Archive for the ‘Career Coaching & Career Exploration’ Category

Many people are looking to make a career change these days. However, it can be difficult to determine how to transition to a new field.

Next Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 8 pm ET, join The Career Clinicians, Kathy Sweeney of The Write Resume and Norine Dagliano of ekmInspirations as we interview Alexandra Levit, nationally recognized business and workplace author / syndicated columnist and Wall Street Journal contributor on our BlogTalkRadio show.

You can listen to the show live at http://bit.ly/bPgMj6 or call in to ask questions at (917) 889-9043.

Our discussion will be focused on her latest book, “New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career.”

During our interview, she will be discussing the research she conducted on what drives people to make a career change, and the seven most common motives she discovered: family, independence, learning, money, passion, setback, and talent. Using a blend of practical advice and anecdotal evidence, Alexandra will share how you can use your prime motivations to make a career change.

Alexandra writes for The Wall Street Journal and Metro US, and has authored several books, including the bestseller, “They Don't Teach Corporate in College,” “How'd You Score That Gig?,” “Success for Hire,” and “MillennialTweet: 140 Bite-Sized Lessons for Managing the Millennials.”

Many job search candidates believe that "luck" or "chance" is the only way to get a job in this tough economy. However, landing a great job is all about initiating and implementing a solid plan!

Join The Career Clinicians for our St. Patrick's Day show (March 17, 2010), "Do You Really Need the 'Luck O' The Irish' to Land a Terrific Job?" on Blog Talk Radio at 7 p.m. ET (http://bit.ly/9NPA5l).

We will discuss:

• Key components of an effective job search marketing plan
• Career-related documents you might need, in addition to a resume
• Tools and resources available to job seekers (both on- and off-line)
• Systems to track and measure your progress
• Barriers to success
• How to know when your plan isn’t working and what to do

At the end of the show, you will have all the necessary information to develop a step-by-step plan that will lead you to the “pot of gold” at the end of the “career rainbow.”

My son will be turning 18 in three days. As we looked at his room, there stood the bunk beds we had purchased when he was only six years old. The set didn't have a "little boy" look. In fact, it was white-washed pine and still in great condition. However, I knew it was time for him to upgrade to an adult bed.

Now, anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not mechanically inclined. If you present me with a test that has one column on the left with a completed, patterned box on it, and another column on the right where I have to pick which 1 of the 4 pictures made the box on the left, I will sit for hours trying to figure it out. My mind just isn't wired that way.

As a resume writer, my mind is geared toward creative thought processes - I can write anything. However, I know what my challenges are, and I seek out and network with experts to help me with the tasks I can't complete on my own.

The Solution

I knew I couldn't dis-assemble the bed myself. So, I immediately picked up the phone and called my neighbor, Ron, who is a retired machinist. This man can build, fix, or disassemble anything, and has a tool box with every gadget ever made! He has been a great friend to me the past five years, and is always willing to help out his "single mom" neighbor.

Ron came over and we worked together to disassemble the bed (I didn't just sit and watch). Then, after we were finished, I thanked Ron and handed him a gift card for Home Depot (I always keep gift cards around for people who help me out, as I never take anyone for granted).

Next, I knew that I didn't want all the bunk-bed pieces and mattresses in my garage. Within minutes, I began to "network" with all the neighbors I knew that had small children. In 30 minutes, the bunk bed set had found a new home - at no cost to the recipient!

How does this story apply to the job search?

By now, you're probably scratching your head wondering what the tear-down of a bunk bed has to do with the job search.

Well, here are the similarities that I see:

Identify your challenges.

First, no one can possibly be great at everything! While you might be mechanically inclined, perhaps you're challenge is writing a resume, interviewing for a job, identifying a career path, or figuring out how to search for a job after being downsized from a company you've worked with for many years.

Or, perhaps you're shy and don't like to meet people. Maybe you’re lacking a degree or certification that's holding you back.

Don't be afraid to admit you have a challenge. But, be willing to do something about it.

Find the experts and enlist their help.

While I could have probably figured out a way to disassemble the bed, I didn't have the right tools and knew it would have taken me hours to complete the project. So, I sought out the one person I knew could help me with the project.

Often, I have potential clients "apologize" to me that their resume is horrible. I always tell them that they are experts in their field, I probably couldn't do their job, and writing resumes just might not be one of their strengths. Then, I tell them seeking out an expert to help is not a sign of weakness - it's actually a sign of strength.

No matter what your challenge, whether it is related to the job search or not (lack of education, public speaking, shyness, etc.), find an expert to help you out.

