Archive for July, 2009

“My dream for my business is to be an icon for change, and my dresses are symbols of that”

A story about personal growth and branding.

It has taken me over 2 months to write this blog, and I couldn’t figure out why. I’ve come to the conclusion that I procrastinate for one of three reasons: I’m afraid of something, I really don’t care about it, or I don’t understand it.

In this case, I’m afraid of it.

I don’t know how to present this story and get my point across…there is just so much to it!

I want to start by telling you the purpose of this story: to inspire you to do something outside your comfort zone, tell the world who you are, and get what you want.

Let me start at the beginning…

May 18, 2009 – I’m asked the life-changing question: “How do you expect your clients to step outside of their comfort zone to promote themselves if you’re not willing to do it?” (This excellent question was asked by Becky Blanton who was helping me with some publicity ideas at the time. She’s a genius – hire her. For anything.)

Read the rest of this entry »

No, I think your office looks great...

I just learned that in some cultures, if you pay someone a compliment on something they own, they give that object to you.

I had to think twice about what this means in a society where compliments don’t always serve the purpose they are meant to have. I know I’m guilty of giving a compliment or two to make someone happy, not necessarily because I liked a new haircut or poodle purse accessory. Sometimes things just fall out of my mouth and I’m not entirely sure why I said anything at all. Nervousness? Maybe. Ignorance? Perhaps. Looking for excuses? Anything is possible.

If you knew that every time you gave a compliment, it would mean you got the thing you commented on, would you give as many compliments? Do you think people would be more genuine, or do you think it would lead to a mass hysteria of bardering gone bad? Farmers giving out gaggles of cattle, grocery stores out of business because everyone commented on their beautiful selection of dairy products and produce…it could get ugly fast.

Or could it generate a more authentic life for all of us if we had to think twice about everything we said and why we said it?

Creating a world where what you say really means something could be the beginning of a shift when it comes to presenting ourselves and how we communicate who we are and what we want. Next time you’re about to pay someone a compliment, think about why you’re saying it and what you really mean. It could be the first step in creating more meaningful conversations and relationships.

Enfield ReminderNews— 06/16/2009

Career advice program is timely during economic downturn

BY JENNIFER COE Staff Writer

The career series being offered by the Enfield Public Library seems to be meeting a
community need, and it’s no surprise considering how many layoffs Enfield and
surrounding towns have seen during the economic downturn. As the series began on
Wednesday, June 10, the community room at the library was packed with folks from all
walks of life looking for “creative” ways to look and obtain a good job.

The presenter for this series is Angelia Lussier, a graduate of UMASS and founder of the
365 Degrees Consulting in Chicopee, Mass. Lussier has experience in marketing,
executive recruiting and considers herself to be a “creative” career consultant. “I
primarily create “anti-resumes ” which are completely different approaches to getting the
job you want. My approach is to help my client come up with something creative and
specific to stand out,” said Lussier.

Her presentation on the Top Ten Mistakes that Job Seekers Make, and her direct and
witty personality conveyed solid advice to those who attended .

“Job seeking doesn’t have to suck,” she said.

Everyone came with pen and paper and was dutifully writing notes down and preparing to answer questions during the feedback session. Their attention was rapt on every bit of advice Lussier gave, as they looked for the one thing that they, perhaps, were not doing.

Many attendees had questions about how to “flip” your weaknesses into strengths during an interview.

Lussier’s advice was that the best way to flip your weakness is to find a way to grow in it. It is especially important to be able to show an interviewer what you are doing to grow in that area of weakness.

For example, if you are someone who struggles with deadlines , she suggested taking a time management course. Or, if you do not feel comfortable speaking in front of groups, join a group like Toastmasters to improve in this area. Then, she feels, the interviewer sees your motivation to change.

Merely changing the way you verbally state your weakness is not enough, you have to show growth.
Another question asked by a young professional was if employers really read all the cover letters? Lussier and others in attendance said that they probably do not, but that if you are e-mailing your resume, they do read the e-mail , so put important information in the body of the e-mail and do attach a cover letter in case they require one.

One of the older residents attending the workshop asked if faxing resumes was still appropriate? While one attendee said that the state of CT seems to like it, Lussier felt that the fax machine is going the way of the 8-track tape and was not the best way to get your resume noticed.

“I think a lot of older people are using the old job searching techniques.  I also think that they view their age as a hurdle rather than a positive, which makes it harder to find a job,” said Lussier. “No one stays at the same job for 30 years anymore , times are changing and older people are just as hireable as the younger ones.”

