Last week I left Michigan for beautiful San Diego to attend the annual Career Directors International (CDI) Summit. The conference was an absolute success! The topics were relevant to the resume writing and career coaching industries and the Catamaran Resort was picturesque with the Pacific Ocean to our west and Mission Bay to the east. The only glitch was the weather, but the fog and cool climate couldn’t detract from a memorable experience!

Most of the participants were able to visit with old friends and meet those in person they had only spoken with via Twitter, Facebook, email, eGroups and other virtual platforms. My take-a-ways from the conference were many but the first was that I am blessed to be in an industry with so many warm and friendly people. They are true experts in their field and came to the conference willing to share and support each other during such a fun event.

Conversations varied but the focus was usually on our clients, the job seekers. Every presentation and conversation centered on how we could help our clients in their job search using new technology and social media, career related products and services, career document development, coaching on job search stages and strategies, and even our own business’s growth.

Other take-a-ways from the CDI conference included the reminder of how crucial it is to use targeted resumes and career documents that are focused, concise and aimed at a particular company or position. Teaching clients when and how to use social media in their job search was also a strong theme for the conference. Job seekers that use these mediums effectively gain opportunity, and showcase their ability to stay on the leading edge of technology and trends by utilizing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and of course LinkedIn in their job search.

Networking effectively during the search using social media tools and career marketing documents was also reinforced. Networking begins with meeting new contacts and maintaining those and existing relationships not only throughout your job search but throughout your career.

On my way home from the conference I wrote notes on the many nuggets captured during my trip that will be used for future blog postings and products and services I can offer to assist my clients. I felt very proud as I shared some of the conference nuggets with the person next to me on the plane ride home; once again realizing that our expertise and commitment to staying current with certifications, technology and social trends really is contributing to a better economy and brighter future.

I just returned from the Career Directors International (CDI) conference last night. What a great time seeing old colleagues and meeting new ones. A truly enjoyable and informative conference.

For some of the presenters, including Jason Alba, Barbara Safani, and Louise Kursmark, their underlying theme was the importance of using Web 2.0 business and social networks to increase visibility. My job seeker take away from these speakers was that being visible on these networks is vital in today’s economy and with today’s available technology. Job seekers can effectively use this job search strategy to develop their visibility for recruiters, hiring managers and decision makers.

Creating keyword and content rich profiles and becoming a proactive participant on networking sites such as Linkedin.com, Facebook.com and Twitter.com are a great way to start. However, being active on these networks is only effective if you use these sites as tools to build your brand and value proposition.

Keep communications professional to quickly increase your brand by including articles, opinions, and helpful site, book, blog and speaker links and recommendations. It is an effective way to strengthen your online presence and make your first impression positive and make you memorable for the right reasons.

I am excited be attending the 2009 CDI Empowerment Summit which takes place at the end of this week (October 16^th-17^th) in Orlando, Florida. The Career Directors International (CDI) Association with its President, Laura DeCarlo, never stops amazing me.

The Association has a content rich website full of support for career professionals and job seekers. It also has an active membership which communicates regularly through e-lists, webinars, and conference calls. Career professionals contemplating joining CDI won’t be disappointed in their membership – it is really a great group of professionals!

The CDI Empowerment Summit holds the same promise. I’ve gotten a glimpse of the conference program which looks to be 2 full days of new and helpful information for career professionals to use and pass on to their clients. In case you won’t be there, watch for updates on Twitter from attendees including myself (@KrisPlantrich) using #cdi09 hashtag.

I’ll be sure to blog about the conference and share the new nuggets I’ll uncover while I’m there.

Learning and continuing to improve what you do is how you can stay ahead of the game. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out some new job board, career tool, or networking source such at twitter comes along and I am off and running. My goal is to know it all. So, when a client calls with questions I feel confident in helping them and I will be able to understand what they are looking for. By me being a know-it-all, I can help them find ways to use this new knowledge to improve their career search. Now, I really don’t expect to know it all but I am going to try. And, if I don’t know it when my client calls, I will learn about it when we end the call.

Trying to keep your job, especially in today’s economy is definitely a challenge. Sometimes know matter what you know or how good you are, your job is still eliminated and the only thing you can do is move forward. If you currently have a job and are worried about your future, trying improving your skills and stepping up your work performance and get noticed.

What ever your job is you can always find ways to improve your performance. Read industry magazines, learn new procedures, new ways to expand business or find ways to cut costs. By knowing more and working to get noticed you are also improving your skills and achievements – which you can take with you where ever you go! This not only improves your performance but it improves your marketability. So, get noticed by being a know-it-all, it just might save your job!

Shine on!

As a way of promoting good career management health, International Update Your Resume Month was enacted by Career Directors International; a global professional association providing education, connection, and innovation for those in the career industry. It was developed to remind employees at every level that preparation is key to being able to act fast and stay ahead of the competition. Being prepared showcases your organizational skills, commitment to your career progression and is probably fair to say, a reflection of your strong work ethics.

If you haven’t updated your resume in the past year or two and feel there may be a change, either voluntarily or involuntarily in your future, it might be a good time to do some updating. Take control of your career by being prepared!

Shine On!