The company I work for is updating their website. Part of the project includes adding a biography of all the employees. Apparently, this is a trend in the world of consulting.
Last week, I was asked to do a quick write up of my background. Simple enough request.
I listed my education, background and where I live (the employees are scattered around the US since we all work from home).
So far, so good. Nothing too alarming.
This week, I got another email. Asking me about my hobbies, favorite thing about my job, assets I bring to the company, what I would do if I won the lottery, to list my favorite websites, etc.
I was also asked to include a photo of myself enjoying life.
Crap.
Frankly, now I'm a little alarmed.
The line of the email that told me to "have fun with the answers and show my personality" didn't do a thing to ease my mind.
How does one sounds interesting, cool and professional at the same time?
Especially since I'm not exactly cool?
I'd love to answer that I send my weekends teaching classes on wine tasting, rock climbing and caring for stray animals, but it would be a big lie.
I chase my kid and hang out with my friends. If I get a few minutes to myself, I read a book, hit the gym or blog.
So now I have to find a way to sound interesting and professional.
I'm an engineer. Can't I just calculate some stuff and call it good?
This fluffy stuff freaks me out.
37 comments:
Not sure how you go about doing that. You could just lie and say you do all of those crazy things. But, someone may call you out on it and expect rock climbing lessons.
Appreciate the comment on my blog. It is a tough line not to cross, trying to express how you feel about something without alienating a group of people. I don't particularly like the term "mommy blogger" either but so many people seem to embrace it, it's tough to know who you might be offending. Anyway, I hope you stop back again.
That sounds a little weird. You're sure it's from your company and not a dating agency? :-) Just teasing.
I'm sure it would be hard to do this when your mind isn't wired that way. Not too mention it would be difficult to be "professional" and "fun" at the same time.
I hate talking about myself. Every one else seems so much more interesting. Good luck!!!
Seriously! If I need a consultant, why would I care if he or she learns salsa or has read all the Harry Potter books? Sometimes, companies try too hard to be cool... for no real purpose!!
So what are you planning to do?!
Oh man, I so understand your fear of 'fluffiness.' When I decided to hire a pro-fessional blog designer I think I said in my introductory email THREE TIMES "I'm not fluffy, don't like fluffy, don't want fluffy." I'm a girl and have a soft side but it ain't fluffy. And I'm not a WAHM/SAHM either so that was a worry.
That said, I think you are very cool and that will come through....be yourself....trite but true.
sounds like no fun at all. I hate being put on the spot like that. Thankfully, they don't do that to nurses...
Show them a photo of your behind and that ought to be fun right?
I know how you feel. That would be tough for me.
Can you put your blog on there? People could then come and check you out and find out who you are and what your hobbies and likes are!
Good luck with that. I would have no idea what to write either. I'd just turn in a paper that had this ?????? across the page.
Have your husband take a picture of you punching numbers into a calculator with a big thumbs-up and a doofy smile.
I can (and do!) write "fluffy" stuff about OTHER people for work all the time. But on the rare ocassion when I have to write up some professional bio info ... I freak out and freeze up.
Maybe you could try asking a few close friends/family what kinds of things THEY would say about you?
Good luck! :)
my mother used to say don't act too smart if you are smart great but be free and remember to live as well. Show them who you really are show them having fun with your child and tell them number are your hobbies if they are just show them you and you will be fine
Tell them your biggest secret is that you are really the lovechild of
Tom Selleck and one of the original Charlies Angels. That should keep them busy for a while.
hmm... i'm not sure how to pull that one off. or why they need you to give all that information about yourself.
That's a tough one, I wouldn't know what to say either. I guess you could say that's you're really into "social networking" but even that sounds a bit dorky.
If you just mention duct tape, Big Red chewing gum, and the fact that burnt toast is good for digestion I have a feeling you'll WOW 'em.
I hear ya. Except for the whole blog thing where I blather on about my life, I hate having to talk about me.
