Here are some great Pittsburgh networking and community Events You’ll Dig for October 2009. If you have an interesting networking or community event, then leave the info (and link) as a comment and I’ll get it up!
RADical Days is an annual event celebrating the assets with free admission, musical and dance performances and family activities offered by arts and culture organizations, parks and recreation, and sports and regional attractions that are funded by RAD. RADical Days is a “thank you” to the public for its support of the regional assets. RADical Days will take place from September 12-October 11. Click here for the full schedule. To join the email alert list for RADical Days 2009, click on the link below.
Various galleries in the Penn Avenue Arts District (4800-5500 Penn Avenue) will open their doors and showcase a variety of artwork and performances. Guests will experience new art and meet the most eclectic array of art makers, old and young, modern and classical, famous and amateur, emerging and veteran, all within walking distance of each other.
The evening brings people of all backgrounds together to socialize, mingle and enjoy the art and entertainment around them. Many of the district’s performance studios often involve their audience in the creative process. Both Attack Theatre and the Pittsburgh Glass Center engage their audiences into the creative processes of dance and glass making.
Participating art venues range from all mediums of art – glass, dance, sculpture, clothing, paintings, clay, spoken word and a vast array of music. There is a little taste of everything on Penn Avenue! Visit us during Unblurred and check it out!
FDA’s BIRTHDAY BASH! This year marks the 20th anniversary of Friendship Development Associates. Come celebrate with your neighbors the hard work of FDA and their investment in the neighborhood and along Penn Avenue over the past 20 years! Enjoy music, food, drinks, a silent auction and artwork from several Penn Avenue artists. This is one party you don’t want to miss! For more information or to purchase tickets visit: www.friendship-pgh.org/fda/20th
Every Child, Inc. will host its third annual “Challenge the Champions.” This year’s main event will feature 2009 Superbowl winning Coach Mike Tomlin. Guests will have the opportunity to watch never before seen footage from the Superbowl XLIII winning season and mingle with Coach Tomlin throughout the evening. The Center will be closed to the public for the entire evening, with all 3 floors of exhibits available to guests. All proceeds from the event will benefit Every Child, Inc.
Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million for the cause.
All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Follow the evolution of marketing trends: how trends get started, the psychology behind why people follow trends, its impact on market research and what trends are on the horizon. A complimentary edition of the book, “2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade” by Richard Laermer, will be provided to every attendee including a book signing opportunity.
Portraits are everywhere. They are in our wallets; on our computers, cell phones and desktops; on the walls of corporate offices, banks and schools. But what precisely is a portrait or image of likeness? How do artists’ methods and materials evolve as technology progresses with break-neck speed? And in this age of user-generated content, who exactly is the artist?
LIKENESS is a group exhibition that aims to examine human depiction during a post-Warholian era in which new technology has played an influential role. It includes the work of artists Jim Campbell, Paul DeMarinis, Jonn Herschend, Nikki Lee, Joseph Manino, Greta Pratt and Tony Oursler. Elaine A. King, who is a freelance critic and curator as well as a professor at Carnegie Mellon University teaching Art History/Theory/Museum Studies, will curate the exhibition.
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It’s all about ME, Not You
The Mattress Factory has announced the addition of Greer Lankton’s It’s all about ME, Not You (1996) to its permanent collection. First shown as part of a group exhibition at the museum in 1996, the large-scale installation was recently given to the Mattress Factory by the late artist’s family.
Greer Lankton devoted most of her artistic life to creating highly expressive mannequin-like figures with full make-up, wigs, jewelry, and clothing. Her figures populated her tiny studio/apartment in Chicago surrounded by a decorated tableau of stenciled walls, autobiographical drawings, shrines to the likes of Candy darling and Patty Smith, children’s toys, hundreds of fashion magazines, and books on Egon Schiele and other favorite artists.
Consider this your personal invitation to attend our free PodCamp Pittsburgh 4 Direct Energy Business Meet N Greet event on Friday, October 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the AlphaLab offices on the South Side. Come out and meet fellow PodCamp Pittsburgh 4 attendees, organizers and presenters! It’s just a few hops up from the Double Wide Grill. Our friends from the Should I Drink That? brewcast will be providing beverages and shenanigans and there will also be yummy snacks from Mad Mex donated by Direct Energy Business.
AlphaLab 2325 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
We hope you are able to join us to kick off PodCamp Pittsburgh 4!
Join Honorary Host and Hostess Max Starks of the Pittsburgh Steelers and his mother Elleanor for a sizzling evening of music and dance to benefit breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured women in western Pennsylvania.
Reception and Silent Auction starts at 5:30 p.m.
Something for everyone! Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, relax with a
glass of wine and place your bid on fabulous Silent Auction items and
purchase a Lucky Pink Duck from our Duck Pond. Reception Music Provided By Rick Purcell & Shari Richards
Curtain Rises at 7:30 p.m.
