Career Growth Archives - Page 3 of 3

5 Tips to Keep Your Digital Presence Fresh

February 7, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Gone are the days where a paper resume is the only thing an employer sees before bringing in a candidate for an interview. According to a 2017 CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process. In today’s digital age, where a cursory google search can say more about your reputation than your cover letter, it’s more crucial than ever to maintain a strong digital presence that speaks to your personal brand and values. If you want your online presence to set you apart, here are five tips you can act on today.

Create an Online Portfolio

An online portfolio is a place to share accomplishments and experience when you want more than just a standard resume. In addition to showcasing your career accolades, you can also share examples of your recent work, including images you’ve designed, links to recent work, or a more in-depth explanation of that big project you just finished. If you need some inspiration, check out these sites. Or, if you need expert advice on how to showcase your skills, The Everyday Real has you covered.

Utilize LinkedIn

The odds are good if you’re reading this article that you’re one of the over 700 million people on LinkedIn. But are you utilizing the platforming for all it’s worth? These quick tips will you get the best bang for your buck on this professional network:

Your profile photo should be professional and industry appropriate. Keep it current, face straight on to the camera with your hair out of your eyes, and make sure there’s adequate lighting with a neutral backdrop.
Update your status regularly with professional updates, what you’ve been reading, what you’re looking forward to, and what’s going on in your company or role.
Make your profile public and available for others to view. This is especially important if you’re actively applying for jobs.
Resharing articles is a great way to show others what you like and find interesting. When you share meaningful content, it helps paint a picture of who you are as a person and a professional.
Publish your own articles to position yourself as a thought leader in your field.

Google Yourself

You need to do this because recruiters and hiring managers definitely are. Googling yourself will give you the heads up on how others will perceive you based on your search results. Be sure to do this in a private window, so the results aren’t customized based on your search habits or location. If there’s a link or photo associated with your name that you’d rather not be, dig a little deeper to remediate the situation or remove it.

Keep Your Social Media Appropriate

Your social media is all about you and your life, as it should be. It’s a representation of your personal brand. But when you’re applying for jobs or networking with new connections, be mindful of the fact that they will likely look you up on Instagram. If there’s something you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see, consider making your profiles private. The best rule of thumb is to keep it clean or keep it private.

Maintain an External AND Internal Digital Presence

When you initially think about your online reputation, your mind probably turns to Facebook and LinkedIn. But don’t forget, a huge piece of the puzzle is internal at your company. Maintain a presence and be active on your company’s internal communication channels. Fill out your information on your company’s platforms and add a photo to your email account. Be active, be present, and be a part of the conversation.

How to Set Yourself Up For Success When Making a Change

February 7, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Change is hard. Whether you’re trying to make a lifestyle or career change or quit a bad habit, it can be difficult to make the necessary changes to achieve your desired result. Take your health, for example. Say your doctor recommends that you lose a few pounds for optimal health, and you both decide that means losing ten pounds. So you choose to eat healthier and exercise, which you do for a few days before you fall back into old habits and decide it’s too hard, so you’ll live with the extra weight.

So why is it that we struggle to make changes even when we know they’ll contribute to our success? A big reason is that we often see change as a single result. We think we make one change today, and that’s it, but that’s rarely the cause. Changing our behavior is a gradual process that requires our continuous attention. Our perception of change significantly affects how successful we are in achieving our goals.

There are a few ways we can set ourselves up to make changes successfully. The next time you’re confronted with making a change, try these tips.

Know Your Why

As with many things in life, knowing why you’re doing something can propel you in the right direction. Keeping your good intentions and purpose front of mind will help you to refocus when you stray off track (because it’s bound to happen) and when you want to quit. Remember your reason for wanting to make the change and revisit it often.

Stay Positive

When we associate change with negative emotions, like difficult or expensive, we’re setting ourselves up to fail. Reframe your way of thinking and consider the change as rewarding or as an investment instead. Keeping a positive mindset will help you take on the challenge with excitement instead of dread.

Start Small

When making changes, like in the health example above, we’ve been known to bite off more than we can chew, which sets us up for failure. Starting with small actionable steps helps us make progress toward change and makes us more likely to stick with it. Instead of saying you’re going to overhaul your diet and workout daily, try saying you’re going to eat three servings of vegetables today and go for a 15-minute walk. Once you’ve mastered those changes, make a few more small ones, and before you know it, you’ll have made more progress than you think.

Accept Failure

Failure is a part of the journey. The sooner we accept it, the sooner we can overcome it. Get accustomed to failing, readjusting, refocusing, and moving forward. Don’t let one failure or setback keep you from making a change to better yourself or your career. Reframe your thinking to see failure as a learning opportunity.

Stick to It

No matter how big or small, change is difficult, and more importantly, it’s a process. Remember to stick to it. Change won’t happen overnight. Often, it won’t even happen in a week or even a month. Keep your why in mind and keep moving forward. It may seem hard today, but every day you work toward your goal, it’ll get a little easier until it feels second nature.

