| June is reality check month. Lots of the | | | | synonyms of the words you plan to use in your |
| resolutions have been made and most are already | | | | pitch. |
| broken. It's time to take a hard look at where | | | | Tip: If you never use big or unusual words, don't |
| you are going in 05 and beyond. One of the most | | | | start now. |
| important things you can do for yourself is to | | | | Are you good at small talk? This is a great way |
| update all your personal credentials including your | | | | to open a dialogue or keep one going. The best |
| bio & your resume. | | | | method for small talk is to find something in the |
| Have you done your spring cleaning (professional) | | | | news (not political), but something that has a |
| yet? Do you have solid career plans for the | | | | broad based appeal. Look for a topic that will elicit |
| balance of 05? Why are you waiting to get | | | | a response. Just pull a few ideas from recent |
| started improving your career? | | | | news: spelling bee winner, final episodes (TV). Get |
| Ask yourself these questions: | | | | the picture? |
| How dated is the material that you have been | | | | First impressions count! Have you heard someone |
| using to present your skill sets? Is the language | | | | speak that you thought was a total dork? What |
| professional? Are you using current, | | | | turned you off? Did they look slovenly or |
| contemporary lingo in your materials? When was | | | | unkempt? Were they dressed appropriately? Did |
| the last time you spent time assessing your | | | | theysound incoherent with poor speech patterns? |
| personal portfolio? I know it's hard to think about | | | | Appearance is one benchmark that will |
| those aspects of your career, but believe me its | | | | immediately determine how receptive the listener |
| time well spent. | | | | is to what you have to say. Do you have |
| Look at your resume, does it seem "dated." The | | | | colleagues and associates that either turns you |
| resume today is nothing like those of the past. So | | | | off or on when they speak? Pay attention to |
| if it's not current, it will immediately present a | | | | their style of speaking and mannerisms. What |
| negative connotation about your | | | | attributes do you like? Are they funny? Humor |
| "contemporary-ness" | | | | always has a way of breaking the ice or diffusing |
| Have you ever seen a celebrity on TV who | | | | an uncomfortable moment. |
| sounds illiterate? They are stars, so people over | | | | If, in a chance meeting, you run into someone |
| look how dumb they appear to be. That is not | | | | you consider to be important, do you sound like a |
| going to work for you. You will be evaluated by | | | | bumbling fool? It's easy to prepare yourself to put |
| both your verbal and written skills. Can you put | | | | your best foot forward. All it takes is practice. If |
| together a coherent sentence without using the | | | | you are not sure how professional you will seem, |
| word LIKE? If not, you better begin to practice | | | | practice now. Find a friend or colleague and |
| your pitch. Start with a written a paragraph about | | | | engage in dialogue. Don't talk to them about work, |
| what you have accomplished, what do you have | | | | but in general conversation ask them to critique |
| to offer. Write it down and then read it over and | | | | what you said. Were you interesting? Were you |
| over. Does it make sense? Does it grab your | | | | engaging? Did you talk too long or sound boring? |
| attention? Does it compel people to ask more? | | | | Did they want to keep the conversation going? |
| If not, try different version, substitute words, | | | | Establish a comfort level with your words and |
| refine and hone down your core message so you | | | | speaking style. Adapt it to what you are like and |
| sound credible and believable. Action words are | | | | don't imitate anyone. Create you own unique |
| really important you want to convey an image. If | | | | personal speaking style. |
| you need help, get a thesaurus and look for | | | | |