Career Advancement Coaching

Do Not Make This Mistake When Dressing for the Interview - and other tips

2012-01-26T13:38:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, a client of mine told me about an error in judgment he made when going on an interview. Art had worked as a mid-level manager for a mortgage rating company and was laid off when the mortgage industry crashed. He tried for months to secure employment and finally, in desperation, he decided to apply to any job he thought he could get. He applied for a sales position with the Apple Store even though it wasn’t really the job he wanted. He was thrilled when he was called in for an interview, but unfortunately, he didn’t bother to do any research on the company beforehand. He arrived for the group interview at the appointed time wearing his best suit and tie; his usual interview attire. I’m sure you can imagine his surprise when he arrived to find everyone dressed in casual Dockers and polo shirts! Art stood out like a sore thumb and didn’t appear to fit in with the corporate culture.

First impressions can make or break you.

To avoid making that mistake in the future, I advised Art to find out what the acceptable dress is for the company you’re interviewing with by talking to an insider; an actual employee of the company. If that’s not possible, then watch employees as they enter the building in the morning as they go to work to see how they dress to determine whether the company dress code is traditional and professional or more on the casual side – of course, avoid going on “dress down” Fridays. Once you figure that out, then follow these general guidelines for dressing for the interview:

Guidelines for Men

For professional organizations:

- Conservative suit in dark gray, blue or black. Steer clear of brown; it’s not a power color

- White long sleeve shirt

- Conservative ties; no loud prints or colors

- Make sure your shoes are polished

- Dark socks

For semi-professional or casual organizations:

- A pair of dark casual slacks

- Sports shirt

- Loafer-style dress shoes with dark socks

- Optional: Dark Blazer in gray, blue, or black

Guidelines for Women

- Solid color classic suit

- Coordinated blouse in conservative prints

- Closed-toe shoes with a medium height heel

- Light hosiery

For semi-professional or casual organizations:

- A simple dress or trousers with a jacket

- For a more casual company, a jacket may not be necessary

Additional tips:

- Wear a limited amount of jewelry

- Don’t over-do your cologne

- Make sure your hair style is neat, professional-looking, and current

- Be impeccably groomed; nails clipped, etc.

- Carry your resume and other career documents in a portfolio or briefcase

To make the very best first impression, make sure you look the part by following these guidelines.

How to Update Your Wardrobe for a Successful Interview

2012-01-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

Guest Post by Sharon Kornstein

If you are interviewing or think there may be a job search in your future, modifying your wardrobe may not be at the top of your priority list. The way you present yourself visually, however, is often the method by which others judge you before a lengthy conversation. Why not make the most of those first few minutes and create a fabulous first impression?

Two important facets of a business image that aren't discussed much are appearing current, and looking age-appropriate. These aspects are not mutually exclusive, and actually complement each other.

Here are some tips for achieving a style that is both current and age-appropriate:

1. Give away any clothes in your closet that are worn out, pilling, shiny or don't fit. Include anything that is more than ten years old. These clothes might feel like vintage gems to you, but to others look dated.

2. Try mixing up fabrics and patterns. Larger patterns can mix with smaller ones; similarly small geometrics can mix with florals, paisleys and weaves. Just keep the same color palette.

3. Review your hairstyle and eyeglasses. They should be updated every two years. There is nothing wrong with a classic hairstyle that you like, just ask your stylist to make subtle changes as time goes by.

4. Similarly makeup needs to be reviewed. Our skin coloration changes as we age, and what looked flattering in the past may not work now.

5. Take a serious look at jewelry. A strong watch looks current, put the dainty ones away for another time. Make sure you have one strong focal point, such as a pendant or bangle bracelet. Your other pieces should complement the focal point. Stay away from matched sets of jewelry; this matchy/matchy look will date you.

6. Men's suits seem to be moving away from a very formal look. Try wearing a suit without a tie or a sport coat with dress slacks. Both these looks are youthful and professional. Of course on an interview always wear a suit and tie unless told otherwise.

7. Try to bring in a trendy look as an accessory. For men a plaid tie, or patterned shirt with a suit; for women a woven scarf or shiny belt would work. The key is to look polished without seeming to try too hard.

8. It's hard to overemphasize the importance of good fit in building a flattering age-appropriate wardrobe. Use your tailor and have him/her check the sleeve length in addition to pant length and waist.

One final note about color; there is no faster way to date yourself than by wearing all black. Color is all around us, and appearing youthful and energetic is as easy as adding a touch of it to an outfit. Purple, yellow, red, turquoise and pink are all bright and energetic. Choose one color or a pattern that combines several, throw it on and have fun!

Sharon Kornstein, AICI, CIP of ImageDesign is known for developing an effective visual image for professionally minded men and women by blending their physical characteristics, personal preferences and industry requirements into a unique, comfortable and cohesive style. For more info go to www.imagedesignconsulting.com.

Tips for Writing and Effective LinkedIn Profile

2011-12-15T10:00:00.001-08:00

In my last post, I explained why you MUST be on LinkedIn; however, you don’t want to write a boring, generic profile either. Just as your resume should be written to get you noticed, the same is true for your LinkedIn profile; you never know who will be viewing it. It is a well-known fact that recruiters scour LinkedIn profiles to find applicants for their open positions. It is also a place where prospective employers look you up prior to conducting an interview or to verify your information.

If you follow these tips, you’ll put together a powerful profile:

1) Be sure to include a photo, and make sure that you look professional and make a great impression. (No pictures with your dog or out by the pool!)

2) Emphasize and include your unique selling propositions (your brand) within the summary section. (Any info that sets you apart and distinguishes you from others in your profession.)