Sit back and be dazzled by performances from Pittsburgh’s top dancers, musicians and vocalists.
We’re back after a short hiatus with some great Pittsburgh networking and community Events You’ll Dig for September 2009. If you have an interesting networking or community event, then leave the info (and link) as a comment and I’ll get it up!
Various galleries in the Penn Avenue Arts District (4800-5500 Penn Avenue) will open their doors and showcase a variety of artwork and performances. Guests will experience new art and meet the most eclectic array of art makers, old and young, modern and classical, famous and amateur, emerging and veteran, all within walking distance of each other.
The evening brings people of all backgrounds together to socialize, mingle and enjoy the art and entertainment around them. Many of the district’s performance studios often involve their audience in the creative process. Both Attack Theatre and the Pittsburgh Glass Center engage their audiences into the creative processes of dance and glass making.
Participating art venues range from all mediums of art – glass, dance, sculpture, clothing, paintings, clay, spoken word and a vast array of music. There is a little taste of everything on Penn Avenue! Visit us during Unblurred and check it out!
What Pittsburgh individual, business or organization is doing GREAT things with Social Media?
Create a short post or video entry to YOUR blog on Friday, September 4, and be sure to include the tags “PodCamp Pittsburgh” and “PCPGH4” – That way we can find and share your thoughts on PodCampPittsburgh.com!
Join us for wine and cheese and come prepared to pass out lots of business cards as we host our monthly membership meet and greet! This event provides an opportunity for members to learn more about our current offerings, visit our offices and meet our staff, while providing an open forum for networking with other new and current member companies. You will be able to introduce yourself and give a 30 second pitch about your company. Learn more about utilizing special discounts, benefits and services available only to Council members. We hope to see you there!
Notes: Seating is limited for this event, please register soon.
Join the Pittsburgh Business Times and our partners to mix, mingle and network with Pittsburgh business professionals at BizMix, an evening networking event presented by the Business Times. This is also a great opportunity to meet and visit with Business Times editors, reporters and staff in an informal setting.
If you have a daughter, niece, cousin or neighbor who is a tween girl, invite her to join you for the iTwixie.com Launch Party at Hard Rock Cafe on 9/8/09!
If you don’t know, iTwixie is a the online hangout for tween girls, started right here in Pittsburgh.
Individual tickets for the launch party are $10 and a family of 6 gets a deal for $50.
There will be tons of food, live music, including a rockin’ performance by iTwixie’s own Maddie Georgi, the artist who wrote the iTwixie theme song, “Go!” The fun starts at 5:30pm.
And of course, there will be cool treat bags for the tween girls.
Join Penn Avenue Arts Initiative on Thursday, September 10 for our annual State of the Avenue community meeting. We will recap of the activities along the Avenue in 2009 and begin to forecast and discuss the intitiatives for 2010. The meeting begins at 6pm at Most Wanted Fine Art, 5015 Penn Avenue.
This highly interactive workshop is geared to aspiring and existing small business entrepreneurs. Business professionals cover the topics of small business planning, recordkeeping, taxes, financing, marketing and legal aspects.
Discounted underground parking is available (FreeMarkets Garage) with access ramps from Liberty Ave. and from Wood St. Take elevator to Plaza (P) level, sign in at Security desk, and take elevator to DeVry University on second floor. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 am.
Please join us in supporting Variety the Children’s Charity by participating in the 5th
Annual Wheelchair Grand Prix on Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. This is not your typical walk/run fundraiser. By pushing empty wheelchairs over a 1/2 mile Pittsburgh North Shore relay course, we will create a greater awareness of Variety’s programs and have a blast doing it!
Rock the Block with WYEP as we turn Bedford Square into a block party. Your ticket includes food, drinks, and fantastic live music.
Bring extra cash for raffle tickets for great prizes.
Join the Supercuts Guitar Hero Challenge inside The WYEP Community Broadcast Center. Grab a partner and show off your skills in a face-off competition for your chance to win prizes. You could also win a Nintendo Wii Guitar Hero Gaming System.
Backstage Pass, $100, 6pm-midnight
Get VIP treatment with an exclusive performance by Serena Ryder at The WYEP Community Broadcast Center, plus enjoy the Harris Grill’s frozen cosmopolitans, food from Bossa Nova, and beer tasting from Penn Brewery. Ticket includes access to the outdoor party.
General Admission, $35, 8pm-midnight
Enjoy food and drinks from local restaurants, and see live performances by headliner Ra Ra Riot, with local opener Lohio.
Marketing Your Business On and Off the FieldTuesday, September 15, 7:00 am to 9:30 am at Heinz Field, North Shore Club
Join us for breakfast as we focus on the effective marketing and presentation of brand, organization, and the individual whether in the public eye or off the field and behind the scenes. Our guest panelists will share perspectives on the championship persona, marketing on and off the playing field, and working together effectively as a team to drive results.
