Hannah Morgan

Will Your Next Job be a Leap of Faith?

Deciding to take a new job is scary.  You know the pros and cons of your current job, if you are employed. What would it take to make you jump ship and leave the familiarity of your current organization?  Pain, extreme dissatisfaction, money, or all of the fore-mentioned.

I've known many people who thought they had done due diligence in investigating their new employer, only to find out they ignored the warning signs or their gut instincts. 

To read more about questions to ask yourself:  read this post "Pay attention to the "Red Flags"

I spoke with a recruiter yesterday who mostly seeks out passive candidates (they are currently employed). A major part of his time is being spent trying to convince the passive candidate to at least take a look outside of where they are now. 

This now leads me to the whole issue of employers avoidance of the unemployed.  There has been much discussion about this.  CNN explored the issue in this post.  It has also been covered by many other media sources.    

So, this is quite the oxymoron.  Do you take a job even if you know it isn't a good fit in order to find another job? It depends on many things and there are many right answers.  Remember, life is a journey...

Facing Your Biggest Fear Head On

Is it true that people don't change until they hit rock bottom? 

I've met some truly incredible people along the way who've overcome pretty amazing odds.  They've defied cancer, overcome the loss of a child, survived a divorce and many more.  What awes me is the ability of these people to move on with their lives.  Are they better people because of their experience?  I don't know.  But I do know that their stories are inspiring. 

My biggest fear was always the death of my parents.  I couldn't see life without them in it.  This year I lost my father.  It was devastating.  It still is.  But what choice do I have but to continue on and cherish his memory, right?

For the job seekers out there who are still looking for work, what is your biggest fear?  Is it not finding a job?  Is it losing your home?  Divorce?  I feel sorry for you all.  You are in a sort of purgatory.  You spend hours a day toiling away with this wet blanket of fear weighing heavy on your shoulders. 

What will you do to face your fear head on?

What if you were to resolve to the fact that you won't get a job. What would you do to survive?  How would you make money to pay your bills?   How would thinking in these terms change how you are living your life?  Would you be able to move forward? 

Thinking in this way would force many other life changes.  The sale of a house.  The downsizing of the family budget.  Is that so bad?  Who said that life was about accumulating stuff?  What are the things you value most in your life?  Relationships. People. Family.

Somewhere along the line, we were poisoned into thinking that life was about the objects that surround us.  What if life is about the people who surround us?

When you meet people who have beat an serious illness or life altering challenges, what is it that has made them successful?  Was it their ability to accept and move on?  Was it their belief in relationships over objects?

What I am pushing for with this post is unrealistic, I know.  But what I wish for is a society which puts   the best interests of people first- not the accumulation of wealth and commodities.  How many pairs of shoes do you really need?  Do the kids need every new toy that comes to market?  Speaking of which, how many hundreds of dollars are you spending on technology upgrades: smart phones, computers, the latest and greatest gadgets?  And that improves the quality of your life how, exactly. 

Maybe You Are Being Too Practical

Imagination. Creativity. Innovation. 

For just a minute, travel with me back in time to when you were a little kid.  Did you pretend?  Did you create make-believe adventures?  Those are the memories I want you to hold onto for a day.  What was it you wanted to be when you were young? 

I wanted to be an archeologist.  I would grab my trowel and head out into the woods behind my barn and dig for hours.  Dirty and hungry, I would return with my treasures...dirt-laden high button shoes, medicine bottles, horse shoes and even a sterling silver thimble  holder with the initials "VD".  The memories of this are vivid.  I was so excited and so interested in my findings that I began to research.  I learned how to tell the age of a bottle by its molding seam.  I learned that the thimble holder belonged to Virginia Dorne who lived in our house in the 1800's. 

Two things were going on here. 

1) I visualized and played out my dream of being an archeologist.  I actually did it.

2) I got excited and found a passion.

As children, we acted out our dreams of being a fire fighter, Super Hero, etc.  We envisioned ourselves performing the functions and duties of the role.  Along the way we sometimes became really really interested in the subject.  

Where did that go?  Why don't we do that anymore?  

If you are stuck in a rut or not sure what you want to do next, go back in time and remember what it was you pretended to be as a kid. 

The other option is to pretend you are a kid again and allow yourself to pretend to be something or somebody else.  Pretend. Role play in your mind the daily activities and functions of this something else.  Maybe you can find an opportunity to volunteer doing this make-believe career opportunity.

Still another option is to tap into your child-like imagination and create or innovate.  There are millions of problems to solve right now.  You may just have the answer. 

Our country was founded by pioneers who were not afraid to take risks.  They traveled into unknown worlds and territories for a better life, a new adventure.  They truly risked their lives, not just their life-savings.

Could you?  Would you?

So Many Things to Fix, So Little Time

Are you thinking?  Do you wonder?  I constantly find myself trying to solve problems that are beyond my control- or are they?  I get so discouraged when I hear people say "But it has always been this way" or "It is too big to change" or "Politics, Its Politics".

Here are some things I think about:

• Healthcare options that are affordable
• Lower tax rates in New York State
• Teaching our youth to be problem-solvers and innovators
• Increased membership in my church
• Plowing the sidewalks in my town so people can walk and enjoy the outdoors
• Moving away from fossil fuel 
• A better way to inform our workforce of trends impacting their jobs
• Inspiring financial responsibility or smarter spending (Need vs. Want)
• Teaching youth how to network and diversify their portfolio beyond sports

This is a short list.  I know I don't have the time or energy to tackle them all today, but I do hope to impact change in many of them before my time is out.

When I go back over this list, I realize, I do know people who could help make changes.  I could inspire them or collaborate with them.

I want this world to be a better place.  Don't you?  So, do you wonder?  Are you thinking?  Can you make a short list of things you would like to fix or make better?  Maybe you can. 

Oh, by the way, I am still reading Seth Godin's Linchpin.  Fascinating.  Inspiring.  Please read it!  It makes me think and I bet it will make you  think too. 

Changing Careers, Changing Industy.

In order to survive and/or thrive you might need to make a change in your targeted industry or job function.  Making this change can be a challenge and take time, but it is possible.

Decide what it is you want to do.  Easier said than done, I know.  I've met people who've taken the Myers-Briggs, DISC, and all sorts of other assessments.  Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't seem to. I like the simplicity and practicality of O*Net Interest Profiler.  

But it isn't as easy as waving a magic wand and getting the answer.  You'll need to test the answers by talking with people in that industry and career.  Charting A New Career Course by Susan Joyce provides recommendations on how to evaluate a new career choice. 

Once you've narrowed your options down and pinpointed the right direction, it is crucial that you begin to "connect the dots" for people.  You are responsible for conveying the connection of transferable skills.  To learn how to do this, read Networking for Career Changer and "Renaissance Personalities" 

Here are some interesting posts about "connecting the dots"

Improve your job search prospects don't order in French at a Chinese food restaurant

Career Testing Good, Bad and Ugly

4 Lames Excuses to Not Assess Yourself

I Can Do That

Have you changed industries or careers?  How did you do it?

Who Do I Turn To For Advice?

Sometimes we don't have all the answers.  What to do?  The answers we are looking for could be about our career, our personal life, our finances, our car, technology or any other area. 

Small Company Leadership

The corporate giants a fading or falling.  Where will your new job opportunities lie?  In the small companies.  If you've never worked in a company with fewer than 1,000+ people, now is your chance!

Job Satisfaction- Got it?

It seems that the US has hit rock bottom...well, job satisfaction is at an all time low.  However, this should come as no surprise.  Many have been holding on to jobs, just waiting for the tide to turn.  Others have taken jobs to pay the bills. 

The scary part of all of this is that job satisfaction directly correlates to innovation.  Right now, we, the US, need more innovation. 

Here are some posts that take a deeper look in to employee satisfaction:

Only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs.  Read the entire summary from MSNBC.  Americans’ job satisfaction falls to record low

According to the Conference Board these are some of the reasons why:

• Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting.
• Incomes have not kept up with inflation.
• The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into workers' take-home pay.

From the employer's perspective, there are issues as well, how to retain talent. 

The Mass Exodus of Talent by Rob Jannone on ERE.net Community 

Dissatisfied Workers + Recovery = Workforce Planning from ERE.net

Before you jump on the bandwagon and start believing you are miserable too, consider what defines job satisfaction for you.  By the way, it isn't as easy as it sounds.

5 Step Method for Defining Your Job Satisfaction from Careerealism

Did You Choose Your Working Environment Or Did It Just Come With The Job? from Adventures from the Job Search Ninja, Todd Bavol

Once you have pin pointed what satisfies you and before you jump ship, plan your job search campaign. 

Reinventing You (and Me) in 2010 by Sital Ruparelia

Are you one of the 45% of employed American's dissatisfied with your job?  Tell me why!

"Best Of" tools for Job Seekers

Learning about related or tangent careers is something most job seekers struggle with.  Whether it is re-naming what you use as a job title or drastically changing careers, learning the new terminology can be a challenge.

Before you can move forward with your search, you have to figure out what you want to do and give it a name.  Hopefully this will be the most accurate name/title.  This can be difficult because companies use different job titles. 

One of the easier ways to find out related job titles is to go to O*Net.  