3) Unlike your resume, it is acceptable to use the first person pronoun “I” when writing your profile.

4) Customize your LinkedIn URL with a short, personal name. For ex., here’s my profile address: linkedin.com/in/donnabradshaw. (Here’s an extra tip – put your LinkedIn URL on your resume and email signature line to help you to grow your connections).

5) Make sure that the company history you have written on your resume conforms to the info on your profile, e.g., dates, company names, etc.

6) Write your content to target the job you want, not the one you have.

7) Include industry specific keywords on your profile for optimum searchability.

8) Don’t copy your resume word for word; strive to make your resume differ from your LI profile.

9) Fill out your profile completely; make every effort to have a 100% complete profile.

10) Get endorsements from people who have worked with you; your bosses/supervisors, vendors, customers, etc.; the more recent, the better.

11) Join groups relevant to your industry and job position so that you can participate in them and become a known expert.

12) Include your twitter address, websites, blogs, online resumes, reports, etc. within the summary section.

* * * * * * * *

Need help?

For a well-written, uniquely branded LinkedIn profile that gets noticed

or for a LinkedIn Skills Workshop to help you with navigating LinkedIn –

call 201-236-1158 or email – Donna@CACoaching.com.

* * * * * * * * *

Why You MUST Be On LinkedIn

2011-11-29T18:23:00.000-08:00

It has been said that if you're not on LinkedIn, you don't exist.

LinkedIn is the #1 place that professional business people hang out. If you want to stay current in your industry and with business trends, are looking for a job, or want to stay in touch with contacts and make new ones, then LinkedIn is the place to be.

Some interesting facts about LinkedIn:

- According to Wikipedia, LinkedIn operates the world's largest professional network on the Internet with more than 120 million members in more than 200 countries and territories.

- Professionals sign up to join LinkedIn at a rate that is faster than two new members per second.

Here are some benefits of joining and participating on LinkedIn:

1) It's a great research tool -

- To find companies to target within specific geographic locations for your job search or names of people within those companies who can hire you.

- To find key people within your industry to establish mutually-beneficial relationships with.

2) Connect/Follow up/Stay Current with people -

- After meeting new people at networking events or conferences, invite them to connect to you on LinkedIn.

- Keep in touch and get to know more about your new contact, read their updates, send messages to acknowledge their successes and have them learn more about you.

3) It's a great place to find answers -

- You can join or start meaningful conversations by participating in specific groups pertaining to topics you're interested in and by asking questions when you need help with a problem.

Don't wait another minute! If you're not on LinkedIn, join today.

A Great Place to Network to Advance Your Career (AND if you need a job!)

2011-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

Business owners know that one of the best ways to find new business is to form alliances with other professionals who have access to their market. For example, accountants can form alliances with tax attorneys who can refer clients to them. It’s more of a direct approach than some other marketing approaches (for ex., placing ads) and will certainly increase the chances of getting work since the business owner will be perceived as being a trusted referral partner.

The same is true of establishing networks to either find a job or advance your career. You will have more success when networking if you form relationships with people who have access to job openings; especially unadvertised job positions, a.k.a. the hidden job market.

One really great place to do that is to join an industry association.

If you’re not sure how to find them, here are 3 easy ways:

How to find industry associations:

1) Go to your local library and ask the reference librarian for access to the Encyclopedia of Associations (you should also be able to find the publication online). While you’re there, ask her if she has any other resources for finding industry associations – librarians are magical creatures when it comes to research!

2) Go to http://www.weddles.com/ – click on the Associations tab at the left which will take you to a page with industries by category. Select yours and you will find a long list of associations to link to.

3) Google the name of your profession or industry and the word association.

Once you have found a few associations that you might be interested in joining, contact them to get more info and find out if you can attend the first meeting for free. When you’re ready to become a member you can join a local or regional chapter or the national association; your decision will be guided by your budget and your need to reach a larger group of professionals in your industry.

Benefits of joining an association:

– The obvious benefit is meeting and networking with professionals in your industry. Once you form relationships –

• you may be able to find out about hidden job openings to advance your career.

• you may be able to find a member within your target company (or who knows of someone within your target company) who can give you an introduction.

– Access to the association membership database, newsletters and blogs.

– Association websites usually have job postings listed. This will give you a competitive advantage since the job may be posted on the website before the general public gets to hear about it.

– Associations are a great resource for cutting edge info to keep you current in your industry.

– You can take advantage of ongoing training and professional accreditation that will give you a competitive advantage when climbing the corporate ladder.

Suggestions for getting the most value out of joining an association:

1) Go to monthly meetings and attend regularly; get there early and leave late.

2) Don’t discuss your need for a job with new contacts (if you’re looking for one); be sure to introduce yourself, get to know the other person, talk about your work, and think about how you can be of help or a resource to them.

3) Join a committee where other members can see your work product and the value that you can bring to the association. (Keep in mind this experience can be included on your resume.)

Finally, you might also consider joining your college alumni association and/or corporate alumni association (if you belong to one).

Keep this in mind –

increasing your networks through professional associations is one of the best strategies for job search and long-term career management.

Do you have what it takes to be a success?

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I just loved going on the merry-go-round at our local amusement park. I was captivated by the loud music, bright lights, colorful wooden horses and thrill of the circular motion. While the ride itself was exciting, the thing that fascinated me the most was the
brass ring that you could grab if you were lucky enough to be able to reach out and take hold of it. I would extend my little arm and reach as far as I could, but unfortunately, I was never able to reach far enough to grab the brass ring - it seemed like an impossible feat for me.

Isn't that the way we sometimes feel about this life?

Some things just seem impossible to accomplish.

