5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV Personality

5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV Personality5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV PersonalityIf you work onair at a television station, youve realized that the people who make the most money are the ones who have carved themselves a niche as a TV personality. Theyre the ones who are the most recognized people in your city. While it may have taken them years to position themselves as an irreplaceable TV personality, you can reach the same status by examining how you come across to viewers. Find a Look Everyone knows Gene Shalit from NBCs The Today Show by his curly hair and mustache. While an evening news anchor wont likely be allowed to duplicate Shalits unique style, there are small changes you can make to create a longer-lasting impression with viewers. Retired ABC news reporter Sam Donaldson always wore red neckties. Decide whether theres something memorable you can do to your appearance. Major adjustments will have to be discussed with your managers, so your plan to wear a f edora while delivering the 6 oclock news might get nixed. Find a Cause An easy way to create a ergeben following is to adopt a charitable cause. An anchorwoman who survived breast cancer is likely beloved by the local breast-cancer-fighting foundation, even though she didnt plan to get cancer just to get more viewers. If a health-related charity isnt your thing, find a way to help public schools in a high-profile way. Parents take notice of people wanting to improve classrooms. Try to become the face associated with the cause. You and the charity will both benefit from the exposure. Find a Style The most legendary TV personalities have a style thats all their own. Think of Peter Jennings, David Brinkley, or Barbara Walters from ABC, Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, or Andy Rooney from CBS. These people are sometimes imitated on Saturday Night Live because they are so unique. While you shouldnt decide that you want to sound like Tom Brokaw while reading the news, look through your r ecent stories or newscasts to see if theres a thread that binds them together. Do you like to demonstrate something while on the air? Do you want to be known for asking tough questions? Those can be the building blocks for developing your on-air style. Find Your Place in the Community Most on-air people come and go so quickly that viewers dont even notice them. Thats why managers often dont invest money or promotion in people they think will be gone in two years. You can show them youre worth the money by inserting yourself into the community, especially when theres no TV camera around. Teach Sunday school at your church, join a civic club, or find a leadership class. You will accomplish two things Touch small groups of people in a meaningful way and show your bosses that you have a commitment to something other than finding your next job. Find Consistency This may be the toughest point to follow because on-air people are used to change. You have to learn to pace yourself fo r the long haul. Its true that personalities like Oprah Winfrey found instant success on the national stage, but dig into their past and youll find it took a lot of hard work to get them there. Volunteering at the humane society one day a month wont turn you into an overnight TV personality. If you are truly interested in making an impact in your city, you have to dedicate your personal time and be patient while awaiting the payoff. It never hurts to remind your bosses of how you spend your off time.

3 Hard Truths About Moving Up the Ladder at Work - The Muse

3 Hard Truths About MovingUp the Ladder at Work - The Muse3 Hard Truths About MovingUp the Ladder at WorkEarly in my career, all I ever wanted was to become a manager. I had my fair share of jobs outside my field, but landed my first real job as an editorial assistant after graduating college. It was my foot in the door to kick off my career, and all I knew was that I wanted to move up from there (even though I had no idea what that looked like outside of my head).Fast forward to a couple of roles later, I finally landed the coveted title of manager. However, my path to moving on up didnt turn out like Id imagined Instead of a steady climb up the ladder, it was more like an American shinobi Warrior obstacle course.There were some things I encountered that the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed version of me never considered and no one ever warned me about.If youre on the same path to becoming a leader, get ready to prepare for some of these things to happen. 1. Your Hold on Time Gets Trick ierThe reward for getting promoted is more work- point blank. I found out the hard way that as I moved higher up the ladder, other things went up, too. There are the positive things that increase, like your salary (cant be mad at that) and accomplishments to add to your portfolio (finally, youre getting noticed). But then there are other things that go up, like your weight, blood pressure, number of meetings, and tasks on your to-do list. Your days become longer, but somehow the time you have to get work done becomes shorter.I know this doesnt sound glamorous, so this is where I stress the importance of time management and prioritizing. Sometimes, itll mean coming in early. Other times, itll mean staying late. And then there are times when youll have to say, The work will be here tomorrow. You cant wish away the extra work, but you can decide how youre going to tackle it.2. Your Words Have More WeightSo here it is You have to speak up to get promoted, and then once youre in a higher role, you have to watch what you say. I found that the more visibility I gained, the more I had to measure my words all eyes are on you in ways they werent before. Its an interesting mix, because the carefree days of telling it like it is or water cooler talk with co-workers become limited (or at least less obvious). Yet, there will be times when you have to give into sekretariat politics more than youd like.And, youll have to make sure that your communication skills are on point and you dont come across as being condescending or negative- especially if you manage a team.You dont have to completely censor yourself just be more aware of what you say and how you say it. 3. Your Path Becomes Less ClearIts funny how your career comes full circle the closer you get to the top of the ladder. You collect so much experience that you may ask yourself, Whats my next career move? Your next step becomes less obvious (hello, ceiling?).This is where youll start to wonderAm I content at this poin t?Can I compete for other jobs?Will I have to wait for my manager to retire for a role to open?Do I even want my managers job?The best way to address these questions is to answer them honestly. If you continue to perform a pulse check as to where you want to go with your career, you wont feel stuck. Youll define your own path. With all the adjustments that came with moving up, I found that while my path could have gone any which way, my vision of what I wanted became clearer. It became more about the quality of life than the quantity of work, helping others shine rather than being in the spotlight, and listening more than talking.I dont think theres ever going to be a magic book that outlines everything to expect when you move up in your career. However, these three lessons are good to keep in mind as you do. Then again, if you knew what the future held, would it really change your direction? Something to think about.

