In the article reached by clicking on this post's title, WomenCo lists clothing and accessories that do not belong in the office or at the workplace.
Certain exceptions are listed - all of which make the point that most people need to treat the workplace with respect. Kim Kardashian can get away with wearing tons of jewelry because she is an out-there public figure who craves attention, and gets it via her wardrobe, figure, and social activities. Most of us regular gals don't necessarily want to get the kind of attention she gets - well, at least not at work. That kind of attention can be termed "sexual harassment."
What goes for the workplace in general goes double for job interviews. It's best to aim for a stylish, comfortable and professional look when going on an interview. For women: real shoes, a skirt or pants suit, low-key colors, a couple of pieces of jewelry, some makeup, well-groomed hair. For men: a suit and tie, real shoes, well-groomed hair.
Our appearance is the first thing people judge us by. It also is completely under our control. Sure, I didn't order my face or body type or shoe size. However, I can work with what I have to look my best.
Perhaps you don't think it's fair that you have to dress up so much for a job interview. Maybe you believe the employer should just accept you as you are, and show that they really value diversity. The reality is that we ARE judged by our appearance. Rather than denying and fighting that fact, work with it.
A job training program called STRIVE addresses the appearance issue head-on. Founded in Harlem in the 1980's, STRIVE provides real-world preparation for people who are unemployed or unsuccessful job seekers. Its brand of tough love says "you may not like how it is, but you need to accept how it is."
I witnessed a young woman being confronted about her dreadlocks. She was angry that employers seemed to dismiss her as a candidate after seeing her in person, and she blamed them for not liking her dreadlocks. The STRIVE counselor said "then cut them off, if you want a job." Of course, the woman hated that advice. Eventually, though, she and the rest of the class heard the point the counselor was making: if you identify a potential obstacle to your getting a job, remove the obstacle.
Understand the consequences of your decisions. It's as simple as that. We're not saying you shouldn't have the hair you want. We're just saying that if you have the hair you want, you may not get the job you want. And we're not saying you can't wear short-shorts or sequins or velour track suits on your days off. They're just not appropriate for the workplace. Now since that time, there is more acceptance of some unconventional hairstyles. Yet if someone has dreadlocks or multi-colored hair, there are some jobs that just may not be open to them.
By dressing appropriately for a job interview, you maintain a level playing field with other applicants. Dressing inappropriately may cause you to be dismissed from contention immediately, or at best disadvantage you vis a vis the other candidates.
Once you get the job, you can see how people dress and adapt to the culture in the workplace. Just do all you can to make sure you get the job. Or understand and accept responsibility for your choices - choices that may cause an employer to take a pass on you.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Must Have List
This is a list of 5-6 aspects of a job or work that you MUST have. This is not “want to have.” This list is of the things that you must have in order for you to be satisfied and content in your work, the things that will make it possible for you to be excited to start the day when you wake up every morning.
You’ll want to have a “must have” in most or all of these categories:
1) Work you will do
2) Role you will play
3) Impact of your efforts
4) Physical environment
5) Colleagues, culture, emotional environment
6) Compensation
1) Work you will do
What do you like doing? What gives you great satisfaction? What industry or subject area do you love, care about? In what field does your expertise and talent lie? What do you want to occupy yourself doing for work? What are your skills, talents, preferences, likes and dislikes? What brings you joy? What can you lose yourself in so time flies? What are your hobbies?
2) Role you will play
What position will you have in the organization or company? Will you work for someone? For yourself? With others? Be a leader or a follower? Do you like working alone or in a team? Being visible or behind the scenes? Playing the same kind of role consistently, or do you like to move around? Do you prefer to have a single focus or are you happier with a variety of tasks? Do you want to be someone others depend on or free of responsibility for others?
3) Impact of your efforts
Does your work need to matter to anyone other than yourself? Do you want to make a difference? If so, what difference do you want to make? Does it matter what kind of company or organization you work for? If so, what kind of company? And what impact will it have? Is there anything that will make it worth doing drudge work?
4) Physical environment
What do you need to be at your best and do your best work? Do you need privacy, light, quiet, noise, open floor plan, a desk and comfortable chair, no desk and always being outside? There are many variations – only you can decide what kind of physical environment you thrive in. Also can be about location, commuting, hours.
5) Culture and colleagues
What kind of emotional environment do you want? What kind of people? Do your values need to mesh with the values of your workplace and colleagues? What kind of atmosphere helps you do your best? Fast-paced or laid-back? Lots of deadlines or little pressure? Competitive or supportive, or a little of both? Structured or flexible? Formal or casual? 9-5 or varied? Task or mission focused? Start-up or established organization/company? Close supervision or self-direction? How much time do you want to spend working?
6) Compensation
What’s the bottom line dollar pay or salary that you can live with? A figure that covers your basic needs and then some? You can have a figure you request that’s higher than your “I can live with it” figure. Are there other ways you can be compensated, such as time off, benefits, recognition, or travel? How much compensation do you need to reflect your value to your employer, or to quit a temporary or maintenance job to work full-time for yourself?
After answering these questions, try to boil down your responses to short phrases of one to five words. You know the intention behind each phrase, and can explain them to people when you tell them what you want.
As you go forward in looking at potential jobs, it is probable that one or two of these items will rise to the top of your list as the most important variables for you to have your best work experience. That will help you decide whether to accept a job or not – if it doesn’t meet those top “must haves,” it’s likely that you won’t last there very long.
You’ll want to have a “must have” in most or all of these categories:
1) Work you will do
2) Role you will play
3) Impact of your efforts
4) Physical environment
5) Colleagues, culture, emotional environment
6) Compensation
1) Work you will do
What do you like doing? What gives you great satisfaction? What industry or subject area do you love, care about? In what field does your expertise and talent lie? What do you want to occupy yourself doing for work? What are your skills, talents, preferences, likes and dislikes? What brings you joy? What can you lose yourself in so time flies? What are your hobbies?
2) Role you will play
What position will you have in the organization or company? Will you work for someone? For yourself? With others? Be a leader or a follower? Do you like working alone or in a team? Being visible or behind the scenes? Playing the same kind of role consistently, or do you like to move around? Do you prefer to have a single focus or are you happier with a variety of tasks? Do you want to be someone others depend on or free of responsibility for others?
3) Impact of your efforts
Does your work need to matter to anyone other than yourself? Do you want to make a difference? If so, what difference do you want to make? Does it matter what kind of company or organization you work for? If so, what kind of company? And what impact will it have? Is there anything that will make it worth doing drudge work?
4) Physical environment
What do you need to be at your best and do your best work? Do you need privacy, light, quiet, noise, open floor plan, a desk and comfortable chair, no desk and always being outside? There are many variations – only you can decide what kind of physical environment you thrive in. Also can be about location, commuting, hours.
5) Culture and colleagues
What kind of emotional environment do you want? What kind of people? Do your values need to mesh with the values of your workplace and colleagues? What kind of atmosphere helps you do your best? Fast-paced or laid-back? Lots of deadlines or little pressure? Competitive or supportive, or a little of both? Structured or flexible? Formal or casual? 9-5 or varied? Task or mission focused? Start-up or established organization/company? Close supervision or self-direction? How much time do you want to spend working?
6) Compensation
What’s the bottom line dollar pay or salary that you can live with? A figure that covers your basic needs and then some? You can have a figure you request that’s higher than your “I can live with it” figure. Are there other ways you can be compensated, such as time off, benefits, recognition, or travel? How much compensation do you need to reflect your value to your employer, or to quit a temporary or maintenance job to work full-time for yourself?
After answering these questions, try to boil down your responses to short phrases of one to five words. You know the intention behind each phrase, and can explain them to people when you tell them what you want.
As you go forward in looking at potential jobs, it is probable that one or two of these items will rise to the top of your list as the most important variables for you to have your best work experience. That will help you decide whether to accept a job or not – if it doesn’t meet those top “must haves,” it’s likely that you won’t last there very long.
Whose Advice Should You Take on Job Search?
I always tell people that it's important to listen to folks who are very involved in the employment arena and use their suggestions - and you have to be comfortable with what eventually is seen by the outside world.
No one person has all the answers. However, it's worth listening to someone who has a track record helping people get interviews that lead to jobs. And if you get the same suggestions from several people, it's a good idea to follow that advice.
I find that there is an ongoing process of developing your job search marketing materials - for that's what the resume, cover letter and digital tools really are. Just as in any marketing effort, you'll get real-world feedback that may cause you to reevaluate your marketing materials.
Again, I caution you to look for trends and the same feedback from a few different sources. If you are comfortable with what you have put together, stick with it. If someone has an idea or suggestion that makes a lot of sense to you, go for it.
Give more weight to advice and suggestions from people in the business of helping people find work. Friends and colleagues - and even HR people - don't necessarily know what they're talking about. And often friends and family are reacting to their own fear that you won't succeed. Your goal must be to make only thoughtful revisions based on careful consideration.
Bottom line: if you're getting interviews for the kind of jobs you want, it ain't broke so you don't have to fix it! If you're not getting interviews for jobs that meet your "must have list" - well, it's time for an overhaul.
No one person has all the answers. However, it's worth listening to someone who has a track record helping people get interviews that lead to jobs. And if you get the same suggestions from several people, it's a good idea to follow that advice.
I find that there is an ongoing process of developing your job search marketing materials - for that's what the resume, cover letter and digital tools really are. Just as in any marketing effort, you'll get real-world feedback that may cause you to reevaluate your marketing materials.
Again, I caution you to look for trends and the same feedback from a few different sources. If you are comfortable with what you have put together, stick with it. If someone has an idea or suggestion that makes a lot of sense to you, go for it.
Give more weight to advice and suggestions from people in the business of helping people find work. Friends and colleagues - and even HR people - don't necessarily know what they're talking about. And often friends and family are reacting to their own fear that you won't succeed. Your goal must be to make only thoughtful revisions based on careful consideration.
