Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and moms to be.
2020 Graduation is the first, and I hope last ever virtual graduation for most students.
Despite your parent’s best efforts for the last 20+ years, there comes a time when we all must understand that we are all in the same race towards the finish line, and we are not special.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard of the famous “You Are Not Special” speech delivered by Wellesley High School English Teacher, David McCullough, in May of 2012.
Take the time to listen to Mr. McCullough to explain the idea of not being special and remember it.
If there ever was a time when you can stand out and be unique, it is now.
We know that there was no graduation ceremony. Depending on your college, they will mail you your diploma, or you must come to pick it up.
College ended with a whimper, not the bang of a celebration we have all come to expect and enjoy.
If there ever was a time when you can stand out and be unique it is now
The question is, how?
The world is now virtual. Use the same skills you use playing Call of Duty to eradicate the opposition. Persistency combined with luck. The former is more important than the success you may come across. Zoom, Facetime, and Skype are just the beginning of how to connect with potential employers. The key is that you must be prepared for the conversation.
Set up your social media sites to promote your skills. If you are reticent about setting up a social media site, then you have a Grand Canyon-sized gap to overcome in catching up with your peers. Those same peers are competing with you for the job.
Once you have your social media sites set up, then you are half-way to networking your way into a new job.
Already a master of the social media world including Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok? Congratulations, however, a word of warning.
If you only get the “social” aspects of social media, then you may need to consult Miss Manners. Have your mom or dad or sibling if you are concerned about what is on your phone go through your social media sites.
Your social media sites need to be social and professional. It can’t be reiterated enough that what you post, tweet, share, and chat about online can come back to haunt you.
LinkedIn is the business social media, and a picture of a rock or you doing yoga is not the image that a potential employer wants to see. They want to see your smiling face. Also, your LinkedIn profile needs to be complete. An incomplete profile equals no opportunity.
Today, so many people connect virtually. You may be able to find a job without ever meeting the person who recommended you face-to-face.
- Use LinkedIn to connect to classmates, co-workers, former co-workers, and people that you meet in public. Connections are key-you never know who knows who and the most important contact you have just might be your classmate’s 2nd
- Do not be shy or reserved, and you have to be active and make contributions to the online community that you are involved in.
- Attend a career path related webinar.
- Find groups on sites like Meet-up, your local Chamber of Commerce or Virtual Networking International (VNI).
Be consistent when you start the online networking process. If you are going to participate once a week, do it. People are not on these platforms all day every day. You increase the chance that someone will see and remember your name every time you post, share, or connect.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Pause and take a moment, remember those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we can live and make the choices given to us by our freedom.
Enjoy your weekend with your family and friends.
We will be back in the office on Tuesday morning.
Got something on your mind or have a question about how to connect online?
Call us 214-239-4700 or click to set up a ZOOM MEETING
Michael Tannery CPA CDFA® AIF® ● CEO
Registered Principal | Tannery & Company
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