Managing your professional reputation

When you think of the word reputation, what comes to mind? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines reputation as a "common opinion or quality as judged by people in general."  Note the definition suggests a neutral meaning of the word.  In other words, one can have a good or bad reputation.  And, according to the dictionary, it is up to other people to decide!

How is this possible?

If you are not convinced, think about times when you have heard others talk about a friend, former colleague, or professor.  "He was sooo confusing.  I bet nobody understands what he means not even at home." Or,"she comes across so well put together.  She is probably busy interviewing for jobs." The man in the example may be a brilliant person but the "common opinion" of those around him is negative. Meanwhile, the woman in the example may always be nervous but knows how to project confidence, so no one around her notices.

Yes, it is not fair.  And, as we know from other experiences, life in general is not fair. And, although others' perceptions are a big component of one's reputation, the rest of the equation is about our own actions.  So, the good news in terms of managing your professional reputation is that it can be done. The key word is: managing.

To help you get started, take a look at the two factors we just mentioned in more detail:

Actions you have control over. Here the word actions is used loosely to mean traits, behaviors, skills.  These are all self-generated outcomes created by you.  They could be as subtle as posture, demeanor, eye contact or as obvious as a tapping on the floor, a fishy handshake or an eloquent presentation.  Through practice and  discipline, you can get better at any of these.  Again, you and only you have control over them.

Actions you do not have control over.  This is where people's judgments come in.  It is important to remember that people's opinions are based in their own experiences, biases and filters.  So, the woman who looks polished and confident to some could be perceived as cocky and snobby to others.  There is no way of knowing how people will judge her.  All she can do is continue to be prepared.

In a nutshell:  You are not able to please everyone.  But you can manage your professional reputation by proactively focusing on the actions you can control and being consistent in the image you want to project.

If you liked this post, you might also like:
First impressions tips and strategies
Proactive career management 101

Career tips during Hispanic Heritage month

The festivities to honor Hispanic Heritage month are well on their way.  And, aside from free food and live music, there are hidden opportunities for job seekers looking to engage in the celebration while continuing to identify potential job leads.

Typically, two groups host events related to Hispanic Heritage month:  Student organizations and Professional organizations.  Let's look at each and the job seeking opportunities they offer.

Student organizations focus on social events to attract new members.  On occasion they will invite a speaker to campus.  I remember listening to actress and director Rosie Pérez give an impassioned talk at Babson College a few years back. In these types of events, your goal as a job seeker is to meet and build a network of peers and, perhaps, college professors and advisers who may share your area of interest.  Another way to participate is to practice your leadership, organizing and event management skills by volunteering to help the planning committee.

Professional organizations offer a different experience.  They usually attract sponsors (read companies looking to hire) and openly promote sharing resumes and business cards.  This type of event is the optimal venue to find job leads.  A job seeker would benefit the most by learning in advance what companies will be attending in order to research them ahead of time.  Networking skills that go beyond exchanging information will be the most effective.  For instance, you could ask the company representative for an informational interview or ask him about his experience with the organization.  Volunteering is also another tactic that will give  you an insiders view and possibly catch the eye of recruiter.

Hispanic Heritage month places the spotlight on Latinos.  Organizations interested in learning about Hispanics--or Latinos--will make themselves available through sponsorships and hosting events.  What a better forum for you to showcase your talents, skills and experience!

If you liked this post, you might like:

The 411 on informational interviews
The benefits of joining professional organizations

Life after 9/11

My 9/11 story starts with a lay off.  I was laid off on September 11, 2001.  The rumor mill had confirmed the date weeks ahead, so I was aware of my possible fate.  At the time, I was a Boston-based technology analyst following Internet and e-commerce trends.  The technology bubble had burst months before, so I was convinced that I would be one of the employees to lose my job that day, so I packed ahead.

The morning of 9/11 I felt a sense of anticipation as I waited for the Human Resources representative to show up in my office.  Instead, I started to receive phone calls from colleagues as far away as Denmark and Chile. "There has been a plane crash in New York City," one of them said.  "And the plane came from Boston."  

By the time the Human Resources manager stopped by to talk about my termination package, I was numb in disbelief about the attacks taking place in New York and Washington D.C.  I had worked at 2 World Trade Center years prior.  Downtown Manhattan was where I started my professional life.  First in Wall Street and later at the World Trade Center.  As I heard her list the different package options, my brain could not register the sounds she was making.  Who cared about a job?  My lay off became so insignificant.  I wanted the HR person to leave my office that second so I could call my former colleagues, friends, family.  All lived and worked in Manhattan.

The day after 9/11 was one of the hardest days I have ever lived.  At first, I thought I had a horrific nightmare.  But then reality set in and I felt paralyzing physical pain.  I wanted to stay under the blanket, but I was not sick.  My former city, New York, had been ripped open.  My old work neighborhood looked like a nuclear war zone.  The towers that greeted me every time I came back from a trip into JFK airport had been obliterated.

Then, all of the sudden, I remembered the images I saw on TV the night before of countless firefighters and first response personnel who kept on going despite feeling broken inside.  How in the world could I complain about my pain when others were suffering a million times more?  Their strength lifted me up and helped me understand the fragility of the world we live in.  It was the kick in the rear that I needed to gradually get back on my feet--physically and emotionally.

Over the years, remembering all of what transpired during and after 9/11--the unthinkable evil acts and the extraordinary acts of kindness and courage--has shaped how I make decisions in my personal and professional life.  When I am torn about an engagement that might comprise my values, I ask myself, "Would I be OK having this project mentioned in my obituary? How would I like to be remembered?  And if you think you are too young or too cool to have such sobering thoughts, remember 9/11 and the weeks, months and years after it.  It has been 10 years and it feels as it were yesterday...

If you liked this blog, you might also like:
Making lemonade form lemons:  a job seeker mantra
Giving up is not an option if you want to succeed