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In the first two parts of “Crown Winners,” we looked at lessons for success with Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011. This week we peek behind the scenes of three local pageants where participants will politely remind you they are scholarship pageants, not beauty pageants. Emphasis is on talent, knowledge and poise - traits well associated with success in the workplace.

It is made clear to each contestant of Miss Reno/Sparks, Miss UNR, and Miss Teen Reno/Sparks that she represents her city, whether or not she is the crown winner. The world is her stage and how she is perceived reflects on Washoe County and the Silver State. The crown winner treats her position as a one-year “temporary” job. It is not just a walk in the spotlight.

Shirley Lundsford, Director Miss Reno/Sparks & Miss Teen Reno/Sparks, Jennifer Marcussen, Executive Director Miss UNR, and Judy Griggs, Interview Coach, teach competitors how to interview for the job of the crown winner. They can’t win on talent alone, as seen by a breakdown of the scoring:

Talent = 35%
Personal Interview = 25%
On-Stage Interview = 5%
Evening Wear = 20%
Swimsuit = 15%

Interviews make up 30% of the judging. Questions about current events, government officials, state history and a wide variety of subjects are asked. Contestants prepare by doing a significant amount of research. They are coached on facial expressions, body language and not to “make something up” if they don’t know an answer. Let the judge know, “I’m not sure about the answer.  I’ll look it up because it sounds interesting!”

The next time you face a job interview or contact with a client or customer think of yourself as a scholarship pageant competitor. Yes, men, you too can learn from the following three tips:

Walk the Talk

Walk with confidence. Show you are non-aggressive and non-invasive. Introduce yourself with a smile. Let your facial expression say, “I’m happy to be here!” Good eye contact shows you are interested and 100% engaged. Preparation includes advanced research, which lets the company, client or customer know you care enough to serve them well.

My Reputation Precedes Me

No matter where we are in life, we are always being looked at and judged. Whether standing for self, family, company, Nevada or the human race, be aware all the time of who you are and how you represent. Crown Winners are careful where they go and know that “perception is reality.” One adverse photo or comment on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or a blog could cause irreparable damage to a reputation or career.

The Crown is Not Won by Talent Alone

Break job interviews and face-to-face meetings into the following scores:

Talent/Skills = 35%
Interview = 30%
Grooming = 20%
Appropriate Attire = 15%

Remember the entire package counts. Talent does not equal the job or the sale.

Good luck in your search to be a winner!

Written by Judy Griggs, Senior Staffing Partner and Susan Fix, Community Liaison Partner at Applied Staffing Solutions. Griggs has over sixteen years experience in the staffing industry with her current focus on placements, building client relationships and providing excellent customer service. Fix has worked 15 years in staffing services performing outside sales, recruiting, permanent and temporary placement coordination, career counseling, customer service and social media/business.

Last week we began a three-part peek into the world of pageant winners, focusing on how the grit behind the glitter corresponds with success in the workplace. This week we continue spotlighting Ann Clemmitt, Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011.

In addition to Clemmitt’s duties as Queen, she also participates in rodeo events. Her favorite is Team Sorting. Ten cattle with numbers on their sides mill around in a large gated pen. Two riders have 90 seconds to sort the cattle and drive them in numerical order into another pen in the arena. Communication is huge. Contestants must be able to communicate with their animal partner as well as their teammate and their animal partner in order to win.

How does Team Sorting translate to Employee Teamwork?

Effective communication is essential to business success in any situation. Being able to articulate your point under pressure can be challenging. We usually have about 30 seconds to make our point before attention is lost. Think through what you are going to say to eliminate unnecessary words or fillers. Be clear, understandable and avoid jargon.

Throughout the years, Clemmitt held officer positions in 4H and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). She gives back to the community with involvement in the Reno Rodeo Foundation Reading Roundup. Life does not entirely revolve around rodeo and horses; Clemmitt graduated this spring from UNR with a Bachelors of Science degree in Information Systems. Employed by Apex Performance Solutions, she is working towards receiving her Project Management Certificate and currently serves as Vice President of Membership Truckee Meadows Toastmasters.

How does serving in 4H and other organizations translate to success in the workplace?

Becoming a member of a group gives you an opportunity to make valuable and life-long connections. Support your group members and they will support you. Networking is a key component to furthering career goals. Serving as an officer on a board gives you a chance to use your skills and talents outside the workplace. You gain exposure to programs your organization is involved in and become part of a facilitating team. Often times there is a board position nobody wants to do. Take it on! Improve the position. Make it so exciting that members are looking forward to volunteering. Create the groundwork for people to easily step in and take over.

What does Clemmitt say is the best part of being Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011? Getting to interact with a variety of people. From first graders in Reading Roundup and fans in the airport, to other rodeo queens, audiences in the stands, rodeo committees and contract personnel. She has made dozens of long-term friends. What is her motto? You can learn something from everybody. There is always room to improve in life, in the arena and in the workplace.

Written by Ann Clemmitt, Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011 and Susan Fix, The Applied Companies Community Liaison Partner.  Clemmitt is employed by Apex Performance Solutions and working towards receiving her Project Management Certificate. Fix has worked 15 years in staffing services performing outside sales, recruiting, permanent and temporary placement coordination, career counseling, customer service and social media/business.

Rodeo queens and scholarship pageant winners wear smiles that match their sparkling crowns. The winners make the journey look easy and effortless; however, nothing could be further from the truth. In the first part of a three-part blog, we focus on Ann Clemmitt, Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011, who collaborated with us to share how the grit behind the glitter corresponds with success in the workplace.

Being Miss Rodeo Nevada is a job. Being the Queen is not a hobby, not a beauty pageant, and not just a passion. It is a commitment to representing the professional sport of rodeo, the Silver State, and the Western way of life.

Clemmitt appears in rodeos all over the country. Traveling by airplane or car, she has logged over 6,000 miles since April 2011. As it is not practical to haul her own horse, one of the Queen’s requirements is the ability to handle, ride and control any horse the stock vendor provides. How does that skill translate to success in the workplace?

Horses are just like people. They have their own personalities and quirks. Some are motivated and eager to work, while others are indifferent and prefer to eat grass in the pasture. Understanding a horse’s mindset is critical. For example, one of the Queen’s rodeo tasks is the Hot Lap. She rides a horse at a fast and furious pace around the arena as her introduction to welcome the audience with a visual “we’re excited to have you here.” An indifferent horse would fail its job. By taking time to learn about her mount, the Queen can use her knowledge, skills and talents to prepare a plan to get the horse energized and ready to work.

Rodeo is a unique and dynamic sport because you are dealing with an animal partner. Just like people, animals get sore, irritable, and drag their hooves into assignments. Things happen. Riders learn to be very flexible and work through problems; requesting help from a trainer with more knowledge is encouraged. Champions never give up and never quit.

Employee, before heading into the chute of a new assignment, gather as much information as you can about the context of your task. Use knowledge, skills, talents and research to plan a strategy. Start with your end date and work backward to create targeted milestones. Ask for help if you don’t have the answer to a problem. When working with a team, be prepared for contrasting personalities. Be flexible and open to suggestions. Take time to know what motivates you and each individual on the team. Find a way and take the steps to get you and the team energized and ready to work.

We continue next week with Rodeo Team Sorting, 4H and Toastmasters

Written by Ann Clemmitt, Miss Rodeo Nevada 2011 and Susan Fix , The Applied Companies Community Liaison Partner.  Clemmitt is employed by Apex Performance Solutions and working towards receiving her Project Management Certificate. Fix has worked 15 years in staffing services performing outside sales, recruiting, permanent and temporary placement coordination, career counseling, customer service and social media/business.