How do you present yourself offline?

I have been diligently preparing for what I hope will be a slew of interviews in the next few weeks for what will end up being my dream job as an executive leader in the Cleveland area. I've checked the job boards, uploaded my resume, secured recommendations and gave my references a heads up. I'm ready for an interview, but I'm not really. When I walk in the office for a face to face interview and answer a question with "google me," I'm guessing it won't go over very well.

We all know the job market is tough, that's why it's incredibly important that you standout during the interview. You show up for the interview, you're dressed appropriately, you've researched the company, you have a mental list of questions and a copy of your resume ready to share, checklist complete. The only problem is that everyone else has the same checklist. Note to those that don't do those things, you should.

If you are going for a job that requires leadership, organization, and experience with an expectation of being a level above the rest you simply can't just do the minimum. If you are an online junkie you may mistakenly believe all people are online savvy and that your blogs, recommendations and articles are on the screen as you walk into the interview. The fact is that not everyone embraces online marketing or has time to do the research before meeting you. Therefore, you need to bring your online presence offline.

I recommend a clear presentation cover with the front page stating your name and the position you are applying. You can then use dividers to separate the different pieces of information, for example; resume, recommendations (copied from LinkedIn or individual letters), references (names of those not on LinkedIn), awards, certificates, and basically anything that helps support why they should hire you. I believe providing a profile of your strengths offers a competitive edge. I have taken the iPRADCO High5, a behaviorally based index, and like to share those results. Since not everyone is aware of the company, I include a link (www.ipradco.com) to the site and some information from the website to give the employer a little background. Always have more than one copy of your presentation available. Lastly, don't forget to follow up with a thank you note.

I can't guarantee this will land you the job and I really hope it doesn't if we're going for the same one; but I do know you will look a lot more put together if you give it a try. If you do hear of any open positions, feel free to pass them on.

Perk Up Cleveland, I hear the job market is suppose to be much better in 2010!

How to get by

When I started this blog I wanted to dedicate it to good news in the area. I would find a story about something positive in our region and share the link. My original goal was to find the stories that were not already part of the main news stream. Unfortunately, I have not been out enough to hear what is happening on the street. I had a great idea last week, I wanted to encourage everyone to shop local and put the money back in the local economy - the next day the Cool Cleveland newsletter had already done it. I'm still going to provide that info and maybe someone that didn't see it on Cool Cleveland will see my blog and buy locally.

I am going to change the focus of my blog going forward. I haven't been updating because I didn't want to just regurgitate what is already out there. I've been out of work since February, trying to build a business of my own, raising 3 kids, doing side work and some days just barely hanging on. The GOOD news is that along the way I've found some very helpful ways to make it through. I will be sharing my experiences and the resources I have found along the way. I am very good at searching, finding, sharing, and connecting. It's time to pass this info along, and maybe help someone else hang on for a little bit longer.

As I said earlier, I am going to share the shop local information. This is what I was able to find, do you have your own local business you would add to this list? Please share!

Gary Baney, CEO of Boundless Flight pulled together this list last year. I've copied and pasted the details below. http://realneo.us/content/boundless-flight-blog-invest-local-companies-close-home-holidays.

As I mentioned, Cool Cleveland came out with an incredible list of local and sustainable shopping opportunities. Check out their latest issue. http://www.coolcleveland.com/index.php/Newsletter/Current. I was having trouble accessing their holiday gift guide link, I will try back later. One I wanted to point out is the Made in the 216 Holiday Shoppe. Check out their essay contest too.

One of my favorite local businesses is Fezziwigs Baby Gifts and Gear. I'm not aware of too many eco-friendly baby stores offering natural and organic products. This place is awesome!

Happy Holidays and Happy (Local) Shopping!

Here's the list from Gary:

1. We will only buy American Greetings/Carleton holiday cards. If we don't see one of these brands on a card, it isn't going to be purchased. If we don't find what we want on those shelves, I'll be giving my IT compatriot Doug Rommel, one of their marketing gurus, Art Bergstresser, or my former student Kyle Ludwick a call.


