Category: Job

Job

5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance

Featuredby Abby Phillips2 Comments on 5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance
5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance

I love working from home. It’s a luxury to take my dogs for a walk on my lunch break, wear comfy pants all day, and throw a load of laundry in the washer on a brain break. In fact, I’ve never worked in an office. Working from home (WFH) is all I know. In today’s job market, hybrid and fully remote positions are the norm. While I’m certainly pro-WFH, I’ll be the first to admit it has its challenges, and poor Wifi connection isn’t the only one.

Without face-to-face interaction and office camaraderie, it’s easy to feel isolated and disconnected from the company and your team. But one thing is for sure, feeling like you’re on your own island isn’t good for anyone.

Of course, a healthy team culture is the key to staying engaged from a distance. Here are some ways to make that happen.

1. Establish Clear Expectations

From the start, clear expectations around communication, guidelines, and protocol are imperative to a remote team. What are the working expectations? Are hours flexible? How will meetings run? How often will the team collaborate and connect?

Establishing the functionality of a workspace is the foundation of good engagement across remote teams. Clear expectations should lay out the culture of the team and ways to seek personal and professional community. Regular virtual meetings with managers are a great way to discuss individual progress, provide feedback, and address any concerns while offering a continued stream of communication surrounding expectations.

2. Get Connected

Anyone who works from home in any capacity has most likely felt some sense of isolation. Some thrive without daily interactions, but I’m not one of them. In my opinion, the best morale booster is a face-to-face (or screen-to-screen) connection!

We spend approximately 40+ hours per week with our coworkers in any given capacity. Whether it’s brainstorming topics, building out plans, or sharing a coffee together, make the most of it! Here are some ways to get and stay connected.

  • Hop on a call – Schedule regular video calls with your team to maintain face-to-face communication and connection. It can be regarding work, but it can also be for fun!
  • Send a chat – Death by meeting is real. Take advantage of the various forms of instant messaging or chat tools for real-time communication and collaboration. Send a Teams or Slack message to your colleague to connect on various topics.
  • Hop on office hours – Establish optional virtual office hours as a way to check in and discuss topics as needed.
  • Enjoy social hour – Work doesn’t always have to be so monotonous. Create virtual social events, such as happy hours, coffee talks, or themed meetings to foster team synergy and connection.

3. Take a Break

Staring at a computer screen all day is physically and mentally draining. Take a much-needed break to let your brain rest and recharge, even if only for a brief time. Whether you fold laundry, take your dog for a walk, or just sit on your couch, brain breaks are the best way to avoid burnout, boost productivity, and maintain your mental health.

In fact, those who take breaks at work experience physical and mental benefits, including fewer headaches, eye strain, lower back pain, higher job satisfaction, and lower rates of burnout. A healthier, happier you is just a few brain breaks away.

4. Set a Routine

For many work-from-homers, routines are necessary to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

One of the many benefits of working from home is the time you are given back in your daily schedule. More time to exercise in the morning instead of sitting in traffic. More time to eat a healthy, hearty breakfast rather than a drive-thru sandwich. More time to spend with family, read books, and enjoy the outdoors. Just more time.

A constant and flexible routine allows you to engage colleagues and resources during working hours so you can enjoy more “you” time!

5. Stay Organized

While communication is of the utmost importance, so is organization! Without organization, working collaboratively with a virtual team can get messy and confusing. If your home office lacks storage like mine, organization can be a challenge. However, project management tools are here to save the my-office-is-so-cluttered-I-can’t-think-straight day.

Project Management software, like Trello, Monday.com, and Asana, keeps track of tasks, project progress, and collaboration across teams. It’s a game-changer for collaborating and staying organized on projects while working remotely. The best part? There are some great free options!

It’s no surprise that working from home can present a unique set of challenges. While it may feel like you’re off on your own island, you can have a meaningful company experience from afar. With the right tools and strategies, it’s possible to maintain productivity and stay engaged with your remote team. Who would trade that for a commute to work anyway?

Job

33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know

Featuredby Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on 33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know
33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know

I remember feeling like a million bucks walking through the doors of my very first marketing meeting. It was the very first day of my very first Marketing job—coffee and confidence ran through my young, eager veins.

It wasn’t even 5 minutes into the meeting when my I’m-a-girl-boss-marketer bubble popped. I had no idea what was going on. An extreme sense of panic came over me faster than the coffee I downed a few hours prior. 

What am I doing here? They surely hired the wrong candidate. I don’t know anything. I am so underqualified. 