From this main page, select Browse under FIND OCCUPATIONS and type in your old job title.  

This will provide you with a Summary Report listing: similar job titles, tasks/job description, tools and technology, skills, education, wages and trends, related occupations, etc.  

With a little playing around you can begin exploring more related occupations and learn about their requirements. 

People, job seekers, ask a lot, "I want to know what jobs are in demand or fore-casted to be in demand".  Actually, that isn't really how they phrase it.  They ask:  "I want to find a job that is secure, where would I find it?" 

Occupational Outlook Quarterly does a thorough job explaining where industries are headed and what occupations will be needed. 

Last, but not least, the Department of Labor has released its survey results of tools people feel to be most helpful.  They all appear on Job Seeker Tools.  

Personally, I wouldn't consider job boards a tool right now, but...

Under the heading of CAREER EXPLORATION TOOLS, there seems to be some resources that might assist with exploring new jobs that are a match for your interest, skills and abilities.  

Once you have begun to create a list of titles that interest you, start asking people what they think and who they know. (These can be called networking meetings or informational meetings, by the way). In speaking with people really doing the job, you will learn whether this might be the right direction for you, or not.  No investment in this process is a waste of time.  Think about what you've learned and who you've met as you've gone through the process. 

Martin Luther King Jr. So Far Ahead of His Time

Martin Luther King Jr. day  was more than just a day off from work and school.  I hope you found a way to honor what he stood for.  He was so much more than a civil rights activist.  He spoke about the historic past, the immediate present and the distant future.  His words were and still are incredibly powerful and ring just as true today as they did when he first spoke them. 

In his blog, the M.A.P. Maker, Curt Rosengren wrote a wonderful piece on how to incorporate MLK's concepts into your every day life.  Rosengren asks solid, thought-provoking questions to move you forward in becoming all you can be.  

"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."

This quote still rings true today.  Don't  be silent.  It is your day to do what you believe in.

Summary Sunday

So here we are in a brand new year, 2010!  There have been a lot of posts on resolutions; how to make them, how to stick with them.  I don't really like resolutions, per se.  Here are my favorite posts about making decisions or doing this job search thing better.  You can find your own resolutions from these.

3 Motivation Keys by Career Goddess

A Fresh Start in Your Job Search for the New Year from CareerRocketeer

LinkedIn Taglines by Recruiting Animal

Introducing Confidence Marketing from Spin Strategy

How to write a Bio and Why You Should from Brand-Yourself.com

3 Job Strategies to Get it Right in 2010 from Cube Rules

Cover Letters Are We Thin-Slicing Recruiting? from Recruiting in 3D

Top Job Search Books by Alison Doyle from About.com 

Top 6 Employer/Recruiter Work Magnets from Job-Hunt.org

No Regrets

What a shame it would be to live life regretting you didn't do something.  Carpe Diem!  We don't get second chances or do-overs that often. 

If you look back and ask "what do I want to be remembered for"?  What would that answer be?  How can you begin today to make that happen? 

A while ago I wrote a post about the Six Word Memoir.  That really resonated with me.  In a way, it is like a mini mission statement.  It can serve as the compass to keep you moving in the right direction.

Sharing information. Holding accountable. Better world. 

This has been my mantra over the past few years.  In 2010 I hope to define it better for myself.  It offer space and lattitude to try different things as long as they "fit".

Gear yourself up for a new year, with no regrets!

Hectic Holiday Reminders

Every year I promise myself to be done with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving.  I guess that isn't going to happen this year...again.  What ends up happening after Thanksgiving is a jam-packed, every-weekend-is-busy schedule. 

I came across a list of 10 thoughts on living whole in this month's issue of Body + Soul Magazine.  This list of simple reminders hit a chord so I wanted to share them with you. I hope you can find one that you can connect with.

1. Allow yourself the chance to really savor each moment. 
2. Optimism isn't just a shift in perspective.  It's an act of bravery.
3. Only you can decide the path worth taking.
4. Don't wait for your mood to change, take action despite it.
5. Approach gift shopping as an opportunity to honor the people you really love.
6. Rather than search for a single miracle food, strive for a varied and delicious diet.
7. You can't grow without pushing your limits.
8. Stop worrying about getting sick; focus on your health instead.
9. Don't believe what you hear.   Life is good.
10. No one knows what the future will bring/  Put your energy into now.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Body + Soul, it is a Martha Stewart Publication.  Martha has always been synonymous with wholesome, back to basics, yet over the top homemaking.  Many of her ideas are cleaver, however, too time consuming to ever attempt.  There have been many parodies about Martha.  I heard this next story told and thought you might also enjoy the chuckle.  It is a well circulated story, you may have already seen it or heard it.  I picked it up from BritishExpats.com.  Martha Stewart Will Not be Dining with Us This Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to remember the original Thanksgiving celebration.  Consider what they endured and sacrificed for a "better life".  Try and remember how good we have it.

The Winds of Change

How do we find our next direction?  What career or job should we be looking for?  If the answers were clear and easy, we wouldn't be struggling. 

I believe that there could be many jobs that would be a good fit for many different reasons.  This can be an unsettling answer for those who want a straight answer. 

Experimenting with a new job can seem risky.  What if you don't like the decision you made?  What if it wasn't a good fit.  Just like trying on a pair of shoes, you find a new pair.  Yet, this sounds trite.  You can't just toss aside a job that took months to find and secure...can you? 

There was a very interesting article with accompanying video in the NY Times.  It explores a woman's test drive of three different career counselors.  The outcome...varied.

There are thousands of career counselors out there helping people discover what or who they should be when they grow up.  But back to my initial belief, there is probably more than one right answer.  If you are interested in reading the perspectives of many talented career professionals, read this blog:  Career Collective.

Who says we can't do more than one thing at the same time?  Part this, part that?  It is called a Portfolio career and the blend of different types of jobs might be the solution.  It certainly offers the potential to be a wise strategy for managing your career as well. Want to know more about Portfolio careers, you can read Portfolio Careers blog.

What Will You Do Differently This Week?

We are creatures of habit.  Many of us desire routines, rituals, stability.  It is dangerous to be lulled into the complacency of habits.  We need to continue to move forward and push ourselves out of our comfort zone. 

I write this primarily for myself.  Fear of failure has long been the excuse I have provided for not trying new things or taking risks.  When will I learn to let go of this excuse?  There is certainly something I can do about it and I don't believe the answer lies in all of the sudden taking one large risk.  Instead, it is about taking little risks daily. Almost like building up to running a marathon.  My neighbor recently ran in the NY Marathon and he had been in training for many months.  Did all that training prepare him for the physical and emotional strain of the full marathon, well, no. And he didn't win it either. Yet, he completed it.  He will never forget the experience and he is a new person because of this experience. 

What can you do today, this week, this month, to begin training for your marathon?  What small risk or one step can you take to push yourself out of your comfort zone?

Here's what I am going to do. Instead of driving the known route to a destination, I am going to take a new route to each destination I made this week.  Sounds simple or stupid, but as I think about how I am going to do that, it is developing something.  I will not take anything for granted. 

Desperation is Not Attractive

Desperation can ooze out of every pore if you aren't careful.  I've seen it hundreds of times and I am pretty sure that those that are emitting this fowl aura are un-aware. 

Jason Alba, author, blogger, entrepreneur, knows the feeling of desperation from his own extended job search.  He writes about it in this post, "I Smell Blood".

Stay emotionally healthy.  Keep a balance.  Remember, you may never have this opportunity again to spend time with family or friends that need you.  Relish in this opportunity.  There are definite benefits.

Stay physically healthy. Stress can work its black magic on you if you aren't careful. 

Give back and take the focus off of you.  Stop being narcissistic.  If you haven't been donating time to a worthwhile cause, start now.

You are in control of your life.  You are not a victim.  Take it upon yourself to learn new things and get answers to questions.  Fill in gaps or voids in your professional development.  Be innovative, be a problem solver.  All those things you did so well in your last job can be transferred to your search.  Leverage your strengths and develop your weaknesses.  Now is the time. 

What Will You Do with Your Extra Hour Today?

I hope you remembered to set you clocks back. If you didn't, well, lucky for you.  We've got an extra hour today, how will you use it?  An hour might not seem like much, but it is worth figuring out how you'll invest it.

Clean House (Physically and Mentally)

• Recycle or donate old magazines/catalogs/newspapers
• De-clutter closets of old clothes you no longer wear (put them in a bag and donate them)
• Organize your office
• Shred old bills/invoices/statements
• Delete old emails
• Create new folders to organize emails and documents
• Create your weekly to-do list or set weekly goals (it might become a new habit)

Treat Yourself

• Use it as "me time", indulge in something special for yourself
• Enjoy a walk outdoors to admire the remaining fall foliage
• Catch up on your reading
• Read the Sunday paper cover to cover

Reach Out to Others

• Pick up the phone and call someone you haven't spoken to in awhile
• Visit a friend or family member, just pop-in-surprise them
• Deliver a gift to a needy neighbor, friend or relative
• Rake someone else's leaves for them

Having an extra hour is a once-a-year gift.  Enjoy and use it wisely.

Do You Need Some Honest Feedback?

