Not one job change, not two but a third job change within a nine month window tested my family’s sanity and senses.  Remember “Scanners,” the 1981 movie where someone’s noggin explodes like an uncovered dish in a microwave?  Might as well have been mine. Throw in opinionated toddlers, a decision to jump area codes again as well as an unforgiving real estate market and we found ourselves feeling like this guy.

Smack in the middle of the chaos stood one sobering reality, I did not have an effective backup plan.  A thriving career with dynamic media companies?  Very fortunate.  Documented examples of increasing bottom lines and boosting ratings?  Yup.  Paid the water bill on time?  They love us.  Did I have a viable action plan amidst job change?  Not as concrete as I wanted.

So once I walked out the door for the last time at a major media company amidst a complete personnel makeover, did I know where to go next?  As a tireless networker with the gift of gab and over 1300+ LinkedIn contacts, would I be able to immediately and effectively navigate a land mine of a job change, a fierce search climate and perhaps the greatest economic calamity since the Great Depression?  Did I effectively plant seeds of opportunity within my network that would hopefully open doors?  Not as rooted as I thought I did.

Fast forward to now and I will say, “I’m forever grateful.”  Maintaining professional alliances proved helpful as it landed me an incredible opportunity within a company I’m absolutely excited about.  What was my one valuable takeaway?  A humbling reminder that the most effective way to manage job change is to manage it before it even arrives.  

Lessons Learned Amidst Job Change

1. Stay Active. Continue to actively invest now, tomorrow and later in LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network.  Recent statistics show that 80% of LinkedIn members influence business decisions at their company.  With more than four billion searches through the end of 2011, keep your 1^st and 2^nd level connections aware of where you are, what you are currently doing and where you would like to be down the line even if you are already in the perfect situation.  Remember, professional reconnaissance doesn’t always equate to you are looking for a new gig!  Effective networking is smart, career healthy and has been around since the dawn of man.
2. Go Local. Fostering relationships within local networking groups allow for introductions via a common ground. The perfect icebreaker, commonality establishes shared focus as you collectively “tap into the power of collaboration, support, and most importantly, referrals” to seek, pin down and exhaust opportunities. Become a baseline of credibility in your field of expertise as your voice grows louder and your opinion becomes a sought after source of value in your community.
3. Volunteer Now.  Offer up value before the opportunity arrives, and your community will love you for it. Statistically, it works to your benefit. 73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without.  94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills in the workforce.  Plus show people what causes you are passionate about.  Humanizing your brand is the perfect profile compliment.
4. Rub Elbows. Put yourself within six inches of those that influence.  Not only could decision makers benefit from a strategically executed elevator speech, but swimming where the sharks feed saves you time, energy and money.  BTW who holds some of the more valuable seats during a networking event? Try the registration folks who check in (literally) attendees and key influencers who aren’t shy about sharing who they are, what they do and what valuable role they play in their companies.  Not to mention you walk away with a trendy t-shirt that’s always in high demand.
5. Be Loud.  You are your own professional megaphone. Build online profiles that scream value in all the right places. LinkedIn, WordPress, About.Me and Google+ are obvious choices.  Others such as Bebo, Ning and Tagged allow for variety and different avenues of social integration.  As your brand evolves, keep the world informed of your change.  Modify your LinkedIn headline or Twitter bio to match critical status updates or a job change.  Showcase a project that truly benefited people or your company.  Be an agent of change through sites such as Slideshare (one of the top ten learning tools in 2011), Prezi, and Slideboom.  Delivering an invaluable presentation doesn’t always require a live audience and popcorn.  BTW 5 Tips For An Effective Slideshare Presentation.
6. Pay If Forward.  Professional karma is a real thing.  Takes steps and pave the way for others.  “It is because the simple act of helping in and of itself is a way to move yourself in the right direction – from helpless to helper.  When it comes down to it, we feel better about ourselves when we help other people” says Christina Gilyutin of Bright Green Talent.

Bottom line, what are you currently doing on a daily basis that maximizes on your marketability, uniqueness and ability to stay upright when job competition stiffens or worse, you experience job change?

Become a bulls eye of value and opportunity as opposed to the opposite.  After all, getting caught in the cross hairs of job change is at times unavoidable regardless if you’ve eclipsed rock star status.  Stand on solid ground by managing unwanted job change smoothly and effectively with daily focus… now!  It doesn’t mean you’re on the professional prowl or looking to jump ship.  It just puts you in a better state of control and focus unlike the guy in this clip.

Share your thoughts.  What do you think about my 6 Simple Tips On How To Manage Job Change?  What are you doing to better manage your career?

Maintaining your online video brand is no different.  Comfort zones, as I had mentioned allow for streamlined, cost saving processes, real big check marks on a line producer’s clip board.

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Create Better Video

Familiarity with what works also opens up for what I call “production spaces,” small blocks of time that lets you investigate diverse creative arcs or on the fly production enhancements with little disruption.  As we all know, in any business, having a tool belt with minimal second guessing is what makes clients giddy.

