Following is a continuation of the dialogue from my Clear Channel Radio interview on some powerful steps to greater career success:
4. Social media is all the rage and people are networking all over the world. What are some of the pro’s and con’s to someone’s career that you’ve seen happen because of social media? We are often judged by our actions “off” the job as well as on. Jobs (and clients) are gained and lost through social media sites. Prospective employers look at LinkedIn, Facebook and other sites to see what the person’s profile says and what kind of pictures they have posted. Time and time again, someone has been a strong candidate for a position until the employer looked at too many negative comments or photos on someone’s page. One young and talented woman was just about to be offered a promising career when a human resources manager saw her photo of a beer bottle stuck into a low-cut blouse. The company backed out. Others have been fired once word got out to management that this person made a bad representation through inappropriate comments or photos. On the other hand, when a person connects with individuals or groups from other companies on LinkedIn, they can build up a reputation for being a sharp business person. This is done by answering, or asking, questions related to their industry. Showing your knowledge and expertise through the discussions adds value and credibility.
5. What would you tell someone who has become so frustrated with not being able to land the type of career they really want? Hang in there. If it is something that you think about often and it won’t go away, keep the fires burning inside. It is probably your life’s passion. The most successful people in this world have failed time and time again…some in gigantic ways…and then succeeded to obtain their dream because they learned from their mistakes and then continued to the finish line, making all the adjustments necessary to get there.
6. How important are communication skills in how someone presents themselves? Extremely important. In my Marketing Yourself for Success programs, we discuss all the ways that verbal and non-verbal signals can make or break a career opportunity. Positive signals increase sales and chances for upward mobility. They make us more approachable and believable. Negatives signals repel, cause one to appear ineffective or not truthful. Grooming is also a large part of our non-verbal communication and if it is not good, causes one to appear to have a lack of attention to detail or says they are not serious about representing a company in the manner in which they want to be represented.
7. How does one’s self-image affect his or her career? The most important thing a person can wear is confidence and the biggest determining factor in how someone treats us is our opinion of ourselves. What we believe to be true about ourselves determines how we act and react to life and what kind of treatment we will accept. Comments made to us from family, teachers or others can often affect us the rest of our lives. We must remember that NO one’s opinion or negative comment has the right to determine our worth or where we can go in life. God made us in His image. There is nothing more powerful than that! That’s the bottom line!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rita Rocker is a national inspirational and educational speaker, communications and image specialist, and a career and virtual presentations coach with Transformation Academy, LLC. She is the author of “A Guide to Marketing Yourself for Success”, and a contributing author to “The Unstoppable Woman’s Guide to Emotional Well Being -The Total Woman in Leadership and Success Guide for the Unstoppable Entrepreneur.” She has appeared on national television and radio talk shows on self-esteem and communication. A former Mrs. Nebraska and active in numerous professional organizations, Rita is on the Board of the Small Business Association of the Midlands and co-director of greater Omaha’s Affiliated Women International. Rita provides life and career-transforming programs to mature teens and adults. Contact Rita at rita@transformationacademy.com.