From an employer’s perspective, it’s all about relevancy. How relevant are the skills you have to solving the problems my business faces? From an employee’s perspective, it’s about building marketable skill sets to leverage from one opportunity to the next. In this marketplace of skills, why do people still focus on finding jobs?

Take a look at resumes. Resumes speak to who you were — jobs you held in the past, education completed, etc. They do not reflect what employers really care about — how you will help them advance their organizations. Employers hire skills and future potential, not credentials and past accolades. (Click here to tweet this.)

This idea of “skills” has changed how I perceive my career planning as well as that of the people who work for me. Rather than looking at positions as jobs with specific pay and responsibilities associated, we try to look at them as periods in which you’re developing specific skills that will help grow our business. This philosophy enables honest conversations around each employee’s role and allows us to work together to develop skills that we need and that they want.

In pursuing a skill-focused career planning philosophy, I look at three aspects that help answer the question: What skills do I choose to acquire and how do I position myself to receive opportunities that leverage/grow these skills?

1. Finding yourself

About nine months into starting my company, Growth Spark, I had to decide whether to continue freelancing or to build an agency. I figured the best way to determine what hires I needed was to examine the role that I saw myself playing in the business.

So I developed what I call “base analysis,” which I conduct annually to determine what skills I need to develop. Base analysis looks at the individual tasks I perform and asks three questions:

1. Am I good at this task?
2. Do I enjoy performing this task?
3. Does this task directly contribute to growth for the company?

I get as granular as possible in evaluating the answers to these questions. Anything that scores a yes to all three, I continue to perform. This same process can be applied for skills-focused career planning to look at current (and past) jobs and list the tasks/roles you’ve performed. Focus your career planning around leveraging your strengths and going after “Level 3” skills.

2. Growing yourself

Once you’ve identified the skills to develop, set yourself on a track of continual learning. I like drawing from the Japanese work philosophy “kaizen” about continuous incremental improvement. In a market where technology evolves at a pace that can retire skill sets in just a few years, continuous self-improvement is a necessity.

Luckily, many entrepreneurs have capitalized on this trend by creating alternative education companies. Organizations such as General Assembly provide online and offline courses to help working professionals continue building skills in marketing, design, business strategy, etc., at a fraction of the cost of traditional education.

3. Positioning yourself

The last piece in skills-focused career planning is about positioning yourself to get opportunities to continue to refine these skills (while getting paid). I often suggest to people evaluating job opportunities that they view themselves as a consultant. The potential employer is a client who needs help solving a particular set of issues that match your skill sets.

The most successful consultants focus on marketing themselves as a unique brand and sell their portfolio rather than their resume. Consultants continually demonstrate their expertise through blogging and social media, as well as by speaking and building a personal website to showcase their portfolio.

4. Learn before you earn

During college I had an internship with a consultancy that worked with startups. My boss (now mentor) said something that stuck with me: “Learn before you earn.” The idea of building one’s career around learning and acquiring skills develops the resiliency necessary in today’s unpredictable job market.

Ross manages Growth Spark, a Cambridge, MA, based agency that helps e-commerce companies design interfaces that convert visitors into customers. A graduate of Babson College, he is a serial entrepreneur in the technology space with experience in digital marketing, business development and strategic management.

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The post Why You Should Stop Looking for a Job, and Improve Your Skills Instead appeared first on Brazen Life.

Analyzing career data can provide indispensable insight into your field. Information is power in the career game, so a smart careerist should always be informed.

These little numbers are more valuable than you think! Below are a few ways you can use statistics to use to ensure your career success.

Choose your college major

Choosing a major should be a balance between wants (a fulfilling career you love) and needs (a field that is hiring and a salary that can pay the bills). Statistics can help you find a career path with a strong return on investment or a really high job placement rate after graduation.

Use statistical data in addition to your gut instincts to pick the college major that’s a good fit for you personally and professionally. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is a great resource for education-related statistics.

Improve your skill set

Taking a statistics class in college is a good career move, even if your ultimate career goals have nothing to do with math. Before you roll your eyes, consider all the non-mathematical careers that use statistics. Executives, politicians, supply chain managers, entrepreneurs and marketers are among the many professionals who analyze data and statistics regularly.

Still worried about taking such a numbers-driven class? I get it. As a writer, words are my weapon of choice. Numbers often send me running in the other direction. But I still use statistics all of the time in my work.

Researching articles and coming up with topic ideas requires relevant data. I even use analytics to monitor trending topics and see which of my articles receive the most hits. Understanding what the audience does and doesn’t respond to improves my relevancy and makes me a better writer.