Have your photo taken with the Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy for a donation to a favorite Steelers charity.
Join us for Business for Breakfast. Network with fellow business professionals, enjoy a continental breakfast, and listen to an interesting and informative speaker on September 16 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. This monthly networking event is co-presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times and Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
LinkedIn.com is a social networking site that is primarily used for professional networking. Registered users can access information that can be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities. Mr. Bland will explain how to incorporate LinkedIn with your job search and strengthen your networking strategy
On Sunday, September 20, several Friendship homes and business owners open their doors and welcome guests to explore the creativity and innovative touch of their spaces with a special emphasis this year on Kitchens and Baths. We are very proud of our neighborhood as we have many fine homes with many recently renovated kitchens and baths.
Friendship will showcase a wide range of homes from traditional to modern, each with fascinating kitchen and bath amenities.
“The Friendship House Tour showcases the hard work, investment and creative vision of the Friendship Development Associates (FDA), the Friendship Preservation Group (FPG) and Friendship’s outstanding homeowners and residents,” Kathleen Farrington and Kim Mangan, Friendship house tour committee co-chairs, said. “This year, the variety on display during the tour reflects the diversity of our wonderful neighborhood. Tour-goers will have an opportunity to visit homes from small loft apartments to spacious, renovated and redesigned mansions as well as innovative and creative kitchens and baths renovations.”
Scheduled to compliment Pittsburgh’s hosting of the G20 Summit, this seminar explores some of the exciting projects happening in downtown’s Fifth Avenue-Market Square area.
The “G20″ is an economic forum consisting of 19 of the world’s largest national economies, plus the European Union (representing 27 nations).
Scheduled panelists include Susan Golomb of PNC Bank, Lucas Piatt of Millcraft Industries; Michael Edwards of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Dennis Yablonsky of the Allegheny Conference On Community Development; and Rob Stephany of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Michael Stern of Strada ARchitecture moderates.
Presented by the Urban Land Institute, a non-profit organization that explores a variety of land use issues. For more information, call (724) 625-9953.
The Pittsburgh Technology Council will convene a pre-G20 forum to be held at Heinz Field on the morning of September 23rd with featured guest Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google.
During his presentation, Mr. Schmidt will discuss his perspectives on Pittsburgh’s core technology-related competencies and will describe how, in the year 2005, those factors influenced Google to establish a permanent presence in the Pittsburgh region.
Capitalizing on the strong international media attention associated with the G20, Mr. Schmidt will discuss the specific role that the technology sector can play in helping to reinvigorate the world economy, while also outlining the key strategies that world leaders can deploy to help fuel a broad-based, global economic resurgence.
Finally, Mr. Schmidt will discuss Google’s continued reliance on innovation to develop new solutions that will fuel the growth of his company.
On September 24th and 25th, the world’s financial representatives and leaders will come together to discuss economic policies and address the global financial crisis in Pittsburgh.
For three days in Bloomfield it’s All-Italian-all-the-time. Expect lots of music, food, games, more food and other fun activities amidst Bloomfield’s unique shops and fine restaurants.
Attendees will be treated to several bacon appetizers and small plates featuring Vande Rose Artisan Dry Cured bacon, rated #1 bacon by America’s Test Kitchen, featured in Cook’s Illustrated magazine and on the Today Show. The food will be prepared by Harris Grill. The event will also feature a bacon eating contest.
Pittsburgh’s own CoCo’s Cupcake Café will also be preparing bacon cupcakes to serve at the event.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Bacon: A Love Story (HarperCollins, May 2009). The book was written by Heather Lauer, author of the blog, BaconUnwrapped.com. Lauer is co-hosting all Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour events being held around the country this summer. Local bacon blogger, Jason Mosley – aka “Mr. Baconpants” (MrBaconpants.com) – will also be co-hosting the event. Mosley was recently featured in an article that appeared on Pittsburgh’s PopCityMedia.com.
The event will be held at Harris Grill. Harris Grill is well known for its “Tuesday Bacon Night” at which happy hour patrons are treated to free bacon.
The Pittsburgh Bacon Tour event will also feature a bacon eating contest.
What Pittsburgh individual, business or organization is doing GREAT things with Social Media?
Create a short post or video entry to YOUR blog on Friday, September 4, and be sure to include the tags “PodCamp Pittsburgh” and “PCPGH4” – That way we can find and share your thoughts on PodCampPittsburgh.com!
First, you need to REGISTER NOW for PodCamp Pittsburgh 4 (October 10-11, 2009). This free conference really got me thinking more seriously about all this Social Media stuff. From the basic 101’s to how Social Media can enhance a Non-Profit’s donations campaign, PodCamp Pittsburgh really gives everyone a quality weekend of education, interaction and application.
