A: bizMe was created through the power of networking and if there is anyone that is an expert at cold calling . . . it is me! A year after I graduated from college I moved to Chicago with dreams of working for a national magazine. Little did I know how challenging this would truly be! I ended up getting a job working for the Chicago Tribune but I took advantage that I was in Chicago and promised myself I would have a job working for a national magazine in a year. I did lots of research to find out the names and numbers of advertising reps in the Chicago market and began cold calling. I was almost up to four coffee meetings a week. It was truly an awesome experience and the knowledge and friendships I have made would never have happened unless I picked up the phone. And don’t worry, I currently work for an awesome national online magazine!!

Script to use:

Hi Suzie, My name is Amanda and I recently moved to Chicago from Minneapolis. I am extremely interested in working for a national publication and was wondering if you would enjoy talking with me over coffee. I am anxious to hear your words of wisdom and how you broke into the industry. Please let me know if there is a convenient time for you. Thanks much!

A:I am a big fan of having a little flair that sets you apart from your peers but the reality of the professional world is not open arms about mohawks. If there is a way that you can grow the sides out so the mohawk blends during the week for a professional look and then strut the mohawk on the weekends, I say go for it. You just don’t want the mohawk to define who you are in the workplace because that definition does not just go away even if you grow it out.

A: The easy part is over. You have already dazzled upper management with your work ethic and professionalism to be rewarded with a manger/vp/executive title. Now how do you get the rest of the office to respect you as an authority even though you are one of the youngest in the office?

Confidence has a big role in a situation like this. You must reflect a confident aura. Co-workers can sense intimidation and a lack of confidence and they will eat you alive. Upper management believes you are the best for the job; otherwise they would not have promoted you. Show the rest of the office that same certainty that yes I can do this job and do it well.

There really is no secret to being a good manager and having the respect of your co-workers. Co-workers respect a manager who is loyal, trustworthy, easy-to-talk-to, confident and one that manages by allowing coworkers to do their job without micromanaging. Most importantly you can guarantee your own success when you take the time to learn their jobs and to understand the frustrations and challenges that your workers face on a daily basis, on certain projects, with management policies or working alongside difficult peers. Co-workers want the security of knowing that their manager is on their team and will go to bat for them in a time of need. This is how you gain the trust and loyalty of your co-workers. If you can achieve this reputation, they won’t look at you as someone who is young and naïve but as a great manager who wants the people around her to succeed!

This question was part of a panel discussion on Workchic.com. To view entire article and the other responses please visit Workchic.

A: There is no escaping social media for the simple reason that we’re addicted to the reality of sharing our daily adventures whether we’re twittering our thoughts or catching glimpses of our friends’ weekend through facebook photo albums. Before you upload another photo or write a little something on a wall, remember that social media is personal branding at its finest. That’s you in the picture, that’s your grammar and communication skills in that tweet or poke. If your facebook page represents the ambitious, passionate and professional person you are at work, then there is no reason why you cannot be-friend your boss. If your facebook page shows you and your friends drinking, dancing on the bars, making out with people and wearing “clubbing” clothes, I highly suggest you clean that up. Not only because your boss or co-workers might see that but also what if your clients have access to facebook. My rule of thumb with facebook and other social media outlets is if I meet you in person and then find you on the Internet, you need to reflect the same person. Conversely, if I find you on the Internet first and then meet you in person, your onscreen image should be the same reflection as when we meet in person—in sync!

This question was part of a panel discussion on Workchic.com. To view entire article and the other responses please visit Workchic.

A: With our current global economy, the face of competition has certainly changed. The playing field isn’t quite as level—you are no longer competing with people your own age; now you battle professionals with years of experience and advanced degrees. So how do you really differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack in terms of your resume? First step: I highly suggest narrowing your focus. Focus on three to five companies that you really want to work for rather than a mass mailing. Secondly, put in the time to get to know the people that have the decision-making power for your top five selections. The best way to do this is by connecting with the HR people on Linkedin. It is a great tool to use to become directly linked with the hiring manager. Thirdly, work on developing a relationship and show them how badly you want to work there and what an asset you will be. Now you have a name associated with those companies—a direct connection to send your resume. Remember, you’ve built an online reputation and the HR Rep is already intrigued because he or she is familiar with your initiative and communication skills.

I see a lot of resumes and the one thing I cannot stress enough is to read the job description and application requirements thoroughly. If samples, cover letter and resume is asked for, please make sure that you send everything that has been requested. Often times applicants will send links to check out their writing samples or links to a website—sometimes those links don’t work and quite honestly, I don’t have the time to search out work on websites for over 300 applicants. What really grabs my attention is whether you have done your homework. If you mention my online magazine in your cover letter and let me know that you have looked through the site and the qualities that you bring to the table that will help to grow my business then your application will be more thoroughly looked at. That initiative may pay big dividends in the job search arena—it demonstrates that you truly want to be a part of our team.

The job search is never easy but if you keep at it, the position you want is only one click away!! Happy job searching.

This question was part of a panel discussion on Workchic.com. To view entire article and the other responses please visit Workchic.

A: Please don’t let a discouraging job market stop you from searching for work. Clearly, times are tough, but that means job searchers need to be even more diligent.

Include your waitress job on your resume. In today’s job market, people understand the difficulty of finding work and can appreciate that you were working while looking. Also add classes that you have taken, hobbies or activities you have done in the last two years.

Additional tips to help you land a job:

Approach your job search as if it was your job. Work every day at your search. Stay focused. Set a number of activities, contacts or connections that you make each week. It is easy to avoid looking, but if you do, you won’t find a job. If you keep looking, you will increase your chances of landing work.

Continue to develop yourself. Expand your skill set. Take a class, learn a second language and read. Volunteer in your community. Not only are you helping others, but you never know who you might meet or what you may discover—maybe a whole new career passion.

Use all aspects of the web. Post your resume on job search engines, like CareerBuilder.com, but also use company sites and specialty job sites like College.monster.com, TechCareers.com, AccountantCareers.com, or Salesjobs.com, etc. Use social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. Some people use a blog or personal website to let prospective employers know about them. Google yourself to find out what future employers will find when they Google you.

Use the career center at your alma mater. They often have great connections. Job fairs can also be helpful.

Think about who you know. Again and again, people tell me that they got their jobs from people that they know. Let people know you are looking. Build a network and look for ways to add people to it. If you aren’t already, get involved in your professional associations. It will keep you involved in your career, help you learn about job openings and allow you to meet more people for your network.

And most of all, stay positive. Looking for a job is a stressful experience even in the best economic times. Take care of yourself: eat right, exercise and get adequate sleep. Don’t let negative self-talk take over. Remind yourself that you will find a job. It may take awhile in today’s economy, but it will happen.

A: Before you contact the boss, you should talk to your co-worker. Strange as it may sound, she may not even realize she is annoying you, especially since it appears you are chatting with her.

The next time she talks too much, speak up and be assertive with her. Many women fear hurting others’ feelings and won’t tell coworkers, friends, boyfriends, etc. that what they are doing is bothering them.

As I say in my book, The Power of Positive Confrontation, speak calmly and politely. Say something like, “Let me talk to you later. I have to get this work done.” If she continues to talk, you can keep repeating, “You know Mary, I really need to get work done. Let’s talk later.” or “Let’s talk at lunch.” I would then make a point of chatting with her at lunch or at the end of the day.