I'm the type of employee that always likes to be challenged. I go to work to learn, grow, share, and achieve. I recently finished a 15 month contract as a Marketing Manager and eagerly looked forward to my next career jump. With new experiences and qualifications to add to my resume, I felt that companies would be fighting over me! In comes social media to kick the crap out of me. I am a self confessed social media avoider, and in the world of marketing, the two go hand in hand like coffee and a donut.
So as I contemplate my next move, I have a large task ahead of me in order to prepare for that question that will come up in an interview - "Why the gap?"
Instead of taking a $3000 course on social media, I'm taking baby steps and becoming a participant. I wouldn't say I have jumped in yet, it still scares the heck out of me. I'm just nibbling a little.
I've debated how best to track my newfound self guided education (remember I'll need it when a potential employer sees the gap in my resume), but since I didn't know how to blog, twitter, or....I'm sure there are more names I don't know yet, I wrote down some captured statements in my journal. You know, with a pen, and pretty paper, and lovely poetical sayings in the corner of every page. Some went in my regular journal, others in my 'dream' journal, and I think a few even made it into the journal I keep for my son. All in ink.
Then I debated whether or not I should start a word document of all my statements so that when I finally learned to blog, I could just cut and paste. Of course several weeks went by and I just kept trying to remember this 'good stuff' for a blog. I probably lost a few good lines just from memory loss (it is Oktoberfest after all).
So I think I can successfully say I have allowed myself to become a participant - Facebook, LinkedIn, my new found blog.... I'm on a roll. Now I have to send this to at least 3 friends who I know will read it. Of course it will be the most boring to look at it save for the awesome templates Google offers. I can't figure EVERYTHING out in just one night (pictures, labels, profiles.....so much to do).
Participant. Never thought I would get here.
CS
You are truly such a talented and amazing writer. I love it. I will read and respond to your insightful and funny posts. While experienced in the world of social media, my purpose is different, the enjoyment and direction slightly on a different path. But it all leads us back to one thing. Our connections, how we make them in the world, how we use them in our personal and professional lives and how we make our impact on the world. The world is a better place because of your self imposed GAP. I love you.
ReplyDelete