Jeff’s New Job Must Mean I’m Next

When the person you are closest to enjoys success, it’s got to rub off on you. Congratulations to my husband, Jeff Altman, on a new job with Whiteford, Taylor & Preston! After many years as a partner in the law firm of McKenna, Long & Aldridge, Jeff is leaving to pursue the new opportunities presented by WTP. He’ll move his nonprofit practice to their office just a few blocks away on Tuesday. Despite the fact that Jeff is joining longtime friends (as well as his son plus one of our neighbors) at WTP and will continue serving all his current clients, this is a huge change for Jeff. And an exciting one. And one that will, of course, have an impact on me.

Before you say: “Gerry, it’s not all about you,” I must point out that, as a job hunter, it’s essential to review all events through a personal lens. What are the lessons, message, and meaning for me?

Jeff’s many years as an ASAE member and volunteer leader are largely responsible for this positive move. Relationships that Jeff built during countless programs, speaking engagements, networking events, and volunteer work—particularly with the ASAE Legal Section Council, the ASAE Public Policy Committee, ASAE Business Services, and the ASAE Insurance Company—resulted in recent conversations about joining WTP. The lessons are clear: Volunteer, network, build relationships with colleagues, and contribute to your professional community. The message, too, is clear: The Romano-Altman household is in a state of extraordinary change. The related meaning is: I must be next. My hard job-hunting work should pay off soon. While I continue this work, I also need to walk, sit, and stand even more closely to my husband so his new job success will rub off on me.

Best wishes Jeff!

Amen to That, Apryl

“Stretch yourself” is the advice that Apryl Motley, CAE, gives to association executives who are trying to make the most of any life-changing experience. The December issue of Associations Now features Apryl’s valuable perspectives, which stem from her experience in losing a job but also apply to other events, including mine—choosing to leave a full-time job, choosing to start a consulting business, and now choosing to search for a new full-time position. Whatever your situation, you will surely find Apryl’s insights enlightening. Check out her “Horizons” piece on page 9 for details about why she considers “doing something outside your comfort zone” a key to thriving during challenging times.

The segment of Apryl’s column that resonates most with me is her description of the big blank that follows your name when you don’t have a full-time job. As longtime friends in the association community, Apryl and I have enjoyed working on the same team, celebrating our success, learning side by side at educational programs, and networking together. We’ve introduced each other to many colleagues and have had lots of opportunities to say: “Hi, I’m Gerry Romano/Apryl Motley, CAE, with [blank].” As Apryl notes in the column, having no association name to fill in the blank can be bothersome to a lot of association executives, because where we work often becomes very much a part of who we are.

I hear her loud and clear. At an ASAE event last month, for a key moment, I focused too much on the blank and forgot to concentrate on my positive future. Despite my continual prep for opportunities to promote myself with prospective employers, I stumbled when meeting one exec. I introduced myself as simply “Gerry Romano.” He asked, “Who are you with?” And I said, “No one.” NO ONE! Then for some crazy reason, instead of moving right into my elevator speech, as I have done countless times, I merely noted that I was looking for a full-time job. Fortunately, my friend Mark witnessed this exchange and jumped in with: “Gerry would be an asset to any association.” From there, a constructive conversation began, and I now have another useful contact in the field. (Thank you again, Mark!)

Note to self (and to other job hunters): Stay focused on the strong value you've brought to associations in the past, on the important value you still bring to the association management community as a passionate and involved member of the profession, and on the great value you will bring to your next association. That’s the best way to fill in that blank.

Supporting Three Stars in the Nonprofit Community

It’s time to take action on some of the direct mail that Jeff and I have been receiving. Every holiday season our mailbox overflows with appeals from charities, particularly since Jeff donates to a ton of good causes. I tend to focus on three nonprofit groups—my stars in the nonprofit community. I’d like to honor and thank them by sharing some information. First, though, I must say thanks to Jeff: Your generosity is a great source of help to others and inspiration to me.

Borromeo Housing provides a home for young, single mothers and their babies. Mothers receive counseling, education and support; babies receive medical care; all receive opportunities to pursue healthy and successful lives. Wise and wonderful Madelyn Callahan has been in a volunteer leadership role with Borromeo for many years, tirelessly promoting its work. Mad, it’s an honor to call you my friend. http://www.borromeohousing.org/home

King Street Cats is a no-kill orphanage for abandoned and homeless kitties. It keeps formerly neglected cats safe and healthy until they’re adopted into a loving family. When not lobbying for the American Red Cross, all-around do-gooder Dawn Latham is often feeding, bathing and playing with cats at the shelter. She spends endless hours there, then goes home to care for her own cat as well as several foster kitties. Thank you, Dawn, for all you do for the precious animals that cross your path. http://www.kingstreetcats.org/

The Humane Society of the United States continues to earn my respect for its crusades to protect all kinds of animals. While I don’t know anyone at HSUS, I’m impressed with all I read by and about CEO Wayne Pacelle. Thank you, HSUS, for helping not only the cats and dogs of the world but also the birds, the elephants, the deer, the dolphins and all their colleagues in the animal kingdom. http://humanesociety.org/

It feels great to spend a few minutes honoring and thanking these nonprofit stars. Now it’s time to give.

