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In today's job market, it's getting tougher day by day. So, it's up to us to be successful in dominating the job market, and actually getting the job. So, we can have a job and be successful and productive citizens.
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Name: Paul Sweatte
Age: Twentysomething
Industry: Technology
Job Title: Web Developer
Number of years in the field: Seven
What is the salary range for this position?
$50-$100K annually
What type of education/certification is required for this job?
A bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering.
Describe a typical day at work: Check emails and voicemails; strategize a to-do list; work on resolving any lingering issues from the previous work day; answer questions and concerns from internal and external customers; attack new problems; and strive to complete daily tasks established earlier in the day.
What exactly is it that you do?
As a web developer, I write the scripts that determine how a user interacts with a website.
Many people are fond of saying "dress for success." This phrase has become very cliché and even trite, but that doesn't mean it's not true. Of course how you dress is only a part of what makes you promoteable. We will take a quick look at the influence your appearance can have on your status and then discuss a few other character revealing behaviors that can also have an impact on your success.
Dress Wisely
It really is simple and straightforward. Dress and groom yourself at or near the same level as your potential promoter.
Whether you work in an office or a factory you should dress in a way that shows you care about your company. I wouldn't encourage you to wear a tie or a formal dress in a casual office because you might be seen as an outsider. On the other hand, you would do well to stay on the higher end of casual commonly known as "Office Casual."
On a shop floor, dressing for success may just be regularly washing coveralls or mending clothing that is torn. When it's time for meetings in more formal areas of your company, it may be completely appropriate to change into a nicer shirt and lose the coveralls for a while.
A little common sense goes a long way when dressing appropriately at work. Basic dress & grooming standards, if applied, can most definitely help you be seen as a promoteable person. If you fail to meet the standards of your would-be peers or bosses, you risk coming up short in their evaluations. It really is a "better safe than sorry" situation.
One good way to think of your personal dress code is to imagine an important customer visiting you in your work area. No matter where you work, you will want to show them that you are appropriately outfitted for the job you are doing. Whether that is a suit and tie, a dress, or a hard hat and all the needed safety gear, it should reflect your highest standards. A true professional is usually very easy to spot. Your customers should be at least a little impressed with the pride you take in yourself and especially your company. Slovenly or lazy dressers show a certain amount of disrespect for themselves and their companies. This is an enormous turn-off to customers and bosses alike.
Frankly, I like wearing shorts and a comfortable t-shirt whenever I can get away with it. I wouldn't dream of showing up on the jobsite this way. I would lose all credibility with my customers. If you want to stand out regarding your personal dress code, just make sure to err on the side of classy and professional. Normally that will elevate your status even if more casual attire is common.
Quite literally, I have seen people not get promoted or even be taken seriously because of the clothes they wore. Outrageous hair styles, blatant piercings or tattoos, and the like, can be very distracting. Like it or not, many bosses are sensitive to these types of non-traditional (at least concerning company standards,) types of displays. They worry about what co-workers think and especially what customers will think. Customers keep companies in business, after all.
I also know of people who remove jewelry before work and put it back on later. This may be a reasonable consideration for you. Other people wear long sleeves to cover gaudy or obscene tattoos. Revealing or seductive clothing should never be worn. This mistake will sap your credibility and trustworthiness very quickly. It doesn't mean you're a bad person, but it does create an image that is not very promoteable.
In the end, you should wear clothes, hairstyles, and jewelry that match or slightly exceed the standards in your company; nothing too outrageous or too far out from the norm. People need to feel comfortable with you and you need to "look like" the position you will someday fill. It's not worth jeopardizing your career and promoteability to make a fashion statement.
This can be such a serious deterrent to some people that it really bears mentioning. If you have all the other pieces in place but fall short on this essential standard you can, and likely will, be completely discounted as I have witnessed on several occasions.
The Words You Use
If you swear like a sailor at home or outside of work, that is your business and probably won't cause you problems at your job. If you use profane language and tell vulgar or racist jokes and stories at work, however, there is a very good chance you will be seen as more of a liability than a potential leader. It really doesn't matter if "everybody does it." Leaders and those seeking promotions need to stay far away from this type of behavior and help discourage rather than participate in it, and risk degrading themselves or losing credibility.
Even common and non-vulgar "street slang" terms can lower your status in the eyes of others. Of course we don't have to be robots and all talk the same way, but just like you dress in appropriate ways to reflect the culture of your company, you need to speak in a way that also reflects that culture. Since you are seeking promotions you especially need to be mindful of the words you choose. Improving your vocabulary through reading and vocabulary building exercises, software, CD's, and books is a very worthwhile undertaking.
Manners
It is always a good practice to use the good manners your mother taught you! If your mother didn't teach you then you really need to learn some manners soon.
Please and thank you really do make this world go' round in many ways. Use them liberally and others will generally use them likewise with you. It really makes for a much better work experience when people are gracious and pleasant. Good manners are a direct reflection of how you treat and respect others. Because good manners show your level of consideration for others, they should not be taken lightly. Most, (definitely not all,) great leaders I have known are among the first to say please and thank you, and show proper respect to their subordinates.
Hygiene
Some folks really miss the boat on this essential part of being around other people. Although it is almost inconceivable to most people that they would go to work smelling bad or with disheveled, dirty hair or clothing, some people need a little reminder.
One gentleman had a terrible B.O. (body odor) problem and seemed to be clueless. Some of his colleagues decided to put some basic toiletries in his locker to help him figure out the problem. To his great embarrassment, they anonymously loaded his locker with deodorant, shampoo, bar soap, tooth paste, mouth wash, cologne, and the like.
He got the hint, but it was embarrassing and stressful to everyone involved. If you suspect you might have even the slightest problem with hygiene, you should err on the side of smelling and looking great before the next co-worker offers you a tic tac.
Health & Fitness
It's almost taboo to say anything about this subject but it is important so I will risk it. There are people who will discriminate against you if you are obese. I am fairly certain I have witnessed people not be considered for promotions because they were very overweight. It was a shame, but proving that was the reason they weren't promoted would have been very difficult.
There are many negative stereotypes about people who are heavy; we all know them so I won't get into that. Hopefully you will not be subjected to discrimination in this form, but let's face it, people are people, and they carry many biases around with them all the time.
It is especially true that managers and people in other elevated positions of responsibility are expected to "look the part." The "part" typically includes being physically fit as well as nicely groomed and dressed. If your would-be promoter cannot imagine you "looking the part" they may not be able to imagine you in that role. In a word, get fit, stay fit, and be fit. It's for your own good anyway and will be one more item in your favor as the entire package, that is you, is evaluated for promotions. That's my best advice based on years of experience, not a suggestion that a heavy person has any less value than a fit person.
Along with being fit is taking care of your health. Occasionally I will become aware of people who are good employees, but are chronically ill due to no fault of their own. Frankly, bosses are slow to promote people with health problems because they fear they will not be reliable on the job.
If you miss a lot of work due to health problems, check in with your doctor and try to fix all that you can. You'll feel better, take fewer sick days, and have more energy to excel in your position. A doctor visit is much cheaper than missing out on a promotion.
Listen, I don't make the biases, but I do recognize them. This guide is all about giving you every advantage to win promotions, so I have to point these things out for your potential benefit.
Again, having witnessed people being affected by these problems, I am particularly sensitive to the negative consequences these folks have endured. I have spent some time counseling people to adjust their dress standards, off-color language, and other distracters so they could be taken seriously. Some took my advice and some didn't. Stubbornness, resistance to change, and not wanting to conform could be your downfall.
Chapter 19 Summary Points
Bill Hanover is author of "No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve" and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about "No Sucking-Up" at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill's consulting services at www.tpslean.com
All I ever needed I learned in kindergarten. There's a book that makes a great case for this concept and while I'm not sure I totally agree, one point is indisputable...the concept of the schoolyard.
The schoolyard is the community in which your identity is first formulated, and it's both this identity and recognizing the identity of others that determines everything from who you will play with in the sandbox to whether you will someday be a leader or follower. Are you the football quarterback, the cheerleader, the geek, the bully, the rich kid or the kid that, to date, no one has noticed?
Ok now fast forward to the workplace and it should be more than apparent that the schoolyard cast members are alive and well in the workplace. However now there are four generations in the schoolyard, Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists. All generations have been raised by generations with differing values and work habits. And all must live and work together.
Are you thinking of changing jobs because you don't like the office bully, the boss's pet or the sneaky geek? Perhaps you need to rethink that strategy because another of whoever is bothering you will be waiting for you at the next job! Never run from anything! Run toward something better!
By Janice Worthington and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
In the job offer context, negotiation is a non-confrontational, business focused discussion aimed at resolving differences between two parties with the same goal. In order to be an effective negotiator, job seekers need to understand the dynamics behind the conversation and use this information to create a give and take dialogue with potential employers. What often gets in the way of rewarding win-win conversations is our fear of rejection or potential conflict. Successful negotiators view the process as one of collaboration. They listen to the employer's needs and recommend outcomes that benefit both parties. They recognize that savvy negotiators build relationships and never give ultimatums. Strategic job seekers understand that the negotiation is hopefully the first of many relationship building conversations they will have with their future employer. Here's tip #1 in this series.
Everyone is capable of negotiating. Nobody is born knowing how to be an effective negotiator. It is a learned skill that is developed with experience. We can all learn to negotiate effectively for what we need and want. Keep in mind you wouldn't be receiving the offer in the first place if you weren't the person selected as the best candidate for the job. This gives you leverage. Once an employer decides you are the person for the job, the primary concern will not be to negotiate the least expensive compensation package the company can get away with. The focus will be on getting you to accept the job. Most employers invest a great deal of time and energy in the interview process, and are very reluctant to settle for second best when their number one candidate makes an attempt in good faith to negotiate for more money.
Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications
Secrets to Help Start You on Your Way to a New Career
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Many people are not able to afford college, either due to the high monetary payment college requires or there are lack of scholarships available. Others are just over the limit for financial aid or ineligible due to previous time spent in college.
Recommendations From Others Are Among the Most Powerful Job Search Tools
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Few things are more persuasive and impressive than having an unbiased third-party source say great things about you. Advertisers have used this technique for ages, because it's been proven over and over again to work exceptionally well.
It might seem like a strange question to ask you. How can being selfish make you more successful?
But in a way that was what I was asked at my recent mastermind group intensive. Well at least that was one of the key 'truffles' that I came away with after spending 3 virtual days with a great group of coaches and consultants who make up a mastermind group of peers that have now been together for our third year.
A truffle is when you have an aha moment, or something that could well have been staring you in the face suddenly jumps right up and bangs you on the side of the head. It was the first morning of the intensive and I was challenged to come back to the group after lunch with a presentation on why my business had not been doing as well in 2007 as I had hoped or planned.
Initially I frantically did some research on my numbers (never had been a strong point of mine, keeping a finger on the pulse of the business). Then over a quick bite to eat contemplated what it was that was stopping me from being successful?
Then the truffle sneaked up and gave me a whack
I pride myself on being helpful, connected, willing to share information, resources, time, advice, insight etc etc - in fact so much was my desire to be well thought of that I was prioritizing these things ahead of my business.
I was not saying NO.
At the end of the meeting we all presented on what we had got out of the three days and what action steps we were going to commit to in 2008, or at least for the first 90 days.
Normally I come away from these meetings with some new ideas to implement, new tools, new technologies. This time none of that - it was a new way of being. The meeting was in some ways the best that I have attended. In others the worst because we did not get a chance to socialize, have fun, see reactions etc - I look forward to November for that.
But I did come away with a clear set of new 'rules' to live by;
So for 2008 I am going to say NO more often - if you are a friend, family member, colleague, client, associate you are on notice that I might be saying no, but it is going to be a positive no and I am still the same person.
I am learning the benefit of being incredibly selfish, not in an arrogant way but ensuring that there is time for me, my family and my business. Without that selfishness there will not be a me and that means I won't be around to attract what is possible for me.
So are you being selfish for you? Can you stop yourself from saying yes to;
What do you think?
By Paul Copcutt and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
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Being that I've worked for pay both online and in the real world, this article will detail my experiences in this bursting field of online careers. I will list some of the better avenues for careers online, though no list can detail them all.
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People spend a significant and meaningful amount of their time working. Working can provide your life with structure, purpose, satisfaction, self-esteem, and spending power. However, working can also be a setting of stress and worry.
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There will come a time when a young dancer must decide which path to take in their chosen field after leaving High School. The options are quite varied these days. Performing is not the only one. Dance History, Dance Therapy,and Dance Education are just a few of several roads to choose from as an alterna-tive to the grind of auditioning, performing and touring.
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The most important steps in landing your next job is the job interview. The job interview is literally the doorway to the job you want. It's your best chance to show just how much you have to offer. It's your opportunity to demonstrate by your sparkling personality, knowledge of the industry and great communication skills that you are the perfect match for the job.
With so much pressure to be, say and do just the right thing, it's understandable that some otherwise sterling job candidates might crack under pressure.
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You have found that your Social Security does not provide all the income you need while in retirement. You could use a part-time or full-time job, but you might fear that it might be hard to get one at your age-at least one that would pay a halfway decent wage.
Time and Organizational Management for Writers
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Most writers stink at time management. It's probably the creativity - the being drawn, skitter-brained, from one task to the next all the time. Regardless of the reason, constant distractions can kibosh even the most carefully-thought, unambitious writing schedule you make.
Whether you’re starting out in a career or transitioning into a new endeavor, one truth remains: If you think that hard work alone will move you up the company ladder, think again. It’s relationships –the ones you have with your manager and coworkers (present and past), clients and more – that will get you there.
You’re nodding your head in agreement – and, really, why wouldn’t you be? Most of us have accepted the fact that meeting and greeting and making plenty of contacts (and, hopefully, friends) along the way, is also part of our job description. And that goes for everyone, even if you’re in school, currently unemployed, or living in a mud hut somewhere – sorry, no one that wants to collect a paycheck is immune from networking.
Here’s the funny thing: We all hear about how important networking is for our careers, but many of us simply don’t do it. In fact, some of us hate the practice, and would rather eat an entire copy of my book, Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself, (sorry, shameless plug) than network, even if it meant we’d wind up in better jobs with better opportunities as a result. Does this make any sense to you?
It’s time to grow up about networking and start doing it. Let’s face it: Most of us dread networking because we aren’t good at it, so we don’t do it, unless we’re really desperate. The problem? Because we’re out of practice, we don’t get the results we want. This makes sense – after all, if you only went to the gym once a year, you’d probably hate it there, too, right?
It’s time to start practicing so we can get better at networking. Read on for a few suggestions on how to resolve some common networking stumbling blocks here:
Networking Issue #1: I have no problem with networking, in principle. But in practice, it seems cheesy and forced. Do I really need to do this if I’ve always done good work at my previous jobs?
Let me ask you a question: How is your system working for you? If your career is moving at the pace and in the direction that you’d like, then let us speak of this networking thing no more.
On the other hand, it’s tempting to think that people will automatically think of you for great jobs or opportunities that come along. But don’t get caught in the tap of thinking that just because you’ve done great work in the past that the great career opportunities will come flooding in. It takes more than doing good work to get ahead, just as the best actors don’t necessarily win the Oscar at the Academy Awards each year.
Finally, managing your career and taking proactive steps to build relationships isn’t cheesy – it may just be something you aren’t used to doing, so start small and ease yourself into it.
Networking Issue #2: Everyone tells me I need to network – but I have no network! How do I get started?
Remember the networking golden rule: Your job is to have as many conversations with as many people as possible. That’s it. There are plenty of details to go along with this concept [check out Down with Networking, a free article on www.elizabethfreedman.com], but start small and use my simple, five-stage process:
If you want specifics of what to say, write or do in any of these stages, or how to gather names of people to meet when you’re starting from scratch, check out (shameless plug alert!) Work 101 or my guidebook, The MBA Student’s Job Seeking Bible.
