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Very recently, a wonderful, bright, seemingly “all-put-together” student told me she was suffering from imposter syndrome. It made me sad to hear because I thought to myself if this student is feeling like that, I imagine many others are as well. So, I was inspired to write this blog so that others suffering from imposter syndrome know that they are not alone and they should not suffer in silence about it.

What is imposter syndrome anyway?

Harvard Business Review defines imposter syndrome as a “feeling that you do not deserve your job despite all of your accomplishments in the workplace and hold back from taking risks for fear of failure”. You may feel as though you are a fraud. An example of imposter syndrome is you may have just received a promotion and all of a sudden you are a “Vice President”, and your mom or dad never even had that title or salary.

What are some signs of imposter syndrome?

  • You feel like a fake
  • You feel that you just “lucked out”
  • You say to yourself … “if I can do it, anyone can”
  • You beat yourself up over even the smallest things
  • You cannot accept praise or compliments
  • You have a lot of self-doubt

How to handle feelings that you are an imposter?

  • Learn to focus on your strengths and weaknesses
  • Learn to forgive yourself and know that many others feel the same way you do
  • Strive for your best --not perfection
  • Talk it out. Don’t suffer in silence. Find a friend/trusted colleague to talk to about your feelings

Some famous people who have stated they have suffered from imposter syndrome: 

  • Tom Hanks
  • Sheryl Sandberg
  • Lady Gaga
  • Howard Schultz
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor
  • Tina Fey

According to the BBC, imposter syndrome tends to hit women and people of color harder because corporate boardrooms and organizations have historically been ruled by white men who maintained "good ol' boy" networks and excluded others who did not look like themselves. We all need to see people like ourselves in positions we strive to attain.

Yes, it takes work to help deal with feeling like an imposter in the workplace. By doing your best, talking to others, not beating yourself up, and taking it one day at a time, we can move forward together and listen to our internal positive talk to drown out some of the negative feelings and bad chatter. The pandemic has hit everyone in different ways and has been much worse for some than others. Try to start every day with a positive thought, prayer, meditation, or feeling. As we gain more and more experience, we can all work to deflect feelings of being an imposter. Be kind to yourselves. Know that you are not alone.

Alan Kelly and I met in 2006. He had just completed a book manuscript and sought a blurb and a collaboration, both of which I was delighted to provide.

Alan was attempting to transfer his knowledge of public relations to political management. He had systematized what he learned during a highly successful stint as the founder and head of a pre-Internet Silicon Valley PR firm, believing it held lessons for campaigns and governance. The title and subtitle of his book say it all: The Elements of Influence, The New Essential System for Managing Competition, Reputation, Brand, and Buzz.

Alan devised a periodic table that labeled and sorted plays that political communicators make as they work. Call outs. Lanterns. Floats. Baits. Deflections. There are twenty-five plays in all, and Alan used them to analyze public affairs and advise corporate clients. I don’t think he ever dipped into consulting on elections. But he loved writing and talking about the moves of politicians.

We had a blast together doing a weekly radio show “Plays for the Presidency” in 2007 and 2008 on Sirius XM. We made a good team, if I do say so, because my approach to the topic of influence is inductive and Alan was a deductive guy to his bones, at least in this phase of his career. So we argued as often as we agreed, always with a good deal of humor and devotion to being as insightful as we could. 

I brought Alan into the adjunct faculty orbit at GSPM. He taught his system to our students and elsewhere right up until his sudden passing on April 13. He was a gentleman with a gregarious spirit. He leaves his wonderful wife Kim and children Katie and Leo, and dear memories for those of us who worked and sailed with him.

Michael Cornfield is an associate professor at the Graduate School of Political Management and research director of the Global Center for Political Management.

