Career Hub

Are You Change Ready?

Jason Alba has a thought provoking post over at the JibberJobber blog. He speaks of a VP he met on a trip - they discussed how difficult it is to have been fired and to then enter a new job with any kind of loyalty. Jason said he didn't think he could have that kind of loyalty again. The VP said, 'Sure you will have loyalty. But you’ll be cautiously optimistic.'

I think "cautious optimism" is a great response to a job market in flux. With C-level tenures shrinking to three years and under (CMOs are trending at just about 18 months!) loyalty tempered with cautious optimism for the length of employment sounds just about right.

Of course that doesn't mean one should be cautiously optimistic about doing the job - doing the job requires loyalty to the team and full-out optimism and energy.

In my comment on Jason's blog post I suggested that for savvy career activists who know that they must be prepared to move at anytime, a good phrase might be "Cautiously optimistic. Change ready."

What do you need to do to create your own career (not job) security?

Are you change ready?

Posted by Deb Dib, the CEO Coach for visionary, gutsy, "capitalism with a conscience" leaders.

Cross-posted at Deb's Executive Power Brand blog.

Avoiding Clone-hood

You may well say, "Branding is all well and good, but what do I do when many people share my brand?" It's tricky. For instance, every IT manager and her sister want their brand to be that they view IT as a business partner and really understand the business side of IT. That is what employers are looking for, and many IT job seekers mean it when they say they understand the business side.

But how do you come across as really meaning it? Here's one way. By stories. One resume client had grown up in a family business and absorbed business through his pores. So finding a way to get that information into a cover letter was a good idea. It gives added credibility to his "IT plus business savvy" brand. Also, he wanted to be presented as a business executive with a passion for IT. So, he is distinguishing himself on the passion scale, on the unusual emphasis of business before IT, and on his roots making him who he is. It works for him. The reader is going to "get it" that this is an authentic brand.

So, when competing in a crowded employment market where it's too easy to be a clone of everyone else, think about story, think about emphasis, and think about passion. Give them a reason to remember YOU.

Internet Addiction Test

Recently a client asked me if I knew of an online "test" that would "determine" if a person is addicted to the Internet. He indicated that he was concerned about his buddy who spends countless hours online and from his perspective, it's taking a toll on his friend's job search success, relationships, health, and life, in general.

In researching resources, I stumbled upon a "test" called the Internet Addiction Test. According to the questionnaire's website:

“The Internet Addiction Test is the first validated and reliable measure of addictive use of the Internet. Click here to read the study (PDF File) Developed by Dr. Kimberly Young, the IAT is a 20-item questionnaire that measures mild, moderate, and severe levels of Internet Addiction.” Click here to take the test.

What, if any, additional resources, sites, and sources are you aware of, online or offline, that pertain to Internet Addiction?

posted by: billiesucher

The Essential Steps to Take in Blowing Your Own Horn

It never ceases to amaze me how many people seem unwilling or unable to promote what they are naturally good at to those that need to know.

One client I am working with who is currently working for a large Fortune 500 company where a strong internal profile and personal brand is key to getting the next opportunity or promotion, just does not seem to get it - but then no-one has even shown them how to do it - authentically.

This was their dilemma. How to brag without appearing brash, arrogant or just plain big headed?

Be shameless about promoting yourself and take these 10 steps to displaying your talents!

1. Know exactly what it is you do to or for others. You need to be able to express this in a very short, memorable sentence, so that when people have a particular issue that you can solve they immediately think of you. Most 'branders' will tell you it has to be 12 or less words, some say 7, some say even 2 or 3. Whatever it ends up being make it impactful.

2. Make it impossible someone to say no to you after they have met you. If you have managed to do all the hard work and gained someone's attention, make sure that you provide them with enough that they feel they cannot leave the interaction without wanting more. It could be they ask for more information or a call in a few weeks, or even want to introduce you to someone else.

3. Do not shy away from what you do and love what it does for others If you are not passionate about what it is you do, if you are embarrassed when people ask then its draining and negatively impacting on all that you do. Find something that connects with your values and delivers a difference. This is perfectly possible in a corporate environment.

4. Do not be like the cobbler and his children Quite often I hear the phrase "Typical, its like the cobbler who's children had no shoes....." I will admit it, even I am guilty of this sometimes. Does it not make sense that if you are in marketing you have great examples of your campaign success? Or you can present facts and figures in an understandable format if you are finance? Or you sit in a meeting with a PDA or tablet PC if you are in IT.