But, have you ever noticed the people who seem to have figured out how to go after and have the things they want? They have a clear direction for their lives, the confidence to attain their goals, and the focused concentration and consistency to live their dreams.

What is it that sets these fortunate individuals apart from those who never seem to attain their goals? Do you ever wish you could replicate their success?

In my opinion, the key to success boils down to developing certain characteristics and habits, cultivating a successful mindset, getting the help and support you need and then working at it on a daily basis. Successful people aren't any more talented than the average person; they are just more disciplined and focused than most.

To inspire you and help you to find your own path to success, I've put together a list of 40 Success Tips - habits that high achievers develop in the pursuit of excellence. In essence, they are highly effective habits of successful people. Cultivate these habits and you too will achieve satisfying and sustainable results in any endeavor.

Come follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/donnabradshaw for a list of tips that will inspire you and help you to reach out and grab your brass ring in life!

What do you think it takes to be a success?

I’d love to hear from you, please post your comments below.

Success Tip #1 – Create a vision for your life.
Success Tip #2 – Set goals and challenge yourself.
Success Tip #3 - Focus on solutions instead of problems.
Success Tip #4 - View your problems as challenges.
Success Tip #5 - Look for opportunities when faced with a problem.
Success Tip #6 - Get help when you don’t know how to do something.

Success Tip #7 - Instead of envying others, emulate their success

Success Tip #8 - Develop an “abundance” mindset.

Success Tip #9 - Hang around with positive, successful people.

Success Tip #10 - Eliminate toxic people who drain your energy.

Success Tip #11 - Make good health your top priority.

Success Tip #12 - Take control of your problems.

Success Tip #13 - Continually work on self-improvement.

Success Tip #14 - Take responsibility for your life.

Success Tip #15 - Realize you have choices.

Success Tip #16 - Accept what you cannot change.

Success Tip #17 - Continually reflect on what you are grateful for.

Success Tip #18 - Focus on your strengths.

Success Tip #19 - Explore your passions.

Success Tip #20 - Develop your interests.

Success Tip #21 - Tap into inspiration when you need to be recharged.

Success Tip #22 - Incorporate healthy eating habits into every day.

Success Tip #23 - Exercise daily.

Success Tip #24 - Don’t make excuses for your situation

Success Tip #25 - When you have a problem, do the research to find solutions.

Success Tip #26 - Feed your mind, body and spirit.

Success Tip #27 - Focus on what makes you happy, not rich.

Success Tip #28 - Do what you think is right, not what other people tell you to do.

Success Tip #29 - Let your values guide your decisions.

Success Tip #30 - Re-group when your life becomes stagnant.

Success Tip #31 - Be consistent.

Success Tip #32 - Be persistent.

Success Tip #33 - Don’t waste time watching a lot of TV.

Success Tip #34 - Continually educate yourself through reading.

Success Tip #35 - Listen to educational audio tapes.

Success Tip #36 - Be a well-rounded person.

Success Tip #37 - Face your fears.

Success Tip #38 - Stretch yourself.

Success Tip #39 - Practice positive self-talk.

Success Tip #40 - Believe in yourself.

Get More Interviews and Keep Your Resume Off the Reject Pile

2011-09-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

September is Update Your Résumé Month and a great time for you to revise, refine, and refresh your current résumé. The value of a well-targeted, well-written, concise résumé cannot be overestimated – particularly in today’s job market where companies receive hundreds of applications in response to job postings. The difference between a good and great résumé can result in doors being opened or closed to the interview.

In general, the majority of people write their résumé as an historical document setting out basic contact info along with their job history, but this type of cut-and-dry document will most likely get placed on the reject pile. Instead, you have to write it with the hiring manager in mind. You must ask yourself, what is the best way to get his or her attention? How can you get the hiring manager to notice you out of hundreds of other applicants?

Here are eight ways to get noticed:

1) Write to the future.

Begin with a clear strategy in mind when writing your résumé. What specific job position are you targeting? What is your career objective? Focus on the most relevant skills necessary to perform your desired job position and de-emphasize the tasks that are not relevant.

2) Write an outstanding qualifications summary to capture interest right away.

This is the most important part of the résumé and determines whether or not the hiring manager will keep reading. This is your opportunity to shine and sell yourself. It’s also you’re chance to convey your unique brand - the thing that sets you apart from other applicants.

3) Emphasize results.

Companies are most interested in these three things: employees that make money, save money or increase efficiency for the company. Be sure to demonstrate when you’ve done these things in the past and your future employer will be able to envision you doing the same for him or her in the future.

4) Backup the claims made in your summary statement.

Support the statements you made about yourself in the qualifications summary by setting out how and when you accomplished those things in your job history. For example, a sales manager would demonstrate a “keen sales ability” by noting within one job description that he sold $2 million worth of widgets in 2008.

5) Quantify your accomplishments for each position using numbers, percentages and dollars.

Be specific about your accomplishments. Let’s say you were a manager or supervisor. How many people did you direct and manage? What is the size of the firm in terms of dollars? How many divisions or departments did you oversee? Did you increase productivity? Be sure to use numbers to impress your audience.

6) Write a focused résumé based on the actual requirements for the job position that you’re applying for.

It’s important to ascertain the key competencies, qualifications, and credentials necessary for the job you’re applying to and then demonstrate that you have the expertise and experience to step into that position. For example, if you are applying for a meeting planner job, you will be required to have good customer service skills, be well-organized, be able to budget expenses, etc. The best résumé will highlight how you carried out those responsibilities in your past jobs.

7) Do not make spelling and grammatical errors.

Think about it - what does this say about you? This is practically the same as going on an interview with torn clothing, messy hair and dirty nails. Résumé mistakes make a bad impression. It makes the reader think that if you are sloppy and careless on your résumé, you’ll be sloppy and careless on the job. Diligently proofread and check for errors; don’t just rely on your spell check.

