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Success Blog

Our bi-weekly blog is full of expert advice to help you grow, elevate, and succeed in your career and business!

How To Network Like A Pro

9/13/2022

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One of the fastest ways to stand out as a leader in your industry is to grow and nurture your professional network. There is no doubt that networking can give your career a good boost. Whether you are wanting to grow your professional career, entrepreneurship contacts, or business, it is important to find the time to nurture your network. Many employment or business opportunities are never posted, and they’re ultimately filled by someone that knew someone that knew someone else. It is vital to your professional growth to establish yourself within that social chain.
 
With the internet, it’s not as important to network face to face, but it’s still necessary to get the most from your networking efforts.
 
Remember that everyone you meet is an opportunity to network.
 
Spend part of your week networking and making new contacts with these methods: 
  1. Examine your current resources. You already know someone that is well-connected. Think about all of your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Consider your entire social network. Maybe you’re a member of a church, Moose Lodge, or a local women’s group. Are you leveraging those contacts effectively?

  2. The key to effective networking is consistency and persistence. A little each day is more effective than a monumental effort every once in a while. It’s like going to the gym. You need to be consistent in your efforts if you want to see big results. Set aside time to reach out to people each week.

  3. Join relevant local and national organizations. Whether you’re a chemist, firefighter, priest, school teacher, or plumber, there are organizations that cater to your needs and interests. Become a part of them. In many cases, your employer will foot the bill. Do some research and see what you can find.

  4. Make use of social media. LinkedIn.com is great for networking. Utilize social media and make your presence known to the world. Make contact with a few people regularly via social media.

  5. Be proactive. You can’t just stand in the middle of the crowd at a networking event and expect people to line up for the privilege of talking to you. The burden is on you to start conversations. Take the bull by the horns and mingle. You’ll get much better with practice.

  6. Learn to ask open-ended questions. It’s hard to maintain a conversation by asking questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”. Ask questions that require a detailed answer. You’ll find it much easier to speak with others when you use open-ended questions.

  7. Follow up religiously. Communicating with someone one time won’t do much for you. Reach out to the most promising contacts you’ve made and touch base. Stay in touch.

  8. You can’t expect to receive more effort and value than you provide. You truly receive what you give when it comes to networking. You won’t get much if you don’t give much. Make a real effort to help others.

  9. Focus on quality over quantity. Passing out your business card like you’re passing out car wash coupons won’t do you a lot of good. Everyone can see what you’re doing. Make an effort to make a few real connections rather than throwing a 100 darts at the wall. Quality counts.

  10. Connect others together. This can be especially powerful. Bring other people together. This is especially easy to do and can pay off down the road for your own career.

  11. Avoid selling or asking for anything. If every time you reach out to someone you’re trying to get something from them, people will tire of you very quickly. Instead, give them something. “I know you’re interested in the effect of the Trans Pacific Partnership on the trade deficit. Here’s an article I thought you might be interested in.”

Networking can be an effective way to begin the process of building relationships with potential employers. You can also get to know people that can give you referrals. Ensure that you’re also doing all you can for your network. The more value you can provide, the more you’re likely to receive. Growing your network is essential to career and business success, so always do your best to expand it whenever possible!
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The importance of Utilizing Your LinkedIn Profile

7/26/2022

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You’ve heard many people say LinkedIn is an important tool to use when you are on your career path, but why? Let’s take a deep dive into the wonderful word on LinkedIn and learn all about the amazing benefits it can have for you and your success. 

To start off with a fact that many people didn’t know about, LinkedIn has been around longer than Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. But it’s become more relevant now than ever before.

While hosting more than 600 million professional profiles, which means an unlimited amount of networking opportunities, LinkedIn is a part of being a full-fledged professional in any industry nowadays. 

Here are just a few reasons why using your LinkedIn account will benefit you and your overall career growth. 

1. You can tap into their powerful job board
What really are the benefits of LinkedIn? There are many benefits to the social media hub but let’s start with square one. As a job seeker, you can go through their robust amount of job opportunities and apply right on the platform. You can search jobs by keywords and location and even if you’re not actively looking for employment, you can set job alerts up on your notification tab so that if anything in your area comes up those interests you, you have immediate access to it.

2. You can build your brand 
Just like companies learn to build their brand, it’s important for you to build your brand as well. How do you stand out from other industries? Why should someone hire you? Why should someone pay you a six-figure income? 
LinkedIn is a simple way to get your name out there, without potentially having to pay the cost of a website or an online portfolio. On LinkedIn it’s easy to upload a professional profile picture and write out a professional and cohesive summary that details your strengths, skills and details your personality. 

