Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Spring forward – The Progress Challenge

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It seems appropriate, on the day that we “spring forward” on our clocks, to share some things that I enjoyed about another book by Dean Lindsay, The Progress Challenge. (Read my review of his book, Cracking the Networking Code HERE.)

Lindsay notes,

“Change is inevitable, progress is a choice.”

In his trademark, high-energy style, Lindsay explains how to BE progress – to choose progress. He explains the connections between how we think about what we do and doing it, and provides a blueprint for meeting this challenge. He begins the book by asking a question that I believe is relevant for job seekers – What is motivational, and are you it?

Have you thought about it? He suggests that “each of us has the need and the opportunity to be motivated every day of our lives” (p 29). He points out, “Why else would others listen to us, utilize our services, hire us, be led by us?” Right from the start, a key career message. How do you motivate others? What impact do you (or might you) have that will appeal to someone?

Lindsay explains how to think about how to move forward and offers many suggestions to help even the most unmotivated candidate shake off the stress, anxiety and general malaise that may be preventing him or her from springing forward.

One coping mechanism that I like? “#5 Find and Create Humor (p. 138). How many times have you stopped to try to find a single iota of irony or laughter in a situation. If even things are so bad, laughing at it  (or thinking of crazy ways that it could be EVEN WORSE) can sometimes provide a little relief. Can you laugh at yourself? Is there any humor there? If not, maybe creating some would help?

The author reminds his readers: “Progress does not demand perfection, only persistence” (p. 198). How perfectly true! I often remind myself that the “Perfect is the enemy of the good” – if you stay paralyzed, waiting for perfection, it’s unlikely you will ever move ahead with your plans. Similarly, progress does not need to be perfect, it just needs to be moving, which requires consistent and frequent effort on your part.

I enjoyed The Progress Challenge and am sure anyone (job seeker, salesperson, manager, leader, anyone with an eye on the future) will get a lot out of the, yes – motivational book, quotes and action plans.

Want to receive a free copy? Leave a comment about what motivates you, what is keeping you stuck – what you think about any of this! I will choose a winner at random and Dean will send you a copy of his book! (He may even send out several!)

Learn more about Dean Lindsay at his website: www.DeanLindsay.com or follow him on Twitter @DeanLindsay.

Rules for the job hunt

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Do you ever stop and think that it would be nice if there were rules for the job hunt? You could just read the free online manual, do exactly what it says and land the job of your dreams?

The problem, of course, is that everyone would be reading the same exact manual (since it would be free!) Think about how competitive it would be. There was a comment on my post about job seeking and the Olympics this week from Michael Glenn that said “If job seekers trained like Olympic athletes for a job interview, they can reach Gold medal status.” If everyone had “the rules,” that would be true – it would be necessary to train as an Olympian to even get your foot in the door!

The fact is, no one can tell you the “right” way to land a job. There are as many opinions about resumes, networking, using social media and cover letters as there are hiring managers, recruiters and career coaches!

Just a minor example, some people will never read your cover letter, others won’t consider your application without a cover letter that impresses.

To further complicate the situation, everyone is different! What is right for you is not right for your neighbor, and your colleague needs something else altogether. As a result, I think the best approach is to EMBRACE the system instead of rage against it. Is it fair? No, no question that job seeking is not listed under “fair” in Webster’s…In fact, the job hunt process is anything but fair! The nature of selecting candidates is discriminatory: the organization has a set of criteria, combined with personal biases, personality considerations and individual impressions. Hiring someone with the “right fit” for the job is as nuanced as it gets.

On the other hand, Mark Jaffe notes on the Personal Success blog:

“We have a pretty terrific system in America: Careers are open to talent. I’m not saying it’s a pure meritocracy, but compared to other countries and cultures, we completely rock. Who your parents were, how you grew up, even where you went to school — all these factors are secondary to whether or not you can deliver the goods.” (Hat tip @danschawbel for tweeting this post.)

Good point! Reading on, he suggests this approach for job seekers (instead of trying out for the job):

“Imagine instead that you’re a consultant, and that you’ve already been paid a non-refundable $20,000 consulting fee to attend this meeting. How does that change things?”

Possibly very good advice for many people. Certainly, a positive way to think about job search – as if you already have the job and need to begin solving the client’s problems. I don’t think you can go too wrong presenting yourself as the solution to a prospective employer’s “pain points.” HOW you do it, however, and how you can be most successful MUST vary based on your level of experience, the employer and both of your personalities.