Networking Issue #3: I have been using networking to help me land a new job, but I feel like I’ve already reached out to my network with no results. Now what?
No matter how terrific your network, be sure that you’re reaching out to people in an appropriate, professional way. Here’s what is unprofessional: Forwarding your resume to someone without being asked to do so first – it’s the equivalent of asking for someone’s hand in marriage on the first date. In either case, it’s too much, too soon, and you’re asking for something prematurely.
Here’s another bad approach: Reaching out too often to your network. If you’re feeling desperate for a job or business, it’s tempting to go overboard and call or email your contacts on a regular (or daily!) basis, but avoid this. And, don’t attempt to email anyone and everyone that might be able to help you in your career quest. You aren’t right for everyone, and everyone isn’t right for you. Be smart about protecting your time (and your networks’) by thinking long and hard about who it really makes sense for you to contact based on your career goals. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, make a Top 10 list of people you’d like to meet and work your way through, slowly.
Finally, review issue #2. You may simply need a broader network. Reach out to new people on a regular basis and diversify the contacts you’ve got.
We can write and theorize about networking all day, but the only way to get better at it is to do it. Get started today, and start building the relationships that can make a huge difference in your career.
Article by Elizabeth Freedman, MBA, an award-winning speaker and business columnist, and is the author of, “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace Without Hanging Yourself,” and “The MBA Student’s Job-Seeking Bible.” She was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities, and runs a Boston-based communications and career development firm that helps New Professionals look sharp, sound smart and succeed on the job. Clients include The Gillette Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Thomson Corporation. For more information about the author, please visit www.elizabethfreedman.com/home/.
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Most Fortune 500 companies look for certain traits in their new hires. As someone who worked for almost ten years for two Fortune 500 companies and interned for another Fortune 500 company (all of these companies also made the Fortune 100 list), I have seen firsthand what Fortune 500 companies are looking for when hiring new employees.
Avoiding Common Interviewing Mistakes
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There are many people that when they are looking for a new job will manage to get interviews, but when it comes to actually landing the job failure is constant. Just one or two interview are not such a big deal, it could simply be that they are no longer a match.
Even if your employer doesn't have a program in place to pay for continuing education, you still have a shot of getting them to foot the bill for an advanced degree. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask.
In this blog entry we're going to address requesting an online degree since they are A) more convenient for you and your employer B) becoming more widely accepted C) we get a lot of e-mails questioning their validity.
Here are some things to know before you decide you're going to ask your job to pay for an online course:
KNOW YOUR EMPLOYER
Before approaching your boss, it is of paramount importance to understand the state of your company. Are economic times lean? Is a massive reorganization underway? These could be hindrances or they could help you structure a solid case. The key is to have an idea of what is happening internally at the organization and use it to strengthen your argument.
A great way for your organization to stay with the pack or excel in an industry is to staff an educated workforce. If you can specifically spell out ways your degree will help the organization, you will have laid the groundwork of your case. Be as specific as possible.
Also, is an advanced degree or certificate officially required or encouraged for the position you have your eye on? While it is true that the greater your education, the greater the number of doors you create for yourself, some positions simply do not call for it. Make sure the work and expense are necessary. Look for trends in people's education who currently or have previously held the position(s) you are interested in. Glean information by asking your co-workers or approaching the individual about their academic past in a friendly way.
KNOW YOURSELF
It sure sounds good when you drop the news at a family function that you're furthering your education, however, are you really up for the challenge of holding down a full-time job and studying your ass off? Make sure you have the time, energy and desire to pursue a degree before you take on the lofty task.
You also need to be clear on what you want to study and why. Cause let's be honest, improving your company's talent poll is a secondary goal at best. Raising your stock as a potential job candidate, and as a person, is first.
Make sure you choose a subject that you have genuine interest in and can help you get ahead - or transition into something you want to do.
It's important to be honest with yourself on how long you plan to stay with the organization you are pitching. Many employers will have you sign an agreement stating that you will stay employed with them for X number of years. Should you leave early, you will likely be responsible for a portion (or all) of the money the company spent on your education.
If you already have one foot out the door, the last thing you need is added pressure to stay in a bad marriage, As with most career moves, you need to know yourself before you make a move.
KNOW THE SCHOOL
While online degrees have certainly become more mainstream, they are certainly not on par with their brick and mortar counterparts.
There's a good chance you'll have to "defend" the school to your employer, especially if it's one without a physical building.
This is the real world, and simply put, there are some people who will never be convinced that Walden University offers what the local state school does. That's fine.
Your goal is to be as prepared as possible and make the strongest case you can. How long has the school been in business? How many students do they have? Do they have any affiliation with nationally-recognized organizations? These are the types of queries you should be able to answers to all question-askers.
KNOW YOUR BOSS'S CONCERNS
As I mentioned earlier, your primary purpose in continuing your education is self-improvement. Any boss worth his or her salt will recognize this. Your job is to disarm them as best as possible, assuring them that this will likely be the last stop on your career train.
Since I'm a tremendous fan of truth and honesty, I think it's OK to be upfront that this endeavor is about you AND the company (not necessarily in that order). Anything else is ridiculously transparent.
There's another hurdle. It's something that's on your boss's mind constantly: money. You are going to have to justify that the money the organization spends on your classes will come back to them two-fold. Get some projected numbers to back up your claims.
KNOW YOUR POSITION
You'll have a much better chance of getting your tuition approved if the education relates directly to your current job. If it's not an exact match, you better be able to explain how it fits into your career track - and more importantly - the company's goals.
If you want to take classes that clearly fit within a department other than your own, you need to be able to explain why it's worth their time to cough up the cash.
KNOW YOUR FINANCES
Every company has a different policy when it comes to who will initially pay for your classes. Years back, I made the case to take a specialized course. The company agreed to pay. The only catch was that I had to pay and they would reimburse me 6 - 8 weeks after the course was completed. At the time I simply didn't have the expendable cash. I also didn't want to put the expense on a credit card and be stuck with several months of interest. Be sure you have an idea of what you're willing and capable of doing from a financial standpoint before you make your pitch.
There you have it, things to know before you decide to approach your employer to pay for an online course and/or degree. Never be afraid to ask, the worst thing you'll hear is 'no.' You'll be much angrier at yourself if you never tried. Good luck!
Article by Andrew G. R. and courtesy of www.jobacle.com
I first met Mellody Hobson in 2002 when I was working for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. I created a program called Money Smart Week which was a campaign that brought together financial institutions, not-for-profits, schools, elected officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders with an interest in financial education for consumers. Mellody, President of Ariel Capital Management, was known for her efforts to educate individuals about investing, so I set up a meeting to talk to her about getting Ariel involved in Money Smart Week.
My first impression of Mellody was that she was very articulate and glamorous to the point of being intimidating. As I got to know her a little better I realized that in addition to having intelligence, charm, a great job, and designer clothes Mellody was also a tireless achiever. Notice that I didn't use the term "overachiever" because that would imply that her achievements are above her innate skill level. No, Mellody is one of those rare achievers who unintentionally make the rest of us feel like slackers.
I went to a top-tier college and a top ranked MBA program so I think I know a high achiever when I see one. The difference between Mellody and a lot of hard-working high-achieving individuals is that she makes it look easy because she appears to be doing what she truly loves and not just what will earn her the biggest paycheck. If you ever get the chance to hear Mellody give one of her famous speeches about investing I suggest that you stop what you are doing and go listen to her. She explains investing in simple, yet non-condescending terms and she is so passionate about the topic. She and her firm are particularly passionate about encouraging African Americans to start investing.
Mellody grew up in Chicago and attended Princeton University. She graduated from Princeton in 1991 with a degree in South African studies (note that she did not get a degree in finance or accounting). While at Princeton she approached John Rogers, founder of Ariel Capital Management LLC and a fellow Princeton alum, about an internship. John hired her as a summer intern and then hired her full time as the Director of Marketing when she graduated. By 2000 she had been named President of Ariel. How did she do it? Hard work, dedication, and just plain loving her job and the company that employs her. Ariel couldn't find a more passionate advocate for its investments than Mellody. The firm now boasts more than $15 billion under management.
Mellody is a regular contributor to Good Morning America's financial segments and she serves on the boards of the Chicago Public Library, The Field Museum, The Chicago Public Education Fund, and the Sundance Institute. She is a director of the Starbucks Corporation, The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc, and Dreamworks Animation SKG, Inc. She was named one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow at the 2001 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In her spare time she runs marathons and tutors underprivileged children. She isn't 40 years old yet.
Mellody fascinates me, in part because of the brilliant way she has navigated her career, but also because she is really a genuinely nice woman. Soon after I met her she invited me to be her guest at an Economic Club of Chicago dinner - I met a group of fun, smart, high-achieving women at her table. What an honor to have been included.
As I mentioned before I have met a lot of achievers, some of them quite famous. Few are as genuinely passionate about their jobs as Mellody seems to be. Few "walk the talk" the way she does. And few seem to push themselves in every area of their lives as Mellody does. She is the total package that we all wish we could be: smart, talented, hard working, high achieving, nice, beautiful, and well liked.
I think what we can learn from Mellody is that you should find a job you love working for people you admire and then work your rear end off. In other words: be strategic about your career and work really hard when you find the right job. If you have a job that you are great at and you are happy in your work environment you will have the energy left to push yourself in other parts of your life (run marathons for example) and you will naturally behave with kindness toward others. Generally speaking it's the unhappy achievers who aren't very nice to be around.
It is amazing what can happen when you are in the right place at the right time and you aren't afraid to fully commit yourself to your career. But you have to find the right place to work rather than just finding any old place to work. Easier said than done I know but that is what I have learned from Mellody. That and to be graceful even when you are under pressure. She is as classy a lady as you will ever meet and she is always gracious and charming no matter how little time she has. Like I said, she makes her success look so easy even though I know she has worked harder than some of us will ever work at anything we do in order to make it happen.
Oh, did I mention that she is rumored to be dating film director/producer George Lucas? He even took her to the 2007 Academy Awards as his date. If she wasn't such a nice person it would be so easy to hate her!
Article by Liz Handlin and courtesy of Ultimate Resumes
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
A personal shopper is someone who is well educated in the fashion industry and helps people to develop their wardrobes. Typically, the clients of personal shoppers are wealthy business executives who do not have time to shop, so they hire someone else to do it for them.
One Parent Households Find a Good Fit with Affiliate Programs
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
Single parents are turning to supplemental, second income sources via internet marketing at astounding rates and it’s no wonder. Most single parents are living below the poverty level, most are struggling just to have food in the house, let alone afford such luxuries as a good running vehicle, a vacation (away from the home), or even new outfit to wear to a job interview.
Since the majority of single parents are lacking a degree, many have to take jobs that just do not allow them to survive without some type of state assistance.
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
In the business world, the image you portray can either make or break you. Companies spend millions of dollars every year on advertising campaigns, public relations, and special training for employees to assure that a proper image is given and maintained in the public eye.
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
In the business world, the image you portray can either make or break you. Companies spend millions of dollars every year on advertising campaigns, public relations, and special training for employees to assure that a proper image is given and maintained in the public eye.
One of the most common fears associated with job search is the fear of rejection.
We all hate to be rejected, and the job search is often a series of 'nos' - either implied (because no one calls you back) or overt (because they choose someone else for the job).
But however upsetting it is to be told no, I encourage you to think of it not as a personal rejection, but just as a sign that this wasn't the right thing for you.
Let's face it, if they didn't hire you then either (a) you actually weren't the right fit for that specific job, company and/or culture, or (b) you were the perfect fit and they're too inept to understand it. Either way, you deserve better!
Plus. who knows what will happen as a result of the 'no' you received? Many years ago, I was turned down for a job I really wanted. I think I cried for a week. But a few months later, I got a different job - where I met my now husband. If I had got the job I wanted, I wouldn't have met him, we wouldn't have moved to Canada together, and then to the US 7 years later, and we wouldn't have started our business together.
Knowing all this doesn't make rejection hurt any less, but it does help to remind me that sometimes you're just not supposed to get the job.
By Louise Fletcher and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Earlier this week, my client asked me about the "R" word -- no, not resumes or resume writing, but the other "R" word impacting today's job seeker -- recession. She asked me if I had any tips on the best way to cut costs when looking for a new job. At the time, I didn't have a list, however, I've been pondering her question since. Listed below are 15 ideas I've thought of to reduce job-search-related expenses. Feel free to add to this list; your ideas are most welcome.
By billiesucher and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Victoria Young has figured this out, and she's still in college. The 20-year-old University of California-Los Angeles senior, her sights set on a marketing position in an entertainment company, has interned with Sony Corp. and is now interning with Disney Worldwide Outreach, a division of Walt Disney Co.
She's already a skilled networker, e-mailing friends, former co-workers and current Disney colleagues to let them know of her job interests and handing out the business cards she received through her part-time job as a campus sales rep for Dell Inc. Getting hired is all about doggedness and focus. It means throwing yourself out there over and over again and facing rejection. Again and again.
Important things to do along the way:
Article abridged from Los Angeles Times, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Inside the office, most of us assume that the employees who work the hardest, are the smartest, or produce the best results are the same ones who wind up with the best projects, the most interesting opportunities – even the bigger raises and better promotions. After all, this kind of work-reward pattern makes sense; in school, the students who studied the most and worked the hardest usually got the ‘A’s – right?
Right…sometimes. And sometimes the ‘A’ students were the ones who didn’t spend too much time hitting the books, but who seemed to have a knack for acing the tests. Perhaps you remember ‘A’ students who weren’t the smartest ones at all; instead, they were the ones who participated frequently in class or asked the most questions to earn their high marks. Even more annoyingly, you may have known one or two ‘A’ students who could barely add, but were loved and adored by all – especially the teachers.
For all you valedictorians reading, rest assured that most students with good grades earned them and deserved them, fair and square. But we also know that justice doesn’t always prevail in quite the same way on the job. This isn’t to suggest that hard work, producing results, and intelligence aren’t key factors for success at work; in fact, it’s hard to imagine any real progress on the job without these qualities. Still, consider the fact that the best folks on the job aren’t necessarily the ones with the best titles or salaries, just like the best actors don’t always win the Oscar at the Academy Awards each year.
How to manage yourself – and your career – in this environment? Read on for some Do’s and Don’ts:
Article by Elizabeth Freedman, MBA, an award-winning speaker and business columnist, and is the author of, “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace Without Hanging Yourself,” and “The MBA Student’s Job-Seeking Bible.” She was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities, and runs a Boston-based communications and career development firm that helps New Professionals look sharp, sound smart and succeed on the job. Clients include The Gillette Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Thomson Corporation. For more information about the author, please visit www.elizabethfreedman.com/home/.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- If one of your New Year's resolutions is to find a better job -- or just find a job -- you have lots of company right now. January is historically a peak hiring month. Many businesses operate on a calendar year budgeting cycle, so now they have money to fill vacancies or expand. Now could be the time to land your dream job. But first you have to know where to look and what to look for.
"Our parents were told that you went to school and then you made a career choice," he says, and that was it. And for generations, an American worker could expect to be hired and retired by the same employer. But the economy -- not to mention individuals' attention spans and expectations -- has changed. Today, someone will go job hunting at least eight times in his or her life, writes Richard Bolles in his classic career-seekers guide, "What Color Is Your Parachute?"
How to discover a passion that pays? There's little mystery here, experts agree. You have to be honest with yourself -- about your skills, what you like to do and (most important) what you don't like to do. Susan W. Miller, founder of California Career Services, asks employed clients a seemingly simple question: When you're having a good day at work, what exactly are you doing? Among all the things that you do every day at work, what do you do best?
Article abridged from Los Angeles Times, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Wimps –you remember – that 80’s term for quiche-eating people who served as doormats for the rest of us?
They haven’t gone anywhere. If you don’t believe me, just look around the average workplace and you’ll see them in full force. Far from harmless, wimps – and their don’t-make-waves mindset – wreak havoc on the job.
