I usually write an article on resolutions at the beginning of the year but decided not to do so this year, until yesterday when I had two conversations on goals. The first conversation was a consult with a potential client and the second was a discussion I had with a friend later in the evening. The consult went well, we got to know each other a bit, discussed his background and issues at work that led this man to contact me, and then we started to discuss his goals and that is where things got sticky. He didn’t have any.

After much discussion we concluded that setting goals would be our first line of discussions before we went forward with preparing his resume, online presence and job search strategies. I often talk with professionals that are looking for a change and are not sure which direction to go to achieve their goals. But I don’t have many that simply say, “I don’t have any goals.”

Visiting that evening with a friend that always seemed very motivated and goal oriented, I asked her if she had always been that way. My friend (we’ll call her Sharon) shared with me that for years she didn’t have specific goals. After staying home for seven years when her kids were young, she had decided to go back to work full-time, but had no real plan for her future. She simply accepted the first position she had offered to her even though she had sent her resume to several types of positions. Sharon stayed with the job for more than three years before she realized she didn’t enjoy what she was doing and had no plans or goals to advance where she was.

Sharon said she became consumed with reading and learning about goal development, fulfillment and outcome. That is when she created goals and action plans for several areas in her life; and then got moving. To help her stay motivated she decided to give herself rewards for small goals she completed as she worked through her plans. During the next year she went through each room in her house and reorganized, got rid of things she didn’t use, and gave away outgrown kids clothes and toys. She also started eating healthier and committed to walking three days a week with her neighbor and after the first year had lost 23 pounds and felt great.

But her biggest change was in her professional life. After looking into many career areas and completing several assessments to determine what she was passionate about and how she could best utilize the skills she wanted to use, she decided to go into event planning. It was something she had done for six years as part of her early career, and it was the one part of her job that she loved and felt she was really good at. When I met Sharon three years ago, she was already the owner of a successful  boutique event planning firm which also owned two banquet facilities and three large boats, available to lease for special occasions.

She credits learning the true meaning and impact of setting and working toward goals can do, to many of the successes she’s had in her life. Sharon didn’t do anything special but she did do something different. She set goals and actually took action to see them through. Most people set goals or resolutions but never follow through because they don’t incorporate an action plan and hold themselves accountable to those plans; turning their dreams into tangible goals.

You can do the same thing. Whether you are happy in your job or in the throws of a job search, you can improve the quality of your performance and outcome by setting goals, creating a forward-moving plan and taking action. The success is in the action – if you only set goals but don’t do something to make them happen, they will remain a dream.

Shine On Job Seekers!

During my time with a client, I feel like I get to know them pretty well by the time we have finished with the resume package or coaching sessions. We spend time talking about the concerns, and difficulties of their job search. The recurring comment I hear from clients is their nerves or maybe their confidence level often gets in the way when trying to expand their contact list.

Clients have many reasons why they are not aggressively seeking new contacts, getting reacquainted with old or existing potential contacts. They tell me they are not comfortable talking with people from their personal lives about their professional “problems” or they don’t feel comfortable talking with strangers in networking events. I have also clients that say they’ve never needed a professionally written resume or the need to market themselves and act as if it is almost beneath them to proactively network as a way to find their

I wonder if job seekers are missing out on opportunities by focusing on their fears instead concentrating on expanding their network and interacting more often with people. Sometimes simply working on their friendliness is a first step.

A client of mine is great example of how being friendly can lead to job search success. He is a really nice but very quiet client whose resume I have already updated on two occasions. The current focus of the resume centered on his work as an accountant but removed the keywords associated with his work in the banking industries because he was hoping to transition into a different industry.

We had just completed his resume project when he called to say his father had fallen at his home in Tucson and was going out to stay with his mom while his dad began his recovery in a local nursing home. Well, about a month later I received a call of thanks from him and to say he had found a job.

Apparently while flying home to Michigan from his stay in Arizona he sat next to a man who was a district manager from Ohio for a short and long-term healthcare facility that was in the process of opening 3 centers in Southeast Michigan. During the flight my client spoke of his father’s accident and current care, and mentioned he was in the process of a job search.

By the end of the flight my client had interviewed and had been offered a position to set up the accounting functions for the expansion project. The position would be available in a month. The timing couldn’t have been better; it would give his father time to heal enough to be transferred to a recovery facility in Michigan. The facility would one of the new long-term care facilities of his new company.

