Thursday, January 31, 2008
Maneuvering Within the SchoolYard
All I ever needed I learned in kindergarten. There's a book that makes a great case for this concept and while I'm not sure I totally agre, one point is indisputable...the concept of the schoolyard.
The schoolyard is the community in which your identity is first formulated, and it's both this identity and recognizing the identity of others that determines everything from who you will play with in the sandbox to whether you will someday be a leader or follower. Are you the football quarterback, the cheerleader, the geek, the bully, the rich kid or the kid that, to date, no one has noticed?
Ok now fast forward to the workplace and it should be more than apparent that the schoolyard cast members are alive and well in the workplace. However now there are four generations in the schoolyard, Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists. All generations have been raised by generations with differing values and work habits. And all must live and work together.
Are you thinking of changing jobs because you don't like the office bully, the boss's pet or the sneaky geek? Perhaps you need to rethink that strategy because another of whoever is bothering you will be waiting for you at the next job! Never run from anything! Run toward something better!
The schoolyard is the community in which your identity is first formulated, and it's both this identity and recognizing the identity of others that determines everything from who you will play with in the sandbox to whether you will someday be a leader or follower. Are you the football quarterback, the cheerleader, the geek, the bully, the rich kid or the kid that, to date, no one has noticed?
Ok now fast forward to the workplace and it should be more than apparent that the schoolyard cast members are alive and well in the workplace. However now there are four generations in the schoolyard, Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists. All generations have been raised by generations with differing values and work habits. And all must live and work together.
Are you thinking of changing jobs because you don't like the office bully, the boss's pet or the sneaky geek? Perhaps you need to rethink that strategy because another of whoever is bothering you will be waiting for you at the next job! Never run from anything! Run toward something better!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ten Steps in Getting Started in Job Search
1. Know Your Aptitudes, Talents and Preferences - Professionals are much like physicians in a hospital. There are ER docs who are faced paced and like the action, and there are brain surgeons who prefer quiet methodical work. What kind of doc would you be?
2. Know the Market - You need to have the best credentials possible and you can't plan the steps of an education/internship/experience journey if you don't know the destination.
3. Realize the Competitive Event - Job-Seekers are often too busy believing they need only to qualify and that their credentials entitled them to a job. You are not entitled to a job offer. You are entitled to compete for one!
4. Understand the Triathlon –-There are three events between the beginning of job search and a job offer. The resumes/cover letter must out- compete, your search strategies must be creative and persistent and your interview must be value based. You must win in all events. There are no job offers for silver medalists.
5. Be Ready to Sacrifice - You might have to relocate, commute travel, or take a pay cut. If the returns merit the sacrifice you could kill a career if you are awarded the opportunity for a great job but unwilling.
6. Be Willing to Get Help - Job search coaches prepare resumes, often times have access to recruiter/employer networks, teach and prepare you for interviews and help negotiate your job offers. Doctors don't change their auto transmissions and savvy career seekers don't write their own resumes.
7. Don't Only Use the Computer - The closer you are to being able to shake a hand the better your chances for a job offer. Network, network, network!
8. Use All Search Resources - There is life beyond Monster.com. Many folks "dis" the newspaper classified while employers spend millions looking for employees.
9. Know Much About the Company with Whom You are Interviewing - You won't know what to offer-up if you don't know what they need. Learn the industry, the status of the company within the industry and the company's challenges. Then be its solution.
10. It's Called Job Hunting for a Good Reason - It's a jungle out there but there's a place for everyone. You need to use all search vehicles and you need to realize that despite that new degree, certification or experience, there are four talented generations in the workplace and more competition than ever!
2. Know the Market - You need to have the best credentials possible and you can't plan the steps of an education/internship/experience journey if you don't know the destination.
3. Realize the Competitive Event - Job-Seekers are often too busy believing they need only to qualify and that their credentials entitled them to a job. You are not entitled to a job offer. You are entitled to compete for one!
4. Understand the Triathlon –-There are three events between the beginning of job search and a job offer. The resumes/cover letter must out- compete, your search strategies must be creative and persistent and your interview must be value based. You must win in all events. There are no job offers for silver medalists.
5. Be Ready to Sacrifice - You might have to relocate, commute travel, or take a pay cut. If the returns merit the sacrifice you could kill a career if you are awarded the opportunity for a great job but unwilling.
