I agree to an extent – you need a resume, but it should be the last part of your “Portfolio”, within your portfolio you should have a cover letter, recommendations, past projects or something tangible (if you have it) that you have worked on, and then last but not least – the resume.

As most readers know – the whole purpose of my creating this blog was to get people’s attention – get the interest of Starwood Capital or Starwood Hotels Hotel Development department so they can see that even though I do not have years of hotel development experience – I do have experience in project management, construction, real estate etc – but more than that, I have a passion to work for one of those two companies and to help them grow. It’s also a way to put my name out there, so readers can read my posts and see that I put thought into them, research them and do more than just regurgitate a press release. (To that extent – I have received numerous emails from people who say they look to my blog as a resource for the hotel industry)

But it’s still not that simple.

In addition to writing this blog, I’ve put together some great recommendations from pretty influential people who I’ve worked with or know throughout my daily life. I sent a FedEx copy of those require – especially the publicly traded ones), to people within Starwood Capital & Starwood Hotels, I followed up with phone calls and reached out to people who may have contacts within the companies. It’s more than just getting recommendations, its having the facts to back up those recommendations.

I’m getting closer and closer everyday to getting the position I’ve been dreaming of, and alot of it can be attributed to this blog and the networking which has come of it. Once I get the position, the company that hires me will never be the same.

Anyone out there want to see my portfolio? Send me an email, I’ll see what I can do.

andrew@alconic-inc.com

The internet has really helped networking by allowing instantaneous communication between distant areas, to the creation of social networking websites such as Facebook or MySpace, and also business networking sites such as Friendster, LinkedIn and a thousand other sites that have come about lately. I’ve been on all of those sites – have an account on many, but the site I use the most is Facebook – mainly because its a great way to network with my peers – that is people I’m close to, and have a personal relationship with – rather than business. LinkedIn is a great site for business networking, but most of their “good” features require you to pay – and even then, there is no guarantee you will receive a response from those who you contact.

Since I started this blog in August 07, I’ve discovered that the best way to network on the internet is by creating a blog. Not about the weather, not just about what you did that day – but what drives you, and what you’re all about. In my case – its real estate, hotel development and getting a position at Starwood Capital or Starwood Hotels. I started this blog to get the attention of those people, and…

It worked.

My frequent writings on this blog have made me contacts that I would have never known existed, and people who normally would never take my phone call or reach out to me in a million years – people who have the same interests as me, people who are looking for advice on hotel projects, people who are just writing in to say “thank you for writing such great information” or people who are extending a hand in asking how they can help in furthering my goals. I can say with confidence that I have met some very influential people due to this blog and it has changed my life. I never thought that a blog could do that – especially since it seems as though its one-way (me writing to the public) but while watching the hits go from on average 1, 5, 20, 60, 80, 100 and now easily over 200 hits day after day after day – all via word of mouth, or hits from search engines – its amazing what the Internet can do.

Anyone who is looking to make a name for themselves, or looking to establish themselves, I highly encourage you to write a blog – of course, be liberal about what you write.. Don’t write something that can get you in trouble – but push the barrier.

It may not happen immediately, but keep at it for a few months – 6 months at a minimum, and I promise this: If you write with passion, if you write frequently and if you write about interesting information (even if its only of interest to a certain group of people) you’ll gain a reputation for yourself – and it will be something that can help in more ways than one.

andrew@alconic-inc.com

A friend of mine introduced me to a book written by Keith Ferrazzi, titled “Never Eat Alone“. What’s it about? In one sentence – it’s about the power of networking. There are plenty of books out there about the power of networking – there is no doubt in my mind this one is hands down, the best.  Keith also has a blog – titled.. wait for it…. Never Eat Alone. He doesn’t post extremely often – maybe once or twice a week, and I do wish his posts were a bit longer, but I have to admit – the posts that are there, are short and right to the point.  (I wish I could be like that sometimes!)

Today’s post was titled “Feeling Beautifully Connected in my Isolation” one sentence really hit home for me..

It’s times like this that I know I’m doing exactly what I was put here for.

Keith is in peace with himself. It’s something that everyone can achieve, because everyone has a peace – finding it may just be harder for some people than it is others. That should be everyone’s goal in life – finding your peace.. And once you do find it, make sure that you live in it, breath it in, and sit back-

You’ve made it

andrew@alconic-inc.com