1. The Long Dinner
2. Reconnect and Connect
3. Get Branded
4. Wear It Right
5. Don’t Talk, Communicate!

If you forget everything, remember that in all five steps you are communicating.  The Long Dinner is setting the stage for proper communication; networking is communicating; branding is communicating… you get the idea.

Someone once said, you are ALWAYS marketing yourself.  I submit that we are always communicating something.  The boots you wear, the color of tie, even the perfume says something.

Do you carry an iPod or a Blackberry?  Do you drive a Camaro or a Hybrid?  Do you speak with an accent or a drawl?

Communication never stops.

Marketing on the other hand is wearing the loose-fitting jeans, boat shoes, t-shirt, un-tucked of course, and unkempt hair.

Marketing is wearing cuff links with slacks and dress shoes.

Marketing is selling; communicating is not.  (More on this later)

Know what to say; how to say it; and who you’re saying it to.  Be a professional communicator.  This is step 5.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

One of the most exciting times during basic training, or boot camp is uniform issue day.  I’m not talking about the camouflage utilities, though when the new “diggies” came out, I couldn’t wait to get one on.  I’m talking about the Marine’s signature suit, the Dress Blues. This is our signature uniform displayed proudly on advertisements everywhere, billboards, and our previous round of Marine Corps recruiting commercials called America’s Marines.  The follow-on commercial is almost as good.

This is who we are. The dark blue contrasted with the bright red piping to depict our taking of the red British uniforms and turning them inside out to use as our uniform during the Revolutionary War.  The thick red stripes down the trousers to depict the blood loss at the Battle of Chapultapec.  And of course, our brand: the eagle, globe and anchor.

Our brand: the eagle, globe and anchor

Here’s where I’m going with this…  We are drilled with uniform specifications day in and out.  We must not only know our own tolerances for hair length, trouser breaks, welt size, and belt length, but we must also be fully aware and knowledgeable of the opposite sex’ measurements.  In other words, male Marines were expected to know the regulations on the wear of a female Marine’s hair; the length of her skirt, and the maximum height of her pumps.

Furthermore, the cost of these uniform items were often a burden.  Every time we received an award in the form of a medal or ribbon, we had to “re-stack”, often leading to anywhere from a $20 investment to more than $200 for a full set of medals.  This was routine every September to October in preparation for our annual Marine Birthday Ball.

We often complained, yet when it came to our uniforms, Marines were rarely out of regs.  Marines always looked sharp.  This was our brand, and it was who we were.  Marines.

So what makes people think it’s any different in the corporate world?

Your suits are your uniform.  The length of your tie, the way your coat fits, and the shine on your shoes matter.  But it’s not easy.

This is where Sofio comes in.  His more than 35 years in the business of fashion is your key to success.  And though his fees normally run in the thousand dollar and above range, the military has a special place in his heart and so do his prices for us.  Give him a call.  Here’s his website.  And, no I’m not on his roles, just a satisfied customer.

Spending a morning with Sofio will enlighten you as to the corporate uniform, or at a minimum the interview uniform so you can stand out above the others and get that job you’ve been dreaming of.  What have you to lose?

Step four is this:

You are what you wear.  Take the time and effort to show your employer or interviewer that you care and that you are a professional.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

As a transitioning Marine Public Affairs Officer, I’ve found little in terms of resources geared for officers.  As such, unless you’re looking for a position as a defense contractor or to continue to serve as a civil servant, there isn’t much out there to help you make that professional transition.

While maneuvering my way through this jungle, I hope to document lessons learned and add some personal insights to help following Marines, officer or enlisted, make the right transition as efficiently as possible.

I truly believe our military retirees have strong potential in the civilian sectors of our society, yet few are willing to take that small leap of faith to hire on a military executive.  I hope to change that.

Semper fidelis and I look forward to your candid feedback.

-Danny

One-Upper Penelope

Are you an SNL-Fan?

Have you seen “One-Upper Penelope“?  This is the skit where Penelope, played by Kristin Wiig jumps in on everyone else’s conversations and one-ups them.  She’s a better “listener”, a bigger “nut”, and “has a condo on Jupiter”.  She is a jack of all trades.

Unless your job calls for one, DO NOT BE A  JACK OF ALL TRADES.

Define what it is you are good at, what you enjoy, and what you hope to offer your next employer.  Then refine it and brand it.

Ask yourself, what did the reader retain after looking at your resume?  Is she confused, or will he list off a slew of descriptors covering the entire spectrum.  Though you may be good at a lot of things, find the few you are really good at and brand yourself as such.

How do you know if you’ve achieved this brand?  Ask a colleague who does not know you well and ask her to read your brand statement.  Then ask her to say it back to you in her own words.  Is there a focused brand to what she just recited?

STEP THREE: IDENTIFY YOUR BRAND.

STEP TWO: Reconnect and Connect

One word: “LinkedIN“. (Click on it and you’ll see an example of what your LinkedIn page might look like.)

This is your launch pad; your starting point; your springboard into the world of connections.

Step 2.A: Register on LinkedIn.com

This is your online, professional resume website. Did I mention it’s free?

Step 2.B: Develop your professional resume.

Step 2.C: Proof-read your resume. Take a break – go out for a walk – then, proof-read it again.

Step 2.D: Post it. Now, you’re established on LinkedIn.  Congrats, you now exist.

Be advised, you will begin receiving requests to “connect”. There is an entire world of LinkedIn Etiquette that you should heed before rampantly going off and accepting anyone and everyone. But that’s for next time.

START EARLY – 2 YEARS OUT IF POSSIBLE.

As any good military officer worth his salt knows, you begin with the PLANNING PROCESS.

By the way, this is something “suits” don’t learn. There isn’t an MBA class on the planning process like the ones we learn about in Expeditionary Warfare School or Joint Command Staff. And whether you’re in the Army and call it R2P2 (no relation to C3PO) or a Marine, and call it MCPP (“mc-pee-pee”), it’s a valuable lesson so revisit it and refresh your skill set.

STEP ONE: Take your spouse to a long dinner at the nicest place you can afford.

Here’s the honest truth: you’re approaching your “half-life”. Yes, nearly half your life is over and by now you should have a spouse. We all need one. She or he is our better half and will keep us out of trouble or get give it to us to make us better. We all need one. This is the person who will keep you accountable and on track when you feel like procrastinating; this is the person who will listen to you rant and rave, then provide sound counsel; and this is the person who will tell you your breath stinks and your fly is open. This is the person you can trust.

So take her out to dinner. This is your first step.

But do it right. You’re a military officer for crying out loud! Do it right. Get some recommendations, read the reviews, study the menu and make a reservation. And plan on spending a long 2 to 3 hours eating slowly, sipping wine, and discussing your next life-step.

This is step one.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

This is your life! Your quality of life for at least the next 3-5 years. How a job search is conducted, unless you simply happen to have Donald Trump’s business card in your back pocket and he is expecting your call, will determine your willingness to wake up in the morning. It will determine your physical being as well as your emotional state of being every day. Will you long for the weekends to get away from it all, or will you think, dream, and calculate next week’s projects at work?

This is important!

So here’s the process, but realize first that seeking employment is time consuming, time consuming, and yes, time consuming.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

My life as I know it is about to change.  And it’s all my doing.

I’m retiring from the Corps, or rather “transitioning” as my corporate recruiter friends have asked me to term it.  As I trudge through this process, I’m learning.  And as any good leader will do, whether you want it or not, I will try to share what I know.

Good luck and Semper Fi!

- – - -

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.