So, the takeaway here – educate yourself. Don’t make errors that can be “no brainers” for some positions (e.g., missing deadlines, typos, not knowing how your skills directly pertain to the job). But, be wary of anyone who writes a book or a blog and tells you that they have the holy grail of job search. All we can do is offer general advice and the onus is on you – the job seeker – to evaluate it and either incorporate it or not into your plans.

Why it's a good thing that job seeking is not an Olympic sport and some inspiring stories

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It’s tough not to be inspired by the Olympic athletes. I have been keeping a running list of topics that seem like perfect “career” messages for job seekers. Without fail, they are the type of messages that have to do with “keeping your head in the game,” “persevering despite all obstacles,” “overcoming significant challenges” and “fortitude, endurance and courage.”

Have you considered how many athletes are at the Olympics who don’t have much of a chance of distinguishing themselves in their sport? With over 5000 athletes and only several hundred medals to be awarded, the chances of winning are pretty slim for the majority of the participants. However, they come and try their hardest to make themselves and their countries proud of their efforts.

Lucky for job seekers, your chances are much better! I don’t mean the ratio of jobs to applicants (as that really depends on your situation), or the statistical chances of landing a job. I’m thinking of the percentage of your job search that is in your hands.

To consider in the category of “be glad job search is not an Olympic sport”

Think about the partner sports…It’s you and one other person. You need to rely on your partner to keep up his or her end. An injury, a mistake on that person’s part, and the pair’s Olympic dreams can go up in smoke. Wouldn’t you hate it if you had to job search in pairs?

How about if a bad interview meant you needed to wait 4 years for another try? How many stories are out there of Olympians who had an injury or a bad run in Torino. Think about Hannah Kearney, who won a gold medal in women’s moguls last week after failing to qualify four years ago, even though she was the defending world champion.

What about the margin of victories? A tweet from @resumestrategy noted: Difference between 1st and 13th in the men’s giant slolom: 9/10th of a second -> talk about difficult performance metrics. It seems almost cruel that people work their whole lives and their dream can be lost in such a small margin. Granted, they chose a sport and know the stakes. But, so many sports involve outside influences beyond the athlete’s control, it is amazing that so many people devote themselves to it.

I know that many job seekers will read these thoughts and think – this is JUST like job search – things turn on a dime, control lies elsewhere and all you can do is hold your breath and hope. I take a different approach. I really believe job seekers CAN and DO control their own destinies, and that there is much about the search that is in the job seekers’ hands. Yes, there are “judges” (interviewers) and there are sometimes small margins of difference between you and the next candidate, but comparatively speaking, I believe your hard work and dedication to your career and job search is much more in your control than you may think!

In the category of – “this may inspire you”

Did you hear the story of Chinese figure skaters, Shen Xue and Zhao Honbo? They came out of retirement to win the gold medal in pairs figure skating that eluded them. Married, they have been living dormatory style and training, putting “real life” on hold At 31 and 36, they are ancient by skating standards.  They remind us that “what you do in-between” is important. So true – job search, similarly, is not really something that you should be doing only when you are looking for a job. It is equally important to manage your career and your time “in between.”

Who did not hear the heartbreaking story of Joannie Rochette, the figure skater from Canada? Her mother died of a heart attack on the day she and Joannie’s father arrived at the Olympics. Joannie skated beautiful programs in spite of her grief and won a bronze medal. Grace under pressure seems an understatement – an athlete favored to possibly win the gold, with the hopes of her country riding on her shoulders…She still managed to skate well and make the most of her Olympic experience.

Don’t forget about the men’s figure skater gold medalist, Evan Lysacek. When asked in an interview what he had given up to achieve his gold medal dream, he paused, took a breath and replied, “Everything.” Wow…The commitment and endurance it took for Evan to put his life on hold to pursue a dream…A slippery one (no pun intended), that relies on talent, effort, and – let’s be honest – a little luck.

Keep some of these stories in mind the next time you get discouraged about your job search…I hope they will inspire you to keep going with gusto!

photo by selihpxe8

What to do when you are discouraged about your job search

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Today’s post is one of many from members of the Career Collective community I co-coordinate with my colleague Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. I encourage you to visit other members’ responses, which are linked at the end of my post! Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective. This month’s question?

