Career Success!

Focus on the Positive in Negative Times

Look for -- and Appreciate -- the Positive Stuff. The current financial turmoil and resultant effect on the job market continues to be a broadcast focus of the news media -- we just can't seem to escape it.  Negative news seems to surround us -- striking fear and anxiety in many and paralyzing others.  What we don't hear enough of is the GOOD stuff that is coming out of our current financial crisis -- the positive things that people are doing now that will ultimately make them better leaders, better parents, better friends and better people.

After talking to many coaching clients, friends, and business associates about their personal situation and circumstances, and reflecting upon my own experience as I navigate these unique times, I've assembled a list of some of the positive and constructive things that we can focus on as we work through this period together .... things that will ultimately help us emerge as better and stronger individuals:

Become More Financially Responsible. Tough economic times are a great time to tighten the reigns on our budget, establish fiscal responsibility, and develop sustainable cost-conscious behaviors -- trim the fat and focus on the necessities.  Now's also the time to clean up and organize your financial records, set and follow a budget that forces you to live with your means, and set aside some cash reserves.  Develop these habits now, and you'll reap incredible benefits later.

Reconnect With Your Friends and Family.  When was the last time you spent real quality time with a close friend ... your spouse ... your kids ... your parents?    In these tough times, rekindling personal relationships and building stronger bonds with your friends and family members is important. Support each other and do whatever you can to help your friends and family members deal better with their own situation. Spending quality time with your friends and family is very a healthy way to escape the stresses the economy is putting on you.

Take Advantage of Learning Opportunities -- Read More.  Now is a great time to visit your local bookstore or library once a week or so to find an interesting and mind-expanding book to read, buy or check out.  Think about the areas in which you'd like to improve or deepen your knowledge base and target books on those subjects. Keep a book next to your favorite chair at home, one in your car, one in your brief case, etc.  Reading is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to learn.  It's also a great habit to rekindle now and sustain going forward.

Focus on Your Health.  Time for a tune-up and to take ownership of several things you CAN control -- your diet, health and fitness.  Develop healthy eating habits now -- it is much easier to maintain an healthier diet by eating at home than by eating out.  Establish routine and rhythm around a daily walk or run -- invite a friend or family member to join you.  Make a personal commitment to yourself that regardless of where the current economy leads you, you WILL emerge with a healthier body.  Do it for yourself AND your family.  A healthy body is also much less expensive to maintain.  You'll look better, feel better and save money!

Explore Your Creativity.  We have two key choices we can make is these tough economic times -- (1) we can act as a victim and blame everything that's happening to us on the economy, OR (2) we can look for every means possible to improve our work-life and personal life -- tapping into our creative instincts and searching for new ideas, identifying new and better ways of doing things and aggressively looking for ways to improve ourselves and our own situation.  Now's the time to generate those ideas.  Your next new idea could be life-changing and transformational.

Friday Favorites! - March 20, 2009 - This Week's Best Career Articles

This Week's Best Career-Related Articles Chosen From Other Blog Sites

Ok blog readers and friends....it's time for Friday Favorites!...I've collected some of my favorite blog posts for the week from a variety of other blog sites.  We've searched and scanned through 100's of sites and I'd like to highlight the following, all of which I believe offer unique insights and perspectives and highly relevant content.  Some of these may also challenge the way you think about your career development, career management and career planning.  I hope you enjoy....

This week's "Friday Favorites" Include:

15 Second Marketing - Delivering an Effective Elevator Pitch
Have you ever heard of an elevator pitch? That’s when someone casually asks, “What kind of work do you do?” and you give them a brief answer in roughly the time span of an elevator ride. The people who hear your elevator pitch could be potential business partners or clients, or they could be strangers you meet at a party or on the street. This articles gives some great perspectives on delivering an effective elevator speech.

Make the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the best business networking site I am aware of. People join it to do business and if you are smart enough, you can build powerful connections and find awesome opportunities there. Now let’s see how you can increase your LinkedIn profile visibility.  Read more in the article.