What does a workplace wimp look like? Before you determine whether you’re surrounded by them at the office (or even if you could be one yourself), update your definition of ‘wimp.’ Instead of picturing a meek-minded colleague hiding in a cubicle somewhere, replace your image with:
Know anyone who might fit our updated ‘wimp’ definition – including you?
Consider something that you know you need to do (like networking, for instance), but always find excuses not to do, and you may see how wimpiness rears its ugly head in your own work life. Even if you’re as bold as brass, many of us struggle against our inner wimp from time to time in our own careers.
And while it may not seem like a big deal to suffer through the occasional night of insomnia over a comment your boss made, think about the kind of damage that not being ‘willing to deal’ can inflict over the long term: The consequences of less money or job misery are anything but wimpy and can inflict serious damage on our careers.
If you’re sick of your inner wimp and avoiding what you need to do to take your career to the next level, consider what you can do to avoid some common career mistakes wimps make:
Wimp mistake #1: Assuming that other people really know what you’re capable of.
One of the biggest complaints I hear from employees goes something like this: “It’s not fair! My boss keeps giving me boring work to do when I could be doing so much more.” Or, how about the entrepreneur who wonders why his existing client only hires him to do X, when he could also be doing Y and Z, even though he’s told his client more than once about his suite of services.
Remember this: Just because you tell people you’re capable of doing something doesn’t mean that they believe you. Think about it: Do you automatically believe someone when he tells you that he’s a great speaker, brilliant computer programmer, or whatever? If you’re like most of us, you’ll believe it when you see it. The people you work with or want business from are the same way. It isn’t enough to simply tell them that you can handle a tougher assignment or their business – you’ve got to figure out a way to show them, now, even before the assignment is handed over.
Wimp mistake #2: Telling people what you are capable of without showing them, too
A few years ago I decided to write and perform a one-woman show. Guess what people said when I told them I had decided to take on this endeavor? After the confused looks and polite smiles, many expressed a kind of polite wonder which seemed to say, ‘can you really pull this off?’
These friends weren’t trying to discourage me. After all, I had never done this kind of thing before, I wasn’t an actress or speaker by profession, so it’s only natural that some weren’t easily convinced that I could handle it. The fact is that the only way I was going to show people I could do this was to do it. It wasn’t until I was literally up on stage that people could see something in me that I had seen sooner. If I had waited until someone had said, “Gee, you seem like you’d be great in a one-woman show,” to do one, I might have been waiting a very long time.
What can you do, right now, to show people what you are capable of? What proof, evidence can you offer (besides simply telling them) that you really can handle the job? Can you do this type of work for someone else to showcase your talents? Can you write an article, volunteer for an association, join a public speaking organization? You get the idea – there are probably plenty of things that you can do, but you’ve got to actually do them for other people to start to see the results.
Article by Elizabeth Freedman, MBA, an award-winning speaker and business columnist, and is the author of, “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace Without Hanging Yourself,” and “The MBA Student’s Job-Seeking Bible.” She was a 2005 finalist for College Speaker of the Year, awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities, and runs a Boston-based communications and career development firm that helps New Professionals look sharp, sound smart and succeed on the job. Clients include The Gillette Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Thomson Corporation. For more information about the author, please visit www.elizabethfreedman.com/home/.
The Importance of Good Writing Skills in One's Professional Life, Regardless of Industry Cannot Be Underestimated. Start Building Your Resource List.
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
There is a lot of talk about what to do and what not to do to get your proverbial foot in the door now once you have graduated. Now that you have executed a successful job search, accepted and signed an offer, you are ready to begin a career.
Since everyone’s been bemoaning the sorry state of the economy lately, I thought Lifehack’s recent post on how to “back-up” your life was particularly insightful. Author AJ West says that you should never assume that what you plan today will work for you tomorrow. Some of her suggestions include:
Back-up your career. Layoffs often seem to come out of nowhere, so find something you can do in lieu of your current job. Whenever you finish a big project, switch jobs or get a new title, update your resume right away. Not only will it save you time later, but it is always good to have it updated for spur of the moment career opportunities. Have at least two months of salary in the bank in the event of a layoff, firing, or medical crisis.
Back-up your finances. Plan for your eventual retirement with a savings account and or 401K or Roth IRA. This is especially important for those earning a living in the blue collar or hospitality industry with companies that do not offer you retirement benefits. Insure valuable items you have in your possession, and if you’re married, secure at least a small amount of financial independence in the event that you lose your spouse or things don’t work out between you. Maintain a separate savings account and your own credit card.
Back-up your personal records. In the unfortunate event of a fire or technology malfunction, plan a day each month to back up your files on your personal PC, laptop and work computer. Purchase an external hard drive, and then scan in and save important documents such as birth certificates, tax records, and work files.
As West says, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. You may never use your back-up plans, but like the flood insurance you purchased, it’s always nice to know you have it…just in case.
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom.
Well kids, there's a new rank in the executive suite: CCA. That's Chief Career Advisor. And I don't mean at work--I am talkin' on the home front. Reuters today published the results of a survey asking respondents who their chief career advisor is as many people seek job changes in the new year.
And while the top answer--their spouse--is not a surprise, I was surprised that mentors came in second place: "The survey also shows mentors carry greater clout than five years ago: 41 percent respondents said they would consult their mentors first, compared to 28 percent in 2002."
Mentors had their heyday in the late 90s when company after company announced formal mentoring programs encouraging workers to find role models and giving them topics and budgets to fuel the mentoring relationship fire. What resulted though wasn't necessarily the success of these formal programs but the focus on the importance of having someone, anyone, you can call a career confidant.
Where should the focus be now? Encouraging relationships period. Whether in or out of the company, companies have lost their focus on what career development means. It's not giving the prescribed toolkit with every single step to success, but providing suggested paths that workers traverse at their own speed in a direction of their choosing.
Article by Susan Strayer and courtesy of KaleidoBlog.
When I saw the press release for the 2008 Shoprite “Best Bagger” Annual Contest, I chuckled. And then I realized — who am I to laugh? Being your best at what you do — whether it’s bagging groceries, writing blogs (a-hem!), treating patients, fixing air conditioners — whatever! – is super-important.
Oh sure, every industry has its criteria for being the best — in this instance, it’s “Speed, proper bag building technique, distribution of weight between bags and style-attitude-appearance” — but it’s all equal in the world of work.
Start thinking about what it is that will earn you top professional honors. Is it staying an extra hour to put in time on an important project, helping a new hire settle in, or enrolling in a certificate program to boost your skills? Do any one of these, or another career-boosting thing, and you’ll have advancement (sorry…) in the bag!
Before I go, I must share one more tidbit this blog inspired: How come when I go to Shoprite, I have to bag my own groceries? They’re holding out on me…
By Gina LaGuardia and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
WILLIAMSBURG, NM -- It can be scary and frustrating, waiting to be called back for an interview for that job you want so badly. But waiting around and developing a case of nerves isn't going to help (and could likely hurt) your efforts.
Best to stay busy, and pro-active. While waiting for that interview, MAKE your own job. Contact local attorneys, and see if they could use a process server. The work consists of delivering subpoenas, summons, and court orders. Expect to be paid $20 to $25 for each one you deliver. You have to fill out a return of service on each one, but it is pretty simple.
Offer to clean offices by starting your own freelance janitorial service. Invest in a broom, mop, cleaners and rags, and you're on your way. Other ideas include landscaping service, pet-sitter, house-sitter, child care or elder (respite) care. America has become a nation of service industries, and your talents can be put to good (and profitable) use while waiting to hear back on that all-important interview. Staying busy will also help keep your confidence up, and confidence is always a good thing to show at interviews.
Article by John Davis, RN, Freelance Writer, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
This is certainly the month for counting calories, comparing gym membership costs, and turning down a square of co-worker birthday brownies (all of which I spied during lunch today, as I ate my Lean Cuisine pizza and carrot sticks).
While well-intentioned when motivation is new and fresh, all of that pressure eventually comes to a head… usually right around the time you’re surrounded by buffalo wings, cheezy (yes, the “z” is on purpose) nachos, and deep-fried pot stickers on Superbowl Sunday. And soon after that, you’re drowning in the chocolately goodness of Valentine’s day candy. And who can resist those post-Valentine’s bargains at Duane Reed, when you can get a chocolate covered peanut-butter heart for 18 cents? You get the point, right? (I hope so, because this analogy is making me hungry, and I need to stop!)
Just like dieting, when it comes to the workplace, it’s easy to forget that eager, gung-ho spirit you once exhibited as a new employee, and fall into an unhealthy binge-fest of deadline procrastination, negativity, and doing just enough to get by. And before you know it, those corporate dress down jeans are squeezing you tighter and tighter each month as you grow to loathe the daily grind.
But guess what? Sometimes all it takes is what the WeightWatcher folks like to call a “jumpstart” to get you back on track. A “cleansing,” if you will, like the South Beachers do to eliminate carb cravings from their system. In other words, there’s nothing like a new challenge or a new role to get you excited about working again. And it doesn’t only have to happen in January! Here are some ways to get that going:
- Throw your name in the hat the next time a new project comes in. Showing initiative is a good move for you (others will notice!), and it will give you a shot at the groundfloor of something new that can become huge. Plus, it’ll break up the boredom. What would you rather do, take a hip-hop workout class or pedal for a half hour on a stationary bike?
- Give your brain a workout, too, by learning a new skill — and maybe your company will even pay for your career training! If you do your job the same way everyday, you’ll most likely be doing that same job next year. But bring it to the next level — like adding a podcast to your blog (one of my ‘08 goals, coming soon) — and who knows where it can take you?!
- Find strength in numbers. My collection of exercise DVDs are collecting dust. Why? Because I have to count on myself to pop one in and do it. But if I had a gym buddy or a regular class to attend (like my boss Gina’s kickboxing one — soon, G, I swear!), that healthy peer pressure might be just what I need to make it part of my routine. Likewise, professional affiliations will keep you abreast of networking events, and you can stay in the know by checking in on industry message boards and blogs.
If all else fails, you can always try something completely unconventional until you find your fit. Not everyone can give up carbs, right?
Feeling the burn yet? I hope so. Take care of yourself… I’m off to refill my giant water bottle and (hopefully) resist the brownies.
By Dawn Papandrea and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.
A colleague of mine recently emailed me this post from CIO.com about Facebook and how this popular social networking tool can distract people and sap productivity. While the blogger makes some valid points about the questionable usefulness of certain Facebook applications and people's tendency to get lost on-line, I have to say I still think that Facebook is a great business and social networking tool. Here's why.
Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications
My good friend from college, Phil Saken, recently switched careers. How he pulled this off actually makes a pretty remarkable story, which I’ll be sharing in more detail in the next week or so. But anyway, he had decided that his job as an evening news producer for a top network in Columbus, OH, wasn’t floating his boat anymore. Phil is naturally a passionate person, and when he began to dread going to work and found himself counting the minutes until his next day off, he knew something was wrong.
Phil looked for, and accepted a new job that leveraged his existing skills in communication, organization, and writing and took advantage of his nose for news and his interest in politics. He became the Director of Communications for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus. In his new role, Phil manages the message and image of the 46 Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is loving every minute of it.
Then, something interesting happened. Phil received an Emmy for his evening newscast at the Midwestern Regional Emmy Awards. If you can believe it, this is actually Phil’s SECOND Emmy for news excellence.
Some people might question why Phil left a career he was so clearly successful in. And the answer is that just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should spend your life doing it. The key to happiness in a career is to find a path that combines your natural skills – or skills you can develop – with genuine interest and enthusiasm. Kudos to Phil for having the strength to walk away from a field that was rewarding him professionally but not personally, in order to seek out one that does both.
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom.
Yesterday I met my friend Pam for early morning coffee. I have known Pam for nearly 20 years and have always been impressed with her warmth, kindness, and intelligence. She is a senior officer at a federal bank regulator and she has always been well respected within her organization. Pam has had a really interesting career because about 10 years ago she quit her fantastic job to hike around the U.S. and then work in a bike shop for awhile. Because of the professional respect that she earned working as a bank regulator she had no trouble getting rehired and consistently promoted after taking a break for a few years. Not just anyone can quit a job to bum around for awhile and get hired back - you have to have earned some serious respect to be able to pull that off.
One thing that I think sets Pam apart from many others is her ability to really listen when someone is talking to her. She focuses on what is being said as well as the body language behind it. So, when you talk to Pam she gives the impression of being insightful to the point of being a mind-reader. It's rare to talk to someone who listens that intently to what you say. Naturally, everyone likes her and seeks her out both socially and professionally when they need someone to talk to. She is a sounding board for the most senior officials in her organization and, given her ability to listen and offer intelligent, thoughtful feedback, it's not surprising at all.
I think that in general everyone I have ever met who is known for having good social graces is also an excellent listener. Naturally, no one likes to talk to someone who isn't paying attention. When someone makes the effort to really focus on what you are saying to them, they pay you the highest compliment - they are telling you that your stories are worth the time and effort it takes to fully synthesize them. Everyone wants others to listen when they talk; it's human nature to want to be treated with respect.
If you haven't been paying attention to the folks who get promoted within your organization take a closer look. I'll bet you will find that many of them have good social and listening skills. Particularly if you work in a large hierarchical organization.
Are you a good listener? Are you able to push aside other thoughts, issues, and priorities when a friend or colleague is talking to you? I find that if I am multi-tasking while talking to someone I am not fully listening to what he/she is telling me. So, I try not to multi-task when I am having a conversation. This is difficult when I am at my desk reading email and I get a phone call. So I have really tried to discipline myself to turn away from the computer while I am talking on the phone so that I can give the caller the courtesy of my full attention.
If you want to be a sought-after friend and colleague, improve your listening skills because they are key to great social skills.
Article by Liz Handlin and courtesy of Ultimate Resumes
Highly Effective Methods
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
There's much more to networking than simply passing out business cards and waiting for opportunities to discuss business services with casual prospects, and most clients aren't obtained through chance meetings and randomly placed business cards.
According to a recent article in The New York Times, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the unemployment rate as of December 2007 is 13.2% higher than it was in December 2006. Historically, a year-to-year difference of 13% or more has led to a recession. While these statistics don't offer proof that a recession is underway, now is certainly a good time to look at your job, company, and industry and think through strategies for recession proofing your career. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to get you started.
Analyze your industry
Is your industry growing or shrinking? Have certain job functions been eliminated, automated, outsourced, or off-shored? Could you easily do every aspect of your job from home...in your pajamas? If your industry is shrinking, what skills do you have that are transferable to another, more robust industry?
Review your skills
Have you diversified your skills over the past 5 years? What competencies do you possess that your colleagues do not? Do you volunteer for new projects that require you to stretch and make you a little less replaceable?
Be a continuous learner
Have things changed in your industry within the past 5 years? If you had to look for a new job tomorrow, would there be something lacking in your skills that would raise a red flag with employers?
Be visible
Do people in your industry or profession know about you? Can they find out more about you by visiting Linked In, Zoom Info, or Ziggs or just plain Googling you? Is your online presence distinct or are you one of thousands of John Does?
Share information
When was the last time you offered career advice to a friend or colleague? Do people see you as the type of person they would like to help if you were seeking career advice or would they duck and cover?
Always have your resume ready
If the perfect opportunity presented itself tomorrow, would you be able to quickly shoot your resume off to the decision maker or would you be scrambling around to create a half-baked cut and paste document? Would you feel confident that your resume adequately represents your accomplishments and the value you can bring to an employer?
By Barbara Safani and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Social networking for personal, career, and business reasons became the Killer App for 2007 and keeps on growing. LinkedIn, the number-one business networking site (15+ million active users and 4 million visitors each month) is widely recognized by serious job seekers and entrepreneurs as a valuable source of network contacts, referrals, and business and job leads.
With the ability to post a resume or bio online, as well as recommendations, many job seekers have found their LinkedIn profile increases their digital presence and credibility. Even passive candidates (those employed and theoretically not looking for a new job) can be “sourced” for interviews by recruiters and potential employers.