5. Do more of what you are good at, leverage your talents. What are you particularly known for, your unique ability? How can this be weaved more consistently in to your everyday actions? Become known for something that proves to be invaluable, because then you are.

6. Not everyone knows what they want, help them. Everyone is overwhelmed today - too much e-mail, too many choices, too many requests on their time, not enough resources. Be sure of what it is you can do for people then ensure that you tell them and then demonstrate how that is going to be useful to them. If they can see the relevance the decision is made.

7. Attach the emotions, let people feel the connection. Make someone sit up and take notice about your talents by making it real - make an emotional connection for them. Be more emotive in describing certain examples of the situation before you got involved, the challenges faced, the feelings associated with those problems. And then the feelings after you were able to help with your talents. Then people can feel connected to you, what you can do for others and be mindful of that when they hear of others in a similar bind.

8. Do not leave anything out. All too often when we are using our unique talents we take a lot of what we are able to do for granted. After all, it just comes so naturally that it is not a strain, isn't that the same for everyone? Well no it's not. Do not leave anything to chance, ensure that they fully appreciate all of your value.

9. There can be a degree of jealousy from some angles, others will want to see you fail. Be ready with an effective response.

10. Build your brand - everywhere. Ensure that all you are doing, saying and communicating is a reflection of how you want to be known, and that information is what you want others to know. By the time they actually reach you then you have got them at Hello!

THE ULTIMATE MARKETING SIN

The ultimate marketing sin is to be boring and ordinary.

The above statement appeared as an introduciton to a "Quick Tip 'O the Week" that arrived in my Inbox today from someone named Rich Webb, who bills himself as a Marketing Consultant, Writer and Speaker and President of Winning Edge Marketing and Tele-Help. I am not sure how I ended up on his e-mail distribution list, but he certainly caught my attention with that statement.

"The ultimate marketing sin is to be boring and ordinary.' What great information for job seekers to keep in mind as they develop and design their resume and job search marketing letters!

Mr. Webb built on this statement with the following observations and advice:

" It has always been a terrible act of marketing tragedy but in today's cacophonic world, when all things seem to be constantly shouting for out attention throughout the day - it is especially critical.

You must find a way to add drama to your marketing message and ignite interest. Your ads should be like a fuse that fires up and leads to an eruption of your prospect's attention.

Think: What benefits, phrases, solutions, and offers can you use to create an explosion of your client's interest?"

With thousands of job seekers competing for an employer's attention on any given day, this is certainly not the time to come across as boring or ordinary. If resumes and cover letters are akin to "ads" and employers are "prospects," than the question is this: Are your "ads" featuring benefits, phrases, solutions, and offers that "ignite interest?". If not, it's time for a change!

Psst... Here's the real secret

Most of us in the careers field preach diversification: don't put all your eggs in one basket... pursue a multi-channel job search... you never know where your next lead or next job will come from.

And that's all true, in general. But last week I learned a startling statistic from a reliable source - an early peek at the CareerXRoads annual study of the Source of Hire data from "large, highly competitive, high-profile firms."

Guess what? A referral from someone in the hiring company is 70x more likely to lead to a hire than any other source.

That's right - 70 times.

So what does that tell you? Target your search... Align your skills and value with what you learn about the organization... Network to get a referral... And be ready to discuss the company's challenges and how you can provide solutions. Do this whether or not there's a current job opening. Do this as often as you can (it's not as easy as zapping out a resume in response to an online posting).

Given this finding, if you're going to concentrate your search in one channel, the only smart choice is the targeted/referral route.

Posted by Louise Kursmark - Cross-posted at Louise's blog.

Social Networking - Is Big Brother Watching?

I was contacted today regarding a survey being conducted by Personnel Today - the leading HR publication in the UK regarding the use of social networking sites at work and employers reactions to them and their use by employees.

If you are an employer you can take the survey by clicking here.

It is certainly a hot topic and one that is not going to go away anytime soon.

If you are an employee what do you think?

Is it right for an employer to use social networking sites to check up on prospective candidates or current employees?

Should your employer limit your access to social networking sites at work?

If you make a comment about your employer on a social network site in your own time, should they be allowed to censure you?

How far should it go?

I would be interested to hear your views.

Turn Social Networking into Real Friends and Real Dollars

Social networking and social media are all the rage for connecting with others - for career development, business growth, personal branding, and just plain fun! But not everyone was born with the "Social Networking" Rosetta Stone. There are a few folks (like moi) who could use a jumpstart in networking effectively and with panache.