Change is uncomfortable. It’s challenging and messy, and it takes a lot of work. But if you really want it and commit to it, we promise it’s worth it.

7 Cool Jobs In The Food Industry & The Women Behind Them

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021 by Angela Dodd

Whether you’re looking to get started in the food industry or are exploring what opportunities are available to you, we have seven food industry jobs for you to check out. Plus, we have career stories from the awesome women behind the roles. The possibilities are endless!

Quality Engineer

What does the role do: A quality engineer oversees an organization’s manufacturing and engineering processes. They are responsible for designing and testing the company’s quality standards and processes.

The woman behind the role: Kathleen Trivette at General Mills. Learn more about her career journey into the food industry here.

How to get started: It’s best to have, at a minimum, an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree is preferred. To move up the career ladder, you may need to obtain a master’s degree. Quality engineers acquire most skills through on the job training, including learning about the company’s processes and procedures. If you’re looking to grow in this role, starting in an entry-level position and working your way up would be the best place to start.

Senior Scientist

What does the role do: A senior scientist oversees a lab or the development of food products. They’re a research professional who demonstrates a strong understanding of the business, operations, food science, and the commercialization process. They assist in creating new products or technologies to help the business achieve its goals.

The woman behind the role: Gabriela Eyng at Rattin Mondelēz International. Learn more about her career journey here.

How to get started: A bachelor’s degree in food science, food process engineering, or chemical engineering is needed with a master’s degree setting you apart from other candidates. Previous experience with consumer packaged goods is usually desired.

Instructor and/or Private Chef

What does the role do: Instructors teach the art of cooking, including preparation techniques and cuisines, to those seeking degrees in culinary arts or those who are interested in expanding their cooking skills. Instructors can often leverage their expertise to also work as private chefs. Private chefs work independently to create meals and experiences for individuals or events.

The woman behind the role: Rachel Brumitt at Kinship Cooking. Learn more about how she got her start as an instructor and private chef and her perspective on the food service industry here .

How to get started: To become a cooking instructor or private chef, you’ll likely need formal culinary training. Depending on your state, you may also need a business license or catering license. Working in a restaurant to gain experience and expertise is a great place to start your career journey.

Category Manager

What does the role do: A category manager sells goods to the public or retailers. They work with marketing, research companies, supply chain, and commercial departments to implement and educate others on a common message and strategy. They’re responsible for vendor manager, product selection, product mix, product pricing, product display, marketing, planning, and inventory control.

The woman behind the role: Daniela Nath at CSCS. Learn about her career path and what accomplishments she’s most proud of here.

How to get started: Becoming a category manager typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, retailing, management, sales, or marketing. An MBA or master’s degree will set you apart from other candidates. Having previous experience in category management, merchandising, vendor relationships, product purchasing, financial analysis, or inventory control is preferable.

Owner

What does the role do: The possibilities are endless when it comes to being an owner. You can start your own restaurant, bakery, coffee shop, catering company, or whatever else your heart can dream.

The woman behind the role: Christina Whitney at The Confectionist. Learn more about how she started her own business here.

How to get started: The most significant thing you need to become an owner is passion and experience. There usually is no perfect or ideal time to start your own business. If you have the drive and the expertise, you can figure it out as you go.

Product Development

What does the role do: Product development involves a series of steps starting from the conceptualization of a product, and moves through the design, development, and marketing of a newly created or newly rebranded or design good or service. Designing or redesigning these products helps to meet the customers’ needs more effectively. Collaboration with multiple departments is needed throughout the process.

The woman behind the role: Liz Schmit at General Mills. Learn more about her role and expertise here.

How to get started: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, food engineering, chemical engineering, or biology is most often required. You can begin at an entry-level position, like a Product Development Specialist, where any experience in product, packing, or process development will set you apart from the competition.

Director of Global Operations

What does the role do: A Director of Global Operations oversees and drives optimization for internal processes. They focus on global analysis, sales, and customer service. Since their role oversees all operations, they need to have a strong understanding of everything going on in the business. The range of responsibilities can vary based on the size of the organization.

The woman behind the role: Alyssa Badger at Highground Dairy. Learn how she became interested in the food industry here.

How to get started: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a food industry-related field or business administration is most often needed. Previous experience in managerial positions is preferred, as is previous food industry experience. Working your way up the ladder within a company can help prove your skills and value.

Are you looking to network with professionals in the food industry? Join the Females in Food community! It’s a great opportunity to connect with women, learn more about jobs within the industry, and how women just like you got to where they are today.

5 Tips to Keep Your Digital Presence Fresh

How to Set Yourself Up For Success When Making a Change

7 Cool Jobs In The Food Industry & The Women Behind Them

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