Hey everyone!

Imagine joining a live tech meeting while sitting in sunny Puerto Rico on a family vacation. That’s exactly how Mike Rochelle kicked off our February chapter gathering for AITP Lone Star. Even from thousands of miles away, Mike made us all feel connected.

This year marks our 75th anniversary, and the energy is electric. Whether you’re a student just starting out, a mid-career pro, or someone looking for that next big opportunity, our chapter is here to help you grow.

The night started with friendly hellos from members across North Texas—Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Richardson, and Southlake. Everyone shared quick weather updates and laughs. Then Mike handed the mic to Brian Howard, a longtime friend of the chapter and an expert in sales and job searching.



Brian Howard’s Practical Career Advice

Brian has over 20 years in tech sales and has been through three job searches after age 40. He turned his toughest search (during the 2020 pandemic) into a system he now teaches through his course, Job Seeker Pro. His message was clear and encouraging: You can stand out—even in a sea of applicants.

Here are the big ideas he shared:

• Save work samples every month

Before you lose access to your work computer, email yourself examples of projects, customer thank-you notes, training decks, or spreadsheets you built. Anonymize anything sensitive. These “proof points” make your résumé come alive in interviews.

• Build impact stories at your current job

Spot a problem you’ve seen three times or more? Fix it. Document the results with numbers (“cut call-handling time by 21%” or “finished the project four weeks early”). These stories show employers you’re proactive and results-driven.

• Make your LinkedIn profile visible

Brian walked us through simple steps: turn on public visibility, add a professional photo (AI tools can even dress up a basic phone selfie), write a strong headline, and fill out the “About” section with a short story, bullet strengths, and keywords. He also suggested a custom background photo—easy to create in Canva in about 15 minutes.

• Post regularly to attract opportunities

You don’t need to be a writer. Share short tips, inspirational quotes, helpful resources, or tag someone who taught you something. Brian’s own posts during the pandemic led to two CEOs reaching out with job offers. Consistent, positive posting reminds your network you’re active and thoughtful.

Go to Jobseeker.pro/aitp to receive most of the free advice, and more, that he shared. Contact him at brian@jobseeker.pro for more professional assistance adopting his amazing process.

Brian reminded us: the job search is like a big ocean full of fish. A little light (a strong profile, good stories, regular posts) makes you easy to spot.

His full 90-minute training is free for AITP Lone Star members at jobseeker.pro/aitp—definitely worth checking out.

Why Join AITP Lone Star? Our chapter is more than meetings. It’s a supportive community that:

 

• Connects you with mentors and peers
• Gives you free career tools (like Brian’s training)
• Offers hands-on learning through Work Ready Academy
• Hosts events that blend students and experienced pros
• Helps you build the network that opens doors

 

In a fast-changing tech world, having a group that cheers for you and shares real strategies makes all the difference.

 

Whether you want to sharpen your LinkedIn profile, learn AI tools, or simply meet friendly professionals, AITP Lone Star has a place for you. Ready to take the next step? Visit www.aitplonestar.org and join today. Students: only $30. Professionals: $99. We can’t wait to meet you—online or in person—at our next gathering on March 12 in Southlake.