A lot of time was spent talking about networking, something that many job seekers would rather not do. Lussier encouraged her class to sign up for local groups, both professional and hobby oriented. She also emphasized that if you are not employed, you should be volunteering in the community and “getting out there,” not “sitting in the basement in the dark with your dog all day.”

Lussier will be back June 17 to discuss “Creating a Targeted and Fulfilling Job Search,” July 1 to discuss “Let’s Make a Resume” and on July 8 to discuss “How to Brand Yourself and Get in Front of Employers.”

All presentations are at 7:30 and are free.

Daily Hampshire Gazette ‐ Monday, May 4, 2009

Free Series Tackles Job Hunting

People keep telling Angela Lussier that offering an eight‐week job‐search series at three locations is
simply too much work.

She doesn’t want to hear it. “I’m willing to do the work,” said Lussier, 28, of Chicopee.
“Everyone says they need jobs but they don’t know how to look for them. Writing a resume, mailing it
out, and waiting for the phone to ring” doesn’t work anymore, she said.

Lussier’s goal is to offer fresh ideas through her summer career series titled: “Inspiring Career Seminars
For the Creative Job Seeker”.

Sessions will be held at the Forbes Library in Northampton and at the South Hadley Public Library. Both
sites accommodate 50 people. A third series is set for Enfield, Conn.
Lussier said she notes everything experts say bout successful job searching, including TV segments that
feature tips. To her, all the advice lacks the same element: How, precisely, to do it. “(Most advice) is
selling concepts, but not selling step‐by‐step, what to do,” she said.

Lussier, who described herself as a “creative career consultant” owns a first‐year business called 365
Degrees Consulting. She meets with people to work one‐on‐one.
Through the free series, she said she hopes to gain exposure and help people tackle a tough assignment
in today’s economy: finding a job that suits them.

Asked which of the sessions she deems most important, she said the second week’s offering. It is titled

“Read, Aim, Fire: Creating A Targeted & Fulfilling Job Search.”In her view, that is where most people fall short. “People say the sent out 100 resumes, but they aren’t
targeting the job they are looking for,” she said. They’re not looking for anything specific. They won’t get
close to their dream job (with that strategy).”

“A lot of people could benefit,” she said of her program, from the recent college grad to someone
looking to make a career change. Those looking for extra help can work with her one‐on‐one, for a fee.
She said. “I want people to learn,” she said. “No matter where you are in your career, people need to
change the way they look for jobs.”

Lussier graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
She is a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, Pioneer Valley Toastmasters,
Western Mass Woman Business Owners Alliance, and ProSpeakers.

The seminars are open to the public. People can attend all sessions, or choose on an individual basis.
Pre‐registration is required. Forbes Library sessions run Mondays in June, starting June 1 from 1:30‐2:30
PM and from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, and July 6, 13, and 20 at the same times. The South Hadley sessions start
May 6 and are on Wednesdays, 5:30‐6:30 PM: May 6, 13, and 20, June 3, 10; and July 1, 8 and 16.
For more information, email angelussier@yahoo.com or call 413‐426‐2720.
‐DEBORAH OAKLEY

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Don't mess with me.

Ever go to a job interview only to feel like you left with a verbal wedgie, a noogie or a slap in the face? Negative interviewers can do that to you, especially if you aren’t prepared. So prepare yourself now with these tips:

1. Intimidation is the killer of confidence, so instead of letting hot headed CEOs get under your skin, try taking the “kill them with kindness” approach. Be the exact opposite of the person sitting across from you and let them know that you’re in control by not bowing down to their demands or condescending remarks. You’d be surprised how well this works when they are used to being in control!

2. It only takes one bad interview with the devil’s apprentice to know what to look for next time. Before the interview, call the person you are meeting with to confirm. Say, “Hi, this is Sally Sue and I wanted to call and confirm our interview at 11am tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to meeting you!”. See what your contact says to this. If you get an agitated why are you calling and wasting my time? response, then prepare yourself for battle. If you get a polite and welcoming reply, you should be in the clear.

3. Go to your happy place. Watch a funny movie or surround yourself with people who make you laugh the night before/morning of the interview. Feeling good about yourself when you walk into a boxing match framed as an interview gives you a solid foundation to start with. Prepare for the worst case scenario by walking in the door in the best mindset you can. Read the rest of this entry »