An Expert on the Matter

They seem to pop up everywhere: CIOs are quoted in newspaper or magazine articles, used as experts on television news shows and spotlighted as key speakers at high-level events and conferences. It's not that these CIOs aren't incredibly busy — they are. But they also know that there is tremendous career value in establishing themselves as experts in their fields, so they make the time to be available to the media and others who need their expertise.

Establishing yourself as an expert is a crucial step in career-building. You're more likely to get support for your projects and recommendations, your credibility among peers and competitors will be enhanced, and the chances that lucrative opportunities will come your way are almost certain. CIOs in many industries are expected to speak effectively in front of groups of all sizes, so any candidate for a CIO position should be able to show a strong track record in public speaking as well as an ability to communicate well in writing.

You can promote your expertise in many ways, including:

• Writing articles for trade publications
• Speaking at conferences, seminars and other events (offer your services to both industry groups and general business groups)
• Creating short online tutorials on topics in your field and posting them on YouTube
• Writing a regular blog on topics in your areas of interest
• Offering your expertise to local and national media by sending a letter to the editor explaining your skills and willingness to be interviewed
• Sending out news releases that highlight something new in your industry and include quotes from you on the topic

Of course, it's critical that you have strong communication skills when you venture out into the world of public speaking and writing. The ability to organize your thoughts so that others can follow them is absolutely essential. If you can do this, you'll be able to focus your message clearly and effectively — which means that audiences of all kinds will find your information easy to follow and understand. If you're not yet skilled at public speaking, join a local Toastmasters group or set up engagements that allow you to team with someone more experienced.

A word of caution, however, for those venturing into public speaking: Be careful that you never speak for your current company without proper authorization. Instead, speak from a clear, industry-wide perspective and be sure your public relations department knows every time you make a contact with the media. If you're ever perceived as having loose lips with proprietary information or putting your company's reputation at risk, you'll undo all the benefits of your speaking engagements.

In most cases, however, organizations are appreciative of employees willing to step into the limelight. The more you look for those types of opportunities, the more your career will benefit.

To learn which companies will offer you opportunities for career growth, contact Jackie Connors at The Connors Group at 201-537-0006 or by email at jackie@theconnorsgroup.com.