While LinkedIn has an established “business/career” benefit, Facebook and MySpace were introduced as more “personal” social networks. And their numbers reflect that: Facebook has 30 million active users and 17 million visitors each month, while the behemoth MySpace has 110 million active users and 61 million visitors each month. Clearly, these two dwarf LinkedIn in size.
However, here’s an interesting fact: Facebook has the fastest-growing demographic in the 25+ age group. This may be due in part to the popularity of social networking for personal reasons and its transition into older groups who have seen Facebook’s widespread use among teen-agers. But there is also a trend among the 25+ age group to expand Facebook’s use for career and even business purposes.
Will there be a final showdown of the top three social networking sites? Or will they happily co-exist? Certainly each site has evangelists and die-hard proponents. However, there are folks who will have profiles on more than one of these social-networking sites.
Why? Perhaps to maximize networking visibility for a job search, professional services, or business products – that comes readily to mind. But what about simply “joining in the conversation” on each distinctive community and/or creating your own “niche” communities to connect? Are you on more than one of these sites? What are your reasons?
By the way, here is my LinkedIn profile.
By Susan Guarneri and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
The Job-Seeker's Alternative to Business Cards
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
The more people who know you're looking for a job, the more likely you are to find one. That is why you can improve your job search with networking cards, which are becoming increasingly popular. They're small, light and easy to pass out.
Okay, so I made three resolutions on December 31st and here it is, 17 days into the New Year and so far, I've stuck with them. Yes, all three of them. Granted, I still have, uh, let me see, about 349 more days to go, or should I say, not stop, quit, abandon, give up, lose interest, and/or revert to my old ways. But the good (glorious) news is that to date, my resolve continues.
My first (and only) personal resolution is to get myself in stronger physical condition. Not that I plan to re-climb Camelback Mountain or trek across America, it's just that I'm committed to an overall fitness plan of eating better and exercising more on a consistent basis. Let me qualify exercising more...I mean more than I was, which was pretty much none. So, anything above none, for me, would be more!
The other day I got a bit discouraged, though, when a very svelte individual hopped on the treadmill next to me and effortlessly started running (not jogging, thank you) at high speed for a long, long time. Didn't even break a sweat! Never mind, I kept telling myself; keep walking Sucher, one foot ahead of the other at your own pace. This physical fitness stuff is tough! Grueling it is! Sweaty, drippy, nasty, un-fun, uncomfortable, even painful, hard work -- and worth it!
Sort of like looking for a new job in the New Year. Never mind that your best friend made one phone call and snagged his dream job. Never mind that your colleague in Houston landed an unbelievable gig through an executive recruiter. Never mind that no one called you back after nine interviews. Never mind that your buddy who said he'd hook you up with some contacts seems to be quite unavailable now. Never mind, never mind!
Bottom line, whether I'm trying to get fit, or you're trying to get a new job, it's incredibly hard work. It takes relentless commitment and perseverance. It takes wits and will. It takes endurance and consistency on a daily basis. It takes mental stamina, confidence, and positive self-talk.
And it works a whole lot better if you don't compare yourself to the person, one over, on the tread mill. You're not them. You're YOU -- the rare and distinct and remarkable -- yes, even downright amazing, BRAND YOU! Even when you have days when things don't go as you'd hoped or planned, and you are discouraged and disheartened, here's a little tip for you: remember to keep your chin up and keep walking, one foot ahead of the other.
By billiesucher and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
A well typed up resume is one factor that an employer can look at when hiring someone. The resume can reflect the type of person you are. Some characteristics they look at are neatness, organization and spelling.
The information technology sector provides a large portion of jobs in Austin, Texas. With over 40 percent of the population having bachelors degrees, the presence of highly skilled positions is encouraged by the level of talent available. Between this and the fact that Texas has no state income tax, many big name Information Technology companies such as Dell computers and Austin Semiconductors are attracted to the area, making it one of the top cities in the country for jobs in this industry.
The strength of the industry in the area is best illustrated by the fact that 72,000 new information technology jobs in Austin have been added in the last few years. This figure surpasses the five year goal of the local Chamber of Commerce. By creating such a large number of jobs, the industry has added over $3.5 billion to the local economy through the paychecks workers are issued. Because of this Chamber Chair, Joe Holt, Chairman of the Austin region's JPMorgan Chase, says that “the technology sector is one of the key drivers of Austin's economy.”
Salaries for those who hold information technology jobs in Austin varies depending on the level of education and the individuals area of specialty. Different area's of the industry have a higher demand for talent, which means companies are likely to offer larger salaries in hopes of attracting the best possible employees.
Due to companies constantly demanding newer technologies in hopes of staying competitive, computer information system manager is a one career that is in high demand. Depending on the size of the company and the employees work related experiences, information technology jobs in Austin will offer, on average, $82,000 a year for this position. Many in this specialty receive other benefits from employers such as stock options and expense accounts.
According to a recent report on online recruitment, Austin has a relatively high number of jobs posted on line considering the unemployment rate. This means that there seems to be more positions available than there are people to fill them. Because of this and the crucial part the industry plays in the local economy, those who are not against relocating should consider searching for information technology jobs in Austin.
Getting Around the Classic Job Search Paradox of Getting Experience Without Experience
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
Now more than ever, employers aren't willing to gamble on candidates who don't have experience on their resume. With budgets tighter than ever, companies aren't very receptive to devoting much time to training them either.
Job interview season is quickly approaching! If you’ve been to your campus career center lately, you’ll probably have noticed upcoming job fairs and on-campus interviews. Throughout the next several months, you will no doubt encounter some job search adversity while speaking with employers. One of the major stumbling blocks students have is handling employer objections. From “You don’t have experience” to “Your grades are too low,” objections tend to defeat students and send their job search in a different direction. However, you can defeat employer objections by using the five step process below and reinforce why you are the ideal candidate.
Step 1: Empathy
Don’t take it personally. Just because an employer thinks you don’t have experience or your grades are too low doesn’t mean they are on a personal attack. Employers are simply looking for the best fit in their organization. Communicate empathy by saying something like “You’re right – I understand why you want someone who is experienced or has good grades. It’s important to have an employee who will learn quickly on the job.”
Step 2: Dissect
Objections tend to be very broad statements while employers may be concerned about something very specific. It’s important for you to politely ask questions to uncover the real issue. “Are you looking for previous work experience in a particular field?” or “Is there a specific area of my studies that concerns you?” or simply “Why is that?”
Step 3: Position
Positioning is the process where you tap into your mental hard drive of past experiences and figure out how you’re going to respond. To do this effectively, you’ll need to “know thy yourself.” Work with your campus career counselor ahead of time to help discover all of your skills and strengths. You may just have more experience than you think when you consider extracurricular activities and volunteer work. As for grades, perhaps there is an improvement story or success in a particular class that will override an employer’s initial concern.
Step 4: Respond
Once you’ve scanned your mental hard drive and figured out how to respond, it’s time to do it. Once again, it will be important to have a non-defensive tone. Being positive will also demonstrate confidence. It’s not always what you say, but how you say it.
Step 5: Silence
Once you’ve responded in a courteous and thoughtful way, it’s time to sit back and be quiet. Babbling on or conversing back and forth too long with an employer may hurt your likeability. You don’t necessarily want to be right, you want to be hired. Plus, you’ll have more opportunities to tackle an employer’s concern. A follow-up letter after the interview is a perfect opportunity.
Remember, objections from employers aren’t to be taken personally. Using these five steps, you’ll be able to stay in charge and politely re-emphasize why YOU are the ideal candidate.
Make it happen!
Excerpt from JobQuest – Take Control Of The Job Search And Win The Attention Of Employers - written by John Swartz and courtesy of Life After Graduation, LLC.
What is the tip?
Remember the kids you hung out with in grade school? How about Jr. High or High school? You found people (or they found you,) that you were comfortable with. Maybe you had a lot in common or just enjoyed approximately the same social status.
Work relationships are similar in many ways. In order to be part of a particular group you have to become comfortable in that group, and with that “sort” of people. If you are uncomfortable being around senior management and you wish to become one of them, you are in for some real challenges.
You need to become part of the “club” so to speak. That doesn’t mean that you need to sell-out or change who you really are. It does mean, however, that you will need to allow yourself to express the side of you that is comfortable in this new setting.
I have often heard “so-and-so is not management material,” as if managers were somehow made of different stuff than the rest of us. What is generally meant by that statement is that the individual “doesn’t really fit-in with the rest of us in management” or “we can’t see him or her in our group, etc.” Sometimes this statement means that so-and-so doesn’t have the needed skills or lacks confidence or experience etc. Generally, however, I find it to be a vote of no confidence; essentially so-and-so just won’t add to the group in a way that contributes more of what the group values.
This sounds a bit harsh, but it is often the case. Go back to high school for a minute. You didn’t see many chess club members hanging out with cheerleaders or the most popular crowd spending much time with the nerds. People go where they are comfortable and stay away from situations and people where they feel out of place. Groups also protect their identities and sense of uniqueness or special association, by shunning wannabe group members who don’t fit fairly narrow standards.
So, if you want to “run with the wolves” so to speak, you need to understand who the “wolves” are. If you discover the “wolves” to be people you want to associate with and believe you can find ways to fit-in, then you are halfway there.
So what’s Love Got to Do with It?
Okay, relax. We’re not going to get all touchy feely here, but we need to explore a topic that is a bit on the fringes. Do you like your coworkers, colleagues, bosses, etc.? Why or why not? Would you say you have a genuine affection or love for them? Why or why not?
Love is often used as a descriptor or an adjective; I love my house, I love my car, I love my job, etc. In truth, love seems to be too big of a word to use in the context of “I love my bicycle,” when compared with “I love my children.” Maybe we feel a strong fondness and gratitude for our possessions and maybe they mean a lot to us, but can that ever compare to love of wife, husband, mother, father, or children? Not likely.
So what are we talking about here? I just stated that the term love is often used to describe how we feel about something. We use the word love to emphasize that our feelings are much stronger than “like” or “enjoy” etc. When we say we love someone or something, it is among the strongest declarations we can make.
Unfortunately we have largely taken some of the meaning out of the word. If you don’t believe me, listen to people talk about how much they “love” this alfredo sauce or “love” this pizza etc. These are not declarations of love.
Love, as it turns out, really is much more than an adjective or descriptor. Love is a verb. This is why we should consider how love plays a role in your workplace.
There is a scripture in the Holy Bible that states “if ye love me keep my commandments.” Love, as it turns out, is expressed through actions. This is extremely important in the workplace. How are your actions interpreted by your coworkers? Would they think you loved them, or even liked them at all by interpreting your actions?
Not long ago one of my children asked me to make some dinner. To be honest, I didn’t really feel like doing it at the time, I was busy and I suppose I am a bit lazy by nature. Nevertheless, I put the TV remote down and made some dinner. Several times while fixing dinner my child and I would talk and play a little while I cooked. It was an enjoyable experience.
If I had maintained my irritation about getting up and feeling obligated to fix dinner, I suppose it could have gone very differently. Maybe I would have complained, slammed a few pots and pans around, and just generally been an ornery old cuss. I don’t think it would have been the bonding experience it turned out to be.
I can’t help but notice people in virtually every workplace who “slam pots and pans” and complain about almost everything. It seems it’s almost reached epidemic proportions in many companies. What a shame.
When we have a genuine fondness, like, or even love for people, we naturally treat them better and we are happier serving them. In reality every workplace is full of people who are serving each other. Whether it is customers, bosses, or coworkers, service between people is a constant.
Obviously I have not been suggesting any sort of inappropriate relationships, or disingenuous behavior. What I am suggesting is that you treat your coworkers as if you love them.
Committed?
With something like 50% of marriages ending in divorce, it is hard to know who is really committed to anyone or anything these days. It seems the vows of Holy Matrimony only last until things get tough regardless of the declarations and promises people make at the wedding ceremony.
Perhaps you have noticed work relationships likewise imply some level of commitment and loyalty between individuals. This is also true in the relationship the company has with its’ workforce.
Quite frankly, the loyalty and commitment a company traditionally gave its’ employees is all but gone as far as I can see. There are, happily, a good number of companies that still exercise loyalty to their employees. But from what I have witnessed, this is not so common. When it does occur, it comes from the good character of exceptional leaders. In a word, you really can’t count on most companies to see you through to retirement these days. You’ll always need backup talents and skills along with good connections should you find yourself kicked out of the nest by what you thought was a steadfast employer. Many of us have seen this far too often.
On the other side of the commitment issue is how you view and treat your company. Even though you are wise to be prepared should the powers-that-be decide to let you go, your commitment to the company should be absolutely unwavering. No matter how open or hidden your company is about the expendability of its employees, you cannot afford to let your superiors question your level of commitment to the company.
Barring illegal and unethical actions by your company or colleagues, you should determine today to be 100% committed to your team and company. Don’t be the one considering divorce at every difficulty. Be the person who is steadfast and absolutely dependable.
Yes, that sounds like an unfair and unreasonable double-standard, but that is nothing less than what is expected. In the end, however, if you “might be leaving,” to many managers you “might as well be leaving.” There is little commitment to you if you are seen as someone who will most likely be moving on soon.
In summary if you are there, be there. Be there 100% and, aside from enhancing and improving your skills and network, you need to give all you have for the betterment of your company and the people who work there. That is what is expected of people in senior positions.
To borrow a few lines from the country song, “Come From the Heart” by singer Kathy Mattea:
“You’ve got to sing like you don’t need the money, Love, like you’ll never get hurt, You’ve got to dance, dance, dance, like nobody’s watching, It’s got to come from the heart if you want it to work.”
You really need to let yourself buy-in and connect with those you work with. Not only will this make your work-life much more fulfilling on a personal level but it will also serve to solidify you as a member of the work family or team. You’ll have to decide on the amount of connectedness you want to create at work, but your level of commitment to the success of each person on your team and company should be quite absolute.
Find a Mentor
Finding the right mentor can really make a huge difference. A mentor is someone who helps you move from one level to a higher level. The dictionary defines mentor as: a trusted counselor or guide. It even uses the synonyms of tutor and coach. You really need to appreciate this definition to engage or become a mentor. We use mentors all of our lives in one way or another. From the beginning, infants learn skills from older siblings and parents. Baseball coaches teach fundamentals of the game to the less experienced, and teachers help students understand things that enable them to learn even more.
In a very narrowly defined way, we are going to look at mentors as “people who will help you get ahead, be promoted, etc.” They have the clout and know-how to help you raise your status and are willing to do it.
A workplace mentor will normally be your boss but may be any number of people and perhaps even several people to some degree. I encourage you to pick a mentor who can actually help you get to where you want to be; someone who has been, or is now, where you want to go. You may want to consider a few points before selecting your primary mentor. This may become your most important relationship at work and should be decided upon carefully.
Your Chosen Mentor:
These are all important questions that you should ask before engaging someone as your mentor. Most of the questions you will already know the answers to. Some questions you will have to ask others or your prospective mentor privately.
It is definitely not a foregone conclusion that the person you would like to be you mentor will embrace the idea and throw their arms around you. Many people realize that mentoring another, though helpful at times, comes with some responsibility and risk. What if you really mess up and you have been “under the wing” of a mentor? They messed up too; or at very least they allowed you to mess up. Work life is often easier if you’re not a mentor.
It’s somewhat like when your kids are all raised, out of the house, and the whole place is peaceful. You can do whatever you want without being bothered. At least until the grand kids come around again, (more mentoring.)
As Always, I Prefer a Straightforward and Honest Approach to Engaging a Mentor
In most cases people will be flattered and gladly agree to help you out by being your mentor. The worst that could happen is they will say no. Well, I suppose they could say no and then throw a chair at you, but that’s not likely.
Even though you may engage a mentor, if asked, you definitely need to be a mentor as well. No matter how low you are on the totem pole there are others you will be able to lift up in one way or another. This is what good leaders and excellent employees do. They consider the needs of others and how helping them will benefit both individuals and company. They invest in people. You should too.
