Today I did something I’ve never done before: speak to job seekers about writing. Thanks to Carlos Hernandez, a friend from San Francisco I met at BlogWorld in 2007, I was honored to be the speaker at GraceWorks.
I didn’t tell the group my own job-seeker stories about . . .
– how I graduated from college and couldn’t find a job at all [problem: limited search to my hometown of Danville, Illinois]
– how I got fired from my first job [problem: product, tacky eyewear, really – nobody wants to wear cheap sunglasses]
– how I only moved to Chicago to find a job after being out of work for three months
– how I’ve really been out on my own for almost 20 years. In that time, I filled out only one job application to teach as an adjunct faculty member. I was shaking when I filled it out, even though I “had a job” – a stable group of clients. The thought of going back to work for someone else was too scary. But, owning your own business isn’t for everyone.
This is a different crowd than the entrepreneurs I usually speak to. For those groups, I talk about getting business, customers and visibility. It’s more about branding online. But, when you think about it, job seekers aren’t so different. They need to brand themselves, too.
Here’s the program description:
Charging the Wired Writer Within: Revitalizing Your Job Search, Barbara Rozgonyi
Date: Monday March 9, 2009
Time: 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Wilsey Room
Notes: No matter what your English grades were like in school, chances are your teachers taught you how to write for print. But, great grammar and spotless spelling isn’t what you need to succeed in writing online. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to compose, format, package and send your message so it get action. You can use these skills every day in every message you compose to be read online.
Top takeaways
– how to reinvent and re-purpose your writing across communication channels with wired writing
– essential job search communications components that get you noticed
– action steps you can take today to optimize your online persona immediately
Barbara Rozgonyi heads up CoryWest Media, LLC, a virtual marketing and public relations firm based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Known for specializing in positioning its clients as leading resources by the media, their market and the community at large, www.CoryWestMedia.com creates business for business in the corporate sector and promotes community action in the not-for-profit sector.
Clients include Fortune 50 companies, global consultancies, non-profits and local businesses. An experienced instructor, Barbara created the curriculum for the marketing execution 301 class at The Non-Profit Academy for Excellence within College of DuPage.
A founding member of Chicago’s Social Media Club chapter, Barbara publishes www.wiredPRworks.com, a marketing and PR blog recently ranked in the top 65 marketing blogs by content. “LinkedIn PR: 10 Ways to Quickly Become a Subject Matter Expert” is Wired PR Work’s most popular post. A social media evangelist, Barbara posts frequent updates @wiredprworks on twitter.com.
Here’s the presentation. Were you there? How would you improve this presentation?
English
12 thoughts on “Wired Writing : How to Optimize Your Presence Online for Job Seekers”
Barbara Rozgonyi spoke today at GraceWorks in San Francisco on Wired Writing in the Job Search. I would re-title her talk as “Write to Be the Person You Are.” Barbara is warm, positive, and patient. She made me feel as if she came to GraceWorks to meet me, rather than to talk to a group. She provided writing tools and resources that I can use. With great composure and purpose, she spoke with an anxious and unsettled group of unemployed/underemployed professionals. She navigated with aplomb through a few bumps in our conversation. This group came to hear what she had to say, but valued information is not always welcomed information. Barbara adapted her slide materials for our group, rather than have the group adapt to her knowledge. She is knowledgeable, professional, thoughtful, and through. Enrich your networking and online presence by meeting her. Thank you, Barbara!
Barbara Rozgonyi spoke today at GraceWorks in San Francisco on Wired Writing in the Job Search. I would re-title her talk as “Write to Be the Person You Are.” Barbara is warm, positive, and patient. She made me feel as if she came to GraceWorks to meet me, rather than to talk to a group. She provided writing tools and resources that I can use. With great composure and purpose, she spoke with an anxious and unsettled group of unemployed/underemployed professionals. She navigated with aplomb through a few bumps in our conversation. This group came to hear what she had to say, but valued information is not always welcomed information. Barbara adapted her slide materials for our group, rather than have the group adapt to her knowledge. She is knowledgeable, professional, thoughtful, and through. Enrich your networking and online presence by meeting her. Thank you, Barbara!
As a writer and editor for many years, I really enjoyed Barbara Rozgonyi’s presentation at GraceWorks, too. (Looking for clients is a lot like looking for a job, and I have done lots of both.)
I really appreciated her integration of sound “traditional” writing techniques with the cyber-mindset of social networking and web-based communication. I realized from her presentation that I have to update my own skills and take better advantage of the latest technologies and platforms: what I “knew” about Linked In three years ago is obsolete.
Barbara was informative, approachable, and responsive to every question. I look forward to learning more from her and to following her example.
As a writer and editor for many years, I really enjoyed Barbara Rozgonyi’s presentation at GraceWorks, too. (Looking for clients is a lot like looking for a job, and I have done lots of both.)
I really appreciated her integration of sound “traditional” writing techniques with the cyber-mindset of social networking and web-based communication. I realized from her presentation that I have to update my own skills and take better advantage of the latest technologies and platforms: what I “knew” about Linked In three years ago is obsolete.
Barbara was informative, approachable, and responsive to every question. I look forward to learning more from her and to following her example.
George – I love the new title! Thanks for your comments. Being responsive and flexible based on my audience’s needs is really important to me. I learn so much more when I listen.
Jon – thanks so much for contributing your review from an experience writer’s perspective. Please feel free to comment anytime.
George – I love the new title! Thanks for your comments. Being responsive and flexible based on my audience’s needs is really important to me. I learn so much more when I listen.
Jon – thanks so much for contributing your review from an experience writer’s perspective. Please feel free to comment anytime.
Barbara’s Presentation was outstanding, she added a lot of value to everyones Job search options. Her warmth, charm and funny stories made everyone feel comfertable and at home, as if you were chatting with a freind. I look forward to reading about more of Barbara’s up coming work.
Barbara’s Presentation was outstanding, she added a lot of value to everyones Job search options. Her warmth, charm and funny stories made everyone feel comfertable and at home, as if you were chatting with a freind. I look forward to reading about more of Barbara’s up coming work.
Great presentation and information. Slideshare, online press releases and Wordle have already been new valuable resources. Thanks Barbara!
Great presentation and information. Slideshare, online press releases and Wordle have already been new valuable resources. Thanks Barbara!
nice article, searching for a job is scary for everyone, it is becoming harder, especially in these times to feel like you’re in a stable environment. i think this can help a lot of people.
nice article, searching for a job is scary for everyone, it is becoming harder, especially in these times to feel like you’re in a stable environment. i think this can help a lot of people.