I'm heading into dangerous waters with this post, I know.  Have you ever run into someone who doesn't know when to stop talking?  Or been stuck in a conversation with someone who talks about themselves the entire time?  Or how about meeting someone who is so negative, a complainer, bitter and/or angry?

How do you handle these situations?  I think we tolerate the person and then make our escape as soon as we can, right?  But, is that the right approach? 

I know that person didn't ask for your feedback, but before leaving their company, could you ask "Can I provide you with some feedback?"  If they say yes, let 'em have it.  It is possible that they are unaware of their behavior?  Is it possible that you could be the 10th person to provide that same feedback and perhaps they'll change?  Is it also possible that they'll get mad and stomp off?

Every day, sadly, I encounter people who are "damaged goods".  They are riddled with negativity, lack self awareness, and sometimes are even rude.  If I was an employer, I wouldn't touch them with a 10-foot pole.  I also know that people in job search are going through difficult times.  Yet, I don't believe this excuses them. 

So, maybe it isn't your job to coach these folks, it is mine. 

My six word memoir is:

 Sharing information. Holding accountable.  Better world.

Sometimes we get our hands slapped.  That's life.  I am tired of the political correctness that has taken over our society.  If you are acting like a jerk, why can't I politely call you out on your behavior?

Help me here.  How would things and people change if we asked if we could provide them with some feedback?  Would it make a difference?

You Want A Change, But You Don't Know What To Do

This has been quite a year for people searching for work.  Many of them are thinking about doing something different.  While changing careers and/or industry can be difficult, it is certainly possible.  This change is particularly difficult with so many people unemployed.  The competition among qualified candidates is great.  For someone wanting to move into a new industry, this can be a difficult hurdle.  They are immediately seen as less qualified for not having the industry experience.  However, if using strong networking contacts, lacking some of the requirements can sometimes be overlooked.

I asked the question the other day of some twitter colleagues about how they recommend job seekers find new occupations that might be of interest.  One colleague recommended using LinkedIn.  She recommends her clients use that to find people with similar backgrounds and look at what career paths have been and where they go onto next.  (If I could remember who said this, I would certainly give her credit, sorry)

The other tool I recommend all the time to people is O*Net.  It has a new look and includes "Green Occupations".  (Thank you to @KarenUnderhill at MinnesotaWorks for the update info).

Most importantly, it is going to take conversations with people to get some of the clarifying information you will need to move forward.  Those people can be friends, mentors, career coaches...They key is to keep the process of exploration moving forward.  Don't delay.  Set a deadline.  There may not be any ONE perfect job, so don't hold out.  Explore and move forward with one of interest and see where that information takes you.  You may find something else along the way. 

If you know someone who is exploring, help them by introducing them to people who may be able to help provide information (not a job, INFORMATION).

If you are looking for ideas of emerging occupations/predictions for hot occupations, you'll have to read this article from Fast Company.  Here are the top 3, no surprises...

1. Nursing/Medical Services
2. Computing /Engineering
3. Education

The article also explores some predicted trends in types of employment for the future.  What do you know about telecommuting?  Will there really be droves of people retiring?  These and other issues are already impacting the employment situation.   Also check out Fast Company's link to the Best Green jobs. 

Keep your eyes and ears open!

Measuring Trust

The interview is a mutual exchange of information.  This requires both parties to engage in good questions to gain better understanding of one another.  One of the big intangibles for both is Trust.  But how do you measure or evaluate it?

I attended a presentation yesterday on Trust and Transparency delivered by Robert Whipple.  He has just released his 3rd book, this one is called "Leading with Trust is Like Sailing Downwind". His presentation took a look at the elements that make up trust and what each one of us, leader or not, can do to improve our organization's perceived level of trust.

These are the important measures of trust, according to Whipple:

• Solving problems
• Focus
• Communication
• Customer retention
• Morale and motivation
• Productivity
• Need for perfection
• Development of people
• Reinforcement

Each one can be used to explore and question the organization and individual.  As you consider these measures, haven't you been asked questions during an interview that assess your involvement with them?  Is the interviewer aware of what they evaluating-the big picture, how do you contribute to the organization's level of trust?

When you tell your STAR stories, do they support trust enabling actions?  Whipple suggests these are the things leaders do to increase the level of trust.

• Advocate well
• Reinforce right behavior
• Act in the interest of others
• Follow up
• Admit mistakes
• Coach privately
• Have patience
• Explain paradoxes
• Let actions reflect values
• Don't hide problems

Whether you are a leader or not, each of us has the opportunity to carry out these actions. 

Finding the right cultural fit should be important to you.  Frequently we become disenchanted with our job when there is a lack of fit.  The big contributor to a company's culture is trust.  Working within an organization with low trust tends to produce dissatisfaction quickly.  We sometimes say, I'll know the right company when I find it.  Starting by identifying a company that exhibits high levels of trust is usually a solid start. 

As you interview, develop questions to test how well leaders are using the actions.  Asking the interviewer situational questions can provide this insight.

• How do managers support their people. Tell me about a time when a manager supported a team member.
• When someone does the right thing, how is it recognized?
• How do managers prefer to communicate with the team? When someone presents an idea or suggestion, what has the outcome been?
• How has leadership communicated their mistakes in the past? Has their been a time when a decision has had to be overturned in the organization? How did that happen?
• When a manager provides feedback how does that occur? Can you give me an example of how management provides feedback to its team?
• On a scale of 1-10, one being low, could you rate leadership's level of patience? Can you provide an example that demonstrates this?
• How has leadership communicated changes in business or problems?
• What are the real values of the organization? Can you provide an example of at time when these values were demonstrated?
• What support does a manager seek from the team? Has there been a time when leadership has asked for solutions from the teams?

It would be overwhelming to ask all these questions at once. Certain questions have a time and place and audience.  Chose the correct venue and time to probe in these areas.

You Can't Go Back

Over the last few days I've found myself thinking quite a lot about going back in time.  Back to a time when children would listen to adults, I mean really listen.  Back to a time when life seemed simple, back to a time when it was safe to let children play alone outside.  Back before I started blogging.  Back to a time without laptops, Gameboys, and Wii.  Back to values, integrity and honesty. 

I don't really want to go back, but I have to wonder.  What I mean is, what did I do before all this technology?  What did I do before life became less safe and more complicated?   

I think about the Greek philosophers.  How were they able to write about things that are so timeless? Many of their thoughts apply today, as if they could see into the future.  

Today, we have access to more information than any other time in history.  And what has this provided us with?  Are we more advanced than the Greeks? 

It seems the faster our lives move, the further away from the basics we get.  We invented all these unhealthy foods for convenience sake.  Now these over-processed foods have been tied to numerous health problems.  We are destroying the environment with our technology, yet it is seen as necessary.  When we look back, were these the right choices to make?

Perhaps this is the year of going back.  Unplugging.  Focusing on interpersonal relationships.  Creating accountability.  Holding up the law and values and ethics.  Each one of us makes decisions every day on how we chose to live our lives.  If every one of us chose to live a healthier, safer, more quality focused life, where would we be?  

"I want a job that's secure..."

In this rapidly changing world, it is no surprise that job seekers are looking for security and stability.  Honestly, who really wants to be in job search again any time soon?  But I don't think that should be the number one priority in finding a new job or career. Or better yet, let's redefine what "job security" is.

In my mind, job security means that we can take our skills and transfer them to another company when we need to.  (When, not if). We can't control the decisions of a company, we can control the decisions we make. Those decisions include a commitment to develop our skills to be transferable and the knowledge to know where they transfer to. 

There are job seekers that are pursuing career changes into the medical field, solely because, those are "in demand". Well, that and the fact that some of the colleges are promoting certificate programs that make it tempting.  Most of these people were not cut out to be direct care providers (Phlebotomists, nurses, CNA's, Medical office workers).  Or, they didn't do enough research to figure out what those jobs really entailed (odd shifts for entry level positions, working with sick people, understaffed/overworked environments, dealing with the public).

When choosing a new work environment, career, job, whatever, you need to start by assessing what it is you like doing best.  "I like teaching people", "I like organizing work processes", "I like solving complex problems" could all translate into a variety of jobs and industries. 

Instead of focusing on where the jobs are most abundant, focus on where your passion is most abundant.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Ghosts.  Are they real?  Have you ever seen or heard one?  How strongly do you hold your belief?  What would change your mind?

Children don't need to see ghosts for themselves to believe in them.  They may or may not be afraid of ghosts based on the stories they have heard about them.   

Children will believe almost anything.  In their minds, anything is possible- including ghosts.  Perhaps their minds are untainted by the practical grown-up world.  Perhaps their minds are uncluttered. Whatever the reason, we have a lot to re-learn from them.

Children believe that they can do almost anything and be anything. Why have you stopped believing that? What changed in your world to strip away the un-limiting belief?

If you have seen a ghost, you are a believer.  If you have seen the perfect job, company, you are a believer also. Just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. 

We have to continue to believe.  We have to be open to the idea that we don't know everything.  We have to be willing to learn and accept that sometimes there are mysteries bigger than we can understand.  And we have to re-learn how to believe!

Are You In Survival Mode Yet?