10 Great Social Sites for Resume Building
Creating the perfect resume is not easy. Luckily, there are a number of online resources dedicated to helping you create outstanding traditional and social media resumes. Here are 10 great social sites with unique features that let you create your own resume-like profile, edit your resume online, get it reviewed by experts, print it, share it on social networks, and much more.  Check out the article.

Business Cards to Enhance Your Networking
Networking business cards, which have the look and feel of a traditional business card, give you the opportunity to provide critical career and contact information with people you meet in social and professional situations.  Read the article for all the details.

10 Tips for Executive Rebranding to Win in Volatile Markets
In this volatile climate it's tempting to change who you are - to meet what you think the market needs - so you can protect your current job or secure a new position.  But changing your personal brand is a "no can do" – it’s intrinsically who you are! However, you can change your executive brand - what you are known for; what your personal brand looks like when you take it to work - and the perceived value attached to that executive brand.  Click through to this excellent article.

How to Identify Your Transferable Skills
What happens to the experience you've gained from your current job and those before it? What about the hours, years and dollars spent studying this vocation in school? Do you really have to start at square one if you decide to drastically switch careers?  Not at all. Your experience turns into transferable skills; you just have to learn to recognize and sell them to employers.  Read more in the blog article.

Welcome! This Site is All About ... YOU

Helping YOU love what you do for a living
and helping YOU achieve lasting career success!

Your Host:
Andy Robinson
Executive Career Coach; Co-host, Career Success Radio Show
A leading authority on Career Success and 15-year career coaching veteran

Friday Favorites! - March 13, 2009 - This Week's Best Career Articles

This Week's Best Career-Related Articles Chosen From Other Blog Sites

Ok blog readers and friends....it's time for Friday Favorites!...I've collected some of my favorite blog posts for the week from a variety of other blog sites.  We've searched and scanned through 100's of sites and I'd like to highlight the following, all of which I believe offer unique insights and perspectives and highly relevant content.  Some of these may also challenge the way you think about your career development, career management and career planning.  I hope you enjoy....

This week's "Friday Favorites" Include:

How to Evolve Your Brand When You're Changing Careers
Whenever you face a career transition, you need to define and solidify the core of your personal brand and understand how to make it relevant to the new opportunity.  Excellent article by "Smart Networking" author Liz Lynch.

Blogging Your Way Into a Job
With competition so fierce for every open position these days, even the smallest edge can make the difference in landing you that interview or even a job. One way to gain an advantage: Start a blog about your profession or industry.  Check out the details in this article.

100+ Smart Ways to Use LinkedIn
This resource is intended for people who (1) are new to LinkedIn and wondering how to use it to help you in your business and career, (2) have been using LinkedIn a while but felt like you haven’t really been accomplishing anything with it, (3)are trying to persuade their friends to join LinkedIn and want to communicate the value proposition, (4) want to know how LinkedIn can be incorporated into a job search campaign.

Why Networking Works
If you owned your own business and you needed to hire someone to fill a vacancy in your company, what would be the first steps you would take to fill this opening?  Nope, you aren't going to put an ad on a job board as the first step, yet, we as job seekers take that as our first step.   Read on to see why networking is so effective.

Ten Tips for Effective Time Management
Some great and very practical ideas for getting control over your time, prioritizing the important and getting things done.

The Twenty Best Job Search Sites
These 20 Web sites take different approaches to find you the right job. Some sites, like Indeed, simply aggregate material from all other sites, while sites like TheLadders make you pay to take advantage of their high-paying job services. No matter how select or general you want your job search to be, one of these sites has you covered.

Book Review - "How to Wow"

I recently read Frances Cole Jones' book, "How to Wow" in advance of an upcoming interview scheduled with Frances on the Career Success Radio Show. 

"How to Wow" offers excellent and highly practical advice, including proven strategies for:

• Presenting your ideas

• Persuading your audience, and

• Perfecting your image

This is definitely a MUST READ in today's highly competitive job market where the "little things" are BIG THINGS in terms of setting yourself apart from the rest of the crowd.

