The Creative Career

I’m helping Molly Hoyne Mahar over at Stratejoy put together a fantastic event in Chicago for women. The event will cover the following topics:

• – Specific strategies for evaluating your current reality
• - Inspiration & techniques to clarify YOUR version of success
• - Guidance through the creation of an action plans to tackle the big dreams

So head on over to stratejoy.com to learn more and register—space is limited!

I’ve found, over time, a few common factors across most networking events. If you’re feeling intimidated by these events, keep these things in mind:

1. Try attending a few events alone. When people attend networking events with friends or colleagues, they tend to create a comfort bubble and chat among themselves—which, by default, leads to far less networking with others
2. Know that most people feel a bit awkward when they arrive at an event and do an initial survey of the scene—but remember, they’re all there there to network too. That’s the point. Don’t be afraid to walk up to an individual or group and ask what brings them to the event
3. The more events you go to—and the more you reach out to strangers—the more people you’ll know next time (and you will see many of the same people again, so it will only get easier!)
4. If the event itself is not a great environment for meeting others (too noisy, too crowded, not enough time, etc.), make plans for a follow up lunch, coffee or gathering with other friends who you know would have something to add to the conversation. I met some great friends in the city through a simple follow up at a networking event for interns years ago
5. Volunteering at an event is one of the single greatest ways to break the ice—you have an automatic in with those who are running the event and other volunteers

How do you approach networking events?

When I moved to Chicago in the summer of 2007, it took me a few solid months to settle into the city and find female friends to explore the city with. I wish I’d been more tapped into blogs and social networks back then—because there are all kinds of events and great opportunities to get out if you know where to look.

So here’s one. If you’re new to town (or even if you’re not, and you’re just looking for a relaxing way to spend your Sunday afternoon), check out the CRAVE Bloom + Tone party this Sunday. The event consists of four 30-minute mini fitness classes, mini spa services, healthy snacks, a talk with a nutritionist and other fun happenings.

I know a few friends who are already planning to go—it should be a good time!

When: Sunday, March 28, 1-6 PM
Where: Architectural Artifacts at 4325 N Ravenswood in Chicago
Price: $25

Full disclosure: I have received a free ticket to the event, compliments of CRAVE Chicago, though I’d truly go either way (my friends will be there—I don’t want to miss out)

After writing about career advice for so long, I’m proud to announce that I’m leading the hiring process for my own company. Loudpixel is ready to grow!

We’re looking for an Online Research Assistant. Jump on over to the Loudpixel blog to learn more.

Photo: Fishing for the big one by HikingArtist.com

During my time speaking at the PRSSA Get in the Loop conference hosted by DePaul last week, I had the opportunity to chat with a number of students about their hopes for their future careers. As can be expected, a number of students are looking to land jobs in large established PR or advertising agencies. They seem to see this as their only opportunity to work with big name clients.

Truth be told, the fragmentation of media has left a lot of opportunities for the little guys to win specialized portions of business from some big name clients—and with online communication where it is, it’s not terribly difficult to begin building a global network for yourself.

So don’t discount the little guys during your job hunt. They may offer equally fantastic opportunities to get your career off to a great start working with both large and small clients.

Those of you who are looking for career advice (which I imagine is everyone, given the focus of this blog) may find this event worthwhile:

Though you can’t change the economy, you can change your career—which is why Nicole has partnered with Plan B to bring women of the Chicago area a night of top-level networking not to be missed. Held at the prestigious Hotel Allegro, guests who RSVP will receive a VIP pass to the event which includes:

• -Chatting up women in the area you need to have on speed dial
• -Free cocktails and desserts
• -Complimentary career advice from Nicole Williams

And the details:

• Date: February 17th, 2010
• Location: The Allegro Hotel
  171 West Randolph Street
  Chicago, IL
• Time: 6-8pm
• RSVP: RSVP (at) nicolewilliams.com

I’ll be speaking next Friday, February 12 at Chicago PR: Get in the Loop, presented by PRSSA of DePaul University. If you’re planning to attend, swing by and say hello. I love to meet students and help out where I can—whether that’s lending advice from my own experiences, connecting students to people who may be able to help them in their careers or passing on a resume to some of the agencies in Chicago.

See you there!

Here’s something I’ve been meaning to write about for some time, in part because it’s something that I’ve dealt with personally.

I remember having a serious conversation with my friend, Kevin, the summer we both started PR internships in Chicago. We talked about the industry’s turnover rate (about 17.5% in the Midwest at the time—employees are often motivated to make the shift for larger salaries, a better fit in corporate culture or new locations), and we discussed our goals to break that mold and have a solid stay within a single agency.

Alas, while Kevin has maintained a successful career within the same agency that he interned with, I took a different route. I ended up moving to a new agency about a year into my career, and I recently left agency life altogether to start my own business with my fiancé and a good friend.

So who took the best route to career success?

I have no regrets about where I am today—I’m building a successful business with some of my closest friends, and I have had the chance to learn from incredibly brilliant colleagues and mentors who I still call my friends. But after the first move, I vowed to myself that the only thing that would motivate me to leave the agency was if I was going to work for myself. I actually don’t think consistent agency hopping is a good career choice, nor is it good for the companies you leave or the industry as a whole.

While it may lead to a short-term pay raise or change of scene, agency hopping has a number of downfalls:

1. Starting over is difficult. It takes time to build relationships and establish trust.
2. It’s not fair to colleagues. Agencies invest a lot of time getting employees up to speed on new projects and procedures, along with ongoing industry training. They also invest emotionally to build a successful team dynamic.
3. Leaving is emotionally difficult. It’s hard to tell a trusted team that you’re taking off. It can feel a bit like betrayal—going against the trust of the team, no matter how positive the intentions.
4. It could hurt in the long run. Agency hopping might be a good change in the short term, but a long resume of short-term jobs doesn’t read as very reliable.
5. The little stuff. Don’t forget about all of the little things that make a move difficult, from transferring 401Ks to selecting new health insurance.

Ultimately, I think there are only two reasons that make the change worth it.

1. You’re leaving agency life altogether to try something completely new (and hopefully long-term).
2. The idea of Monday morning makes you physically ill.

How do you feel about this issue? I’d love to hear your opinions.