It is hard to know if we are headed out of the recession or not.  Some indicators point to yes, others, not so much.  What I do know is that the end of Unemployment Insurance benefits will be ending for thousands of people in the upcoming months.  This means you should be thinking about Survival Mode.

Securing a "Survival Job" takes months sometimes.  Start planning today, for what you will do "if" you don't have a job by the end of your unemployment benefits.

What are some good survival jobs? 

Anything in the service sector. Create a list of jobs you could do if you had to.

Some ideas might include: Facility maintenance, retail, telemarketing/customer service, bar tending/serving, landscaping/snow removal.  There isn't a shortage of these jobs.  Typically there is a higher rate of turnover, so jobs become available more often. 

Is this hard to swallow?  You haven't worked a retail job since high school.  It is beneath you.  It is embarrassing.  You will never regain your social stature again. 

My hunch is, in December/January, we will see a lot more ex-professionals entering into these jobs.  So, you won't be alone.

I hear some of you saying that $8/hour isn't going to cover your mortgage and bills.  You are correct!  Guess what that means?  You may have to work more than one job. And still that isn't enough?  How else can you make money?  Have you sold off all the gadgets and stuff you don't need?  Cleaning house is a short term solution, but might net some cash. 

I have friends who are holding on to their boats, paying for childcare, and drinking Starbucks while collecting unemployment...they'll probably need to re-evaluate this, and soon.

Have you really hunkered down and made deep cuts in your personal budget? Really, I mean slashed everything un-necessary.  I am pretty frugal, forced rather than opted.  One of the questions I ask myself a lot is "Do I want this or do I need this?"  If you aren't familiar with Suze Orman, I recommend you read her information and watch her on television.  She's smart and no-nonsense!

We have great lessons to learn from this experience.  We'll need to remove the silver spoon from our mouths.  We'll need to accept the fact that our jobs do not necessarily define us.  We need to do what we need to do to survive.  These skills are foreign to most mid-level professionals.  They have built a career and never thought they would be in this situation.  It isn't fair.  But it is real.

At least make a plan, if you don't need it, it was worth the piece of mind.

Plan A, Get a Job...

If you have been in search mode for awhile, you are probably sick and tired of it by now.  Money is tight and the end of unemployment is looming.  You just need a job!

Step one is to "just get a job", however, that isn't as easy as it sounds.  You may be presenting yourself as overqualified or desperate in the eyes of many employers.  If you are applying for jobs you are overqualified for, make sure you adjust your resume.  Sure, some may call this "dummying it down", the reality is, you are tailoring it for the position.  Adjusting might include:

• Eliminating or decreasing the "leadership" functions in your last position. 
• Demonstrate use of the specific skills the immediate job requires, don't imply or force the employer to read between the lines.
• If you honestly haven't used the required skills in awhile, consider using a combo-functional/hybrid resume.

Remember, networking is the best way to hear about all jobs as well as overcome any obstacles that might be glaring on the resume.

Even before you start the search, you will want to make sure there is at least a little interest in the jobs.  You will find more satisfaction and be less frustrated if you can use skills that you are good at and enjoy using.  This is why self assessment is so important.  To many, it seems like a waste of time, especially if the need for income is dire.  Relax, and dive into self exploration.  It is well worth the time and we all need a little reinvention right now.

When I was 10, I wanted to be an Archaeologist.  Really.  There was a barn behind our house and one day, I started digging back there.  Why?  Why does a 10 year old do anything... Each day I dug, I would find something new.  I found old bottles, high button shoes, rusty tin cans, an old light bulb (which hangs on our Christmas tree), a thimble case, and all kinds of treasures and junk.  I began to learn about old bottles and how to tell their age by the how far up the bottle the seam ran.  I had books on the subject which I read and I displayed my bottles at the town's historical society.  It was a passion.  I wanted to learn more and more about the items I was finding.  10 year old's don't often do research, but I wanted to. 

Finding a passion that will keep engaged and interested is not as hard as it sounds.  The more difficult part is finding a way to make a living using your passion. 

What could I do today if this was still my passion?  I could work in an Antiques Store.  I could work at an Historical Society.  Those 2 options alone will probably produce at least 40 target companies I could now begin to pursue.  I would first start talking to friends and neighbors to cultivate contacts.  Next, I would get in my car and visit all the target companies.  Building relationships at each stop.  Scoping out their businesses and making early decisions.  I would write employment proposals to all my target companies explaining why they needed me on their team.  I would relentlessly followup by phone with each owner and ask for a face to face meeting to discuss my proposal (bracing for some higher level of rejection). Someone out of those 40 organizations certainly needed someone with my passion and determination on their team. 

Oh, but I am not done yet.I will research local and national associations related to history and antiques.  I am going to attend meetings related to history.  Oh, I am still not done.  I'm going to go on LinkedIn and scour the search function for key words related to antiques and history.  I am going to look up people on Facebook. I'll post interesting ,research-based notes on my FB page.  I am also going to write some articles and submit them to magazines and on-line forums related to the topic.  Still working the social media route, I am going to Twitter to see who's tweeting about antiques and history in the area (Twellow is probably where I would start).

Out of all of this, something might happen.  There are no guarantees in life.  Having fun and feeling good about what you are doing is more than half the battle.

Casting A Wide Net

You probably have heard the advice to "cast a wide net" in searching for your next job.  So, what exactly does that mean?  More importantly, how do you do it?

It all starts with a good self assessment.  Take away your job title, your past employer and all your baggage and ask yourself questions like:

• What do I really enjoy doing?
• When I've felt great about the work I've done, what was I doing?
• If money were no object, what would I do?
• Of all the things I've done in my life, what am I most pleased with?  Why?

Plus developing a host of accomplishment (STAR) stories is a great foundation to get started with your wide net approach to search.

With this self assessment done, you can now focus your search beyond what it was that you used to do.  You can focus on where your talents will be a match.  Casting a wide net is not like shooting in a barrel, it is about focusing your search in new areas.

Option 1:  TERRITORY EXPANSION

One of the simplest ways to expand your search is to look outside your immediate geographic territory.  Use a database like D&B to identify companies that are similar to your last company yet located in a different city and/or state. Using NAICS codes will allow you to productively navigate D&B.  The other option, if you don't want to research this on your own, is to consult your local library.  Many have access to tools and resources that can find this information.  Plus, librarians are trained research professionals.   You could also use LinkedIn's search function to search by industry for company names.

Does it really matter if the job is in Kansas?  You don't have the job in Kansas yet, so that doesn't matter.  The logic is: what you will learn in the process of interviewing for the job in Kansas that will allow you to make the right decision.

Option 2:  OCCUPATION EXPANSION

Figure out how your occupation has changed and what other companies are calling some of the functions you performed.  Networking, by asking good open-ended questions, can really shed some light on this.  Some occupations are becoming obsolete.  Other occupations have grown to include many different job responsibilities.  Most occupations demand up to date technology skills.  You can also use O*Net to find similar occupational titles. 

You will have to re-craft and focus your resume for these jobs to ensure you have positioned yourself as a fit.  Don't make the reader guess, read between the lines or have to have read your entire cover letter to figure this out.

Option 3:  INDUSTRY EXPANSION

The things you enjoyed doing and/or the skills you excelled at are in demand in other industries.  Which industries you ask?  That's the tough question.  Again, there isn't a really easy answer to uncovering this.  There are a couple of ways to conduct your research and you'll probably want to use both.  First, good old networking.  Ask questions like:  "These are the things I really enjoy doing, what do they call that in your company?"  or "One of the things I really excel at is helping solve financial problems, what types of people solve those problems within your company?" Second, enter some of these skills into the keyword search section of Indeed or Simplyhired.  Be patient as you skim through the thousands of jobs that are posted.  Look for company names and look for re-occurring patterns mentioning industries or types of companies.  Do some digging to find out more about those companies.  Then you can begin to identify local and regional companies like them.  Use your network and ask for an informational meeting to learn more about the requirements of that occupation in that industry.

You will learn what to keep and what to eliminate only after you begin talking with people who are in those industries.  Don't pre-screen out ideas until you have investigated them. Also remember, it isn't always about the money.  Benefits, quality of life, and rewarding nature of work are all things you will want to consider.

I am frequently asked when this process of expansion should be started by a job seeker.  The answer is...as soon as you begin you search.  It can become overwhelming to juggle all these balls and different options.  Chances are, you will feel more in control and more positive about your search by having these option than not having enough options.

Are there other ways to cast a wide net?  Let me know what you've done to expand your search options.

Bad Days, We All Have Them

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right?  I had one of those days last week and it stinks.  The key to overcoming or just dealing with those bad days is?

The morning began as it always does, I made a pot of coffee and logged on to my computer.  Except this morning, I spilled coffee grinds all over the counter.  Really, 1/2 cup all over the place.  After that mess was cleaned up, I headed over to the computer and jammed my toe on the edge of the refrigerator.  Limping and trying hard not to scream and wake everyone in the house, I sat at the computer.  Blank.  No, not the computer, my mind.  There was nothing to write about.  This never happens.  Then off to the bathroom.  Who left an empty roll of toilet paper on the roll?  As I was replacing the roll the darnedest thing happened, the new roll fell into the toilet. Come on! Obviously I had to fetch it and as I was carrying out that mission, I thought about crawling back into bed and asking for a do-over. Instead, I trudged along, carrying the weight of the bad morning until finally something made me laugh and forget the past.

