Hannah Morgan

Knowing it All

The next time you are telling someone something, stop, and think about how much you don't know about what you are talking about.  It is so easy, especially when we get older and supposedly wiser, to "believe" we have the answers.

Personally and professionally, we feel we know the answers.  With confidence, we take a stand on an issue or topic.  It is at that moment, we need to stop and consider how much we don't know. Open up our minds to the possibility that there is probably so much we don't know on the issue or topic.  That can be difficult, because we want to believe we know.  But we don't. 

If we open our minds to the notion that we are not the expert, that there are people out there that know more, perhaps even the person we are talking with/to, it allows us to want to learn more.  If we want to learn more, we become more pro-active in seeking information from those we interact with.  

If you have children, you feel you are supposed to know it all.  When they come to you for advice or help, you might feel it is your job to share your expertise/wisdom.  That's fine, just remember, you don't know it all, do you?  How would that exchange with you child be different if you were asking yourself, "do I really know what I am talking about?".  I hope the answer is a mix of yes and no. 

If you are in an interview or networking, you want to appear knowledgeable and confident.  You don't, however, know it all.  That results in arrogance.  Keep an open mind, remember, you don't know it all.

Adopt the "life long learner" mentality.  It keeps you alert and humble and much more enjoyable to be around.

Simple Instructions for How to do What You Love

Discovering or identifying what you love to do is sometimes difficult.  It is right in front of our noses and we can't see it.

I met a woman last night who said to me "I know it sound frivolous, but I just want a job that I love doing". 

There's nothing frivolous about this.  We can have a job we love or at least like a lot, if we are doing things and using talents we enjoy. 

Here are the instructions (for those who read instructions):

1. Think about the times in your life you felt happy or content.  What were you doing?  Keep thinking and write it all down.

Wait a day or so and then review the listing and look for re-occurring patterns, themes, things

Brainstorm with a creative friend, ways you could make money doing these things

Research the labor market for similar sounding jobs (use O*Net and Indeed)

Make another list of these jobs/occupations

Identify companies that hire these jobs

Network to find out more about the companies

This is about the journey mostly, not the destination.  What will you learn about yourself in the process of exploring these opportunities?

Personal Branding 101

Personal Branding is a fancy, hip term for knowing what you are good at.  Well, that's where it begins, once you know what you are good at, you publicize it. If you do any reading about job search, you see it a lot today.  To understand it better, read Dan Schwabels blog.  He is the king of personal branding.

It isn't just for the pros, or the pro wanna-bes, or Gen-Y, it is for all of us.

Here are some questions to get you started developing and promoting your own personal brand.

• What do you really enjoy doing? What successes have you had?

• How do you communicate/demonstrate this?

• Who will your audience be, or who needs to know about your strengths?

The main reason for we need a personal brand is due to the "wonderful" information on the Internet.  There are pros and cons, of course. 

It is easier and cheaper than ever to get your name on-line.  For free, you can have a blog, join Facebook, join LinkedIn, Twitter, participate in on-line communities or groups and comment on almost any news article out there.

How you present yourself on all those can also be the drawback if it isn't carefully thought out. 

Employers are using the Internet and all these "tools" to source employees or check "character".  That is precisely why using these could be a good thing. It gives you credibility as being the professional you say you are. 

Getting back to basics, how you verbally communicate your brand/strengths is still the most critical skill of all.  It isn't enough to know you are qualified for a new job, you have to prove it. Make sure that the right people inside your organization know what you have done and know what you are capable of.  You, and only you, can make this happen.  Outside of your organization, you have to be known.  Find things that truly interest you and use those to develop an awareness of your talents. 

By no means am I an expert at this.  Dan Schwabel is.  If you were a product, how would you introduce yourself to the marketplace?  This is another way to explain it... a business model written by Adam Salamon on Dan's blog

Hope

Even in the arctic tundra of Upstate New York you can smell the sweet aroma of Hope.  The well-crafted Inauguration Speech of President Obama delivers a message of Hope. He knows he can't change things overnight.  He asks for all our help in making the sacrifices and modifications that need to be made. He is trying to get each citizen thinking about how far this country has come and the attitude of Hope of each person that helped get it this far.

Those without jobs right now face difficult challenges too. Each one of us has the responsibility to be known as a "doer" and sometimes a "risk taker".  Humility is not a characteristic that will serve the unemployed well right now. 

Obama stated in his inaugural address

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom".

The Hope lies in the fact that we can change what we don't like.  Yes, we can.  We have choices and freedom to do so many things. 

Find your personal Hope by defining what it is you truly enjoy doing.  Once you have identified that, to what extent are you willing to risk making that happen?  The conventional entitlement of employment is gone.  This thought is scary, change always is.  We must view employment in a different way and in that, I smell Hope.

Recession-Proofing Your Career

How do you do that?  Is it possible?  What control do you really have? If your employer decides to let you go, what can you do about that?

