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Optimism is Your Career Ally

Is the glass half empty or half full?

How you see it has a huge bearing on how you recover from setbacks and how happy you are in general.

I'd like to say that I was born an optimist. I'd also like to say that I can eat all the chocolate I want without gaining a pound and that the sun is shining here in Seattle on January 7. But unfortunately none of this is true.

So while I nibble on small bits of chocolate and stoically don my rain parka, I'm working on cultivating optimism. And here's why: my career and my life are going to be better for it.

Here's what sets apart the pessimists from the optimists, according to Dr. Martin Seligman, author of Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life,

"The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time, will undermine everything they do, and are their own fault. The optimists, who are confronted with the same hard knocks of the world, think about misfortune in the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case...Confronted by a bad situation, they perceive it as a challenge and try harder."

Our careers are filled with setbacks. We may have a bad boss, a poor performing employee, a project that has gotten way out of hand, unrealistic quotas, a boring job, too much to do, budget cuts, layoffs, or unethical leadership.

Career change offers up its own share of challenges, setbacks and bad times. Lack of personal contacts in the desired field, lack of education, low starting salary in our desired position, and so on. I'm getting depressed just writing about it!

I've coached a lot of people over the last several years on all kinds of career and life issues. The optimists simply have an easier time of it, and they get where they want faster.

The good news in all this is that even people with pessimistic tendencies can cultivate optimism. This involves learning a new set of cognitive skills, as opposed to repeating happy affirmations and hoping that someday you believe them.

Seligman's book explains these skills in detail. They are rather fascinating and take some practice and some time to get the hang of.

I highly recommend you buy the book or check it out from the library for all the information, but here are a few highlights around the "ABCD" skills model.

A. Notice when you're experiencing adversity, even just a tiny example.
"I can't get a meeting with my boss this week."

B. Notice your beliefs (i.e., your interpretation) about this adversity.
"My boss is always ducking me. Why doesn't she care about what I'm doing?"

C. Notice how you feel and/or what you do (i.e., the consequences).
"I'm worried that I'm not going to be considered for the promotion I'm wanting, that I'm no longer a "player". I'm angry that I'm disregarded."

D. Distract yourself or dispute your beliefs.
Immediately shift your attention to stop ruminating. Or use evidence, alternative views, or decatastrophize. (These are very powerful skills that I just can't do justice here. Get the book!)

A little pessimism can be constructive. It can keep us from doing rash, foolhardy things. Back in our evolutionary history our pessimism mirrored the grim realities of the times: danger lurking around the next corner, most children dying before their 5th birthday, not enough food to last the winter, etc. 

But now for most of us, disaster is far less imminent. Yet the pull of pessimism can keep us stuck, unhappy, even depressed. We need optimism to inspire and fuel our plans and dreams and to propel us forward into unchartered territory.

I am deciding to be hopeful that the sun will return to Seattle, among other things. What are you deciding to be optimistic about today?

Posted by Heather Mundell

cross-posted at life@work

Networking Rx

I came across a great post on Liz Lynch's The Stealth Networker Blog about some of the issues active job seekers sometimes face when networking. Liz reminds us that the time to start networking is way before you are in a job search. People who only start networking when they are in need of contacts and help often lack the authenticity that is so critical to building a viable network. Job seekers often get frustrated with the concept of networking because as Dan Williams says in his book, Tales From the Networking Community, "networking is a process, not an event." Job seekers expect immediate results (often because they need to pay immediate bills) and may give up on networking if they don't quickly get some bites.

Every encounter with another person is a potential networking opportunity. Network to build relationships, not to get a job. Get in the mindset of giving more than you get, connecting people without being asked, actively seeking new affinity groups, exploring on line social networks, blogging, joining professional associations, volunteering, and reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. By doing so, you will build your network steadily over time and will be recognized as a trustworthy and credible connection who is genuinely interested in the well-being of the people in your network. Once this is accomplished, you will reap the benefits of being top of mind with others in your network when you are in need of advice, help, support, and yes, even a job lead.

Posted by Barbara Safani

Twenty-eight strategies for controlling your career destiny in 2008

Note: This post is longer than usual -- it's a "Deb Dib" career gift to you as you start the new year!

As we begin 2008 – in a time of historic political campaigns (as I write this post, Barack Obama has become the first African-American to win the Iowa caucus), the burst housing bubble, the sub-prime meltdown, record oil prices, global warming, continuing conflict in Iraq, a growing industrial presence in China and other emerging nations – the economy is in flux and career security is ever more fleeting.

Today’s career security is not about job search!

It’s about embracing change through a lifetime of career activism. Are you ready to become a career activist, market “Company YOU,” and create your own security and momentum? If so, here is your Personal Marketing Manifesto...

