Quick InterviewWhat five words best describe you?Self-description is difficult without seeming boastful. Therefore, I will instead share how those I have worked for have described me. • PERSONABLE in writing style When writing for Corporate Communications or for Marketing, it’s easy to make the mistake of adopting the “voice” of a conglomerate group of people, using the characteristic language and tone of a business entity. Although I can deftly utilize such “corporate-speak,” I find that this typical writing style automatically creates skepticism in the minds of employees, stockholders, or customers who read it. The tone of such messages alerts readers that those words of propaganda spin have been carefully crafted to create an impression that might not be true. I have been praised for my ability to translate messages from corporate-speak into a relatable person-to-person writing style that builds trust. • CLEAR I have earned compliments for taking on large complicated blocks of complex information and distilling them down into clearly organized and easily understandable “bite-size” pieces. • FOCUSED With laser focus, I highlight the unique characteristic of a product, service, or organization that sets it apart from all others. • CREATIVE I grab the attention of readers with unusual headlines, titles, and subject lines that create curiosity. • EMPATHETIC People have praised my ability to attune myself with the mindset of target readers and craft stories that will tug at their heartstrings with emotional impact. … and two more Bonus Words … • FLEXIBLE I am accustomed to juggling multiple projects at once, quickly shifting from one to another whenever a supervisor needs to make a change in priority. • EXPERIENCED Over a span of three decades, I have done everything … addressing internal and external audiences with every digital, print, and broadcast medium including: email blasts, e-newsletters, website copy, magazine articles, ads, speeches, and collateral literature. I have created corporate communications and marketing content for a diverse range of products and services, including home healthcare agencies, a Fortune 500 senior care company, a religious resource publisher and retailer, a Jacuzzi retail chain, the Shop at Home TV Network, the American Red Cross, a convenience store chain, an office products manufacturer, and Gibson Guitar. What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?The first two that I think of stem from a long campaign to lose 130 lbs. As a result, I became an aficionado of – • DIET I know them all, have tried them all, and learned the scientific rationale behind each one. I finally found the answers that worked for me. • EXERCISE I reached my goal with the aid of hiking and resistance training … plus occasional kayaking. Another more sedentary interest is – • THEATRE Since my days as a performer in college, I have appreciated the work of great scriptwriters and directors on stage and screen. While most people are fans of actors … I am instead a fan of screenwriters like Aaron Sorkin and directors like Vince Gilligan, Ridley Scott, Stanley Kubrick, and Michael Mann. I am thrilled by brilliantly crafted dialogue and artistically composed cinematography. What make's a great boss?• CLEAR COMMUNICATION I always appreciate it when a boss can precisely let me know the style of work product he or she wants. For those instances in which they can only provide some general guidance, I create a close-to-target first draft to help them think of specific adjustments that enable me to perfectly hit the mark. • FLEXIBLE CONTROL I admire a boss who is flexible enough to exert tight control when a project requires exact execution of their personal vision … or unleash the reins on their staff when a project calls for new ideas. • LOYAL ADVOCACY The best working relationship you can have is with a boss who is your fiercest fan. They advocate for your work and protect you. In turn, you as an employee are inspired to loyally act in their best interests, enhance their performance, elevate their image among management, and assist their career advancement. What is your yardstick for success?There are many different measures of success, based on the particular emphasis of a communications role. In Corporate Communications, success can be measured by – • Employee morale • Employee retention • Positive perception of the company among constituents, clients, customers, stockholders, partners, vendors, and the surrounding community In Marketing, success can be measured by – • Sales increases • Profit increases • Stock price increases • Company growth In addition to these general metrics, I measure my personal job performance success by – • Advancement of my boss: such as my supervising Marketing Director promoted to VP; or my VP of Marketing promoted to CEO. • Compliments from my supervisors. I have been told – • “You are very easy to manage … “ In a position where I reported to the CEO, he once told me: “You are very easy to manage. I can go for a couple of weeks without meeting with you and trust that as you finish each project you will always pick the next highest priority task in line that I would have picked. And you then execute it the way I would have directed you to do so. You already instinctively know what I will want you to do.” • “This is so much better than what I expected.” I consider compliments for over-delivering above expectations as special badges of success. At the Fortune 500 company Brookdale Senior Living, I wrote all articles for the corporate communications magazine Optimum Life, taking them beyond what were previously mere factoid profiles of residents of our senior living communities. I uncovered and told interesting stories that brought resident personalities to life and engaged readers with the drama of their adventures. The Managing Editor echoed sentiments of the Creative Directors when she told me, “This so much better than what I expected.” In addition to inspiring employees, and creating newfound respect among residents for their neighbors, my articles helped overcome the dread felt among prospective residents about moving to a senior living community. My stories helped prospects see that there was still hope for a fulfilling quality of life if they moved there. In my portfolio, you will find collections of everyday emails praising my work, sent by CEOs, VPs, Marketing Directors, Brand Managers, Creative Directors, Art Directors, and Division Managers. What are your long-term professional goals?While some may view a writing position as a stepping-stone, I see it as a landing point where I can continually develop in place. Instead of aspiring to become a VP, I aspire to simply refine and enhance my writing craft to a greater degree. In addition, I wish to continue my habit of long-term tenure. I was in my corporate communications position at the Shop at Home TV Network for 5 years, and would still be there if a conglomerate buyer had not shut the network down. Likewise, my 9-year tenure at Cokesbury/Abingdon Press would have continued to this day if not for a department takeover by a new VP from Harper Collins. I seek another long-term tenure in my next job … let’s say 10—20 years. That is my ambition. |