Bottom line: if you're getting interviews for the kind of jobs you want, it ain't broke so you don't have to fix it! If you're not getting interviews for jobs that meet your "must have list" - well, it's time for an overhaul.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Know Thyself and Find Work You Love
It IS possible to have both paycheck and satisfying work. In fact, it's optimal. Experts agree: You deliver the most value to an organization when you do what you love.
Doesn't it make sense for you to do work that is suited to your personality, values, preferences, and skills? That's what I call your “right fit work.”
The ideal goal of a job search is to find work where you are at least 60% satisfied and hopefully, 75-80%. While there probably always will be some portion you don’t love, it's possible to be mostly satisfied. Most people seem to want that. I know I do!
I had work that was immensely satisfying for more than a decade, where I liked getting up in the morning and was excited to go to work. My attitude was "oh, goody! I get to go to work!" And many of my staff felt the same way - they told me and their colleagues. They also told me when they weren't happy...and I worked with them to improve their satisfaction. Perhaps the best indicator that I and my team were doing a good job came from people who left and then regretted it. They thought they could find a better workplace, but they could not. I think they wanted to be 100% happy, not realizing that 80% job satisfaction is pretty darn great. I believe a little dissatisfaction is good for the soul, as it keeps us striving to improve our situation, our attitudes, our skills, our performance, our relationships.
How did I find such a job, where I was free to shape a culture, to create a place where I wanted to go to work, to do work that had a huge social impact, and that paid pretty well?
I focused. I developed my own "must have list" and then I looked for work that met my criteria. I got specific. I was honest with myself about what I wanted, and didn't talk myself into jobs that weren't a "right fit" for me.
From my experience and that of many others, I've learned that when you focus specifically on the work you want to do, that’s what you’ll get. Conversely, if you don’t focus, you can’t get what you want. It's like Yogi Berra says:
"You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there."
If you are applying for jobs, targeted search is best way to find right job for you. With a goal and a focus, it’s possible to create a plan to get you from where you are now and where you want to go.
Some people wonder if they can afford to narrow their job search focus to what they really want. I think they can't afford NOT to focus their attention on the right job fit.
Think of building a house, or taking a trip. You need a picture of the house you want, and a destination in mind. Then you can put together the blueprint to construct that desired house or directions to reach your intended goal. Without the original intention, it's impossible to figure out how to get there from here. Otherwise, you are simply starting to build with no idea of what the end product should look like. And perhaps you'll end up with something structurally unsound or ugly. Or you start driving and hope you'll end up somewhere cool, and instead end up in the industrial part of town where there are no restaurants and it feels a little creepy when it starts to get dark.
It's the same thing with a job search. By envisioning exactly what you want to do, you establish a goal and an intention toward which you can work. With a destination, you can map out a plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be.
Finding your "right fit work" involves getting to know yourself better. When you know what you like to do, it's easier to find jobs that allow you to do what you like to do. Similarly, you can find a job in which you'll be happy once you're aware of the situations, culture, type of organizations, and roles toward which you naturally and repeatedly gravitate. We all have patterns in our lives; the key is asking yourself the right questions in order to identify those patterns. Once we know our patterns, we can stop fighting them and instead work with them.
We all have unique talents and abilities with which we were born, and skills we have developed throughout our lives - at home, in school, in the workplace. At base, it is our talents that determine whether we will be happy at work. If we're using our talents, we will be much happier. If we're not using our talents, it's a bit like swimming against the current and hoping to reach our destination - frustrating and likely to keep us stuck in the same place.
You’ll find that every skill you've learned will come in handy in your new work - everything you've done so far is the foundation for this next step in your life. Many skills are transferable to another field and will get you started. Keep an open mind about possibilities.
Such a job search can take more time than you have at the moment, because you may realize you need to get additional training or education, or that you need to make a higher salary for some period of time to save enough to be able to afford a career switch.
That doesn't mean you have to abandon pursuing your dreams. You simply operate on a "dual track" where you look for a job that meets a major percentage of your "must have list" for a satisfying job, and you begin activities that will eventually result in your doing your dream work.
Get familiar with who you REALLY are, instead of trying to impress an interviewer or outwit an assessment given by an employer. Be who you are from the start and you will land the right job. Pretend to be someone else and you'll be miserable in your new job - or you'll be found out and fired.
When you know what you want to do, it's easier to identify potential job opportunities. Most of the time, opportunities appear on-line and through networking meetings. Use your "Must Have List" to identify your top priorities and to form your “intention” about your desired work.
Then begin networking. It's not complicated when you know what you want to do, and have a short description of your ideal work and the talents and abilities you want to use at work. Networking is the chief mechanism people use to get their dream jobs. Use your “Must Have List” to evaluate opportunities and see if it's worth applying for the job.
When you know yourself and the conditions under which you do your best work, it's easier to be confident in an interview. Your "Must Have List" also provides you with the basis for some questions to the employer during an interview. You're interviewing the employer, to see if the job and company do in fact meet your criteria for "right fit work."
Knowing your bottom lines makes it possible to accept jobs that don't meet all your criteria, without resentment. And if you have to take a job that is less than 50% satisfying, you know why you're doing so (to pay the bills!), that it's a temporary measure, that somehow it fits into your long-term plan and goal, and that you can continue searching for your "right fit work."
Doesn't it make sense for you to do work that is suited to your personality, values, preferences, and skills? That's what I call your “right fit work.”
The ideal goal of a job search is to find work where you are at least 60% satisfied and hopefully, 75-80%. While there probably always will be some portion you don’t love, it's possible to be mostly satisfied. Most people seem to want that. I know I do!
I had work that was immensely satisfying for more than a decade, where I liked getting up in the morning and was excited to go to work. My attitude was "oh, goody! I get to go to work!" And many of my staff felt the same way - they told me and their colleagues. They also told me when they weren't happy...and I worked with them to improve their satisfaction. Perhaps the best indicator that I and my team were doing a good job came from people who left and then regretted it. They thought they could find a better workplace, but they could not. I think they wanted to be 100% happy, not realizing that 80% job satisfaction is pretty darn great. I believe a little dissatisfaction is good for the soul, as it keeps us striving to improve our situation, our attitudes, our skills, our performance, our relationships.
How did I find such a job, where I was free to shape a culture, to create a place where I wanted to go to work, to do work that had a huge social impact, and that paid pretty well?
I focused. I developed my own "must have list" and then I looked for work that met my criteria. I got specific. I was honest with myself about what I wanted, and didn't talk myself into jobs that weren't a "right fit" for me.
From my experience and that of many others, I've learned that when you focus specifically on the work you want to do, that’s what you’ll get. Conversely, if you don’t focus, you can’t get what you want. It's like Yogi Berra says:
"You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there."
If you are applying for jobs, targeted search is best way to find right job for you. With a goal and a focus, it’s possible to create a plan to get you from where you are now and where you want to go.
Some people wonder if they can afford to narrow their job search focus to what they really want. I think they can't afford NOT to focus their attention on the right job fit.
Think of building a house, or taking a trip. You need a picture of the house you want, and a destination in mind. Then you can put together the blueprint to construct that desired house or directions to reach your intended goal. Without the original intention, it's impossible to figure out how to get there from here. Otherwise, you are simply starting to build with no idea of what the end product should look like. And perhaps you'll end up with something structurally unsound or ugly. Or you start driving and hope you'll end up somewhere cool, and instead end up in the industrial part of town where there are no restaurants and it feels a little creepy when it starts to get dark.
It's the same thing with a job search. By envisioning exactly what you want to do, you establish a goal and an intention toward which you can work. With a destination, you can map out a plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be.
Finding your "right fit work" involves getting to know yourself better. When you know what you like to do, it's easier to find jobs that allow you to do what you like to do. Similarly, you can find a job in which you'll be happy once you're aware of the situations, culture, type of organizations, and roles toward which you naturally and repeatedly gravitate. We all have patterns in our lives; the key is asking yourself the right questions in order to identify those patterns. Once we know our patterns, we can stop fighting them and instead work with them.
We all have unique talents and abilities with which we were born, and skills we have developed throughout our lives - at home, in school, in the workplace. At base, it is our talents that determine whether we will be happy at work. If we're using our talents, we will be much happier. If we're not using our talents, it's a bit like swimming against the current and hoping to reach our destination - frustrating and likely to keep us stuck in the same place.
You’ll find that every skill you've learned will come in handy in your new work - everything you've done so far is the foundation for this next step in your life. Many skills are transferable to another field and will get you started. Keep an open mind about possibilities.
Such a job search can take more time than you have at the moment, because you may realize you need to get additional training or education, or that you need to make a higher salary for some period of time to save enough to be able to afford a career switch.
That doesn't mean you have to abandon pursuing your dreams. You simply operate on a "dual track" where you look for a job that meets a major percentage of your "must have list" for a satisfying job, and you begin activities that will eventually result in your doing your dream work.
Get familiar with who you REALLY are, instead of trying to impress an interviewer or outwit an assessment given by an employer. Be who you are from the start and you will land the right job. Pretend to be someone else and you'll be miserable in your new job - or you'll be found out and fired.
When you know what you want to do, it's easier to identify potential job opportunities. Most of the time, opportunities appear on-line and through networking meetings. Use your "Must Have List" to identify your top priorities and to form your “intention” about your desired work.
Then begin networking. It's not complicated when you know what you want to do, and have a short description of your ideal work and the talents and abilities you want to use at work. Networking is the chief mechanism people use to get their dream jobs. Use your “Must Have List” to evaluate opportunities and see if it's worth applying for the job.
When you know yourself and the conditions under which you do your best work, it's easier to be confident in an interview. Your "Must Have List" also provides you with the basis for some questions to the employer during an interview. You're interviewing the employer, to see if the job and company do in fact meet your criteria for "right fit work."