All these are great questions.  Recession-proofing your career is about preventative maintenance.  You visit your doctor annually, the dentist twice a year and you take your car in for an oil change when your supposed to (my mechanic lectured me on this several months ago). These preventative analytics are taken because they are an investment in your future. The same preventative maintenance should be/must be taken with our careers. 

Step 1:  Assessment

What are your talents, skills, and abilities?
What do you want to do next?
Where could you do this?
Do you need anything to reach this goal?

Step 2:  Research
What do you know about the companies who might hire for this next opportunity?
Who are the people who hire for the job you would want?
Who do you know who works there or who has worked there?

Step 3:  Presenting Yourself
When you describe what you do, does it sound valuable?
Is your message clear, focused?
Does everyone know what you can do?
How can you get the message out to more people?
Does your resume “sell” your talents?

Step 4:  Project Management
What do you need to be doing to reach your goal?
How do you make time to follow your plan?
How can you most efficiently budget your time?

Step 5:  Communication/Self Awareness Strategies
How confident are you in speaking about your abilities?
Have you identified your value to an organization?
How do you talk about your successes to a stranger?

Step 6:  Project Evaluation
How do you know what you are doing is working?
Are your time lines and goals realistic?

The true key to recession-proofing your career is being in control and you do that by always having an eye on the future.  Always be asking yourself, "What do I want to do next and where could I do that?". 

Don't wait to be laid off to start this.  Start today.  The mindset of the unemployed is usually filled with a lack of confidence and desperation. 

You are in control of where you are going, that is, if you know where you want to go.

Happy New Year

2009 is here and it brings new opportunities. Focus on your values and be true to them.  Make a difference, be the leader you were meant to be.  Give back.  Reunite with long lost friends and family.

Do it all now because life is short and we only have one chance to live it.  Feel the urgency. 

To quote William W. Purkey:

Dance like there's nobody watching
Love like you'll never get hurt
Sing like there's nobody listening
Live like it's heaven on earth
And speak from the heart to be heard.

Passion

Far too many people are unable to identify their passion- either in life or work.  It is there, it just requires a little work to put a label on it sometimes.  Passion is that feeling you get when you talk about something that is important to you.  It is that warm sense of pride when you recall certain achievements.  It is what you do and who you are. 

Often, passion is so close to us, we can't see it, but others do.  They see these strengths clearly and we take them for granted.

Identifying and labeling your passion is key to finding fulfillment in work and life.  This will allow you to create the balance to stay energized.  When you look around at the people you know, who are happiest?  Who are the people you work with with a bounce in  their step and a smile on their face?  Most likely, these people know their passion.

I met with a laid off insurance professional years ago.  When I asked him what he wanted to do next he said he had always loved tinkering with cars.  He also confessed he had never really liked being in "white collar" jobs, but his father had insisted he hold the right type of job many years ago.  I asked Mr. White collar why he couldn't work with cars now.  He asked for my permission and I gave it to him.  He went on to drive a tracker trailer and last I heard was really happy.  So, the moral of the story is to do what you love- despite what others may say or think.

The realist in me knows that with tough economic conditions, it may be difficult to pursue passion.  Maybe, but maybe not.  First label it.  Then research it in the workforce.  Could you be doing it in other ways or roles or jobs?  If the answer is foggy, ask again later (magic 8 ball), also ask those around you who know and care about you.   Don't give up.  It may also be possible to use your passion outside of work.  Volunteer.  Take classes.  Whatever it takes to use and nurture your passion.

Finding the right fit, culturally speaking

Have you ever found yourself in a company and realized that it isn't right for you?  You may feel it is dysfunctional, management's communication style is harsh, you have different values from your co-workers, there's no opportunity for growth, or whatever?

Can you change any of the things you don't like about the company?  Not easily.  And even if you could, how long would it take for those changes to come about?  Maybe longer than you would want to be there. 

Usually we don't notice these differences during the interview process.  There may be glimpses of some, but typically we tend to ignore the signs.  Just as employers have difficulty defining what they are looking for in a candidate, so do we have difficulty identifying what we want from an employer.

Select your preference from each category. Rank in order of importance your top 3.

Decision- making		Centralized decision-making		Decentralized decision-making
Competition-cooperation		Cooperative atmosphere		Internal competition
Career path		Well-defined career path		Flexible career opportunities
Atmosphere		Casual atmosphere		Formal atmosphere
Responsibilities		Clearly defined responsibilities		Varied/fluid responsibilities
Procedures		Loosely defined procedures		Formalized procedures
Goals		Clear, well-communicated vision		Flexible, adaptable corporate goals
Focus		Focus on public good		Focus on company success
Rewards		Individual performance-based rewards		Team-based rewards

Now that you have determined your top 3, begin crafting questions to ask during an interview or while networking that will shed insight on the answers.  I really don't mean asking questions like, "Does your company have centralized or decentralized decision-making"?  Instead, the question may sound like: "When requisitions need to be signed, what is the process" and then, "How long does that typically take"?  Ask the employer the same type of "Situational questions" they are asking you in interviews..."tell me about a time when one of your employees was recognized for an accomplishment".