Voila! Plan on attending the Reach Branding Club's February teleseminar "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow, and Keep Your Business Relationships" with Thom Singer on February 21, 2008 at 12 noon EST. You will learn the answers to such burning questions as:

• What's the difference between networking and making connections?
• How can I fit developing real relationships into my already busy life?
• What are the elements of a memorable thank-you note?
• How can I keep track of everyone and what makes them so special?
• Is there any way to turn this "networking" into real dollars?

Just FYI - Thom is a business development / networking / professional speaking guru and author of two books on the power of business networking and relationships. With an active Some Assemby Required blog and BlogTalkRadio show that attracts high-caliber speakers, Thom is definitely into communicating his personal brand and value proposition with style and sincerity.

For a taste of Thom's musings, check out his recent blog posts on Manufacture Your Own Luck and I>U...not in the on-line social media world! where he says:

The world is flat. We are all just people trying to make our own way on this big blue ball. I=U...but I+U=Infinite Possibilities!!!

Now that should be the tagline for the socially connected! Anyone for a T-shirt?

Cross-posted at Career Goddess Blog

Did you love your last interview?

If you did not enjoy your last interview, regardless of which side of the desk you were on (do people still use desks to interview behind? - I hope not!), then you are certainly not alone according to a recent survey reported in the Globe & Mail.

Someone once said to me - the interview is a lot like dating, you are both a little nervous, unsure of each other, you might have some information about the other but its all either heresay or documented but not yet experienced.

Then you spend time trying to get the other person to talk more than you do, answer your questions and eventually give you enough information for you to make a decision as to whether you want to see them again.

The survey highlights a frustration from both sides toward the other - sounds like a lack of communication. Both sides can start by following the same rules for interviews:

1. Do your research, find out more about the other ‘side’ than what is presented on paper. There should be no excuse for not using the internet.

2. Dress appropriately for your industry, culture and level of position. Better to err on more professional, you can always dress down but never up.

3. Treat everyone equally, you never know who they know or might be talking to afterwards. Be on time and respectful of others time.

4. Make and keep good eye contact. Show genuine interest in the other ‘side’

5. You are not expected to be an expert at this. The interview is a fairly false situation that no-one is completely comfortable with, so remember we are all entitled to be a little nervous – but that is not an excuse to be unprepared.

6. Make it a conversation, ask and answer questions, do not make it all a one way street – either way. Share information to ensure you are BOTH making an informed choice.

7. Confirm your interest if that is the case, do not leave either ‘side’ hanging on or getting the wrong impression.

At the end of the day it should not be viewed as a war or a battle, but a business meeting that might result in a win for everyone. It never hurts to spread a little love in an interview, especially on Valentines Day!

On Interviewing and Blind Dates

Have you ever gone on a blind date? Maybe you have; maybe you haven't. If you did, maybe it went very well, or maybe it was terrible and you vowed never to do that again. I like blind dates. I've gone on two in my lifetime; one fell into the disaster category and the other led to an I do.

The other day as I was coaching an executive about his interview concerns, it came up in conversation about how much an interview is like a blind date. You never know how it's going to go until you meet one another. Interviewing; blind dates -- similar activities where some of the same rules and considerations apply:

1. Look your best; put a smile on your face; be polite.
2. Don't talk too much; don't dominate the conversation and don't badmouth anyone.
3. Be an attentive listener; ask a few questions, and learn about the other person.
4. Watch your language, including word selection and grammar.
5. Don't worry if there's quiet space or silence; it's OK.
6. Tell yourself you're going to have a good time, no matter what.
7. Turn your radar on to detect any knock-out factors or areas of concern.
8. Don't run up a big tab, especially if you're not paying.
9. Keep private and personal information private.
10. Do not lie or misrepresent yourself.
11. Have no unrealistic expectations about the meeting.
12. Be positive and upbeat; don't dwell on the negatives (if any) in your life.
13. Be thoughtful, respectful, and courteous.
14. Assess if there's a fit, a match, connection, vibes, or sparks.
15. Make a good impression; conclude your meeting on a positive note even if you aren't interested in pursuing the opportunity, and don't forget to say thank you.

So, whether you're going on a blind date, or headed to a job interview, make the most of the meeting, put your best foot forward and remember, it's a conversation, not a commitment.

posted by: billiesucher