1. I will define, refine, and niche my personal brand and differentiated value proposition.
2. I will be courageous in doing a “gut-check” and staying true-to-brand, even if it seems that my brand is a bit too unique.
3. I will remember and trust that strong brands both attract and repel -- and that niching tightly to a brand makes decisions easier by drawing in strong supporters and repelling those that are unsuitable.
4. I will tie my brand and value to the bottom-line because I know that in the real world if my brand doesn’t translate to dollars (how my brand works at work), it’s not going to get me the job, the promotion, the compensation, or the career momentum I crave.
5. I will identify and understand the needs of my target market and will pinpoint my branded value message to my best prospects within that market.
6. I will understand, and will be able to discuss, my leadership style -- including vision and motivation -- and tie it to performance.
7. I will do the homework needed to develop and support my “presidential message” (differentiated value proposition) and will be able to articulate it in under 30 seconds.
8. I will develop a flexible and targeted list of my top-five brand-defining accomplishments, mapped to my tangible results and my leadership skills.
9. I will initiate and pursue “radar screen activities” to build my visibility, both on-line and off-line.
10. I will actively manage and update my digital presence, understanding that people will routinely use my Google results to make decisions about me -- often before they have met me.
11. I will use LinkedIn and other social networking sites responsibly (even Facebook and MySpace, although I likely don’t understand why -- or if -- I need to be on them!), inviting and connecting only with people I know and can honestly endorse as trusted professionals, not mere acquaintances.
12. I will seek to remain current and educate myself by reading relevant blogs and professional journals, listening to teleseminars, and attending conferences.
13. I will expand my horizons by reading or listening to information that is outside of my business realm -- because being well-read, well-rounded, and well-versed in other cultures and world events is a must in our global economy.
14. I will identify a passion or top skill (personal or business) and blog, speak, or write about it -- by joining a blog community, creating my own blog, answering LinkedIn questions, writing articles, speaking, and/or posting comments on related blogs -- creating a reputation as a thought-leader, and attracting like-minded individuals to my network.
15. I will build social and business capital by being a valuable resource to professional associates and colleagues in networking situations, with no regard for immediate self-interest. In all personal and business interactions I will ask how I can help, long before I mention my needs.
16. I will put a team of professionals in place to help support me in my efforts. These might include (but are not limited to) mentors, family, supportive colleagues, an executive coach / personal brand strategist / resume consultant, a business research / mailing service, a trusted recruiter, and even a secretarial service if needed.
17. I will develop a relationship with a few trusted recruiters before I need a job. I will be a helpful resource for them by recommending likely candidates if I am able to do so.
18. I will happily and competently perform the “tough” (high-effort / high ROI) activities needed to find the best job, with the best compensation.
19. I will be thick skinned, ready for rejection, and determined to follow-up and persevere. If I am in a job search I will stay focused and determined by holding to the sales professional’s credo that “every no brings me closer to a yes.”
20. I will negotiate my compensation package from a position of strength by researching competitive salaries and practicing responses before the offer and by having legal council and/or a salary negotiation coach in place should it become necessary.
21. Once in my new position, I will continue active career management and brand-building activities so that I am always prepared for -- and will attract -- new and exciting opportunities.
22. I will understand that hiring the best people I can, and developing them -- even if they are “smarter” than I am -- is good management and good career karma. I will welcome the challenge and satisfaction of working with bright, energized people who can make a difference. 
23. I will keep an ongoing job journal of projects, challenges, and impact, as well as 360 feedback, so that I am always prepared to interview.
24. I will actively pursue working knowledge related to those under me and those above me (peers, reports, stakeholders, and customers alike) – to be aware of the need for purposeful “generation integration” as Millennials, GenYs, GenXs, and Boomers struggle with the very different ways they communicate, think, and co-exist in teams, companies, and the marketplace.
25. I will review and update my web profiles and resume every few months so that I keep my marketing presence current and ready to attract and leverage opportunities.
26. I will be a role model within my company by remaining on-brand and contributing in ethical and valuable ways, helping my company to be a good corporate citizen and creating a world that is better, not worse, through my efforts.
27. I will be sure to thank anyone who has helped me along the way and will “pay it forward” by helping others in their career-building efforts.
28. I will have fun and enjoy the journey!

There are numerous resources to help you pursue these strategies. Here are just a few:

CareerHub’s experts have partnered on a series of four e-books on resume writing, cover letters, networking, and interviewing. (Immediately downloadable at no cost.)

For help with personal branding, and a list of certified personal brand strategists, visit Reach Communications Consulting and the Reach Branding Club. For information on using branding in your daily career management, read Career Distinction -- be sure to sign up for the automated personal brand assessment included in the book, and take the fun, no-cost assessment that measures your on-line identity.