None of these events on their own would tip the scales of anger, however cumulatively, they sunk my ship. 

Things happen, and not always the way we want them to. Is there a secret to not letting them get to us?  Yes and no.

People with a positive outlook are far more likely to laugh at themselves or put strokes of bad luck behind them.  They have learned how to practice coping strategies.  They have developed resiliency.  They keep things in perspective and understand the bigger picture. 

Basically, there are two ways to handle these situations, either let them bother you or not them them bother you.  This is a choice you get to make.

The Little "Job Seeker" That Could

One of the most commonly asked questions from job seekers today is "How do I stay motivated?" And it is no wonder, the majority of mid level career job seekers have been at it for months. They've faced rejection and indifference.  Some are blaming the bad economy and age discrimination as the causes of their prolonged job search.

At some point, they need to look inside.  What are they responsible for, what can they do to keep themselves on track. 

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.
-- Helen Keller

"I think I can, I think I can" is the motto of the little engine.  He has a goal and a strong motivation and mission to get those toys to the children who so desperately need them.  Quitting is not an option.  He can't just leave the toys on the side of a mountain.

As a job seeker, starting with your mission, goal, most desperate desire, is one of the keys to staying motivated. However, let's face it, you lack survivability skills. You have never had to go through this before.  You are ill-equipped to compete in this game.  You probably don't remember what it was like to live pay check to pay check.  Before you start with your mission and goal, what is your most desperate desire?   

To keep food on the table, to keep a roof over your head, you need some money coming in. That should be motivation enough, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Yet, that might require that you take some pretty undesirable actions.  You might have to take a job below you, really below you. And perhaps you'll need to work more than one. There is no shortage of service sector jobs right now.  And if you were to get creative or entrepreneurial, is there a service you could provide that would generate income... you earned? 

I hear unemployment recipients tell me that they can't afford to take a job because it pays less than unemployment.  Hmmm, work, self esteem, feeling valued, or, continue to collect unemployment?  Are we a lazy society?  Do we feel entitled to unemployment?  Maybe.  Yet when you look at the long term repercussions of collecting unemployment you see a lot of depression, lack of self confidence, anger, frustration, i.e., lack of motivation.

In honor of Labor Day, let's start laboring...really working, roll up your sleeves- get dirty and sweaty. 

Dream Big

With summer almost over, there is another opportunity to set some goals for the upcoming school year. 

I found a post, Big Dream Guidance System, about chopping your big dreams into smaller pieces and I thought it was a great way to look at the "problem". 

Curt Rosengren writes:

 "One way to shift how you think about those big dreams is to see them as a way to define the direction and scope of your efforts. Think of them as a guidance system, rather than goals that must be achieved."

According to Rosengren, the big dream provides the primary focus and scope for future opportunities to pursue.  This then leads the way to sub-dreams that become more "doable" goals or targets. Or as he initially framed it as- guidance. 

If your big dream is to produce a comedy show that will be watched and receive rave reviews by both critics and viewers, what is the focus of this dream?  (Hint, the more detailed you are in visualizing and documenting your dream, the better this exercise will be)  The focus could be that you are looking for an outlet for your humor or that your desire is to make people laugh.

The sub-dream asks you to look at what you do to make the bigger dream happen. To produce a comedy show, you have to write humor or document humor.  How can this be done?  Start a blog, use Facebook and share with your friends, etc.  This sub dream could be to become a writer for a comedian.  It could be the sub-dream is to submit a show idea to air on cable.  It could be that the dream is to perform improv. 

Actually, asking what parts of you big dream are most important to you will generate stronger sub dreams. 

I've said this before, "if money were no object, what would you do?"

Dreaming big allows you to look at the smaller components and find sub dreams!  Thanks Curt for the wonderful post and inspiration.

5 Ways to Save Money

Most of us don't have 6, 9, or 12 months of living expenses saved up if we lose our jobs.  Gosh, how much would that actually be...a year's worth of living expenses is a lot!  The reality is that most mid level career seekers will be spending 6-12 months searching for their next job right now. 

Look at this problem backwards.  If you will be out of work 12 months, how much money will you need to survive?  How much are you collecting from unemployment and how long will that last?  There's a gap right?  You need to find a way to fill in that income.  Figure this out today!

There are so many ways to cut expenses.  Come up with a plan on how you are going to make some easy money over the next few months. 

Sell, Sell Sell

What can you sell?  Are there things you no longer need or use?  Can you sell them on Craigs List?  What about taking these things to a consignment shop?  Or, there are still some weeks of good weather, have a garage sale.  No, you aren't going to get rich doing this, however, you will have some extra money.

Go Green

All the rage right now, going green can mean a lot of different things.  Buying used.  Cutting energy consumption in your house and in your car. Lessen your carbon foot print.  Let me go a little deeper here.  Buying used or new to you clothing is the easiest way to save money. Instead of paying $25-45 on a new purse (and not even a high end purse), you can pay $6.50 for a stunning Tommy Hilfiger black leather, smart looking, almost new, purse.  Courtesy of VOA.  Or you could find that great new jacket, suit or interview outfit at Salvation Army or a consignment shop.  Stop buying new.  There's plenty of good stuff out there, not being used.  Not only is this saving you money, it is saving the planet.

Drive Smart

How much would you save in one year if you got rid of your car?  Gas, car payments, insurance.  It could be the best money you saved.  This doesn't seem practical or even feasible in some cases but people do it all the time.  Our neighbor, with 4 kids, just dumped one car.  They do a lot of carpooling.  Heck, if they can do it, so can you.  

Talk to your bank

If your mortgage company and credit card companies don't know you've lost your job, they should.  Call them today and see what they can do to lessen your monthly payments for now.  Sure, you will have to make those up later, but you need some of that money right now to live on.

Ask for help

There are food cupboards, low cost health treatment facilities and all sorts of resources available for anyone in need.  Check with your church, local Chamber of Commerce and City Hall to learn what some of these resources are today, before you may actually need them.  Don't forget to let friends and family know how they can help.  You may feel like you are asking a lot of them, but chances are, they want to help.

Survivability demands that we learn some of these things today, rather than when we are traumatized by bill collectors.  Many of the job seekers out there today are Baby Boomers who have never, ever had to think of any of these things before. 

Print this post and give it to someone you know.   Many, not all, but many, Boomer seekers don't read blogs.  If you've been through this before, you know some of this, if you've never been through this, what I am saying sounds foreign. Help educate those who need the help.

Transfer Your Skills

Frustrated that there aren't more jobs out there for you?  Are you not sure you want to do the same job anymore?  Well, perhaps it is time to look at your transferable skills.  Let me add beyond transferable skills, you've performed transferable functions. Functions within you last jobs will transfer to many other jobs if you look at what skills the functions required.

There are many ways to assess your transferrables.  None are easy.  Assessment usually requires digging below the surface.  You could do pen and paper assessments or online assessments.  Dig deep.  At the core, there are things you enjoy doing more than others. Enjoying something will most likely make it a better choice.  Find the root of your motivation.

Because I am a no-nonsense kind 'o gal, my recommendation is to use the O-Net assessment.  It isn't very long and it is a good starting place.  Oh, and it is free.

Use "Skills Search" to start your exploration.  This will be a high level overview of skills.  I would recommend you only select those you truly enjoy right now.  You could go back and enter all skills you can perform next if you choose.

Here is what the skills listing looks like:

Next, you will be provided with a listing of occupations that require the use of these skills.  You will most likely see some that are similar to what you have done or been doing. 

If you click on any of these occupations you will see job responsibilities as well as other requirements of the job. Read carefully.  There are clues in here. 

You will also see at the very bottom a listing of similar occupations.  You can learn more about those occupations by clicking on the title. 

I hope this is somewhat helpful.  The more you use this tool, the more user-friendly it becomes.

I have No Idea What I'm Doing

There's a saying, "Be careful what you wish for...".  Have you ever found that what you wished for came true and it wasn't quite what you had in mind?  Perhaps it is that "dream job" you landed or maybe it is the great assignment or maybe your side business is taking off.

Sometimes we are caught off guard by the our successes.  Perhaps there's a great learning opportunity in this.  For those who are planners or analytical, this change can open up a pandora's box of unexpected situations which can result in feeling overwhelmed.  For those that regularly go with the flow, it isn't so much of a big deal.  However, they will have their own set of challenges.

One of the things I think is OK to admit, to yourself, is that you have no idea what you are doing. This is not to be an excuse or denial of accountability.  When you do this, it might give you permission to make mistakes.  It might give you permission to ask for advice.  It might give you permission to actually learn something new.  I have been confessing this a lot lately and each time I do, I've been able to better evaluate what I've learned. 

I've met so many people who have gone 6, 8, 10 months supposedly "looking for work" on their own, only to realize, they had no idea what they were doing.  Why did it take so long to come to this realization?  My hunch, money became an issue.  PAIN.  We respond/react to it. 