Second, help us spread the word about PodCamp Pittsburgh 4. You can do this by using badges, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Talk with your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about PodCamp – It’s free and open to EVERYONE!!!
For each of us, Social Media might mean different things: sales, increasing traffic, followers, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter…but What Does Social Media Mean to YOU!?
Personally, Social Media means more effectively networking with my peers, friends and family, and constantly learning from that network. I try to apply these new tactics and skills to my own endeavors – including my job hunt and volunteering gigs. The “social” aspect of Social Media is very important to me, as well. I use this blog, my twitter and facebook to promote local business and events.
I help run the Social Media effort for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps. For this Chicago-based youth non-profit, Social Media means keeping our audience (fans, familiy, alumni and friends) more engaged and connected than ever before. It’s a new venue for drum corps with behind-the-scenes updates, audio, pictures, video, as well as conversation and interaction with the fans – all in real-time. We Provide VALUE!
Focus is not only on the audience engagement and interaction, but on measurement, integration and proving value in all this stuff. We still have a LOT of work on this part, but we’re beginning to see some great results! We have had a HUGE positive response to the efforts this season, and I am hoping to build on this moving forward.
When I hear family, fans and alumni thanking The Cavaliers for the updates and saying, “It feels like we’re right there with you guys on the road” – it lets me know we’re on to something here.
As an Individual – As a Business – As an Organization
Create a short post or video entry to YOUR blog on Friday, August 7, and be sure to include the tags “PodCamp Pittsburgh” and “PCPGH4” – That way we can all learn…
Here are some great Pittsburgh networking and community Events You’ll Dig for July 2009. If you have an interesting networking or community event, then leave the info (and link) as a comment and I’ll get it up!
Various galleries in the Penn Avenue Arts District (4800-5500 Penn Avenue) will open their doors and showcase a variety of artwork and performances. Guests will experience new art and meet the most eclectic array of art makers, old and young, modern and classical, famous and amateur, emerging and veteran, all within walking distance of each other.
The evening brings people of all backgrounds together to socialize, mingle and enjoy the art and entertainment around them. Many of the district’s performance studios often involve their audience in the creative process. Both Attack Theatre and the Pittsburgh Glass Center engage their audiences into the creative processes of dance and glass making.
Participating art venues range from all mediums of art – glass, dance, sculpture, clothing, paintings, clay, spoken word and a vast array of music. There is a little taste of everything on Penn Avenue! Visit us during Unblurred and check it out!
Point State Park… located at the tip of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle … is the site of Pittsburgh’s daylong Independence Day Celebration. Musical Acts & Entertainment start in the afternoon, and end with a 21-Gun Salute followed by a really big Fireworks Display at 9:30 PM. 1000’s of People turn out, but you can also view the fireworks from a variety of ‘ less crowded ‘ locations nearby.
Fourth of July at Point State Park activities begin at 1 PM.
Join us in the PCA parking lot. Admission and parking are free for this lively, artistic spin on the traditional yard sale. Featuring over 30 individual artists and several PF/PCA departments bringing affordable original works, prints, decorative arts, art books, art supplies, equipment for art making, and some collectibles.
Our department of School and Community Programs will be holding a bake sale, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting that department, and teaching artists specifically. Ceramics-access Artist Members are producing ceramics to be donated to PCA, and sold to help pay for kiln repairs.
Sunday, July 5 – 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
6300 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh 15232 / 412-361-0873
This longtime favorite series entertains music lovers on the lawn at Mellon Park. Satisfy your appetite for classical music by treating yourself to a special Sunday morning composed of Bach, Beethoven and Brunch. Join us for this delightful buffet of classical melodies. Don’t miss the “Best Brunch” competition during intermission – the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts will award prizes!
CALLING ALL LEADERS: This Workshop is designed to transform you and the power of your influence. Don’t miss this one-of-a-king opportunity for personal and business development!
The event includes the following: Marketing A Small Business, how to market a small business on a minimal budget; Health & Wellness for Better Business, how to protect a business owner’s most important asset, their health; Financial Strategies During a Recession, financial strategies that will keep the recession from having an impact on one’s business; Career and Business Opportunities, information on what businesswomen will need to make an informed decision on a career change or income supplement.
The Women’s Small Business Association is proud to announce Women’s Small Business Week, from July 13 through July 16, 2009. This five-day event will offer participants the opportunity to attend seminars led by industry experts, showcase their businesses by participating in exhibit booths, network with other professionals, and interview with business owners offering new opportunities. Seminars and exhibit booths will focus on topics important to today’s business women and will provide information for personal and professional growth.
Featuring: Chuck Herring, Chuck Herring Speaks, Unlimited Topic: TEAMWORK: The Ant Way! Teams that have the best communication skills are always more effective, more productive and have more fun. Major problems occur when “teammates” don’t understand where the other person is coming from.