The key is to make up shit that you can't get called out for. Don't say you teach something or perform a service they might be interested in. Stick with things like, I paint watercolor landscapes or hike or run a recycling program in my neighborhood.
I never liked that idea. I think there should be a separation from work and personal life. It's often hard to remain professional when some people know way too much about your personal life.
You sound cool enough to me! I used to work with a ton of engineers a few years ago, they tried to hide their personalities - some of them tried very hard - but they were some of the most creative and interesting people I've known.
Plus, I have always found honesty to be the professionally cool quality about anyone.
Girl, you ARE cool. You'll figure it out and will shine!
With your wit, you can make anything sound cool!
Ha! I'm sure you will think of something. It's really cool that your entire company has people working from home, that alone is an interesting story. I imagine the reader (potential client) going to the website is then wondering what cool things you do from home. Nothing wrong with mentioning your a mom and enjoy taking your son to the park. Simple, true, keep it real.
I would just be honest. Don't try to be fluffy cuz I don't know how that would work for you. Cats and dogs are fluffy. Not people. Not real people. Good luck.
Wondering what the other people at work think - my magnificent sister got turned down for volunteer service because she couldn't bring herself to "make nice" at her interview in a girly way - when asked what her worst life experience was, she said she didn't dwell on those things. Didn't sit well. Who thinks up this stuff?
I think that all of that is so silly, it's a professional profile not a FaceBook profile. I remember reading that people find resumes most appealing when the hobbies you list are active and dangerous Actually, after I read that book it seemed that everyone's hobbies were suddenly mountain climbing and repelling (most of them probably don't realize that raising children can be active and dangerous too.)
As far as what you would do if you won the lottery, how about "quit consulting and delete this dang profile!"
What is with all the fluffy stuff? Do people want to read that anyway?
All I have to say is good luck! ;)
What's wrong with reading, blogging and chasing after kids? That's my life too! : )
Does it not seem unusual for a company to ask for so much personal information from you? Uh, I'd be uneasy from that perspective alone.
But, if you have to do it, I say make it all up. Hey, if you never have to see these people, what the heck?! ;)
My gut reaction is "Who cares?" and who reads company bios anyway?
It's not like you're running for office.
So I was away for a while, but now I'm back and ...HI K!!
I'm sure you know by now that the Funster has you pegged for a special project but I didn’t want you to miss on my messenger service that for some unknown reason I bestrode upon myself.
A summary of yourself...make a list of what you like including some weird stuff that makes some people laugh. Think in the 3rd party--you are not you--you are the observer of you;
Personal but not “personal” you know like....
She once received a First place trophy for best macaroni picture.
Good luck on your assignment I hope you win!
P.S. I was very naughty (potentially,) and tagged you at my blog on this post...
http://www.janniefunster.com/2009/06/13/blame-tara-who-meme/
Sorry. (insert my sheepish grin here.)
xo
I think all of our online activities are blurring the worlds of profession and personal too much. Why does someone you are working with or for need to know what your favorite websites are? That is going too far.
Is EVERYTHING becoming facebook? Sheesh.
Are they showing these to potential customers, or just other internal folks? Because the answer would make a big difference in what I'd submit.
Good golly ...*I* think that you are just peachy keen! ;) ....LOL...seriously now, if anyone can do it you can. Just look at your blog, you have a gift of speech....roll with it!
oh gosh... i think we find our own lives so un-exciting and dull... especially when asked to elaborate!! just like when you are too busy to keep in touch (eek!) and then wonder what the heck you h ave been doing! anyway, you made me laugh :)
Forced cool is the worst cool. I say that, but I admit I love reading bios of complete strangers at random companies and wishing I had their lives. BTW, your blog design is GORGEOUS, and thanks for stopping by my blog!
Ha Ha! That's too much about the photo. I work at a private school and we are required to have a photo and bio online, too. Thank goodness it doesn't have to be hip or cool -- none of that here!
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