new audio posted: cover letter keys

Click here to listen in to this week’s 2-minute tip!

Here are some great resume trends shared from ACCOUNTEMPS:

• Lesley Goeres, branch manager of Accountemps in Midland, provides some tips for writing more effective cover letters:
o Conduct research. Before writing your cover letter, learn as much as possible about the company to which you’re applying. By visiting the company’s website you can locate information about their mission, values and recent successes.

o Be professional. A sloppy or unprofessional cover letter can severely hurt your chances of reaching the next stage of the application process. Keep your letter concise and customize it for the particular company. A hiring manager can easily spot a form letter.

o Address it properly. Avoid addressing your correspondence, “To whom it may concern.” Find out exactly who is hiring for the position and prepare your salutation accordingly. Sending your letter to the appropriate contact will ensure your application gets in the right hands.

o State your purpose. In the opening paragraph, explain what position you are applying for and why, and give the reader a reason to continue reading. Demonstrate your knowledge of the business and, if possible, include the name of a mutual contact.

o Explain how you can help. Avoid rehashing your resume and instead focus on the ways you can contribute to the company’s success, detailing the specific qualities you bring to the position. Where appropriate, relate any information you discovered while researching the company.

Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International, is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm for accounting professionals. For more information, visit www.accountemps.com or call the Midland office at 432.570.5285.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

professional personal brand tip #5: say thank you

Ninety-seven percent of people do not say thank you. If you want to be remembered, you’ll send a thank you note 24 hours after you connect with or interview with someone. You’ll stand out in the top 3% plus it will require that they access your information again. Anytime you can get someone to see your name or think of you again is a good thing. Email thank you notes are good but physical thank you notes are best. Type the letter if you’re following up with a formal interview, hand write it if it’s a great connection, meeting or someone within the organization helping to navigate your through and ALWAYS use a handwritten envelope. Handwritten envelopes get opened first.

Secondly, yet of most important is USE THEIR NAME in the thank you. If you’re not sure, then do a little research and make sure of spelling and preferences. NO LETTER - I repeat - NO LETTER should ever start out, “To whom it may concern”. If you don’t know who it is you’re sending it to - find out. If it’s a committee - find out who the committee members are. And, at the very least begin the salutation with “Ladies and Gentlemen” and at least salvage a little bit of business etiquette!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

memorial day: gratitude and appreciation

As a daughter of an Air Force Colonel and someone who spent my important high school years attending a department of defense school overseas, I really cherish and spend a little time in reflection on Memorial Day. I remember those I knew and know who went into service and their great dedication and commitment. And, I remember those we’ve lost.

I was 13 years old when were were stationed at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines. Now, after the volcano eruption - it’s no longer a USAF Military Base. But, then, it was a huge shock for a gal from Illinois who lived all of her life stateside. Under military rule, at the time, the Philippines was a huge education for me on the ASSUMPTION of freedom that many U.S. born Americans take for granted.

There was curfew and you needed papers to even go out to get a box of Pampers. There was no joking about how bad the Philippine president was - because that meant death. The telephone was a “party line” so anyone and everyone could listen in. Snipers attacked our school. A bodyguard would come with my for my varsity soccer games at the International School in Manila (the school attended by all the kids of American diplomats). You could only buy your ration of coffee, meat and many, many other items. And, the first day for the democratic vote, my uncle and many others, were assassinated on their way to the polls. Polling places were blown up. You didn’t just get “hot water” when you bathed - there was a process. And drinking water was purchased at a place that looked much like a gas station. If you got in trouble, your father’s commanding officer (CO) would reprimand your father -for if he couldn’t lead his family - how could he lead a unit? While it was a place that reminded all of us who lived there from stateside, that freedom is NOT FREE, it was ALSO a place of huge patriotism.

At 5 p.m., when taps were played and the American flag was retired, the ENTIRE BASE stopped to hear the national anthem and to stand in respect and honor. No car would move, if you were on the sidewalk you stopped and saluted if you were a military person and stood at attention if you were a civilian. No cash registers would ring, even at the commissary - while the anthem played.

Recently, our Toastmasters club asked each of us to do a impromptu speech of “If I were president”. And, if I were, for just one year, I would love to take everyone who lives in the U.S. and was born stateside and has never traveled to a 3rd world country to take them to one. To have them live, survive and thrive - outside the U.S. Then, and only then, would I like to hear their views on the U.S.

