Career Hub

Drip Dry

Wouldn’t it be nice if there existed one universal hand-dryer system?  I was in a beautiful new office building yesterday and for the life of me, could not get the towel dispenser to work. No matter what I tried, nothing happened.

Have you ever noticed the many types, styles, makes, models and solutions for drying your hands? Pull the paper, motion the paper, roll the paper, touch the paper, do not touch the paper, extreme air, warm air, jet air, hot air.

My hands were dripping wet and finally, after several seconds, I gave up and let them drip dry. Seriously, I could not figure out how to make the system work. And then I laughed at myself, recalling the conversation that had taken place with a client earlier in the day.

When everyone claims to be an expert on résumé writing these days, who  really knows the right  way to write a professional resume?

Wonderful question! And here’s my answer:

The right way to write a résumé is to write it in such a way that generates an interview for you, the job seeker.

What one person thinks is an amazing, awesome, top-notch, state-of-the-art, best practices 2012 résumé may very well get ripped on by another set of eyes.

What one person thinks is a horrible résumé may in fact be the one that lands you an interview.

What one person thinks is a terrible résumé may in fact be a terrible résumé.

While I have written hundreds and hundreds of résumés with and for my clients, that doesn’t mean that my way is the one way, the right way or the only way any more than it means that your way, or someone else’s way is the one and only way.

What it means for you, the job seeker, is that you will find as many opinions, thoughts and ideas about résumé writing as there are hand-drying systems. And what really matters is this:

Does your existing résumé work for you?

Does your existing résumé help you get your foot in the door?

Does your existing résumé get noticed by the people you want to notice it?

Does your existing résumé result in a call or an email from a decision-maker, recruiter or HR Manager?

Does your existing résumé deliver your best skills, credentials, relevance and value for the job?

Résumés. Hand dryers. Find one that works.

posted by: billiesucher

Job Search Strategies for Executives

During their careers executives have had to stretch their knowledge, skills, and talents, and frequently work outside their comfort zone. One of the biggest advantages an executive has is the ability to take risks no one else would dare to do and, in most cases, succeed. How do they do this time after time? And can these strategies be applied to job search?

Be Assertive

Executives know that in business being assertive, aggressive, or whatever word you choose to describe it, is part of a winning philosophy. Step up your job search campaign a few notches with this mindset. If you were competing for a large contract for your company, what measures would you take to win the contract? Take those or similar actions in your job search campaign.

Prioritize
When first starting to look for a new job you may have a large, diverse list of items to attack. Narrow down the list to hit the most important things first. Assuming your resume is in order and you have your online profiles updated, you may be ready to start with a target list of companies you want to contact—those who could benefit from your skill sets.  Once you have your choice company list, determine what would be the most effective tactics. Your approach may be different for each company, dependent on a multitude of factors. Sort through the details to organize your plan.  A good online tool to help you with this process is jibberjobber.com. It functions as your personal relationship manager, organizing and managing job search, tracking personal and professional relationships, target companies and positions you apply for.

Get Referrals
A lot has been written about how effective referrals are in business. It has been proven that people like to work with people they know, and/or are highly regarded by respected colleagues. Who do you know who…..?  Example: one of my VP of Operations clients lost his position following a merger. One of his job search strategies was to reach out to former colleagues.  He was reluctant to tap into the people he knew for leads or referrals, thinking he would be “bothering” them. However, he moved forward and was able to find people he had worked with on LinkedIn and reconnect with them.  The results? He found out about a few positions that were open and a good fit. Because of his connections he was able to get his resume directly to the executive committee at a company, bypassing a pile of 300+ resumes sitting on the desk of the HR manager. The referral at this organization was a factor in his getting the initial interview.  My client got the job on his own merits.

Be Creative
Think out-of-the-box. It’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating. If traditional methods don’t get you in the door or an appointment with a decision  maker, you might need to try something unconventional. There’s that risk factor again. But heck, why not try something no one expects. Example: Another one of my clients really, really wanted to get into a specific pharmaceutical company. He was the VP of Marketing at a competitor company. He had been watching the competition and noticed several pain points that the competition was experiencing. He had been through similar challenges in his career with several of the companies he had worked for and, as a result, he wrote a “Special Report” with solutions to solve those types of challenges.