Chuck Herring, professional speaker and author, will show you and your organization how to speak the hidden languages of your “teammates” (coworkers, prospects, customers, spouses, etc.) so that you are all on the same page during these tough economic times.
This is an informal workshop offered approximately every four weeks at locations throughout Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. It covers various topics such as personal issues of being an entrepreneur, financing a business, the business planning process, marketing, mechanics of starting a business, regulations governing a business, and other resources that may be of assistance. SBDC consultants present this program and are available to answer any questions about initiating a successful business.
Join the Pittsburgh Business Times and our partners to mix, mingle and network with Pittsburgh business professionals at our first in a series of BizMix evening networking events. This is also a great opportunity to meet and visit with Business Times editors, reporters and staff in an informal setting.
With the economy challenged, now is the time to reach out and expand your base of professional contacts. Bring your business cards and get ready to make new acquaintances. Most of this open-house style event will be informal networking.
Everything you need to mix up a spectacular night takes place high above the city streets in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.Join us for Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh 2009, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Partners Board. This third annual summer rooftop party will celebrate 25 years of the Trust and feature:
Fabulous food, delectable desserts and creative cocktails from the Cultural District’s best restaurants
Cosmic readings that will amaze and intrigue
A sensorial journey created by Bricolage that will amuse and inspire
Dancing until midnight under the downtown lights with DJ Edgar UM
A celebration of theater, music, art, dance and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s 25th Anniversary.
Besides raising your adrenaline, your participation in PABR will help raise money and awareness for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in support of their mission to end intimate partner abuse in the lives of local women and children. Additionally, proceeds from PABR will help the Three Rivers Eastern Area Tournament (TREAT) continue its work with other Pittsburgh-area charities and community non-profit organizations.
Local fashionista, “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest” honoree Gretchen Harnick partners with ultrahip ModCloth to resurrect the fashion salon. A fashion salon is a place for women to visit a particular designer’s showroom, preview each season’s collection, and place personal orders. The fashion salon is not a place for sexy models strutting to liquid-dance music down a darkened runway, but rather an intimate gathering perfectly staged at The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
The 1950’s Finest Fashion Salon, a play on the title “50 Finest”, is the first time local e-tailer ModCloth will be showing its clothing in a local fashion show. This successful business venture sells strictly online, and the owners are proud to partner with Gretchen for this charity fashion salon benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. ModCloth will be donating 10% of online sales from their website, July 24th, toward the cystic fibrosis foundation as well. Entering CURE10 at the checkout will register you as a supporter of the cause.
SPF is Pittsburgh’s Small Press Festival featuring presses, organizations, and publications from the tri-state region. It is sponsored by Open Thread (www.openthread.org) and is supported in part by a Seed Award from The Sprout Fund.
The festival will be held throughout July and will feature readings, release parties, panel discussions, and other gatherings. The central facet of SPF, however, will be a weekend expo of publications held on July 18th and 19th at the Regina Gouger Miller Gallery on CMU campus.
A panel of Pittsburgh media will be discussing the changing media landscape and how we as PR professionals can tailor our pitches for print, TV, Web and Web 2.0. A few of the questions they will be addressing is – How do traditional broadcast media get their news leads lately? Do they handle stories differently on the Web than they do print or TV? Is there a parallel between traditional media Web sites and Web magazines? Are there stories more appropriate for Web than for print or TV? Has the way we should be pitching stories changed or is it that now there are additional ways to pitch stories?
Gather your friends, family and coworkers, and join us for a fun day of golf to support The 7th Annual MS Golf Outing with proceeds going to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE BLACKHAWK GOLF COURSE IN CHIPPEWA, PA ON FRIDAY, July 31st, 2009.
Everyone’s Unique…Then how the HELL do I stand out?
A LOT of us are in the same race right now – Looking for a job, but not getting many hits on the resume. So, I’ve put together this guide in an attempt to fuse Online and Offline Techniques. So let’s get to it!
Define – What are your Specialties, Strengths, Skills and Interest? What would you like your next career move to be?
Brand Yourself – Are you a social media strategist? An accountant specializing in non-profits? Be specific, and better yet, tailor your propositions to the industry and company! Your Personal branding might help you avoid the job search next time!
Assess Current Job Search – What is working for you? What isn’t? Are you utilizing your network to find opportunities and connections?
Traditional “Must Haves”
Business Card - Business Cards are a VERY important part of the job search, especially at networking events. Be very clear, including your name, “best” contact info, headline/personal brand description, and even a photo. Check out VistaPrint.com and GotPrint.com for your business card needs. You can even go GREEN!
Resume – Your resume should read clearly. If there is any confusion by reading your role desription or accomplishments…REWRITE! Use paragraphs to tell the story, bullets to highlight acheivements. Always use numbers to quantify results. When in doubt, ask for help – a former colleague, resume consultant, a friend – all can have a fresh perspective on your resume. Remember the GOAL is to get an interview!