Download the recordings of the 24 sessions of the Brand You World Global Telesummit held in October -- great commuting or workout listening that will immerse you in the many functional and fun facets of personal branding!

Read Jason Alba’s (of JibberJobber fame) I’m on LinkedIn, Now What??? as well as the companion blog. (look for I’m on Facebook, Now What??? coming later this year). Check out Harvard and Wharton newsletters -- HBS Working Knowledge, and Knowledge at Wharton for trends and best-practices in business. Read Career Journal (from the Wall Street Journal) every day for the latest in executive career issues and job search.

For an array of career assessments, visit Susan Guarneri, “the Career Assessment Goddess from the beautiful North Woods of Wisconsin” or Nancy Branton's People Potential Group websites.

For something out of the box in your job search -- try an executive agent – Debra Feldman "the Job Whiz" is a great one and has been featured in Forbes for her work. For a snail mail campaign (in the age of massive e-mail and spam filters, snail mail can be a better avenue to decision makers) try Mark Hovind at JobBait or for top-notch e-mail campaigns, try Bob Bronstein at Profile Research -- both offer ethical, reputable assistance and precisely targeted lists.

For a huge compendium of job-search sites and information, visit Susan Joyce’s Job-Hunt.org. For excellent for-fee executive job listings with a treasure trove of career resources (and a cool non-traditional CEO – Kathy Simmons -- her blog is called “Barefoot in the Boardroom”) check out Netshare (also try ExecuNet and the Ladders).

For current career-industry experts’ “insider info” read the CareerHub blog and the Alliance Community Blog (written by Kennedy Information’s Career Management Alliance members).

Over one hundred years ago William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” How will 2008 look for you if you alter YOUR career “attitude of mind” and thus your career management activities? Are you ready for success?

Happy New Year, dear CareerHub readers!

(Disclaimer: There are countless other books, services, websites, and providers that can help with your career-building activities. This list of resources is not meant as an endorsement by me or by CareerHub. But these are the resources I consistently recommend to my clients, with great success.)

Posted by Deb Dib, The CEO Coach

"Unabashedly passionate about helping visionary, gutsy, fun leaders with a conscience build great careers, mold great companies, and even change the world a bit!"

Number One HR Blog of 2007

My first gift of the New Year was learning of the CareerHub blog’s number 1 ranking in The Top 25 HR Influencers of 2007 by HR World. Why? Because I am one of the career-counseling and employment professionals who was asked to be guest writer early on for this innovative group-expert blog that subsequently grew to 24 members. What a boost to my blogging confidence!

It occurred to me that job seekers and employed professionals and executives might do well to check out not only the CareerHub archives, but also the other 24 blogs. Learn about recruitment trends, employment and personal branding, HR tests, employee-screening and assessment tests, work/life balance, job search strategies…and more. What a treasure trove of career-advancement material. Dig deep and savor. You have the rest of your career to apply what you learn!

Cross-posted at Career Goddess Blog

Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief...

When my sister and I were little girls, we spent most week-ends at our Grandmother's home. Among her many talents as a retired elementary education teacher, she raised the most beautiful hollyhocks and zinnias.

Occasionally, my sister and I would pick a zinnia and one-by-one, pluck the petals as we recited "doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief." Our "game" would continue until all the petals disappeared and we were left with but one petal and one occupation. If we ended up with an occupation we didn't like, well, we just picked another zinnia!

Funny how, as I recall, we weren't trying to decide our own careers; nope, it seems we were trying to pick that of our future mates. Okay, so we were only 11 or 12, but back then, there were a handful of occupational choices "expected" of us: wife, secretary, nurse, and/or teacher (or at least those are the ones I was made aware of).

I pretty much knew I was in trouble when I expressed zero interest in any of those "opportunities". Not that they're bad choices, or anything of the sort; they just didn't interest me at that time in my life. I don't recall any of my high school "guidance counselors" exploring options such as "what about becoming a psychologist, or lawyer, or professor, or business executive?" I do recall a high school guidance counselor suggesting that I "find a nice boy and settle down."

Thank goodness, times have changed! Today, you can be anything your heart desires if you have the ability, drive, and determination to go get it. So, too few choices back then? Or too many choices for you now? Only you can decide what is good and right for you in today's global workplace...doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief....  What petal will you pick in 2008?

posted by: billiesucher

The Career Investment of a Professional Association

Once upon a time, I worked in the professional association world as a membership development professional. While I may no longer be working in nonprofits or this particular field, I do continue to promote the value of joining and participating in a shared community of professional practice. As Barbara Safani mentioned a couple of days ago...if you're looking to jumpstart your professional goals this year, consider finding a professional association.