Highlights of the book include learning how to:

• Make a lasting impression with a simple introduction
• Effectively employ the twelve most persuasive words in the English language to command the stage, the boardroom, the lunch table and the interview presentation
• Read nonverbal responses accurately -- and shift negative ones immediately
• Motivate your team for a deadline
• Interview fearlessly and flawlessly
• Write the perfect pitch, resume, cover letter or email
• Deliver speeches that bring people to their feet
• Transform a PowerPoint presentation into a powerful success

This is definitely a book to keep in your career library and read cover-to-cover.  For more information, or to purchase this book, click on the book image below.

Online Job Search Secrets - An Interview with About.com's Alison Doyle

Career Success Radio Show

Interview with Alison Doyle, About.com's Job Search Guru

Carrie and I had a great interview with Alison Doyle of About.com on The Career Success Radio Show, which was broadcast yesterday, March 10th at 4pm on ExceptionalWisdomRadio.com.  Please click on the images below to listen to the interview.

 

Alison is a job search expert with many years of experience in human resources, career development, and job searching, with a focus on online job searching and job search technology.  She has covered job searching for About.com since 1998.

Alison is the author of Internet Your Way to a New Job: How to Really Find a Job Online (2008) and the About.com Guide to Job Searching (2006). 

In her interview recent interview on the Career Success Radio Show, Alison discusses tips, techniques, ideas and suggestions for effectively using on line job search resources as part of your comprehensive job search campaign. To listen to the archived interview, click on the Radio button below.

Deploying "Out of the Box Thinking" in Your Job Search Campaign

It’s Definitely Not “Business as Usual” in the Current Job Search Market.  Today’s employment and job search market can easily strike fear in the heart of anyone who’s recently lost their job.  Finding a job in this market IS a challenge …. No question.  This is the toughest and most competitive job market that most of us in the career and employment profession have ever seen.  Jobs, however, ARE out there, firms and companies ARE hiring, key positions DO need to be filled …. The challenge is FINDING those jobs and SELLING YOURSELF – surfacing those “hidden” opportunities and presenting a clear and compelling case for why YOU are the best person for the opportunity that appeals most to you.  FINDING A POSITION and SELLING YOURSELF requires a new approach in this market….

Innovative and “Out-of-the-Box” Tactics Are Key.  The process deployed by most job seekers for FINDING jobs and SELLING themselves simply does NOT work effectively in the current job market.  The “tried and true” processes of the past, even those of the very recent past, must be dropped in favor of some truly innovative, aggressive and “out of the box” job search tactics and strategies.   This article discusses a number of those tactics and strategies, but first …. be aware that ….

Common Mistakes Abound.  So what are the things that most job seekers are doing that simply don’t work in this market?  – i.e., what are the common mistakes that most job seekers are making that are getting in their way and producing little or no results?  Consider these very common mistakes:

• Failing to work within the framework of a structured and organized job search plan

• Lack of clarity in definition of the position being sought – unable to clearly articulate to others exactly what you’re looking for.  This is a HUGE mistake that many job seekers make

• A poorly written resume that does not emphasize RESULTS and value you’ve added in previous positions

• Failure to devote sufficient time to the job search process

• Too shy about soliciting “help” from ALL of your friends, family, neighbors and contacts

• Over-reliance on the on-line job boards – heavy dependence upon “post and pray” tactics

• Ineffective and nominal use of personal and business contacts

• Failure to differentiate yourself in the marketplace in EVERY STEP you take in the job search process

• Failure to effectively communicate your value in ALL of your correspondence, communications and conversations

• Poor preparation in advance of interviews

• Ineffective interviewing and “closing” skills

Out-of-the-Box Thinking and Innovative Tactics That Work:

The effectiveness of your job search and the results you achieve will correlate directly with how well you deploy tactics and strategies that nobody else is doing (or most are not doing).  Consider the following  tactics to super-charge your job search:

• Aggressively Utilize Social Media Applications – Immerse yourself in becoming fluent in using social media applications in your job search: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.   Recent stats from Nielsen Online show that by the end of 2008, social networking had overtaken email in terms of worldwide reach.
  

• Make Yourself Very Easy to be Found –  Employers and recruiters are using a variety of online tools to seek out and find potential employees.  Ensure your resume and information is available online by posting your resume to major job boards and relevant niche job boards.  Use services like VisualCV.com to give you web presence and searchability through Google.  Keep your LinkedIn profile current and compelling (your LinkedIn profile will also give you a very high Google search ranking).  Make it as easy as possible for others to FIND YOU.