For those employed, can you do what it takes to change the culture or will you begin looking for the next great employment opportunity? If you decide to stay, what will the short term implications be?  Will you disengage and become less productive?  Will you argue with management, will you disagree with co-workers, will you become negative on the job?  These are dangerous behaviors that can/will lead to termination, so be careful. 

Fit and belonging is our responsibility.  We can either move on or adapt our expectations and behavior.

Have you ever had a bad fit?  Let me know.

6 Steps to Managing Your Career and Search

Every day I hear about another friend or family member who has lost their job.  These are hard times.  Finding your next job, whether immediately or in the future requires you take some steps.  

Years ago, we started this process with tweeking our resumes.  That is not the best way to do this today. Start with the really, really difficult step of self assessment and market-place assessment. 

I have to remind you that over 60% of people find their next job by networking.  That is why you need a plan.  Don't just "spray and pray" and hope someone you knows hears of something-develop a strategy and a clear message. 

A clear message can only happen after you have prepared your presentation. 

Once you are in motion- networking, applying for jobs, meeting with recruiters and contacting employers directly (despite the fact that they are not hiring), you will need some project management tools.

Then, like any good manager, you need to assess what's working and what needs fixing, it is called project update.

Step 1:  Assessment

Step 2:  Research

Step 3:  Establish a plan

Step 4:  Presentation

Step 5:  Project management

Step 6:  Project update

If it were this easy to follow the steps, you wouldn't need a sherpa to guide you through the process.  Sherpa-ing is what I do.  Always ask for help when you need it.

Survival of the Fittest

I received an email from the new President of Ohio Wesleyan University, Rock Jones.  In it, he praised the institution, its current students, alumni and professors.  He also spoke about the future challenges of the school in the following excerpt:

"I recently received a nugget of wisdom from Paul Schimmel
'62. Paul suggested that evolution is not about survival of the fittest;
it is about survival of the most adaptable".
                            Rock Jones, President Ohio Wesleyan University

Adaptable, flexible, malleable, pliant...look at the people you know and the companies that are successful.  They exude this quality, right? 

Seth Godin  wrote in his blog about the failure of the NYTimes.  He states that the paper has some of the best writers and the greatest reputation but failed to adapt to the changing needs of today's readership.  

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, so is being on the outside looking in. Take some time and assess yourself.  Look at your past successes and past failures.  What do they have in common?  Lose the qualities you don't need or want any longer.  Strenghten the ones that will take you into the future.  But first you must have some insight on what the future will bring, so read about the best and the brightest in your field, talk to them if possible. Ask how technology is impacting what you do?  What does the typical customer demographic look like and what are their needs/wants.  Take an educated guess and prepare yourself for the next generation of work.  It won't be the same as we've known it.  Adapt to survive.

Get a clue- Know what you can do

I facilitate resume workshops at least 2 times a week.  In every workshop I deliver, there is always at least one person when asked “what is your objective” states:

“I don’t know” or

“I am keeping my options open” or

“I can do almost anything” or

“A good paying job”. 

I want to scream, but instead I ask, what do you really want to do? Most of them still can’t answer this question.  They shouldn’t be in the resume writing workshop.

If you can’t specifically identify what you want to do or what you like doing, then it is time to sit down and do some serious self assessment.  Self assessment stinks.  It is painful and hard work.  Sorry.  You have to do it. Not just for the resume, but for the whole purpose of job search.  How do you find the job amongst the myriad of job posting boards if you aren’t entering in the right key words.  Please, don’t tell me you are reading every job listed for the day on Indeed.com.  That’s got to be time consuming, not to mention frustrating. Ok, let’s say you can find a job to apply to and you submit your general resume and by some miracle, you are called for an interview.  Great, now, the interviewer will ask “why are you qualified for this job?”, “what are your strengths and tell me about a time you used one” and “why should I hire you?”. Good luck answering these questions if you haven’t done some serious self assessment.

Self assessment books are all over the place. “What Color Is Your Parachute” by Richard Bolles, is probably the most comprehensive. Though it’s updated every year, the info hasn’t really changed.  If you have the discipline, sit down and read it. 

There are other assessment tools on-line.  O*Net  http://online.onetcenter.org/ or http://www.onetcenter.org/tools.html has several assessments with a pretty neat connection to over 800 occupations.  So how it works is, you take the assessment of your interests and values and skills and it matches your answers with the requirements of hundreds of occupations.  Then you link to the occupational descriptions to learn more about the duties and skills required.  It can be quite helpful.

Another, perhaps easier, self assessment is to document Accomplishment stories.  Think of a time you were proud of something specific you did.  Perhaps you solved a problem, made a customer really happy or saved the company money.  Once you’ve recalled this story, begin to document it.  Use STAR template Download Accomplishments.doc to organize the story.  STAR is an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Actions, Result.  Start with one story, but don’t stop there. Remember as many as you can.  There will be a pattern. You will see you use the same skills over and over.  These are your strengths.  This is self assessment. 

So next time someone asks you, what are you looking for, give them an answer. 

I’ll write more about why those answers are so dangerous to the search process.