3. It can help rank your name on Google
Chances are, if you apply for a job one of the first things that employers will do is google your name. If you’ve never googled your name, right now might be the best time. One of the other benefits of LinkedIn: Ranking on Google’s first page can be a difficult task to accomplish but LinkedIn is a well known and powerful network and Googles into it. Because of that, it’s usually easier to get your LinkedIn profile to rank high on Google versus the homepage to your website or online portfolio. 

4. It maintains your contacts 
Remember that awesome and outstanding individual you met at an event years ago that gave you a business card to reach out to them if you ever wanted to connect? Well, it’s probably too late to check your drawers and desk to find that business card. With LinkedIn, it gives you an easier way to connect with people in your network so that one day when you do want to connect, it’s easier for you. 

5. You can research companies and their employees
These days, most companies maintain their own LinkedIn profiles to give visitors and potential hires an inside look of what their company is all about. If that company knows what they’re doing, you should get a good, solid feel for that company's culture and its people to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

6. It can help you tap into industry news 
Like other social media outlets, LinkedIn aggregates a timeline right when you log in. There you can find updates from your connections, your groups and your companies and it helps you stay in the loop of everything happening within the industry. 

7. Network, network, and network! 
This can’t be emphasized enough; LinkedIn is one of the best networking channels out there. Even if you describe yourself as an introvert and like to keep to yourself, LinkedIn is the best tool for creating and fostering meaningful business connections. 

If you were wondering how many benefits to LinkedIn there can actually be, here’s hoping that this list has convinced you that it can be one of the most professional powerful tools that can help you elevate in your career and individual growth. Contact us today for a consultation call and we can help you reach your highest professional potential!

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Networking For Success

6/28/2022

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Building connections with the right people at the right time is the key to taking your career to the next level. Networking is very important, but many people don’t know how to network properly for success, especially at events.
For many people, walking into a room full of strangers may even bring anxiety that can cripple their potential to network effectively. Networking is important, but it doesn’t have to be as intimidating as you think.
 
Networking is about meeting new people, making new connections, and leveraging the relationships for mutual benefit and advancement. However, what really makes a difference in networking is your intention.
 
Using your network is one of the best ways to find a new job or even a new role at your current company. Why is networking so important? It often comes down to one keyword: referrals.Thirty-one percent of job seekers find listings through professional connections, especially referrals. Networking can open doors to new opportunities that might be out of reach otherwise. The right networking can help you stand out from the crowd.
 
Use these tips at your next networking or social event to make connections that will help you to advance your career.
 
Help Others: 
  1. Share information. Maybe you’ll find a natural opening for discussing trends in your industry or demonstrating your expertise. Maybe you’ll accomplish more by explaining how to grow tomatoes in the shade or recommending a great movie you found on Netflix.

  2. Offer referrals. Spread the word about businesses and services you like. Personal testimonials are more reliable than online reviews.

  3. Pitch in. Passing around food trays or joining the planning committee is a great way to make mingling easier at parties or parent meetings. Your contributions will be remembered.

  4. Pay attention. Simple gestures count too. You can make a positive impression just by listening closely to what other guests have to say. Ask relevant questions and focus on their message instead of preparing your own response.

  5. Show enthusiasm. Others will find you more attractive if you’re having fun. Check that your body language is warm and friendly. Use smiles and eye contact to let others know that you welcome conversation.
 
Follow Up: 
  1. Ask your friends. If you and someone you just met have contacts in common, you may be able to rely on them to help you stay in touch. That could even include children and pets if they go to the same schools and dog parks.

  2. Explore mutual interests. Your initial conversation may also reveal areas of common ground. Building relationships is often most successful when you have regular interactions like attending the same gym or volunteering at the same community center.

  3. Go online. Researching someone online can be constructive as long as you respect their privacy. Learn more about them from public sources like their company website or news articles.

  4. Exchange contact information. Before you hand out any business cards, assess the situation to see if you’re going too far too fast. If your new contact seems receptive, you might offer your phone number or email and suggest a casual coffee date.
 
Other Tips for Networking at Social Events: 
  1. Practice regularly. Networking skills can be developed. Chatting with other parents at the park is a low-risk way to train for more challenging professional communications.

  2. Focus on quality. Networking is usually more rewarding when you concentrate on who you’re talking with now instead of trying to work the whole room. A small number of mutually supportive relationships is more valuable than having a lot of superficial contacts.

  3. Circulate more. It will be easier to allow relationships to develop gradually and naturally if you feel like you have an abundance of opportunities. Experiment with accepting more invitations and hosting your own gatherings. See what a difference it can make in widening your circle.

  4. Respect boundaries. Be sensitive to the purpose of any event and the comfort level of others. Honoring their needs will help you to make a positive impression.
 
Strengthen your network by learning how to use social events to build relationships. You’ll be helping yourself and others as long as you take a genuine and generous approach.