Chapter 18 Summary Points
Bill Hanover is author of “No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve” and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about “No Sucking-Up” at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill’s consulting services at www.tpslean.com
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Believe it or not, there are "hidden" jobs out there. The hidden job market is defined as jobs that can be created when a company has some project, initiative or need on the table but doesn't have the right person on staff to accomplish the goal. The hidden jobs are created when that "right person" is found.
Many companies in this economy are shy about advertising for jobs. It's tough to go into the market and post an ad for a new position when your name is in the paper for laying people off. That doesn't mean there aren't jobs out there to be had. Savvy job seekers will focus on identifying those positions and marketing themselves appropriately.
Think about looking for a job as if you are a salesperson selling something of value. Consider what you do a service or a product and define your service or product in terms of the unique benefit you will provide. The goal is to show the hiring company that you are the person that will get them to their goal. This approach will be especially successful for executive types that have at least 10 years of experience. The bottom line is that finding the hidden job market requires knowing the need that's out there and mapping your capability to that need in a way that creates value. Then all you have to do is make sure the person that needs that value gets the message about what you're offering.
Article reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Employment Digest has posted a brilliant article on job offers that aren’t actually as good as they look at first. Writer Carole Martin tells the story of Nicholas, who received an on-the-spot offer and was so thrilled he accepted right away. Nicholas was offered $55,000 per year, with a hiring bonus of $5,000 – a $10,000 raise from his last job.
But when Nicholas looked over the benefits package, he discovered that he would now have to pay the insurance premiums for his dependents. His last employer had paid the premiums for the entire family. -$350.00/per month - $4200 per year. His new vacation package offered two weeks time off, accrued over the next twelve months. His former package included three weeks vacation. -$962.00 one week's vacation pay.
Nicholas was receiving a 6.5% yearly bonus, based on company earnings in his last position. His new company does not have a planned bonus as part of the salary. Bonuses are earned based on performance, and given as judged appropriate. -$3250.00 per year - lost bonus. His former employer matched 50 cents for every dollar contributed up to 6% on his 401K account. This company does not match funds. -$1500.00 per year.
His calculations showed a minus of $10,000 a year from his new offer, based on cost of insurance premiums, lost bonus, and lost matching 401K contributions. He wasn't quite so thrilled with the offer anymore.
At least he got that $5000 hiring bonus, which will cushion the fall. But even that'll be affected - Nicholas didn't expect the higher tax rate on “special” checks that was deducted from the bonus money. These higher rate taxes can run as high as 41.5%.
Remember: once you sign the offer letter, you've essentially signed a contract. It is too late to go back and negotiate. Never accept an on-the-spot offer, unless it is completely out-of-this-world. It is generally wise to do the math in order to accurately evaluate what you’re gaining and losing.
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom.
I ran across a great post on personal branding over on the Shoestring Branding blog that advocates leveraging on-line technologies to achieve an authentic voice and become the candidate of choice for employers seeking talent. The blog's publisher, Mario Sanchez, discusses how many candidates in search turn their candidacy into a commodity by posting on multiple job boards rather than building a personal brand that showcases their unique value proposition and focuses on the key competencies that make them a real catch.
As Sanchez puts it, job seekers need to "come across as a real person in a low trust world." He recommends registering your name as a URL, setting up a personal website, and blogging on your brand or niche area of expertise.
If you're not ready to take these big steps yet, consider implementing one or more of these baby steps to create your on-line personal brand.
Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Is there anything worse than being late for an interview? Plague and famine, perhaps. If it's a final interview, famine could come in second place. We've heard of companies that code applicant files based on their arrival times for the interview - early, late, on time. If they feel two applicants are equally qualified, arrival time is one of the tiebreakers.
We're usually late for dopey reasons: we forgot we needed gas; we couldn't find the right tie/hose; we thought we knew where it was; we left late.
As professional salespeople, we train our prospects and clients in the way to treat us. Some clients double book appointments with sales people because they are always running behind. Do yourself a favor; leave 20 minutes earlier than your worst case estimate for travel time. Bring articles on your target company or industry magazines to fill any extra time. When you are selling, arriving late is arrogant and ineffective behavior. Practicing the same behavior for an interview can be suicide.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
When I performed last year’s survey of the coolest jobs, I was a little surprised when no one voted for two of the most traditionally prestigious occupations – lawyer and doctor. And sure enough, this week the New York Times reported that the desirability of the law and medical professions is at an all time low.
In the days when a successful career was built on a number of tacitly recognized pillars – outsize pay, long-term security, impressive schooling and authority over grave matters – doctors and lawyers were perched atop them all,” said the Times’ Alex Williams. “Now, those pillars have started to wobble.”
Indeed, as of 2006, nearly 60% of doctors polled by the American College of Physician Executives said they had considered getting out of medicine because of low morale, and nearly 70 percent knew someone who already had. Forty-four percent of lawyers recently surveyed by the American Bar Association said they would not recommend the profession to a young person. Applications to law schools and medical schools have declined from recent highs. According to the Law School Admissions Council, the national number of law school applicants dropped to 83,500 in 2006 from 98,700 in 2004, representing a 6.7% drop between 2006 and 2005 on top of the 5.2% slip the previous year.
What’s the reason for the decline? I agree with Williams and his experts that young professionals-to-be are now looking for careers that allow for more flexibility, creativity, and work/life balance. Today’s physicians and lawyers, in contrast, are some of the most overworked and overstressed people in America. Doctors are finding their ability to help patients severely impacted by managed care, and associates at large law firms may toil at 80-hour weeks for years only to find that the coveted partnership is still out a reach.
I’d love to hear from twenty-somethings who have recently made the decision to pursue medicine or law. What was your rationale, and how do you feel about your decision so far?
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- When you experience a setback, how do you get back on track, and quickly? Most professional people don't have hours, much less days or weeks to lick their wounds. Take a tip from the pros when it comes to getting your balance back after a job loss, lousy interview or other setback. Try these tools
Professionals have to bounce back quickly or they don't survive. This is just a sample. If you have other tools you've used successfully to bounce back, email me and I'll include them in a future article.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- You can barely contain your excitement! You've just had the best interview of your life. You wonder if others notice the bounce in your step. For a few days you bask in the glory of your own brilliance. So when the company calls to reject you, you are stunned. What happened? And more importantly, what can you do?
First, remember that rejection is not always about you. Sometimes companies reject great candidates whose catalog of skills and experience do not fit perfectly. Look at the jobs you unsuccessfully interviewed for. What clues can you find about why they weren't perfect matches? Use that information to target jobs that better suit you.
Second, know that sometimes rejection is about you. One of my clients told me she had been rejected six times, after six amazingly successful interviews. In order to diagnose the problem, we conducted a mock interview. The client discovered that she had a tendency to talk too much and dismiss the interviewer's legitimate concerns. She adjusted her interview style and landed a job. So, don't let rejection sideline you. Get a handle on what happened and then interview again.
Article by Rochelle Melander, Writing & Wellness Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- If you're going to respond to online and newspaper ads, you need to assume you'll be one of many. So it's important to learn how to make your application stand out from your competition.
However, to really stand out from the crowd, use as many methods as possible to find employment including networking, cold calls to companies, staffing firms, and resume distribution services -- in addition to ads.
Article by Wendy Terwelp, Certified Career Management Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- There is a lot of talk these days about values. It's an easy word to toss around. Have you thought about what values mean to your job search? Have you heard yourself say you'd do anything to work for a certain company, or a certain person, or to earn a certain amount of money?
Take a close look at what "anything" means to you. Would you exaggerate in order to accomplish your goals? Would you actually lie? Would you take money for a product or service you knew to be worthless? Would you sabotage a co-worker or a competitor to get ahead?
Contemplating these things may make you uncomfortable. Or you may view them as just business as usual. Either way, do your research to learn as much as possible about the culture of a prospective employer, especially if you are in direct contact with the clients. Network to current or former employees. Ask the tough questions. See if there is a match. Learn before you leap.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
One of my favorite concepts in Lean Manufacturing, in which I have been a consultant for the last 10 years, is the basic ideas of VA and NVA. VA means Value-Adding or, in other words, making a product or service more like what a customer is actually willing to pay for. NVA simply means Non-Value-Adding. NVA activities may be necessary, but customers really don’t want to pay for them and they cost your company time and money; we also call this “waste.”
Non-Value Adding
Example:
In a factory you have to move parts from the shipping department to the loading dock and then onto trucks for shipment. Customers want their products shipped to them but they really don’t want to pay you to move them around your factory. All they care about is getting their products on-time and perfect. There really is no value from the perspective of the customer, in your moving their products around, testing them, having meetings about them, or many of the other functions that happen in your plant like: accounting, purchasing, training, maintenance, etc.
Many meetings are non-value adding (I’m sure I’m not telling you anything new here.) On the other hand, some meetings help everyone understand the current situation or explain critical customer needs etc. You can’t really do away with all meetings because many of them are actually necessary even if they add no value from the viewpoint of your customers.
Value Adding
So, what is “Value-Adding” where you work? Do more of that. Seriously, if you do what your customers need and do it very well, it adds value for them and to you. That begs the question of just who are your customers?
Everyone is both a supplier and a customer to others in every workplace. Whatever your job is, you likely receive inputs (work) from others and deliver outputs (work) to others. The “others” are your customers. We already covered this basic idea in the “Know Your Boss” section so we won’t go over this aspect of value adding again.
We will, however need to find ways that you personally add value to your company and how you can capitalize on the value you add.
VA (Value Adding)
Example:
If your customers want reports turned in on time, then that is value adding from their perspective. In the end, isn’t that the perspective that keeps you employed? Sure it is, and to ignore that fact could be a career decision in itself.
Maybe your customer wants 27 parts per hour produced or 13 clients serviced each day, or some other measurable result. At minimum you should strive to meet the stated results or goals; that is just doing the “minimum” and should keep you employed in most companies.
Adding value, however, is a concept that also exists in the context of improving for the benefit of your customers. In that spirit you need to figure out (as in our example above) how to surpass the minimum required outputs so that you add more value than expected. That said, it’s not just about doing more than the stated requirements, but finding ways that everyone can surpass the old standards to better serve the customers.
Since I mostly work in factories, I will use a common example from a factory shop floor. In an assembly line area we may find a way of producing a certain product that is 2 or 3 times faster than the way it has been traditionally completed. Well, that is really exciting. Since your products are in high demand and customers want them faster and faster all of the time, (not to mention cheaper,) you are now in a better position to give your customers what they want, when they want it, and probably at a reduced price.
If you are the person who comes up with the great idea to streamline the process and triple production there are many kudos headed your way. You have added value because now your customers will get their products quicker and your company may even offer them the discount they have been asking for. That’s easier to do now since you are saving so much labor expense, and machine time because your team is building your products so much faster and cheaper. As it turns out, maybe your quality has also improved as a result of the process you designed. Bonus!
What’s more, you have saved your company money and allowed for the production of other items during the time previously used to produce products much more slowly. All companies know the value of doing things Better, Faster, & Cheaper. Those three words have become the mantra of most US based companies over the last 20 - 30 years.
When you are looking for ways to add value, you should also be looking closely at the ways your current position or department actually encourages or tolerates waste. Eliminating waste from your job or company is practically every bit as important as adding value through improvements. When you get right down to it, any value you add (in any form,) is really a reduction in some type of waste.
Example 1:
One production area in a plant where I was employed was seriously under-producing the products they made. Upon closer examination we (I worked with another person on this project,) noticed that among other things, the employees were shutting the work area down quite early between shifts so they could clean-up the area.
There were 15 or so employees and only one broom and one dustpan. Since they all needed these items, a lot of time was spent sharing them. Worse yet, because they were coveted items, people would hide them so they alone could find them and not be left waiting for their turn. This inspired a lot of looking for the broom and dustpan before the shift ended.
Well, our first recommendation was obvious, they needed more brooms and dustpans and they needed them in clearly marked obvious locations. Secondly, we discovered they really didn’t need all the extra cleaning time after all. We recommended they over-lap the incoming and outgoing shifts by about 10 minutes so a quick transition between shifts could occur and the needed cleaning could still be accomplished. This process took place while products were still being manufactured.
Maybe this sounds simple and straightforward, and in truth it was a pretty simple improvement to implement. In the end, we very conservatively calculated that the company was losing more than $300,000.00 per year due to a poor shift-change process including people looking for brooms and dustpans. The scary part was that this area was only one of about 30 areas with similar problems. Needless to say, the new process was implemented throughout the company and saved them millions each year.
Can you see the value? Of course you can, and that is the point. The value you create needs to be obvious. You need to expose the value you add if it has been hidden.
Example 2:
One of the up and coming secretaries I worked with, took it upon herself to remind the staff of critical meetings. She had a responsibility to post a meeting schedule, agenda, and invite certain people to special meetings etc. She, however, always took her role a step further.
Cindy would send everyone an email telling them about the meetings they needed to attend, she would probably stop by your desk and remind you a time or two, and she would very often make sure there were treats at the meetings. Nothing improves meeting attendance quite like treats!
Though I didn’t realize it at the time, Cindy was essentially being graded by her boss according to the percentage of people who actually made it to meetings. Her job only included posting the schedule and agenda, and inviting the right people. In reality, however, if the people didn’t show up on time and ready to discuss the topics at hand, she was judged to have failed even if it wasn’t her fault.
In other words, the only way she could do her job sufficiently well to please her primary customer (her boss,) was to go well beyond the minimums required. Again this isn’t rocket science, but if you are still in the “that’s not my job” mode, you may be losing out on promotions simply because you have mistakenly decided the minimums are enough; they definitely aren’t. Cindy added value from her boss’s perspective, by making sure people made it to meetings on time and ready to discuss the subjects he cared about.
Dollarize It?
There may be times, when you add value and/or remove waste from your company, that you will be tempted to “Dollarize” (assign a dollar amount to the improvements,) the results of your efforts. That can be a fantastic way to show some of the value you add in terms management can agree with, but it can also be a trap.
Since you now view the company as an owner would, it only makes sense that you are looking for ways to save the company money and help it earn more. In many companies stating how much more it is earning because of improvements is not only welcomed but encouraged. In others, these figures are discussed behind closed doors only.
I still recall one manager telling me “Bill, we really don’t want people knowing how much money they are making the company.” He was concerned that people would falsely get a sense that they were underpaid. They were not, as they were not aware of the significant monies spent just to keep the company running.
Jotting down results you helped the company earn on your resume is another story entirely. Though you may want to be less specific about some details (no trade secrets,) your ability to add value wherever you are is of great interest at promotion time or when seeking other employment.
If you helped your company save $10,000.00 per year by installing recycling bins, reducing office supply consumption, eliminating overtime in your department, or whatever, it is worth noting. Not everything you do will have such a bottom line impact so you should capitalize on it when it happens. Maybe all it takes is a single line in a weekly report to your boss or maybe just asking him or her how much they think a certain improvement you instigated is worth.
You may likewise consider including a statement of R.O.I. (return on investment,) in your next cover letter if you are seeking new employment or an internal position for which you must apply. You could perhaps write things like:
“I have helped each of my previous areas improve bottom-line profits by an average of 34% per year.”Or
“Under my leadership, our team has seen profits increase by more than 27% for the last 3 years.”
Or
“Based on results achieved in my previous department, it is fair to expect similar gains in this new position.”
Just showing that you are considering the positive impact you will have and are considering the “big picture” is impressive to most bosses.
Taking Credit for Greatness
Be careful when accepting credit for the many things you do to add value to your company. You probably had some help along the way. Even if the help was minimal remember to give credit and praise very generously to those who supported your efforts. If those you praise feel undeserving of the credit you give them, they will just reflect it back to you most of the time. Sometimes not, but generally everyone knows the unspoken truth about what was accomplished and who made it happen.