For instance, you could join Toastmasters to overcome your fear of public speaking or shyness. Or, you could sit down with a college admissions counselor to determine the best degree for your industry. Also, you could hire a resume writer, or an interview / career coach to help you overcome your obstacles. In any of these instances, your ROI will be worth it!

Build Your Network!

I know that networking scares the heck out of some people. However, in this economy, it's not what you know, but WHO you know.

When I moved into my neighborhood, I made it a point to get to know every neighbor on my street. We have become like a family who helps each other out. I have written resumes for them, watched their children, kept an eye on their house when they're out of town, etc. And, they have returned the favor when I need help.

I have done the same thing in my business. I have made it a point to network with individuals inside and outside my industry. I always know who to call when I have a question or a need. Also, these same people call me when they need a referral for something.

Don't be afraid to network. If you haven't spoken to someone in a long time, reconnect with them either over the phone, through email, or join sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.

Sometimes when you're searching for a job, you're direct contacts might not be able to help you. However, they might be connected to someone who can.

Return the favor when people help you.

I believe in the principle of "giver's gain." While I chose to give Ron a gift card, that doesn't mean that every time a person helps you out in your job search that you need to spend money on them.

Also, I could have sold the bunk bed on EBay or Craig's List. But, I chose to give it away to someone who really needed it.

In the job search, you can return favors by referring your friends to a job you found that isn't a right fit for you, but would be perfect for them. You can also introduce them to people you know who could aid in their job search.

Final thoughts.

I hope you see the similarities! So, the next time you need help in an area that isn't your strong suit, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. I have found that people are always willing to help. Then, be willing to assist others, whether directly or indirectly. It will be appreciated and you'll stay in "top-of-mind" awareness when a great opportunity comes forth!

Join The Career Clinicians as they interview one of the top healthcare industry recruiters, Cindy Keefer of Keefer Healthcare Recruiting on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7 pm ET.

Cindy will share “insider information” on:

• What it takes to get and stay on recruiters’ “radar screens”
• What type of candidates are / are not a perfect match for recruiters
• What the role of the recruiter is when filling positions
• Common mistakes job seekers make when connecting with recruiters
• The technology many recruiters use to “categorize and search” for candidates who match position requirements
• The importance of having a great resume before contacting a recruiter

Listeners can hear the show live through their computer on Blog Talk Radio at http://bit.ly/dfsW1N

The Career Clinicians will be taking calls at (917) 889-9043.

ABC premiered a new show, "Shark Tank®" last Fall, and it has become a hit! It airs on Friday nights and I promise you will love it!

If you're not familiar with the show, entrepreneurs "pitch" their ideas to a panel of venture capitalists hoping to receive start-up / additional funding to take their product or service to the next level. In exchange for an investment in the company, the investors gain an ownership percentage in the business.

The "contestants" must request a specific sum of money, present a description of the service or product, discuss the history of the business, provide actual or projected financial figures (current  / projected sales, profit margins, costs, etc.) and a business plan, and detail how the Sharks' money will be used.

The presentations are very interactive, with the Sharks asking tough and thoughtful questions during the pitch. If the business owner has a great idea that merits an investment, he / she will be awarded either all or part of the capital requested.

As I watch the show, there are times that I want to scream! Many of these individuals "come to the table" without thinking very clearly about their target market, potential demand for the product, what experience they bring to the business, and any successes they have achieved thus far. These people are often sent out the door with some pretty "strong" advice from the Sharks.

Then, there are the entrepreneurs that really have their stuff together. They present their idea and business plan brilliantly, exude passion and confidence, detail research they've conducted, and have a clear picture of how their product meets a specific need or opens up a new niche market. I love watching these people! And, the Sharks are usually fighting over who is going to give the best deal and capital to the individual.

This show reminds me so much of how people prepare (or not prepare) for their job search! The parallels are uncanny. Like an entrepreneur pitching a product or service, you should be doing the exact same thing in your job search - except the product being pitched is you!