Opportunities reveal themselves anywhere and if you aren’t open – you might miss them. Prepare now by updating your resume, letting new and old contacts know of your situation and of what you are looking for, preparing networking cards with current contact information, and always be willing to talk with others about what is new in your life and theirs.

I can’t tell you how many friendly encounters of my clients have led to career opportunities. Imagine how much more successful they’d be if they planned their networking strategies. Clients that come to me for resume development or updates and are already working their network are always the clients that have the fastest success.

Shine On jobseekers!

I just read Nick Corcodilos’ new article entitled, “Rude Employers: Yahoo Fires CEO Carol Bartz, phones it in”, from his “Ask the Headhunter” blog. The article quickly reminds us that rude and disingenuous companies will be remembered for their poor treatment of employees. It also sends a strong message to job seekers considering working for such a company. Because of the internet, Yahoo’s classless actions will not be soon forgotten.

This rude behavior will remembered, and is something for job seekers especially, to keep in mind while searching for their ideal job. When you find a company you think you’d like to work for, take time to notice how they treat you, and how employees treat each other. If you see smiles, hear laughter, and are treated warmly while interviewing with them, this may be a good sign.

When researching companies, try to talk with employees or past employees. This way you can get a better feel for the culture and climate of the company before you say yes to an interview. Does the company’s management strive to maintain courteous and effective teams and does the company treat its’ management well? Your research will hopefully alert you to companies that may not be so nice to work for.

This is also a good time to take note of how you treat those you interact with during your job search. The longer a job search takes, the less patient candidates can become, so keep you manners in check. You don’t want to be remembered for your poor manners or worse, miss out on opportunities because of your attitude or actions.

Manners that used to be second nature are sadly becoming unimportant to some people and companies. You are going to be at work and with your coworkers for at least 40 hours each week, that’s 1/3 of your life. So make sure you take the time to find a place to work that is pleasant and treats you well.

Seal Island – off the coast of South Africa, holds up to 60,000 seals and is a perfect place to research great white shark habits. Yes, “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel just wrapped up, but not before I watched a few shark related programs and before getting Lady Gaga’s song, “Show me Your Teeth” stuck in my head forever!

What I repeatedly heard is that sharks are intentional in their hunt and they are successful 50% of the time. Depending on the type of shark and their environment their strategies differ. They use their senses, to determine what is in the water, where it is, if it is something they want, and the best strategy to deploy for a successful attack.

Listening to the scientists and biologists describe a sharks intentional approach, sounded like the steps for a successful job search. But not just a job search, a job hunt! Just like sharks, job seekers need to know their surroundings, what their target industry is all about and how they fit in. They also need to know themselves well enough to recognize their strengths and know how to use them to effectively to find the right job for them.

As sharks use their senses to become aware of potential prey, they determine the best way to strike. Aggressive and successful candidates use their networking and investigative skills, and their past experience to find new opportunities. They then decide on a strategy that will allow them to get in front of their target, so they too can show their strengths and out shark other candidates to land the job.

What makes sharks so threatening is their relentless determination, intention and drive to keep trying, even if they are only successful in 50% of their hunts. Job seekers that are successful in finding the right job quickly, are those that either hunt down their own opportunities or use their contacts and network to generate leads. They push ahead and don’t give up but continue to be proactive in their hunt. Those that procrastinate or simply post their resume and wait for the seals to come and swim in front of them, may have to wait a long time, and may miss out on the schools of seals that are swimming just off shore. Be a hunter, go after the job you want – show your teeth!

Shine On Job Seekers!

Making the decision to change careers is definitely a stressful process. Changes are made for many different reasons; job dissatisfaction, economy fluctuations, income, and lack of advancement are all incentives to make career changes. Once the decision has been made, measures should be taken to make the transition a smooth, lucrative and rewarding experience. Below are five points to consider before ever leaving your current job. Proper assessment of each point will help you facilitate an enjoyable transition.

THOROUGH CAREER CHANGE EVALUATION – Search inward and outward to find the reasons for the desire to change careers. Some decisions are made easily and for very practical and clear reasons. Those still unsure should search to understand why they want to change careers. What are they trying to leave behind and what are they looking for? Are you looking for changes in your industry, field, position or all three?