2. One of the corporate gifts we will be giving will be Malley's giftbaskets. Adele, if we don't find what we want, I will be giving you a call. Remember me, I used to be a friend of Dianne Walsh ... 'nuff said. (;>)


3. For my friends with children, I will be buying STEP2 products. STEP2, by the way, enormously supported the efforts of our own Nivi Engineer's Summer Santa project by donating TRUCK LOADS of toys the children in Iowa during the summer flood disaster.


4. Two of my friends are doing remodeling. Paint? ... Sherwin-Williams. Tom, if my friends give me push back, I'm giving YOU a call.


5. Adult gifts for those around me who might (or might not!) appreciate such? I am told Ambiance has quite a selection. Again, if I can't find a reasonable stock of tasteful and reasonable items, I'm calling Jennifer Downeyto let her know.


6. One of our favorite corporate gifts is to send our customers packages of high-quality coffee with the tag line "Call Boundless Flight for GREAT Java!". Corny, I know .. but I actually had a fellow board memeber of the CITe Board at Akron U. tell me he thought it was really a nice idea. Our favorite local coffee? PHOENIX !! We love their roasting, their bean selection, and their staff. We even like Sarah Wilson-Jones .. but will not hesitate to hold her accountable if the goods aren't up to our expectations.


7. I know lots of folks in the Smucker's senior IT team and will specifically select their products from here on out .. but also let them know if I get any negative reviews.


8. Know any teenage girls who need a something special under the tree?? Bonnie Bell - you can't go wrong. As a father of three daughters, they LOVED their lip smacking products and would be really upset if they couldn't find them. We've been to the top of the marketing group at Bonnie Bell; no problem walking right over there and making a point if needed.


9. Pat Catan's has always been one of the area's class acts. I will be going there for all our decoration and crafty goodies this year. You can still find several of the Catan family directly involved in the business. Even going back to Pops, I could always get his ear with recommendations if I could keep up with him bringing in carts from the parking lot!


10. Holiday food preparation? It will be Heinen's for us this year. We have had a Boundless Flight check cashing card from Heinen's almost sinceday #1 - we just haven't used it enough. Jeff, if anything doesn't look quite right, I'm coming straight to you.


11. Brewski's ... we are going with Great Lake Brewery . My son, Ben,is the "President of the Great Lakes Brewery Club" at Illinois State University. He graduates from there this December and when he leaves, that whole school is going into depression because there won't be any more Papa Baney Dortmunder beer trains coming in from Cleveland. Papa Baney will also be going through withdrawal ... there are some cute, cute, CUTE girls at that school that I will lose contact with ... . Anyway ... Mark Hunger, if the quality EVER starts slipping, we will let you know right away!!


12. Candles? LOTS of people have never heard of AI Root down in Medina. It is one of the most memorable browsing experiences you will ever have as the place ALWAYS smells perfectly heavenly!


13. Having been born in Walla Walla, WA, I have always supported the outstanding wines of the Columbia Valley. This year, though, we will be focusing on our OHIO vinyards . If the taste isn't quite competitive with a CA syrah or WA merlots, I am going to bite my tongue and remind myself that my dollar only went 60 miles away and not 3,000.


14. Last but not least, we will be buying lots of gifts this year from the artist community in Cleveland. This has *nothing* to do with our recent hiring of Bridget Ginley! (;>) The Don Drumm Gallery is a GREAT collection of local artwork. River Arts is another and maybe the best is the Museum of Contemporary Art . As these times get tougher and tougher, let's do our best to see that our local creatives stay well fed!I think you get the idea.

Cleveland's good nature

Last week I had a meeting in Chagrin Falls and was amazed at all that I have forgotten about NEO. We take for granted and rarely give the credit to all the wonders of our area. I can drive 5 miles down the street and be at the lake. When was the last time you went to the lake to watch the sunset or rise? It is beautiful. The lake might not be the best swimming water, but there are other things you can do. At Mentor Headlands you can grill, there's a playground for kids or you can relax and read a book and not be tempted to do a load of laundry.