Instead of using the traditional channels, he implemented a different approach.  He took a copy of the Special Report he developed, placed it inside a very large man’s business dress shoe, wrapped it up in cellophane and put a tag on this package that said “I’ve been trying to get my foot in the door….” He had this shoe package delivered to the company addressed to the CMO. Being creative is a talent that people in marketing should possess. This tactic exemplifies this and did get the attention of the  CMO at his target company. Follow up on my client – the targeted pharmaceutical company ultimately hired him – mission accomplished.

So, put yourself in the position of being CEO of your career. Use what you know from your executive experience and apply that aggressive thinking, mindset, creative, and risk-taking tactics. It is worth a consideration and may produce a successful outcome.

Tippy-Toeing, Not Through the Tulips

Tippy-toeing around the inevitable. Not talking. Shhh! Don’t want anyone to know. Holding off. Just keep it quiet. Leave the house each morning as per usual, pretending everything is all right when you know for a fact that everything is all wrong.  Don’t tell the kids. Can’t tell my wife. Better not say anything to my husband right now. And I for sure don’t want my friends and neighbors to find out!

Losing a job, whether you are 28, 38, 48, 58 or 68 hurts. For most, it is not fun. For many, it is a painful, unpleasant experience and you know that’s true if you have ever been through it.  It is, though, what happens every day of the week across America, and elsewhere around the world. Recently, I met a man who in his entire 30+ years of working had not once experienced losing a job. Until the other day. And that was it…just like that. He got a phone call: “We need you to come up to the office now.” And if you have ever lost a job, you know what comes next. The talk – then the walk. The walk out the door. Thirty years and one box of memories as you are escorted out “the back way.”  

And you wind up in some career transition management professional’s office a few days later because you simply don’t know where else to go. You share with her (or him) that you have not yet told your spouse, or your kids, or anyone, for that matter, that you don’t have a job. And the career management professional invites you to practice telling those that need to be told – your immediate family and your closest friends. You role play your “lines” with the stranger and realize that you can find the words to tell your wife, husband, partner, friend, roommate, son or daughter that you lost your job and that you really do want them to know. 

In the event you get downsized, right-sized, terminated, dismissed, or fired this afternoon, or this morning, I hope that you will get in touch with those who need to know, sooner than later. I hope that you will readily inform those closest to you that your job was eliminated today. I hope that you will not feel too ashamed, too embarrassed or too proud to tell those who love you the most what happened at your place of work this day. And if you are too ashamed, too embarrassed or too proud to let others know your current occupational status, the world is also full of experienced career management professionals who can help you find the courage to tell.

cross-posted billiesucherblog

 

Personal Brand - YOU

Executives, yes this means you, too. Understanding and communicating your brand will help you in all stages of your job search, as well as in managing your career going forward. Do you have a rock solid brand message that clearly and concisely is achieving the results you desire? If not, it’s no longer a “nice to have, but a must have.” Don’t waste valuable time during the first quarter of the year when some of the best opportunities
exist in the job market.

1. What do you have to offer? If you don’t know your strengths, skills and talents, and how to showcase them, how do you expect others to get to know these things about you? Sometimes we are too close to see the whole picture. Career brand strategists can help you extract what you don’t see and know how to leverage and become known for those talents in a compelling way.
2. Be your authentic self. Confidence comes from within as we all know. When you are honest with yourself and present yourself to others in an authentic way, you will be showing your courage and confidence about who you are and what you can accomplish. This can do more for you in an interview than you might think. People notice the confidence that shows in your face and body language, without you saying a word.
3. Unique value. What’s unique about you that sets you apart from your competition? The question many hiring managers ask at some point in the interview is, “All things being equal (education, years of experience, etc.), why should I hire you over the other top candidates?.” Consider the answer to that question as something that should be included in your personal brand statement.
4. Adopt the right mindset. Be aware of how people do business today and what’s most important for hiring managers to know about you. Even as few as five to 10 years ago, personal branding was different from today. Social media has had a huge impact on how executives’ online presence affects their personal brand. Candidates are being Google searched, so LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, and Tweets are vital tools for communicating your personal brand in a consistent manner. Watch out for any digital dirt that could exist and ruin your reputation / brand and have a plan to
   manage it.
5. Focus. With messages becoming shorter and shorter (tweets 140 characters), executives need to be able to laser in on their achievements, milestones, and skills in a sound bite. A recent study indicated that the first 75-80 characters are what people really read. A strong brand would include the most significant part of the message up front.

These tips, along with others I included in a recent blog post, “Creating an executive brand by telling your story,” should help you create a clear brand message that you can express in verbal or written communications during your job search.