Make wise decisions when changing careers

Even if you graduated years ago, learning to use analytics can be helpful if you’re ready to make the leap and switch careers. Leaving a familiar job for the unknown can be terrifying. Statistics can help take away some of that fear and replace it with actionable knowledge.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has an Occupational Outlook Handbook that’s beneficial for anyone considering a career change. Use the handbook to learn about median pay, required education and job outlook for different fields. You can search for the fastest-growing occupations or the industries with the most new jobs.

You can use these stats to know what types of positions you’re qualified for, what fields are hiring and what jobs meet your desired salary range. Simply knowing this information can make it easier to step away from your job with less stress and anxiety.

Put statistics to work as a career

Believe it or not, statistics is a cool career field. Big Data continues to grow as an industry, and pop culture is starting to take notice. The film Moneyball starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill was all about using analytics to turn the Oakland As into a winning baseball team. The statistics-based blog FiveThirtyEight became a regular feature for The New York Times. More than 1,950 organizations have joined together to declare 2013 as the International Year of Statistics.

Statistics has become an increasingly in-demand career. UC Berkeley reports that statistics is their fastest-growing major, with a 289 percent increase in students in the last four years. According to the BLS, statisticians are projected to have a 14 percent employment increase from 2010 to 2020.

One hundred percent of writers writing this article agree: using statistics can help your career…even if you hate math!

Erin Palmer is a digital content specialist for University Alliance. She writes about education in areas like supply chain management. Erin can be reached on Twitter @Erin_E_Palmer.

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The post How Seemingly Boring Statistics Can Help You Launch an Exciting Career appeared first on Brazen Life.

As you prepare to enter the next stage of your career, you should have certain skills mastered by now. Not quite there yet? We’ve got a list of the top five career-related tasks you should know how to do and quick tips to brush up on those skills:

1. Write a solid cover letter

Writing a good cover letter is an art. By the time you hit your mid-20s, you should be able to compose a strong cover letter that leads to an interview where you can really show off your stuff.

Quick tips:

• Address the cover letter properly. That means finding out the hiring manager’s name and personalizing your letter accordingly.
• Cover letters are not just about presenting your skills; write about how you and your skills can directly benefit the company you are applying for.
• Show the hiring manager you’ve done your homework. Reference a recent campaign or news article about the company in your cover letter.

2. Interview well

Most people in their 20s have gone on several interviews, whether it be for an internship, a freelance project or a full-time gig. While interviewing can be nerve-wracking, practice makes perfect, and the more you do it, the stronger an interviewee you’ll become.

Quick tips:

• Remember: you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you. Ask specific questions to learn about the company’s culture to ensure you’ll be a good fit.
• Bring something to show. For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires writing skills, bring examples of your writing. Physically showing something during an interview shows you’ve come prepared, and also allows you to relax for a moment as you flip through a portfolio and explain your samples.
• Follow up within 24 hours of the interview. An emailed thank you note is fine, but a handwritten thank you note will make you even more memorable.

3. Prioritize

Your to-do list is a mile long and you have no idea where to begin. In your 20s, you’ll learn that not every project carries the same weight. Figuring out which to complete first will help make you a productivity rockstar as you progress in your career.

Quick tips:

• Figure out when you work best. If you’re most alert in the mornings, block out that time on your schedule for creative assignments that require laser-focus and clear thinking. If you have trouble concentrating on nitty-gritty assignments in the afternoons, use that time for meetings or other, more social work tasks. When you figure out how you work best, you can make the most of your eight hours in the office.
• Tackle the big items on your to-do list first. Leave the smaller, easy-to-check-off tasks for Friday afternoons or other quieter times in the office.
• If you’re not sure what to work on next, ask your boss. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help; in fact, your boss will likely applaud you for being self-aware enough to check in.

4. Stand up for yourself at work

Feeling overworked or taken advantage of? Early in your career, it’s important to learn how to defend yourself and tackle workplace issues respectfully, but head-on.

Quick tips:

• Before you say anything, make a list of all the issues you’re having at work. See if there are places where you can improve or solve the problem yourself. Once you’ve narrowed down the list, then it’s time to talk to your boss.
• Schedule an in-person meeting with your boss. Don’t address serious issues over email. Face-to-face is best for these kinds of conversations.
• Document your conversation with your boss and any action items or decisions that come out of that meeting. Use that information to ensure you’re both holding up your end of the bargain.

5. Leave a job gracefully

More than likely, some time in your 20s, you’ll leave a job for a new one. Giving notice to your boss can be scary, but during your last two weeks you can take action for a smooth transition. This will ensure your reputation with your former company stays intact and you leave on a high note.

Quick tips:

• Share the news with with your boss first. As much as you may want to tell a trusted colleague, to be respectful, your boss should know first. He can guide you on how you should share the news with the rest of the team.
• Wrap up as many projects as you can, and create a document that breaks down your individual duties and processes so that whoever will be taking over your workload has a solid “how-to” guide to your former job.
• Thank those who helped you! Be sure to show your gratitude to the people who mentored you along the way with a thank you card or small gift.