Determine if this new career choice is the right job and fit for you before you give notice? Have you looked into requirements for the position, the growth potential, or what skills you will be regularly using? Have you anticipated how the career change will affect your family and personal life? Realistic understanding of your new career will help to ensure satisfaction of the job once you have obtained it. After evaluating your options and deciding that a career change is the right decision – you can be confident in moving forward and giving full attention to your new career search.

DOCUMENTATION PREPARATION – Before giving notice and jumping into your new career, get all your ducks in a row. This includes all career documents beginning with your resume, cover letter, thank you letter and reference list. Your new documents should showcase your transferable skills relevant to your new career choice. Your cover letter should also include transferable skills and provide examples of how you can contribute to a new company. All documents should emphasize the skills and accomplishments applicable to your new career.

References can be a deal maker or breaker and are something valuable to invest time in. Always ask permission before including anyone on your reference sheet. Provide an outline if possible for what should and should not be included in the reference. Groom your contacts by providing skill sets, accomplishments and examples that would be appropriate affirmations for the desired position.

PRACTICAL PLANNING – What will it take to be successful in your new career? It is crucial you are aware and prepared for what is expected of you. Do you need to become certified in something, complete a degree, or pursue a masters program? Talk with others in the position and build your network in your new field. Find out the pitfalls to be aware of and discover the best ways to get noticed and ahead.

DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH – A career change within the same industry can be used to your advantage. You already have an in-depth understanding of the industry and this can be an added value highlighted on your resume, cover letter and during interviews. Existing contacts within the industry can and should be relied upon for networking. The majority of jobs found (some say as high as 80%) involve some form of networking. Networking within the same industry may be a bit tricky if you don’t want your current employer to know you are searching for a new position.

Careers sought outside of your current industry will take a little more work for network development, however joining associations, utilizing LinkedIn and other online networking sites can help. Having a flexible time frame is optimal because you would then be able to select the best fitting job instead of feeling pressure to take the first job that meets most of your requirements.

DON’T BURN BRIDGES WHEN LEAVING YOUR CURRENT JOB – Make every attempt to leave your current position on a positive note. A helpful reference will be much easier to acquire from a boss, department head or coworker that enjoyed working with you and respected your work. Depending on your new career you may easily be back in contact with your old employer or former company. You may even be able to find contacts for your new career through someone at your current employment.

In every step of the job search process follow-up is vital for being seen and heard, and for building relationships based on integrity. Follow-up processes begin with your success in networking. If there isn’t consistency in your follow-up actions, others may be hesitant to promote, refer or recommend you to their employers.

When someone in your network provides you with information on potential opportunities, be sure to act on it quickly to demonstrate your interest and appreciation. And, be sure to follow-up period, many don’t. More than 75% of hiring managers expect some kind of thank you or follow-up letter and those surveyed said they only receive them 35% of the time. Stand out – send a note!

Especially if the contact sent a note to you and to a potential employer, both would be waiting for your response. Every step you take will be evaluated as potential employers try to determine if you are someone worth getting to know and learn about for a possible position in their company. Could you be someone that will help their company grow? Your job is to prove you are the right person for the job by providing positive results from the onset of communications.

Once interest is established and the interview process begins

it is important for you to follow-up in order to:

• Thank each interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview with their company.
• Reiterated your excitement and interest in the position and your true passion for the field, industry or company.
• Remind the interviewer of who you are and the value and potential contribution you can make to their team, department or company.
• Utilize another opportunity to wow them by sending a follow up that provide answers to questions they had and provides additional information on areas discussed at the interview.
• Keep communication open. Even if you don’t have the technical skills or experience required for the job, if you become a memorable candidate they might try and work you in someplace else or give your name to another department or even competitor.
• Create the squeaky wheel that is needed to differentiate you from several other potential candidates by continuing to maintain contact with the company and hiring manager throughout the decision making process.  Staying visible may give you the advantage for a call back or job offer.

Whether you are aggressively searching for a job or contemplating a change, it is important to be seen and heard in order to be remembered. Using follow-up notes, thank you notes, relevant article links or simple emails to check on the decision making process, it is helpful to stay in touch so your name and abilities are always just a recent memory away.

Shine On Job Seekers!

Weeds finally began peeking through my garden floor a few weeks ago. They usually come up just before the perennials and in Michigan it is a sign that things are finally unthawing and warm sunny days are not far away. Although weeds usually drive me crazy by the end of the summer, I am always excited to see any sign of life at the early entrance of spring.