There's a professional association for you...no matter what you do.
Some professions have easily defined associations (think accountants (AICPA), lawyers doctors (AMA), and realtors (NAR)). But if you think your profession doesn't have an associated professional community, think again. By some estimates, there are around 70,000 professional societies, trade associations, and chambers of commerce in the United States alone. To find an association devoted to your profession, visit the American Society for Association Executives and search their Gateway to Associations. I guarantee you'll find something (and if you don't, contact me  and I'll help you locate one).

Don't be afraid to think creatively about joining an association. There are some exceptional niche associations that address specialty areas within professions. And if you're considering making a career leap, think about taking a small step in that direction by joining an association for that particular career. Associations have member resources such as listserves, newsletters, and networks which are great ways to learn about the possibilities and challenges facing you as you think about that potential new career choice.

So, you joined an association...now what?
Once you find and join an association, immediately sit down and sketch out what you want to achieve through your membership. Your membership is an investment in your professional future...take responsibility for nurturing that investment. One of the most frequent mistakes made by new members is not fully thinking about how they want to get the most from their membership. While most associations have a new member orientation program, only you know where you want to go. If growing your network is important, volunteer for a conference or join a committee. If building your prestige is important, write an article or submit a conference presentation proposal. The return on your investment will ultimately be what you're willing to put into your membership experience.

Play around...see what works for you...then do it.
Take advantage of everything you can. Read the association's publications, research their website, and contact the association's staff to learn all you can about the features of membership. You might just find that there's a little publicized member feature that fits your needs or discover a new feature in the works that will benefit your career. Don't make the mistake of joining and then forgetting your membership. This isn't an investment that delivers a return if ignored...you have to actively manage it and take action to see results.

Finally, care for your association staff...and they'll care for you.
This is my shameless plug for all the hard working folks who make association management their careers. Just like others in the nonprofit world, they usually don't do it for money, they do it for love. They love their members and love what their members do and they love being able to have an impact on their members' industry. When you find them doing great things, tell them. If you find ways to improve the association, tell them. Foster a caring relationship with the staff and they'll be far more likely to think about you when seeking a writer, speaker, or volunteer.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with professional associations. Have they been beneficial to your career?

Posted by Chris Bailey

Your life, your brand

Over the holidays I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the umpteenth time along with varying versions of Charles Dickon’s “A Christmas Carol” (my new fave is the one featuring Vanessa Williams as a diva rock star).

Underlying theme? What’s your life about? What impact do you have (or want to have) on the world? What is your brand?!

So, with that in mind, I took a recent look at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “Exit Stage Left” article - yep, it is about the celebs who died in 2007. A bit morbid to think about over the holidays, yes? NO.

Here’s why: When you read an obit, it captures the essence of the person. What impact they had on the world. At least the celeb ones do. And it boils it down into a very succinct package.

Here are some examples excerpted from the article:

Liz Claiborne: “Claiborne spent years discouraged by her former employer’s vision for working women...

Read on and discover their brands - with more tips to help you discover yours!

So, for 2008, what contribution to want to make to the world? What’s your vision? Your brand? What steps can you take this year to make your vision for the world happen?

Posted by Wendy Terwelp

Career Hub is #1!

We try not to pat ourselves on the back too much at Career hub - after all, you read here because you care about your own career and job search, not our blog. But I am going to take a moment to thank HR World for selecting Career Hub as the #1 blog in their year-end summary of the top HR blogs.

We are honored to be listed along side so many great blogs and I recommend that you check out all the sites  on the list. One of the great changes in job search since the advent of the Internet, is the ability to see into the inner workings of companies and the minds of hiring authorities. Blogs also give you an opportunity to make personal connections with recruiters who would otherwise be unknown to you.

Thanks to all the writers who make Career Hub such a great site, and to all the readers, without whom there would be no point in being here.

Happy New Year everyone!

A Lesson From A Champion

I love watching mixed martial arts competitions. The sport doesn't appeal to everyone, but there is something appealing in the utilitarian nature of no holds barred combat. So, what does this have to do with job hunting? Here’s what you can learn from former heavyweight champion Randy Couture: you need to both 1) leverage your strengths, and 2) address the areas in which you most need improvement. An Olympic wrestler, when Randy entered the world of mixed martial arts, he learned to dominate his opponents by some of the best grappling ever seen in open competition. But the real secret to his success was new skills he had mastered, like striking — something he had no prior experience with. Here’s how to apply this model to your job search. You need to accurately assess what you do best, and you need to leverage your strengths by positioning yourself. Perhaps you are at your best when you are face to face with people. How are you going to make this happen more often? Perhaps by addressing areas in which you aren’t as strong. Maybe your resume needs work so you get more responses from employers. Maybe your phone skills need polishing so you can push through phone screenings to real interviews. Simply, the lesson Randy has for job seekers is to polish your weaknesses so you can best take advantage of your strengths.