Here are some words of wisdom if you want the "Sharks" (Hiring Managers) to buy into your "product" utilizing the premises of this show:

• Do your research. The successful entrepreneurs on this show have done their research, know who they are targeting, and determine their product's value. As a job seeker, you need to take the same steps. Research the companies that will be a match for your specific strengths and skills, target them, and develop your value proposition that will help these companies achieve their goals.
• Develop your "business plan." Just as business owners develop "road maps" for their product or service, detailing their skills and previous successes, you need to do the same thing. However, in the job search, your business plan is your resume. Convince the potential employer, on paper, why they should even call you in to "give your pitch."
• Show the value of your "product" to the potential employer. As a job search candidate, you need to convey your "value proposition" to the employer. Figure out what makes you different and unique. Then, be prepared to show evidence of your continued success throughout your career that speaks to your "personal brand."
• Be prepared to make a convincing, confident presentation about why your "product" should be chosen over all the other products. When the entrepreneurs make their pitch to the Sharks, the ones who come out on top and get the funding are always confident and well-prepared. They also provide examples of why their product is better than what is currently on the market. For your interview, prepare a dynamic "presentation," and back up your "value"  with facts, figures, and successes.
• Be ready to answer questions or address objections. Many times the Sharks will ask probing questions to determine whether the participants really know their product's market and audience. Sometimes, they even ask about other markets where the product will be valuable. When you are interviewing, you need to be prepared to answer tough questions and determine what, if any, objections a potential employer may have about you. Further, you need to understand how your skills can be transferable to other areas of the company so you can show your versatility.

While most of us will never end up on the show, Shark Tank®, I would like to suggest you watch it as "research" for your job search. I am confident you will quickly discover how pitching a product / service on this show is the same as pitching yourself to a potential employer.

You can watch previous episodes on ABC's website at http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/episode-guide

When I first began my career as a résumé writer and job search coach, a more experienced colleague shared the following observation: “People look for work the way they live their life.” I was not sure what she meant by that, but after working with job seekers for the last 20 years, I see this truth played out over and over again.

I just finished meeting with an awesome young man who graduated from college two years ago with a major in history and a minor in computer science. He has been unsuccessful in finding suitable employment and has reached his maximum frustration level. I looked at his résumé and talked with him about his search activities.

I learned a lot about this young man in the hour and a half that we spoke. For one thing, he loves to talk and gets very excited when he is talking about the things that interest him. He is creative and intuitive and stated that prior career testing revealed that he has strong inductive reasoning and is good at gathering and synthesizing information. He thrives in an environment where out-of-the box thinking and risk taking is rewarded. On the flip side, he admitted that he gets bored with routine work, has terrible handwriting, is extremely unorganized, and he tends to overlook details.

So what does this have to do with his job search?

Like many job seekers, this young man was following the advice of his parents and friends (individuals who, like most, learned how to look for work by trial and error.) First, he wrote a résumé the way he learned from his college career center: Begin with your education, list all your “relevant” coursework and mention your employment (in his case, waiter and bartender.) Then he proceeded to rewrite the résumé each time someone new looked at it and told him what to change. Next, he went online and posted the résumé on some major job boards. Lastly, he searched leads and applied for anything with the word “computer” in the job title.

It was no wonder he was getting frustrated. Aside from the fact that he was not sure how his degree related to specific jobs and he did not know what market to target, he was not looking for work the way he lived his life. To the contrary, he was looking for work the way others thought might be a good way to live one’s life—regimented, by the book, and with keen attention to detail and order.

How frustrating for someone with his internal programming! Where was the creative and innovative approach to solving problems and executing projects? How was he nurturing his need to talk to people and gather/synthesize information? What risks was he taking when all he was doing was reading job announcements and sending his résumé?

I recommended a new strategy and approach: First, I suggested he read and synthesize information about various careers (I recommended O*Net). Then we brainstormed a list of industries he might want to target based on his interests and values. I instructed him on how to conduct informational interviews and we identified some people in his current network that he could contact as a spring board for talking to and meeting more people. I encouraged him to spend his time in the company of people who do what he wants to do – clubs, associations, networking groups. I suggested looking for a mentor or volunteering his time for a “day on the job.”

By the time he left, he was excited about not having to rewrite his résumé again (at least not until he knew what he was selling and who he was targeting) and he was thrilled at the prospect of talking to people who are doing things he likes to do, gathering more information, and meeting more people. He actually liked this “new way of looking for work.”

Finding a job is a project, and like every other project you have executed successfully, the way you go about it needs to reflect your personal style. Don’t rely solely on the advice of well-meaning friends and relatives about the “right” way to look for work. Tap into your natural skills and talents and let the process unfold. You may be amazed with how quickly you will find what you are looking for when you stop trying tackling the project the way you “think” it should be done.

If you're an executive-level job seeker and are having difficulty landing a position, you won't want to miss the next Career Clinicians Radio Show!

We will be interviewing John Swigard, author of "The Executive's 'How To' Guide for the Job Search."

John is not your typical author who espouses "theory." He's been in your shoes as an executive-level job seeker in this tough economy!

On our radio show, he’ll share “tried and true” methods that garnered him multiple interviews with top companies and enabled him to land a fantastic executive-level job.