All this means is that there are vast opportunities to learn and grow.  None of the great leaders have been able to do it on their own. 

Ask for advice and guidance from those who do know what they are doing.  Remember, however, that we are unique and that advice is not absolute.

Want to know the truth about your next job?

You've been searching and interviewing and all for the pursuit of that golden ring (a new job)!  The harsh reality is that 60+% of you won't be in that job 18 months from now.  Why? Only a very small number of you didn't have the right skills to do the job.  For the rest of you, it was a result of your Emotional IQ. 

So, what can you do to protect your new position?  Lots!  Ronnie Ann at Work Coach Cafe listed 7 ways to insure your job by gaining more control over your Emotional IQ.  For greater insight, you'll want to read her entire post here. I've paraphrased them below:

1. You always have choices, don't play the victim.
2. Build strong relationships at work
3. Be perceived as having a positive attitude (perception equals reality)
4. Don't let your emotions drive your behavior
5. Avoid the blame game
6. It isn't always about being right, know when to give in or back down
7. Look for possibilities and opportunities

I will also add number eight (8)

8.  Always be looking for your next job (networking and exploring)

I am not going to place all the blame on you or the employer.  Interviewing is not an exact science.  Everyone is trying their best to be a good employee and a good employer.  If you treat this new job like a relationship- open dialog, honest communication and a desire to make it work, it just might.

Freelance, Independent Contractor, Consultant, Solopreneur

Hey, welcome to 2009!  An economic market made up of micro businesses.  Where did all the big companies go, you ask?  Well, what happened to the dinosaurs? 

Thanks primarily to technology (read Thomas Friedman's, "The World Is Flat") the world in which we work has changed.  No longer do you need millions to start a business (consider all those selling stuff on eBay, how much did it cost them and what are the successful people making?). What about the music recording business?  The rock stars no longer need to pay thousands a minute for a studio, they have their own recording studios in their homes.  What about the newspapers?  Why are they shrinking their staff?  What happened to some of the middle management in larger corporations and why are CEO salaries supposedly capped or decreasing?

The good news is that any of us can enter into our own businesses pretty easily today.  The bad news is that most of us don't know how, don't want to or crave stability.

Even if you are risk-averse, you will still need to put on your "CEO of You" hat and manage your reputation.  I subscribe to blogs and follow tweeple who write about marketing, SEO maximization and entrepreneurship because what these folks have to say is 100% transferable to job seekers. 

Of course, I read blogs about career stuff too.  One blogger/expert I particularly enjoy reading is Sital Ruparelia.  His recent post "10 Ways To Thrive By Thinking And Acting Like A Freelancer" starts the ball rolling for this change in mindset! 

Why Finding A Job is Like Finding a College

You may remember first hand what it was like to try and find a college.  Or perhaps more recently you've been a part of the college search process with your children. 

I remember how terrified I was at having to make such a large decision.  I was comfortable with my previous life.  I had a pool of great friends and my family surrounding me.  Yet, there was something kind of exciting about it all too.

With those emotions running in the background, I met with my high school counselor who gave me a long list of colleges to look into.  I began researching them using the top college guides for insight on what it would be like to attend and what educational programs they offered.  Never once, well, maybe once, did I ever consider, what happens when I am finished with this degree?  What will I do next, what will it mean, what will it really prepare me to be?  I was focused on the how to make the most of my next 4 years.

After researching the long list, I pared it down to a short list of schools to visit.  I interviewed with admissions representatives and toured campuses. I even spent the night once to try and envision what life would really be like at that school.  I spoke to family friends who had attended those schools to find out their experiences too.

I fell in love with one college.  I really wanted to go there.  It was PERFECT for me (at least that's what I thought).  I applied through the early decision process, hoping that that would surely show how eager I was to attend this school. My wise counselor recommended that I apply to several others and so I did.  I developed a second choice and a "safety". 

When all was said and done, I graduated happily from my second choice.  It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.  I couldn't image having gone to a school more perfectly suited for me.

Hopefully the similarities are obvious to the job seeking process. 

A wise man said last night "good decisions flow out of good exploration". Don't forget the importance of exploring!

Multi-tasking is Inefficient and Dangerous

More and more you hear about the studies stating that multitaskers are actually inefficient.  Yet, more and more job postings state "must be able to multitask", should that read, "must be inefficient"?  Here's a good article from CNN.

There is also a recent study that states that texting while driving is dangerous...duh!  This is multitasking at its finest.  There is really no way for you to simultaneously watch the road, create a message (requiring thought), and type it on an itty bitty keyboard.

Certainly there isn't an easy solution to this dilemma when imposed by others, however, when self-imposed, we do have the ability to correct and find FOCUS.

Focus can be short, clumps of time, when you work exclusively on one project, idea, campaign, target.  This prevents the need to switch back and forth between different and frequently unrelated thoughts. 

In speaking with one job seeker about her search activities she had identified 2 completely different paths, sales and direct service.  As she interviewed and tried to start up a direct service business, neither got the full attention they needed to be successful.  She couldn't give the activities the attention they required and as a result, neither turned out the way she had hoped.

Another example is a talented women who has developed a portfolio career around her talents as a writer and a marketing guru.  She struggles to give the various "assignments" the attention she feels they deserve.  Not only is this frustrating for her (a woman with high standards), it also hasn't allowed her to FOCUS on one with enough due diligence to make it as financially successful as she would like.

Again, no easy answers. 

Life is a balancing act.  It is moving incredibly fast.  Finding a FOCUS and making it work is the challenge we are all faced with.  Being all things to all people is similar to trying to teach a pig to sing.

The Mind Games of Job Search

What job will make me most happy?  I had an interview, why aren't they calling me back like they said they would?  I submitted my application, did they get it?  What if I take this contract job, will I miss out on a better opportunity?  I don't want to take a job making less than I used to make, I'll never re-gain my salary, will I? 

Whether it is the mind games others are playing with us or the mind games we play with ourselves, these can be the most challenging part of job search. There is so much uncertainty.  Not just about the future, but also about the process.  It is new to so many of us.  These are unchartered waters we've never had to navigate before.

Are the things that frustrate and worry you within your control?  If you say you are worried about finding your next job, yes, you have accountability for this one.  If you are worried that there aren't any jobs out there, now, that, is not within your control.  If you are frustrated by people who don't do what they say they'll do, welcome to the world.  It doesn't just happen in job search, does it?  Our feelings carry over into our words and actions.  Cease and desist all negative self talk and emotions, or please try.

Do you feel like you are sometimes stuck in a rut? Unable to make decisions or move forward with ideas, or follow-up on suggestions? What is really going on?  What are you really afraid of?  What is the worst that could happen? 

Our life is not a straight road.  It may not go the way we planned.  There is no "right" answer.  There is a "right for now" answer. 

Think about what is holding you back or getting in your way.  Write these things down if you can.  Share them with a trusted friend.  

In speaking with a super talented counselor last night, he mentioned Career Anchors.  According to Dr. Schein, there are 8:

• Technical/Functional Competence

• General Management Competence

• Autonomy/Independence

• Security/Stability

• Entrepreneurial Creativity

• Service/Dedication to a Cause

• Pure Challenge

• Lifestyle

It is the value we place on these that influence our career decisions and happiness.  For more reading, on the topic of these, see this site.  Dr. Schein Career Anchors is available for a fee online.  He has also authored a book on Career Anchors.  It is just another way of understanding ourselves and what motivates us so we can move towards making the next decision.

The New World of Work

While living a week without contact with the outside world, I convinced myself that the employment situation was improving.  I began to believe that people were landing jobs, companies were feeling more confident and opening their hiring gates and that the worst was over.

A girl can dream, can't she?!

Then I read Peter Weddle's newsletter. (You will have to subscribe if you want to read the current issue.  Archives of his past newsletters are available here and definitely worth subscribing to for free!)

Peter states that the recovery will be unlike that we've ever seen before:

"Because what's happening today among employers is not a traditional slimming down of the workforce to cut costs during a recession.  In other works, it's not a temporary reduction in force.  It is, instead, a permanent reduction in structure.  Employers are fundamentally changing the model they use for organizing their places of work.  As a result, they are eliminating positions, and those jobs are gone forever"

I believe what Peter is saying is true.  The cushy corporate jobs won't exist any longer.  We'll need to change what we are expecting work to be.  We'll need to change how we look at our careers.  We're in charge. 

I know, it isn't fair. It goes against what we were taught to believe and expect.  We'll need to adjust our expectations and it will be hard work.

If we accept this today, and begin planning for this new future, we'll be better off in the long run.  You can continue to look for jobs in the "Big" companies and organizations, but you may find they aren't what they used to be.

Change your beliefs from it isn't true or it isn't fair or it isn't right to I AM IN CONTROL, I CAN DO THIS DIFFERENTLY.

And, by the way, if you are interested in my 6 word Memoir (from yesterday's post...)

Sharing Information. Holding Accountable. Better World.

Money Management, Who's Wagging Who?

As CEO of You, Inc., you are now responsible for all aspects of managing your company.  This includes something you've been doing all along anyway, managing your finances.  Perhaps your attitude towards money has been adversarial.  The voice in your head that says, "I need a job that will cover my expenses".  Well, maybe it is time to change this. 