Words like ROIs and MQLs were among the many that surely put a look of confusion on my face. Instead of nodding and pretending to know what was going on, I started jotting down notes. Not just any notes, though—I started a running list of unknown terms and looked them up immediately following. A marketing dictionary, if you will. 

Since then, the list has grown significantly. And with that, so has my knowledge of marketing. 

If you have ever been a Marketing deer in headlights like me, here is my gift to you. Print it out, save it on your computer, add to it, or recite it before bed — you might find you enjoy the peace of mind of knowing the difference between CTA and CRM. 

  1. 1-Pager: Also known as a Sales Sheet or Flyer, a 1-Pager is a 1-page document that highlights information on a given topic. It is often a product or solution sheet for a specific brand. 
  1. Analytics: Data points that identify and track trends in activity to bring purpose and understanding to marketing efforts. 
  1. Blog: A low-cost form of short or long-form content that boosts brand awareness, increases website traffic and engagement, and builds trust and credibility. 
  1. Bounce Rate: A metric used to measure engagement across the web and email. Bounce rate refers to the number, or percentage, of users who immediately leave or “bounce” from a webpage without taking any action while there.
  1. Call to Action (CTA): A CTA is a suggested action for audiences to take, often on websites, emails, and other forms of content.  
  1. Case Study: A form of content that showcases a real-world example highlighting the benefit of using a brand’s product or service. Case studies are used by marketers to show how a brand provided a solution or made a positive impact. 
  1. Content Marketing: A marketing strategy focused on creating and sharing quality content to target audiences to produce leads and build brand awareness. 
  1. Content Management System (CMS): A software or platform used to manage the content lifecycle, including creation, editing, and management. A CMS streamlines the process of content creation and allows for a simplified approach to managing content. 
  1. Conversion Rate: The metric used to track the percentage of users who complete the desired action, like responding to a CTA. Marketers desire high conversion rates because it represents how effective marketing efforts are. 
  1. Customer Journey: The interactions and experiences customers have between the first touchpoint and the purchase time. This process helps understand the customer better to improve the overall customer experience. 
  1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): A CRM is a tool used by marketers to measure the relationship lifecycle with clients and prospects, including interactions and meetings. A CRM allows companies to grow their business through relationship building/tracking.
  1. Brand Awareness: The familiarity an individual has with a specific brand or product. Brand Awareness is an important measure in marketing, as it is how clients and prospects recognize your brand, which influences buying habits. 
  1. Demand Generation: A marketing strategy used to generate demand and awareness for a brand. Demand Gen builds revenue by driving high-quality leads.  
  1. eBook: An eBook, or an electronic book, is a digital, downloadable content piece often available in PDF form that provides relevant information on a given topic. An eBook provides in-depth resources to readers and allows marketers to position their brand as trusted thought leaders within an industry. 
  1. Editorial Calendar: A tool used by content marketers to plan, schedule, and organize content over a period of time. 
  1. Gated Content: Content that requires specific or personal information to view. For example, it may be required to enter your name and email in a lead capture form to access an eBook on 2023 Content Marketing Trends. Gated Content is a strategy used in lead generation to identify prospects and increase leads. 
  1. HTML: HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, is the language of the web. With HTML, marketers can provide a customizable experience to viewers on different mediums—emails, web, etc. 
  1. Inbound Marketing: The strategy marketers use to attract prospects through the use of valuable digital content and experiences. 
  1. Infographic: A form of visual content used to make content more digestible to target audiences.  
  1. Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Specific goals set by individuals and teams to track numerical metrics throughout a specific time. KPIs show trends in marketing to highlight how marketing efforts impact engagement. 
  1. Landing Page: A webpage users “land” on after being directed from another source to convert visitors to leads and eventually sales. 
  1. Marketing Automation: Software that manages and automates marketing tasks for a company, including campaigns and activities. Marketing automation improves efficiency across teams, essentially bringing in more revenue. 
  1. Marketing Plan: The outline or roadmap of a brand’s marketing strategy and the action steps needed to obtain certain goals over a period of time. 
  1. Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL): A lead generated by marketing efforts that are likely to convert to a sale. MQLs are often generated through completing forms on websites, downloading gated content, signing up for webinars, etc.
  1. Organic Marketing: A cost-effective marketing initiative used to drive traffic without paid media. (i.e. blogs)
  1. Paid Marketing: A marketing initiative that used purchased advertising to target specific audiences with marketing campaigns and materials. Paid Marketing is a quick and effective way to promote your business and build brand awareness.
  1. Personas: A marketing persona is a fictional depiction of a brand’s ideal customer. Personas humanize customers to tailor content to the specific target audience(s).
  1. Return on Investment (ROI): Marketing ROI is the calculation of how much revenue marketing efforts contribute. It is calculated by subtracting marketing costs from sales growth and dividing it by marketing costs. Essentially, ROI justifies marketing efforts. 
  1. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is a method of offering a platform or tool through a digital format via the web. MailChimp, HubSpot, and Salesforce are examples of companies who offer SaaS. 
  1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): The science of using content, keywords, links, and more to improve a website’s search optimization in major search engines. The purpose of SEO is to drive traffic to a company’s website. 
  1. Subject Matter Expert (SME): A Subject Matter Expert, or SME, is a person who specializes in a specific subject or industry. SMEs are important to marketing teams by contributing knowledge and expertise to content development and marketing strategy. 
  1. Webinar: An online event hosted by a company to inform, educate, and/or entertain audiences. Webinars are a low-cost marketing initiative used to build brand awareness and credibility, often converting to sales. 
  1. Whitepaper: An in-depth, informational document on a specific topic that addresses a problem and offers a solution. Similar to an eBook, a whitepaper is a long-form content piece used by marketers to highlight the benefit of a solution and encourage sales.