I’m offended by those who speak ill of the U.S. and have never been abroad; of those who speak with disregard of our military and commander and chief and of those who ASSUME that the freedoms we ENJOY in the U.S. are just our “rights”, or are “expected” or worse yet “deserved” - they are paid for every single day by those who preciously and generously give the ultimate.

Today - remember those who have given much. And, never assume what freedoms we enjoy here are just “supposed to be”. You are not OWED ANY FREEDOM - you were given it as a generous gift by those who serve our country - MAKE IT COUNT.

Here’s what my dad shared with me today -Memorial Day Message, Nellis Air Force Base Military Retirees Bulletin:

We do not pass this way to reach acclaim, to build up scores, or garner fame.

We do not pass this way to mass up wealth, or own more land, or being more felt.

We do not pass this way to build up power, or climb a ladder to some ivory tower.

We do not pass this way to seek praise, for deeds we’ve done, or games we’ve played.

And if in passing we should gain glory, we need not boast to tell our story.

For in the hearts of those we’ve known, will be a spot that’s all our own.

It is a memory, clear and dear, we proved our worth, while we were here.

Therefore, those who are dead are never gone, for….

They are in the books we read; they are in the songs we sing;

They are in the stories we tell; they are in the poems we write….

Those who are dead are never gone, for…

They are there giving loving encouragement and support that never fails;

They are there giving courage to the weak; they are there giving hope to the despairing;

They are there giving meaning to our earthly experience and existence…

Those who are dead are never gone, for…

They are in the goals we achieve; they are in the thoughts we think;

They are in the ideas we express; they are in the dreams we share…

Those who are dead are never gone and never will they be forgotten!

I extend to all of you God’s blessings on This Memorial Day, May 26, 2008.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

new audio posted: bad times on resumes

Listen in on this week’s 2-minute tips by clicking here!

What Do You Say On Your Resume When You Didn’t Leave On Good Terms?

How do you handle those job moments on your resume when you just got “fed up” and said “take this job and shove it”?

• 1. Nothing negative on your resume – this is a SALES TOOL.
• 2. Avoid any mention of it on the resume
• 3. Be prepared to discuss in person
• 4. An ounce of prevention – 2 weeks’ notice is proper

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

professional personal brand tip #4: notify your references

It’s not as important to have a lengthy reference list as it is important to have quality references. Let them know that you are including them, get their permission to distribute their contact info and even get them to write a letter of recommendation. With a letter of recommendation, you can highlight excerpts from it on your digital portfolio, blog or even scan it, convert it to a JPEG (picture) and post it on your online resume. Also, let your reference know what your “proper name” is or the name that you’re applying with. There is nothing worse than them being caught off guard when they’re contacted and respond with “I don’t know who that is”. For example, a friend of mine applied with a pharmaceutical company and I knew her as “Diane” which was her middle name. Her proper first name is “Margaret” which I had never known. I was momentarily stunned when I heard the name and almost said “I don’t know her” when I remembered my friend had said she had used me as a reference.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

professional personal brand tip #3: up-to-date resumes

Keep your resume up to date, always. Success really is when opportunity and preparedness meet! Since recruitment efforts have and continue to become more present on-line, keep a copy of your information such as work history, experience, skill set, reference list, in a document on your computer. When opportunities present themselves, you’ll simply need to cut and paste and spend just a few moments on customization for the position and you’re ready to be considered. Another tool to include in your “preparedness box” is an on-line digital portfolio, digital resume or curriculum vitae. You can do this yourself and host in on a web page, even a blog could be set up with all the same info, or you can utilize a host of online services that provide that, such as VisualCV.

Resumes show up in many unusual places- even on the back of t-shirts as shown here on this picture by Blackbird Tees. As they stated, “if you’re hired in this fashion, at least you know that you’re employer has a sense of humor.”

Yet , we do know that on-line presence in resumes is definitely on the rise! Keep your information up to date. Remember, to look at the skill set you gain at every turn, keep a listing of ALL TRAINING that you participate in, keep a listing of every volunteer activity that you’ve ever done ( better yet - instead of or in addition to a plaque of appreciation get a “letter of appreciation” and include that in your portfolio or employee file); keep a listing of any leadership role that you’re ever doing even if it’s only on a temporary or a one-time basis.

Get really good at documenting your efforts. An on-line resume fashioned more like a bio is a great tool to do that with. In fact, to have it online as a bio is less threatening to an employer. It doesn’t give the “look or feel” that you’re looking.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

new audio posted: resume writing - online resumes?