Everyone has their favorite classic brands: Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, McDonald's, etc.  Now is the time to establish your own personal brand for your job hunt.
What Is Personal Branding Anyway?
Branding yourself for your job is about presenting your best self to be able to be seen and noticed by potential employers. Your core values are the heart and soul of your brand and your identity. Job seekers have the best chance to land their ideal position if they spend time enhancing their personal brand.
Personal branding is a relatively new concept in job search derived from a big trend of online social networking. Much attention has been paid to developing strong personal brands that convey a targeted, positive, brief, and effective message.
Presenting and Sharing Your Social Media World with Employers
As a job candidate, you should promote yourself by utilizing social network channels to catch recruiters' notice. Some of the channels to use are Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
  • Make sure your LinkedIn is current and reflects your best self. Join relevant groups. Work to increase your connections.
  • Check out your Facebook settings. Make sure your personal world is set to the "private" setting.
  • Comment on Twitter but make sure you do not sound like someone who nose-dived into a deep and dark rabbit hole.
  • Establish your own website when you have content to share. But, avoid sounding or looking rabid.
Ensure Your Job Application Materials Sparkle
  • Brush up your resume and have someone review it for you.
  • Craft cover letters that are customized for each particular job opening.
Networking
  • Grow your network
  • Attend and participate in virtual and in-person events.
  • Reach out to current and former colleagues.
Brand experts advise job seekers to think of themselves as a "brand" in the same way that organizations do. Brands carry a distinctive message about one's values, competencies, and a call to action. Personal branding is a way to stand out. Having a strong online brand and social networking presence is a way of differentiating oneself.
Do not just tell people what you do, tell them what you have accomplished in the past and what you hope to achieve in the future. The key to building your personal brand involves sharing your story in a consistent and relatable way. Make yourself memorable. Be the star you were always meant to be!
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu

Let's start on a positive note -- Happy New Year!
It seems like Groundhog Day. When writing last year's fist blog for 2021, I really did not expect to still be writing about the pandemic in 2022. I really hope this year will be it for the pandemic. Will it ever end?!
At GW's Graduate School of Political Management, hundreds of students and alumni have managed to move forward  and have landed jobs during the pandemic. How did they do it and what advice might they have for those seeking employment?
1. Deal with the pandemic as best as you can
It has been difficult on everyone to deal with all of the uncertainty related to COVID. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up. But do set some manageable goals for reaching out to contacts and brushing up your cover letters and resumes. Check out job openings and make sure to respond in a timely manner.
2. Put yourself out of your comfort zone
Sure you would rather be watching Netflix, but also remember to take the time to cultivate new contacts and friendships. Participate in some online programming. Make a goal to contact a certain number of people a day and stick to your plans.
3. Ask for help
I was talking to someone recently who had contacted me last May. He said he did not want to ask for help, he just wanted a job. Well, I had to bite my tongue to resist the urge to be mean or snarky. None of us can do it alone. We do need to ask for help, especially in these challenging times. Imagine if someone asked you for help, you are likely to help, so try not to be too reticent or proud to ask others for their assistance and advice.
4. Listen to advice from others
When you do muster the courage to ask for help, make sure to listen to what others are saying. Instead of arguing or fighting what is being said, try hearing and reflecting. As hard as it might be to convey a positive image, strive to do so anyway. The GSPM community is a very helpful one. Our alumni and students frequently advise each other about many aspects of career search such as interviews, resumes, cover letters, salary negotiations, etc.
5. Utilize available resources
Make sure to check out earlier career blogs on the GSPM website which address many of the resources available to students and alumni. Both current students and alumni have access to Handshake, GW's jobs platform that includes job postings, career event postings, and other resources. GW also has a great service called Career Connect linking students and alumni. Other resources are available through the Gelman Library.
6. Brush up your tech skills 
We know by now that during the pandemic, almost everything moved to online programming. Doing interviews over Zoom or some similar platform can be annoying and challenging. Try to practice on whichever platform an interviewer may be using.
7. Keep going until you land the job you want 
Many others have been successful and you can be successful too. You can do it...go and get the job you want!
Good luck and good health to all of you in 2022!
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu

Current and prospective GSPM students often ask about the various organizations that they can pursue and target for job opportunities in their field. Trade associations provide many ripe and potentially lucrative opportunities for those wielding a GSPM Degree.

What Are Trade Associations Anyway?

According to Wikipedia, "a trade association is an industry group, business association, sector association, or industry body, and is an organization founded and funded by businesses which operate in a specific industry". Generally, one of the primary purposes of a trade association is to influence public policy.

There are over 45,000 trade associations in the United States. Many trade associations are headquartered in Washington, D.C., as well as other major U.S. cities and state capitals.

Where Can You Learn More About Trade Associations?

There is an organization called the American Society of Association Executives, or ASAE, known as the " Association of Associations". ASAE has an excellent and free job center that features employment opportunities and openings and informative career resources. Current and prospective GSPM students are encouraged to take advantage and to utilize many of the free career resources ASAE provides.

