Professional Presence Workshop

The Professional Presence Workshop took place on October 22nd at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. Kathy Schaftlein, Senior Learning & Development Manager from the Center for Creative Leadership, and Mike Crumpton, Assistant Dean for Administrative Services at the University Libraries of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, were the guest speakers. Unfortunately, the presenter from Nordstrom was unable to attend, but Schaftlein, Crumpton, and chapter members stepped in to fill this spot.

The presenters discussed the importance of having a professional presence. The impression we make on an employer or colleague will be reinforced through our actions and appearance. The presenters urged job seekers to pay attention to their professional presences in-person and online.
Here are some tips to improve your professional presence:

Resume/Cover letter
Your resume and cover letter should be accurate and professional. You should always double check for spelling errors before submitting your application. To your potential employer, the resume is a preview of your capabilities. Thus, you should be meticulous in your spelling, grammar, and format of your resume.

When you are filling out an application, be sure to research the company and the position. You can research the company by going to the company website, speaking to a representative, and reading news articles on the company. You can show your interest in the company by incorporating pieces of your research into your cover letter.

Background Checks:
You should be aware of your online presence and what it says about you. Are your LinkedIn and Facebook pages professional? If not, do you have a private profile?

When you choose your references, think about the kind of recommendation they will provide. Will it be positive? Negative? Vague?

The Interview:
When you are going to an interview, be sure to dress appropriately. For the interview, a suit for both male and females are appropriate. The presenters mentioned that your outfit should be moderate, not flashy. Navy or dark grey suits are good choices because black suits may seem too strong. If you have tattoos or piercings, it may be a good idea to cover them for the interview.

After the interview, be sure to send a thank you card to the hiring person or committee.

Starting a new job:
Find the more successful people within your organization and model yourself after them. Usually, but not always, these people are successful because they represent the ideals of the organization in the future.

Key Success Factors for your professional career:
Always try to learn and grow personally and professionally. Stay aware of your career interests and goals and find ways to achieve them. This may mean through innovative ways or handling multiple roles within the company.