The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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Modern Networking Manners for Your Career

Modern Networking Manners for Your Career

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Modern Networking Manners for Career Success

We know networking is essential to success in business and career management. It should be a staple in your career strategy, but I know it’s not for everyone. I think the book, The Etiquette Edge; Modern Manners for Business Success by Dr. Beverly Langford is perfect for those who are struggling with networking as a thing rather than networking as a way of life.

How has networking helped you and your career? I would love to hear from you in one of three ways:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
  2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
  3. Send email feedback to [email protected]

Beverly Langford, Ph.D. is president of LMA Communication, that specializes in strategic communication and interpersonal effectiveness. She is a professor at Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. She has been quoted in large print and online publications such as the New York Times and Forbes.

Here are a few highlights of our conversation:

  • Networking is essential for mutual benefit, not just the job seeker
  • Plan to give much more than receiving (perhaps 5-6 times more)
  • Schmoozing could intimidate an introvert but he or she may have the advantage because they listen intently
  • Schmoozing is most effective when it’s “others focused”
  • Clarity is essential for the initiator of the coffee or lunch meeting. Have one or two clear objectives before meeting

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond. Thanks for being among the thousands who listen every month. There’s so much more to come so stay tuned!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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How to Get Job Referrals With a Small Network

How to Get Job Referrals With a Small Network

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For this last summer episode, this is a recent interview with Margo Wickersham who has a Blab show. Originally, she was going to have Hannah Morgan on her show. However, at the last minute Hannah couldn’t do it so Margo called me to fill in. You will see we had quite a robust conversation–get that coveted external referral!

How important are referrals to your career? Let’s talk about it. I would love your feedback in one of three ways:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
  2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
  3. Send email feedback to [email protected]

How to Get Job Referrals

    Let me tell you a little bit more about Margo Wickersham. She provides business coaching and training for entrepreneurs through her website, MargoWickersham.com. She is a long-time executive and senior manager in the marketing space. Her Blab show is geared towards helping business people and job seekers thrive with advice and tools useful to achieve success.
    Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:
  • Everyone has a skill set regardless of who you are. Even if you’re a Certified Nurse Assistant who has to sit with a patient with behavioral challenges, you have to be patient and courageous. Everyone has to extract from themselves what makes them marketable and referable
  • Investing in your network’s worth is the way to engage future referrers way before you need to find the next job
  • Your family and friends are still part of your network. Many unemployed job seekers don’t want family and friends to know, although not always as useful, they are emotionally vested
  • Margo added a good referral network doesn’t happen overnight but overtime
  • Many levels and layers are essential but it’s about relationships, context, and community
  • Being a good referrer helps you understand the dynamic. Margo mentioned “paying it forward” was essential in adding value to your network
  • Referrals whether giving or receiving should be an overflow of the heart. Build context!
  • Disrupt the hiring process by getting a referral. You “jump the shark” and automatically considered with candidates deemed highly-qualified by the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
  • Margo shares a story of how she was able to re-connect with LinkedIn contacts and got a referral and a job
  • Familiarity is practically everything, even if it is not a close contact
  • Trust equity is associated with the person who refers you. The interview becomes a conversation rather than interrogation
  • Referrals can be positively disruptive, often meaning you’ll be memorable
  • Relationships even after the referrals is essential to your career and personally. Gratitude and the value exchange positively adds value
  • Giving more than taking says much about your character
  • How do  you connect to more people when you just are in contact with 20? LinkedIn is the best at increasing your connection numbers quickly

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it!

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

This is the last show of the summer. The next one will be Sept 6. I will be publishing new articles (up to 3x a week) on the blog. If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond. Thanks for being among the thousands who listen every month. There’s so much more to come so stay tuned!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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The Signature Look for Your Career Brand with Aaja Corinne

The Signature Look for Your Career Brand with Aaja Corinne

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Aaja Corinne-The Voice of Job Seekers (5)

Over the years, I have written and spoke about the importance first impressions at job interviews and the opportunities that come through providing a great presentation. Dressing, looking, and becoming the part is a necessity to compete in any job market. That is why I wanted to have Aaja Corrine, an image branding strategist, on the show to explain how important for a job seeker’s image and brand to be complete.

For this episode, Aaja Corinne and I talk about how to impact your audience by the way you dress. Aaja is an image consultant whose client list includes Babyface (yes, the singer/songwriter/producer) and Bianca Golden, America’s Top Model Contestant. Aaja’s media features include WVON in Chicago, JET magazine, and Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine.

What are some of your challenges in dressing for interviews or networking events? Does your wardrobe fit your professional image or personality? I would love your feedback on these questions or anything that you’ve heard on any of our shows in one of the three ways:

1) Leave a voice mail or text message at 708-365-9822. Let me know if I can share it on future shows
2) Email me: [email protected]
3) Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com and press the “Send Voicemail” button to leave a message online

If you are a career coach or professional and would like to contribute advice or voice your opinion, leave a message along with your name and website. I will include both on the show and show notes on the blog.

Here are some of the highlights of what Aaja and I discussed:

1. Aaja coaches people to shape his or her brand perception through presentation – it affects your movement through the marketplace.

2. She helps people to brand through “signature” not “trends.” She works to understand the person’s job, everyday role, and company culture. She strives to get more information about the person’s personality and what makes them comfortable. Aaja says, “You should always wear the clothes – the clothes should never wear you.”

3. Aaja explains how a negative or a positive image affects your brand from her point of view. She says that your overall package should be as good as the professional substance. When you come to the table, and you don’t look prepared, people start to make assumptions about your capabilities, preparedness and credibility.

4.Your resume is no longer the sole factor in being hired, so you must look like a “brand ambassador” for the prospective company. She asks her clients,”What are your three words that you want to be perceived as?”

5. Aaja says that being adaptable is important to your image and brand. She suggests that you should take your cues from management to emulate their attire on regular workdays and casual days. It’s better to be a tad over-dressed than under-dressed.

6. Professional does not mean boring. You should have “staple” pieces and “statement” pieces. Listen as Aaja offer suggestions for her “power pieces.” There is a part where she says she can find a way to wear a white shirt with pajamas and make it look stylish!

Have you subscribed to this show on iTunes? If you haven’t, please do so. This is also a great place to write an honest review. Enjoy listening to the show. Let us know what you think.

Do you need help with resume writing or career direction? Do you need coaching or instruction? Then start here.

Also, join our community on Linkedin! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.