Volunteering: Have Fun. Do Good!

A New Take on Mentoring

Recently I've read a lot of tweets and blog posts advising young professionals about mentors - why you need them, how to get them, how to keep them. I've rounded up some of the best advice I've seen so far and will feature them over the next few weeks. Why not get started today in finding a mentor or two?

I'll summarize the keys of one of the blog posts I've seen this week, from "Nametag Scott Ginsburg."

Shut up and Listen. This may seem counterintuitive, but it's really not. As Scott Ginsburg writes, one of the best techniques for learning on the job - and finding a mentor - is, "Show up, hang out, ask questions and shut up."

It's true, especially as a young professional, that it's hard to be taken seriously on the job. Everyone is 10+ years older than you, with a lot of great experience. Rather than jumping into a business meeting, for instance, and blasting away with your great ideas, first take a moment to listen, and ask questions. Most managers enjoy sharing what they know, and you'll learn a great deal. And learn about the managers and who you think would be a great asset for you in your career growth.

And, Scott's trademark advice ending for this idea: "As the youngest person in your office, you have an opportunity to bring new blood, fresh perspective and youthful energy to the workplace. Be patient. Be proactive. Be pointed. And be a problem solver."

And -- I know this approach works. I've done it myself and in my first out-of-college job, rose from staff assistant to vice president in four years, based in part on the way I was able to find mentors on the job.

Find Learning Opportunities in Your Current Job

I saw an article today in the Wall Street Journal about staying put in your job despite dissatisfaction and it reminded me of a concept I learned in grad school while earning my master’s degree in administration – “developing in place.” The basic idea is based on what writer Dennis Nishi says,

“Dissatisfaction isn't always about money or benefits, according to a 2010 Monster.com poll. Employees also highly value opportunities for advancement, recognition, good bosses and co-workers, and challenging work.”

Take the Lead

I firmly believe that it’s up to us to take the lead ourselves to find opportunities to develop, find new opportunities for advancement as well as new challenges. Bosses can be too busy to be on the lookout for opportunities to help us grow as professionals, and don’t necessarily know your long-term aspirations or that you’re motivated by new challenges.

I too get bored if I’m not constantly learning something, and have been fortunate to have been able to work on new projects and keep the challenges coming. I suspect that many of you feel the same way; we don’t necessarily want to leave our jobs, we want to keep growing.

Practical Advice

Over the next several weeks I’m going to highlight ways that you can “develop in place,” or find on-the-job learning opportunities so you can increase job satisfaction and opportunities for advancement.

In the interim, here’s an interesting read from the U.S. Department of Labor on the subject of creating your own blueprint for “developing in place.”

Take Steps Now to Get Promoted at Work

As I read this article I was reminded again (like any of us need a reminder!) that it’s tough to find a job out there, and if we have a job we’re fortunate.

But what if you’re not entirely happy with what you’re doing now and want to move up the career ladder?

It turns out, says Linkedin, that timing is key. January, June and July are the top three months U.S. employees are promoted. This data was gleaned from 20 years’ worth of analysis of Linkedin profile changes. (By the way, if you’re not on Linkedin, I encourage you to set up a profile – it’s super easy to do and the benefits are amazing.)

What Employers Want

Employers look at accomplishments and new skill sets you’ve picked up, says the article’s author. Over the past almost 20 years I’ve been an association professional, I’ve found that to be true. And, I’ve leveraged my membership in the Alexandria Jaycees to help me learn “promotable skills” like project and people management.

Join the Jaycees

If you haven’t yet joined a professional association like Jaycees (who also have a strong community service mission), do it! What are you waiting for? You’ll meet potential friends, colleagues, and contacts for jobs. You’ll gain valuable skills. And, you’ll get the satisfaction of giving back to your community.

Jaycees = Promotable Skills

I’ve been an Alexandria Jaycee since 2002, and I can tell you without a doubt that the skills I learned there – serving as vice president in communications, membership, and management, then as president – helped me advance steadily in my career. In 2002 I was a membership manager; when I left that job 6 years later I was vice president of communications and community development.

As communications vice president, for example, I had the opportunity to write and edit articles, as well as lay out, the monthly newsletter; create email communications campaigns; and redesign the organization’s website.

Jaycees = Mentors

Along the way I had great mentors, like my good friend Kristie Kehoe, a Life Member of the Alexandria Jaycees, who was already a communications professional. She showed me the ropes and I am eternally grateful.  Since my tenure as vice president, many others have served in that role and have had the same opportunities – to try new skills, find a mentor, and practice in a worry-free (no, you don’t get fired if you make a mistake in the Jaycees organization!) environment.

