How can social media help your career? If you are a client or an alumni of the CBD Network in Vernon, B.C., you can find out on March 25, 2010 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. when I speak to that group. If you are thinking of jumping careers, or if you are looking for work, you may want to consider becoming a CBD Network client and attending this event.
CBD Network stands for Career Business Development network. They help professional and highly skilled people find work. They are great at it too. In fact, I was a client in 1999 after I was laid off from a full-time marketing position. (My lay-off was a result of the restructuring of a majour ski resort.) I also became a client in 2006 when I decided to put self-employment on the backburner for a while and get a "job" with a regular paycheque. (Obviously, I got bored with a regular paycheque and returned to self-employment because here I am writing this blog and promoting myself as an on-line marketing coach.)
The CBD Network's process teaches you how to identify what you really want in a career and put this information into a resume that positions you as an expert in your skill set. Then, they provide coaching around how to network and market yourself to that perfect career, or one that will be the stepping stone at least. In my case in 1999, I chose a career of self-employment. With that choice, they referred me onto a self-employment program and I started my company Lava Marketing. In 2006, they were definitely instrumental in helping me land a great job that I enjoyed thoroughly and did well at until I got over my self-employment, life, baby-making, father-dying, fire-evacuating burn-out and got bored. (There are some stories there I will tell another time, or upon request.)
My career and self-employment transitions were made a bit easier with Government of Canada money that I accessed with the assistance of the CBD Network. And I didn't have to pay for the CBD Network's assistance because some government agency paid them.
The Okanagan is not exactly plentiful in the job department and finding a good job requires guerilla marketing techniques that you will learn as a client of the CBD Network.
In the one hour presentation on Thursday, March 25, 2010, I will review social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter and provide some tips on how blogging can help a career.
If you are an out of work professional, contact the CBD Network in either Vernon or Kelowna to see if you are a good fit for their services. If you don't qualify as a CBD Network client or alumni, I offer one-on-one or group coaching on those techniques too.
Thanks for reading.
Courtenay Pitcher, not burned out, happy, professional job hunter
I love your blog, Courtenay! And thanks for promoting CBD Network's services! I'm always surprised that so many eligible job seekers are not aware of the NUMEROUS programs and services that are available to assist all unemployed Canadians. These programs are funded through our tax and EI deductions, and, if utilized, can reduce the time that you spend looking for your next career step quite significantly! We look forward eagerly to attending your presentation on March 25 here at our Vernon office, and I encourage any professionals who feel they might benefit from some assistance with their job search to contact us at CBD Network (info@cbdnetwork.com)and we can tell you how to get started. There are jobs out there (in the Hidden Job Market), and CBD Network can teach you the strategies to find them!
Posted by: Anita Suess, Employment Manager, CBD Network Inc., Vernon | 03/08/2010 at 10:10 AM
My pleasure.
Posted by: Courtenay Pitcher | 03/04/2010 at 02:34 PM
Courtenay
Thank you for those kind words about CBD Network.. Add some updates since 2006. We are providing career services to about 1000 skilled and professionals per year. Our surveys show that 70% find unadvertized jobs (hidden market). The power and importance of networking is constantly proven every day with us.
You can look forward to additional services through our new websites coming on stream in April of this year
Posted by: Gow | 03/04/2010 at 02:24 PM