Professional Email Address - Unfortunately, we are not done with the susieisLOLliketotallyawesome83@hotmail.com email addresses…You are on the professional job search, so your email should reflect that professionalism. Strive for the simple firstname.lastname@gmail.com if possible. Don’t get too obscure.
Email Signature - You email signature can be a great way to finish an email with professionalism. Include your LinkedIn Profile, Blog/Website and phone.
Portfolio – If applicable, have your portfolio ready at all times. Get your physical portfolio in shape to bring to interviews, and have your website/web portfolio available for potential employers.
Appropriate Wardrobe – Business Casual is mostly appropriate, but if you’re in more traditional professional (lawyer, accountant, etc.) then be safe with Business Professional attire.
Traditional Search
Job Boards - Posting your resume (beware of formatting issues) on job boards like Monster, Yahoo! Hot Jobs, CareerBuilder, & Craigslist can still uncover some incredible opportunities.
Personal & Professional Network – You should NOT underestimate the power of your personal & professional network.
Networking Events – Search for networking events in your area via online business magazines, blogs, Twitter, and event boards – Target those networking events that cater to your specific/desired industry or profession. (Network Pittsburgh)
Professional Organizations – Have you joined your local professional organizations, yet? If not, perform a Google Search for those professions in your area. Most have free (low-cost) networking events – so check out a few before joining (AMA Pittsburgh)
Volunteer Organizations – Volunteering is a great way to sharpen your skills and network – all while performing critical work for a non-profit. Check out the PGH Arts Council’s Business Volunteers for the Arts section for local opportunities.
Recruiters – Recruiters exist for every industry and profession – Search for local recruiters in your area that specialize in your field.
Business Papers – The business papers can be a GREAT resource to find potential opportunities. New developments, promotions, job postings…keep an eye out for key indicators of growth and expansion, and reach out to those highlighted in the article.
Live Networking
Get There Early - This way, you get as much face-time as possible.
Bring Plenty of Business Cards – Be sure to have a small stack on hand to give to EVERYONE you meet.
Don’t Drink Too Much - Yes, drinking can come all too natural in this setting, but first impressions here will be very important. Especially if you’re looking to get your name out for the job search.
Reach Out to Local Organizations – Research all of the relevant professional and networking organizations in your area…then go to the networking events!
Know Your Audience -American Marketing Association or American Medical Association…might have slightly different conversations.
Elevator Pitch - Clearly articulate your value prop/job search goals. Your network must understand (quickly) how they can help.
Follow Up - At the most, follow up via email, LinkedIn or phone within 2 business days of the event. That way, your new contacts are reminded about your situation and job search.
Connect via Social Media - Research your new contacts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and blogs – Then look to engage in conversation and provide value.
Return the Favor - Do your part to help out peers on the job search by sending relevant job postings, articles and contacts.
Essential Online Presence
While you build your online presence, make sure you keep the following in mind:
Google Yourself – What are the results? What you want to see?
Brand Consistency – Use the same profile picture for all networks. Use the same user name/vanity URL for each network – Should be easy to remember.
WIIFM – What’s in it for the viewer/potential employer. Are you providing relevant content and updates?
WIWMPETST – Would I Want My Potential Employer to See That?
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an essential for professionals – Here you build a profile highlighting your professional experience, as well as build a robust professional network. Let’s take a look at the nuts and bolts of LinkedIn:
Profile – Think about this from the employer’s perscpetive
Headline – This is the very first impression on a viewer, so make your headline count!
Move into the reasons why you’d do business with me.
Move from there into all the nuances of what you do.
URL – Change your URL extension from linkedin.com/in/1234 to your name or initials (linkedin.com/in/CLugo). This will make sharing your LinkedIn profile easier. This also ties into the Personal Branding effort.
Job Descriptions – Make sure your job descriptions are written for potential employers – highlight the skills and responsibilities that will apply to your future…as well as the potential employer. Do not include any negative descriptors about previous employers. Remember, you want this section to SELL your abilities and performance – Write as if you were on the other side reading!
Recommendations – Ask for recommendations! This is one of the most powerful features of LinkedIn, but not if you don’t ask! When asking for recommendations, target those you have worked with in the past, or those with which you have a working relationship. Yes, it will look bad if you have relatives giving you the thumbs up. Also, be selective about who gives you a recommendation – not everyone will write the best entry, not highlight what you actually want. Be selective. But I’m not getting any recommendations – The best way to start getting recommendations is to give them! Not willy nilly, either! If you can vouch for his or her professional career or skills, then go for it.
Links – Be sure to include your website/blog, Company, Facebook, & Twitter links in your profile. This allows potential employers to get a clearer picture of you before the interview.
