01 Jun 2011 16 Comments

Discovering Your Options

You need to make a change in your employment.  You may have been on the job for a while but circumstances are forcing you to make a move. Perhaps you are facing a health challenge, maybe it is a financial need that causes you to jump-start your search: either hold two jobs or find one that pays more.  You may just be sick and tired of doing work that holds no real interest for you.  But where to go?  How to consider alternate employment, particularly if it represents a significant shift in what you had been doing?  How do you transfer your skills in a new direction?

Because I work in the realm of consulting professionals experiencing an involuntary job loss, I often address that situation but I don’t mean to ignore people who are being proactive in consideration of a career transition or job move.  I applaud anyone who has the confidence to make a change since change is never easy.  Although, one could argue that it is no less and perhaps even more difficult to decide to stay in a place where you are not experiencing a degree of satisfaction.

First of all, in terms of transferring your skill set, understand that you have a limited view of your capabilities because, frankly, you’re too close to the forest to see the trees.  Step back.  Ask yourself what you bring to the table, uniquely you—how you do what you do.  There’s your first clue to how you market and sell yourself.  If you provided a service, how well did you do?  What resulted from your efforts to serve or provide service?  The object, the product, hardly matters, you have performed and made a contribution.  You can offer your successes anywhere.

Today we have the benefit of numerous resources on the internet.  One of these, the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, helps us with a myriad of work type options with skill sets similar to ours.  Conduct your own investigation, be resourceful and do not neglect to share your discoveries and intentions –you’d be surprised how connected we all are and how many people you know who either know someone or something that could be very helpful to you in your search.

Your interests combined with what you know is very powerful in marketing yourself.  Be confident, stay positive and open-minded –someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer and you will uncover those prospects in direct proportion to how active/proactive you are in your campaign.

by Dolah in Careers

03 May 2011 22 Comments

What are Your Job Search Resources?

When you are looking for a job you have a few places to access.  One is the internet and these days it turns out that’s quite a good resource.  We have social media, where we can upload our resume and have prospective employers take a look at our background and skill level.  We can go directly to company websites and apply there.  We can simply google our job search and see what comes up.  Undoubtedly, that’ll put us in touch with avenues we may not have considered.

We can still use search firms or recruiters, who sometimes have a real relationship with an employer and that could result in an advantage for you.  At the same time, we need to understand that recruiters normally work for the employer, seeking only those candidates they feel fit the job description and they routinely access their own network to locate those people.

By and large, the most productive use of our time is spent on our own networking, via internet, yes, but especially those with whom we can connect face to face.  Here is the advice:  You make a list of names and contact information for people you know and have known, personally and professionally.  Contacting these folks will not be for the purposes of asking for a job or if they know of any jobs.  The purpose is twofold.  To inform them that you are now engaged in an active search and to ask if they know of anyone (including themselves) who might be willing to have a conversation around aspects of your search in a particular area.  This includes “picking their brain” about how to approach a company, a field, etc., based on their knowledge and or experience, which you have pre-determined.

The other reason to meet with contacts is to ask for their input on your marketing plan, which is basically a written document that describes a couple of job options with your corresponding skill level.  These two or three options are identified with due consideration to your motivational needs, those aspects of yourself that you will hopefully have taken the time and effort to acknowledge.

Spend your time accordingly, meaning spend 80 % of your time just speaking to others about what you want to do and where you’d like to be.  Keep asking for other names with whom you might speak.  This will undoubtedly result in a good number of interviews and discussions that will ultimately result in putting you in contact with your best fit job placement.  Stay the course, it will work, don’t lose faith!

by Dolah in Careers

21 Apr 2011 8 Comments

When it Comes to Relationships, there are No Accidents!

Is it more important to be right or at peace???

We can’t live without them so we might as well learn how to live with the people in our lives.  Or….not, right?  Well, it’s true that we have that option.  Still, consider this:

Some, the easier ones, show us how much love we are capable of and how loveable we ourselves are.  That feels good.  But it’s really the more challenging relationships that are our biggest and most meaningful lessons and while that doesn’t always feel good, it may be just what the “doctor” ordered.

It is difficult to accept that we actually “need” harsh lessons, but if you recall just one such relationship in your life, you know that looking back, there was something you learned from it. ..something that benefits you personally going forward.  Whether it was with a work relationship, a friend or a sibling, there is meaning in the challenge you experienced.  If we accept that there are no accidents, we can view a particular incident or time with another from the lens of purpose.  While that may take a little deliberate introspection on our part, the reward is greater compassion and peace for ourselves, the other– and in the end, everyone around.

Now who wouldn’t want that?

by Dolah in Careers

20 Apr 2011 6 Comments

Comfort with Silence

“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.”  Those are the words of a 1st century B.C. Roman author, Publilius Syrus.

In work with career transition clients, this easily applies to the interview process (talking too much is tantamount to “overselling”) but we all know many areas in life where it is best to remember these words.  Those of us given to nervous talk can leave an impression that we are trying to hide something or that we lack a certain confidence, both of which do not play well in personal interactions.