8) Be sure to include industry and position specific key words on your résumé.

Since your résumé will very likely end up in a database; either when listing it on job boards or when a company scans your résumé into their database, it is imperative to have enough keywords within the résumé so that yours comes up towards the top of the list. How do you find keywords for your position? You can find industry specific keywords by reviewing job board ads and company website postings for the position you’re interested in.

9) Edit, edit, edit.

Don’t think you have to include every single detail about your career history. Hiring managers only spend 10 – 30 seconds scanning résumés. If yours is too long and too wordy, they’ll move on to the next. Omit unnecessary information and only include info that makes the maximum impact.

10) Go for the “wow” factor – make it memorable!

Especially in today’s job market, it’s important to make a great first impression and to stand out from the crowd. Give your résumé the look and feel of a polished advertisement. Consider using eye-catching graphic elements, infusing color, and including small, relevant logos. Of course, match the résumé design to your industry; traditional fields require a more conservative design, however, you can take more liberties with creative fields. Be sure to add as much white space as possible to enhance readability.

If you follow these ten steps, your résumé will get noticed when you apply for a job and you will very likely be called in for an interview. If you’re finding it difficult to incorporate the above qualities into your résumé, let us do it for you!

If You Want to Get Ahead in Your Career, Do This…

2011-08-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

I’ll get right to the point:

Companies are interested in employees that can do one of 3 things for them:

1) Make money

2) Save money

3) Increase efficiency (which saves money!)

So, why is it that the majority of workers rarely think about this? I think it’s because most folks spend more time thinking about what it is that they want than what the employer wants. The ironic thing is that if you can shift your focus from yourself to the employer, you ultimately will get what you want.

This is true for the job seeker as well. If you can demonstrate to a prospective employer how you have done one of the above 3 things in past jobs (and can do so again), you shouldn’t have trouble finding a new position and getting the job.

So, where do you begin? How do you figure out how to make a meaningful financial contribution on the job?

If you’re currently employed, find out the answers to these questions:

· How does your company create profits?

· How does your job contribute to that process?

· How can you modify your job so that more profits are produced as a result of what you do?

Then finally, make sure that your boss knows how much more money you are making for the company.

But let’s say you believe your job responsibilities don’t have anything to do with making money for the company. For example, you have an administrative position and no real opportunity to bring in income for the company; certainly not the same as if you had a position in sales. In that case, I would suggest you focus on increasing efficiency and how your efforts can save money for the organization you work for.

Jan took this approach. She is a Property Manager working for a small real estate management firm in New York City. Her job responsibilities encompassed collecting rent from tenants, handling leases, resolving tenant complaints, and coordinating repairs to the properties as well as other duties. She recognized that her company was losing money on tenants that defaulted on rental payments. She also realized that she could increase her value by becoming more efficient on the job. She came up with solutions to streamline processes and systems at work so that she could get more administrative work done in less time. She looked for and recommended skilled laborers to handle the building maintenance (eliminating wasted expenses due to past worker errors) and she also proposed a plan to her bosses for providing a cash discount incentive to tenants for paying their rent on time. She then figured out how much money those ideas contributed to the company’s profits. When it was time to ask for a raise, she was able to demonstrate her worth to her employers in dollars and cents – an issue that is near and dear to their hearts.

So, if you want to get ahead, think of ways to help your employer get ahead first.

Are You Making These 8 Big Mistakes

2011-06-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

I just received an email on the 10 Tips to Slim Down for Summer. While I could have written the article, (and I’m sure you could too!) because I’m so familiar with the common advice given for weight loss as I’ve read it a thousand times - I just couldn’t resist reading it! Perhaps it’s because I’m hoping for an answer that I’m not aware of and even if I don’t find one, it’s always a good idea to be reminded of what needs to be done to stay trim and healthy.

The same is true for the job search. Many people have a good idea of what they need to do to find a job – put together a resume, respond to ads, register with recruiters/staffing agencies, network, network, network, etc. However, when they get started, they become discouraged when their efforts don’t reap job offers and wonder what went wrong.

While there could be a multitude of reasons, from working with countless job seekers, I’ve discovered this eye-opening fact:

It’s not just about what you SHOULD DO to find a job –

It’s also about what you SHOULDN’T DO that will guarantee success.

Here are 8 mistakes that you should avoid if you want to find a job in the shortest time possible:

Mistake #1 – You do not prepare written marketing materials that “sell” you to prospective employers.

It’s the very first chance for a prospective employer to “meet” you. A wishy-washy, slapped-together, boring-list-ofjob-responsibilities resume just won’t grab their attention.

Your resume, cover letter and other written documents should convey why you are uniquely qualified to do the job based on your education, skills, personal attributes, and prior job/volunteer experience in order to ensure that you stand apart from the hundreds of other job applicants vying for the same position.

Mistake #2 – You do not take a multi-channel approach when searching for a job.

You can’t just sit in front of your lap top applying to every job posting you can find on CareerBuilder and believe that you’re conducting an effective job search. You must enlist a variety of methods for finding a job and spend most of your time focusing on tapping into the hidden job market (a.k.a., unadvertised positions).

Mistake #3 – You are not prepared for the interview.

It is crucial to conduct research on the company, be ready to answer tough questions, and continue to “sell” the employer during the interview. If you don’t shine during the interview, you won’t be able to “close the sale” as they say in marketing.

Mistake #4 – You slow down or halt your job search efforts once you get called in for an interview.