Following Up After a Job Interview

Over the last couple of years, some executives may have experienced a longer gap between jobs than ever before in their careers.  As someone who wants to move to the next step in the interviewing process, you are anxious to hear back from the hiring manager after an interview. What can you or should you do?

Following up after an interview is crucial. CareerBuilder conducted a survey in 2011 and found that 22% of hiring managers dismiss candidates who don’t send a thank you note after the interview. Wow! What that says to them is that the candidate has poor follow-through and perhaps even lack of interest in the position.  Not a good image for the hiring manager to have if you expect to get called back.

Step 1. Start the follow up before you leave the interview

 Ask the hiring manager at the end of the interview what the next step is in their hiring process and when do they expect to make their decision. Simple, easy question, and helps you identify timing from the company’s standpoint. It also helps you determine what is appropriate follow-up communication that should come from you and when. 

Step 2. Thank you note

As stated above, hiring managers notice when someone doesn’t respect protocol and send a thank you note. Be gracious and positive in your note, even if you know you are out of the running for that position. Why? Because you never know when the company or recruiter may have another opportunity where you might be a good fit. 

Send your letter (unless it’s a committee interview) to each person you met with within 24-48 hours. Today it is acceptable to send your thank you note by email. Handwritten thank you letters are not a good idea if your penmanship isn’t legible; nor does it provide enough space to present key points from your interview. Be sure to customize each letter; you would not want the team comparing notes to find out you sent everyone a “cookie-cutter” message.  And as with any written communication, spell everyone’s name properly.  Spelling mistakes can kick you out of the interview process swiftly. 

The thank-you note is also an opportunity to briefly support why you are the best person for the position and send follow-up information that may have been discussed in the interview (i.e. the white paper I mentioned is attached or can be found at xx website). End your thank-you note by confirming your interest in the job, let them know you will follow up again (specify a time range) and thank them again for the opportunity.  Thank you notes should not be longer than one page. 

Step 3. Don’t be a nag

Tempting as it may be to email or call the hiring manager frequently to find out your status, please don’t.  And if you promised to check back with them within a certain time period, choose your words wisely. Phrasing your note diplomatically is key to getting a response. Always have a purpose for your follow-up communication other than just checking in on status; perhaps it is adding to pertinent information such as completing a certification, or a contribution to an industry journal that would confirm skills and talents.  Remember, keep it brief.

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s position when considering your follow-up tactics. Would you like to receive long drawn out thank-you notes that have little value? Is your inbox overflowing with lengthy emails you don’t have time to read? Do you have time to answer numerous phone calls to reassure candidates they are still being considered for the position? 

As you may have noticed with social media, messages are getting shorter and shorter. Tweets are 140 characters – not words – characters, which include spaces.  And the word is out that people only read the first 80 characters of a tweet. So be a master at paring down your words to get your message across succinctly. It may just be a factor in your being considered for the next job. 

 

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming

This is not a test. For each of the movie lines below, can you name the movie associated with each quote? Who knows, maybe one day in a job interview you will be asked to cite your favorite movie line of all time. (Answers at end of post.)

A. “Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” 

B. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

C. “You’re either in or you’re out, right now.”

D. “My Mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get.'" 

E. “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta’ do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

The other day, someone mentioned “Keep swimming, keep swimming” and it has stayed with me since. I like that line. I especially like it for job seekers and job search…and life in general.

When things don’t go your way, just keep swimming.

When the phone doesn’t ring, just keep swimming.

When the eighth rejection letter arrives, just keep swimming.

When the voice message announces that you are the #2 candidate, just keep swimming.

When your resume is ripped on for the fourth time, just keep swimming.

When no one returns your phone calls or emails, just keep swimming.

When the bank says you can’t get the loan to start your small business, just keep swimming.

When your immediate supervisor says we need to talk, just keep swimming.

When your appointment cancels on you 20 minutes before the scheduled meeting time, just keep swimming.

When you are advised that your position has been eliminated and that a box and a security guard are waiting by your desk, just keep swimming.

When you go to an interview and a representative informs you that the position has been put on hold for now, just keep swimming.

When you have submitted numerous applications and heard back from no one, just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Answers to this is not a test.

A. from What A Girl Wants movie.

B. from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off movie.

C. from Ocean’s 11 movie.

D. from Forrest Gump movie.

E. from Finding Nemo movie.

posted by: billiesucher

Career Change - Tips for successful transition

The facts are clear. Over the last decade, executives want a career change because they are dissatisfied with their job / industry, unhappy with salary, insecure about longevity of job, work in an obsolete industry, or a victim of corporate downsizing. Maybe you are among nearly 50% of job seekers rethinking their career path.