Typical for Michigan, we have jumped from 40’s to 70’s in just a couple of weeks and the gardens, trees and weeds have exploded with life after a few warm days. I know if I don’t keep tight reigns on my gardens and the weeds in them, they will be cause of a lot of extra time and work because I let gardens slide and weeds creep in.

We have such a short growing season that everything seems to happen fast and I have learned that I become much less frustrated if I commit to spending a certain amount of time every week in my gardens, keeping an eye on the plants and the weeds. I am happier with the results when I spend frequent time in the garden nurturing the young plants and controlling older mature plants. It lets me enjoy the growth process and watch as blooms open and often close in just a few days. It helps me realize what is not working in my garden and what I am spending too much time on. It also gives me more control over the hardy weeds and lets me remove them by the root before they get too large so that I snap them and then they just end up coming back and causing more work.

Gardening always provides me with life lessons as I nurture the garden. As I work I notice the change that has occurred every few days and it reminds me of the importance of nurturing your job search just as you would your gardens. It is critical to stay active as you progress in your search, not repeatedly doing the same things but really taking notice of what is working and what is not. Weeding out the efforts that are not showing any signs of budding opportunity or those that side track you with positions that are not in line with your long term goals.

When I start a new garden I draw the type of garden I want, whether it will be a sun or shade garden, spring, summer, or fall blooms, and the style and design. I actually use a map and color in the plants where I will plant them and provide space that they’ll need in a few years and not just when they are first planted. I develop this plan so that I will know how I need to proceed as the garden develops and it keeps me on track, although these days I work with maintenance plans and try not to give in to the urge to start a new garden.

In my earlier years when I was still learning what worked in my soil, in Michigan, and what I enjoyed I would journal the progress of my gardens. I don’t need to do that much now but it was very helpful and taught me many different tricks and tips in dealing with particular plants, weeds, insects and the pesky rabbits and deer that also enjoy my gardens. I would pour through every book and magazine I could find to learn about techniques of gardening, went and saw other gardens and would talk with gardeners at length to share what I had learned and hear new ideas from them.

Just as in a garden it is important to keep track of your job search progress, seek new ways to expand and improve your search and network with others to see what works for them and share what is working for you. The more time you spend learning about the search and ways to succeed in it the faster you will be able to see the beauty and bounty of your search.

Good luck job seekers!

While watching my niece’s soccer game recently, there was one girl on her team that was obviously very skilled. This particular girl worked mostly alone and tended to be a ball hog. While she played hard it was noticeable that there was a disconnect with her and the rest of the team. When asked about her I was told that although an excellent player, her attitude and behavior toward her teammates was very negative. On the field the rest of the players had a hard time playing with her and working as a team.

My niece said because there was so much animosity the coach had begun to play her less and the team was actually playing more effectively. The team knew they should leave their personal issues and conflicts off the field but they found it hard to do. This girl was creating enemies and missing out on utilizing her obvious talents to help her team. This situation is not uncommon in the school, teams, volunteer activities and in the workplace as well.

When looking to meet new contacts, networking, and especially when interviewing being likeable and a team player can be as important as what you have accomplished or your expertise. There is an abundance of competent competition and sometimes the only thing that may help you stand out, is You – your unique personality, your friendliness and your likeability.

The key is to know that fine line that allows you be confident not arrogant when sharing your skills, achievements and expertise sounding, friendly and like a team player. Like the soccer player, working alone and trying to hard to show off your skills may not be the best course to getting noticed. Instead be sure to demonstrate genuine friendliness and the successes you have had working with others to show employers how you will fit into their culture and work environment.

How you treat others, your willingness to be a team player and your personality are things to be very aware of while you are searching for a job and while you are in a job. A pleasant demeanor is vital when you are working and it will help your employer determine if a raise is deserved, if a promotion will be yours and if a strong recommendation will be given when you look for another job in the future.

Getting along with others and being nice should be a given, but for some it is something that needs to be kept in check or it will hold them back, so be nice!

Many of my clients are working in environments that have changed drastically in the last 3 years. Teams and offices that once employed 8, 10, or 12 employees are currently doing the same work but with only 4 or 5 people. The remaining employed staff members are expected to do twice the work while often being “asked” to agree to a pay cut. Sound familiar?