I have people admit that they “talk too much”; that they tend to have nervous chatter—they do not seem to have control over it, particularly in those more tense situations, such as in competing for a job.

Here is the lesson: Get comfortable with silence. If and when questions arise for which you are not immediately prepared, take a breath before responding and if an answer does not present itself, it is acceptable to say simply that you do not know or have not thought about that, but mention that you will get back on it, if that makes sense.  Making something up or guessing is really not a good idea, much better to go with the moment of silence and then an offer to revisit once you investigate.

Overall, being comfortable with silence does actually demonstrate confidence the way nervous chatter can never do, so practice allowing for the space between words and conversation.  You will not regret it.

by Dolah in Careers

20 Apr 2011 6 Comments

Interviewing the Interviewer

Most people looking for a job are concerned about the interview.  How will I come across, how can I ensure that I make an excellent impression, how do I best convey that I can do he job, I want to do this job and I fit into the culture and company? That’s all very one-sided and we do need to prepare, anticipating questions that we will be asked, even practicing our responses.  The preparation will help smooth out any rough edges of nervousness when we are face to face in the “hot seat.”

Still, we must all know that it is our obligation to ourselves and expectation of our interviewer that we ask questions.  Perhaps this occurs during the interview, maybe the time presents itself toward the end, after our interviewer invites us.  If we are not invited for some reason, we will ask for the opportunity to ask a few questions.

Those who are in the role of evaluating best fit candidates for a position want to know that you want the job in question.  They want to know that you are interested in their company and that you are thoughtful in your considerations of the specific position.  Therefore, appropriate questions for you to ask have to do with these aspects.  The way in which you structure the questions will demonstrate your level of interest, how much you know about  the company and the position and your concern for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Neglecting to interview the interviewer would never serve you.  Inasmuch as you prepare for your responses to their questions, identify and make a list of questions that you need to ask.  The answers will undoubtedly contribute to your continued interest—-or may allow you to decide the job is not for you.  Either way, you are taking charge of your future and that is a very good thing!

by Dolah in Careers

12 Apr 2011 6 Comments

It’s a Sales Job!

A while back when I was placed in charge of training others to sell, I came across a great and memorable quote.  It went something like this:  When two people want to do business together, the details will never get in the way.  When two people do not want to do business together, the details will always get in the way.  That told me that selling is about being liked and even when it looks and sounds like an objection, it’s a delay tactic and the prospect may just not want the thing from you.

So here’s a question: When we sell, ought we “fake it until we make it”?  Do we spend time up front getting our prospects to like us, taking them small tokens of our attentiveness in hopes of “winning them over”?  Or do we remain authentic and risk the possibility that we might lose some sales along the way, just because someone did not take to us?  But what if we really know our stuff and they really do need what we are selling?

Particularly in the context of a job search, our self-promotion, self-marketing does have to stay real.  If we fake something just to get the job, perhaps when we’re “found out,” the ones we duped might not be too happy.  They may feel “taken,” consider our disingenuousness a real deal breaker.  What might we expect from that exchange?

I find it helpful that a sales analogy is used in job search because that is exactly what we are doing and when we do it well, market ourselves with authenticity and self-confidence, the end result is as it ought to be—a match with a solid chance of mutual benefit.   Let those “details” serve their purpose: it is likely that not getting a job is probably as good for us as it is for the other guy!

by Dolah in Careers

09 Apr 2011 5 Comments

A BEST last question for the Interview

Do your best the first time!

In the interview, we are continually concerned with what the prospective employer is left with about our ability and willingness to do the job and how we will potentially fit into the organization, its culture, the personalities of the related staff, etc..

So I ask my clients to ensure that they do a thorough job (we prepare for this) in responding to and asking targeted questions that get at those answers…your interviewer needs to know as much about you and your ability and willingness before you walk out the door at the initial interview.  Of course, you are also competing with others who are attempting to convey the same message so you do need to ensure that you’ve done your best when you have the opportunity face to face.

It is often a tense situation, knowing that you need to make a good impression, remembering to ask questions that give you the information you need and basically trying not to screw anything up.  In the longer interviews, you can hardly remember by the end if you actually got it all in, whether you forgot anything essential and whether how you answered a question has your own approval.

So here’s the best question that you can ask once the interview begins to come to the close:

Is there anything more you need to know about me in order to make a decision to hire me for the job?   …Or …Is there anything else you can think of that stands in the way of you feeling confident that I both can and will do the job and that I fit into the organization?