Knowing your bottom lines makes it possible to accept jobs that don't meet all your criteria, without resentment. And if you have to take a job that is less than 50% satisfying, you know why you're doing so (to pay the bills!), that it's a temporary measure, that somehow it fits into your long-term plan and goal, and that you can continue searching for your "right fit work."
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Interview Outfits
With second interviews coming up, two people have asked me what they should wear. I respond by asking what they wore the first time, and if they were comfortable in it. Then I say "wear the same thing."
Yes, wear the exact same outfit to your second interview that you wore to your first.
Two main reasons to do so:
1) You don't have to worry about whether the outfit is OK. Clearly it was, or you wouldn't be called back for the second interview. Really, inappropriately dressed interviewees don't get asked back, especially not in this employer's market for hiring. Wearing a comfortable and acceptable outfit relieves you of additional stress during an interview that could result in a job offer.
2) You will be familiar to those interviewing you. If they liked you in the first outfit, do a repeat performance. Once you get the job, there will be plenty of time to see what the "dress code" is at the office, and to wear different outfits. During an interview, it's wise to give them what they like. No one will notice that you're wearing the same thing, honest. You just are not that important to them - yet.
Keep it simple, sweetheart.
A note on interview outfits: it is always best to wear a suit. Dress up to indicate your respect for the employer, the occasion of an interview, the position and the opportunity. Look as good as you can! This applies to ALL interviews. Employers like to know that you take the interview seriously and that you respect them. It's always better to dress up than dress down. Dress down AFTER you get the job, and are sure that dressing casually is appropriate.
Yes, wear the exact same outfit to your second interview that you wore to your first.
Two main reasons to do so:
1) You don't have to worry about whether the outfit is OK. Clearly it was, or you wouldn't be called back for the second interview. Really, inappropriately dressed interviewees don't get asked back, especially not in this employer's market for hiring. Wearing a comfortable and acceptable outfit relieves you of additional stress during an interview that could result in a job offer.
2) You will be familiar to those interviewing you. If they liked you in the first outfit, do a repeat performance. Once you get the job, there will be plenty of time to see what the "dress code" is at the office, and to wear different outfits. During an interview, it's wise to give them what they like. No one will notice that you're wearing the same thing, honest. You just are not that important to them - yet.
Keep it simple, sweetheart.
A note on interview outfits: it is always best to wear a suit. Dress up to indicate your respect for the employer, the occasion of an interview, the position and the opportunity. Look as good as you can! This applies to ALL interviews. Employers like to know that you take the interview seriously and that you respect them. It's always better to dress up than dress down. Dress down AFTER you get the job, and are sure that dressing casually is appropriate.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Powerful Resume Words
In a crowded marketplace, you can stand out with an powerfully-worded resume. Use distinctive words to describe your accomplishments. Such words will tell a great story about your communication skills and writing ability, at the same time as they answer the question "what has this person actually achieved in his/her career?"
The article from Pongo Blog (click on post title to get there) highlights five great words for resumes that are no yet overused. They are:
Spearheaded (instead of led or played a key role)
Created (instead of helped make or facilitated)
Initiated (instead of began or started)
Accelerated (instead of sped up)
Consolidated (instead of brought together, merged, combined, or united)
I love these words. Other non-run-of-the-mill words I like to use instead of managed, oversaw, led, developed, supervised, coordinated, assisted, conducted, and facilitated include:
Enhanced
Analyzed
Extended
Exceeded
Generated
Conceived
Won
Strengthened
Secured
Restructured
Transformed
Streamlined
Delivered
Achieved
Leveraged
Empowered
Championed
Acceptable but not ideal words include:
Produced
Designed
Crafted
Organized
Use these when you have so many accomplishments that you don't want to repeat a word.
Directional words are always useful when accompanied by numbers modified by $ or %:
Increased
Improved
Grew
Added
Expanded
Doubled
Tripled
Reduced
I tend to like positive directional words instead of downward trending words - subliminally it conveys that you are a positive person, an addition to the team.
I even like adjectives and adverbs, such as "dramatically increased" and "substantially improved." Again, back this up with numbers, so they are not simply taking your word for it - because they WON'T! Resume reviewers have antennae for identifying a line of garbage, and most will toss resumes that contain generalizations without any backup figures or verifiable results.
Remember, the thesaurus function on Word is your friend, as is thesaurus.com. Instead of using an ordinary word, look for an extraordinary one that conveys your talent as vibrantly as you would in person.
The article from Pongo Blog (click on post title to get there) highlights five great words for resumes that are no yet overused. They are:
Spearheaded (instead of led or played a key role)
Created (instead of helped make or facilitated)
Initiated (instead of began or started)
Accelerated (instead of sped up)
Consolidated (instead of brought together, merged, combined, or united)
I love these words. Other non-run-of-the-mill words I like to use instead of managed, oversaw, led, developed, supervised, coordinated, assisted, conducted, and facilitated include:
Enhanced
Analyzed
Extended
Exceeded
Generated
Conceived
Won
Strengthened
Secured
Restructured
Transformed
Streamlined
Delivered
Achieved
Leveraged
Empowered
Championed
Acceptable but not ideal words include:
Produced
Designed
Crafted
Organized
Use these when you have so many accomplishments that you don't want to repeat a word.
Directional words are always useful when accompanied by numbers modified by $ or %:
Increased
Improved
Grew
Added
Expanded
Doubled
Tripled
Reduced
I tend to like positive directional words instead of downward trending words - subliminally it conveys that you are a positive person, an addition to the team.
I even like adjectives and adverbs, such as "dramatically increased" and "substantially improved." Again, back this up with numbers, so they are not simply taking your word for it - because they WON'T! Resume reviewers have antennae for identifying a line of garbage, and most will toss resumes that contain generalizations without any backup figures or verifiable results.
Remember, the thesaurus function on Word is your friend, as is thesaurus.com. Instead of using an ordinary word, look for an extraordinary one that conveys your talent as vibrantly as you would in person.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Job Hunting on Twitter
Click the title for a link to the post on 30 Must Follow Twitter Profiles and Sites for Job Hunters.
Other interesting sites re job hunting via social media sites:
Careerealism's Twitter Advice Project
I found my job on Twitter
Search Engine Marketing in Job Search
Use Twitter to Job Hunt
Use Your Blog in Job Search
Making Social Networking Work for You in Job Search
Tweetmyjobs.com
Social Networking and Fit as in "job fit"
RiseSmart's Career 100 Blog Directory and a link to the actual list
Twitter Should Hire Me Saga
Online Job Search Guide
Using Twitter for Job Search
Ten Ning Networks for Job Search
Companies Recruiting on Twitter
50 Tweeters Job Seekers Should Follow and Companies on Twitter, Part 2
Social Media Sites for Resume Building
Other interesting sites re job hunting via social media sites:
Careerealism's Twitter Advice Project
I found my job on Twitter
Search Engine Marketing in Job Search
Use Twitter to Job Hunt
Use Your Blog in Job Search
Making Social Networking Work for You in Job Search
Tweetmyjobs.com
Social Networking and Fit as in "job fit"
RiseSmart's Career 100 Blog Directory and a link to the actual list
Twitter Should Hire Me Saga
Online Job Search Guide
Using Twitter for Job Search
Ten Ning Networks for Job Search
Companies Recruiting on Twitter
50 Tweeters Job Seekers Should Follow and Companies on Twitter, Part 2
Social Media Sites for Resume Building
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ending "Procrastination"
So often, I’ve identified a goal I want to reach or a project I want to do, yet somehow I never get around to doing it. By examining the reasons for this so-called “procrastination,” I realized that often I was afraid I’d miss some critical step and fail. Other times, I didn’t have the faintest idea of how to begin.
I began to think my way backwards through a project until the point at which my fear disappeared and/or I understood and was capable of performing the required task. Through experience, I learned to focus first on the smallest possible outcome and action on my journey to a desired outcome, rather than on the final outcome itself. Before I know it, I’ve reached my goal by tackling it one step at a time.
It turns out to be pretty easy to achieve any particular goal when you use this “reverse” planning – identifying the steps you’ll need to take to reach your desired goal and get the results you want. Essentially, you will break down each project into a series of actions and intermediate outcomes.
It’s like building a house: first you dream about what you want and an architect translates it into a drawing. Then the architect creates a blueprint that clarifies the specific dimensions and characteristics of the house. Once that’s done, the architect creates specifications: the exact materials and products to be used, weight loads, wiring and lighting required, plumbing needs, etc. – what the contractor needs to actually build the house. The contractor then has a whole series of activities to plan, from laying the foundation to erecting the shell to installing all the building systems to putting in all the finishes inside and out, and finally landscaping.
The key to all this is that they all work backwards from the ultimate goal – a fabulous new move-in ready house – to develop the plan of action for achieving that goal. Each step depends on a preceding one, until ultimately we arrive at the beginning action.
Practically any goal you have can be achieved simply by identifying the small steps that go into reaching that goal. In this way, you can break down something daunting into manageable, doable actions. So instead of being afraid you'll never achieve something, you can remove the fear factor and empower yourself to do just about anything you want to do.
I began to think my way backwards through a project until the point at which my fear disappeared and/or I understood and was capable of performing the required task. Through experience, I learned to focus first on the smallest possible outcome and action on my journey to a desired outcome, rather than on the final outcome itself. Before I know it, I’ve reached my goal by tackling it one step at a time.
It turns out to be pretty easy to achieve any particular goal when you use this “reverse” planning – identifying the steps you’ll need to take to reach your desired goal and get the results you want. Essentially, you will break down each project into a series of actions and intermediate outcomes.