Click here to listen in to the 2-minute recap of the CBS business coaching moment!

On-Line Resumes and Digital Portfolios are growing in popularity and usage as more companies accept applications on-line and communicate in the hyper-connected world.

Here are some fast tips:

1. Build a powerful and impactful resume
2. Build your portfolio
3. For online, write your resume in third person
4. Use your full name throughout the text of your resume so that it’s easily searchable - like a bio.
5. Be comfortable that everyone will see what you have on your resume

Infact, here are some interesting factoids and tips shared from our local Robert Half International

Office:Accountemps Survey on Resumes
March 20, 2007

Resume Length
• According to a survey by Accountemps, a staffing firm with offices here in Midland, it’s becoming slightly more acceptable to have a longer resume than it was 10 years ago.

• 44 percent of executives polled said they prefer two pages, however, the majority still feel a single page is the ideal length.

• One possible reason for the extra length is that many employers desire additional information earlier in the process about the skills and experience of job candidates.

• However, employers’ desire for more detail about candidates’ work histories should not open the door to lengthier resumes.

• In general, less is still more, and the space necessary to accurately convey a candidate’s depth of experience should dictate resume length.

• Employers want to see that applicants can prioritize information and concisely convey their depth of the experience.

Sending Resumes Electronically
• It’s becoming increasingly commonplace to send resumes and other information via email.

• When sending resumes via email, remember that any special or unique formatting will often be lost, making your resume unreadable.

• Tips from Accountemps for adapting your resume and cover letter to a plain text format:
o File Format - Save resume as a “text only” file.
o Line Length - To avoid wrapping the line prematurely, set the page width at 4-3/4″ and save the file as “Text with Line Breaks” to put a hard return at the end of each line.
o Vertical Alignment - To achieve an equal number of spaces from the left-hand margin, convert all the text to 10-point Courier or another fixed-width font.
o Design - Use characters such as dashes (-), asterisks (*) and arrows to highlight information. Do not use bold, italics, columns and bullets; they do not translate well to plain text format.

Robert Half International is a leading provider in professionals and professional services.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

on-brand event review: cancer society round-up 2008

It is the season for events and activities in the Permian Basin and wonderful opportunities to support many great causes abounds!

One of those events that happen every May is the American Cancer Society Round-Up. This year it happened at the Horseshoe Arena - a huge venue yet perfect for this event.

And as in any “on-brand event review” we look at what was ON BRAND, what WORKED and what DIDN’T WORK.

So, how did this year’s ROUND-UP do?

FOOD: It was another stellar year for Round-Up. It appears that they’re food vendor from last year joined us again and did a wonderful job with a very ON BRAND menu for ROUND-UP 2008. In fact, many of us in the serving line saw the biggest pot of beans we’ve ever seen! We missed the Basic Energy chocolate shots - but the only ones who truly noticed were the chocolate lovers from last year. And, Suzie’s South Forty kickers were so good that at the end of the night everyone, including the tear down staff and the security officers, were hunting for any kickers that were left behind. I’m sure David and Suzie that you are enjoying this story!

ENTERTAINMENT: Rodney Adkins was wonderful! He engaged the crowd, had the group up dancing in the dance area, had wonderful conversation with the crowd and even sat down and sang while he was signing autographs. When he jumped off stage to sign some more autographs, I thought there might be a security issue as the crowd went wild. He definitely put on a show! There were a couple of time where his notes were a little flat yet understand that in the Horseshoe Arena when the airconditioner is blowing it’s tough to even hear yourself. I’ve had experience on a stage in that arena and I know having some good feed on the sound from the stage is a challenge! I don’t understand the whole t-shirt and jeans look. Even when the Dixie Chicks performed many, many moons ago at Round-Up when it was at the CAF Hangar, they dressed down. I would hope their publicity people would let them know what a conservative community we are and that at least a nice shirt with a good pair of jeans would be best. It’s one of those things you just wonder. When LoneStar performed at the event when it was held at the Midland College Chaparral Center, they were dressed perfectly - like you would see them on their album. And, Blake Shelton, well he just wore what he usually wears - long sleeve shirt and a torn pair of jeans, but that’s his brand so he was definitely ON BRAND.