What other career-related tasks do you think every 20-something should know be able to do? Share your tips in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional, blogger and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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The post 5 Career Skills Every 20-Something Should Master appeared first on Brazen Life.

Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing computer programming education and awareness, has launched a series of PSAs, one in particular highlighting a valuable, not-so-complicated skill that “90% of schools don’t teach,” but one that could lead to a lucrative professional journey. In fact, it’s a skill that has taken people like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft heavyweight Bill Gates to the heights of historic innovation and cool inventions. Even Miami Heat baller Chris Bosh has experience with coding and advocates for tech education.

“Coding is something that can be learned. I know it can be intimidating—a lot of things are intimidating—but… what isn’t?” Bosh says.

Read more at Black Enterprise…

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The post The Overlooked Skill That Could Make You the Next Mark Zuckerberg appeared first on Brazen Life.

The growth of social media platforms has left many companies scrambling for qualified professionals to manage content and maintain active accounts. Though it has become an essential role, many are still left scratching their heads when it comes to the specific duties a community manager must perform.

To get a better understanding of this new and evolving job, I reached out to four community managers who have taught me a lot. I posed two questions:

1) What is the most important part of the community manager’s job, and
2) What strategies do you use to achieve this?

Here’s what they said:

Jen Capenito, community manager, Pongo Resume

The most important part is listening and then responding in an authentic, meaningful way. The people who are talking about your brand/company should know they are talking to a real person and walk away with the feeling that you care about what they have to say, whether it’s a thank you, a conversation, resolving a problem, etc.

I use tools like Hootsuite to monitor brand mentions on a daily basis. I also try to stick to the basics like sending a personalized message to each and every person who follows us across our networks. It’s easy to get away from doing the simple things once you get more involved, but it’s the little things that count and people remember.

Becky Benishek, community manager, Crisis Prevention Institute

Be authentic and transparent. Whether you’re in a forum on the corporate website or posting on your company’s Facebook Page, make it clear who you are and what your job is. This can be very simple: If you’re the admin on the Facebook Page, sign your name to posts to show that there’s a real person behind the logo. If you’re moderating a forum, make sure your own profile is filled out.

Pay attention. Automated tools make it easy to “set it and forget it,” but you still have to be there to respond to questions, concerns, and kudos. If someone’s expressing their love for your brand/company, thank them! If someone has a complaint, help them out. Letting issues and complaints linger is like a black hole in your brand: Unsolved problems and negativity get bigger and bigger until you lose all credibility (collapse!).

Use your own tone versus corporate-speak. Whether you’re on the company site, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., communities are not the place to spout marketing copy line by line. Be respectful and be aware of the company brand at all times, but also be yourself. Each social media platform has its own style and its own audience.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions–of the community itself! Sometimes the best way to figure out what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong is simply to ask. People love giving advice, especially if you show that you respect what they have to say. Ask generally or ask a few key supporters, but ASK.

Keep learning. If there’s one thing social media has taught us, it’s that we never stop finding out something new. Build in time for research, block off your calendar if you have to, but do it. Take advantage of free webinars on LinkedIn, BrightTalk and HubSpot; attend Twitter chats, look at other sites in your niche to see how they’re managing their communities. And have fun!

Ryan Paugh, community director, Young Entrepreneur Council (Brazen Careerist co-founder)

Listening is most important. Good communities become great because of a community manager who has taken the time to step back and watch what the community does on its own, then take steps to build new tools and engagement opportunities to empower members. Get it out of your head that you are the leader of the community and instead focus on scouting for your communities real leaders. When you find them, find ways to empower them to do the community-building job for you so you can focus on building the tools and resources that your community needs to continue to grow.

Dave Ellis, community manager, YouTern

Community managers have an opportunity to build and maintain the company’s “voice.” This can have such a huge impact on everything from networking to building partner relationships, assisting with customer service, establishing the company as an expert in its field, as well as developing and strengthening the brand. If the company puts an emphasis on social media, the community manager can have significant influence.

I make sure to participate regularly in several Twitter chats, in order to build and maintain relationships and to help partners and our users through advice and information. I am also active in maintaining consistent activity on YouTern’s blog. This helps us inform and mentor our users. Our internships are regularly tweeted on a daily schedule with humorous, attention-getting descriptions – “irreverent, fun and informative” is the look we’ve created there.

Are you a community manager with something to add to the conversation? Are you interested in becoming a community manager and have questions about how to get started? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and join us for a special Network Roulette event for community managers on June 15.

Noel Rozny is a member of the Brazen Life Contributor Network.

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The post What Does it Take To Be a Great Community Manager? appeared first on Brazen Life.