skirt! for Hire: Wendy A. Cassidy

Photo courtesy of Wendy Cassidy

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This month, we're debuting a special recurring feature called skirt! for Hire. The intention behind it is simple: we have several wonderfully talented and smart women in the Tampa Bay area seeking new employment opportunities. We hope that we can connect these terrific skirt! sisters of ours with employers in the area.

So we launch this great profile feature by introducing you to Wendy A. Cassidy.

Chris Kuhn (CK): Wendy, what kind of work are you seeking?

Wendy Cassidy (WC): I am looking for a marketing communications position using social media, preferably for a non profit, that leverages my five years of corporate in-house marketing and ten years of non profit volunteer experiences. My ideal position would let me write, research, manage social media conversations and tools, participate in event planning, maintain websites, and monitor analytics.

CK: What are your greatest strengths that you bring to the table?

WC: My greatest strengths are creativity, problem solving skills, basic HTML and design skills, ability to interact well with all levels within an organization, leadership, and event planning knowledge, adaptability, willingness to learn and an easygoing nature.

CK: Describe your previous professional experience, so employers can get a sense of the kind of work you've been a part of before.

WC: My most recent professional experience was as a marketing coordinator for a Fortune 100 company in the Bay area. I was responsible for coordinating and implementing marketing activities for over 60 vendors, maintaining marketing calendars, opening and closing jobs, monitoring marketing budgets, and writing copy as needed. I have also developed annual marketing programs for smaller product segments using marketing tools such as email blasts, banner ads, marketing events, and direct mail pieces. Other experiences include project development and implementation, event planning, and marketing for nonprofit organizations. Currently I am working with the UPARC Foundation building their social media marketing campaigns.

CK: Have you completed any special training or education?

WC: I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College. I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Business Management and Public Relations. My basic HTML and design skills are self taught as is everything I understand about social media. I actively seek to fill in my knowledge gaps and improve my skill sets.

CK: So what are the key things you’re looking for in a new position or company?

WC: I am looking for a small to medium organization that provides challenging work with a variety of tasks in a collaborative environment. I want to be able to leverage all of my skill sets and interests. It would be great if the environment was professional yet casual with a track record of appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of employees.

CK: Tell us about a special skill, talent or character trait your resume simply can’t convey.

WC: I rarely think something that I am asked to do or help with that is not on my job description is not my job. I don’t believe there is an “I” in team. If I can help and am called upon I will chip in to assist. For example, at my last job I would happily and willingly help to deliver materials to the sales floor for our vendors to host a sales event, while others would resist helping out as it was not in their job descriptions. A job description is what the company expects of me, not what I expect of myself.

CK: Describe a professional achievement that you’re particularly proud of and the biggest lesson you took away from it.

WC: My achievements have all come from my volunteer experiences. I am rather proud of most of them. The one that sticks out is the Kids in the Kitchen event I organized as Chair of Community Research and Project Development for the Junior League of Clearwater Dunedin, Inc. The project was a national initiative to bring awareness to the issue of childhood obesity.

I had two goals with the project, first was to teach children about healthy eating and the second was to publicize the League’s involvement. I was able to arrange for a group of children to be the studio audience for Daytime during the cooking demo with Chef John. Several children were chosen to participate on air with Chef John as he prepared a healthy meal and discussed nutrition with the audience. Our League President was also interviewed on air for the segment. I am proud of the fact I was able to accomplish both goals. The lesson I took from it was that I could step out of my comfort zone, reach out to a contact and achieve the goals set for the project.

CK: So here’s your chance…why are YOU the person for the job?

WC: Hire me because I am dedicated, intelligent, willing to go the extra mile and all for the benefit of the organization. I will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to existing marketing campaigns, and will leverage social media to bring more awareness to the organization, products, and services offered. With a background in marketing and non profit event planning and community outreach, I have the experience to creatively increase donations, and revenues while expanding the volunteer/customer base.

If you know of an employer who may be looking for Wendy's specific talents and background experience, contact Wendy by email at wendyanncassidy@gmail.com.