A recent Today show segment focused on Marla Romash, who after an amazing career in politics felt the urge to do something new. Today she is pursuing a career as a pastry chef. Check out the full segment at Today Show

Marla talks about moments in life when you know you want to do something different, have a sense of belonging and purpose and make a difference. A growing trend for the boomer generation is the urge to do something different when they turn 50+ and not have regrets that they didn’t follow their passion. It doesn’t always mean starting your own business; it can be just making a change in industries or role within an organization.

Now I know you are wondering “How do I do that?.” Before you hand in your resignation letter, take a look at the following points:

Statistics show that in the first three years, one-third of new businesses turn a profit, one-third break even and one-third lose money. If you are thinking about starting a company, you may need to keep your day job and try out your new business venture on the side (evenings and weekends) to find out if you can turn it into a profitable venture.

A good formula for success:

Passion

“Do something you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” (Confucius)

Do you look at your passion as an asset or hobby? You can turn your passion into a career. Of course you have to be realistic and look at all the factors that contribute to success and failure when starting a new business or changing career focus to a new job.

Research the viability of the industry or business you want to transition into. Part of that research could be volunteering on a board of directors to get an inside view of business challenges and successes, or joining associations or social groups to network with others in the industry. You can learn a lot by asking “informational interview” questions in the course of conversations. Don’t forget social media, checking company / people profiles on LinkedIn and Facebook. Groups and question sections in these social networking sites also have valuable information for career changers.

Money

Many executives have grown accustomed to living on a high salary and bonus structure. They need to take a hard look at what type of money / salary will be available for the first few years in a new business venture. If moving to a lower level job in another industry, the salary may be significantly less the first few years.

What are you willing to do to make this dream job a reality? Are there others in your family that need to be taken into consideration when making this decision? You may have to downsize your lifestyle in order to live on a smaller salary while the business builds and you build new skills and develop talents. Are you in a position to live off savings or obtain a loan to manage finances while the business gets off the ground? Will you need to work or consult on the side, or find other revenue streams to keep finances afloat?

One good resource for compensation analysis is PayScale.com that analyzed the 30 biggest industries to show how pay changes as you gain experience. Take a look at the industries where you have the best potential to make up for career change.

Skills & talent

How do your current skills and talents translate to the new career? Leverage your strongest skills that transfer across any business or industry. You may need to return to school or pursue certifications to update or build new skills. Take advantage of opportunities your current employer offers for professional development. Updating skills can be expensive if you are footing the entire cost of re-education.

A few examples of executives who have taken this next step: CFO turned hobby of gourmet cooking into new career as chef/restaurateur; cardiovascular surgeon used medical background to become a medical malpractice expert; marketing executive left corporate world to run statewide non-profit food share program.

These tips just tap the surface. Hopefully, it gives you a window into some challenges that need to be taken into consideration when contemplating a career change. Today's hypercompetitive market is prime for executives to think out of the box and discover what opportunities might be the next best move.   

The Intermission

In the early 90’s, I discovered a life-changing book written by Dr. William Bridges. If you have not yet read this work: Transitions, Making Sense of Life’s Changes, perhaps it’s a gift to give yourself in the New Year. 

According to Dr. Bridges, transitions are composed of these three phases: 1. an ending, 2. a neutral zone, and 3. a new beginning. Today, I have been thinking about “the neutral zone.” In my work with individuals who have lost jobs, I hear them speak of getting a new job, a new place to work, a new boss, and a new health care plan. All of their emphasis is on the new beginning. While, naturally, finding a new opportunity (hopefully, the right one) as soon as possible is the goal in a job hunt, an equally important part of the transition process is that critical interval between the old and the new.  Listed below are some words clients have used to describe the neutral zone – the space between losing the job and getting on down the road to the next one: 

Confusing.  

Frustrating.

Unknown.  Uncertainty. Unsure. Uneasiness.

Messy. Problematic. Disgusting.

Cluttered.

Discombobulated.

Out of it.

Discouraging. Empty. Disturbing.

Hollow. Lonely. Sad. 

Perplexing. Bewildering.  Strange.

Nowhere Land.

Disorganized. Overwhelming. Disruptive.

Chaotic. Indecisive. Painful.

Clueless. Lack of focus. Directionless.

Uninspired.  De-motivated.

