flexible Explore and Develop Your Creativity

June 8, 2010 by 4 Comments

For some people the thought of being flexible give them angina.  If you are normally not open to being flexible please indulge me for a few minutes.    The reason that you get chest pain or feel uneasy at the thought of doing something different is probably out of fear.  Do you know the fear of the unknown impacts the majority of us, but it is how we react to it that makes all the difference in the world.

So let me ask you, when was the last time you did something that was totally new to you?  For example explore a place you had never been before?  If you said not in a long time or you cannot even remember then I would like to extend an invitation to you to do so as soon as possible.  Why?

Being willing to explore opens up your mind to new things and provides the opportunity for you to develop your creativity.  When you experience new things it causes your brain to think in a different way, especially if you are not use to exploring.  When we were children we explored all the time.  That was the way we learned.  As we get older a number of us became more sedentary and set in our ways.  The routine becomes the norm and we stop exploring.

Exploring is fun. There are wonders to discover if you are willing to be a little adventurous.  Don’t you want to have some fun? Have you ever seen an indoor beach with lounge chairs suspended above the Atlantic Ocean?  Well if not take a look at this video.  You will discover that and more.  Join me on a little exploration journey.

Now that you have seen this video I hope that you will be willing to become more flexible, take a risk and start exploring again.  You never know what you may discover.

Filed Under: Branding, First Impression, Leadership Tagged With: , , ,

Why Speak?

January 6, 2010 by

A number of people have asked me this question over the years.  Why speak?    I speak to inspire others, share knowledge and make people smile.  It is my passion to touch other people’s lives in a meaningful way.  Having the opportunity to deliver a message that resonates with the audience, inspires them to be their very best and makes them smile brings me joy.  It is my intention that whenever I speak the audience will walk away more informed, enlightened, and joyful.

Kevin Thompson MPA presenting at CUNYHumor plays a major role in my presentations.  People learn and retain more when they are enjoying the message.  My goal is to ensure that the message the audience hears is memorable if not unforgettable. This is the reason that I tailor and customize my presentations for each organization or association.  Yes this requires more preparation but it results in making an unforgettable connection with the audience.  I believe there is nothing better than making that type of connection with the audience.  I enjoy watching their eyes light up as I speak.  Seeing them smile and roll with laughter brings me joy.  I am happy and fell fulfilled knowing that I made that connection.  Having the opportunity to touch another person’s life, mind and heart in a positive way is one of the best ways that I know to spread joy in the world.  Why do I speak? I speak for all of these reasons.  I am looking forward to speaking to your organization or association.   Click this link, fill out the form and let’s discuss how I can communicate a message that will resonate with your audience.

Filed Under: Business, First Impression, Relationship, Speaking Tagged With: , , ,