Join us on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7 pm ET on Blog Talk Radio. Here is the link to listen to the live broadcast: http://bit.ly/9EyYDa

We will also be taking live calls during the show: (917) 889-9043.

I admit it - I watch The Bachelor® on ABC. But, not for the same reasons that other people watch it. You know, the "let's see if he really finds his true love" deal. No, I watch it for another reason.

By nature, I am a strategist and I like to observe how other people make decisions and try to figure out the psychology behind WHY they make the choices they do. To me, this show is fascinating because the audience is never really given a reason why The Bachelor sends people home. So, I like to put my own reasoning to the test.

Now, if you aren't familiar with how the show works, basically ABC chooses a Bachelor and then finds him 25 women (to start) from which he is supposedly going to find his true love. In the first episode, he meets with them at a cocktail party and gets to know something about each one by sitting down with her for a few minutes.

At the end of every show, there is a "Rose Ceremony" where he hands out roses to the women he wants to stay and continue in the process. Then, as the season progresses, he keeps choosing until he is down to the final two women. From 1 of these 2 women, he selects the person he will propose to, and then (supposedly) will end up marrying.

On this season of The Bachelor®, Jake Pavelka, a 31-year-old commercial airline pilot from Denton, Texas is looking for his true love. This season intrigued me more because I worked in the airline industry for 16 years. So, I decided I had to watch it.

Even though we are only three episodes into the season, there have been some interesting twists AND some great (and not so great) decisions made by Jake based upon limited information he gathers from the women.

Based upon some of his decisions, I began to think about his process from a job search perspective because there are some definite parallels between finding a job and spouse.

Here are the parallels I see and how they can be applied to searching for a job:

1. Start with a list of 25 employers (or find 25 positions) that fit your criteria. Unlike the show finding the women for Jake, no one chooses 25 companies for you. You have to do that on your own. However, Jake must have given ABC some criteria of what he was looking for in a potential spouse. So, think about what you want in your next employer and identify those companies that fit the bill.
2. Do your research on those companies. On the show, Jake gets to read the bios of the women before he meets them. While he probably doesn't have a lot of information to work with in the beginning, as a job seeker, you have the Internet, the library, company annual reports (if they are publicly held), and possibly "insiders" at the companies from your network. However, one of the best informational websites on companies is www.glassdoor.com, which provides "dirt" and "positive" information about companies anonymously supplied by employees.
3. Conduct "informational interviews." Jake gets to conduct "information gathering" sessions with each woman on every episode. This happens through "group" or "one-on-one" dates. His time is limited to make the right decision about the women. However, as a job seeker, you can conduct multiple, longer informational interviews with individuals who work for ypur targeted companies. However, do not approach these sessions as a way to "trick" employers into a real interview. Your sole mission is to gather "intelligence."
4. Take input from other people. On this season's first show, Jake had the opportunity to receive input from last season's couple, Ed and Jillian. He also got the "low-down" on one of the women he gave a rose to from the other ladies in the 3rd episode. They basically told him that she was a "different person" with him then she was with the other women. As a job search candidate, it is important to listen to what other people say, which leads us to my next point.
5. Evaluate the information you have received. On the first show, Jillian and Ed told Jake to eliminate a woman named Michelle. In my opinion, they gave him correct information. However, it was up to him to evaluate whether their opinion was accurate. In the job search, you will receive many opinions about companies and positions. My advice is to listen to what is being said, and if the same comments (good or bad) keep surfacing regarding a certain company, pay attention.
6. Decide which companies are a "true match" for you against your established criteria. Just as Jake needs to decide which woman is his "ultimate soulmate," as a job seeker you need to stay true to your values and find a job that fits at least 90% of your established criteria. If not, you will settle for any job, end up unhappy, and start job-hopping.
7. Eliminate those companies who aren't a good fit for you. In the 3rd episode, Jake eliminated two women BEFORE the Rose Ceremony. He realized that one of the women was just playing "games" with him and the other (Michelle, the one he was told to eliminate on the 1st show) was just not right for him. He wanted to focus on the women he was really interested in and give them a chance to stay on the show.  This same premise is true when you are evaluating companies. If there's a company that isn't a good match, walk away and focus on the companies that are right for you.

While Jake may or may not find the love of his life in six weeks with limited information, I believe that in the same amount of time, you can find a great job by utilizing the methods I have detailed above during your job search.

I was doing some interview coaching with a client earlier this week; a delightful young woman whose résumé illustrated an extremely impressive academic and career background. She had applied for a graduate program and was extremely nervous about her upcoming interview. In addition to helping her prepare for the interview, I was also trying to assess what might have contributed to her not being accepted following an interview with another school.