  • What do you do when you’re really, really, really discouraged about your unsuccessful job search?
  • How do you overcome the negative aspects of job search?

It breaks my heart when I hear from a job seeker who reaches out to me after hunting unsuccessfully for a job for months – even a year or more. More often than not, it is clear to me why the person’s job hunt has gone on for so long. Either the resume and job search materials are not up to par, the job seeker’s strategies are dated and not optimized and/or the person has simply been paralyzed by uncertainty and unable to present him or herself confidently and competently.

If you have been searching unsuccessfully, it is tough not to be discouraged and give up. It takes a lot to avoid approaching with a bad attitude or a defeated outlook. However, take heart, as there are probably a lot of things that will help your prospects that you have NOT done yet!

Talk to people you DON’T think can help you with your search.

Expand your net of networking contacts. You never know when a connector is in your midst – someone who takes pride in knowing a lot of people and introducing them to each other.

In a recession, it is even more important to expand our circles when job seeking.

Never underestimate the possibility for really interesting common ground.  Some of the meetings I’ve least felt like getting up at 6 a.m. to attend have been the most productive in terms of what I’ve learned.

Open your eyes to the opportunities!  Seek out places to meet new people.  Join an organization, a new health club or take a class.  Google “networking opportunities, (your city)” and see what comes up!  Then, don’t just attend, be an active participant.

Just because someone isn’t in your field doesn’t mean they don’t have useful information for you.  (Or you for them.) Our lives intersect in so many points.  Think of someone you consider least likely to be able to share good information with you for your search. Meet for coffee. You may be surprised!

I challenge you to engage – ask questions…be able to explain who you are and what you do.  Don’t underestimate the value of every connection.  Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows something. Inserting yourself as part of the chain is a great step in the right direction!

Search for Companies Instead of Jobs

This is crucial advice that many overlook. Instead of searching online for job descriptions of interest, start to target organizations of interest. Research them and the people who work there. Recognize that the majority of jobs are never posted – they are filled via networking. So, network! Figure out who works in the places where you want to work. Infiltrate via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and via connecting in person at events, including professional meetings and organizations. You may be surprised how easy it is to connect online and befriend people who are impressed by your interest and enthusiasm.

Target Your Materials and Your Approach

Have you been giving the kiss of death answer to people asking what you would like to do? “I can do anything.” “I am flexible.” “I can’t afford to be picky.” Stop and TARGET your search. Focus your resume, your pitch and your goals and engage with people by demonstrating that you know what you offer and that you are a strong match for what the targeted job needs.

If you haven’t started, dive into social media and Web 2.0 applications!

Yes, this can take some time if you are going to do it full force. But, you have time, so go for it! Start searching for blogs in your niche. Guy Kawasaki’s Alltop list is a perfect place to find blogs in an array of topics, but you can certainly use Google to find current information in your field of interest. Spend some time researching and exploring. See if you can identify the stars in your field. Use online mechanisms to connect to them!

How? Post smart comments on their blogs. See if they use Twitter and follow them. (Read more of my suggestions about using Twitter for the job hunt HERE.) Make sure that you are using LinkedIn effectively. You may be amazed at  how quickly you can connect and “befriend” people online.

Consider authoring a blog. If you are a strong writer, there isn’t a better way to influence your Google rankings and demonstrate authority in your subject matter. If you have the time, why not try? You have nothing to lose. Ideally, you will start a blog at www.yourname.com, but if you just want to dip your toe in the waters, consider writing for Examiner.com. I am the National Career Coach Examiner and would be happy to help you get started if you are a strong writer with a niche topic in mind. (For example, maybe you want to be the “Seattle PR Examiner” or the “Miami Accounting Examiner.” Contact me if you are interested in learning more!

Stop and think about what you really want to do

Use your time to assess yourself, your goals and plans for the future. How often are we forced to take a moment to really think about the future. This is your chance. Do you like the way your life is going? Are you happy with your path? If not, consider a coach to help you figure out a new direction.

Learn a new skill

Have you been thinking about taking a class in something that will help you with your job? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit? This is a good time. Doing something new and learning a new skill is good for your attitude and will help you in multiple ways. If you can be excited about something that you can obviously control (since your job search SEEMS less control-able), it should help your outlook.