The dance band that played was pretty good too except they would take a little too long between songs which made for awkward moments on the dance floor when people were just standing and staring - waiting to see what was going to be played next. And, having the speakers on the floor really took alot of their sound quality and power away. For Rodney’s portion, the speakers were hung from the ceiling - making for GREAT SOUND QUALITY and providing any table from any angle to get a good view of the stage.

VOLUNTEERS: Another passionate group of volunteers at this event! They were happy to help and happy to be of service. Game playing was fun, they were enormous help at the silent auction area, helpful in directing around the room and KUDOS FOR POSTING SEATING CHART for the hundreds of tables at the event. If it was around last year, I missed it. Yet, this year, it definitely drew loads of great comments and “atta-boys”.

Great MC’s - I love Mike and Dana - you can tell they have a passion for the event plus they’re so great at “off the cuff” comments and “fill time” when needed. There were some great spotters for the LIVE AUCTION - and those definitely help to make for a successful event. The auctioneer - Steve Taylor - truly was a positive feather in the cap for this event. He really knows how to make an organization LOADS OF MONEY for their event. First, he works and walks the room prior to the event. He learns who all the PLAYERS ARE. He visits with all the SPONSORS and LEARNS THEIR FIRST NAMES (this is key - remember what Dale Carnegie said ages ago “the sweetest sound to anyone is the sound of their own name”. He shakes hands with those most passionately affected by this disease and who are pouring every bit of their time, talent and treasure into this event. Then, HE MASTERFULLY USES all that info from the stage. He calls out Larry’s name and encourages him to “jump in the water’s fine”; he says things like “c’mon Claytie work with me”; he calls out sponsors by names and lavishes kudos and gratitude like no other. And, when he feels an item plateau he pushes it forward by either calling on a couple of passionate people and asking them to throw their hat in or he offers his own money. The whole room “ooed and ahhed” when he said, “I’ll thrown in $2000 of my own money because I think she’ll got to $15,000 let’s do this together.” He gave another $2000 when the auction for the breast prothesis came - recounting stories of how it helped women’s self esteem and confidence, going to the daughters of these women so that they could share their personal triumphs. The LIVE AUCTION had stalled at $97,000 when Steve Taylor said he knew he just wanted this to go to $100,000 so he was going to throw in $2000 of this own money now who was going to help to get us past $100,000. The crowd responded on their feet, with applause as that portion of the auction went to $124,000 just that night with pledges for more coming in as people made cell phone calls encouraging their circle of influence to pitch in. He is a MASTER AUCTIONEER and I’ve seen no other like him. There are a couple of guys in Van Horn, Texas that come awfully close and I’ve seen them deliver the same level of professionalism and social skills and stockshow events. I’m sure the coordinators of this event are glad about how everything went!

SPONSORS: This is an area that needs improvement at the event - recognition of sponsors. I hear everyone talking about “the cause” and “the need”. And, I think those are the most noble reasons to be involved with the event. Yet, understand BUSINESS is BUSINESS. And, if a sponsor becomes involved to promote, highlight, spotlight their business - then that has to happen. Other than the listing on the program there’s not much other recognition. There are “generic banners” around the arena and as a personal brand strategist - I don’t like those because they’re “generic”. I would much rather see logos or something so that you would quickly recognize the company. The society is smart in that they reserve that type of recognition to their big donors who hang from the stage. Yet, a whole bunch of $1,500 sponsors doesn’t hurt the bottomline of any event. Just show them a little more love and you’ll be just fine!

Now, here’s the only thing I don’t understand about the event and I’ve seen it happen 2 years in a row.

The event is supposed to end at 1 a.m. and it shuts down at 12:15 a.m.

This is the second year for it to do that. Dancing ends at midnight. Even though you’re supposed to be able to “kick up your feet until closing” (read the program - that’s what it says) and yet it closes early every year. Curious right? It would be different if the event was empty - but it wasn’t. It would also be different if they didn’t start cleaning up at 11 p.m. but they did (tables were already being broken down then). Just something I’d like to know more about.

The EVENT WAS STELLAR this year - Kudos and a landslide of BUZZ POINTS! Amazing and wonderful event!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

professional personal brand tip #2: dress for inclusion

Dress for success may not be your battle cry yet it is important that you dress for inclusion. Whatever position you aspire for, make sure you look like you belong there. Spend a little time seeing what people in those positions with companies that you admire wear daily. This will help you to craft a look that speaks volumes that you “naturally belong”.