The answer and subsequent discussion from some form of this question allows you to leave with some assurance that your interviewer has what he needs to make an informed decision.  And when you send your thank you note, if you should decide that there is anything you wished you’d said concerning relevant matters covered during the course of the interview, you may state that in your note to close the gap.  Remember that when it comes to being interviewed, how nervous you are won’t necessarily make much difference but how prepared you are could very well move you to the top of the list!

by Dolah in Careers

05 Apr 2011 40 Comments

Expressing Gratitude

Awhile back, I had a client whose primary need and concern was in securing local contacts with whom to network.  He had just left a higher level sales management position where his role was more regional in focus and therefore his contacts were outside of our local area.  He asked me for leads, which I was able to give him and he followed through on all, continually requesting more and more names.

As an outplacement consultant, it is expected that we provide guidance in transition, covering all aspects of marketing oneself right up to negotiations on a job offer.  We are not expected to provide contacts nor to place the candidate, although at least one company I know does offer that as an adjunct service, since they are executive recruiters as well.

I subsequently and serendipitously learned that this individual had actually received an offer from a contact that I had given him.  He had left that contact rather abruptly with evidently not so much as a note or call to express his gratitude.  On hearing this, I realized that he had never informed me of the outcome of any of the contacts I had provided, including this one.  I knew nothing of an offer.  Shortly after my realization, I shot off an email, likely not very warm and fuzzy, but stating in professionally plain language that the courtesy of a thank you is indeed appreciated and actually expected in this process of networking and marketing oneself.   While people may not remember that you didn’t  thank them,they will remember that you did and are undoubtedly left with a positive feeling about your interaction.  The other side of that is, since you likely obtained names from them as well, they will also appreciate –perhaps even expect–a follow-up regarding the outcome of any contacts they provided (as I would have, in this instance).

I heard nothing more from this individual and took away that he was not pleased with the admonishment.  I apologize for nothing and insist that gratitude goes a very long way.  If you fail to express your thanks to people along the way in the job seeking process, what message are you leaving?  What impressions and feelings do you suppose others have about you?  In a civil society, it is not only a “good idea,” but an absolute.  I assume anyone reading this will accept it in the spirit of good etiquette and will take no personal offense.  Thank you!

by Dolah in Careers

29 Mar 2011 15 Comments

Career Shifting–The Oppportunity of a Lifetime!

Sometimes we lose our jobs, sometimes we just want to quit what we’re doing.  We’re no longer having any fun and work has become a four-letter word.  My teacher friends say that the “kids have changed.”  Well, maybe.

But perhaps you need to consider a shift, it may be that you have been a round peg trying to fit into a square hole, anyway, or maybe the kids have changed.  Either way, it’s scary, “impractical” even—so how does one shift gears, at any age, let alone post 40!?

After 15+ years in the business of helping executives and all other levels transition into better spots, I can assure you that once you do the work, there is indeed life after one job or even career.  Today’s college graduates know that they will have at least 8 different jobs during their career and the smartest ones know that they need to consider how to market themselves as an independent consultant or free lancer.

The great news is that it is the opportunity of a lifetime to consider how you might turn your REAL assets into personal happiness and financial success.  We all have gifts to offer—in only the way we uniquely can offer them, so the most valuable use of your time is in investigating how you might do that for yourself.  No guidance counselor or well-intentioned friend or parent can do that for you–and if you aren’t connected to yourself in that most personal of ways—that is, with crystal clear self-knowledge and an understanding of what that may mean in the marketplace (someone somewhere needs just what you have!) then, there are instruments to assist you in that regard.

I work with the Birkman, or About-U for young adults, but there are others, and you need to seriously consider a process of self investigation in order to make a wise decision that will affect you for the rest of your life.  You can always look at every crossroad in life as a problem or an opportunity.  Which will you choose?

by Dolah in Careers

23 Mar 2011 26 Comments

Common Ground in Career and Mate Selection

I once wrote a book called Dating and the Pursuit of Happiness.  In it, I express the idea of an analogy between finding a suitable job and that of finding a mate.  I wasn’t making light of  the mate comparison, in fact, I was saying–still say—that since many of us put more work in planning our weddings and not enough in planning our marriages, we ought to take a look here.

Beginning with the introspective piece, the self-awareness that we so often lack—we investigate  what is it that we need to make us happy and successful.  How can we expect ourselves to recognize what is right if we lack this awareness and understanding of ourselves?  We can’t.  That is at least one reason why there is so much unhappiness.  That, and the idea that we expect somehow that once we get something, whether it is a person, place, or thing, we will be happy.  Wrong!!!

Following self-awareness, we have a list of priorities, rank-ordered, and some semblance of a “marketing plan.”  This is the road map that we lay out to pave the way in which we will pursue our dreams.  In job hunting, we would always want to have written documents to support us, while in the personal realm, we merely have to have an understanding that guides us in our attractions and subsequent decision-making.  Putting our plans to work in the “marketplace” takes us into the public, where we meet others through networking, conducting “informational sessions” to ascertain our fit– to an industry, a company, a job, a mate.

The up-front-time we spend in introspection, research and networking is well worth the investment.  At minimum, it will get us a great deal closer to the possibility of meeting our needs, that which we all seek and deserve and that which is more likely to lead us to happiness and success!

by Dolah in Careers