June & July: Aim for that Promotion

As the Linkedin gurus say… timing is key. Take steps now to pick up project and people management skills, presentation and public speaking skills (Who isn’t afraid of speaking in public? Practice with the Jaycees – I promise it will be less scary as time goes on)… and so much more. Email my good friend Lillian Cheng, the 2011 president of the Alexandria Jaycees, to find out more and how to get involved. Check out their upcoming meetings and visit!

The 9 Golden Keys to Making Great First Impressions

Okay, I'm on a roll! After I found the fun "World's Worst 8 Handshakes" and wrote about it yesterday, I found this article on the same UK website. The 9 Golden Keys are a good reminder of what we probably all know but aren't practicing day-to-day.

The Keys start with the premise that "others form up to 90% of their opinion about you in the first four minutes and that 60% to 80% of the impact you will make is non-verbal." Lo and behold, #4 is all about the handshake!

Though this brief article is geared toward job-seekers on an interview, I think it applies equally to meeting someone in a work setting.

The World's 8 Worst Handshakes

I love this title. Caveat - it's not my own; it's the title of a great post that a kirtsy (a very cool site in its own right) blogger found on a UK website. So, what are the 8 worst handshakes? Well, as you might imagine, one is the dreaded "finger-shake."

Women, you know exactly what I mean! Instead of a firm (not vice-like!) shake web-to-web (thumb web that is), sometimes someone grabs just your fingers and shakes up and down. Yuck! This and the other 7 handshakes are shown in interesting illustrations, so you offenders can see exactly what not to do!

Sometimes I think so much attention has been paid to virtual networking that sometimes we forget how to properly network face-to-face!

Jaycees to Jobs: Network, Network, Network

In the real estate market, Realtors repeat this mantra - Location, Location, Location - all the time. It's often a key motivator for buyers in selecting their next home and for sellers in setting a competitive price.

In a job search, the mantra job seekers need to practice is - Network, Network, Network. Some studies show high percentages of jobs - up to 60% in some cases - are found by networking. A friend of a friend might hear about a job opening that hasn't yet been advertised; someone you volunteer with may be searching for someone for a job opening within their company; or your college alumni association may have a job board.

In the past two years I've hired 6 Jaycees from my Chapter for temporary or permanent positions. And, of course the Jaycees offer dozens of chances not only to meet potiential employers, but potential friends as well. During the "Rebuilding Together Alexandria" project, for instance, I saw lots of groups of volunteers talking animatedly and laughing from the belly - you know, those great and geniune laughs that come out when we connect most with those around us (click here to see). Since then, I've seen that same group of people get together on other projects or just going out for dinner.

Where do you start to network? Here's a great overview and action checklist of things you can do to begin using your network to search for a job. The bottom line - create a plan for assessing and developing your network (ideally before you really need it) don't be shy about asking friends, co-workers, etc. for advice, information and referrals.

The Alexandria Jaycees provide over 100 opportunities per year to adults aged 21-40 to meet new people - whether through attending an event, participating in a training seminar, chairing an event or serving on the board of directors. The cost to join is low enough to consider budgeting it - not only for the potential job network but the potential to meet new friends, get to know the Alexandria area, and give back to the community.

Here's a detailed overview from the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal of how to "mine" all of the different places, from your church to industry associations to online networking, that is very helpful.

Need some help in starting conversations? A good basic how-to is How to Start a Conversation and Make Friends, by Don Gabor. He gives an easy-to-read checklist for how to break the ice and keep conversation going.

If you want to read about more in-depth and action-oriented networking, I highly recommend Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time.

Jaycees to Jobs: Developing the Job Skills You Need

Whether you're looking for a job (or looking for a promotion) in the nonprofit sector or in the for-profit realm, having the right skill sets is key. But what if you don't have any (or enough) job experience in an area - such as fundraising, management, or marketing - that is required for the job you want? How will you ever get the experience you need to move up or change careers?

One way to gain "transferable skills" is to volunteer with an organization that will allow you to learn and then try out the skills you need. Transferable skills are those skills you learn from your college courses, volunteer work, hobbies, sports, etc. and that can be used on the job.

Here is a good list of the skills you may want to develop further to take your next career step. Many of these skills can be developed by volunteering with the Alexandria Jaycees - such as public speaking, event planning, interpersonal relations, management, communications, and research & planning. You can gain these skills by working with one of our vice presidents or directors on specific projects/events as well as by serving on the board of directors (which requires your active participation in projects). If you're interested in doing any of this, contact me and I'll be happy to share more or help you develop a plan for making your Jaycee experience helpful in your job search.

Of course, once you identify and develop your transferable skills, you need to work them into your job search or career advancement plan. Here's a simple outline of the steps to take to communicate your skills to prospective employers.