Advanced Techniques – Get the most out of LinkedIn
Advanced Networking – Import email addresses, find former colleagues, see 1st, 2nd, 3rd level connections, ask for introductions, look-up networking event attendees…you can do a LOT of networking and research. Just don’t over do it or SPAM!
LinkedIn Questions – This is an excellent area to submit questions and answers pertaining to a certain topic. You can share your experience to help others, all while building your Personal Brand.
Company/Industry Search – Interested in a certain company or industry? You can use the company search to do just that, or include the industry (advertising) to hone your local research.
People Search – Want to contact a specific hiring manager at XYZ Co? Quickly search people and see who else shares a connection! If needed, you can ask for an introduction, too!
Resume Search – Search companies, find those people in the company doing what you want to do…then start tailoring your resume! This is also a great way to see what skills might be needed to pursue the company further!
Groups – You can join groups (like the American Marketing Assoc – Pittsburgh Chapter) and extend your network. This is also a great way to share content, events and discussions. You can display groups on your public profile – Just be selective.
Status Updates – Use this to give your network an update on your professional career, job search, or to share information. Keep it professional and ask yourself, “Is this relevant?”
Job Search – LinkedIn features a truly robust Job Search function. Use this to search jobs ONLY posted on LinkedIn, or to aggregate jobs posted on the internet. The great thin about this is you can see who you know at the company! So, if you need to send an email along to research the position, you’ll know exactly who to contact (in your network).
Facebook
Facebook is the Social Network to connect – with your friends, friends’ friends, and your industry. Use this as a tool to showcase your talents/skills, but also expand your network to include industry professionals and potential employers. Let’s take a look at what goes into your Faceboook:
Profile – Professional photo (or at least not one of a keg stand) should be the standard on your profile. Be sure to keep a close eye on friends who post questionable content (links, photos, videos, comments) to your profile.
URL – Sign up for a vanity URL NOW! This shortens the URL and makes it easier for sharing (Personal Branding, nod!) – Facebook.com/ChrisLugo
Applications, Groups, Fan Pages – Yes, it’s cool to let everyone know what your favorite color/car/sex position is, but when a recruiter or potential employer visits your page…not so much. Keep applications, groups and fan pages relevant and professional.
Privacy – You can control various privacy settings on Facebook, including what information is or is not shared. Use this wisely so that potential employers don’t see too much personal information
Connections – You can connect to your friends, but also to people in your industry and network. Facebook will give you a much more personal connection – but use it wisely. If you are “friends” with a potential empoyer, and you share a graphic picture…might not be the best for the upcoming interview
Status Updates – Just like LinkedIn, you can update your friends (network) of what’s going on in your life. Just like above, don’t send status updates of the killer kegger you’re attending – even if you just won the keg stand championships! While on the job search, think, “would I want this update in front of my potential employer?”
Twitter
Twitter is quickly becoming a hugely popular social network, method of communicating. While of the job search, you can use Twitter to learn about your industry/profession, grow your network, and provide relevant content to followers/potential employers.
Profile – When heading to your profile page, a visitor will see your last 20 “tweets.” Are they what you want to show up when a potential employer visits? You can also customize the background of your profile. This helps differentiate your profile from the basic.
URL – Choose your username/URL wisely. This should be easy to remember and type (for those Retweeting you).
Bio – Include a SHORT bio that highlights your skills/job search.
Link – Include a link to your website/blog OR LinkedIn profile.
People Search – You can upload your email address book to start following people, or search directly for people you know!
Twitter Search – Want to find people in Pittsburgh talking about marketing…right now!? Head to search.twitter.com or save your search on your homepage. Sky is the limit for search opportunities.
Updates – “What Are You Doing?” This question is asked by Twitter for each update, but don’t let it fool you. We DO NOT want to know about eating cereal or cutting the grass. Your updates should, again, be relevant to your industry, skills, profession, job search, etc. Share content, blog posts, & news pertaining to your industry, and you’ll start to learn in the process.
Learn – Use Twitter to find relevant blog posts and industry news. Also, follow industry professionals who are experts in the field. This way, you can follow their “stream” and take in as much as possible.
Website/Blog
Use this opportunity to create your OWN content, and build a space that highlights your skills, talents, experience and ambitions. Your own website or blog can be your HUB, where all your networks point. This way, everyone knows where to get your resume, or latest blog post.
Hosted or Free? – You can buy a domain name, have it hosted and set up your blogging software (WordPress recommended), or you can use one of many free tools (including WordPress.com & Blogger) to make the process easy. Start out with the free stuff, then move to the hosted versions after trying it out.
URL – Use a domain name that is either yourname.com or incorporates yourname. This way, it is easy to share, extends Personal Brand, and heightens search engine results.
Blogging Platform – WordPress, Blogger & Live Journal are just a few of the blogging platforms out there. WordPress recommended.
