Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wi-Fi Tips at Hotels - Worth Sharing
Read an interesting article that is worth sharing. How to avoid Paying for Mulitple Wi-Fi Connections in One Room at hotels. There are great tips and instructions which could potentially apply in a staff office, not just an individual hotel room.
Friday, March 20, 2009
INTD's Featured City - Chicago
This month INTD is featuring Chicago as a top destination for meeting and event planners. While Chicago offers amazing hotels, unique venues, restaurants and some of the best industry suppliers in the business, it is also home to over 50 top-level freelance travel directors!
Access INTD's travel director database for more details.
Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Meeting and Event Planners Resource Guide to Chicago!
Read more about why Chicago is on the Rise.
Access INTD's travel director database for more details.
Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Meeting and Event Planners Resource Guide to Chicago!
Read more about why Chicago is on the Rise.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Top 10 Online Job Search Tips
INTD’s job board was established to make applying to meeting jobs easier and more efficient. However, when it comes to creating a fruitful online job search, successful seekers can follow these 10 guidelines.
1. If you build it, they can come.
Instead of simply posting your profile on INTD’s site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information. Link your site’s URL address to your INTD profile.
2. Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself.
Google your name to see what comes up -- and what companies will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control. Check Yahoo and other search engines too.
3. Stay focused.
Only apply to jobs you are qualified for or meet the stated criteria. While you may be willing to apply to ANY job out there in hopes that the company will make an exception based on your skills, companies are more turned off when they are bombarded with applicants who do NOT meet the job description.
4. Obtain a professional headshot.
Adding a professional and current headshot to your online profile is imperative. It is not about being glamorous. Today companies want to know you have the ability to present yourself in a professional manner. Using a candid photo that your friends have been cut out of is not recommended. Go to outlets such as Target and Wal-Mart for an inexpensive photo session and request a digital copy.
5. Update your profile and resume.
Login to your INTD profile often and be sure to update your recent projects and references. The great thing about being and INTD member is your profile is 100% secure. Only Planner members may access your info after posting a job. Your profile shows the date you last logged into your account.
6. Utilize job alerts.
INTD’s job board allows you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about newly available jobs that match your membership type. Go one step further and subscribe to the RSS feed from the job board to appear on your customized Internet homepage or your PC's news-reader software.
7. Get connected.
How many times have you been told that it's not what you know, but who you know? Thanks to professional networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn.com and INTD, travel directors no longer have to rely on word of mouth referrals. These sites provide access to hundreds of industry professionals and allow you to connect with people you know and the people they know and so forth.
8. Participate in forums.
Join meeting industry forums and participate on their discussion and make sure to include your signature. INTD’s message board and Linkedin Group is a great way to network with fellow members. Just be sure to avoid spamming or soliciting these forums.
9. Write articles.
Want to spread the word about your personal expertise? Submit an article on a topic you are passionate about to industry sites and INTD. This is a great way to increase your exposure.
10. Be willing to negotiate.
Last but not least, be willing to negotiate your compensation. Companies are on extremely tight budgets these days and on-site staffing costs are being highly scrutinized. If you can afford to accept a project that may be lower than your normal rate, do so with enthusiasm and appreciation of the opportunity. Especially if the project is for a company you have never partnered with previously. Who knows where this opportunity may lead.
Also, be sure your compensation rate is listed as negotiable on your INTD online profile. Applying to positions that are lower pay than what your profile displays can easily eliminate you as a potential candidate.
1. If you build it, they can come.
Instead of simply posting your profile on INTD’s site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information. Link your site’s URL address to your INTD profile.
2. Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself.
Google your name to see what comes up -- and what companies will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control. Check Yahoo and other search engines too.
3. Stay focused.
Only apply to jobs you are qualified for or meet the stated criteria. While you may be willing to apply to ANY job out there in hopes that the company will make an exception based on your skills, companies are more turned off when they are bombarded with applicants who do NOT meet the job description.
4. Obtain a professional headshot.
Adding a professional and current headshot to your online profile is imperative. It is not about being glamorous. Today companies want to know you have the ability to present yourself in a professional manner. Using a candid photo that your friends have been cut out of is not recommended. Go to outlets such as Target and Wal-Mart for an inexpensive photo session and request a digital copy.
5. Update your profile and resume.
Login to your INTD profile often and be sure to update your recent projects and references. The great thing about being and INTD member is your profile is 100% secure. Only Planner members may access your info after posting a job. Your profile shows the date you last logged into your account.
6. Utilize job alerts.
INTD’s job board allows you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about newly available jobs that match your membership type. Go one step further and subscribe to the RSS feed from the job board to appear on your customized Internet homepage or your PC's news-reader software.
