On the evening of March 10, the Toronto Chapter of the Special Libraries Association launched its 2009 Career Development event series (see http://units.sla.org/chapter/ctor/events/default.asp for the events on April 21, September 8, October 6, and November 10). Our first event dealt with resumes - that brief document with such a huge impact. Judging from the questions raised, I stand confirmed in my belief that a resume is the most difficult document we may ever need to construct. (At http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=96 you may view a public version of the slides.)
During the evening, the concept of social capital came up, reinforcing that it deserves deliberate attention in the context of careers. Looking back, I see how building social capital paved the way for the evolution of my own career - a key factor was an innate tendency toward assistance to colleagues and association activities over and above the responsibilities of work. Now, I am in a position to advise younger career builders: "Invest in your social capital - it will pay off, if not tomorrow, then later throughout your working life."
By social capital I mean the reputation we build as we contribute to the communities in which we move professionally and personally and the "brand" or "label" we attach to ourselves through those contributions. It also involves the "bank account" of trust and rapport we draw on when we need support for an idea or outright help in a specific situation. We may not think of it as social capital building when we respond to a request with "of course I can do that for you" - but that is the cumulative result.
Here is a sampling of what I tell career builders:
Sign up: Offer to perform a task or role in a relevant group or association. Even better, run for office. Serving in an official capacity looks good on the resume. Write up: Tell the editors of a newsletter / bulletin / blog that you will contribute a piece ... or four. Summarizing key points from a conference session may be a good beginning ... later, add pieces arising from your own professional pursuits. Show up: Come to the local events put on by your professional associations and engage in speaking to attendees you don't already know. In so doing you easily broaden your reach and visibility in the community. Link up: Use the professional tools such as LinkedIn to stay within reach of those who may be needing your skills. Pick up: Consciously endeavor to earn a reputation as someone who picks up the phone, the challenge, the lead.
As those activities accumulate, they earn a rightful place on the resume. Potential employers may not think "social capital" when they read it, but they do appreciate seeing how, on top of employment achievements, candidates volunteered their skills for the benefit of others.
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