Take a lesson from actors who go on auditions. Actors know they may not get the part through no fault of their own; they might not have been the exact “type” that the auditioners were looking for. So, don’t assume you’ve got the job until after you receive the offer. In the meantime, keep your job search efforts moving along at full steam. You should be working on 6 to 8 openings at any one time.

Mistake #5 – You don’t manage your time.

As a result you waste precious time. Ask yourself this question: “What is it that I need to do on a daily basis in order to move progressively forward in my job search?” It all begins with having a definite strategy in place and then implementing that strategy by scheduling in your daily “to do” items – and of course, as Nike says – Just do it!

Mistake #6– You are not persistent enough.

Persistence is the ingredient that separates the winners from the losers. I’m sure you’ve heard about how many times Edison failed before achieving success with his many inventions. Don’t give up!

Mistake #7 – You do not analyze and regroup your efforts when you are not being successful in finding a job.

If you find that you’re doing the same things over and over and still not getting results (remember Einstein’s definition of insanity!) then it’s time to step back and analyze your progress. Are you making any of the above-mentioned mistakes? Enlist the help of a coach or job search buddy to enable you to get an objective perspective on your situation.

Mistake #8 – You think you’re the Lone Ranger and don’t get support!

Getting back to subject of weight loss – many overweight people know that in order to lose weight they need to eat less and exercise more. Yet, while they know how to successfully reach their goal, many people never attain their ideal weight. On the other hand, they do succeed when they join a program like Weight Watchers because of the support, strategies, measurement of their progress, and the accountability that the program provides. Hire a coach or get a job search buddy – don’t go it alone.

For more tips on the common mistakes to avoid during the job search, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DonnaBradshaw

To your career success!

Donna Bradshaw, CEC, CPRW, ACRW

P.S. – BTW, I did get some good tips from the Slim Down article!

How to find Potential Employers...and a Millionaire Spouse

2011-04-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Years ago, Oprah Winfrey aired a facinating show about ordinary women of average means who were married to extremely wealthy millionaires. When Oprah asked one of the women how she met her millionaire husband, she explained that when she made up her mind to marry a wealthy man, she decided to launch her own personal campaign to find and hook her millionaire. She began by finding the cheapest studio apartment she could afford in a high income neighborhood; she worked on improving herself by acting and dressing the part of a wealthy socialite, and then found out where the local millionaires hung out. Surprisingly, during her research she discovered that most of the wealthy men in her area were Episcopalian, so she joined the church, got involved, and eventually married the wealthy man of her dreams.

What this woman was doing was extremely effective networking.

Job seekers can use the same strategies to find key people within organizations who have the power to hire them.

Here's how:

1) Make a list of the top ten companies you want to work for.

2) Identify individuals within those companies that it would be beneficial for you to get to know; those who can hire you or help you to get your foot in the door at the company.

3) Search for them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

4) Follow them and become familiar with their activity. You can join the online groups they belong to, respond to their Twitter feeds, introduce yourself to their groups and demonstrate your expertise by posting helpful and interesting comments.

5) Eventually, reach out to them to see if they can help you to find an opening in their company.

Obviously, don't stalk them - just work on establishing a relationship with them - you never know where it will eventually lead.

Networking is a process that doesn't happen overnight, and one in which most people never think of until they need to find a job. That is truly a mistake. Networking can be an extremely rewarding experience and should be a lifelong process that is mutually beneficial to both parties.

For ideas on how to be a great networker, one of the best books I have ever read on the subject is "Never Eat Alone: and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time, by Keith Ferrazzi.I highly recommend you read it!

This is an Interview, Not a Blind Date!

2011-04-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip into New York City, I struck up a conversation with a cab driver on the trip downtown. As it turns out his true vocation was as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry. Unfortunately, like so many others, he was the victim of corporate downsizing and was laid off 6 months earlier.

He explained he had tried unsuccessfully for months to find another position at other pharmaceutical companies, but without any success. In my natural curiosity as a Career Coach, I inquired about the steps he had taken to acquire a new position. He explained that he had been on a few interviews over the last 6 months. In fact, just two weeks ago, he had been on an interview but had not heard back from them. Of course, my next question was – “so, what did you do to follow-up with the company?” He confidently replied that there was no way that he was going to contact an employer after an interview. If they wanted to hire him, then they would let him know.

If you are not interested in an exciting new career as a cab driver – I implore you – do not use this method!!

This man was treating an interview like a blind date. On a blind date you may be hesitant to follow up because of shyness about what the other person thought of you and the impression you made. You may reason, if they like you - they’ll call. This shyness should not translate into the job search.

There is no shame in being persistent.

While interviewing for a job can be a long and trying process that can shake your confidence, don’t take it personally. A truly qualified interviewer will see your persistence as a strength, not a weakness.

Unfortunately, hiring managers just don’t have a lot of time. In the current job market, there are typically hundreds of applicants vying for the same position. Once they narrow down their choices, it can take a lot of time to choose the perfect applicant. You can gain a competitive edge by being one of the applicants that follows up and by expressing your true interest in the position.

Back to our friend the cab driver – the fact that he was called in for an interview, was a good indication that the hiring manager was interested in learning more about him. Just because he didn’t receive a follow up call, doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t still up for consideration. It could simply be that they were still in the process of interviewing other applicants.

One of the best questions I recommend that my clients ask towards the end of the interview is “At what stage of the interview process are you currently in?” This will give you an idea if you are the first candidate, the last candidate, and how long it will take them to fill the job.

Follow up or you will be forgotten

It is said that it takes eight interactions with someone before you can get their attention. Your best strategy is to follow up or you will be forgotten! Of course, it is important not to make a pest of yourself, but it is expected that you will call them within a week of the interview and then check back periodically to see if they have filled the position yet. During each encounter with them, make every effort to appear interested and eager to join their team. Do your research and explain why you think you would be a good fit for the position. Also, be sure to convey the value that you can bring to their firm by explaining how you have done so in your past positions and how it relates to the job you are applying to.