Study Men become interested in tech careers earlier than women

Study Men become interested in tech careers earlier than womenStudy Men become interested in tech careers earlier than womenMen express their interest in tech careers sooner than women, and are more likely to remain in the field for the long haul, according to a new report.Global professional recruitment firm and IT outsourcing service provider Harvey Nash Inc. surveyed 658 men and women in tech and found that 46% of male respondents became interested in a tech career by the the time they were in high school or college - compared to 41% of women during that time period, according tothe 2017 Harvey Nash Women in Technology report.The divide widens the earlier you go 20% of men surveyed said they were interested in tech in elementary and middle school, more than double the number of women who were, or only 9%.More men said they got interested in the world of IT through a STEM (Science, Technology,Engineering, Math) track, with nearly three times as many men as women studying engineeri ng before getting a career in IT, according to the findings,which were produced in partnership withARA, which Harvey Nash sponsors.The visibility and value of a STEM education has skyrocketed in the last decade, but were not yet seeing the full impact translate to the IT workplace,Bob Miano,Harvey NashUSA President and CEO, said in a statement.School and home life can spark the first interest for technology, but individuals as well as companies need to take action throughout the lifecycle of IT careers to keep that enthusiasm alive Increasing and keeping women in IT is critical to meet the demand for tech talent in the midst of a permanent IT labor shortage, he said.The challenges of working in ITRegardless of when men or women enter the tech force, the findings show that employees struggle to feel appreciated at IT jobs regardless of their gender - 18% of men and 17% of women who quit their last job in tech did so partially to seek better balance.Thirty-four percent of those surve yed agreed that its harder to balance life pressures with a technology career versus another career choice, 38% thought the hours are too long, and 34% said there isnt enough flexibility.Still, the pressures continue to stack up for women in tech, as30% of women say that an unwelcoming environment to women and minorities is one of the greatest challenges in their field, compared to just 13% of men.Twenty-six percent of women said they worry they dont have enough confidence - more than double the 12% of men who think similarly.In addition, 43%of women said they faced a lack of advancement opportunities, compared tojust 26% of men, the study found.But there are ways to boost morale and representation of women in the tech industry.One solution lies in mentorshipThe majority of participants (69%) said encouraging women to go after tech careers in high school or college is the top solution to boosting the number of women in tech.But introducing mentorship programs to preserve the number of women who have already made their way into the industry, and keeping them moving up the ladder also emerged as one of the primary ways to improve tech overall, the study found.While 57% of women respondents whove had a mentor say having one was a help to their career, only 22% of all organizations and 28% large enterprise firms (with more than 1,000 workers) have formal programs in place to promote women in technology.Anna A. Frazzetto, Chief Digital Technology Officer SVP, Harvey Nash, said that employees should advocate for themselves - even if their companies arent willing or able to meet them halfway.Ask for what you want, but also dont be afraid to ask for help If you cant find the support you need at your own company, an engaged mentor or coach can provide a gut check to help you tackle skill gaps and hurdles, Frazzetto said, adding that the responsibility for mentoring employees should ideally fall to the company.