MARKETING YOURSELF LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB OR TO MAKE A SHIFT IN THE INDUSTRY? MY TIPS TO FINDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND. By Kathleen Waite, CCAM
T
o outsiders, association management may seem like a niche industry. While we cater to a very specific market, that market varies much more than meets the untrained eye.
“YOU MAY FEEL STUCK OR STAGNANT IN YOUR POSITION, BUT IF YOU’RE WILLING TO PUSH YOURSELF, THERE ARE NEVER ENDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE.” 34
Vision Summer 2021 | cacm.org
There are commercial and residential associations, single family homes in rural communities and high rise buildings in the middle of the city. You name an area, there is probably a common interest development there and a corresponding manager to meet their needs. As an Association Manager, at times you may feel stuck or stagnant in your position in the industry, and I’m here to tell you that if you’re willing to push yourself, there are never ending opportunities for growth and change. The first step is knowing what you want. You may not always or immediately find a job opportunity for exactly what you want, but knowing your goals and objectives will help you narrow your search. You can start by looking for targeted jobs to your skills or goals. An on-site manager position is very different from a portfolio manager position. Both have pros and cons and knowing your strengths and weaknesses and how those apply to both options can help you market yourself as an individual to the hiring party. CACM offers a variety of specialized courses (see page 16) to help not only certify you in those more tailored fields, but they also will give you the education you need to better market yourself and your personal brand to potential employers.