Do not treat a job interview like a blind date!

Do not wait for your interviewers to call you.

If you don’t call, someone else will.

– What is the WEIRDEST question you’ve ever been asked on an interview?

Please post your answer below.

When life hands you a lemon, it's time for Plan B

2011-03-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

I recently went car shopping and met an extraordinary young salesman named Rich. Well groomed, impeccably dressed, personable, and outgoing. He is extremely knowledgeable and knows everything there is to know about the cars he sells. I recognized that Rich was not your typical run-of-the-mill car salesman. I became curious about his background and how such a talented young man ended up in his position.

He explained that he had graduated from a good college in 2009 with a degree in economics. His dream job was to work at Morgan Stanley and to have a career in finance. Rich did everything he possibly could to make his dream a reality. It just so happened that his uncle worked at Morgan Stanley and while he did his best to get Rich a job there, they just weren't hiring like so many companies in this bad economy.

So, what was he to do?

Life had thrown Rich a lemon.

After scouring the job market, he finally found a job working at his current job for a high-end auto dealership. While it wasn't what he originally wanted and certainly not the job he wanted to stay in throughout his career, he decided it was a good position for him because he loves cars and likes working with people. He also realized that working for a large corporation would provide him with many opportunities for advancement. He knew that if he worked hard and proved himself he would eventually be recognized by his supervisors.

His strategy has paid off. He has gained a reputation for providing extraordinary customer service (I certainly can attest to this!). He explained that he has been introduced to a few upper level executives and his plan is to move up within the company as soon as the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, it's obvious that he works diligently at elevating his on-the-job performance to the level of excellence.

So when life throws you a lemon and you can't get the job that you want because of these difficult times, how can you be like Rich and turn it into lemonade?

Use this strategy:

1) Research industries to find out where they're hiring (such as retail, health care, and security) - go to http://www.bls.gov/ for information

2) Find a job that incorporates your interests, even if it's entry level

3) Choose a place where there are opportunities for advancement

4) Become a valued employee by raising your performance to the level of excellence

5) Have a plan for moving forward - then follow the plan!

I predict that Rich is not going to be a car salesman for long. It's obvious that he's on the fast track to moving up in his career. If you follow his example, you too can be on the fast track to getting ahead in your career!

My Friend Joe, and How to Find Your Competitive Edge - Part 2

2011-03-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I told you about my friend, Joe, who is a derivative accounting professional specializing in hedge funds. He has no problem finding a job because his area of specialty is in such high demand in his field. His highly sought after career niche is his competitive edge.

So how can you find your competitive edge?

Here are some additional ways:

1. Make sure your qualifications match as closely as possible to your desired job position.

So many people make the mistake of applying for positions that they are not qualified for and then wonder why they are never contacted. Don’t eliminate yourself from the competition right from the start – make sure you have similar qualifications to be considered in the first place.

Ask yourself - what competencies and credentials are usually required for someone working in my targeted position?

If you’re not sure, an easy way to figure this out is to read job descriptions on job boards and want ads. Look to see what qualifications the ideal candidate should possess, and then compare these qualifications to the ones you have to determine how you measure up.

2. Beef up your credentials if necessary.

If your qualifications fall short, you may decide it’s time to go back to school and get a higher degree, certification, or specific training in your industry. Or, if certain experience is required, perhaps you can get that experience through a volunteer position.

Keep in mind that very often practical experience is just as valuable as a degree, so you may not need to go back to school to get an advance degree.

3. Elevate your expertise to the level of excellence.

Are there any awards that you can win? Any special certifications or degrees that you can obtain that shout that you’re an expert in your field? Prospective employers are very impressed by these “pedigrees.”

4. Find your unique brand.

So, what’s so special about you?

Why would employers want to hire you over candidates vying for the same job?

The answers to these questions will help you to define your particular brand. If you’re wondering why you need to brand yourself, think of it this way -

If you went to the supermarket to buy a box of cereal and all of the boxes of cereal in the aisle had the exact same plain brown packaging with only the word “cereal” written on the box, - how would you decide which box of cereal to buy?

Marketing experts know that in order to get your attention, they need to convey a product’s unique selling proposition – the value of that product to the consumer. The same is true for job applicants. If you can convey what you can offer that the competition does not, then you’ll get hiring managers to notice you.

And,

Once you figure out your unique brand, you can express this on your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and other marketing documents.

5. Make sure that you have a resume that will entice prospective employers to call you in for an interview.

Your resume is usually the first opportunity a prospective employer has to “meet” you and get to know a little bit about you. If you don’t grab their attention at this critical juncture, you’ll be designated to the reject pile and essentially be out of the running before the race begins.

Acquiring a competitive edge can be the most important aspect of increasing your chances of being hired and accelerating the hiring process.

Be sure to find yours.

My Friend Joe, and How to Find Your Competitive Edge - Part 1

2011-03-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

How to Find Your Competitive Edge in Today’s Job Market

My friend, Joe, is a derivative accounting professional specializing in hedge funds. I have to admit that I had never heard of that job position until I met Joe. I understand that only 5 – 10% of all accounting professionals in the U.S. specialize in this area.

Do you think Joe has a hard time finding a job?

Absolutely not!

Jobs find him.

Recruiters look for guys with Joe’s expertise. When he applies to jobs on the internet, his resume doesn’t go into a black hole like so many others; he’s one of the lucky job seekers who receive an immediate response.