• Aggressively Target a List of Companies and Employers –  Once you’re crystal clear on your job and career interests, conduct thorough and comprehensive research to identify a list of the top twenty companies you want to target -- this is your job "Shopping List."  This gives you DIRECTION and FOCUS -- critical components of your job search.  Seek out contacts at those companies through your network or make contact directly. Clearly communicate your value proposition.  Consider offering a “temp-to-perm” alternative to give the employer a “trial period.”  Be aggressive with follow up and follow-through; don’t leave any stone unturned.

• Clearly Communicate your Intentions and Interests -- Have a VERY Clear Picture of What You Want To Do Next -- It is absolutely essential that you have a very clear understanding of what you want and intend to do next, how your background and experience aligns with and supports those intentions, to whom and where you can target your intentions, and when you want to be "in the seat" in a new position.  Clarity of intention and interest provides direction for your job search and enables you to effectively communicate your interests to others -- providing them with the information THEY NEED to help you.  Your contacts CAN and WILL help you if you "make it easy" for them by clearly painting the picture of your intentions.

• Utilize a Job Search Planning and Management Tool –An effective job search requires a PLAN and a structured course of action.  A properly conducted job search also requires accumulation and organization of information, tracking of activities, scheduling of important events, and timely follow up.  Organization is KEY -- you've got to stay on top of every detail throughout the process.  You're setting yourself up for failure and disappointment if you do not adequately organize the process with a SYSTEM that you trust.  Two web-based applications that I highly recommend for this purpose are: JibberJobber.com and VirtualJobCoach.com.

• Devote a Minimum of 30-40 Hours Per Week – OK....take a deep breath....Your job search IS YOUR JOB....period.  If you're unemployed or are about to be very soon, you've got to devote 40+ hours a week to your job search.  Set up a home office area where you can be organized and productive.  Establish rhythm and routine to your daily and weekly schedule.  Immerse yourself in the job search process.  40 hours includes the time you spend in your office and the time you spend outside of your office.  Getting "outside" and meeting people is ultimately how you need to be spending the majority of your time.  Human contact and interaction are essential and must be ongoing.

• Create a Compelling Resume that “Wow’s” the Reader –I have an upcoming blog article dedicated to this very topic.  The average resume reader spends less than 30 seconds (initially) reviewing your resume.  Your value therefore has to leap out at the reader.  Focus on measurable results that you achieved, highlight spectacular accomplishments, and ensure you frame your presentation from the standpoint of perceived value to the READER. 

• Enlist the Support of Everyone You Know –This is not the time to sequester yourself away from friends, family and the general public.  Enlist the support of everyone you know.  If you've done an excellent job of nurturing your network in the past, your supporters will line up to help you.  Tell everyone your intentions and interests.  Share your resume with everyone.  Attend as many networking functions as you can.  Aggressively look for opportunities to get "out there" and ask for help in your job search.  Even the waitress at your favorite restaurant could know someone at one of your target companies.  Think transparency -- share your story. 

• Prepare and Practice for Each and Every Interview – Practice, practice, practice.  It's impossible to over-prepare for an interview or important meeting.  Research your prospect ahead of time.  Role-play with your spouse, a friend or a coach.  Always be prepared to answer the "softball" questions -- "So, tell me about yourself."  "Why are you interested in our company?" "What exactly are you looking to do next?" "Why are you a great fit for this opportunity?"  Plenty of books and resources are available -- at the library, at the bookstore and online.  DIG IN and be fully prepared .... there's no excuse for blowing an interview due to lack of preparation.

Remember: Be memorable, be professional, show enthusiasm, communicate your value and deploy innovative techniques, including those noted above.  Plan .... and focus on the important things.  Visualize yourself in your new position and create the activities to make it happen.

A few final words.....KNOWING this stuff is one thing.  Actually DOING IT and EXECUTING on these tactics and strategies is another thing.  BE A DOER .... Become part of that 5% out there that is going "above and beyond" the norm.  It's ultimately up to you.