But there’s also a flip side.  Comfort can be limiting.  Staying within your creative strikezone in your videos is exactly that, throwing at bullseyes that is small in range. What happens then if your client asks for creative options even if just on paper or worse, in casual conversation?  Would you be able to provide stylistic options or just fall back on what you currently know?  Would that in turn position you as limited or one dimensional?

The point is successful storytelling and video engagements is also about options.  And sometimes that requires navigating your uncomfort zone.  Even with straight point and shoot HD cameras like The Flip or Zi8, creative variety only improves your experience behind the lens as well as sets you up for learning opportunities.  Here are 6 Simple Ways On How To Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Create Better Video.  For pros like Dan Perez The South Florida Filmmaker, these are nothing new.  For beginners, great ways to enhance their video product.  But first a piece I recently put together that utilized what I’m suggesting.

1. Go Big.  It’s the beauty of HD.  Higher resolutions (1080 and above) on standard definition timelines allow for unique cropping opportunities and efficient use of source clips.  Who say your shots have to be centered? For reference, check out a Sprite Step Off production that I edited.
2. Be A Reality Director.  My favorite by a mile.  Utilize well grounded tripods, manual focus and quick zoom hits to deliver that “24″ journalistic feel (yes the Fox show with the guy from The Lost Boys).  It’s that subtle popping motion, often utilized by news magazines, that adds a layer of realism.  This takes a little practice.   A jerky hand is not what we are going for here.
3. Be Quiet.  Very, very underutilized.  In tv promos or movie trailers, music or audio drop outs at strategic moments heightens emotion.  Why not online for your value testimonials?  Timed correctly and your selling points resonate just a little more.
4. Use More Stills.  Don’t be afraid to incorporate more stills (epecially black and white) into your video.  Not only does it break up stagnancy, it adds a layer of production value.  Look through your video lens with a photographer eye and you’ll be amazed how you isolate on key moments.
5. Break The Flow.  Often annoying to many editors, I find some value in jump cuts as long as they are strategically used.  For those who don’t know, a jump cut is “two sequential shots of the same subject taken from camera positions that vary only slightly.  This type of edit causes the subject of the shots to appear to jump position in a discontinuous way.”  Utilized with the right transition such as a “flash,” your piece can showcase some creative style.
6. Use The Body.  Take advantage of what your subject offers up.  Broll of active hands, scenery and facial expressions keeps your audience engaged and not to mention breaks up viewer monotony.  Always keep your viewer’s attention span top of mind.  Plus they serve as effective masking agents when your video quality is poor at certain points.

Not everything above is for everyone.  But once you utilize one or a combination of some, your production value increases.  6 Simple Ways On How To Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Create Better Video. It’s what people remember you by.  But please run your creative by the clients first.  No need to have constant slow motion and white doves like John Woo if it’ll break your budget or worse, your client could care less.  As always, if you have any questions, please send them my way. Happy to help.

SXSW: By the numbers

sxsw . 2011

2011 SXSW

SXSW Dreaming in Austin Episode 2

1. Be organic in your thinking.  Unfortunately, deadlines are sometimes the rudimentary cause for an ineffective video presence online.  If a client allows or if its a promotional presentation for yourself, tackle the process like an artist building a clay statue.  Build in small increments, filling in as you literally feel your way through the creative process.  Non linear editing software (Final Cut, Premiere, IMovie, Movie Maker) offers that luxury, letting you edit at any point or location in your timeline.  Take advantage of that freedom and let it evolve organically.  You’ll be surprised that editing the end or middle first, might kick start a project quicker or push it another way creatively.  The front to finish shotgun approach is a thing of the past.  Bottom line, edit when and where it feels right.
2. Don’t let technical hurdles slow you down.   Take advantage of the Internet with an abundance of video and audio resources available free of charge from blossoming content producers.  Scour YouTube and Vimeo for detailed multi part instructionals. For those who have a leg up with Final Cut and AfterFX experience, try Video Pilot for stock footage and easy to transfer time lines.  For audio, sites like Audi0Jungle offer royalty free audio tracks and Jamedo even provides “free and legal music downloads.”
3. Follow Three C’s With Video.  Clarity, cohesiveness and composure are the glues that keep audiences visually focused.  Let your brand and reputation shoulder the load offline as you focus on the pin point importance of delivery and composure in front of the camera.  Rehearse, practice, rehearse and repeat.  Avoid lingering shots (hover on .5- 1.5 seconds), utilize transitions that translate smoothly online and utilize interspersed cuts of subject and cover video for variety.  Please spend the $100 on a tripod and by all means avoid “boxed” effects.  It’s so 1985.
4. Treat Audio As One Takes.  I alway shoot video with one rule always top of mind.  ”Bad video will stall your project, badly recorded audio will end it.” Unfortunately, audio that’s way past the red levels or is lost in environment noise is 9 out 10 ten not correctable.  Invest in something as simple as a Rode Video Microphone ($149) or a Zoom H1 Recorder ($99) to isolate as well as magnify your source when interference is present.  Be aware of your surroundings, listen for wind when outdoors and master your external mic’s limitations.  Would it be more beneficial to shoot cover as well as one on one interviews afterwards in a more secluded setting?  Do you have enough suitable bites to carry their weight in edit, especially if it’s sales related?  Remember, you only get once chance with audio.
5. Focus On Your Core Message.  Remember, easy to digest messaging will be easier to “buy” than lengthy broad stroked promises.  Studies show that two to three minute segments as opposed to lengthier all encompassing :10 minute marathons retain audiences far more effectively.  Plus, your reputation as a subject matter expert is enhanced with frequency and a posted schedule.  Like chapters in a book, create a series of webisodes that’ll cultivate your tribe and direct them forward.  Start and close each segment with brand reinforcement and client value.  Lastly, always tease what’s coming up next.