My Shrinking Circle of Job-Searching Friends

A big WOO-HOO for another good friend who just rejoined the ranks of the fully employed. She contacted me yesterday with the news about accepting a terrific job offer. This follows more than a year of pursuing opportunities—she was restructured out of her full-time staff role last fall. After hearing regularly for months about her ups and downs on the path to a new position, I’ll miss the extra connecting time we’ve had as job-search buddies. But, of course, I’m extremely pleased to drop her from my circle of unemployed and under-employed pals.

We met a long time ago when we worked together at ASAE. We both moved on to other associations and remained friends. During the past several months, while we “worked together” at finding new jobs, we applied for some of the same positions, still supporting each other while we competed. Always a friend first, she taught me a few things about job hunting, and here are the key lessons that stuck:

*Stay positive. Do not take rejection personally. You’re the best–for some organization, just not for the one that didn’t call you for an interview…or a follow-up meeting…or the job.

*Stay positive. Do not hold a grudge against any HR gatekeeper or hiring manager who doesn’t agree that you’re the perfect person for the job.

*Stay positive. Sure, go ahead and indulge in a personal pity party once in a while, but don’t make it a habit.

I am positively thrilled for you, Girlfriend. Thank you for all your wisdom and support. Now get out of those slippers and go to work!

Search Like This to Get That Job

If your job search could use a boost, try the following seven steps. I heard this advice yesterday from Alexis Grant at the Association Media & Publishing (AM&P) lunch and learn.

1.      Don’t just apply for a job—use social media to make the hiring manager notice you. (Think Twitter and blogs.)

2.      Network strategically, and maintain your connections. (Think Twitter and LinkedIn in addition to live events.)

3.      Use your sleuthing skills: Research prospective employers and hiring managers online to learn as much about them as possible. (Think Twitter, LinkedIn and Google.)

4.      Hyperlink your resume to make it easy for readers to access your Twitter account, your LinkedIn profile and your blog as well as websites for your previous employers.

5.      Show your awesomeness through your blog. (Okay, okay, I’m trying to do that!) Transparency is in right now, so be transparent in your blog. People hire you because they like you. Be yourself in your blog so people can see your personality.

6.      On your resume and in your cover letter, be smart about how you tell your story. Figure out your employment goal, then word your resume and letter to describe how your experiences have led you toward that goal.

7.      Figure out what skills you need today for the job you want, and learn them. Just go online. You can learn practically anything online—and often for free.

These steps summarize a portion of Grant’s program, “Career Development in The Digital Age—And in Difficult Times.” Grant was careers editor for U.S. News & World Report before focusing full-time on her business, Socialexis. Now she serves as a consultant to organizations about how to use social media effectively; she also writes e-books offering career advice.

The AM&P participants enjoyed an informative and entertaining presentation by Grant, who made most of the statements above. I paraphrased a few. Obviously, No. 5 is all Grant, a talented and accomplished young woman who appears to aim for awesome in everything she does. What a great role model!

For additional advice and resources, go to alexisgrant.com. And if you have a job-search tip, please be an awesome colleague and share.

Dressed for a Job I Can’t Do

For Halloween, I thought about dressing up as a fully employed association executive. I certainly have all the clothes for that costume, and it seemed like a good way to generate luck for my job hunt. Then I thought about the little witches, vampires, black cats, princesses and supermen who’ll be ringing our doorbell this evening. While I’ve done a pretty good job over the years in explaining to the kids in my family exactly what I do for a living, when I open the door later today, I don’t think our trick-or-treaters would get it.

So here I am as a chef. Our cat is confused, and when my husband gets home from work, he’ll get a good laugh. I will, however, use my extremely limited cooking skills tonight. In between giving out candy, I plan to arrange pre-made ingredients on pre-cooked crusts and bake pizza. Makes me wonder whether the little firefighters, nurses and Kardashian sisters who might show up with pumpkin pails are already thinking about future careers saving lives or telling all on TV.

When It Rains

It’s pouring in my kitchen, where I work as job hunter, freelance writer/editor, and CEO of the Romano-Altman household. Three freelance assignments from two terrific editors dropped on my desk during the past few days. A great-sounding association with an interesting job opening called me to schedule an interview. I recently ran into a wonderful former colleague who is now a recruiter, and tomorrow I’ll chat with another recruiter who has been very helpful to me over the years. And while keeping my humble abode humming, I’ve fallen a bit behind in chores because the number of eye-catching job announcements has grown during the past couple of weeks and I want to respond in a timely manner.

While juggling this work, I know that it’s key to continue networking and learning. Today I attended a program at Eason Associates that was valuable on both fronts. I picked up new and useful information about QR codes, and I met new colleagues in the publishing community. I start Toastmasters next week as well as social media personal coaching. I’ll be at ASAE soon for an ideas “super swap” and an APAC reception. There’s also an Association Media & Publishing program coming up—it’s on job hunting in the Digital Age.

After the AM&P lunch-and-learn, I’ll be sure to share perspectives on this blog. Meanwhile, here’s a job-searching/networking tip from the QR code presentation delivered by Patti Dumas, vice president at HBP printing. After discussing many applications for boosting association marketing and fundraising with QR codes, Patti noted the value of adding a code to a business card. As job hunters, we need personal cards with our contact information. By adding a code for that info, we have a natural conversation-starter with new colleagues as we exchange cards, and we make it easy for colleagues to scan our contact info into their smartphones.

I’m going to give that a shot…just as soon as I figure out how to create a multitasker costume for Halloween. Ideas welcome!