Just like my knowledge of marketing, this list will continue to grow and evolve to include more information for marketers like you and me. 

With each new term, strategy, and method I learn, a little bit more confidence runs through my veins. As for the coffee, it’s always been there. 

I’d love to know what terms you think should be added to this list. Comment below and share your thoughts! 

Job

Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off

Featuredby Abby Phillips3 Comments on Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off
Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off

Apparently, it’s lay-off season, and I’m the latest victim of this brutal storm. 

The world of business has always been cut-throat, but I had no idea it would happen so soon in my career. But you know what they say, there’s a first time for everything! 

Ha — can you tell humor is my coping mechanism? 

I’m sure you’re familiar with lay-offs, but has anyone ever told you getting laid off sends you down a grief spiral? 

Sadness, disbelief, anger, despair. Yes, you feel them all, and sometimes all at once. 

It’s a weird thing really. You always hear about companies facing financial distress, but never think it’ll be you getting the boot. You work so hard, you go above and beyond personally and professionally, and you have such loyalty to your company. You never think it’ll be you until it is. 

Not until you get the phone call at 9:30 am on a Tuesday and your world stops for a second. 

How can a 60-second call end so much? 

“Your position is being cut.” Disbelief.

Your team of rockstar professionals-turned-friends will never work together again. Sadness. 

Oh, and you’ll no longer get paid either. Panic.

All of this gone in a 60-second call. Anger. 

How am I already back to this point again? 50 job applications sent. Exhaustion. 

Another rejection email? Despair. 

And suddenly I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place; Unsure what my next move is or where to go. Young enough to start over, but waiting for a sign to lead me.

Clearly, I’m still in the thick of it — grieving the loss of a job I loved, oh so much. 

It’s a process I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But, in a way, I’m grateful for it. 

Here are 3 tips on how to stay successful after getting laid off:

1. Keep a routine.

Do your best to not fall out of your routine. Instead, replace it with new, beneficial, and productive activities. Use this time to make yourself better than when you started.

2. Network like no tomorrow. 

Find connections through your connections. Someone can introduce you or vouch for you. Give them the chance and nurture those relationships. Don’t stop once you find a new job, either. Always continue to build your network.

3. Set goals for yourself.

Create daily, weekly, and monthly goals for yourself. Get them done. Make new goals. Do it again.

I’m holding out for the hope that something much better is just ahead. Sometimes God pushes us when he knows we wouldn’t take the steps ourselves. 

Though it hasn’t been long, this “vacation” has given me time to reevaluate and appreciate what’s around me. 

  • My supportive and loving husband. In a scary time like this, I’ve never felt so safe and supported. 
  • My family and friends. I truly have the best support system around me. Whether helping me find jobs, looking over my resume, or grabbing coffee because it’s been too long. 
  • The little things: putting some extra love into my garden, daily workouts — sometimes even 2, treating myself to Starbucks (everyday), and having time to write again. 

Who knows, maybe that’s what I needed. 

This story isn’t finished yet. It never will be, but my next chapter is coming soon! 💗

Job

LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS

by Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS
LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS

If you ask my husband what my favorite social media platform is, he will most likely tell you it is LinkedIn. And since we are being honest, he is not wrong.