Jason Alba's blog led me to an article on CIO about money management. Guess what book I'll have to read now?  Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by personal finance expert Robert Kiyosaki.  

Great article and we all need a new perspective.  Happy reading. 

Insights into Where this Economy Will Bring Us

Remember the "transporters" in Star Trek?  You would step onto the platform and Scottie would transport you where you wanted to go.  Pretty cool, right.  It seems like everyone is trying to figure out what the next boon will be for our economy and world of work so that you can properly transport yourself to "boldly go where no man has gone before". 

The Career Goddess wrote a summary of the Times article The Way We'll Work on the 10 ways the work world will be different.  She leads into her post by saying:

"Well, hang on to your laptops because the changes that are coming are going to require forethought in career planning and in job search management. Better to get some advance notice, is my motto."

1. High Tech, High Touch, High Growth

2. Training Managers to Behave

3. The Search for the Next Perk

4. We're Getting Off the Ladder

5. Why Boomers Can't Quit

6. Women Will Rule Business

7. It Will Pay to Save the Planet

8. When Gen X Runs the Show

9. Yes, We'll Still Make Stuff

10. The Last Days of Cubicle Life

 

So if that isn't enough reading, try 4 Visions of the Post-Recession Workforce from Pongo. This references an article from CBS MoneyWatch. 

1. Women will make up a majority of the workforce.
2. It will continue to be a Baby Boomer's world.
3. The federal stimulus will spawn growth in "green" jobs.
4. Flexibility can help workers maintain full-time schedules, but not necessarily at one job.

See the overlap. 

I know the unemployment numbers are high, but people with a clear vision and resiliency and  lack of fear are successfully securing new jobs every day.  Beam me up, Scottie!
 

Changing Jobs, Changing Careers, Changing Industries

Change is something we tend to avoid like the plague (or perhaps more timely, Swine Flu).  Yet job seekers right now will have to investigate something different. 

The job you had before doesn't exist any longer.  There were unique sets of circumstances that led to the evolution of your last job and in many cases the employer worked around your strengths and weaknesses to allow the job to suit you.  This time, you will want to position your skills into a job defined by the employer. 

So my advice, stop looking for what you used to do and focus on what you want to do.  There are millions of opportunities out there, really.  The likelihood of your finding the right one for you or even just a job, requires that you fit your skills into their round hole.  If you focus on the skills you most like using, you will be far more successful in finding someone who can use them.  Think outside your previous job title, career and industry.

Thinking outside the box can be difficult.  You will most likely need some help.  Enlist the advice of those you trust. There was a great posting on Life at work about change.  In it was a listing of examples of changes her clients had made.  Here is the list:

From mechanical engineeer to attorney to manager at a start-up specialty beverage company

From college athletic coach to self-employed personal trainer

From journalist to law school student

From full-time instructional designer to contract instructional designer

From laid off administrative employee to self employed retailer

From technical writer to TV production

From hi-tech manager to at-home parent

From corporate training manager to self-employed consultant and professional speaker

From working for corporations to working in two-person partnerships in law, management consultancy and architecture

From full-time high school teacher to part-time curriculum designer

From biotech marketing to self-employed chef-for-hire

From community college dean to e-learning consultant and retiree

How did they make these transitions?  Each story is most likely different, however, they all started the same way, Once upon a time... no, no, no. They assessed their core strengths.  They focused on what they really enjoyed doing and from that discovery became energized and passionate about making the change.

What was your transition and how did you get there?

What is Your Threshold for Change?

We have a fixed capacity for change.  Change, whether good or bad (wanted our unwanted) adds up like water in a glass.  Each person can only handle a certain level, because the glass can only hold so much.  Once it reaches the top, it overflows and kablooie, and we flip/tilt/explode/blow.

This why resiliency is important.  The more resilient, the higher the threshold for change or the taller the glass of water. 

I attended a presentation, Change for Change Agents, in which Karen Barrow discussed the complexities of implementing change within an organization.  Karen has significant experience in OD (organization development) and corporate change consulting.

What I walked away from her presentation with was that more than ever before we are our own business.  The term Me Inc has been around awhile.  Everytime a reference was made to the company or organization, I replaced it with Me Inc.  It all worked.

Me Inc needs to find a way to make change acceptable. This means Me Inc needs a plan.  Here are the things that need to be considered by Me Inc's plan.

Perceptions of the change

Because we avoid abiguity, we need to provide ways of implementing direct and indirect control of the uncertainty.

Motivation toward change

Resistance is a multi-step process.  Each step leads closer to acceptance of change and when that happens, there is motivation.

Commitment to change

This too, is a process.  Preparation, acceptance and committment.

If you want to understand more about organization change, Managing at the Speed of Change, by Darryl Connor is an good source of information and an easy read.

If you want to read more about Me, Inc concepts, you'll want to read Tom Peters early article on the Brand called You.

We Are All Changing Careers

Whether we like it or not, everyone will be changing careers.  The world of work is changing so rapidly and the needs of businesses are quite different from what they used to be. The job you used to do doesn't exist any longer (well, it might, but a different company will define it differently).

It doesn't matter if you are unemployed, employed, under-employed, just graduated, just retired...every one faces the same challenge-defining what you want to do next. 

This takes a lot of research, informational meetings and sometimes time.  In order to make the best use of your time, sit down and assess what you liked doing best in you life. 

• When you were happiest, what were you doing.  And why were you happy? 

• When you were successful, what were you doing.  And how would you define successful?

This is only the tip of the iceberg of self assessment.  Learn about what company culture feels best for you, what type of leadership you like...the list goes on and on.  If you haven't yet sat down with a copy of "What Color Is Your Parachute" you may want to.  There are tons of exercises to get you to the point of clarity or closer to it.

Now begin to research occupations that use those skills and abilities you most enjoyed using.  If that doesn't work, then try searching for companies that would be a fit with what you are looking for culturally.  You could also research the top 100 companies and the top 100 in your city/area. 

You can even use LinkedIn to do research!

Now begin talking.  Ask people you know to provide advice, suggestions, feedback, names that will take you one step closer to truly knowing some of the answers.

When truly changing industries or occupations, you will want to be able to describe all the similar skills you have.  You'll need to bridge the gap so that the employer will see the relationship between what they are looking for and what you can do.  How well you bridge this gap will determine your success.  That is why talking to people is so important.  It will help you understand how to present your skills convincingly.  Employers do not like to hear "...but I am willing to learn".  It frightens them.

Enter into the search fairly certain how your skills are a match for the type of work you are looking in.  This will help with your confidence level too.

Here are some other posts on Changing Careers you might find helpful:

Life at Work

Glass Hammer

Keppie Careers

Giving it Away for Free

Do you feel like you are selling out?  Caving in? Giving it away?  Perhaps you'll need to in order to land your next job.  While unemployment insurance in NY state is 72 weeks, that can provide a false safety net.  It isn't getting people back to work and in many cases it is encouraging people to not make some tough decisions- take less money for your next job.  No one says that that the next job you take has to last forever.

When you get a job doing something that immediately provides you with a feeling of being productive and valued in some way.  This can lead to increased confidence, which is a good thing.

One option is to volunteer doing what you love or are at least interested in. 

Going back to school develops skills and relationships. It might also be a way to get an internship or work with employers on a case study.  RIT's EMBA program has  Capstone Projects in which students provide analysis and solutions for employers who have submitted their projects/cases.   

Changing industries, from for profit to not for profit, can provide fulfillment and satisfaction with work.

Working in temporary or contract jobs is also a short term solution and can be a great way to get a foot in the door with a target company.

Once employers begin to think differently about you and the service you can provide, it could, possibly, lead to something more.

To get a better idea of salary ranges for alternative jobs, use multiple resources:

salary.com
payscale.com
NYS Dept of Labor  (for Rochester/Monroe county, select Finger Lakes Region)
and most importantly, speak with people doing this kind of work.

Lessons from the Baseball Field

In two short hours, I learned a lot yesterday about life.  It all happened while at the baseball field. I had our afternoon all planned out.  One game at 1 pm.  I double-checked the schedule that morning just to be sure. My youngest didn't have a t-ball game, I was sure. We would all go to the field and watch the game.  Water bottles, check.  Mitts, check.  Hats and uniforms, check.  Cleats, check. In the car on time, check.

Shortly after the game started I ran into a mom and her son. She said to me "We've got a game a 1:30 right?".  For some reason I thought she was talking about the 1:00 game and replied "Yep". And thought nothing more of it. 

Lesson 1:  Having a plan doesn't mean it'll work out

Stay calm.  Even the best laid out plans are interrupt-able.  We didn't have the uniform, cleats, or mitt for my son's 1:30 game and it wasn't until 1:25 that we realized that there was a game.  Thank goodness for the staying calm under pressure attitude of my husband, who came to the rescue.

Lesson 2:  Don't miss the signs

If I had been paying attention to what was being said by that mom at the time she spoke with me, I would have been able to take faster action. Also, in hindsight, I had seen my son's coach when we arrived at the field, but my mind was focused on my plan, not the situation. Be open to changing your direction.