She seemed to be doing fine until I started hitting her with some of the standard interview questions: What do you know about our program (company)?  What would you say are some of the biggest challenges faced by our industry? What are your strengths? Why should we accept you into the program versus someone else?

We all hear how important it is to “sell” oneself during an interview, and this young woman was really pushing hard for the sale. She answered every question with almost a sense of urgency about needing to tell the me everything possible about her skills and experience. Within the first 10 minutes of our “mock interview session” I had to stop her. Our interaction was beginning to remind me of a blind date I had many years ago – one that I could not wait to end.

Like my client, this date sat across the table from me and talked endlessly about all of his wants, needs, interests and accomplishments. He clearly demonstrated that he never did any background “research” about me and never once asked me about my wants, needs, interests and accomplishments. It was clear that this interaction was “all about him” and, in spite of the good first impression I had of him, I quickly lost interest.

The best way to make a sale is not by simply extolling all the wonderful features of your “product.” If you really want to make the sale, close the deal (get the job offer) than do this: Learn all you can about the employer before the interview; find out what is important to him and identify his needs. Then as you answer and ask questions, link your features (skills, experience and achievements) to how they will prove beneficial to the employer should he choose you.

Confidently talking about how much you have to offer is important, but even more important is choosing the aspects of your career and personality that are of greatest value to each particular employer and talking about these. Sure the employer is interested in you, but he is even more interested in knowing the benefits of choosing you over the competition.

"It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark." Howard Ruff

This past Wednesday on The Career Divas Radio Show, we were talking about "Keeping Your Career Mojo throughout 2010."

At one point in the show, the topic came up regarding how job seekers, and even professionals who are not currently in the job market, should be prepared at all times with an up-to-date resume and cover letter.

I used the quote above during the show to provide a vivid analogy that most everyone can relate to, as there was a very positive outcome from Noah building the Ark BEFORE the rains descended upon the Earth.

Personally, I believe that having an updated resume, whether you are currently looking for a job or not, is one of the soundest pieces of advice given during our show.  And, I don't state that just because I am a professional resume writer!

Allow me to share a personal story.

Back when I was working in corporate America, there was a supervisor opening in the department where I worked.

I wanted that promotion. I had worked hard, developed and / or changed many processes and procedures to increase efficiency, always said "yes" to any extra project that needed to be done, received excellent performance evaluations, had managed people at a previous company, and knew my job and the department "inside-out."

So, I submitted my resume for consideration. I prepared for my interview and it went really well. However, I wasn't selected for the position. They gave the job to a person that wasn't even in my department and did not have half the qualifications that I did!

To say that I was stunned is an understatement. I went to my boss to ask him why I had not received the promotion. His answer?

"Kathy, you were very qualified for the position. However, when you submitted your resume, you didn't even take the time to update it with the position you currently hold. That tells me you really didn't take applying for this position seriously."

At first I was mad. I mean, really, he knew what contributions I had made, that I was a great worker, and constantly sacrificed my personal life for the department. How could he give the promotion to someone who had never even worked in our department and make her my supervisor?

After I calmed down, I began to let what he had said sink in. You know, he was right! I hadn't shown him that I was "ready" to lead others because I didn't take the time to "prepare" for that leadership position.

So, why do I share this story? There are two reasons.

First, like I did several years ago, many people assume that their internal superiors know what contributions they have made and the successes that came as a result of their efforts. So, they feel like they don't really need a "stellar" presentation of their achievements on paper when the time comes to apply for a promotion.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Managers are busy with the latest crisis, and they usually don't remember what you did yesterday (unless it was bad), let alone what accomplishments you achieved during the last year or throughout your career. You need to be proactive and have your resume ready, showcasing your skills and achievements in an attractive format in case a fantastic opportunity is presented.

Second, what happens if you are suddenly downsized or a recruiter calls you and says they have a great position available? Either way, you are now "behind the eight ball" if your resume isn't up-to-date.

When either of these situations happens, the individual now has to "scramble" to get his / her resume together under a tight deadline. It becomes an almost impossible or overwhelming task for the individual because stress takes over and makes it difficult to think clearly about specifics for each job.

So, be like Noah, and start building your "ark" before the rain starts falling so you'll be prepared before the "flood" strikes in your life.

Whether you write your resume or hire a professional resume writer to compose one for you, set a date for completion and stick to it. I promise that you’ll feel more in control and you’ll look like a professional who is always ready for any situation that may arise.