What Types of Jobs Are Available at Trade Associations?

The GSPM degree prepares you for the many types of jobs available at trade associations. One can explore opportunities in the following areas:

  • Public Affairs/Public Relations
  • Government Affairs, Government Relations/Legislative Affairs/Advocacy
  • Communications, Social Media, Speechwriting, Marketing
  • Public Policy
  • PAC Management
  • Event Planning, Event Management
  • Membership

GSPM has many alumni and students working in trade associations representing a diverse range of businesses. There are trade associations for just about everything such as the Snack Food Association, American Medical Association, American Bar Association, American Dental Association, and many more.

GSPM Library Resources Available to Learn More About Trade Associations

In addition to all of the great information ASAE provides about trade associations, GSPM students should explore additional resources provided at GW's Gelman Library. Our assigned librarian is Dr. David Ettinger. Students can schedule a call to further explore the trade association world. For example, there is a guide called the Encyclopedia of Associations, which is a comprehensive source of information on associations.

Career Growth Development Opportunities at Trade Associations

Trade associations provide great opportunities to grow and develop stable careers from entry-level jobs to C- Level opportunities. One can spend one's career moving from the cubicle to the C-Suite. We at GSPM encourage our folks to explore the many opportunities available at trade associations.

Perseverance is the key to success. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the patterns of work and life, disrupted travel—international travel in particular, physically separated families and colleagues, and tested the strength of the global economy and global ties in general. And yet, the global politics programs of the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) have continued, and its international partnerships have endured.

GSPM’s cooperation with government officials and civil society of Georgia—a strategically important country where Europe meets Asia—represents an excellent showcase. In May of 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic-related lockdowns, instead of travel to Georgia—as part of the Global Perspectives Residency—the immersion program went virtual. H.E. Ambassador David Bakradze and our partners—Sector 3 – Hub for Development, Center for Development and Democracy, and Endowment “ProDemos”—helped assemble an impressive online program. VIP participants in the four-day E-Residency included Archil Talakvadze, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia; Kakha Kuchava, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia; Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture; and Mariam Kvirishvili, Head of the Tourism Administration.

The July 14th GWU session held under the title US Democratic Leadership and Global Diplomacy is a recent example of GSPM-Georgia cooperation. As part of the GSPM Summer Series and the DC Residency, that is, a program on Washington politics, this session brought as panelists former Representative Loretta Sanchez and Giorgi Tsikolia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Georgia to the US. Open to the GWU community and attended by our Georgian civil society partners, the session was moderated by Professor Alexander Downes from the GWU Elliott School of International Affairs.

Responding to the moderator’s question about the importance of democracy promotion in the hierarchy of the US foreign policy objectives, Mr. Tsikolia emphasized that “without democracy, it is not possible to build a prosperous state” and characterized the US support of fledgling Georgia’s democracy as bipartisan and transformative. The cited evidence included the US investment of $4 billion in Georgia in the last two decades, which facilitated progress in economic development as well as judicial and electoral reforms. USAID programs on the environment, education, gender equality, and support of democratic reforms as well as investment from the US International Development Finance Corporation are essential for sustainable development and Georgia’s full integration in the Western institutions, which is vigorously pursued by the Georgian leadership.

On the subject of the role of the military force in the promotion of democracy, Mr. Tsikolia underscored the importance of NATO in ensuring the global security architecture and Georgia’s successful fulfillment of requirements for membership in this organization. “We need to defend ourselves, to deter aggression,” – said Mr. Tsikolia, referring to the Russian military aggression against Georgia in August of 2008 and subsequent illegal occupation by the Russian Federation of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. He also noted the participation of the Georgian military in the global fight against terror, including the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, in which 32 Georgians lost their lives. For Georgia, safeguarding the liberal world order is crucial: it mitigates external threats and allows devoting more resources to developing economy and society.