It really helps to speak of victories in terms of “our, we, us, the team, etc.” No matter how instrumental you were in accomplishing some great result, you will offend and alienate most people by tooting your own horn, so to speak. Even if you have to really search for ways that others were helpful, be sure to spread the wealth of praise around. It also has to be genuine or don’t do it. People can tell the difference. Citing specific examples of how various people helped is usually a good practice.
Why Don’t You Do It?
One of my good friends who has been an engineer, subordinate, mid & high-level boss, and even a company owner told me a great story about adding value at his company. It was simple.
He began complaining to his boss quite a few years ago about several problems in his department. After he had listed quite a number of problems, without any solutions I might add, he waited for his boss’s reply.
To his long complaining his very wise and experienced boss simply replied “Why don’t you do it?” What a great question he thought, “Why don’t I do it?” Why not me? That was all it took and the rest was history. He fixed some important issues and everyone benefited. It changed his outlook on work and taking responsibility thereafter.
So, the question is now posed to you. Why don’t you do it? Why don’t you find a way to fix the problems that plague your work area, department, or company? Why not you? There certainly may be problems you cannot fix on your own. Perhaps you lack the technical knowledge or skills. That’s ok. There are a few questions you should consider if this is the case:
If you have the ability to solve a problem using one of the options above, then you should do it. This is how you add value in real-world work life.
If you can solve the problem on your own or with a little help, it is definitely in your best interest to do so. Don’t get caught in the “it’s not my job” trap as we discussed earlier. It is your job and adding value by eliminating waste is one of the most important and powerful ways in which you will be seen as a team-player and an asset to the company. Remember the chapter “Winners Solve Problems?”
Of course you need to be careful not to over-extend your efforts into areas where you have not been invited. But, very often I’ve found if someone is a little humble and asks if they can help with a particular problem, even if it’s not in their department, they are generally invited with open arms. Most companies run in an everybody’s-too-busy mode, so a little help is usually appreciated. Check with the right people before offering your help so you don’t step on toes or potentially alienate great advocates.
A Few Final Thoughts on “Adding Value”
We’ve talked a lot about adding value from the customer’s perspective. And we’ve mostly considered the customers to be your internal customers such as your boss, their boss, areas that receive work from you, etc. In most companies these are your primary types of customers and will generally enjoy the bulk of the fruits of your labors and value adding activities.
Now we really should consider how you add value to “external” customers; the people, companies, organizations, etc. who purchase goods and or services from your company. Some refer to this as the “Critical Path,” meaning what adds value to your customers is critical to your company’s success.
When you add value from the perspective of external customers, you are gaining the benefit of adding value to your internal customers as well. The two go hand-in-hand as long as you consider the interests of both parties. Your external customer wants a high-quality product, cheap, and your internal customer wants to spend as little as possible to create it.
We all know what seems like value to us personally, but knowing what is thought to be valuable to your internal and external customers is just as important. Like most transactions in business and life, you give and take. Give the right things (value adding things,) and you have a better shot at getting what you value in return.
If your job is not somehow directly linked to the “Critical Path,” (adding value to your customers,) then you should find ways to connect it or find another job.
Chapter 17 Summary Points
Bill Hanover is author of “No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve” and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about “No Sucking-Up” at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill’s consulting services at www.tpslean.com
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- When we compare ourselves to others, we usually compare to the person with a bigger house, nicer car, faster boat, or better job. This is a great source of pain and suffering to many of us. Why don't we have a company car? Didn't we work hard this past year? Why did Ted get twice the bonus we did? Or twice the severance?
I heard the great motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, warn against being an "at-leaster" in a live presentation. This starts by comparing yourself to someone else and saying, "At least I don't...(do a particular thing) as badly as he does." Mr. Rohn saw these people as mediocrities not committed enough to either fail or excel spectacularly.
Have you fallen into the trap of being an "at-leaster"? Are you comparing and finding comfort in not being as bad as the next person? Do you have the courage to make a commitment and either fail or succeed spectacularly? Or are you content to sit in the safe middle ground? Or do you want to be the person others are using as their benchmark for success?
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- Finding information about a potential employer can be done in a variety of ways. The Internet is probably the fastest way to find information. You can use www.google.com to target a company website or find additional information through sites like www.hoovers.com. Publications such as Inc., Fortune, The Business Journal, Success Magazine, and Fast Company are another source. You can also find some of the basics via Standard & Poor's, Thomas Registry, Dun & Bradstreet, and others. What to look for:
Article by Wendy Terwelp, Career Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Everyone has been buzzing about the different careers featured in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Careers of 2008 piece. Since I’m going to be doing my fair share of talking about cool jobs come the spring, I thought I would highlight some of the more interesting observations that writer Marty Nemko makes about forthcoming career trends:
Blue collar is hip again.
More and more students are graduating from college at the same time that employers are offshoring more professional jobs. So, many holders of a bachelor's degree are having trouble finding jobs that require college-graduate skills. Meanwhile, society has been telling high school students that college is the way, so there's an accelerating shortage of skilled people in jobs that don't require college. Why else do you think you have to pay $100 an hour for a plumber?
Government is becoming an employer of choice.
Corporations, fueled by pressures to compete globally, continue to get ever leaner. Nonprofits are increasingly strapped because of donor fatigue and continued scandals. Government, beneficiary of increased tax revenues in good times and often able to raise taxes in bad times, has the luxury of continually paying employees well, whether it's an economically sound practice or not. As the last bastion of job security, government offers good pay, ample sick days, holidays, vacation days, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
Beware of increased offshoring.
Well-publicized failures of offshoring may have led the public to think that companies are reducing its use. In fact, companies are quietly increasing offshoring efforts, even jobs previously considered to be better left in the United States: innovation and marketing research, for example. As a result, U.S. News is publicizing careers like mediator and investment banker that companies will be less likely to offshore.
Status may be the enemy of contentment.
It seems the pursuit of status is greater than ever. People are flocking in greater numbers to such high-status but unrewarding careers as medical research, medicine, and architecture. Yet recent surveys and other indicators of job satisfaction in those professions paint a less-than-rosy picture.
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom blog.
I just finished reading Tales From the Networking Community and really enjoyed Dan Williams' simple, yet powerful statements about networking. My favorites are:
Article by Barbara Safani and courtesy of Career Solvers. Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers, has over ten years of experience in career management, recruiting, executive coaching, and organizational development. She is a triple certified resume writer and frequent contributor to numerous career-related publications
In a recent Life After Graduation, LLC survey, employers and college career centers ranked verbal communication as one of the top skills college graduates lack – and recent college graduates agree. When asked what skills do you believe would have been beneficial to learn prior to entering the workplace, nine out of ten recent college graduates cited verbal communication in their top two responses. Understanding pay and benefits was #1.
Knowing how to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and clients effectively is vital in ALL professional fields – not just business-related positions like sales and marketing. In today’s workforce, communication skills are not optional – they are essential for every professional and can only be mastered with practice and a concerted effort.
Your success in the workplace is directly linked to your ability to interact with those around you. So what can you do to become an effective communicator?
Rate of speaking.
Do you speak rapid-fire or back-porch? If you speak too fast, you risk losing people and/or appearing insecure. If you speak too slowly, you risk boring people and/or appearing, well, slow.
Volume.
You have good ideas and the skills to put them into action, but if you mumble you are creating an obstacle to your own success. Speak clearly, enunciate, and project confidence.
Non-verbal elements.
Eye contact, posture, fidgeting…all of these nonverbal cues can really reinforce—or sabotage—what you verbalize. Be aware of what your body is saying at all times.
Practice.
Get out and start speaking – In front of class, groups, co-workers, etc. Take every chance you have to speak and use it to better yourself. Becoming a member of your local Toastmasters club is also a great way to develop your skills. You can learn more at www.Toastmasters.org.
There’s really no proof that good grammar and vocabulary are indicators of high intelligence or advanced degrees. However, if you are well spoken and articulate, people will assume you are intelligent, educated, and capable. If you use poor grammar and exercise a limited vocabulary, people will believe just the opposite.
Having spoken 10,000 or more words a day since childhood, you undoubtedly developed a few bad communication habits. And, like any bad habit—whether it’s using slang or lots of “likes” and “uhs”—it can be hard to break. However, the benefits to becoming an effective communicator are well worth the effort.
According to John Frederickson, VP of Operations for a physicians group in Florida, Communication skills are definitely the key to success. “If I can get my message across better than the next person, and I sound great doing it, I’ve just made a valuable impression – and our clients agree.” John may be on to something. For the last four years, John’s company has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction. John attributes this to his staff’s communication skills. What does this mean for his employees? Higher wages.
According to John, he provides his new employees a starting wage that is at least 15% higher than those offered by his competitors. “We want the best – and to me, the best is a candidate that possesses strong communication skills. It’s that important.”
Article byTerry Arndt, President of Life After Graduation, LLC. and courtesy of Life After Graduation, LLC. To learn additional information about effective communication skills and other valuable career transition issues, read Backpack To Briefcase: Steps to a Successful Career. Available at www.LifeAfterGraduation.com.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- Do you talk while you chew your food? Interrupt other people when they are talking? Barrel through doors without concern for who might be ahead of you? Manners may not seem important during college or graduate school, but young employees need good manners to succeed in a tight job market. Great manners can impress interviewers.
Article by Rochelle Melander, Wellness & Writing Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Hopefully people think of you in a very positive light, after all you’re a good person, right? If your image, or how people perceive you, has suffered a bit there, are many things you can do to repair or enhance it. We will briefly go over a number of important practices that should have you glowing in the eyes of your co-workers and bosses. This is part of the “marketing” process but also includes some behaviors and personal characteristics that you may want to further develop.
Your Attitude & Self Image: Key Ingredients for Success
When you have a positive attitude it can be very contagious. How you feel about yourself and whether or not you are optimistic or pessimistic shows through in almost everything you do. Happy, optimistic, and positive people are a lot more fun to be around and often the only type of people many bosses even consider promoting. Good candidates for high-level positions bring needed positive energy to their roles and help others be energized and motivated.
One self-image strategy I have used over the years is very simple. I have convinced myself that “if someone else can do something, so can I.” Think about it, we’re all just human after all. Sure, there are plenty of things that would be extremely difficult or maybe even physically impossible, for many of us. For the most part though, anything anyone else can learn, do, or be is open to all of us. It’s just a matter of applying yourself and committing 100% to the achievement of that goal.
You also need to BELIEVE that you can do the job you are hoping to win with competence and at a level beyond all expectations. Your self-image can be so powerful that it might even exceed your abilities, but it will be difficult for people to resist you. Let your confidence shine and people will notice.
Quick Example:
Recently my oldest son began playing football on his high school team. He wasn’t playing much because it is his first year and more experienced players are getting the bulk of the play time. At his last game he walked up to the coach and said “Put me in coach, I’m going to sack that quarterback!” The coach, seeing his determination, put him in and he knocked the QB on his rear just as he was releasing the ball. Not quite a sack, but his Can-Do attitude got him in the game.
Letters of Commendation
You have interactions and relationships with many different people everyday. Some are customers some are suppliers, some are bosses in other departments or even sister companies. These folks can be a great resource for letters of commendation that state what a great job you do and how they count on you and how you always come through etc.
Most of the time all you have to do is ask and people will be very happy to give you a letter of appreciation or commendation. They might even send it to your boss so he or she has a copy. If they don’t give your boss a copy you will at least have yours for the performance portfolio you are building.
Emulate & Imitate
You see successful people all around you everyday. Some are wealthy, others have great marriages, and others are star performers in their jobs. There are plenty of great examples from whom you can learn the secrets of success.
If you want to be a fantastic dad, do what great dads do. If you want to be a more nurturing mother, do what caring mothers do. Probably one of the simplest ways of becoming anything you want to be is by following the example of someone who is already successfully doing it. It’s no secret, it just takes paying attention and putting in the effort.
One of the best word of mouth campaigns in the world might be the “WWJD” question that so many people now ask. WWJD stands for “What would Jesus do?” Whether you are Christian or not, you are probably aware of the kind of life Jesus Christ lived as recorded in Christian scriptures. This thought process encourages people to consider what Jesus would do in any situation. The hope is that people will be kinder to each other and more likely to choose the right if they first consider what he would do before acting.
For our purposes you could benefit from selecting a successful person in your profession who is worth emulating. You don’t need to become a carbon copy, but you could incorporate some of their better attributes to help you raise your game.
Example:
For a couple of years I was a high school counselor. Although my job was often fairly mundane, there were times when a kid would come to my office very upset telling me about serious problems.On occasion, I would think of my mentor, a man who had been a psychologist for more than 30 years (Dr. Nielson.) He was a good man and a highly respected psychologist. He would often scratch the back of his head when he was confused, or trying to look confused, so a client would elaborate and flesh-out what they were attempting to say.
On several occasions when a student really needed a competent counselor I would think to myself “What would Dr. Nielson say?” I’d even scratch the back of my head to get into character. You know what? It really helped! I could almost hear Dr, Nielson’s words popping into my head. I was leaning on his wisdom, meaning I had absorbed and understood some of it.
You can use this technique to give presentations “just like Jim” or handle problems “the way Carol does.” I’ve watched people change their posture and demeanor to become like successful people, and as long as you do it well and respectfully, it can really payoff. This technique is especially helpful if you are in a stressful or fearful situation. You can “consult” in your own mind, with the expert you have selected and present what they would say or do.
Have you ever noticed how successful, confident people generally look you right in the eyes and focus on you as if you are the only person in the room? They “engage” and it is captivating. Former President Bill Clinton is said to be one of the most charismatic and engaging people in our day. If you watch him you’ll see he really looks at people, smiles, (a big beaming smile like he just found his lost puppy,) and he’ll usually hold the person’s hand and put his other hand on their shoulder or back while speaking with them. Even his political opponents are taken with his presence. Why not give this approach a try?
If you do try emulating or imitating others you may want to role-play and practice before getting into a situation where you are uncomfortable. For example, think about the speech you have to give and how you will give it just like “Steve” would. Ask yourself things like: how does Steve stand, does he use note cards or sheet paper, does he tell jokes when speaking, does he focus in on one or two people or make eye contact with the entire group, etc. Once you can imagine yourself acting a lot like Steve and have practiced giving your speech repeatedly, you are probably ready to go for it.
Get the Title
Sometimes more than any other thing, having the right title will really boost your clout in your company. Some titles suggest progression like V.P. of Sales which leads one to think of you as a future President of Sales. Area Supervisor often leads to Department Manager etc. If your current title is of a non-progressing nature like Coder or Stock Clerk then you might look for a promotion that gives you a title which has a clear progression. Some titles are ends in themselves like line worker or mail room staff, and don’t suggest anything more.
If that isn’t practical in your company, then maybe noting your years of service or expertise might warrant asking your boss to review your title. How does Senior Programmer sound? How about Senior Stock Clerk or Director of Coding?
It’s generally no skin off the manager’s nose to give you a title that better matches your position and makes you feel better about your job. In fact, when your status rises, their status as a manager also rises. Personally, I don’t care much about titles, but I have seen people step up and contribute more once they had a better title. A good title suggests greater importance and contribution. For the most part people will rise to their titles.
Why Not Smile?
Did you know the very act of smiling makes people feel happier? It really does. Just try it right now, let yourself enjoy a great big smile. Do you feel better? I’ll bet you do!
Smiling not only makes you feel better and helps you to maintain a more positive attitude, but it also helps those around you feel better as well. It is contagious! People will learn to associate your smiling face with good experiences and upbeat thoughts. And maybe as a source of stress relief. As long as you can do it in a genuine way you’re in no way playing a game. Being happy is actually allowed in most companies. If you are happy and energetic you are contributing to the morale of the company. Good for you!
Visualization
One really simple, but often overlooked technique, for winning promotions is visualizing yourself in the position you want. Basically, if you can’t imagine yourself doing the job, there’s a very good chance no one else can either. You really need to believe in your core that you would fill the job better than anyone else and that you would add great value if promoted.
