Dirt Is It Fertile Soil or Disgusting Mud - Your Career Intel

Dirt Is It Fertile Soil or Disgusting Mud - Your Career IntelDirt Is it Fertile Soil or Disgusting Mud?Depends on your perspective. As the son of a corn farmer, dirt was big in my house. My Dad used to say, Good dirt has to keep its moisture and breathe, else nothins gonna grow.I think Dad might have had a point.During a job search, digital dirt (that online collection of videos, photos, comments, and content created by you and about you) is easily uncovered by prospective employers. Some recommend you try to sweep it under the rug. Dont let dirt scare you. I suggest you think of it as a living organism and treat dirt like a farmer would.Plow it.As a farmer would turn up the earth, spend some time uncovering your digital dirt. Research yourself using different name variations, search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo,) and subcategories (video, images, web, etc.). Look closely. Are there unprofessional photos on your LinkedIn profile? Inappropriate tweets? Any videos on YouTube you wo uldnt want Grandma to see?Clean up what you can. Change your facebook inc settings so that employers cant automatically see how you spent your Saturday night. Delete embarrassing photos or comments. Review your profiles to ensure that the information youre sharing is similar to what youd say in a face-to-face interview. Frankly, when a prospective employer orexecutive recruiterdoes an online search for you, youre already being interviewed.Plant the seed.When searching for a new job or career step, you want to be found online. You dont want to be the shadowy figure without personality or distinction. Plant the seed for who you want to be and begin to build your digital profile. If you dont participate in the big three Linked In, Facebook and Twitter start now Connect with the companies, executive search firms, professional associations, blogs and websites that matter most to your career. Follow the newsmakers and post smart, thoughtful comments where relatable. Social media has rev olutionized how we interact and communicate. Join the conversation.Fertilize.Cultivate your online persona with elements that will help it grow. Update your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles with recommendations and join groups that nourish your soil. Leverage social media by posting books you read and connect with companies within your professional sphere. When you learn about an interesting industry trend, tweet about it. If you read a great article, like it. Fertilization isnt a single step. Its a process.Reap the harvest.Follow the tried and true measure of the farmer, and your digital dirt will yield a return. Establish and develop an online profile you can be proud of and secure the job interview or receive the call-back.Roll up your sleeves. Its time to turn mud into fertile soil.Scott Smith Chief Marketing Officer

Fairygodboss of the Week Meredith Lejeune

Fairygodboss of the Week Meredith Lejeune Public Relations Pro Meredith LeJeune always knew she wanted to work for herself. And when she welches laid off during structural changes at her former employer, she took the chance and launched Thought Bubble Communications. Alfruchtwein seven years later, her business is thriving and she has taken on several campaigns for major brands.We talked to this mother of two about how she balances her booming business and her twins, how she overcame her introversion to become an entrepreneur and how she makes time for personal passions amidst it all. Then, we asked about her top advice for women who want to build a life built around what they love.Fairygodboss of the Week Meredith LeJeuneOwner, Thought Bubble CommunicationsGreater New York City AreaTell us a little about your career. How did you get to where you are now?In 2005, I graduated with a BA in Public Relations from Hampton University. I had an amazing opportunity intern with Scripps Networ k over that summer, and landed my first job as an marketing communications coordinator later that year. Over the next five years in that position, I was able to grow and expand in ways I couldnt have imagined. However, I needed more. I knew my story wouldnt keep me in Hampton Roads, Virginia (my home town). I knew I wanted to work for myself, and do PR the way I wanted to do it. But first, I needed the discipline. I moved to Atlanta, and joined the team of a high tech B2B integrated communications agency. It was the most intense experience I ever had Im so thankful, because it set me up for the next phase in my life.Unfortunately, due to some structural changes, I was laid off from that position in June 2012. I knew, and felt equipped, to move into my next phase entrepreneurship. I stepped out on my own in monat des herbstbeginns 2012, and have been a solopreneur in the public relations space ever since Ive had the opportunity to partner with other agencies and work on campaigns for major brands in the food and beverage and automotive spaces, as well as in multi-housing, professional development and real estate.What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?Im most proud of pushing through nerves and actually starting my business. Looking back over the past nearly seven years, Im able to say that I have done what I truly enjoy doing. Theres bedrngnishing like seeing the fruits of your own labor.What is a challenge that youve faced and overcome?Im an introvert by nature, so selling myself or my services has never come naturally to me. However, in this business, Ive learned that closed mouths dont get fed I developed a strategy that I use when approaching prospective clients either in person, over the phone or via email that has helped me get past those jitters.Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? and Why?I cant say I have just one. There are several accomplished women I admire, each for an individual reason.What do you do when youre not working?When I am not working, I a m hanging out with my family. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Im also a wife and mother to five-year-old twins. In my time away from them, I am exercising and doing joga I am a certified yoga instructor and teach at two studios in my area.If you could have dinner with one famous persondead or alivewho would it be?I would have dinner with Will Smith. I believe he has a remarkable mind. I follow him on Instagram, and am inspired by his posts, in addition to his accomplishments.What is your karaoke song?Dont Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston. She plays a mean tambourineWhat is your favorite movie?EasyIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I could probably recite the lines of every lead character.What book would you bring with you on a desert island?Caucasia. It is a very interesting book about identify and how we define ourselves.What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?I live for a maxi dress If I ever won the lottery, Id buy stock.What is the 1 car eer tip youd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?Be intentional. Know what your ultimate career goal is and why, then make sure to maximize every move you make so that it brings you one step closer to your goal.Why do you love where you work?I love where I work because it is my own. I have set up a lifestyle and career where I have the freedom to work on projects I truly enjoy. For that, I am grateful.Fairygodboss is all about women helping other women - so each week, we celebrate a woman who made a difference in another womans career. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career?Celebrate her and thank her by nominating her here.