When I think of Joe, I am reminded of the story about Dr. Joyce Brothers. When she wanted to get on “The $64,000 Question” program back in the 1950’s, she realized she needed a competitive edge in order to be chosen to be on the program. She knew that being a female psychologist was an asset, but she gave herself an even better competitive edge by becoming an expert in boxing trivia. There certainly weren’t many female psychologists who were boxing trivia experts in her day, if any at all. Brilliant! She was quickly chosen for her unique area of expertise.

The same can be true for someone looking for a job. If you develop a niche within your industry where there aren’t many experts, you’ll be in high demand - like my good friend, Joe.

Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter where I’ll let you in on other ways to find your competitive edge in today’s job market.

Career Management 101 - Part 2

2011-02-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

Career Management 101 – Part 2

A great way to gain the competitive edge over other applicants is to demonstrate to prospective employers how you have added value on the job and made a difference in past positions that you’ve held. Many people never think to keep statements made by employers endorsing their work, so they are surprised when I ask if they have any of these accolades to include on their resume. Don’t wait until you’re looking for a job to scramble around for any evidence given to you by your former boss for a job well done. Keep in mind that employers realize that past performance will predict future performance – so, don’t be afraid to brag about your accomplishments!

Career management is a lifelong process. To measure your progress, put together and update a career management file. This can simply be a file folder or large envelope containing information and documents that demonstrate how you have made a difference on the job.

This folder should include:

1) Performance evaluations

2) Details of your greatest accomplishments (include facts and figures when possible)

3) Job descriptions of positions you’ve held

4) Examples of work you’ve produced

5) A description of times when you’ve received recognition for extraordinary performance from your supervisor

6) Memos documenting your contribution to a team effort

7) Written accolades from customers or vendors

From this useful material you will be able to glean impressive accomplishment statements that will lead to better jobs, provide ammunition to win at the salary negotiation table, and that will demonstrate how you have made a significant impact on the job.

Career Management 101 - Part 1

2011-02-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

I love to take long walks on sunny days. Since I have an aversion to the sun (no wrinkles for me!), I always wear a big floppy hat. Unfortunately, my hat partially obstructs my view when walking (okay, I’ll admit that I’ve walked into a branch or two!) During one of my recent walks, with my head down, music playing on my iPod, I was amazed to discover that I had covered quite a long distance without realizing it.

It occurred to me that my walk could be a metaphor for life. If we keep our heads down and just move for the sake of moving, we’ll get somewhere, but is it where we really want to end up?

I always ask my coaching clients - “What is your vision for your career? Where do you want to ultimately end up?” Unfortunately, most people never consider these questions. Instead they are more focused on present concerns and as a result their futures are hit or miss. Neglecting to plan out your career is like putting a boat out to sea without a pilot to steer it.

Consider how your life would change if you had a master plan for your career. If you decided in the present where you wanted to ultimately end up in the future and then carefully laid out a plan in reverse for reaching each significant step along the way.

There is a famous study which monitored Harvard Business School graduates from 1979 to 1989. In 1979, the researchers asked the MBA grads if they had goals and if they wrote them down. Only three percent of the class said they had goals and had written them down. When they revisited the MBA grads ten years later, they found that the grads who had written their goals down made ten times as much money as the other 97% combined. The moral to this story is that if you want to get ahead in your career, set clear goals for yourself and be sure to write them down.

Creating a master plan for your life and career would be like taking off your hat, unplugging your iPod, and mindfully taking each step on the road to success.

More Tips for Surviving Unemployment & the Job Search Process

2011-02-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I gave you some practical tips for getting through the job search process. This week’s tips help you to maintain a positive outlook while going through the process.

Tip #1 – Go with your internal clock

Are you an owl or a lark? Do you do your best work in the morning or at night? Schedule your toughest activities when you have the energy to do them.

Tip #2 – Take care of yourself

It’s easy to neglect other areas of your life when you’re focusing on finding a job. Unfortunately, that won’t help to keep your spirits up and your stress down. Exercise, eat healthfully and put aside an hour each day to do something that you enjoy.

Tip #3 – Make another important list

In my last newsletter, I suggested you make a list of all the things you need to do on a daily basis to conduct a successful job search. Here’s another helpful list. Make a list of all of the things that you value in life – things that are important to you. It may be time with your kids, cooking gourmet meals, or keeping up with a hobby. Now schedule those activities onto your calendar. This is another great way to exercise self care and prevent job search burn-out.

Tip #4 – Surround yourself with positive people and thoughts

During your daily “me” time, read inspiring books and listen to uplifting CDs (you can rent them from your local library and download them onto your computer or iPod). Watch funny moves, google funny jokes, or look up funny videos on YouTube. All of these activities help to raise your spirits, and lift your mood.

Tip #5 – Resist procrastination

If you put off your job search, it will not go away and you’ll only end up feeling guilty. The best cure for procrastination is to have a plan and follow it faithfully, even when you don’t feel like it. As Nike says, “just do it!”

Tip #6 – Take it outside

Don’t isolate yourself by spending all of your time indoors. Instead, schedule lunch or coffee breaks with friends or better yet, make time to network with others. Perhaps you can also do some other tasks at the coffee shop, like researching companies on the internet, or sending out thank you letters.

Tip #7 – Visualize yourself being successful

Imagine being called for interviews, projecting confidence and then receiving offers. This will help you to maintain a positive outlook and a hopeful expectancy.

Don’t let the job hunt get you down! If you consistently follow the above tips, you’ll be able to increase the odds of finding a job in less time and with less stress. You’ll have a job before you know it!

Tips for Surviving Unemployment & the Job Search Process

2011-02-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it, job hunting sucks!