Lesson 3:  If you don't know the rules, you can't break them

Watching kids play baseball is wonderful.  My older son played catcher and didn't catch a single pitch.  In fact, I don't think he even knew he was supposed to.  The ball would miss his mitt and he would just wait for the next ball to come.  He didn't try to pick up the balls that were rolling around the batter's feet.  The coach did.  I am pretty sure, in his mind, he was doing what he should do- squat behind the plate.  It didn't bother him one bit that he wasn't doing the other things.  He didn't know and I guess no-one had told him.

Lesson 4:  Do what you love and the money will follow

From the bleachers, the mom of an assistant coach (teenager) was talking about his summer jobs.  This assistant coach loved being outside.  He didn't want to work a cash register indoors.  Besides the lawn mowing and gardening odd jobs he did in his neighborhood, he had talked to a landscaper.  His mom said that he wanted to get in with a landscaping firm now, so that after he had completed his schooling, he would already have a foot in the door with them.

Lesson 5: Have fun

With all the chaos and mishaps, both my boys had a great day.  They fielded some good balls, whacked a couple of balls into the outfield and nurtured some friendships.  We cheered each other on, laughed and... had fun.

These 5 lessons are what life is all about.  They are also transferable to your job search which it absolutely why I wrote this story. 

Envision the Future

I find myself running into brick walls a lot while trying to help job seekers.  Not necessarily my brick walls, but theirs-  "I can't", "it doesn't work", "it won't work", "that's not me", "it's not fair".

But these become my brick walls too.  My role as a sherpa is to get you to believe you can, so that you will take the actions necessary to break through these walls. 

I'm pretty no-nonsense and my family has declared me "un-fun".  To prove them all wrong and change up my image a bit, I've surrounded myself with people who are fun and full of non-sense (they may or may not know who they are).

So to all you job seekers out there, what can you do that is uncharacteristic?  More fun?

Years ago I attended a wonderful and too brief keynote by Yvonne Conte.  If you've ever seen her, you know how fun she is! 

One of the exercises she asked us to do was to describe our dream job.  Not just what we would be doing, but all the details of the work environment.  So, here are some questions you can answer:

• What is the job title
• Who are your customers
• What industry or focus does your company have
• What does a typical day involve
• How far do you have to travel to get to your job
• What does your workspace look like
• What hours do you work
• Who are your co-workers
• What is your boss like (what's their background and management philosophy and how do they recognize your successes)
• What is your favorite part of your new job
• When your workday is over, how do you feel

This is about creating a vision of what you are striving for.  Once you can picture it, it is much more likely to come to fruition, right?!

You could even get really goofy and begin cutting out pictures and articles that truly help you visualize your new role.  

Heck, you've got nothing to lose in trying this.  It might seem silly, but it might just work!

Resiliency- Three Ways to Increase Your Range of Motion

 

How flexible are you?  Do you feel like an old rubber band or Gumby? 

Resiliency, I realize, is more than flexibility.  Webster defines it as:

tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

When we don't stretch the muscles in our bodies they tend to loose their range of motion.  I am pretty sure the same can be said for our minds...if we are not stretching/exercising our thinking what happens?  Think about stretching your career muscles.  Expand your range of motion.  Really, what does this mean? 

First, don't wait for a layoff to begin training for a marathon.  My neighbor is training for a triathlon in the Fall (it isn't even June yet).  She will begin swimming in the cold waters of Canandaigua lake within the next couple of weeks.  Could this be like the employed worker testing the waters of the job market?  Set a goal and figure out how you need to reach it.  Start early.

Second, Get in the pond and build relationships with the other fish.  If you are serious about your career, you'll want to be the big fish in a little pond.  In order to do that, you'll want to know who the other fish are.  Play nicely and differentiate yourself.

Third, Do something that scares you every day.  Or at least step out of your comfort zone every day.  It can be as simple as driving another route work, reading a different type of book, listening to a new radio station, trying new eye glasses.

When you are in crisis, your resiliency is lower.  It is helpful to have some existing level of resiliency prior to heading into crisis.  However, it is never too late to begin training for your next marathon.  Whatever you do, do not become comfortable. 

"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time"  Andre Gide

Additional thanks to Jason Alba for his inspiring post My Calf, My Career, Your Career.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

 Think about the top Fortune 500 companies for a second.  Well, maybe not all of them, but the automakers, IBM, Xerox, Kodak, those guys.  They were running profitable businesses for long time.  They were utilizing lean principles, six sigma, and other quality initiatives.  They probably also were committed to implementing and sharing "best practices". 

In this rapidly changing world, what these mammoths were unable to to was implement really new ideas.  To do this would require innovation and risk taking beyond what they were capable of.  Katie Konrath wrote a post on Personal Branding Blog citing CK Pralahad's opinion on the topic of innovation.

"Unfortunately, when a company gives all their focus to “best practices”, they actually set themselves up for failure in the future. Why?  Because the very thing that makes them improve (intense internal focus) is what hurts them in the long run".

Pralahad calls the innovation "next practices". We have to be able to see the forest through the trees.  Looking ahead and outside instead of intense internal focus. Not just as a business but as individuals also. 

Continuous improvement and best practices are important. However, mixing in some innovation is also necessary. 

Manage your career as if you were an innovative business.  Strive to create excellent customer service, push the boundaries of what that means.  Be passionate about the work you do.  Manage spending and budgets like it was your own money.  CareerSuccess! has a helpful post on thinking like a business which is truly worth the read.  It talks about the nine elements of successful business:

Demonstrate passion
Provide outstanding customer service
Take caring of your people
Exceed expectations
Go the extra mile
Create systems
Look for opportunities to improve
Be frugal
Look to the future

We are all now responsible for managing our careers.  Develop the tools required to take your business to the next level!

Casting a Wide Net

You've heard people say you should cast a wide net to improve your job search.  So what does that mean exactly and how do you do it?

Increasing the possibilities of finding a fit and getting an offer is what drives this thought.  How would you answer this question: 

I am doing a thorough and diversified search which includes:

A) Searching for multiple job titles, some very different from what I did
B) Looking for jobs outside of the region
C) Pursuing opportunities in a different industry
D) All of the above

The correct answer is...D) All of the above.

SEARCHING FOR DIFFERENT JOB TITLES

This may require a little research first.  If you haven't taken the skills assessment on O*Net, it is free and good.  It will help you find and research occupations that might be of interest. 

Ask people you know what they think you would be good at and what they do.

Go to indeed.com and enter in your favorite or greatest skill in the keyword search. (Take out the city, state search criteria) Spend some time readingwhat job titles come up and look for reoccurring patterns or repeating titles.

SEARCHING OUTSIDE THE REGION

Whatever your commutable preference is, enlarge it. 

Ask recruiters if they have contacts in other cities they can connect you with.

Identify cities you think would have the greatest offerings or would be enjoyable to work in.  Read survey results at Glassdoor.com Best Places to Work 2009; and Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
And take this fun survey at Find Your Spot and become exhilarated at the prospect of working and perhaps relocating to another great city.

Find connections on LinkedIn in these cities too. 

Use your college alumni center to find other alumni in this area.

PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES

The trick is to find industries that hire similar occupations or functions AND to clearly link what you've done that is similar, whenever possible using their language/terminology.

O*Net can be of help here too. 

What industries are ramping up their hiring or at least maintaining their growth?  This can be regional, however, nationally, hiring in Health care, IT/Technology and Professional Services has been identified as having potential.

Once new industries have been identified, you will have to do some fact finding to learn about this new-to-you industry.  Find industry publications, attend professional association meetings, find people to talk to who work in this industry. 

Now you will need to re-vamp your resume to show the transferable skills and competencies.  Omit jargon used in your old industry. 

You may even want/need to sign up for some professional development in the areas you are weak or missing.  Think about who might be in these classes you could connect with too!

The wider the net, the clearer the connection of skills, the greater the passion/interest, the greater your chances will be!

Greed does not equal success

Greed, otherwise known as one of the seven deadly sins, impedes upon our ability to be fulfilled.

In other words, those people you know who have spent their lives accumulating wealth are happier, why?  Their lives are better, why?  Life isn't about money, winning, having it all. I believe it is about balance, love, and doing the right thing.

As a Gen X'er, I have frequently found myself looking at the older generation (The Boomers), and saying, what are they doing and how short sighted.  They shipped the jobs oversees to make extra money.  They are draining social security without thinking about the next generation.  They've taken CEO salary levels to insane levels.  They ignored Mother Earth.  Everything they have done seems to have been focused on putting more money in their pockets.

Other Gen X'ers I know have thrown in the towel.  They are looking for balance in their lives.  They want to make sure that the work they are doing is more than putting money in their pockets, it is also fulfilling.  Whether this mentality is grown out of necessity or different values or something else is an interesting study.

The United States has outsourced most major manufacturing, which has left us to be a nation of service providing businesses.  The predicted growth can happen in industries that provide a direct service, one that cannot easily be shipped off-shore to cheaper nations. 

Services provided both to business and services supplied to people might be seen as somewhat recession-proof.  

So rather than chase after the almighty dollar, perhaps more of us will be seeing an opportunity that will allow for a balanced life, the ability to pursue doing the right thing and opportunity to love and care for one another.