6. Be Willing to Get Help - Job search coaches prepare resumes, often times have access to recruiter/employer networks, teach and prepare you for interviews and help negotiate your job offers. Doctors don't change their auto transmissions and savvy career seekers don't write their own resumes.
7. Don't Only Use the Computer - The closer you are to being able to shake a hand the better your chances for a job offer. Network, network, network!
8. Use All Search Resources - There is life beyond Monster.com. Many folks "dis" the newspaper classified while employers spend millions looking for employees.
9. Know Much About the Company with Whom You are Interviewing - You won't know what to offer-up if you don't know what they need. Learn the industry, the status of the company within the industry and the company's challenges. Then be its solution.
10. It's Called Job Hunting for a Good Reason - It's a jungle out there but there's a place for everyone. You need to use all search vehicles and you need to realize that despite that new degree, certification or experience, there are four talented generations in the workplace and more competition than ever!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Caucuses, Primaries, Debates, Delegates and You!
If you are a news junkie like myself you are now submerged in the politics of electing our next President. Don't be in denial. Submerged is exactly where you should be! Whatever your employment situation might be, it could very well be affected by the decisions of your President! Ask my son, Adam, the Blackhawk pilot. He's an Ohio Nation Guardsman, a part time job that will turn full time when he leaves for Iraq.
But seriously (ok that was serious), we need to know what's happening on the planet as a whole, and in case you don't know the difference between Slovenia and Slovakia, please review the headlines! We live in a shrinking world and global business is here to stay. Employers want to know what you know about current events and they are not above asking you how you feel the jobs report will affect the stock market. After all their businesses will be affected by what is happening and companies want their employees aware and awake! This is an election year!
Worried? Don't be. Go to http://www.msnbc.com once a day if you're not getting a regular dose of what's happening.
Getting back to the elections, do you know what to do if someone asks you who your candidate is on an interview or at work? Tune in next week!
But seriously (ok that was serious), we need to know what's happening on the planet as a whole, and in case you don't know the difference between Slovenia and Slovakia, please review the headlines! We live in a shrinking world and global business is here to stay. Employers want to know what you know about current events and they are not above asking you how you feel the jobs report will affect the stock market. After all their businesses will be affected by what is happening and companies want their employees aware and awake! This is an election year!
Worried? Don't be. Go to http://www.msnbc.com once a day if you're not getting a regular dose of what's happening.
Getting back to the elections, do you know what to do if someone asks you who your candidate is on an interview or at work? Tune in next week!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Why We Should All Be "Out to Lunch"
Last January I broke down and accepted a lunch invitation. I never used to go to lunch. I was always far too busy in my own little world or sometimes it was the weather. To this day I'm not sure why this particular recruiter succeeded in prying me from behind my desk. I never could have guessed what would happen next.
It seems that Chris Gardner, the recruiter that bought my salad, took folks to lunch often. He had a list and he had a mission, professional networking groups. Today I belong to Executive Recruiters Exchange and Corporate Recruiters Exchange, two active groups that actively share both candidates and job opportunities. Each group meets for lunch on a monthly basis and those of us who have formed special alliances meet on Fridays once in awhile.
No matter what your job or industry, building your network requires that you "go to lunch." In fact the best idea is that you be the one to extend the invitation. People who only start networking when they are in need of contacts and help often lack the authenticity that is so critical to building a viable network. They also lack time to harvest the fruits of their efforts.
Networking is a process, not a special event. But once in tact, it is one of the most powerful tools you can use to connect. Last week was the first week of 2008 and I received lots of invitations for lunch. I'll get back to you with the results.
It seems that Chris Gardner, the recruiter that bought my salad, took folks to lunch often. He had a list and he had a mission, professional networking groups. Today I belong to Executive Recruiters Exchange and Corporate Recruiters Exchange, two active groups that actively share both candidates and job opportunities. Each group meets for lunch on a monthly basis and those of us who have formed special alliances meet on Fridays once in awhile.
No matter what your job or industry, building your network requires that you "go to lunch." In fact the best idea is that you be the one to extend the invitation. People who only start networking when they are in need of contacts and help often lack the authenticity that is so critical to building a viable network. They also lack time to harvest the fruits of their efforts.
Networking is a process, not a special event. But once in tact, it is one of the most powerful tools you can use to connect. Last week was the first week of 2008 and I received lots of invitations for lunch. I'll get back to you with the results.
