Networking Forum

When I receive feedback from others about my writing and my public speaking, I often get complimented upon my ability to connect complicated subjects to everyday issues, and to present these issues in clear and concise language. This is actually the number one compliment I have received on everything from my thesis to my presentations on disability and technology.

I mention this in relation to John's question about what skills I think I can bring an employer because I think it gets at the heart of what is meant in job descriptions when they state "must be able to communicate" or "must possess strong writing and speakingabilities." It is a soft skill, but it is a transferable skill, and I think my blog both cultivates the skill and provides a forum to demonstrate that skill. Being able to write clearly and concisely on all sorts of subjects may not seem like a hard skill which would influence a potential employer, but I feel that it is a skill which can often be the extra ace up one's sleeve in demonstrating one's potential value to an organization, because it is a rare skill and yet one which is needed ona daily basis for things like press releases, fact sheets, product descriptions, and event reports, not to mention newsletters and Web site content development. Additionally, the blog allows employers to easily get a sense of who I am and what my values are, rather than relying on the stiff static documents which typically get created for business purposes. As aspect of personality such as "emotional intelligence" become an increasingly important aspect of the interview process, I think that the ability to give the employer a glimpse into how you work and think can demonstrate how well you may fit in with a company's own individual culture.

I'm semi-retired but operate my own consulting business as an LLC, and I hope to continue to do that for the next five or six years.

Looking at my paper-based portfolio, here's how I would sum up my strongest point:

"I'm ready to use my 2005 training as a Global Career Development Facilitator, my 14 years in career management for adults with disabilities, and my 28 years of senior management in the Fortune 500 to enhance your group’s career development services for individuals with disabilities."

Since I've been submitting material online since 1997, a Google of "James R. Hasse" shows a lot of the work I've done during the last 10 years in the area of disability employment.

My ePortfolio could contain links to the most pertinent disability employment material I've published online.

Hello John;

It is difficult to isolate a single key element that would capture the attention of a prospective employer. However, I would say that my ability to communicate clearly and concisely coupled with my demonstrated flexibility in taking on a variety of different projects, would be qualities that would capture a prospective employer’s interest.

Over the years I have worked on both paid and unpaid projects relating to numerous aspects of the disability community including working directly with customers, advocacy and helping to set policy.

I feel that these qualities demonstrate that I have adaptability and flexibility and would be a good fit within their work culture.

I like the responses folks have provided and would incorporate some of these suggestions into my blog. In my eportfolio, I would highlight my social skills and willingness/ability to listen to all points of view and reach consensus. I do this every day as an advocate for people with disabilities, educating Members of Congress, their staff, Administration officials, and others about the needs of (and potential for) people with disabilities. I have a knack for sticking my nose in all kinds of things and when I hear of an opportunity to network with people who are "mainstream" and don't know about or don't understand disability issues, I jump at the chance to talk with them, learn what makes them tick, and find ways to build on areas of agreement. My resume already reflects this and my eportfolio would provide specific examples of my work (e.g., legislation or briefings).

Keys to this process are the choice of words, phrasing and tense. Demonstrate results and offer to demonstrate or illustrate your skills.
An ePortfolio will open doors but you still need to rock and roll at interview time.
My two cents.

For me I think it's my body of work for eSight over the past 8 years that I hope would attract a perspective employer's attention. I've written on alot of subjects, self-esteem, networking, leadership, hope to do more on rankism once my health improves a bit more.

Jim and Nancy over these past 8 years have given me opportunities to write in areas I wouldn't have thought about ten years ago and probably have helped me write more in depth articles for my local newspaper's community editorial board.

I know there are areas I'm not as well versed in to write about and I hope to learn more about blogging which I am sure will help in my writing skills as well as management leadership skills.

There are so many new ways of promoting one's self with computers and adaptive technology and it is my hope that we'll be able to navigate that and help others with the networks we're developing.

Dear John, I think that the key points in my cover letter and resume are references to a diverse, practical, cross-cultural, legal background I possess. I am admitted in two nations and can provide legal assistance representing clients in two legal systems.

I think it is also important to note that I lost my sight at the age of 10, thus, everything I had accomplished in the Soviet Union and U.S. has been done under the constraint of visual impairment that I have to live with throughout my life. It clearly demonstrates my ability to overcome barriers, no matter how difficult they are.

Vladimir

Hello everyone! When I create my ePortfolio, I believe my “key element” will be my ability to communicate via the written word. I have strived to make my cover letter and resume models for my ability to communicate because it is such a universally transferable skill. In an ePortfolio, I am hoping to take this “model to a higher level by complimenting it with not only the basic components of reflection, demonstration of skills, etc. but also my art, a product of many years of creativity and commitment which is yet another means of communication.
JD Lewis