It’s like building a house: first you dream about what you want and an architect translates it into a drawing. Then the architect creates a blueprint that clarifies the specific dimensions and characteristics of the house. Once that’s done, the architect creates specifications: the exact materials and products to be used, weight loads, wiring and lighting required, plumbing needs, etc. – what the contractor needs to actually build the house. The contractor then has a whole series of activities to plan, from laying the foundation to erecting the shell to installing all the building systems to putting in all the finishes inside and out, and finally landscaping.
The key to all this is that they all work backwards from the ultimate goal – a fabulous new move-in ready house – to develop the plan of action for achieving that goal. Each step depends on a preceding one, until ultimately we arrive at the beginning action.
Practically any goal you have can be achieved simply by identifying the small steps that go into reaching that goal. In this way, you can break down something daunting into manageable, doable actions. So instead of being afraid you'll never achieve something, you can remove the fear factor and empower yourself to do just about anything you want to do.
Smart Networking Question
If you want to go into a new field, a great question to ask is:
"What opportunities might there be in this field for someone with my background and qualifications?"
Ask experts in the field you target. Find them through networking - through people you know who know them, through LinkedIn, and through requests to them directly.
You can just make a "cold" approach to someone to find out whether you can get an informational interview - flatter, say you've heard great things about him or her, how incredible s/he is, and you'd appreciate getting 20 minutes of her/his time to:
* learn how s/he got into the field and
* get some guidance about how you might go about getting into the field, given your background.
"What opportunities might there be in this field for someone with my background and qualifications?"
Ask experts in the field you target. Find them through networking - through people you know who know them, through LinkedIn, and through requests to them directly.
You can just make a "cold" approach to someone to find out whether you can get an informational interview - flatter, say you've heard great things about him or her, how incredible s/he is, and you'd appreciate getting 20 minutes of her/his time to:
* learn how s/he got into the field and
* get some guidance about how you might go about getting into the field, given your background.
Monday, May 11, 2009
1000 recruiters on Twitter!
Click on title for list of 1000 people (tweeps) who have "recruiter" in their profile on Twitter. You also can follow them all as a group. No information about what industries they recruit for, but those recruiters I've seen are focused on PR, HR, tech, and food service so there's probably a WIDE range.
Your Cover Letter Markets You
Cover Letters Matter
A cover letter is your chance to present yourself as a terrific match with the employer's needs as laid out in the job posting and description of responsibilities and qualifications. You need to convince them that you have the goods to be able to do this job superlatively. The cover letter makes the case for why you are the right person for the job – or at least gives the reader compelling reasons to interview you and learn more.
• It is your opportunity to anticipate any objections and respond to them.
• It is your chance to demonstrate your writing and communication skills, as well as any persuasive and strategic positioning abilities you have gained through the years.
As with every piece of good writing, it will require several drafts and revisions for you to come up with a cover letter that captures your essence, marries your abilities to the needs of the job, and yet does not go on and on. A page or at most a page and a half are sufficient to make your case. We want the employer to be interested enough to read your resume and call you for an interview.
There are some key factors to make the cover letter compelling to the employer and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Your resume is focused on your past while the job posting is focused on the future.
Prospective employers are focused on their own needs, and how you are able to meet those needs - they don't need or want to know a whole lot about where you are now. The job of the cover letter is demonstrating that you understand and can meet the employer's needs.
I recommend using past experience and accomplishments to illustrate how you have and therefore can do the job THEY have.
• Why do you want to do this job or work?
• How does it flow out of your past experiences?
• How does what you have done in the past prepare you to meet their needs?
Infuse into your letter your enthusiasm for this position as a logical next step in your career, as well as the perfect fusion of their needs and your abilities.
63-70% of jobs are filled by networking and referrals of business colleagues.
Most jobs go to people who are somehow familiar to the person doing the hiring. A personal referral makes the employer more comfortable meeting someone; it's less of a risk when you get a referral from someone you trust. Even with an introduction, it behooves you to stand out as someone relatively familiar with and to the person doing the hiring. Become a familiar face!
Go through the employer's website and become more familiar with what they do. Pick out a couple of their services and see if you want to target them in your cover letter, using key phrases or words. Here's one example from a consulting firm that specializes in real estate-related services.
They say in Facilities Management: "how to operate facilities with maximum efficiency, safety and employee comfort—and dramatically reduce costs in the process." Use phrases like "maximum efficiency" and "employee comfort" as well as "dramatically reduce costs" somewhere in your cover letter - perhaps referring to your previous accomplishments or responsibilities.
In Project and Development Services, they say: "Their collaborative approach is managed by a dedicated project manager who serves as your single point of contact and accountability. Of course, being the best means more than driving projects to on-time, on-budget completion. Our real estate project managers can quickly scale up or down to address your company’s changing needs and the asset types in your portfolio. Whatever the scope, we’ll work with you to set measurable goals and then achieve them—together." Lift some language from this, such as "collaborative approach" and "driving projects" or "on-time, on-budget completion."
Using language directly from the employer's website subliminally conveys that you already understand the place and will fit in. You literally "speak their language."
Employers want to be wanted, very wanted
Employers today can afford to be picky and the more I read, the more I see postings imply or say directly that they want "true believers" in their business goals and mission. They will be looking for evidence of this, and many people will state their belief explicitly. To not address probably will put you out of the running. Even if you are not completely passionate about the mission, act as if you are. We are never 100% anything, so unless you have a visceral disgust for the business purpose or mission, you are allowed to apply if you generally support the cause.
If you have the background to demonstrate your synchronicity with their work, do so. Make an effort to point out your thematic resonance with their mission, pointing out how everything you've done in the past has led you to this position. That is compelling reasoning, shows you put real some thought into the cover letter, demonstrates that you want the job enough to work for it, and may in fact have the passion they want.
A cover letter is your chance to present yourself as a terrific match with the employer's needs as laid out in the job posting and description of responsibilities and qualifications. You need to convince them that you have the goods to be able to do this job superlatively. The cover letter makes the case for why you are the right person for the job – or at least gives the reader compelling reasons to interview you and learn more.
• It is your opportunity to anticipate any objections and respond to them.
• It is your chance to demonstrate your writing and communication skills, as well as any persuasive and strategic positioning abilities you have gained through the years.
As with every piece of good writing, it will require several drafts and revisions for you to come up with a cover letter that captures your essence, marries your abilities to the needs of the job, and yet does not go on and on. A page or at most a page and a half are sufficient to make your case. We want the employer to be interested enough to read your resume and call you for an interview.
There are some key factors to make the cover letter compelling to the employer and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Your resume is focused on your past while the job posting is focused on the future.
Prospective employers are focused on their own needs, and how you are able to meet those needs - they don't need or want to know a whole lot about where you are now. The job of the cover letter is demonstrating that you understand and can meet the employer's needs.
I recommend using past experience and accomplishments to illustrate how you have and therefore can do the job THEY have.
• Why do you want to do this job or work?
• How does it flow out of your past experiences?
• How does what you have done in the past prepare you to meet their needs?
Infuse into your letter your enthusiasm for this position as a logical next step in your career, as well as the perfect fusion of their needs and your abilities.
63-70% of jobs are filled by networking and referrals of business colleagues.
Most jobs go to people who are somehow familiar to the person doing the hiring. A personal referral makes the employer more comfortable meeting someone; it's less of a risk when you get a referral from someone you trust. Even with an introduction, it behooves you to stand out as someone relatively familiar with and to the person doing the hiring. Become a familiar face!
Go through the employer's website and become more familiar with what they do. Pick out a couple of their services and see if you want to target them in your cover letter, using key phrases or words. Here's one example from a consulting firm that specializes in real estate-related services.
They say in Facilities Management: "how to operate facilities with maximum efficiency, safety and employee comfort—and dramatically reduce costs in the process." Use phrases like "maximum efficiency" and "employee comfort" as well as "dramatically reduce costs" somewhere in your cover letter - perhaps referring to your previous accomplishments or responsibilities.
In Project and Development Services, they say: "Their collaborative approach is managed by a dedicated project manager who serves as your single point of contact and accountability. Of course, being the best means more than driving projects to on-time, on-budget completion. Our real estate project managers can quickly scale up or down to address your company’s changing needs and the asset types in your portfolio. Whatever the scope, we’ll work with you to set measurable goals and then achieve them—together." Lift some language from this, such as "collaborative approach" and "driving projects" or "on-time, on-budget completion."
Using language directly from the employer's website subliminally conveys that you already understand the place and will fit in. You literally "speak their language."
Employers want to be wanted, very wanted
Employers today can afford to be picky and the more I read, the more I see postings imply or say directly that they want "true believers" in their business goals and mission. They will be looking for evidence of this, and many people will state their belief explicitly. To not address probably will put you out of the running. Even if you are not completely passionate about the mission, act as if you are. We are never 100% anything, so unless you have a visceral disgust for the business purpose or mission, you are allowed to apply if you generally support the cause.
If you have the background to demonstrate your synchronicity with their work, do so. Make an effort to point out your thematic resonance with their mission, pointing out how everything you've done in the past has led you to this position. That is compelling reasoning, shows you put real some thought into the cover letter, demonstrates that you want the job enough to work for it, and may in fact have the passion they want.
More Job Search Sites
Twitter-related Job Search
Tweetmyjobs.com is a new service that brings recruiters, hiring managers and job seekers together on Twitter. There are Twitter Channels for major cities and job types, and it's really easy to subscribe to those channels. They send job notices as text messages to your cell phone, and you can follow them on Twitter. They also send e-mail notices. They say they will "showcase US Stimulus Jobs."
Green Jobs
From our friends at Mother Earth News comes greatgreencareers.com to help you find meaningful work in the new green economy. Per their site:
All job seeker services are absolutely free. And remember, if you post your resume in the next 30 days, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Finding a Green Collar Job, our new e-book!
Sustainlane.com/green-jobs is the job search function on Sustain Lane, the "People-Powered Sustainability Guide." You can search hundreds of listings on their "green-collar jobs board."
Job-hunt.org has a great list of green industry job search resources - job boards and "green color" employers. Job boards include EcoEmploy, Green Career Central, Greenjobs, GreenDreamJobs, PowerPlantPro, Renewable Energy World, Environmental Career Opportunities and Solar Jobs. "See Job-Hunt's state jobs pages for links to many more employers in each state, including those specializing in the green industry."
Hospitality Jobs
Hcareers.com has a great line-up of jobs throughout the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, catering, tourism, and more.
Hospitalityonline.com is another site with hospitality jobs nationally.
Tweetmyjobs.com is a new service that brings recruiters, hiring managers and job seekers together on Twitter. There are Twitter Channels for major cities and job types, and it's really easy to subscribe to those channels. They send job notices as text messages to your cell phone, and you can follow them on Twitter. They also send e-mail notices. They say they will "showcase US Stimulus Jobs."
Green Jobs
From our friends at Mother Earth News comes greatgreencareers.com to help you find meaningful work in the new green economy. Per their site:
All job seeker services are absolutely free. And remember, if you post your resume in the next 30 days, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Finding a Green Collar Job, our new e-book!
Sustainlane.com/green-jobs is the job search function on Sustain Lane, the "People-Powered Sustainability Guide." You can search hundreds of listings on their "green-collar jobs board."
Job-hunt.org has a great list of green industry job search resources - job boards and "green color" employers. Job boards include EcoEmploy, Green Career Central, Greenjobs, GreenDreamJobs, PowerPlantPro, Renewable Energy World, Environmental Career Opportunities and Solar Jobs. "See Job-Hunt's state jobs pages for links to many more employers in each state, including those specializing in the green industry."
Hospitality Jobs
Hcareers.com has a great line-up of jobs throughout the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, catering, tourism, and more.
Hospitalityonline.com is another site with hospitality jobs nationally.
Make your resume (and cover letter) a PDF
PDF Resumes
Increasingly, employers ask you to apply on-line, through their own or another portal. Some of these portals don't easily accept your resume as you've formatted it. That's one reason I'm an advocate of very simple formatting, and now of converting your resume into a PDF.
With a PDF, your resume looks exactly as you want it to look.
The easiest and lowest-cost (free) method I've found to create a PDF from a Word (or other printable) document is CutePDF Writer - what they call Freeware. [The site says its software is "FREE for personal, commercial, gov or edu use! No watermarks! No popup Web ads!"]
Simply go to cutepdf.com to download the software and create your first PDF. The site guides you through the process. You will create a PDF literally in minutes.
PDF Cover Letters
For those sites that allow you to send a PDF and seem not to allow a cover letter, you can create a single PDF document with your cover letter and resume. Create a Word document with your cover letter first and then your resume on separate pages. Then create a PDF of that entire file. Label it "[myfullname].covlet.resume" so it can always be found by your name.
Sending your cover letter and resume as one document does two things: it allows you to make the case for how and why you meet the job's requirements in a cover letter, and it will be noticed because it's still a fairly unusual method. It may even demonstrate ingenuity and "where there's a will, there's a way" mindset - qualities that often are prized by employers.
Other Scenarios
There are some sites that allow you to apply ONLY through their on-line form. In these cases, you just have to follow instructions. Remember the advice I got when applying for government grants: answer everything they ask. It doesn't matter whether the questions seem repetitive. Just follow instructions.
Then look on the company website and see if you can find a name of someone with whom you can network and send an e-mail indicating that you've applied. The best method is to get a name and then search for them on LinkedIn or Plaxo to see if you know anyone in common who would be willing to introduce you to the person you identified.
Increasingly, employers ask you to apply on-line, through their own or another portal. Some of these portals don't easily accept your resume as you've formatted it. That's one reason I'm an advocate of very simple formatting, and now of converting your resume into a PDF.
With a PDF, your resume looks exactly as you want it to look.
The easiest and lowest-cost (free) method I've found to create a PDF from a Word (or other printable) document is CutePDF Writer - what they call Freeware. [The site says its software is "FREE for personal, commercial, gov or edu use! No watermarks! No popup Web ads!"]
Simply go to cutepdf.com to download the software and create your first PDF. The site guides you through the process. You will create a PDF literally in minutes.
PDF Cover Letters
For those sites that allow you to send a PDF and seem not to allow a cover letter, you can create a single PDF document with your cover letter and resume. Create a Word document with your cover letter first and then your resume on separate pages. Then create a PDF of that entire file. Label it "[myfullname].covlet.resume" so it can always be found by your name.
Sending your cover letter and resume as one document does two things: it allows you to make the case for how and why you meet the job's requirements in a cover letter, and it will be noticed because it's still a fairly unusual method. It may even demonstrate ingenuity and "where there's a will, there's a way" mindset - qualities that often are prized by employers.
Other Scenarios
There are some sites that allow you to apply ONLY through their on-line form. In these cases, you just have to follow instructions. Remember the advice I got when applying for government grants: answer everything they ask. It doesn't matter whether the questions seem repetitive. Just follow instructions.
Then look on the company website and see if you can find a name of someone with whom you can network and send an e-mail indicating that you've applied. The best method is to get a name and then search for them on LinkedIn or Plaxo to see if you know anyone in common who would be willing to introduce you to the person you identified.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Taking Your Time
You'll do yourself a big favor by taking your time when you are applying for jobs.
In the past month, two people I know were in a big hurry to submit their applications for jobs. And both made errors in their submissions. They decided to listen to their sense that time was flying by and just get something in. Then when they realized they'd made mistakes, they beat themselves up.
My question to each was "why the hurry?" Were they really going to miss the opportunity if they submitted a day or two later? Or were they letting fear govern their actions, stop them from thinking?
FEAR as an acronym stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. In these situations, both women believed false evidence - evidence they really manufactured themselves. No one told them that they HAD to submit by the date they did submit. They just made that up because of their anxiety about possibly missing the opportunity, as well as their strong desire to know NOW or at least soon that they would have a new job. Their belief was false because it was not based in any fact, but solely on their feelings.
In fact, it's far more likely that they would miss the opportunity because of their mistakes. I know many hiring agents who discard cover letters and resume with any typos, irregular formatting (as one woman had), and errors like referring to another employer in the cover letter (as the other woman did).
A corollary issue was that both women believed that they couldn't afford to wait for anyone else to review the materials for errors or to help them with formatting issues. This certainly stemmed from their fear and anxiety. It also stemmed from their discomfort in asking for help, as they admitted to me.
It can be humbling to ask for input from someone else, when you are used to being competent and capable in your field. Job search is difficult, isolating, and demanding of a different set of skills than one's professional skills. You need and deserve help.
It pays off to take your time and make sure you are submitting the most accurate, legible, and proofread application materials. You remove the inconsequential reasons for a hiring agent to disqualify you from consideration and give yourself a better chance to make it to the "yes" pile for an interview.
In a time when there average 4 or 5 job seekers for every open position - and hundreds of applicants for many positions - employers look for any way to narrow the field. Don't give them a reason to exclude you. Give yourself every advantage!
* Ask someone to review your cover letter for accuracy before you send it.
* Make sure your resume is error-free, and that its format will translate into any computer system.
* Better yet, convert your resume into a PDF so it appears exactly as you want it to look. Download Cutepdf.com, a free program that will allow you to create PDF documents in less than 5 minutes. It's very easy!
In fact, one woman I know is now putting her cover letter and resume in the same PDF document and attaching it to the e-mail through which she submits her application. In so doing, she ensures that the cover letter is thoroughly bound to the resume and thus more likely to be read.
It takes a certain level of confidence to ask for and then take assistance in putting your best foot forward during a job search. And it takes a load of faith to believe that putting your best foot forward will result in securing your "right fit work." In my experience and those of the people I help, that faith pays off. Give it a try, by not giving into your fears and taking your time.
In the past month, two people I know were in a big hurry to submit their applications for jobs. And both made errors in their submissions. They decided to listen to their sense that time was flying by and just get something in. Then when they realized they'd made mistakes, they beat themselves up.
My question to each was "why the hurry?" Were they really going to miss the opportunity if they submitted a day or two later? Or were they letting fear govern their actions, stop them from thinking?
FEAR as an acronym stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. In these situations, both women believed false evidence - evidence they really manufactured themselves. No one told them that they HAD to submit by the date they did submit. They just made that up because of their anxiety about possibly missing the opportunity, as well as their strong desire to know NOW or at least soon that they would have a new job. Their belief was false because it was not based in any fact, but solely on their feelings.
In fact, it's far more likely that they would miss the opportunity because of their mistakes. I know many hiring agents who discard cover letters and resume with any typos, irregular formatting (as one woman had), and errors like referring to another employer in the cover letter (as the other woman did).
A corollary issue was that both women believed that they couldn't afford to wait for anyone else to review the materials for errors or to help them with formatting issues. This certainly stemmed from their fear and anxiety. It also stemmed from their discomfort in asking for help, as they admitted to me.
It can be humbling to ask for input from someone else, when you are used to being competent and capable in your field. Job search is difficult, isolating, and demanding of a different set of skills than one's professional skills. You need and deserve help.
It pays off to take your time and make sure you are submitting the most accurate, legible, and proofread application materials. You remove the inconsequential reasons for a hiring agent to disqualify you from consideration and give yourself a better chance to make it to the "yes" pile for an interview.
In a time when there average 4 or 5 job seekers for every open position - and hundreds of applicants for many positions - employers look for any way to narrow the field. Don't give them a reason to exclude you. Give yourself every advantage!
* Ask someone to review your cover letter for accuracy before you send it.
* Make sure your resume is error-free, and that its format will translate into any computer system.
* Better yet, convert your resume into a PDF so it appears exactly as you want it to look. Download Cutepdf.com, a free program that will allow you to create PDF documents in less than 5 minutes. It's very easy!
In fact, one woman I know is now putting her cover letter and resume in the same PDF document and attaching it to the e-mail through which she submits her application. In so doing, she ensures that the cover letter is thoroughly bound to the resume and thus more likely to be read.
It takes a certain level of confidence to ask for and then take assistance in putting your best foot forward during a job search. And it takes a load of faith to believe that putting your best foot forward will result in securing your "right fit work." In my experience and those of the people I help, that faith pays off. Give it a try, by not giving into your fears and taking your time.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Finding Your "Right Fit Work"
Some people wonder if they can afford to narrow their job search focus to what they really want. I think they can't afford NOT to focus their attention on the right job fit.
Think of building a house, or taking a trip. You need a picture of the house you want, and a destination in mind. Then you can put together the blueprint to construct that desired house or directions to reach your intended goal. Without the original intention, it's impossible to figure out how to get there from here. Otherwise, you are simply starting to build with no idea of what the end product should look like. And perhaps you'll end up with something structurally unsound or ugly. Or you start driving and hope you'll end up somewhere cool, and instead end up in the industrial part of town where there are no restaurants and it feels a little creepy when it starts to get dark.
It's the same thing with a job search. By envisioning exactly what you want to do, you establish a goal and an intention toward which you can work. With a destination, you can map out a plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be.
Let's think about it: you currently are either unemployed or in a job you don't really like. Neither state is desirable. So don't you want to avoid getting into the same kind of situation? While being unemployed isn't within your conscious control, the fact that you lost your job means something wasn't working for you there. I know, that's kind of "woo-woo" thinking. I'm not meaning to blame you. I'm just saying maybe there's a message there. Maybe this is your chance to find something more suited to your talents, abilities, personality, and preferences.
I lost two jobs in a year - and believe me, I wasn't happy about it. Angry and bitter are two words that come to mind. And if you told me I was to blame for it, I'd bite your head off. Yet, there was something true in the concept that "God did for me what I could not do for myself." It was time for me to leave the first job after 11 years. And the second job? I knew I was in the wrong job the minute I stepped into the office on my first day. That I lasted 8 months was a miracle.
Then I sought the same kind of work, and kept getting close to being hired but didn't end up with the job. So I thought "hmm...what message is the universe trying to send here?" "Try another line of work" was the answer, loud and clear. And I did. I realized that I love coaching people. And when I began to help people informally with their job searches, I realized I had a gift for this line of work. It worked for me to do it on-line, because of some other personal considerations. I'm really happy and feel I've found my "right fit work." Work in this context means being of use, even if I'm not paid.
I don't have to denigrate or deny the value of my past experiences - I use them all the time to help people with their work dilemmas. It simply was time to move on to another phase in life. That's how I view the fact of getting fired or laid off - as an opportunity to follow my heart, passion, dreams - whatever it is.
All of us have talents and abilities that are natural to us, and this blog is devoted to ways you can discover yours - or rather, uncover them, because they are there whether you recognize them or not. Once you have, I provide many tools to help you identify the kind of work situation that would allow you to happily and productively use those abilities and talents. Finally, I give you examples of how to market yourself to secure that "right fit work" - a job or career or business that is the "right fit" for YOU.
If you have any questions about how to establish your job destination, ask them in "comments" and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.
Think of building a house, or taking a trip. You need a picture of the house you want, and a destination in mind. Then you can put together the blueprint to construct that desired house or directions to reach your intended goal. Without the original intention, it's impossible to figure out how to get there from here. Otherwise, you are simply starting to build with no idea of what the end product should look like. And perhaps you'll end up with something structurally unsound or ugly. Or you start driving and hope you'll end up somewhere cool, and instead end up in the industrial part of town where there are no restaurants and it feels a little creepy when it starts to get dark.
It's the same thing with a job search. By envisioning exactly what you want to do, you establish a goal and an intention toward which you can work. With a destination, you can map out a plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be.
Let's think about it: you currently are either unemployed or in a job you don't really like. Neither state is desirable. So don't you want to avoid getting into the same kind of situation? While being unemployed isn't within your conscious control, the fact that you lost your job means something wasn't working for you there. I know, that's kind of "woo-woo" thinking. I'm not meaning to blame you. I'm just saying maybe there's a message there. Maybe this is your chance to find something more suited to your talents, abilities, personality, and preferences.
I lost two jobs in a year - and believe me, I wasn't happy about it. Angry and bitter are two words that come to mind. And if you told me I was to blame for it, I'd bite your head off. Yet, there was something true in the concept that "God did for me what I could not do for myself." It was time for me to leave the first job after 11 years. And the second job? I knew I was in the wrong job the minute I stepped into the office on my first day. That I lasted 8 months was a miracle.
Then I sought the same kind of work, and kept getting close to being hired but didn't end up with the job. So I thought "hmm...what message is the universe trying to send here?" "Try another line of work" was the answer, loud and clear. And I did. I realized that I love coaching people. And when I began to help people informally with their job searches, I realized I had a gift for this line of work. It worked for me to do it on-line, because of some other personal considerations. I'm really happy and feel I've found my "right fit work." Work in this context means being of use, even if I'm not paid.
I don't have to denigrate or deny the value of my past experiences - I use them all the time to help people with their work dilemmas. It simply was time to move on to another phase in life. That's how I view the fact of getting fired or laid off - as an opportunity to follow my heart, passion, dreams - whatever it is.
All of us have talents and abilities that are natural to us, and this blog is devoted to ways you can discover yours - or rather, uncover them, because they are there whether you recognize them or not. Once you have, I provide many tools to help you identify the kind of work situation that would allow you to happily and productively use those abilities and talents. Finally, I give you examples of how to market yourself to secure that "right fit work" - a job or career or business that is the "right fit" for YOU.
If you have any questions about how to establish your job destination, ask them in "comments" and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
At the Interview
You must ask questions at the interview. The article reached by clicking on this post's title takes you to a great article about what questions to ask. It gives you some ideas, such as:
1. Who was formerly in this position, and why did he or she leave?
The answer - or non-answer - to this question will tell you a lot about the culture, promotion possibilities, and expectations for the next person in the job. Just as a job description emphasizes vital things the previous incumbent did not do, so too will the answer to this question tell you what you'd be walking into.
2. What brought you to [insert organization], and what keeps you here?
You can tell a lot about a potential boss by how s/he answers this question. What are his/her values? What kind of culture does the organization have? Is it focused more on position, pay, people, or purpose?
A question the article doesn't list that you can ask directly: What is the culture here? If they have an answer, they've thought about it and that's a good thing. If they can't answer, and culture's important to you, that's a major red flag.
One thing to remember is that your questions can be based on what's most important to YOU. Use your Must Have List to identify your top priorities, and shape questions around them. Of course, don't ask about compensation at all on the first or second interview. Let them ask, and then you get to respond and negotiate (if possible in this climate!).
Have a list of questions in front of you during the interview - even on an index card. Take some notes during the interview. Hopefully most of yours will be answered during the interview. Make sure to say "most of my questions were answered; I just have this one for you" and then I'd make sure to ask the one about why s/he joined the organization - that is one that probably won't be answered. And then you can say "This has been so informative and I have so much to take in. May I contact you if I have additional questions?"
Good luck!
1. Who was formerly in this position, and why did he or she leave?
The answer - or non-answer - to this question will tell you a lot about the culture, promotion possibilities, and expectations for the next person in the job. Just as a job description emphasizes vital things the previous incumbent did not do, so too will the answer to this question tell you what you'd be walking into.
2. What brought you to [insert organization], and what keeps you here?
You can tell a lot about a potential boss by how s/he answers this question. What are his/her values? What kind of culture does the organization have? Is it focused more on position, pay, people, or purpose?
A question the article doesn't list that you can ask directly: What is the culture here? If they have an answer, they've thought about it and that's a good thing. If they can't answer, and culture's important to you, that's a major red flag.
One thing to remember is that your questions can be based on what's most important to YOU. Use your Must Have List to identify your top priorities, and shape questions around them. Of course, don't ask about compensation at all on the first or second interview. Let them ask, and then you get to respond and negotiate (if possible in this climate!).
Have a list of questions in front of you during the interview - even on an index card. Take some notes during the interview. Hopefully most of yours will be answered during the interview. Make sure to say "most of my questions were answered; I just have this one for you" and then I'd make sure to ask the one about why s/he joined the organization - that is one that probably won't be answered. And then you can say "This has been so informative and I have so much to take in. May I contact you if I have additional questions?"
Good luck!
This cover letter got the writer an IMMEDIATE phone call to set up an interview
Here's a cover letter that really worked - within a couple of hours of sending it today via e-mail, she got a call to arrange an interview on Thursday.
The writer felt the letter flowed very easily and that it was good match. She networked her way into learning about the job in the first place. She told friends her intention and one person knew of this position.
What was her intention? She focused on where would she want to go next, what kind of organization she wants to work at, and the impact she wants to make in her next position. So she stepped outside her previous focus of working in the arts and considered jobs that can use her skills related to partnerships, collaborations and community-building.
She artfully blends her experience with her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the organization's mission. This combination of knowing herself and knowing the organization is the essence of a successful marketing cover letter.
May 5, 2009
[name]
Executive Director
[organization]
[address 1]
[address 2]
Dear Ms. [name]:
I am delighted to learn of the Affiliate Development Manager opening
at [organization] through my friend [name]. My resume is attached. I
have long admired the mission and vision of [organization], both as a
volunteer and as a program director who has worked in the non-profit
sector for 8 years.
As you will see from my resume, this position would fully utilize my
background in forming strategic partnerships and community development,
and would allow me to act upon a long-standing desire to serve and
prosper the marginalized of our city.
As [current title] at [current organization], I have specialized in
identifying and building new strategic partnerships and creating
innovative programs to foster community. By cultivating relationships
with cross-sector organizations, overseeing a faculty of 40+ artists,
and working closely with students, families and colleagues of very
different backgrounds, I have learned to be a leader and manager who
implements new initiatives and knows how to prioritize and reprioritize
as projects grow and expand. In a fast-paced and diverse city such as
NYC, I have learned to quickly identify key problems, adapt to change,
communicate with clarity and honesty, and be a willing listener.
Throughout my career, I have cherished the opportunities to create
programs that benefit all participants involved, provide access to the
underserved, and meaningfully connect disparate groups of people. My
desire is to be part of a partnering organization that makes a lasting
and transformational impact in our city on a larger scale. While this
type of work takes time, patience and humility, I feel I am well-suited
for this challenge.
I am excited to consider the possibility of being part of the team at
[organization]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[name]
The writer felt the letter flowed very easily and that it was good match. She networked her way into learning about the job in the first place. She told friends her intention and one person knew of this position.
What was her intention? She focused on where would she want to go next, what kind of organization she wants to work at, and the impact she wants to make in her next position. So she stepped outside her previous focus of working in the arts and considered jobs that can use her skills related to partnerships, collaborations and community-building.
She artfully blends her experience with her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the organization's mission. This combination of knowing herself and knowing the organization is the essence of a successful marketing cover letter.
May 5, 2009
[name]
Executive Director
[organization]
[address 1]
[address 2]
Dear Ms. [name]:
I am delighted to learn of the Affiliate Development Manager opening
at [organization] through my friend [name]. My resume is attached. I
have long admired the mission and vision of [organization], both as a
volunteer and as a program director who has worked in the non-profit
sector for 8 years.
As you will see from my resume, this position would fully utilize my
background in forming strategic partnerships and community development,
and would allow me to act upon a long-standing desire to serve and
prosper the marginalized of our city.
As [current title] at [current organization], I have specialized in
identifying and building new strategic partnerships and creating
innovative programs to foster community. By cultivating relationships
with cross-sector organizations, overseeing a faculty of 40+ artists,
and working closely with students, families and colleagues of very
different backgrounds, I have learned to be a leader and manager who
implements new initiatives and knows how to prioritize and reprioritize
as projects grow and expand. In a fast-paced and diverse city such as
NYC, I have learned to quickly identify key problems, adapt to change,
communicate with clarity and honesty, and be a willing listener.
Throughout my career, I have cherished the opportunities to create
programs that benefit all participants involved, provide access to the
underserved, and meaningfully connect disparate groups of people. My
desire is to be part of a partnering organization that makes a lasting
and transformational impact in our city on a larger scale. While this
type of work takes time, patience and humility, I feel I am well-suited
for this challenge.
I am excited to consider the possibility of being part of the team at
[organization]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[name]
Get to know yourself
The process I use to help folks find their "right fit work" involves them getting to know themselves better. When you know what you like to do, it's easier to find jobs that allow you to do what you like to do. Similarly, you can find a job in which you'll be happy once you're aware of the situations, culture, type of organizations, and roles toward which you naturally and repeatedly gravitate. We all have patterns in our lives; the key is asking yourself the right questions in order to identify those patterns. Once we know our patterns, we can stop fighting them and instead work with them.
Knowing your natural inclinations doesn't mean being trapped by them. What it means is that you know what you are dealing with when you enter a situation that's outside your comfort zone. Instead of saying "oh, what's wrong with me that I can't succeed in my job/career?", you can say "oh, now I see how challenging this job/career is for me, because I have had to force myself to fit into it; it's not a natural fit."
It's kind of like buying clothes that don't fit - they can make you uncomfortable and definitely are not flattering. Clothing should accent our positives and minimize our shortfalls. Even worse is buying shoes that don't fit - they are uncomfortable and can be literally crippling.
I remember as a teenager being very attached to wearing a size 7 shoe. I'm not sure why I associated that size shoe with being the right size for me, the size that meant I was graceful, attractive and "right-sized" for a girl. But I did, and that meant I insisted on buying size 7 shoes. For a while, I was a size 7 so all was OK. However, my feet continued to grow, and I still insisted on buying a size 7 when my foot needed a 7 1/2. I would talk with my friends about "breaking in my feet" instead of "breaking in the shoe." All of them shared my kind of delusion so we all had painful blisters and bloody heels. this was my "normal."
Finally, when I had grown to be a size 8, I learned that I could avoid the pain simply by getting a shoe that fit my foot. I did not have to fit myself into the shoe. Actually, I could not fit myself into the shoe. It was not the right size, much less the "right fit."
So two things happened to get me to seek the "right fit" of shoe:
1) I got new information and used it: it was not normal for one's feet to hurt in a shoe. A right-fitting shoe was almost immediately comfortable and did not produce blisters or blood.
2) I was forced into it psychologically when my foot grew. I had to make the leap from the lady-like size 7 to the galumphing size 8, so I might as well buy a shoe that fit. If I was no longer a candidate for "elegant lady," why not be comfortable?
I tell this story to illustrate how an idea can take hold and control our actions. I see it happen with many people regarding work. They get attached to working at a big name company or in a specific profession, because of the prestige or the family heritage or the money. And then when they are unhappy, they blame themselves. Much as I could not shave pieces off my foot to fit myself into a size 7 shoe, neither can we shave pieces of ourselves off to fit ourselves into the job or career we've decided is the right one for us.
Once you come into and own your own abilities, you can see opportunities all around you beginning to open up.
Knowing your natural inclinations doesn't mean being trapped by them. What it means is that you know what you are dealing with when you enter a situation that's outside your comfort zone. Instead of saying "oh, what's wrong with me that I can't succeed in my job/career?", you can say "oh, now I see how challenging this job/career is for me, because I have had to force myself to fit into it; it's not a natural fit."
It's kind of like buying clothes that don't fit - they can make you uncomfortable and definitely are not flattering. Clothing should accent our positives and minimize our shortfalls. Even worse is buying shoes that don't fit - they are uncomfortable and can be literally crippling.
I remember as a teenager being very attached to wearing a size 7 shoe. I'm not sure why I associated that size shoe with being the right size for me, the size that meant I was graceful, attractive and "right-sized" for a girl. But I did, and that meant I insisted on buying size 7 shoes. For a while, I was a size 7 so all was OK. However, my feet continued to grow, and I still insisted on buying a size 7 when my foot needed a 7 1/2. I would talk with my friends about "breaking in my feet" instead of "breaking in the shoe." All of them shared my kind of delusion so we all had painful blisters and bloody heels. this was my "normal."
Finally, when I had grown to be a size 8, I learned that I could avoid the pain simply by getting a shoe that fit my foot. I did not have to fit myself into the shoe. Actually, I could not fit myself into the shoe. It was not the right size, much less the "right fit."
So two things happened to get me to seek the "right fit" of shoe:
1) I got new information and used it: it was not normal for one's feet to hurt in a shoe. A right-fitting shoe was almost immediately comfortable and did not produce blisters or blood.
2) I was forced into it psychologically when my foot grew. I had to make the leap from the lady-like size 7 to the galumphing size 8, so I might as well buy a shoe that fit. If I was no longer a candidate for "elegant lady," why not be comfortable?
I tell this story to illustrate how an idea can take hold and control our actions. I see it happen with many people regarding work. They get attached to working at a big name company or in a specific profession, because of the prestige or the family heritage or the money. And then when they are unhappy, they blame themselves. Much as I could not shave pieces off my foot to fit myself into a size 7 shoe, neither can we shave pieces of ourselves off to fit ourselves into the job or career we've decided is the right one for us.
Once you come into and own your own abilities, you can see opportunities all around you beginning to open up.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Steps in Successful Job Search
All my posts on job search are based on this set of steps that will result in you getting the right job for you - your "right fit work" - specifically work that you enjoy and that gives you satisfaction.
Identify what you want to do
Many people are unhappy with their jobs and careers. Perhaps you are fulfilling other people’s expectations instead of following your own preferences. Perhaps you've reached a point where you want to do something new.
You CAN work at a job you like. My rule of thumb is that you should be 70-80% satisfied with your work. In a down economy like this one, perhaps 60% is more realistic. If you are waking up every day dreading going to work, you definitely are not in the right line of work or the right workplace - for YOU. It may be fine for others, just not for you.
We all have unique talents and abilities with which we were born, and skills we have developed throughout our lives - at home, in school, in the workplace. At base, it is our talents that determine whether we will be happy at work. If we're using our talents, we will be much happier. If we're not using our talents, it's a bit like swimming against the current and hoping to reach our destination - frustrating and likely to keep us stuck in the same place.
It can be difficult to let go of our wish to please others, especially our parents, and to follow our own hearts. And sometimes it may feel as though you can't abandon your hard-earned skills - or that they are now worthless if you want to pursue another field. Those are totally normal feelings. What's important is to allow yourself to have the feelings and yet not allow them to derail you from reaching your goal: work that you look forward to doing every day. When you are doing that work, those who love you will be happy for you and will get over their disappointment (if there is any.) And you'll find that every skill you've learned will come in handy in your new work - everything you've done so far is the foundation for this next step in your life. Many skills are transferable to another field and will get you started. Keep an open mind about possibilities.
Such a job search can take more time than you have at the moment, because you may realize you need to get additional training or education, or that you need to make a higher salary for some period of time to save enough to be able to afford a career switch. That doesn't mean you have to abandon pursuing your dreams. You simply operate on a "dual track" where you look for a job that meets a major percentage of your "must have list" for a satisfying job, and you begin activities that will eventually result in your doing your dream work.
Prepare a resume that effectively markets you
When you know what you want to do, you can then identify your “core value proposition” to a potential employer. The point of the resume is to provide evidence that you are fully capable of delivering great value to the employer with your ideal job. The heart of any successful resume is a set of accomplishments that support your core value proposition and lead an employer to see you as potentially right for a specific job. I suggest only including tasks and accomplishments that you would be happy to repeat. If you put it in a resume, employers will assume you are willing to do it again. In every job, we have to do things we don't necessarily like (that's the dissatisfying 20-40%), so why ask for it?
Networking: your first new job
Networking is the chief mechanism people use to get their dream jobs. It's not complicated when you know what you want to do, and have a short description of your ideal work and the talents and abilities you want to use at work. At heart, networking is just talking to people and telling them what you want to do, then asking for their ideas and help to take the next step closer toward getting that job. Most people won't have a job for you but they usually have someone else to whom you can talk. You don't know who knows who, so talk to everyone and keep following the trail of the next person to whom you are referred.
Identify job opportunities
When you know what you want to do, it's easy to identify potential job opportunities. Most of the time, opportunities appear on-line and through networking meetings. Use your “Must Have List” to evaluate opportunities and see if it's worth applying for the job. If you find a job on-line, work to find someone at that company who might put in a good word for you and help ensure that your resume is at least seen by a decision-maker.
Write cover letters that win interviews
Your cover letter is where you will make the case that your core value proposition is exactly what the job description calls for. The letter needs to position you as knowledgeable about and responsive to an employer's needs. That means you can talk about your specific abilities and accomplishments in relation to the employer's needs. I always say "employers only care about your past as it relates to them achieving their desired future." So mention the employer's name, talk about their business or mission, use the position title, and tell them why you'd be privileged to be part of their team. In a competitive market, that is even more important as employers can be and are pickier than ever. Most will seriously consider only those applicants who demonstrate knowledge of and even passion for the company's purpose.
Prepare to succeed in your interviews
Most people blow interviews because they are not prepared to answer some of the questions that are asked. When you've been fired or laid off, or if you quit, it can be extremely uncomfortable to answer the question "what happened?" And it also can be hard to describe your desire for a new career. Rehearsing your answers is the solution. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse until you are comfortable giving an answer that is honest and free of any negative tone or attitude - what is called "charge-neutral." It's also good to remember that you get to pause before answering, and use other techniques to buy some time to think through your answer. It's even OK to say "I don't know" if you then follow by saying "and I'm looking forward to learning that here, working with all of you." That's probably the most important guidance: wind up your answers to difficult questions by refocusing on the job at hand.
Other factors in successful interviewing are knowing a reasonable amount about the company to which you're applying, the job in question, and if possible, the people interviewing you. This allows you to give intelligent, informed responses to questions such as "how would you handle this situation here?" or "what would be the first things you would do if you got this job?" Finally, have your own list of questions to interview them as to whether it’s the right fit for you. And pay attention to your own response to the interviewer and the information you are gathering about the company.
Follow up to enhance chances for success
In a competitive job market, follow-up is more important than ever. I've heard stories where companies don't interview people who don't call or e-mail to see if their materials were received. It's about good manners and developing good relationships. So thank people with whom you've networked and interviewed. It can't hurt and it often does help.
Negotiate job offers that meet your "must have list".
If you get a job offer, FIRST say thank you and that you are excited, and only then ask for some time to discuss it with your spouse/partner/parent/sibling/best friend/coach. You do not have to give an immediate answer unless all the terms are acceptable to you.
Usually in the job search process, one or two items rise to the top of your priority list. Often it is organizational culture and compensation. Or it may be compensation and your role or scope of responsibility in an organization. Whatever those one or two things are, focus on getting those. If you can get those and some of the other items on your "must have list," don't be greedy.
Have some faith.
You will get the right work for you. It is going to happen. The search rarely goes as quickly or easily as we would like. Yet that's no reason to give up. When you have identified your core talents and preferences, the work that energizes you and brings you joy - it is impossible for you NOT to do it. It will happen if you work for it. So have some faith in yourself and the universe - and keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities that will start to appear all around you as you get clearer and clearer.
Identify what you want to do
Many people are unhappy with their jobs and careers. Perhaps you are fulfilling other people’s expectations instead of following your own preferences. Perhaps you've reached a point where you want to do something new.
You CAN work at a job you like. My rule of thumb is that you should be 70-80% satisfied with your work. In a down economy like this one, perhaps 60% is more realistic. If you are waking up every day dreading going to work, you definitely are not in the right line of work or the right workplace - for YOU. It may be fine for others, just not for you.
We all have unique talents and abilities with which we were born, and skills we have developed throughout our lives - at home, in school, in the workplace. At base, it is our talents that determine whether we will be happy at work. If we're using our talents, we will be much happier. If we're not using our talents, it's a bit like swimming against the current and hoping to reach our destination - frustrating and likely to keep us stuck in the same place.
It can be difficult to let go of our wish to please others, especially our parents, and to follow our own hearts. And sometimes it may feel as though you can't abandon your hard-earned skills - or that they are now worthless if you want to pursue another field. Those are totally normal feelings. What's important is to allow yourself to have the feelings and yet not allow them to derail you from reaching your goal: work that you look forward to doing every day. When you are doing that work, those who love you will be happy for you and will get over their disappointment (if there is any.) And you'll find that every skill you've learned will come in handy in your new work - everything you've done so far is the foundation for this next step in your life. Many skills are transferable to another field and will get you started. Keep an open mind about possibilities.
Such a job search can take more time than you have at the moment, because you may realize you need to get additional training or education, or that you need to make a higher salary for some period of time to save enough to be able to afford a career switch. That doesn't mean you have to abandon pursuing your dreams. You simply operate on a "dual track" where you look for a job that meets a major percentage of your "must have list" for a satisfying job, and you begin activities that will eventually result in your doing your dream work.
Prepare a resume that effectively markets you
When you know what you want to do, you can then identify your “core value proposition” to a potential employer. The point of the resume is to provide evidence that you are fully capable of delivering great value to the employer with your ideal job. The heart of any successful resume is a set of accomplishments that support your core value proposition and lead an employer to see you as potentially right for a specific job. I suggest only including tasks and accomplishments that you would be happy to repeat. If you put it in a resume, employers will assume you are willing to do it again. In every job, we have to do things we don't necessarily like (that's the dissatisfying 20-40%), so why ask for it?
Networking: your first new job
Networking is the chief mechanism people use to get their dream jobs. It's not complicated when you know what you want to do, and have a short description of your ideal work and the talents and abilities you want to use at work. At heart, networking is just talking to people and telling them what you want to do, then asking for their ideas and help to take the next step closer toward getting that job. Most people won't have a job for you but they usually have someone else to whom you can talk. You don't know who knows who, so talk to everyone and keep following the trail of the next person to whom you are referred.
Identify job opportunities
When you know what you want to do, it's easy to identify potential job opportunities. Most of the time, opportunities appear on-line and through networking meetings. Use your “Must Have List” to evaluate opportunities and see if it's worth applying for the job. If you find a job on-line, work to find someone at that company who might put in a good word for you and help ensure that your resume is at least seen by a decision-maker.
Write cover letters that win interviews
Your cover letter is where you will make the case that your core value proposition is exactly what the job description calls for. The letter needs to position you as knowledgeable about and responsive to an employer's needs. That means you can talk about your specific abilities and accomplishments in relation to the employer's needs. I always say "employers only care about your past as it relates to them achieving their desired future." So mention the employer's name, talk about their business or mission, use the position title, and tell them why you'd be privileged to be part of their team. In a competitive market, that is even more important as employers can be and are pickier than ever. Most will seriously consider only those applicants who demonstrate knowledge of and even passion for the company's purpose.
Prepare to succeed in your interviews
Most people blow interviews because they are not prepared to answer some of the questions that are asked. When you've been fired or laid off, or if you quit, it can be extremely uncomfortable to answer the question "what happened?" And it also can be hard to describe your desire for a new career. Rehearsing your answers is the solution. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse until you are comfortable giving an answer that is honest and free of any negative tone or attitude - what is called "charge-neutral." It's also good to remember that you get to pause before answering, and use other techniques to buy some time to think through your answer. It's even OK to say "I don't know" if you then follow by saying "and I'm looking forward to learning that here, working with all of you." That's probably the most important guidance: wind up your answers to difficult questions by refocusing on the job at hand.
Other factors in successful interviewing are knowing a reasonable amount about the company to which you're applying, the job in question, and if possible, the people interviewing you. This allows you to give intelligent, informed responses to questions such as "how would you handle this situation here?" or "what would be the first things you would do if you got this job?" Finally, have your own list of questions to interview them as to whether it’s the right fit for you. And pay attention to your own response to the interviewer and the information you are gathering about the company.
Follow up to enhance chances for success
In a competitive job market, follow-up is more important than ever. I've heard stories where companies don't interview people who don't call or e-mail to see if their materials were received. It's about good manners and developing good relationships. So thank people with whom you've networked and interviewed. It can't hurt and it often does help.
Negotiate job offers that meet your "must have list".
If you get a job offer, FIRST say thank you and that you are excited, and only then ask for some time to discuss it with your spouse/partner/parent/sibling/best friend/coach. You do not have to give an immediate answer unless all the terms are acceptable to you.
Usually in the job search process, one or two items rise to the top of your priority list. Often it is organizational culture and compensation. Or it may be compensation and your role or scope of responsibility in an organization. Whatever those one or two things are, focus on getting those. If you can get those and some of the other items on your "must have list," don't be greedy.
Have some faith.
You will get the right work for you. It is going to happen. The search rarely goes as quickly or easily as we would like. Yet that's no reason to give up. When you have identified your core talents and preferences, the work that energizes you and brings you joy - it is impossible for you NOT to do it. It will happen if you work for it. So have some faith in yourself and the universe - and keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities that will start to appear all around you as you get clearer and clearer.
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