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Create An Online Presence To Climb The Career Ladder

11/2/2021

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If you want to advance in your career, one of the best ways to do that is by appearing online.

These days, employers are looking online. Employers use professional networking sites such as LinkedIn to look for job candidates.

Not only that but building an online presence can help grow your network beyond the office or region where you work. Online communities and social media allow you to interact with others in your field -- regardless of location.

With a stronger network in your field, you open yourself up to more job opportunities and visibility in your industry.

So why not create an online personal brand to help advance your career? Creating an online presence can help you stand out from others in your field.

When applying for a higher position, having an online presence shapes what employers see when they look you up online. Curating an online presence shows creativity and gives future employers opportunities to learn about you beyond a resumé.

The online persona you present online can be someone’s first impression about you.

Here’s how you can create a captivating online presence: 
  1. Introduce yourself, your values, and your skills. Think about the company you want to work for and what values are important to you.

  • What skills can you offer to companies and teams in the future?


  • Why do you enjoy working in your field?


  • What motivates you to do what you are doing?


    2. Cater your online presence to your employers. Find creative ways to display your skill set and set high expectations of what you can bring to the table.

  • For example, if you’re a graphic designer, showcase a portfolio of your graphics on a website or social media.


  • If you’re a project manager, write case studies about different projects you’ve taken from inception to completion.


  • Keep written statistics of the achievements you accomplish at work.


    3. Join communities or websites related to your field. You can use the Internet to network, too! By joining communities related to your field, you open yourself up to potential job opportunities in the future or a colleague you can go to when you’re looking for advice.

  • Actively participate and network at online seminars in your field.


  • Find and interact with others in your field on a social media network such as LinkedIn or Twitter.


  • Find an online community, such as a LinkedIn group or Facebook group, where you can network with others, offer support, or ask questions.


    4. Create content, or personal projects. Displaying content or personal projects shows that you are dedicated to improving your skills. It might also show unique skills, such as problem-solving, sales, or customer service.

    ​5. Add credibility through testimonials or reviews. Testimonials or reviews give social proof to potential employers of the strengths you can bring to the job. Ask employers and colleagues to send personal testimonials through email or LinkedIn so you can show the assets you will bring to an organization.
The more you invest in your online presence, the more potential employers can imagine how well you would fit within their company culture.

Everyone who applies for the next job will be submitting a resumé and cover letter. These things can display your skills and work experience, but developing an online presence can also show your personality and values.

By developing an online presence, you have the opportunity to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Future employers can get an insight into your own values, personality, and work ethic - and get to know you on a deeper level than they would just reading your resumé.

The work you do to build an online presence will undoubtedly leave a positive impression on future employers and help you advance in your career!

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Networking With A Professional Bio

8/24/2021

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​Professional Biographies or “bios,” are documents that introduce your accomplishments, name, employment history, and personal passions to the right network to help elevate your career or business. A professional bio is not like a resume because it allows room to showcase the values and principles that make you stand out as a leader in your industry and gives you immediate recognition when used as a networking tool for professional growth. A professional bio can be put on your website, social media accounts, book jackets, and can also be sent as attachments via Email, Messenger, and LinkedIn when connecting with other professionals. 


Think of a professional bio as a marketing advertisement for yourself. As such, not only does it have to be professional, it also has to be concise, relevant, interesting, and engaging. The goal of your professional bio is the same as a professional advertisement: to capture your audience in a way that they remember you immediately for the right reasons, especially when the right opportunities present themselves that can lead to your professional advancement. This gives you a huge advantage over the competition immediately and helps you stand out as a leader in your industry consistently.


What should be included in your Professional Bio? Here is a basic outline to help you get started:
  • Who You Are - Explain what you do and what your expertise is. Including some of your story, what led you to do this? What was your early life like?
  • Core Professional Values – Mention what you care about regarding your work and why this is important to you. 
  • Professional Experience and Accomplishments – Highlight your work experience and any wins and successes you’ve gathered throughout your career. 
  • Academics and Credentials – Always mention any relevant training, degrees, awards, or other practical experience. 
  • Personal Passions and Humour – It is a good idea to mention some of your personal hobbies, passions, family life, etc. Adding a little humour can help entertain your audience also, but keep it brief. 
  • Write in Third Person Format – Pretend you’re writing this about someone else.
  • Keep it short – You want to engage your audience, not bore them, so keep it to 10 – 15 sentences, and definitely no longer than a page. 


A professional bio can be a powerful tool to boost your authority and credibility – to elevate your career, to help drive business, or to promote your company. It is one of the most important documents you can have in your professional toolkit.
What career and business opportunities will yours open up?

Need help crafting a compelling professional bio? Contact us today to learn more about our professional bio writing services! 

https://www.vrsuccesspath.com/contact.html​

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    Author

    Victoria Rubio

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