If you would prefer not to be by the water, the Metropark System is unbelievable. I was in awe of the beauty driving to Chagrin last week. I remembered as a little girl my grammie taking me to feed the ducks at Strawberry pond. Next time the kids ask if we can do something I won't say I don't have the time or the money, I'll take the opportunity to create a memory and enjoy NEO.

The great thing about the Lake and the Metroparks is that it's not an Eastside or Westside thing, you can enjoy either from both sides of town.

Good News Comes from Helping Others

Negative news continues to dominate, however, it's not difficult to find good news. The last few weeks I have come across several examples of people pitching in to make a difference. Here are a few examples of what I've found. I would love to hear a story you know about people helping people.

iPRADCO donating self-assessment testing to Breaking the Cycle - iPRADCO has a product line of assessments designed to assist job seekers stand out and employers find the right candidate. Breaking the Cycle is a nonprofit that assists ex-offenders transition from incarceration to self-sufficiency. These assessments, based on a behaviorally based index, allow the ex-offenders to offer a prospective employer a glimpse of their strengths. If you are interested in helping out, Breaking the Cycle is hosting a job fair on August 20, 2009 at the U.A.W. Union Hall in Parma. Please contact Mike Jones for more information at (216) 799-8867. Information on the iPRADCO assessments can be found at www.ipradco.com.

Ohio Department of Development unveiled the Ohio Ambassador Program - This new program is designed to help Ohioans share what they love about living and working in Ohio. Whether it is through conversations with friends from out of state or in discussions with business partners across the world, Ohio Ambassadors will share why Ohio is the "state of perfect balance." For more information visit http://ambassador.ohio.gov/OhioCommodores.aspx.


EfficientGovNow Names Nine Project Finalists - The EfficientGovNow program, presented by the Fund for Our Economic Future as part of the ANEO Choice Awards, aims to accelerate government collaboration and efficiency by providing as much as $300,000 in funding to as many as three collaborative government projects from throughout Northeast Ohio. For more information visit http://www.efficientgovnow.org/


Fidelity Voice and Data offers Co-location Grant Program - Fidelity Voice and Data understands what it takes to start a technology based business having done so themselves right here in Cleveland over 10 years ago. We believe Cleveland is a tremendous place and home to a great deal of talented technology companies that are doing very interesting things. They will be selecting 5 start up ventures less than one year old, having less than $250,000.00 in annual revenues and headquartered in Ohio to utilize space in our world class co-location center in downtown Cleveland. For more information visit http://www.fidelityvoice.com/grant.htm.

Resource Directory for job seekers and employers

Have you heard that Ohio's unemployment rate has topped 10%? Did you hear there is a great new resource for employers and job seekers?

Let's focus on the good news - there's hope, people are trying, this is a regional effort and you're not alone...

The website, www.wheretofindhelp.org, is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Regional Talent Network in an effort to provide one source for employers and job seekers to find the information they need. This information has been pulled together by volunteers and is continually looking for updated information. If you have information you can add please visit their website.

Please pass this information on to anyone that is in need of a job or may know of a resource that would assist in the job placement process.

Ford plant reopen - reasons to celebrate

The Ford plant in Brookpark that has been idle since 2007 reopened with a big celebration today

Why celebrate? Let me list the reasons...

1. The plant reopened after almost 2 years
2. People are returning to work
3. The product that is being made is geared toward fuel efficiency
4. This story was carried in USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, CTV.ca (Canada!), The Wall Street Journal and many other national news organizations
   - this is an extremely positive picture for Cleveland!
5. The engine has 15% lower CO2 emissions
6. There is the potential for much more work for this plant

Be grateful today Cleveland and celebrate - there is good news!

MHS Science Olympiad finishes seventh at national tournament

Congratulations to the students at Mentor High School for finishing seventh out of sixty teams in the national science Olympiad tournament.

Additional details are available on the Mentor High School website