With the exception of reflexes that are hard-wired into us, for the most part, it seems almost all of our actions begin as thoughts. If you can think your way into the position and truly visualize the fine details of doing it and excelling at it, then you are half way there. The other half comes from helping your promoter to also visualize you in the position.
To make that process easier you could actually do many of the tasks required for that position or at least do very similar tasks. Maybe you could also take a course or read books on the position or skills needed for that position. In short, you are proving you can do the job before you get it. That makes bosses very comfortable with the idea of promoting you.
Obviously just imagining yourself in a job doesn’t get you the job, but it does help you transform your actions and thought processes, to some extent, to prepare for the position.
I Feel Great!
When you are in the doldrums of work which sometimes happens, you can lift your spirits just by saying something like “I feel great.” Just like smiling to feel happier, privately repeating “This is a terrific job,” or some other positive affirmation, really can make you feel better. I like to think of a favorite song of mine that says “Because I have been given much I too must give.” The words in this song remind me what a great life I really have, and all that I have to be thankful for. Nothing chases off stress and depression like genuine gratitude and doing something kind for someone else. This song brings both of these thoughts to the front of my mind and frees me from the blues.
However you chose to help yourself keep a positive attitude and maintain the energy you need, I encourage you to do it. Of course I’m not suggesting you present yourself as a blissful idiot, but I’d rather work with a happy, upbeat person any day, wouldn’t you?
Do What Works For You
If any of these techniques or practices feel good to you and seem like they might help you be happier and a positive influence at work, then by all means do them. Each of the items mentioned can improve your image at work and in your personal life. Just because you start smiling more doesn’t make you a phony if you are trying to improve yourself and inspire others. Imitating successful people doesn’t make you any less of a professional. In fact, before long, others will be imitating you. Improving in these ways can help you be happier and help others feel better about themselves as well. You really have nothing to lose.
Chapter 16 Summary Points
Bill Hanover is author of “No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve” and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about “No Sucking-Up” at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill’s consulting services at www.tpslean.com
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Over the last few years there has been a huge growth in the numbers of people working from home. This has been caused by the increased use of the internet and mobile phones facilitating the ability to work wherever we like. There are obvious advantages to home or remote working. The most important being the work-life balance is much improved without the time wasted going to work every day on the congested roads.
The reality is, however, that it doesn't suit everyone. Being alone day after day with no social interaction can be very lonely. For those individuals prone to depression working from home can become a nightmare with the distinction between work and home becoming a blur. While it is not for everyone, working from home is ideal for self-starters who can discipline themselves so that there is a clear distinction between work and home.
Other considerations to take into account before beginning to work at home include making sure the type of work is adaptable to home-working. Security of information and data protection should also be a high priority.
Article abridged: Onrec.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Is the glass half empty or half full?
How you see it has a huge bearing on how you recover from setbacks and how happy you are in general.
I'd like to say that I was born an optimist. I'd also like to say that I can eat all the chocolate I want without gaining a pound and that the sun is shining here in Seattle on January 7. But unfortunately none of this is true.
So while I nibble on small bits of chocolate and stoically don my rain parka, I'm working on cultivating optimism. And here's why: my career and my life are going to be better for it.
Here's what sets apart the pessimists from the optimists, according to Dr. Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life,
"The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do, and are their own fault. The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of the world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case...Confronted by a bad situation, they perceive it as a challenge and try harder."
Our careers are filled with setbacks. We may have a bad boss, a poor performing employee, a project that has gotten way out of hand, unrealistic quotas, a boring job, too much to do, budget cuts, layoffs, or unethical leadership.
Career change offers up its own share of challenges, setbacks and bad times. Lack of personal contacts in the desired field, lack of education, low starting salary in our desired position, and so on. I'm getting depressed just writing about it!
I've coached a lot of people over the last several years on all kinds of career and life issues. The optimists simply have an easier time of it, and they get where they want faster.
The good news in all this is that even people with pessimistic tendencies can cultivate optimism. This involves learning a new set of cognitive skills, as opposed to repeating happy affirmations and hoping that someday you believe them.
Seligman's book explains these skills in detail. They are rather fascinating and take some practice and some time to get the hang of.
I highly recommend you buy the book or check it out from the library for all the information, but here are a few highlights around the "ABCD" skills model.
A. Notice when you're experiencing adversity, even just a tiny example.
"I can't get a meeting with my boss this week."
B. Notice your beliefs (i.e., your interpretation) about this adversity.
"My boss is always ducking me. Why doesn't she care about what I'm doing?"
C. Notice how you feel and/or what you do (i.e., the consequences).
"I'm worried that I'm not going to be considered for the promotion I'm wanting, that I'm no longer a "player". I'm angry that I'm disregarded."
D. Distract yourself or dispute your beliefs.
Immediately shift your attention to stop ruminating. Or use evidence, alternative views, or decatastrophize. (These are very powerful skills that I just can't do justice here. Get the book!)
A little pessimism can be constructive. It can keep us from doing rash, foolhardy things. Back in our evolutionary history our pessimism mirrored the grim realities of the times: danger lurking around the next corner, most children dying before their 5th birthday, not enough food to last the winter, etc.
But now for most of us, disaster is far less imminent. Yet the pull of pessimism can keep us stuck, unhappy, even depressed. We need optimism to inspire and fuel our plans and dreams and to propel us forward into unchartered territory.
I am deciding to be hopeful that the sun will return to Seattle, among other things. What are you deciding to be optimistic about today?
By Heather Mundell and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Does it seem like you always hear people raving about their "dream job"? They are so passionate about their careers they can't believe someone actually pays them to do it! Do you yearn for that one position that will fill every need you have: autonomy, creativity, contribution, passion, growth (personal and professional), top income, and a clothing allowance?
By all means, have the dream, and seek the dream job. But ask yourself, does your current or next job really have to fill all those needs? Do you expect one person to fill every need in your life, personal and professional? If you're selling a product or service, how often do you see a 100% match between the client criteria and your product?
What if you cut yourself some slack? What if you allowed friends, community service, volunteering, and hobbies or interests to give you a sense of fulfillment, creativity, growth, involvement and passion? You could end up opening the door to a number of high-paying job opportunities and have more fun in the meantime.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Lately, people feel that their pocketbooks are being drained too fast. They are anxious about the shaky economy, a possible layoff, business slowdowns, higher energy bills, the real estate downturn, and many worry that they won't have enough money for retirement. You can sit around and be a member of the "worry warts" or you can take control over your life and make it better. How?
There are three ways to achieve this goal.
Option number three may not be the easiest, but it is often the most lucrative.
FACT: The biggest salary increases occur when people move on to a new employer. How much bigger? Governmental salary reports state the increases range from 15% to 50% -- that's a lot more dollars you could be taking home in your next paycheck.
In his previous job, Kim had been promoted twice, first earning a 2% raise, and then a 4% salary increase. This was typical of corporate America promotions -- single digit raises. He knew he should be making more money, so he became a career counseling client and together we implemented a job search. The results landed him a new position with a significant raise, making $23,000 more than he made at his old job!
How did he, and many of my other clients, do it? They took greater control of their career, asked for help, and learned how to:
Of course, we had done some work on defining where the best jobs for them would be available, made decisions about the salary range to target, and looked at the best resources for finding good job openings.
Are you prepared to launch a serious job search? How will you do? First, take our free Resume Assessment Quiz to see if your resume will standout to employers. Then, take our Interactive Interview Quiz to learn how you will do when answering the potential employers' questions.
To efficiently and successfully advance your career, try implementing these important success strategies:
© Copyright 2007 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved. Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil is considered America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement, to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of: 60 Seconds & You're Hired!; Soaring On Your Strengths; What to Do with the Rest of Your Life; Winning Resumes; and Winning Cover Letters. A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: RobinRyan@aol.com, or visit her website: www.robinryan.com.
I came across a great post on Liz Lynch's The Stealth Networker Blog about some of the issues active job seekers sometimes face when networking. Liz reminds us that the time to start networking is way before you are in a job search. People who only start networking when they are in need of contacts and help often lack the authenticity that is so critical to building a viable network. Job seekers often get frustrated with the concept of networking because as Dan Williams says in his book, Tales From the Networking Community, "networking is a process, not an event." Job seekers expect immediate results (often because they need to pay immediate bills) and may give up on networking if they don't quickly get some bites.
Every encounter with another person is a potential networking opportunity. Network to build relationships, not to get a job. Get in the mindset of giving more than you get, connecting people without being asked, actively seeking new affinity groups, exploring on line social networks, blogging, joining professional associations, volunteering, and reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. By doing so, you will build your network steadily over time and will be recognized as a trustworthy and credible connection who is genuinely interested in the well-being of the people in your network. Once this is accomplished, you will reap the benefits of being top of mind with others in your network when you are in need of advice, help, support, and yes, even a job lead.
By Barbara Safani and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- "If a recruiter tells you it's a non-negotiable salary, it's a non-negotiable salary," said Maureen Stoudt, an executive recruiter with Core Business Solutions, LLC. According to Stoudt, it's the recruiter's responsibility to negotiate the candidate's salary with an employer. And employers these days have very specific requirements and budgets.
"I hate it when I've told the candidate the salary is non-negotiable and they try for wiggle room during the interview. It makes me look bad," said Stoudt. When you're looking for a job, a recruiter is a good friend to have. Stay on their good side by following their guidelines. They know their client (the prospective employer) best.
Article by Wendy Terwelp, Career Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
MILWAUKEE, WI -- One of my clients, a young woman named Susan, expressed anxiety about an upcoming job interview. She had experienced a few tough interviews recently and even thinking about the next one made her hands shake.
Together, we worked on imagining the perfect interview. We outlined what that would look like for Susan: she would be dressed professionally, have the opportunity to tell several key stories about her accomplishments, and answer difficult questions with ease. In our next session, Susan and I role-played the interview so Susan could experience what she hoped to happen in the real situation. Then, Susan mentally rehearsed the good experience at least once each day. In her mind, she walked herself through the interview, seeing herself succeed.
It worked. Susan had an amazing interview. She connected with the interviewer, handling tough questions with ease, and experienced no physical jitters. She had trained her body to respond well to a challenging situation. We all envision our upcoming interviews. Most of us imagine what we fear -- training our bodies and minds to expect the worst. Susan imagined the best -- and got it!
Article by Rochelle Melander, Wellness and Writing Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Keeping Your Small Business from Becoming Another Statistic
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
In today’s technological age, individually-owned businesses are on the rise. With the help of the Internet, many people are finding success at owning their own business. On the other hand, with so many entrepreneurs out there, many are finding themselves getting lost in the crowd.
According to the Small Business Bureau, 30 percent of independent companies fail within the first year.
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
Having trouble breaking into the world of retail? The following five tips will change your bad luck and have you behind a register in no time.
Look the part.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- I know you've probably heard this advice before: know what you want in your new job. Well of course you know what you want, but have you made a written list? Have you thought about the ideal day, the perfect people? What about opportunities for advancement? Do you want to maim and kill to get them, or do you want a company that shares your values? Are those values written in a list? Can you articulate your top four values without looking at written notes?
Make a bullet-point list of your ideal job requirements. It makes it easier to know if a potential job is worth applying for, interviewing for or accepting. It also creates energy for your job search and empowers your networking. During one job search, I made my Ideal Job list and kept it in my planner. When I found The Job, I showed my list to the hiring manager. He could see that the position matched 18 of my 20 criteria. He was so impressed, he offered me the position on the spot. Make the list! You could be next.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MILWAUKEE, WI -- You just heard the news, and I don't mean from The Donald. This time it's personal and it's you who's been downsized. What's next? Here are just a few useful tips you may want to consider.
Use the guilt your boss feels at this moment to get a great letter of reference. Yes, it can be done - especially if it's financial issues rather than a performance issue. Ramp up your network. Start making a list of everyone you know. Develop a networking script and include the positions you are targeting, your proudest related achievement, and a list of the Top 5 companies you'd die to work for.
Make sure you tell your spouse and/or significant other. While they may not be happy, they'll more than likely understand and want to help. Accept offers of help from anyone. You never know where it can lead.
Article by Wendy Terwelp, Career Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
Once upon a time, I worked in the professional association world as a membership development professional. While I may no longer be working in nonprofits or this particular field, I do continue to promote the value of joining and participating in a shared community of professional practice. As Barbara Safani mentioned a couple of days ago...if you're looking to jumpstart your professional goals this year, consider finding a professional association.
There's a professional association for you...no matter what you do.
Some professions have easily defined associations (think accountants (AICPA), doctors (AMA), and realtors (NAR)). But if you think your profession doesn't have an associated professional community, think again. By some estimates, there are around 70,000 professional societies, trade associations, and chambers of commerce in the United States alone. To find an association devoted to your profession, visit the American Society for Association Executives and search their Gateway to Associations. I guarantee you'll find something (and if you don't, contact me and I'll help you locate one).
Don't be afraid to think creatively about joining an association. There are some exceptional niche associations that address specialty areas within professions. And if you're considering making a career leap, think about taking a small step in that direction by joining an association for that particular career. Associations have member resources such as listserves, newsletters, and networks which are great ways to learn about the possibilities and challenges facing you as you think about that potential new career choice.
So, you joined an association...now what?
Once you find and join an association, immediately sit down and sketch out what you want to achieve through your membership. Your membership is an investment in your professional future...take responsibility for nurturing that investment. One of the most frequent mistakes made by new members is not fully thinking about how they want to get the most from their membership. While most associations have a new member orientation program, only you know where you want to go. If growing your network is important, volunteer for a conference or join a committee. If building your prestige is important, write an article or submit a conference presentation proposal. The return on your investment will ultimately be what you're willing to put into your membership experience.
Play around...see what works for you...then do it.
Take advantage of everything you can. Read the association's publications, research their website, and contact the association's staff to learn all you can about the features of membership. You might just find that there's a little publicized member feature that fits your needs or discover a new feature in the works that will benefit your career. Don't make the mistake of joining and then forgetting your membership. This isn't an investment that delivers a return if ignored...you have to actively manage it and take action to see results.
Finally, care for your association staff...and they'll care for you.
This is my shameless plug for all the hard working folks who make association management their careers. Just like others in the nonprofit world, they usually don't do it for money, they do it for love. They love their members and love what their members do and they love being able to have an impact on their members' industry. When you find them doing great things, tell them. If you find ways to improve the association, tell them. Foster a caring relationship with the staff and they'll be far more likely to think about you when seeking a writer, speaker, or volunteer.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with professional associations. Have they been beneficial to your career?
By Chris Bailey and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
When my sister and I were little girls, we spent most week-ends at our Grandmother's home. Among her many talents as a retired elementary education teacher, she raised the most beautiful hollyhocks and zinnias.
Occasionally, my sister and I would pick a zinnia and one-by-one, pluck the petals as we recited "doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief." Our "game" would continue until all the petals disappeared and we were left with but one petal and one occupation. If we ended up with an occupation we didn't like, well, we just picked another zinnia!
Funny how, as I recall, we weren't trying to decide our own careers; nope, it seems we were trying to pick that of our future mates. Okay, so we were only 11 or 12, but back then, there were a handful of occupational choices "expected" of us: wife, secretary, nurse, and/or teacher (or at least those are the ones I was made aware of).
I pretty much knew I was in trouble when I expressed zero interest in any of those "opportunities". Not that they're bad choices, or anything of the sort; they just didn't interest me at that time in my life. I don't recall any of my high school "guidance counselors" exploring options such as "what about becoming a psychologist, or lawyer, or professor, or business executive?" I do recall a high school guidance counselor suggesting that I "find a nice boy and settle down."
Thank goodness, times have changed! Today, you can be anything your heart desires if you have the ability, drive, and determination to go get it. So, too few choices back then? Or too many choices for you now? Only you can decide what is good and right for you in today's global workplace...doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief.... What petal will you pick in 2008?
By billiesucher and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- You've been looking for a while. You think you've been doing all the right stuff. You're certainly trying hard. But nothing seems to be working. The job statistics are not promising, especially for your expertise. You've heard all the political rhetoric until you're about to turn blue and the last thing you need is another pep talk.