Some of the attending students were wondering whether diplomacy should change as the world changes: cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks, proliferate, and the threats from non-governmental actors can be no less significant than those from superpowers. Mr. Tsikolia acknowledged dramatic changes in the global economy and lifestyle due to the expanded access to new technologies. He also pointed to the challenges that diplomats experience because of heightened publicity and quick travel of information. To confront these challenges and address both national and global priorities in a timelier and more effective manner, international institutions—from NATO to the International Financial Institutions and the World Trade Organization—are critical, stated Mr. Tsikolia. He also welcomed informal, frank dialogues like the one to which he contributed—as an opportunity to engage young people in the discussion about modern ways of conducting diplomacy in adaptation to the evolving global landscape. 

For young political professionals and students of American politics and policies, understanding global politics and international affairs is imperative. In recognition of this reality, GSPM offers a Global Politics concentration and a Global Public Relations certificate. An unparalleled GSPM alumni network—spanning from the Pentagon and Capitol Hill to the world’s capitals—testifies to the value of a global outlook for skills and influence in public relations, legislative affairs, and political management for the benefit of all. 

GSPM’s partnership with Georgia and Georgians is part of the school’s agenda for success of its students and alumni. Notwithstanding the pandemic and related difficulties, this partnership will persevere, and we hope that the next Global Perspectives Residency about Georgia will include a trip to Tbilisi and in-person meetings with our colleagues, friends, and new acquaintances. 

Dr. Natalia Dinello is the Director of the Global Residencies Program at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.

Please do not call and tell me you have applied to 500 jobs!
Yes, it happened. A student just wrote to tell me they had applied to 599 jobs and still did not land one. Let me be crystal clear. I do not want anyone to apply to 500 jobs. Why? While it may feel oddly satisfying to blindly apply to so many jobs, the odds are not good that you will find a job by just hitting the "submit button" on your computer.
The job search is your most important research project. I invite everyone to read my earlier blogs about the myriad steps one should pursue in securing a job. One needs to go on offense and take affirmative steps to find a job. Sitting at a computer and just applying to jobs online is just playing defense and is too inactive an approach to take in today's competitive job market.
So, instead of wasting your time applying to 500 jobs, take the time to make every application count. You will need to "warm up" every application. Rather than making a cold contact applying crazily to every opening, use available resources and tools to connect with employers.
How do you turn cold contacts into warm contacts? Try the following approach:
  • LinkedIn - Make sure to use all available features. Join relevant groups, find alumni working at places that interest you. If you do not know how to take advantage of all available features, take the time to watch some of its instructive videos. Send invites and connection requests to everyone in your groups. GW has hundreds of thousands of alumni on LinkedIn.
  • Leadership Connect - GW students have 24/7 access to this amazing tool. You can find email addresses of people working on Capitol Hill, in corporations, associations, etc. An advanced search will show GW contacts working at key places. Reach out to them and request an informational meeting. If you want to learn how to use it, write to GSPM's assigned librarian, Dr. David Ettinger, at dettingr@gwu.edu.
  • GW Career Connect - Check out my blog from last month. GW recently unveiled this great tool designed to connect alumni, students, and professors. Visit careerconnect.gwu.edu.
  • Google - When all else fails, just Google it! Somewhat frequently, students will write to me asking for information that is easily findable online. Try not to be one of those people. I will wonder about your ability to do the job.
Make every job application count. Look to connect the dots by finding someone within an organization that interests you to connect with. Ask for help. You may be pleasantly surprised by how willing some people are to help you. You never know until you try.
Please, please, please do not apply for 500 jobs unless you plan to take the time to try to "warm up" each and every one of those applications. And, I thank you in advance for preserving my sanity and not making me crazy and ruining my day.
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu

We at GW's Graduate School of Political Management advise students and alumni to take advantage of and utilize all of the resources available to them for the job hunt. I highlighted some of these resources in previous career blogs. Additionally, GW as a whole provides more resources for students and alumni to utilize in the job hunt.
Recently, GW launched a platform called Career Connect, an online community that pairs GW students, faculty, alumni, staff, and friends for professional connections, career advice, and networking opportunities. GSPM encourages all of its folks to join this new effort. Students and alumni will be able to develop mentors, access professional expertise, and receive industry knowledge and career advice.
Career Connect provides the opportunity to post questions, schedule meetings, and connect with professionals in a myriad of career communities such as politics and government, consulting, media and communications, and many other areas. By joining and using Career Connect, students and alumni will increase their chances to learn about new career opportunities and hiring trends.
Remember to sign on today to register for Career Connect. An incoming student recently registered for Career Connect before she moved to DC to start classes. She talked with alumni from opposite sides of the political aisle. That alum connected her with "someone who knew someone" and she ultimately landed a job.
What are you waiting for? Lots of people look forward to connecting with you.
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu

You have come to the right place. GW's Graduate School of Political Management will help to provide you the training you need and access to contacts you will want to make to help prepare you and familiarize you with a career in lobbying. Who and what is a lobbyist anyway? Webster's Dictionary defines a lobbyist as "one employed to influence legislators or public officials to introduce or vote for measures to the interest he/she represents". Lobbyists may also be called "Government Relations Professionals", "Washington Representatives", "Legislative Representatives" or "Advocates."
What do lobbyists do? There are many aspects involved in the lobbying process. Some lobbying activities include:
1) Legislative tracking and monitoring;
2) Participating in coalitions
3) Drafting policy positions, white papers, letters, op-ed pieces, talking points, speeches
4) Meeting with legislative/regulatory staff and legislators
5) Testifying before city councils, state legislatures, Congress, regulatory bodies, etc.
6) Speaking at industry meetings, press events, and other public and private forums
7) Many other activities such as attending fundraisers and working to represent your client's or organization's interests.
What types of organizations hire and retain lobbyists?
1) Corporations
2) Trade/professional associations
3) Labor unions
4) Coalitions
What type of skills and personal attributes are needed to become a successful lobbyist?
1) Good writing skills
2) Good communication skills
3) Good interpersonal skills
4) Good research skills
5) Ability to get along with and interact with diverse groups of people
6) Experience interning or working with local, state, or federal legislatures or regulatory bodies
7) Knowledge of legislative and regulatory procedures
8) Relevant education (such as GSPM), law, political science, public affairs, public policy, marketing, public relations
9) Subject matter expertise such as healthcare, environment, defense, the appropriations process, education, transportation, etc.
GSPM students are strongly encouraged to participate in many of the programs and seminars offered throughout the year. Many of our students and alumni work as government relations professionals. We feature these folks as speakers on many of our programs. Notably, several government relations organizations provide excellent programming and provide student discounts for memberships and program fees.
Check out some government relations organizations for possible student memberships:
2) The Advocacy Association (co-founded by GSPM alumnus and adjunct professor Joe Franco)
In addition to participating in relevant programming and pursuing relevant coursework, students are encouraged to utilize all of the resources available to them in the Gelman Library to learn more about lobbying careers. Lobbying, public affairs, and public relations provide very interesting, rewarding, and potentially lucrative careers.
Many of our folks are happy and successful government relations professionals. Why not explore becoming one yourself?
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu

Who didn't love hearing or telling a good story when they were a child? Yet, when we become adults, many of us often forget the value of storytelling in our lives. With respect to the job search, in particular, relatively little is written about the importance of storytelling.  At GSPM we work with students and alumni to continue to develop their personal and professional stories throughout their careers.
What does storytelling have to do with looking for a job? Telling one's story is and part of any job search. Successful candidates can use storytelling in several vehicles: cover letters, resumes, interviews,  elevator pitches, Linkedin, and other social media outlets. We advise our GSPM community to start with the skills and/or messages they want to convey and to define their goals. It is important to always think of one's audience.  A story that works for one audience may not be suitable for another, so it is always important to do one's research. A job seeker should have multiple anecdotes to convey to show one's qualifications for a particular job opening. Show, don't just tell, by using all five senses.
Developing Your Story
1. Know your audience - What works for one audience may not work for another. Research an employer's needs and develop multiple anecdotes about how you can handle situations.
2. Be able to tell the story in two minutes or less. People have short attention spans.
3. Let your audience know you are telling a story and why you are telling it.
4. Seize every storytelling opportunity through your cover letter, resume, Linkedin, etc.
5. Be vulnerable - People love authenticity and humor. You don't need to be the hero of every story. Just show people you can get the job done.
6. Choose the right story - Tell a story that addresses an organization's needs. Use examples that exemplify your skills.
7. Practice, practice, practice - Be ready to tell your story in writing and verbally. People can't help but love a good story.
Some people are natural storytellers. My Irish grandfather was born to spin a tale, he was a natural raconteur. He headed a business and worked with others to help them to tell their own stories and to achieve career success. We at the GSPM want our folks to craft their best stories to help land and enjoy great job opportunities.
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu