Leadership on Speed

pink slip blues

As work-related stress, anger and frustration escalates, it's easy to go on a rampage when the pink slip comes - especially if it feels undeserved - but beware, the way you depart a company can have overreaching effects not only on your life but on your job search (and hence, your ability to even get a job).

Know that any job loss can be the emotional equivalent of a death, especially depending on how long (and how attached) you are to your current work environment.  We forget that work environments can become "familial" and when the proverbial pink slip comes, it isn't just the job that goes away...

If you have ever experienced the death of a friend or loved one, you may be familiar with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.  These stages can also apply to significant life events such as a job loss.   

Of these five stages, the inability to navigate your anger surrounding your job loss can be one of your greatest saboteurs in moving forward, especially if you move forward too soon. Why?  Because anger is a powerful emotion that can invade every aspect of a job hunt from resume prep to the interview process.  It is certainly OK (indeed natural) to feel angry and possibly even betrayed by your company but it's important that you figure out how to make peace with your former employer and your situation.  Whenever I hear someone speaking vehemently ill of another, I wonder if they realize that the only one suffering from their tirade is them.  It's like taking a poison pill and waiting for the other person to die. 

On some level, you must trust that the Universe has a different purpose for you.  Only when you release the past, can you embrace your future with grace, excitement and gratitude.  Check out these helpful tips from Marshall Goldsmith on bouncing back from setbacks.

Who will be more successful in the job hunt?  The one who is angry and bitter or the one who is happy, light, flexible and confident?

Which one are you?

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

the definition of insanity (even in a recession)

A young woman phoned me recently in complete distress over her career.  She was in her early thirties and concerned because she had not yet found the "it" in her career.  She felt she had been moving from company to company to company throughout her relatively young career and wanted to get to the root of what it is she really wants to do.

I want to share something with you today that you may not want to accept or believe but I'm going to say it anyway...

For many of us, this recession is the best thing that could ever happen..

...at least for your career.

Let's face it - our tolerance level for our work environment is a lot higher when the money is flowing but now that businesses have turned off the spigot our tolerance has level has gotten lower as well.  At the executive levels, many corporations will either not pay bonuses this year or not increase salaries.  As organizations scale back, the remaining work force is asked to take on more and greater tasks, roles and responsibilities for little, if any, pay increase.  Companies believe you should feel "lucky" to have a job and the result is a workforce that is overworked, underpaid (relatively speaking), stressed-out and re-evaluating their career choices.

It is times like these when we become acutely aware of how very tired we are of being in the "rat race".

It is times like these when we wish for more simplicity in our work and in our life. 

So what do you do once you have had this great epiphany?

If you're unemployed, you are most likely looking for anything that will bring income back into your household. If you're employed, chances are you're putting feelers out to find an organization that values you more and "feels" better.

Unfortunately, both situations can lead you right back to where you are.... 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you do not, at some point, think more critically about your career, nothing will ever change. 

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

networking too

Networking is one of those areas in which one can engage in a lot of activity for little return if you aren't careful and/or strategic.  For some, networking is more about quantity than quality and they simply figure that if they collect enough people someone in the group is bound to be of benefit to them. 

Of course what's missing is that:

 1. Networking is about "relating" not collecting and

2. Networking is about mutual giving

Feel free to check out the original post by clicking here (Be a Networking Superstar).  I received lots of interesting feedback on the post but I wanted to share a blog post written by the medical sales recruiter.  She actually did a blog "series" on networking and offers some additional info and another perspective on networking that I thought you may find beneficial.  Click here to check it out.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

tips for getting past the resume screen

In todays economic environment, every day we hear news of lay-offs and downsizings.  Whether you are in the job-seeking trenches or concerned that you may be next, know that jobs are out there and things will get better.  It is important however to be prepared and knowledgable when it come to approaching your job search in order to be efficient with your time and effective with your results. 

 

Monthly I hear from job-seekers that are tired, worn out and, quite frankly, scared.  They are combing the internet, pounding the proverbial pavement and beating the bushes only to be disappointed and frustrated with the result.  They have sent their resume to company after company after company and are barely getting a nibble or the companies that are responding don't seem to be at all what they're looking for (or hoped for).

 

What...is...the...problem?

 

If this resonates with your experience, have heart!  It may not be you but rather your approach that isn't working.  What follows are a few guidelines about how you can approach your job hunt that have proven successful for my clients chance of getting to an interview. Perhaps they can also work for you....

 

First of all,  you know the old adage: It's not what you know, it's who you know?

 

Throw it out half-way out the door.

 

When it comes to getting hired these days, who you know may still matter in terms of getting your resume looked at but who you know will NOT get you the job if you don't meet most of the job criteria.

 

Three years ago, if you had a recommendation from a company insider and met 60% of the criteria of a position, chances are you would at least get an interview.

 

Not today.

 

The playing field is competitive and companies can "buy you" for a fraction of what you used to be worth (think housing market and economics 101).  TODAY, you need to meet 90-95% of the criteria to not end up on the bottom of the pile regardless of who you know and to have some negotiating power should you make it through the interview circuit.

 

How do you increase your chances of being in the 90-95%?

 

1.  Be clear about what you do well. 

True story:  A friend of mine is in the job market.  Her skill set has her looking for director positions in the non-profit arena.  Her husband, who is also job-seeking, is looking for work in the accounting field.  Someone sent me a job possibility in the accounting field which I forwarded to her for her husband.  She sent a message back to me and said, "Thanks for the lead.  I'll give it a shot but I don't really do numbers."  Bottom line - Desperation will not qualify you for a job you simply cannot do.

 

2.  Match your skills to the stated job criteria

If the position calls for someone with management/leadership skills and you have never had a management "title", then you want to address situations in which you have led either formally (ie perhaps you were asked to lead a project) or informally (ie you volunteered to lead a community project, sports team etc).  Specifically language your skillset to what is being asked.  The resume screener doesn't have time to interpret your resume.  Make it clear.

 

The other point I want to make here is this:  When it comes to your resume, one size does not fit all!  In other words, if you apply for five jobs with slightly different criteria that match your skillset (don't forget guideline #2), then tweak your resume to match the criteria for that job! You may have five slightly different resumes but you have just increased your odds of being noticed substantially!

 

3.  Focus on results

All too often I see resumes that are very pretty but have no real content.  They are essentially just a list of job descriptions that I could get off of Monster.com.  What the employer wants to know is:  What did you achieve while in the position?  What concrete value did you bring to the position and to the employer?  Ultimately the underlying question is - If I hire you, how do I know you will drive results for the company?  If you can demonstrate a results oriented resume and then back up the results with other data, testimonials and recommendations you become less of a risk to hire.

 

4.  Remember that your resume is the employers first impression of you so take it seriously.

If you take nothing else away from this point, take this: SPELL CHECK IS THE KILLER OF RESUMES! I cannot tell you how many resumes I have reviewed that have countless spelling errors only to be told by the job-seeker, "I spell checked it five times!"  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE (did I say PLEASE?) do yourself a favor and do not rely on spell check!  Small, consistent errors reflect a lack of attention to detail  - a real mistake if you're going for a position that requires just that.

 

5.  Keep your chin up

Everyday and everywhere we turn, we're told how hard it is.  Perhaps you're reading this and you just lost your job.  Perhaps you're reading this and you have been out of work for a while.  Regardless of what end of the spectrum you are on, try to keep your chin up.  There is something to be said of positive energy.  A job will show up if you keep these guidelines in mind and only go for those positions which resonate most closely with your successful skillset.

 

You were born to be great.

 

YES, you can!

congratulations! you've got the job.....now what?

I had the privilege last week of spending time with Jason Alba over at JibberJobber.  As his expert guest on his weekly radio show, I had a great time discussing one of my all time favorite topics - tips and strategies to get off to the best start in a new company during the first 90 days!!

Most professionals in the career space (be they career coaches, recruiters or outplacement agencies) focus their time on one primary task - getting the client a job.  Clearly, that's a great goal but all too often those same candidates find themselves back in the job market within 12 to 18 months stressed, tired and disillusioned. 

So what the heck happened? 

These are smart, bright, capable people who thought they had found the perfect company and the perfect job. They thought this was the company they would be with for a while.  Maybe even make their mark on...

Where did it all go wrong?

Well, it's possible that things began to go wrong within the first 90 days.  If you are new to your company or know someone who is, CLICK HERE to listen to my show with Jason.  After you have had a chance to check it out, stop back by and give me some feedback.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

love or money

I have found LinkedIn to be a great professional tool for both reconnecting to old friends and colleagues and utilizing those connections for networking. 

One of the features I enjoy is the Q&A.  Sometimes the Q&A is self-serving but often it seems that folks are simply trying to find solutions to their professional challenges.

I recently responded to a question that I think is appropriate for you so I decided to post it here for your benefit as well.

The question basically asked if one had a choice between working at a job you love versus working at one one that paid twice as much money, what would you choose?

My response:

I just had a client that made this very decision yesterday. Her choice? The job she loved.

As a coach, I would tell you that this question may seem pretty cut and dried to many folks. If you're a free spirit type, the answer may be go for the job you love. If you're a corporate type or driven by higher pay or title, you may say go for the money. Quite frankly, it may also boil down to what your bills look like! The thing is, there isn't a wrong answer.

The question in my mind is - what is your strategy? All too often I see people who choose one answer or the other just for the sake of either fun or money with no real career strategy. Consider the company, your colleagues and most of all, your career objectives.

Sometimes, it may be the right career strategy to choose a company or environment that is less desirable if, in the long run, it will give you the experience that takes you closer to your long-term goal. Same holds true for less paying jobs that are more fun. My client made the choice because the lower paying position puts her in an industry she has always wanted to be in and gives her the opportunity to play a bigger game where her career is concerned.

Choices like these are not always easy. You have to have some idea of what you want your career to look like down the road and make the sometimes difficult choices that are going to get you there.

What do you think?  Would you choose love or would you choose money?

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

PS.  If you're in the neighborhood, feel free to join my network!

picking your mate versus picking your job

My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary and I don't mind telling you that I absolutely adore my husband. 

Perhaps it's just us, but at this time of year we always find ourselves reflecting on "the state of our union" and reconfirming and reaffirming the strengths and commitment we have for one another.

One of the primary reasons our marriage works so well is that we both had a strong sense of self when we met.  We were both clear about who we were, what we were looking for and what we wanted things to look like "down the road".

It finally dawned on me that there is something to be said for maturity because, sadly, I rarely approached my career with the same clarity and forethought with which I chose my life partner.

When it came to my career, I was smart...

I was lucky...

I was in the right place at the right time...

But I was rarely strategic.

I might have been strategic about going after a particular job or position in a job hunt, but I never looked at my career globally. 

Don't get me wrong.  I am also clear that had I not had the experiences I have had and landed in some great places based on pure dumb luck, I also wouldn't be here...sharing my wisdom with you.

What has been your experience? 

When you consider your career strategy, have you been lucky? smart? strategic? or any of the above? If you haven't been, what do you think gets in your way?

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

is mcdonalds really an option?

Fellow greatness guru and expert partner Jason Alba (Founder/CEO of JibberJobber) wrote a great blog post the other day about job seekers considering work at McDonald's when Plan A isn't working out too well.

When I saw the post, I smiled (actually I laughed) because on a personal note, I once knew a gal who spent two years unemployed.  Of course, she was always looking for work but she was fairly experienced in her field and opportunities at her level were not frequently forthcoming. For whatever reason, she wasn't landing the few that were.

Eventually, the bills began to mount up.  She began borrowing money from friends and officially entered "struggle-ville".  At some point, I remember thinking - "I'm sure McDonald's is hiring."  Of course, being the brave soul that I was at the time, I didn't mention it but I "made up" that if I were in a situation in which I couldn't pay my bills and I couldn't find work in my preferred field, I would do "whatever it takes" including working at McDonald's.... 

Admittedly, it was a fleeting thought and by the grace of God, I have never had to put my money where my mouth was but when I saw this post, it took me back...

Wow...the things we make judgments about, right?

I'm happy to say I've grown since then and Jason makes some great points about the fallacy of my judgmental mind...  McDonald's or not to McDonald's, that remains the question! 

What's your answer?

Click here for Jason's post.

Thanks Jason!

Oh by the way, in case you're wondering, my friend did eventually find work in her preferred field and has now been gainfully employed for several years (without ever having worked at McDonalds)...

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!!

he was going to retire...

Yesterday I posted some of my initial thoughts on the passing of comedian Bernie Mac.  I have now had an opportunity to see several reports surrounding his untimely passing.  Of all of the information I have heard in review of Bernie Mac's life, one thing resonates with me...

He was going to retire.

Every newscast showed interview footage of Bernie Mac stating that he was going to retire soon.  He was going to slow down. Well, guess what?

It's too late.

He was only 50 and I'm sure he thought he would have plenty of time.  Heck, I'm NOT 50 and some days I'm SURE I do!

It's the fallacy of life and the fallacy of youth.

It seems like it took me a lifetime to "get it."  To get that tomorrow isn't promised.  To get that this day..this hour..this moment...is all I have.  Is all we have.

And still, there are days I forget...

I have no idea what Bernie Mac's intention were for his retirement but I wonder what life would be like if we all decided to balance our goals in retirement with the work we do everyday.  So many of us toil and sacrifice for more money so that we can have comfortable retirements.  When we retire, we can take that dream vacation we've always wanted. When we retire, we can travel. When we retire, we can visit family. When we retire, we will have more time for our kids and/or grandkids.  When we retire, we will have more time to give back to our communities.

What if retirement never came?  What if retirement comes and it doesn't look like we thought it would?

Bernie Mac's life stands as an example of what's possible; his death  but a reminder that the clock continues to tick for each one of us.  70 years, 80 years, 90 years is not promised.  

Regardless of how much time you think you have, here is what I know for sure...

Life is too short to spend a career in a job you hate.

Life is too short to "wait" for....ANYTHING.  Find work that makes your spirit sing.  Go back to school. Take your vacations. Spend time with loved ones. Give back to your community.  Take up that hobby you've been telling yourself you don't have time for.  Take a risk.  Live the joy.

It is never too late to make the difference, to be the difference only you can be.  To live the life you think is only for someone else.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can.

Be a networking superstar - 10 tips

No matter what domain you find yourself - business owner, job seeker or business development, it is imperative that you network your way to success.  Below are 10 tips that may support your growth toward "master networker":

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.

4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

5. Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

6. Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7. Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help you?" and no immediate answer comes to mind.

9. Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

10. Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!