Often, the thought is that “professional dress” just means to put a suit on; or formal dress mean to put on a floor length evening gown - or a snappy tuxedo; and then “casual dress” means to show up in your throw back sweats from the “college scrunge” days and look like you’re about to clean the bathrooms or haul hay.

First, let’s be clear that “professional dress” is mirrored by whatever your industry standard is of professionalism. Surely, I wouldn’t show up in a 3-piece suit at a construction site unless I want to give the impression that I’m an auditor or an attorney.

Second, there are some beautiful clothiers who can provide you stellar professional clothing and then you put it on your body without knowing your correct body shape and this beautiful piece looks frumpy and wrong. I’ve seen grown men put on beautiful Armani suits and tuxedos and make those clothes look like they were wearing suits they just lifted out of an old trunk - baggy and very unprofessional.

The difference comes in the FIT. And, fit is everything from your BODY SHAPE; your BODY SIZE; whether you have good fitting undergarments (these can make or break an outfit!); and your demeanor. Put on a Christian Dior dress and walk around like a bowlegged woman and you won’t look any more sophisticated or professional.

BODY SHAPE: Are you exactly the same size as you are on top as you are on bottom? Then why are you buying outfits where it’s the same size on top and bottom unless you proportioned that way? You’re either a triangle, rectangle, circle of square. You need to know what you are and what works well with that body shape. Your height will determine where the end of a jacket should end, and a skirt, and a pant leg, too. Your arm length determines where a sleeve should end. You don’t look very powerful if you look like you swiped your daddy’s shirt and are wearing something that’s obviously way too big for you.

BODY SIZE: If you’ve gotten bigger - then you’ve gotten bigger. You cannot “squeeze” into something two sizes smaller and expect to just fool everyone that you’re that size. In fact, the only person that is fooled - is you. FIT is more important than size. I attend LOADS OF MEETINGS each week and I’ve never yet seen someone run up to someone else, peek at the tag inside their clothes and say “my you’ve grown”. Never. Who cares what the label says inside? What does that matter? What’s most important is does it fit and work correctly with YOUR BODY when you get it on.

UNDERGARMENTS: Men and women - know what fits right. A tight pair of boxers does nothing for your beer gut or your thigh dimples when you’re wearing a pair of pants. Wear what FITS and use QUALITY. This can be said for clothing, too. Quality goes a long way. Nothing worse than to see a great white shirt on someone that’s WAY TOO THIN in fabric and material causing you to get a “bird’s eye view” of everything that should be private.

DEMEANOR: Be the best at whatever you do. So, if you’re working a fairly high-end gala event, you better not only have great quality clothing on - you better be a great quality person in those clothes. 70’s style makeup, a hairstyle that’s a remembrance from the 60’s, cheap clothing with spaghetti straps that are no longer really holding up your dress, and cheap earrings that you try to pass of as antique when they’re really just OLD don’t work. Even with the best of clothing, if you walk liked you’re a pack mule, or fling your arms around like a gorilla, speak in double negatives “there’s not nothing we can do about it”, have no clue how to handle yourself at a dinner table or meeting, they will all ROB YOU of whatever the QUALITY CLOTHES may have temporarily given you. If that’s where you’re missing the boat, then it’s time for you to go to finishing school or take a business etiquette seminar.

What your seeking is what is the best by your industry standards and quality to shine through from the inside out - period.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron

Chief Buzz Agent & Connections Coach

click my name to Google Me!

www.buzz2bucks.com

“building brands and higher level connections”

new audio posted: resume writing tips #1

Check out this week’s 2-minute tip on the #1 Rule of Thumb for resume writing!

Graduation is in the air - as beautifully folded, meticulously written, vellum covered invitations land in our mailboxes! Whether you’re graduating from technical school, college, high school or a university - job hunting, even if it’s only summer job hunting is on the minds of some.

And, even for those of us who graduated many, many, many moons ago - it’s important to always keep your resume up to date. You’ll never know when opportunity will present itself and nowadays and on-line resume is really important - because if you don’t show up on-line you won’t exist for a fast growing portion of the population.

So, listen into the number one rule and keep in mind that for IT people, according to my friend, John Smith, Owner of ISPMaker.net, there’s a huge “project” addendum that does need to be included in your resume.

On-line make sure that:

• Your resume (or information) is clean an professional. Check for typos or mis-spellings.
• Stay away from ALL CAPS - that show unprofessionalism and ignorance to the ways of the web.
• Use action verbs, adjectives and results.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– strengthen your personal brand today
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