I like to think of LinkedIn as the “professional Facebook” because I am constantly scrolling and connecting with people in my industry.

I love building connections, learning new things, and finding jobs on the free social media platform.

In fact, I find myself serving as somewhat of a LinkedIn ambassador, if you cannot already tell.

But despite how much I love LinkedIn, it shocks me knowing how many young and seasoned professionals are not using it at all, or at least not using it to their full advantage.

Yes, I know.

I know they are missing out on free connections, unlimited content, and potential jobs.

I know they are intimidated and unsure how to use the platform.

I know.

But, fear not, for I am here to share with all you novice LinkedIn users the Dos and Don’ts of LinkedIn.

DOS:

  1. Post content. This is a networking site, after all. Share updates with your network about your promotion at work, college graduation, most recent certifications, the first day on the job, your professional portfolio, projects you are proud of, company awards, job openings, or anything else you would like to share with your professional network. 
  1. Update your profile. Your profile is the first thing your connections and future employers will see– make sure it looks good! Choose a professional profile photo and attractive banner to personalize your profile. Create a relevant and enticing tagline to draw people to your page. Add value to your profile by writing an exciting and relevant “About” section that explains your professional background, goals, and experience. 
  1. Share relevant documents with your network. Include your resume, work examples, and website with your connections to increase your personal brand visibility. Take it a step further by featuring these documents on your profile. 
  1. Find jobs/companies that pique your interest and connect with people who work there. I will argue that LinkedIn has better job postings than any other website I have been on. Visit the “jobs” tab to see the current job postings in your desired search. 
  1. Respond to your messages. Don’t miss out on an awesome opportunity by not responding to a message on LinkedIn. Respond promptly to every message, whether you are interested or not. 

DON’TS:

  1. Do not at any time ever confuse this professional platform with that of a dating site, or anything suggesting otherwise. This is not the platform for finding any connection other than a professional one. 
  1. Do not be afraid to connect with a stranger! The goal of this platform is to help create connections and grow professionally. This would be impossible if you decline every connection from someone you do not know. 
  1. Do not send irrelevant and unrelated messages to your connections (or anyone!) Always keep in mind LinkedIn etiquette and maintain professionalism at all times. 
  1. Don’t be shy-– ask previous employers, coworkers, and clients for recommendations and endorsements to highlight on your profile. 
  1. Don’t post too often or too infrequently. Maintain engagement with your connections, but be sure not to overload them with irrelevant content. Give your connections valuable information they want to read!

We know that networking is absolutely necessary to escalate your career to the next point. LinkedIn serves as an invaluable asset to professionals if used correctly.

Now, log on to your LinkedIn and start connecting. You can start with me! 🙂 

Job

THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER

by Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER
THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER

The months leading up to graduation are an awkward time. There are those select few go-getters who somehow secured a job post-grad and then there are those like me: successfully received 20 rejection emails in a single day. Can I put that on my resume? 

However, I have figured it out for myself and here it is…

I don’t look good on paper.

There, I said it. It is harsh, it is true, and it is not what a recent or almost college graduate wants to hear (especially when applying for jobs!)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I did not spend college maxing out my credit cards and skipping class; although let’s be honest, there was some of that. I spent my time working 30+ hours a week while going to school full-time, being active in greek life, writing for the school magazine, and oh— having a life, too.

Somehow in the past four years I missed the lesson on how to get a job. Here is where I went wrong:

I worked to make money, not to gain experience. 

What I did not realize was that I needed relevant work experience throughout college. While I may have no debt or student loans, I have three years of experience in a field that will not help me get a job in Marketing or Communications. 

And there it is— I don’t look good on paper. 

Now, in the meantime, here are some helpful tips I have found while figuring out the job market:

  1. Design a good resume. Post it everywhere. Send it to everyone. The more people who see it, the more likely you are to get a job. 
  2. Invest time in building your professional social media, aka LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid to connect with strangers— that’s the whole idea of networking! 
  3. Apply, apply, apply! Try to not be discouraged by the few (or dozens) of rejection emails. The more applications you submit, the more job opportunities available!
  4. Apply for jobs where you are under-qualified. While you may not get the position, you can build a connection or have your resume on file for the future. 
  5. Create opportunities for yourself. While I may not meet the “5+ years of work experience” requirement, I can offer experience of my own; hence, starting a blog. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog! Have any tips for me? Let me know below!