Friday Favorites! - March 6, 2009 - This Week's Best Career Articles

This Week's Best Career-Related Articles Chosen From Other Blog Sites

Ok blog readers and friends....it's time for Friday Favorites!...I've collected some of my favorite blog posts for the week from a variety of other blog sites.  We've searched and scanned through 100's of sites and I'd like to highlight the following, all of which I believe offer unique insights and perspectives and highly relevant content.  Some of these may also challenge the way you think about your career development, career management and career planning.  I hope you enjoy....

This week's "Friday Favorites" Include:

Quality Time: How To Find More And Some Ideas On How To Use It
An excellent article on creative ways to find quality time to spend with your family members. HOW we spend our time is ALWAYS our choice. Make a commitment to make the best choices you can on a day-to-day basis.

32 Powerful Ways to Cut Costs In Business
Excellent list of ideas highly relevant to emerging businesses, solo practitioners and start-ups.  Particularly relevant in today's tough economic times when many business professionals are choosing to launch their own firm or small business or "go solo."

50+ Tips to Brand Yourself Online
Today, more than ever, distinguishing yourself through personal branding strategies will facilitate and enable the acceleration of your career growth and development. Personal branding, once considered a fad, is here to stay. How do you define your personal brand?  Check out these excellent online branding tips.

How to Rock an Interview
Excellent article providing a nice a checklist of the key things that most successful candidates are able to do in a job interview that result in positive action -- continuing the interview process and, ultimately, landing the job.

Effective Job-Seeking in a "Web 2.0" World
When it comes to looking for a new job, the rules are different from what they once were. Of course we all realize the power of technology to bring us job listings from sites like Monster or CareerBuilder, but when it comes to finding your new role - if you're still relying on a resume to get you in the door then you're stuck in the old way of doing things. To help progress, here are some tips on job seeking in the social media era.

Using Social Media to KEEP Your Job
In an economy like this one, your best career survival tip may be to hold on to the job you've got. If you're working at a company that isn't necessarily shutting its doors, but may need to let some people go ... your challenge is to prove yourself too valuable to let go. Social media (blogs, social networks, forums, online video, etc.) can help with this. This article offers some ideas for how you can use social media to keep the job you have right now.

Seven Characteristics of Successful Networkers
Consider these characteristics and do a self-assessment as to how well you display them in your day-to-day networking and communication activities.

10 Applications You Can't Do Without
Optimum productivity is something we all strive for.  This article reviews some excellent web-based applications that will help you improve your productivity and enable greater focus on your value-added activities.

Book Review: "Negotiating Your Salary"

We recently interviewed Jack Chapman, author of "Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute," for an upcoming segment on the Career Success Radio Show.  In advance of the interview, I had picked up and read his book and wanted to give a quick overview and recommendation.

"Negotiating Your Salary" is definitely a must read for anyone preparing to negotiate their salary and compensation -- whether through a job offer situation or job promotion situation.  The book is well-organized, easy to read, and offers highly practical, realistic tips and advice on maximizing your salary through effective negotiation techniques.

Highlights of the book include answers to the following key questions:

• Who should mention compensation first -- you or the employer?
• What are the biggest salary negotiation mistakes that job seekers make?
• What is the best way to answer an initial offer made by an employer?
• What salary range should you ask for?
• How do you get your employer to WANT to give you a raise?
• What are the key "Salary Negotiation Rules" that everyone should be aware of?

This is definitely a book to keep in your career library and one that you will reference often.  For more information, or to purchase this book, click on the book image below.

"Niche" Job Boards - An Interview with Ethan Bloomfield of JobTarget

Career Success Radio Show

Interview with Ethan Bloomfield of Job Target

Carrie and I had a great interview with Ethan Bloomfield of JobTarget.com on The Career Success Radio Show, which was broadcast yesterday at 4pm on ExceptionalWisdomRadio.com.  Please click on the images below to listen to the interview.

Ethan discusses the value of using "Niche" or specialty job boards in your job search campaign and how JobTarget.com has positioned themselves as a premier job board service focused on empowering thousands of niche job board sites.