There is so much information and opportunities to learn new things online for free. High-profile and talented people are offering free teleclasses, webinars and seminars all of the time. If you plug in, you’ll learn about these opportunities and benefit from them. Take advantage of your public library as a resource for information. Check in with the librarian for information you might be missing!

Don’t be afraid to pay for some great content as well! Once you know and trust a source for information, invest in yourself and your plans and learn something new.

Expand Your Reading List

Have you considered reading books written for the HIRING side of the desk? It could help you to know what hiring managers are thinking. Also, be sure to spend time expanding your interests and expertise. Read things that have NOTHING to do with your job hunt. Keep up to date on current events, sports, cultural arts, entertainment…

Volunteer

Of course, no list of things to do would be complete with suggesting volunteering with an organization you support. I’ve already shared great reasons to volunteer if you have some free time. You never know when you might meet someone influential for your career and/or learn and use new skills. Volunteering is an amazing opportunity to do some good while helping yourself as well!

What ideas do you have?

Need some help getting started with any of these ideas? Learn more about how I can help you get a job.

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How did members of the Career Collective respond? Follow us on Twitter with our hashtag #careercollective and read these posts:

@MartinBuckland, Job Search Made Positive

@GayleHoward, Job Search: When It All Turns Sour

@chandlee, Strategy for Getting “Unstuck” and Feeling Better: Watch Lemonade

@heathermundell, Help for the Job Search Blues

@heatherhuhman, 10 Ways to Turn You Job Search Frown Upside-Down

@KCCareerCoach, You Can Beat the Job Search Blues: 5 + 3 Tips to Get Re-Energized

@WalterAkana, Light at the End of the Tunnel

@resumeservice, Don’t Sweat the Job Search

@careersherpa, Mind Over Matter: Moving Your Stalled Search Forward

@WorkWithIllness, Finding Opportunity in Quicksand

@KatCareerGal, Job-Hunting in a Weak Job Market: 5 Strategies for Staying Upbeat (and Improving Your Chances of Success)

@ErinKennedyCPRW, Dancing in the Rain–Kicking the Job Search Blues

@DawnBugni, It’s the little things

@ValueIntoWords, Restoring Your Joy in Job Search

@jobhuntorg,  Just SO VERY Discouraged

@barbarasafani, Making Job Search Fun (Yeah, That’s Right!)

@GLHoffman, How to Overcome the Job Search Negativity

@ExpatCoachMegan, Dealing With Job Search Stress: Getting to the Source of the Problem

photo by fiveforfun

Thinking about making a change for a career in healthcare?

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As part of my new “Altruistic Tuesdays” series, today, I am pleased to highlight a story from Encore.org:

Terry Ramey started working on an assembly line at a Ford plant outside Ann Arbor, Mich., when he was in his 20s. “I’m third-generation auto,” he explains. Like his father and grandfather, he figured he would retire from the same job.

But after more than 13 years, the monotony of the line, the physical toll it took on his body, and the auto industry’s uncertain future started Ramey thinking about leaving. “The quality of life, even though I made a good living, was terrible.”

Not too long afterward, Ramey happened to be the first on the scene of a highway motorcycle accident. He was calm, able to help the injured man – and surprised that he got so much satisfaction from doing it.

When Ford offered an “education buyout package” – a chance to attend school for four years and receive up to $15,000 in annual tuition money and half his annual wages – Ramey jumped at the chance.

Even though he had never been to college and he was 40 years old, Terry enrolled in a four-year nursing program. He plans to become a nurse by age 44.

Have you ever thought of making a change – a big change – in your career? The healthcare industry consistently ranks in the top growth fields year after year. Is this a field of interest to you?

Andrea Santiago, about.com’s guide to health careers, reminds us, “There are lots of health care jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree, and some don’t even require an associate’s degree.” She cautions, “However, keep in mind that generally, the more education is required for the job, the higher it will pay, just as in any other industry.” (Stay tuned for much more advice from Andrea about transitioning to a health career tomorrow!)

Encore.org offers a variety of resources if you are considering making a change to a career in healthcare. Follow THIS link for details about jobs in high demand, information about being an RN and resources for scholarships and financial aid.
Healthcare is not your career of choice, but still think a major change to a non-profit is on the horizon? You may want to visit:
Stay tuned for more stories that may inspire you in my next “Altruistic Tuesdays” post!
photo by interplast