When is it fair to be frustrated? It's fair to be frustrated at any point. Just don't expect a lot of sympathy. There is always someone who thinks his road is rougher than yours. The key is not to let frustration take you out of the game. Don't let frustration freeze you in place. Don't let it turn to depression.
Great idea, Pat! HOW? Well, stay physically active each day. Find someone more challenged than you and help him out, even if only for 10 minutes. Cut the grass for the elderly neighbor. Volunteer for an organization that needs you, and expect nothing back.
Article by Pat Schuler, Business Development Coach, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!
The Benefits of Using a Job Agency for Temporary or Permanent Employment
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
Job agencies that link people with jobs are becoming increasingly popular. Potential employees fill out job applications that include prior job experience and contact information so job agencies can match the right employers to the right jobs.
In the spirit of the New Year, here are some easy to implement resolutions to get your career management strategy on track for 2008.
By Barbara Safani and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
Recently I have been very impressed with the Chase® credit card company’s commercials. They show a teenaged couple sitting in a car on a date, then they are in college, then married, laying their children into bed, fishing with their grandchildren, and etc. The commercial grabs my heart a little every time I see it.
The purpose in mentioning this advertisement is that there is a similar touching experience that happens when you help employees advance in a company.
I still remember the first time I hired an employee. It was at a pizza place many years ago. He was a clean-cut kid who was very excited about the prospect of getting the job. To be honest with you, I was probably at least as excited as he was to give him the job. I could hardly wait to say those magical words; “you’re hired.”
He impressed me and gave me a genuine good feeling inside that made me think “this guy is really going somewhere.” In other words I hired him for how he made me feel. I have seen this repeated many times over so we should spend some time exploring this idea.
Like the Chase® commercial, feelings and imagery are very powerful when you are trying to sell something. In reality, all promotions come with a bit of a sales job. Not a sucking-up job, but a sales job, and there is a big difference. What are your selling points?
Here Are A Few “Selling Points” To Consider:
Your Promoter Needs To Feel Like You Will Make Them Proud, Happy, Successful, Validated, Respected, Elevated, And Etc.
These character traits and behaviors (and many more,) should be the terms and phrases people use to describe you when you’re not around. If you could hear what people really think of you, would they be using these descriptions?
If you want to “market” who you are and the great strengths you bring to your company, you’ll want to spend some time doing a little introspection, or self-analysis. Consider if people genuinely feel good about themselves just for being around you. This is partially why so many bosses promote people. It isn’t only their skills or seniority, or anything else; it’s also about how they feel around that person.
Burden Of Proof
When it comes right down to it, you may find that to properly market your skills and worthiness for a promotion, you have the burden of proof. Meaning, you may not be as well known as you hoped to the person(s) doing the promoting, and you will need to prove to them that you are right for the job.
Not long ago I was with a colleague at a prospective client company. The colleague was bragging about my process-improvement-skills and my great attitude and etc. That was fine until he looked over at me, still talking to the plant manager and said “Bill, tell him everything you’re going to do for him.” I hadn’t known the man even an hour and had only spent a short time looking over the entire operation. I didn’t have a clue what I would be doing for him. I was genuinely panicked for a few minutes there.
I reached into my bag of “what I usually do” tricks and spelled out a few things that I thought were possible and very beneficial for the company. I think I mostly pulled it off, but I was definitely put on the spot.
Getting promoted very often comes hand in hand with being interviewed. Being interviewed should always be preceded with being prepared before the interview.
In the scenario mentioned above, I needed more time to assess the situation before I could boldly describe all the improvements I would help them facilitate. In your case, unless you have really procrastinated, you have plenty of time to focus in on a specific promotion or two, and prepare well in advance of any interview or opportunity that might present itself.
Gently Illustrating Your value:
Somehow hiring or promoting you has to be seen as an excellent investment by the company. If the results you are creating are being totally overlooked or invisible, you may want to consider doing some of the following:
Quite frankly, finding reasons to celebrate at work is a great way to help keep things on a positive and up-beat trend. Work really should be enjoyable even if it is often difficult. There’s honor and respect in a good day’s labor even if you take the time to smile every now and then.
As it turns out, R.O.I. (Return On Investment,) is in the eye of the beholder. You need to document the “hard numbers” of what you helped accomplish, but beyond that, you need to consider how your problem solving and improvement process had an impact on others.
Your boss may not be too interested in the fact that your department now has a microwave and refrigerator in the break room, but he or she might be interested in the fact that lost time due to walking all the way to the cafeteria has been reduced by 70%. Find out where people’s interests lay and you will more clearly understand what results they will perceive as worthwhile.
You might just ask “Have you noticed anything different since we put the microwave and refrigerator in the break room?” Any boss worth his or her salt should have clued-in to the improved productivity or at least noticed people are more accessible especially around lunch time. This is not a huge improvement, perhaps, but it is one more example of how you create results in a thousand small ways on regular basis.
Perhaps you are a parent and your child has said to you, as have mine, “Hey Dad, I got 100% on my spelling test today.” Doesn’t that just make you feel good? It makes me feel like I’m an ok Dad and like I’ve got a great kid. I’m proud and happy and my child is happy too.
Unless your boss is terribly threatened by you because of his or her insecurities, he or she is probably proud and happy for your accomplishments also. You make them look good, or smart; like a great boss. Perhaps you’ve even improved the bottom-line, or saved the day somehow. They really do want to know when you do something good for the team or the company. Don’t worry so much about looking like you might be bragging when it comes to a conversation between you and your boss. They want you to succeed for a whole host of reasons. Allow them to celebrate with you and recognize your increasing worth.
The Interview
We’re not going to go through the whole interview process, but suffice it to say that the interview can be a very important part of getting promoted and marketing yourself. You will need to make your interviewers very comfortable that you are the perfect person for the job if you hope to get it. You can find some very good books on interviewing by clicking HERE I’d highly recommend you read good books on interviewing and practice interviewing beforehand.
The Press
If you have accomplished something particularly noteworthy maybe it is in the category of “company news.” Company news is often published within internal company newsletters and disseminated throughout the organization. This could be a great way to get your name recognized in a positive light.
No doubt you know your situation and how such a move would be seen in your company better than I do. You’ll have to consider the implications before doing this. Some bosses would definitely want to be informed before you began speaking to “the press” (albeit internal,) so they would be prepared to address any related questions. Other bosses would be happy for the good publicity regarding one of their own, and make sure everyone reads the article.
Being featured in the company newsletter is usually easily accomplished. Generally speaking all you have to do is:
Have A Story Of Success That Is Unique, Different, Novel, etc. Which Makes It Interesting and Therefore Newsworthy
Get Clearance from Those in Charge before “Going Public” With a Story
Present Your Story to the Person Who Generates the Newsletter In Advance Of the Deadline for Submissions
Make Sure It Is Timely
Be Prepared To Discuss the Story As Questions Arrive
A Future (Follow-Up Story) May Be Completely Appropriate
Publish Often
Bosses can’t or won’t promote you if they don’t know you. It is your job to be sure you are known. No matter how outstanding and truly wonderful you are, it won’t make a difference if the people who could promote you have never heard of you before or have never heard anything particularly special about you. You may not like this fact, but it is almost always true. It is very rare that someone comes from absolute obscurity in a company to become the next great leader.
You really do need to become a little famous as you pursue promotions. Famous doesn’t have to mean anything negative like becoming a braggart or “glory hound,” but getting recognized for your accomplishments is a common element for those who most easily get rewarded with promotions.
Networking, Sort Of…
Whenever I hear people speak of “networking” I usually think of manipulation. Maybe you have also noticed this common perception.
So the question becomes, what are appropriate ways to network with others so that manipulation does not play a role in the relationships and everyone benefits?
First, let’s take a look at what networking really is. Networking is people working together for mutual benefit. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. In fact we engage in networking every day even if we don’t see it as such.
My son and one of his friends play football and need to be driven to the practice field. We, as parents decided to take turns carpooling. This is a pure and simple networking relationship that facilitates both of our interests. It works for both families equally well.
Networking is witnessed in schools, church groups, political parties, and in virtually every endeavor in life in one form or another. You really can’t escape it so you should, at very least, learn how to do it well.
Never fake your way into relationships so you can network with someone. They will see through it and you will feel like a snake. In the best networking relationships, a genuine bond of friendship and mutual respect is formed. It is the “I’ll be there for you, and you’ll be there for me” understanding that is common in most of life’s friendships.
Most of the time networking relationships will develop very naturally and there will be implied trust and teamwork. Other times you will need to come to a more formal understanding regarding what each person brings to the table and setup mutually agreeable terms you will both abide by.
If you need to solidify an understanding or create one with someone the following approach/ideas may be helpful to you in this process.
Get To Know the Person for Awhile before Assuming They Are Trustworthy
Approach Your Would-Be Networking Team-Mate Privately and Directly
Now That You Have a New Team-Mate It Is Time to Strategize
A Good Networking Relationship Should Be Like a Couple or a Group of Friends Who Have a Mutual Bond and Common Interests
Some Networking Is Also Needed Among “Rivals”
Networking can exist on many different levels. Some of the best examples I have ever seen are visible between the “would-be-promoted” and secretaries. Sure there is a little Quid Pro Quo (getting something in return for something else) that goes on, but for the most part these are open and honest relationships. In many many companies, secretaries can make or break people looking to climb the corporate ladder.
In several companies, I have seen janitors and maintenance helpers who had the ear of senior management nearly every day. Most supervisors and managers don’t even get that kind of time with the boss. You never know who might have a great influence on the person you are trying to show your potential to. Be kind and helpful to everyone regardless of their perceived status.
Networking Example:
A networking partnership comes to mind where one man and his boss were constantly putting their heads together to:
These guys were always looking out for each other and really were a powerful force when they worked as a team. I watched them achieve everything on this list over time. They also did it with great enthusiasm.
Networking partnerships can be very powerful when there is a solid base of understanding and expectations from the very beginning. There are many people who network with others, but they never formally define the relationship. That’s fine, and that is usually how networks naturally form. But, after a network has formed, you should consider going past the shared casual understanding, and discuss what you will actually do to help each other.
A networking partner might recommend their partner for:
Good networking partnerships are only limited by your imagination. There are so many ways you can both build-up someone else, and be built-up, by concentrating your efforts on a trustworthy network. This is an effective method that puts you and your partners on the fast-track to winning promotions.
There has been much written about networking for mutual gain. It is a powerful strategy for achieving many things in life. In the end, networking is best when it is done honestly, with full disclosure, and with genuine people who have your interests in mind, as you likewise, have theirs in mind.
Some networkers have formed what they call “Mastermind Groups” and hold regular meetings to bounce ideas off each other, gain new insights, and develop strategies. This is networking on a whole new level and may be appropriate in your situation.
Active References
One of my favorite methods for winning jobs or promotions is using what I have termed “Active References.” This will be discussed from a “how to find a job” perspective in the bonus section of this book.
For now, we will look at how you can both be and use “active references” to reach your career goals. A few examples are warranted to illustrate how this works in the real world
Example 1: (Names changed to protect the guilty)
A good friend and ally of mine was trying to get a new permanent position in a company shortly after it was announced that he was being laid-off. He was a good guy and a conscientious worker so I didn’t mind at all when he asked me to be on his list of references. “Sure” I said, “but would you let me take it a step further?”
The next step I took, with his permission, was to stop by the office of the person he was applying with and put in a good word for him. I was friendly and well-known to this boss and had spoken with her and worked with her many times before in a limited fashion. My colleague was much less known to her.
I simply told her “Bruce” would soon be leaving the company and it would be a real shame to lose him. I told her I knew he was interested in joining her team and what an asset he would be. Since I had worked with him for some time I was perfectly qualified to make such a statement and she knew it. By the way, I wasn’t a manager, supervisor, or boss on any level; I was one of the company’s trainers.
Now I won’t begin to take credit for him getting the. He was a capable, competent guy and that didn’t change because I put in a “good word” for him. I can’t help but think my going out of my way to talk with this manager about him did improve his odds of winning the position.
Hiring someone to fill any position is risky business for most bosses. If they get it wrong and bring a real bonehead into their department, they have to live with the consequences. If the person is really bad, they then have to go through the process of getting rid of him or her, which has become a legal nightmare in the last couple of decades.
My little assertions that Bruce was a sure bet, that he was consistent over time, and a real team player, gave her more evidence and confidence that he was worth a shot. If memory serves me, I also recall his supervisor at the time passing by the hiring manager’s office to speak highly of him as well. I think our strategy overwhelmed her with evidence that Bruce was the guy for the job.
This is the difference active vs. passive references can make. Had we all just been names on a resume, we may or may not have been called to speak on his behalf. But when we took the time to approach this manager about him, that was different and unusual and it definitely got him noticed. He had a great career with the company and advanced through the ranks.
Example 2:
One of the best advocates and examples of being an internal active reference was a really great boss. He would give people responsibilities above and beyond their normal scope of duties in order to let them “shine” in front of others.
First of all, he knew the people he elevated to do the special jobs would really excel in them. Secondly, he knew that he would be asked questions about the people he had chosen, and that he would have plenty of opportunities to promote them.
He was actually looking for ways to get his entire team promoted. He figured if they didn’t get promoted, then at very least, he would have a mature and very professional team. If the team members did get noticed and promoted, then he would cultivate a new team of experts. The company would always be the beneficiary of his efforts no matter how it worked out; whether people stayed in his department or moved on within the company. And he would always be the guy who supported people and lifted them up.
After one lady gave a presentation to senior and corporate leadership I can still remember the look of pride on his face. She did a great job, conducted herself at a very professional level, and really made him look like a master teacher. He followed-up with the senior team to position her for elevated assignments and increased responsibilities within the company. Eventually she found the job of her dreams with another company, but his belief and support of her made all the difference.
Just imagine the power of having your co-workers, colleagues, and bosses call, write a letter to, or visit your prospective boss in the area where you want to be promoted. This is a very powerful strategy, and one that I have seen work on a number of occasions. Some people are shy about this, but if you are a good worker and a decent person, I have found people are more than willing to help you in this way.
If you want to improve on this idea, maybe all you have to do is increase the number of references. There is a significant impact from one person calling to extol your virtues because that is uncommon, but what if 2 or 3 or even 7 or 8 separate individuals took the same action? What if your prospective boss had three letters, two phone calls, and a couple of drop-in visits from your advocates/references? You would be very hard to ignore.
Not only would you be fresh in the mind of the prospective boss, but they would have several people to answer to if they didn’t hire you. This method isn’t used to bully people into doing things they don’t want to do, but it is used to shake them up a bit. Because it is so unusual for this to happen, it will definitely get you noticed. They won’t be comfortable passing off your resume without taking a good look.
Chapter 15 Summary Points
Bill Hanover is author of “No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve” and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about “No Sucking-Up” at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill’s consulting services at www.tpslean.com
I love watching mixed martial arts competitions. The sport doesn't appeal to everyone, but there is something appealing in the utilitarian nature of no holds barred combat. So, what does this have to do with job hunting? Here’s what you can learn from former heavyweight champion Randy Couture: you need to both 1) leverage your strengths, and 2) address the areas in which you most need improvement. An Olympic wrestler, when Randy entered the world of mixed martial arts, he learned to dominate his opponents by some of the best grappling ever seen in open competition. But the real secret to his success was new skills he had mastered, like striking — something he had no prior experience with. Here’s how to apply this model to your job search. You need to accurately assess what you do best, and you need to leverage your strengths by positioning yourself. Perhaps you are at your best when you are face to face with people. How are you going to make this happen more often? Perhaps by addressing areas in which you aren’t as strong. Maybe your resume needs work so you get more responses from employers. Maybe your phone skills need polishing so you can push through phone screenings to real interviews. Simply, the lesson Randy has for job seekers is to polish your weaknesses so you can best take advantage of your strengths.
By George Blomgren and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.
