Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Career lessons from a royal wedding

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Did you get up to watch the royal wedding? I did! I’m a royal watcher from way back.

Unlike the last royal weddings I arose early to view, this time, I am thinking of the career lessons from the story.

Everyone seems to be making a major point of how Catherine and William hold the burden of the whole country — the future of England and the monarchy — on their shoulders. Can you imagine a bigger job?

These are the lessons I’m considering. Feel free to suggest your ideas in the comments!

– Be prepared and take your time. The newlyweds have been together a long time, presumably giving Catherine plenty of opportunity to decide if she wanted the job. While no one wants that type of “courtship” for a position (some interview processes already seem eternal), the lesson here is to remember the job seeker is also evaluating the fit for the opportunity. Keep your eyes open; decide if you will be happy working for the organization, and don’t be dazzled or desperate.

– Make it your own — within reason. A lot of the television coverage I watched made a big deal of how the couple wanted to put their stamp on the wedding ceremony. They wanted it to feel like “their,” intimate service, despite the millions watching. Commentators believed they succeeded. The career lesson? Be yourself, but keeping in mind the greater expectations. Other couples may have had a lot more leeway in their music choices, for example. Let’s face it, there were certain expectations for this service that were likely non-negotiable. Similarly, job seekers need to take expectations into account and target their materials and efforts to appeal to their audience (the hiring decision makers).

– Rely on your supporters. William has his brother, Harry. Catherine has sister, Pippa. From what the media suggests, both take the role of helping out, serving as confidants and merry makers. I just heard Pippa is bringing in glitter balls for the party tonight at the palace. We’ve heard for years how Harry and his brother support and rely on each other. If you are looking for a job, be sure to create and rely on your network. Identify your go-to people for different “jobs.” Maybe you have a “fun” friend or colleague who’s the one you contact when you want some comic relief. Another empathizes when you’re having a tough time. Don’t go it alone.

– Practice. The vows. The kiss. Diana actually flubbed Charles’ four-part name (reversing two of them) during her vows in 1981. I can bet Catherine and William practiced their vows, and there’s talk they even had a “rehearsal” for “the kiss” to help photographers get the angles right. It’s a kiss, but everyone (okay, a LOT of people) are watching. How often do you rehearse what you will say in an interview? Out loud? Try it – answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” on a regular basis. I’ve even suggested taping that inquiry to your bathroom mirror and responding every time you see it.

– Dress the part. Many people in the crowds watching the wedding are dressed, hats and the whole bit. I’m sure it makes the whole thing feel much more fun and festive. How can you not feel “in the moment” wearing one of those crazy hats that perch on the side of your head? 🙂 Some suggest dressing up even for a phone interview, just to be “in the moment.” Think about it — what you wear matters!

– Exceed expectations. The married couple came out for the big kiss – and surprised the crowd with a second kiss! What can you do to go above and beyond? It’s up to you to stand out and differentiate!

What do you think?

Things are not always what they seem. Job search lessons

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How about a deviation from the norm for a Friday? My brother shared this fun video with me…Since I have this habit of viewing everything through the lens of a career coach, job search advice writer/blogger, of course, I think there are some messages…(What we used to call “salient points” when I was at Columbia.)

1. Things aren’t always what they seem at first. (Watch the video, you’ll see!) The career message? Keep in mind when you apply for a job that you may need to think more broadly about the opportunity. The lesson may be that a job is better than you think…or that it is worse!

2. If you go to the site and read the comments, there’s another career lesson. People reacted very differently to this video. Many thought it was cute, some focused on the fact that the commercial ruins it (this version is without the ad), others point out details you may not have noticed. (For example, there are two kids who hide under the table at the beginning…Then, the table goes up with the back wall! Did you notice the flying people at the end? The eccentric “grandma” figure in the chair on the side?) Some seemed disgusted by the fact that it is “fake;” others said, “fake, but cute.”

Career tip: everyone reacts differently. Your resume? Show it to 10 people, you can get 15 opinions. Create a video resume? Some will like it, others may hate it.

What should you do in response? Do what you can to demonstrate the best you have to offer. Solicit opinions from people you trust, but recognize that some people have more informed opinions about what may work best in the market today. In the end, it is up to you to share your pitch, a story that is about you that you are proud to share. Maybe you are willing to take a risk — to be edgy — or even cutting edge. Maybe not. It’s your story, your choice.

Watch the video. Let me know what you think…and if you agree that there are some job hunting lessons embedded!

picture from Thomas Hawk

What Jobseekers Can Learn From a Panhandler

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Recently, I had an opportunity to ride the New York City subway. I say “opportunity,” because watching other passengers and what goes on in and around the subway offers an array of ideas for my blog.

One passenger stands out in my mind. Anyone who’s ridden the subway knows that you rarely get from point A to point B without encountering someone asking for money. Sometimes, it’s in exchange for some type of “entertainment,” other times simply because the person is hungry.

While sitting and minding my own business, I noticed a man in a wheelchair making his way through the train asking for change. At the other side of the train, another panhandler burst into the car with a loud and boisterous call for assistance. “Uh oh,” I thought, “Dueling panhandlers. What now?” The loud newcomer immediately noticed the man in the wheelchair. He stopped calling for a handout and came to sit down next to me.

I watched him go through his pockets and pull out all of his change. He counted it. It wasn’t much – maybe several dollars worth of coins. He sorted and fingered through it as I watched on the sly. He stood up and approached the man in the wheelchair. “What now?” I thought. I lived in NYC and rode the trains daily for years, but I don’t remember ever seeing two people in the same train car asking for money. (Maybe this is a sign of the times and is now commonplace.)

I admit that I was pretty surprised to see the man who had carefully counted his change offer a portion to the panhandler in the wheelchair. Here was someone who clearly didn’t have much offering part of his take to someone else who may have an even more difficult life.

I thought this made an inspiring story for an end-of-the-year career blog. This hasn’t been a great year for the economy. Unemployment numbers are higher than ever. Looking for a job is tough and trying work for even the most intrepid job seeker. Stop and take stock: how can you assist someone who needs help even more than you?

I’ve written to suggest volunteering as a great activity for a job seeker, as it offers networking opportunities as well as a chance to really give back to your community. But the panhandler offering some of his “loot” to another really put a spotlight on the issue of helping your neighbor.

I hope that one of your resolutions this year is to try to help someone else. You don’t have extra money? Offer your time. Offer your services. I think it’s a resolution that can help job seekers and provide a ripple effect we could all feel.

Looking for someone to help YOU with your job hunt? Contact me to see how I can help you achieve your goal of a new job in the new year.

photo by eastbayjay