These remaining employees have done an incredible job maintaining sales, production, and service levels but at a great costs. My clients in this position have confided that their mental and physical health as well as their relationship  with family and friends is being affected by the stress and long hours. They often say because they currently have a job that supports their family or lifestyle and so they actually feel guilty looking for work, but can’t take the pressure any longer.

Three recent clients that come to mind, the first told me “I woke up and decided I was done”. He walked in to his office that morning and resigned from his position, collected his personal things and decided to move to another state and look for work there. No plan, no preparation. Most people can’t take this route if they have families that need to be included in the decision. For him it was a fresh start and that excited him. However, he has taken on 2 part time jobs in his new state to meet living expenses while  he continues to search for a position that meets his true career goals.

My second client stayed with her position while she worked with me to prepare her resume materials and got caught up on her job search and networking skills. When she had completed her efforts with me she felt she was ready to quit her job, which she did. She immediately began her full time job search, to which she was extremely successful, landing a new position in just 3 weeks. She had planned, prepared, saved money, and was ready for the challenge; getting her ducks in a row before leaving her company and position.

My newest client, a single mom, has a very detailed plan and time line for her transition. She plans to relocate with her 2 teenagers to another state before the start of school next fall and must have a new job by then to make her plan a reality. We are working to update her resume materials to include a Masters Degree she will be finishing up next month and to really target the type of position and company she is looking to work for. I have no doubt she will have a job waiting for her when she moves later this year. She has already contacted recruiters, developed an extensive network and joined geographically local groups on LinkedIn and Facebook and has plans for a 2^nd trip to the new city next month to talk with people she’s met and visit with a few directors for companies she is targeting.

All three of these job seekers were at jobs that kept them working well beyond 40 hours a week and often closer to 60 hours in order to manage their work load. They felt very guilty for wanting to leave their jobs when so many others were desperate to find work. And all three still needed to work to support themselves and their families, but have finally came to the realization that finding a new job was doable and would restore some kind of balance back into their lives.

Whichever route you take, don’t let guilt hold you back. Remember, when you find a new, better fitting job there will always be a candidate or two that will be thrilled and grateful to step into your old job. I would however, think through your decision so you can successfully prepare for the changes that will come with your decision to look for a new job.

Shine On Job Seekers!

With a new season of The Apprentice beginning, we will once again be hearing and joking about the now house-hold phrase, “You’re Fired”. But for those in the real world that have to pick up the pieces and carry on after being fired, the phrase is far from common. Just like a personal breakup, professional relationships can end on good and bad terms. As the employee, the outcome will stay with you and affect your career, so it is important to handle any professional breakup, regardless of who initiated it, with professionalism.

It is understandable that emotions come into the breakup equation, but if you were fired from your job it is critical to assess how this will impact your career and then immediately begin implementing damage control to salvage what you can of the relationship and your reputation.

Clients often ask me about the best way to proceed after being fired. My suggestions usually depend on the situation but dusting off the old and preparing for the new is usually my best advice.

You can begin by seeing if you can get a positive reference from someone above you at the place you were let go. If you are not able to generate an effective letter or contact name it might be worth a small investment to contact a reference checking company such as www.alllisontaylor.com which will inquire about your services at your previous employers to see what they’re recommendation will be. It can save you in sleepless nights and the uncertainty of not knowing what they will be saying about you.

As you prepare for your job search make sure your online presence has a consistent message and relates directly to your resume and your current goals. Take time to make the necessary changes to your online and offline materials to ensure a strong branded message. Develop a motivated plan for your search  including  narrowing down the industries, companies, and location you will focus your search on and ramping up your networking.

Assume you will have to discuss the reason you were let go from your previous job. Spend some time either writing or talking with someone to get out your feelings, fears, frustrations and even anger regarding your departure. Once you’ve got it all out you can organize an honest yet positive response that isn’t dripping in spite or excuses. You want an answer that does not bog down the interviewer with details or emotions, but does leave them seeing the positive nuggets that came from the breakup which you learned about yourself. Share with them that what you learned about yourself will be valuable to your next employer.

As you look for your next job make sure the position and the company are the right fit for you. Do your due diligence to confirm that the company, culture and employees align with your personality and goals. Use your networking savvy to find contacts that can provide rave reviews and hand deliver you to your next opportunity.