7. Get connected.
How many times have you been told that it's not what you know, but who you know? Thanks to professional networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn.com and INTD, travel directors no longer have to rely on word of mouth referrals. These sites provide access to hundreds of industry professionals and allow you to connect with people you know and the people they know and so forth.
8. Participate in forums.
Join meeting industry forums and participate on their discussion and make sure to include your signature. INTD’s message board and Linkedin Group is a great way to network with fellow members. Just be sure to avoid spamming or soliciting these forums.
9. Write articles.
Want to spread the word about your personal expertise? Submit an article on a topic you are passionate about to industry sites and INTD. This is a great way to increase your exposure.
10. Be willing to negotiate.
Last but not least, be willing to negotiate your compensation. Companies are on extremely tight budgets these days and on-site staffing costs are being highly scrutinized. If you can afford to accept a project that may be lower than your normal rate, do so with enthusiasm and appreciation of the opportunity. Especially if the project is for a company you have never partnered with previously. Who knows where this opportunity may lead.
Also, be sure your compensation rate is listed as negotiable on your INTD online profile. Applying to positions that are lower pay than what your profile displays can easily eliminate you as a potential candidate.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Show me the money!
While this phrase is a very old movie reference, unfortunately it is currently hitting home to millions worldwide. Over the past few months I have been scouring industry message boards and social networking groups to assess the situation and how hospitality professionals are handling things. I have to say, attitudes are not good.
While this is not news to anyone, I think I was more surprised by the public venting people were willing to publish on online forums. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely worried about the economy and the stability of my own income, however, are we really losing sight of maintaining grace, dignity and professionalism in the eyes of this financial crisis?
With many professionals using message boards, blogs and social networking sites as a way to network and possibly find a new job, everyone should really give thought to what they are posting publically. Taking the opportunity to vent and rant about the terrible state of your current job, how much business you have lost or how you are willing to do anything to find a job, just comes across as desperate and sends the wrong message to readers and potential employers.
It is so important to stand out among your peers without appearing distressed, especially when looking for a job. If you want someone to “show you the money”, it is imperative to stay positive and professional at all times. Rather than focusing on things that are NOT going right, try focusing on more optimistic points like what you are doing to enhance your career. Take every opportunity to share your experience with industry peers so they become more familiar with your area of expertise.
Take for example Jamina Alvarez who is this month’s Featured Travel Director. Since becoming a member and being hired for a project through INTD in her home town of Puerto Rico, Jamina keeps our development team updated occasionally on what she is working on. While business is also slow in PR, she is consistently positive, upbeat and energetic. And even though some of her efforts may not come to fruition, she is remains undaunted and dedicated to making the most of the current situation. For more about Jamina read her article “The Future is Bright in Puerto Rico”.
The bottom line is most of us are being affected by the economy in some way. However, isn’t the secret to success really about empowering yourself and the law of attraction? I am a firm believer that what you put into the universe is what you will get back in return. I definitely think this also applies to the worldwide web.
While this is not news to anyone, I think I was more surprised by the public venting people were willing to publish on online forums. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely worried about the economy and the stability of my own income, however, are we really losing sight of maintaining grace, dignity and professionalism in the eyes of this financial crisis?
With many professionals using message boards, blogs and social networking sites as a way to network and possibly find a new job, everyone should really give thought to what they are posting publically. Taking the opportunity to vent and rant about the terrible state of your current job, how much business you have lost or how you are willing to do anything to find a job, just comes across as desperate and sends the wrong message to readers and potential employers.
It is so important to stand out among your peers without appearing distressed, especially when looking for a job. If you want someone to “show you the money”, it is imperative to stay positive and professional at all times. Rather than focusing on things that are NOT going right, try focusing on more optimistic points like what you are doing to enhance your career. Take every opportunity to share your experience with industry peers so they become more familiar with your area of expertise.
Take for example Jamina Alvarez who is this month’s Featured Travel Director. Since becoming a member and being hired for a project through INTD in her home town of Puerto Rico, Jamina keeps our development team updated occasionally on what she is working on. While business is also slow in PR, she is consistently positive, upbeat and energetic. And even though some of her efforts may not come to fruition, she is remains undaunted and dedicated to making the most of the current situation. For more about Jamina read her article “The Future is Bright in Puerto Rico”.
The bottom line is most of us are being affected by the economy in some way. However, isn’t the secret to success really about empowering yourself and the law of attraction? I am a firm believer that what you put into the universe is what you will get back in return. I definitely think this also applies to the worldwide web.
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