What are you thoughts on my 5 Ways On How To Simplify Your Online Video Making Process?  What are you doing to drive your video messages with as much efficiency and reach as possible.  As always, if there questions I can answer,  I would love to hear from you.

5 Easy Ways On How To Get Noticed During Job Transition

Maintaining your personal brand during career transitions has never been more important. Maintenance might not only magnify your presence among potential employers, it might just set you apart when it matters the most, getting noticed. Here are Five Easy Ways On How To Get Noticed During Job Transition.

1. Keep It Social. Never has there been a greater floodgate of connected opportunity than on social media channels. Not only do referrals from employees sustain high value because they typically have a higher success rate, leveraging opportunity with reach in LinkedIn escalates exponentially as your connection count increases. It is recommended to garner at least 65-100 connections with most of them being people in your industry. Twitter also serves as viable employment on ramps with quick bursts of search and exchange. Tweetmyjobs.com, Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com lead the way. Profiles like @jobsintech and @twittin4job to @tweetmyjobs cater to specific sectors or the latest in search tactics. Bottom line, traditional job search methods are simply not enough. A 2010 survey by Jobvite found that “73 percent of companies use social media to support their recruitment effort.” LinkedIn is the most popular site among recruiters, with 78 percent using the site to recruit, followed by Facebook (55 %) and Twitter (45 %). Like a hot hand, play the percentages to your favor.
2. Tap Into Your Six Degrees. According to career transition experts Lee Hecht Harrison, networking is hands down still the best method to land your next career opportunity. A whopping 85% of job seekers rely on networking for employment. On the lower end, 10-15% via job boards and 10-12% via recruiters. In today’s climate, you’ll also find people more willing to help than not, extending a hand that they know will only return in the future. Tap your network for job leads and advice on specific companies or industries. Better yet, let them introduce you to others. Expanding your professional clout might be slow at times but it’s still a symbiotic and organic process. Join professional organizations locally, volunteer in your preferred line of work and contact alumni or old fraternity members who are in your field. As my friend and chief enthusiast Jenny DeVaughn always stresses, pay it forward. Professional karma is infectious.
3. Go video. According to the latest ComScore statistics , “172 million U.S. Internet users watched online video content in December 2010 for an average of 14.6 hours per viewer. The total U.S. Internet audience engaged in nearly 5.2 billion viewing sessions during the course of the month.” That is an obscene amount of eyeballs with alot of them in the position to influence and hire. Create a video profile solidifying your position as a subject matter expert. Widen the gap between you and your professional competitors. Become a citizen journalist reporting the latest trends and opportunities within your sector. Let your voice be heard and face be known at a time when it’s never been more affordable to produce a video for the Web.
4. Write. Blog. Share. Blogging or contributing as a guest blogger not only strengthens your brand as a subject matter expert in your respective field, you fuel channels of information exchange. Showcase your talents and how past employers have benefited from your contributions with examples or perhaps a highlight reel. Let core competencies such as effective writing style, communication skills and strategic thinking open eyeballs of opportunity to your favor. Being a human billiard ball of useful information might land you in the corner pocket (or office) of your next big thing.
5. Stick with your core and follow your passion. What could be the most obvious reason, follow what truly make you happy. It positions you as a focused employee in the eyes of employers as well as solidifies your “brand” as genuine. Most importantly, it puts you on the path you truly want to walk in. Don’t be that person that realizes after 15 years, they’ve missed their calling to do professional good. Following your core beacons not only merges professional and personal goals, but they also accelerate you as an instrument of change in your family and work environment. What spouse or boss wouldn’t want that on their team?

Bottom line, be patient, follow your passion and have faith. If you are treading in a career nebula, realize you might actually be standing on a springboard of opportunity, waiting to catapult you from transition to permanency. It might not be readily obvious but it’s there.

What are your thoughts on Five Easy Ways On How To Get Noticed During Job Transition and tips for success? BTW did I mention I too am in job transition? Practicing what I’m preaching as they say.