Integrate Social Networks – Use your Website/Blog to integrate your Social Networks. Link to each (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to cross promote.
Topics – Approach topics that are relevant to your industry/profession. You can event take a local spin on national topics or large industry news.
Resume – Include your updated resume for easy access
Multimedia – Publish relevant photos, videos and audio for a more robust experience
About – Include an “About Me” section
Contact – Should be easy to contact you on each page
Monitor Your Brand/Research the Industry and Competition
There are many ways to use online tools to enhance your job search. But make sure you are utilizing BOTH to the max to really see the benefit. Here are some thoughts to tie it all together:
Build your Online Brand and Trust – Do NOT rush to get ahead quickly…it will backfire with social networking.
Refresh – Keep your Website/Blog updated, being sure to produce relevant content and integrate with your main Social Networks (above).
Participate – You must participate in your new social/online networks. It is NOT enough to just have a profile.
Learn - Use the live networking/job search, and social networks to learn something! Blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. all have EXCELLENT content…it’s up to you to tap into it!
WIWMPETST – Think as if you were the potential employer – Would I Want to See That?
Engagement Points – By having profiles on multiple networks, you’ll have more engagement points for potential employers, but don’t spread yourself too thin. The above networks are the tried and true. Go with those first, then branch out it necessary.
Brand Consistency – Are you consistent from network to network? From site to site?
Attend Networking Events – Live networking is still king…don’t ignore this important tool!
Join Your Local Organizations – As with the last point, the live relationships you develop can go a LONG way to securing your next job. Find the relevant orgs and participate!
Grow Your Network – As you engage with more and more people via social networks, you are enhancing your job search. It’s who you know…so make use of your network!
Here are some great Pittsburgh networking and community Events You’ll Dig for June 2009. If you have an interesting networking or community event, then leave the info (and link) as a comment and I’ll get it up!
Three Rivers Arts Festival remains among the longest free arts events of its kind in the United States. “In these economic times, Three Rivers Arts Festival is more important than ever,” said Deborah L. Acklin, Three Rivers Arts Festival advisory board chair. “The Festival’s new home at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust allows the Festival to continue presenting a robust schedule of free, high-quality, family-friendly art activities and performances.”
On June 10, attend the best networking event Pittsburgh has to offer at Business for Breakfast, a monthly executive networking breakfast co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Business Times and Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
Attend Building a Better Business Plan and talk with a professional consultant. Learn the importance of why you need a business plan at the ready. Topics covered are how to outline a business plan, its major components, and what to include in them.
With the summer season on the horizon, the Regional Internship Center (RIC) is proud again to present the 7th Annual Interns Summer Program: Interns 2009: Connect. Experience. Explore.
The Summer Program will offer hundreds of interns a chance to meet and socialize with each other while introducing them to the distinct attractions of the Pittsburgh region. This opportunity offers interns invaluable experience in terms of professional development like networking while combining entertaining activities in a welcoming atmosphere.
Learn how to use Twitter to meet the needs of your organization.
Learn the capabilities and options you have on Twitter and how and why to implement them.
Walk through a Twitter account and learn from real-life examples.
The rumors abound. Did Keith Richards really receive a blood transfusion before jumping on a Swiss stage in 1973? Did Van Halen really insist that all brown M&Ms be removed from their backstage bowl? Did Guns & Roses honestly request a hot tub filled with models?
This is your chance to go behind the curtain & backstage as the truth, fiction and mystery of the rock-n-roll velvet rope are exposed. The Mattress Factory and Rich & CIndy Engler team up to present the 2009 Urban Garden Party.
How does YOUR environment impact YOUR health? What is more important – the products you use every day, or the effects of your outdoor surroundings?
We’ll review a typical day of two of our favorite citizens and 1. unveil the kinds of things they are exposed to every day – in their daily habits, their home and their neighborhood, 2. learn about the impact our world has on US, and 3. give suggestions for changes you can make that will impact YOUR health.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is proud to present R&B legend Chaka Khan on June 25 at Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh. An accomplished singer and Multi-Grammy and BET Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Chaka Khan’s recording career spans five decades.
Joining resident conductor, Lawrence Loh and Ms. Khan will be this year’s 2009 Sphinx Competition 1st Place Laureate, Cellist Tony Rymer.
Heritage Celebration- Join us to celebrate Pittsburgh’s rich history of Negro League Baseball with throwback uniforms, a Homestead Grays cap giveaway and FIREWORKS on Saturday night to top it all off.
Scratch ‘N Win Saturday- Everyone in the ballpark is guaranteed to win a prize from Eat ‘N Park. Nine lucky fans will also win a premium Pirates prize. Presented by Eat ‘N Park
Trend Spotting & Setting Summit – Thursday, October 8, 7:30AM – 11:30AM