I’ve never met a person who truly likes to look for a job. It’s a necessary evil – like going to the dentist. So if you feel like you’re at the end of your rope and just can’t build up enough courage to keep looking for a job, or you don’t want to go through another interview and face another rejection, these tips are for you.

Tip #1 – Treat your job search as a job

Get up early each morning as you would normally do so if you had a paying job. You should devote anywhere from 30 to 40 hours each week working on your job search. The more effort and time you put into your search, the faster you’ll be gainfully employed.

Tip #2 – Dress as if you’re going to work

Well, you don’t have to wear a suit and tie (if that’s what you would normally wear) but you should be showered, dressed and ready to face the day – after all, your job now is to find a job. Pajamas will not put you in the job search mindset!

Tip #3 – Plan your job search campaign

Buy a notebook and use it exclusively to keep track of your job search progress. Make a list of all the things you need to do on a daily basis when looking for a job. Then take out your calendar for the coming week and pencil in all the activities you plan to complete each day. Allow for at least six “to do” items for each day. Figure out how much time each item should take in half hour increments. Then stick with the plan each day until you have completed all items on your list.

Tip #4 – Do the hard stuff first

Whether it’s making cold calls to prospective employers, or writing thank you notes, you decide. Just be sure to do those tasks first.

Tip #5 – Use a multi-strategy approach for your job search

So many people spend the majority of their time scanning job postings on job boards and then applying for positions in response to those ads and think they are conducting a successful job search. This is a HUGE time waster. The main reason is you’re facing too much competition; literally hundreds of other people are applying for the same jobs. There are other, more effective ways to find a job. While I wouldn’t recommend eliminating responding to job postings altogether, I would suggest you only spend about 20% of your time doing so.

Tip #6 – Schedule time for your “escapist” activities

Did you ever notice how when it’s time to put your nose to the grindstone and get working, that’s the time you suddenly have an urge to check your email or call your best friend? Designate specific times during the day to do those things and don’t even open unimportant email until after you’ve done the hard stuff first.

Tip #7 – Track your progress

Keep a daily account of your job search efforts either on a spreadsheet or in your job search notebook. For example, if your goal is to contact 10 companies, talk to 3 recruiters, and network at 2 meetings this week, your log will not only help you to keep track of your efforts, it will also let you know which efforts were the most fruitful. There’s nothing like crossing off each item as you complete it - you’ll feel that you’re making progress. Instead of thinking “I don’t have a job,” you’ll realize that you are progressively moving forward and are therefore, that much closer to getting a job.

In next week’s newsletter, I’ll give you some suggestions that will help to keep you motivated and get you up when you’re feeling down.

The Key to Overcoming Obstacles that Get in Your Way

2011-01-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of working with a resume client named Holly. I say pleasure because I believe that every one of my clients teaches me something of value. Holly is a Sales and Business Development Director working in the IT software/solution management industry.

I encouraged her (as I do all of my resume clients) to take a no-holds-barred attitude about letting me know what her greatest accomplishments have been in her career thus far. Most people have difficulty “bragging” about their accomplishments. Part of my job is to find out what is truly unique about each client – what sets them apart from other applicants who have similar qualifications, experience, attributes, etc. so that I can bring these unique qualities to the forefront when writing their resume. She explained to me that one of the greatest things that she has been able to do throughout her career is to find key accounts all from the comfort of her desk. She has amazed her supervisors and co-workers by generating business, even during a long-term illness when she had to work from home. She has been extremely successful in acquiring new business while others who use similar approaches, struggle to gain accounts.

When I asked her what was the secret to her success, she told me it is the ability to reach others through her networks and to contact them directly to tell them about what her company has to offer. As a former recruiter who has had to make countless cold calls, I was fascinated by her high success rate. “Didn’t you have difficulty getting through gatekeepers and reaching executives at such high levels?” I asked her. “Of course,” she replied, “but instead of letting it defeat me, it made me more firmly resolved to get through to some key player in the company. If I couldn’t reach the person I was trying to contact, I found another way into the company; either to eventually get through to them or to find and reach someone else within the company.”

It’s easy to see why Holly is so successful at her job. Instead of allowing potential mountains to get in her way, she finds an alternate route; either by getting around the mountain or through it, but inevitably she successfully reaches the other side. Her success can be an example for all of us – and especially for those who are going through the job search. When faced with challenges in work and in life, don’t give up or give in, instead follow Holly’s example and find another way around the problem.

The #1 Mistake People Make When Choosing a Career

2010-06-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

If it were possible, I would grab every person reading this article (in fact, every person who works for a living) by the shoulders while shaking them and looking them in the eye and say “Don’t make this mistake! Don’t make this mistake!” The majority of people who work are just working for a living. Statistics indicate that 85% of all people in the workforce are unhappy with their careers. Most people approach their career selection with the best intentions. Many people will spend countless hours trying to get into the best colleges and obtaining their degrees, give a certain amount of consideration to the field they will go into, make a good effort at finding a job, but when they finally get started, that’s it! The daily grind sets in.

The mistake that most people make is they never plan out their career. It has been said that if you fail to plan you plan to fail. This I believe is the reason why so many people are unhappy in their chosen careers. They are like a boat without a pilot – drifting out at sea wandering in the ocean without a navigator to guide it. They are going nowhere because they have no idea where they want to go.

If you want to be truly fulfilled in your career you must have a plan. Treat your career as if you were a business owner. What is your mission statement? Set up a business (career) plan. Do you feel passionate about your career path? If not, then find something that you DO feel passionate about.

Here are the key questions for you to ask yourself:

What is my long-range strategic plan?

Where do I want to be in my career 5, 10, 20 years from now?

Where do I ultimately want to end up?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can begin to formulate your plan and then implement it.