Attitude: Your Public Face

“Well we all have a face
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and
Show ourselves
When everyone has gone
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They're the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on.”

~~Billy Joel, “The Stranger”~~

Have you thought about who you are in public? Are you different at home with your family than you are “in business”? Have you considered your online persona? Are you the same? As I talk to more people about the importance of an online presence in today’s marketplace I encounter many who don’t understand who they “should be” online. A few tips: 1. Be yourself. 2. Listen first to what’s going on around you, and then engage in conversation. 3. Add value and insight. And 4, which is the most important advice I can offer, stay positive. No.Matter.What.

It is becoming more and more apparent as online social networking tools increase in popularity that too many people still don’t understand the impact of negativity in public. Say whatever you want to at home behind closed doors, but when you’re out there, whether in person or behind a computer screen, please, I beg you, stay positive. Airing dirty laundry, complaining about your job (or lack of one), dissing the guy you just interviewed with in front of MILLIONS of people online, or otherwise being negative and whiny is just not going to help you. Not in any way.

If you really can’t think of a way to spin it so it’s positive, if you simply cannot find that silver lining, just stay off the computer. You’ll be glad later that you made that choice.

Attitude

Here’s a MUST do for you: if you’re not happy, upbeat and energetic, FAKE IT! When you’re down, angry, frustrated, disturbed, pissed off, etc… IT SHOWS! And that is NOT the face you want the world to see! So, fake it until you make it! Act “as if”! Put on your game face! Whatever you want to label it; “put a smile on your face and a song in your heart” (Thanks PAT!) and you’ll notice the change in how people respond to you!

I run a networking group for HR practitioners (www.whineanddine.org), and I am consistently surprised by the people who come in to the room with their shoulders slumped over, a frown (or worse, a scowl!) on their face and consistently complain about their lot in life (or their job search.) they wonder why they’re still unemployed, or why the didn’t get that great opportunity even though they networked with the hiring manager… Think for a moment if in that same event the hiring manager for the perfect opportunity was out sourcing candidates. Do you think that bummed out, seemingly depressed individual would even be considered? I’ll tell you as a recruiter, the answer is no!

And what about online? If you’re using Twitter, Facebook, or worse, LinkedIn to vent, complain, or otherwise be negative, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. People ARE looking, and they will take note. Be kind. Be helpful. Maintain your positive attitude, and watch the magic happen!

Thursday: Goals - A Rant

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain.” ~William Jennings Bryan

Warning: I am climbing up on to my soap box. I don’t do this often, but alas, even I am only human.

THIS IS YOUR CAMPAIGN! I cannot do this FOR you! I’m here to help. I’m here to support. I’m here to steer. I’m even here to direct on occasion. I will help you choose your path. I will help you stay the course. I will help you gain the tools you need. I will help you in any way that I can, but I CANNOT DO THIS FOR YOU! YOU need to take control. YOU need to do the work. It’s not going to happen without you.

OK. I’m getting off my soap box now. To those of you who are working hard at attaining… please let me know how I can help you!