And then one day, the phone rings. Or you see a job of interest as you peruse Indeed. You get a lead from a friend. You get an idea for a new business. You read something that inspires you. Your former co-worker calls you with an opening at his company. You get a thought and a plan. You start putting the pieces of the puzzle together – not in the old way, but in a new and different way that works for you now, at this time in your life. You start feeling more like your “old self” again with a renewed sense of energy, purpose, drive, and determination. And somehow, you know you are well on your way to…

Change.

Transformation. 

Rebuilding. 

Renewal.

A new direction. 

A new start. 

A new you. 

And a new beginning.

posted by: billiesucher

Holiday Greetings From the Heartland

Memories are those moments

Tucked away in your heart.

Somehow they stay with you,

They’re an important part.

 

Of who you once were,

Of what you are now,

Of who you hope to become

Even though you wonder how.

 

Time passes so quickly

The clock’s ticking away

And you say to yourself

Oh, it’s just another day.

 

Well, this day is upon you,

It’s yours for the taking

So prize it immensely

In the plans you are making.

 

We can’t predict the future,

Nor dwell on the past

We can only treasure this moment

And love it while it lasts.

 

And if someone’s touched your life

Or made a difference to you.

Now’s a good time to tell them

If that’s possible to do.

 

Remember, our moments are the magic

And in our dreams dwell the hope

Offering a chance to start anew

As we imagine and we cope.

 

So, celebrate each new day

And find more good than bad

Treat each day as the last

And not the first to be had.

 

Wishing you abundance and joy

Prosperity and peace be with you.

And may life’s richest rewards

Be ever-present with you, too.                          

cross-posted billiesucherblog

Copyright 1995, 2011

Job Seekers, Do You Dislike Talking About Yourself?

You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny.  The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand. ~ Irene C. Kassorla

In my practice, one of the services I provide is interview assistance. The front end of the session is learning/education and the back end focuses on implementation and practice. The other day I was working with a client on naming and claiming her key career successes and once again, I heard:

“I hate talking about myself.” Many times, clients have shared with me that “talking about myself” feels weird, strange and uncomfortable.” Still other clients tell me they are too humble or have too much humility to “talk about myself.”  Humble. Humility. I checked a thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms; which words, if any, listed below might describe you?

Humble:

Synonyms: demure, down-to-earth, lowly, meek, modest, unassuming, unpretentious

Antonyms: arrogant, chesty, conceited, egotistical, haughty, highfalutin, hoity-toity, huffy, imperious, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, uppish, uppity

Humility:

Synonyms: demureness, down-to-earth; lowliness, meekness, modesty.

Antonyms: arrogance, bumptiousness, conceit, egotistical, haughtiness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretentiousness, pride, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness

Humble. Humility. Good words to remember as you share your story with prospective employers. That said, consider that you are looking for a job in one of the most intensely competitive markets in years. Keep in mind that you are looking for a job along with millions and millions of other job seekers who may not be quite so humble and / or may not possess a humility factor that flows as deeply as yours. Are you doing yourself more harm than good by not knowing your brand and by not taking the time to practice speaking about yourself and your value?

To the best of your ability (while you are being humble and showing your humility), I would encourage you to invest the time and energy it takes to get to know Brand You very, very well. Become a master at knowing yourself and how to converse about yourself in a manner that educates versus exasperates the Hiring Manager.

Know your product’s assets.

Know your product’s liabilities.

Know your product’s value.

Know your product’s key successes.

Know why (and how) your product can outperform the competition.

Know why an organization would want to invest in you.

Know what makes your brand distinct.

Know your product’s interests, preferences and passions.

Know your target organizations.

Know your market worth.

Know how your product differs from your competition.

Know why the employer ‘should’ invest in the product – the amazing Brand You!

If you do not know with some degree of confidence and certainty the answers to the basic career questions stated above, perhaps you are not yet ready for product launch? Perhaps you are not yet ready to go to market? Perhaps there's no better time than now to get started in the process of learning about yourself?

Maximize your chances of getting hired by going to market when you know you have amassed a large body of knowledge about your brand. Go to market when you can speak with ease and confidence about the product (you) in sharing your best features, knowledge, skills, abilities, successes and the value you will deliver. Go to market when you have convinced yourself that you are well-prepared and ready, armed with ample humility and humbleness, as you outshine your competition with facts, examples and compelling evidence to win your case with a job offer!

To have a thing is little, if you're not allowed to show it, to know a thing, is nothing unless others know you know it. ~ Charles Neaves

posted by: billiesucher