Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

You SHOULD be trying to find a job

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lemonade3216658902_5f786c4cc6_mGL Hoffman, author of the highly regarded blog, “What Would Dad Say,” contacted me to invite a reply to Seth Godin’s guest post on WWDS. In the post, Seth (the author of the most popular marketing blog in the world and 12 best-selling books) says that you shouldn’t try to get a job. His rationale:

There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the act of trying to get a job corrupts you. It pushes you to be average, to fit in and to do what you’re told.

The second is that this act moves the responsibility from you to that guy who didn’t hire you. It’s his fault. As soon as you start spending your day trying to please the guy, you’ve blown it.

The third is that the economy is terrible and the best jobs you’re going to get are lousy.

What does Seth suggest instead? Bon bons and a cruise on the Riviera? No. He says: Start a business. A tiny one.

Well, then.

This isn’t the first time I’ve disagreed with Seth. He caused a stir when he claimed that, if you are “remarkable, amazing or just plain spectacular,” you don’t even need a resume. Certainly, there is a small percentage of the population who do not need a resume to land a job. You can probably come up with a set of names, the uber-business people and celebrities for whom opportunities come knocking. (I do agree that we should all aspire to develop a persona that will draw opportunities, but most people will still need a form of a resume for a job, even if it is a formality.)

For the same reason that “you don’t need a resume, you need to be remarkable” is advice that is suitable for a small percentage of the population, admonishing careerists that there are no good jobs and the only admirable thing to do is start a business similarly is good advice for a small percentage of the population.

The fact is, not everyone is well suited to being an entrepreneur. Brian O’Kane, author of Could You Be Your Own Boss says that research shows that successful entrepreneurs have:

  • Strong needs for control and independence
  • Drive and energy
  • Self-confidence
  • A point of view of money as a measure of performance
  • A tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty
  • A sense of social responsibility

and that they are good at:

  • Problem-solving
  • Setting (and achieving) goals and targets
  • Calculated risk-taking
  • Committing themselves for the long term
  • Dealing with failure
  • Using feedback
  • Taking the initiative
  • Seeking personal responsibility
  • Tapping and using resources
  • Competing against self-imposed standards.

Personality type also comes into play. Small Business Entrepreneurs suggests that the “ideal” Myers-Briggs type indicator for an entrepreneur is ENTJ, but having that uncommon type is no guarantee of business success and happiness.

All of this by way of suggesting that some people, even if they are remarkable, may not be well suited to running their own businesses. I don’t think that someone who would prefer to let someone else manage the big picture (and, let’s be honest – the headaches that come from running a business) are corrupt or average – far from it. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is key to success in business and in life. If you know you are not suited to running a business, it’s the last thing you should try to do.

Finally, I must address Seth’s suggestion that there are no good jobs available and that being an employee is about spending your day trying to please someone else. Provocative, but preposterous!

There ARE organizations who value their employees and encourage independent thinking. Read profiles of this type of company HERE and read about GreatPlaceJobs to learn how to easily search for jobs with award-winning employers.

Do I think that some job seekers should pull out all the stops to start a small business? Absolutely. I have advised a number of my clients to pursue that path. It’s not for everyone, though, and if it’s not for you, consider yourself self-aware and astute, not average and corrupt!

Convinced that finding a job is for you? I can help! Even if you are ready to start a new business, you still need a strong resume and online presence. Contact me to learn how to achieve your dreams!

photo by crazyunclejoe

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5 Strategies to help you with a bad boss

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jerk-city279563125_b7e3468b62_mSo, you work for a jerk? But, it’s a recession, so you aren’t looking to change jobs or it is taking longer than you’d like. So, some tips to help you try to build a relationship with the person you probably spend a lot of your time trying to avoid…

Read the rest at my blog on GreatPlaceJobs…

Nothing works? Then, you need to get ready to look for a NEW job. Contact me…I can help!

photo by joeshlabotnik

New website offers salary information: Jobnob.com

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jobnob_logo

As a conclusion to my posts about negotiating your job offer, it is fitting to share a resource author Alexanda Levit recently mentioned on her blog, Water Cooler Wisdom. She writes:

Stanford MBA Julie Greenberg just launched a useful website called Jobnob.com that solves the dilemma faced by job hunters everywhere. Jobnob.com provides information about the salary of particular jobs offered by companies all over the US. By perusing the salary ranges and the current salaries being offered, job seekers have exactly what they need to negotiate the best price for a great salary with the company that they want to work for.

Jobnob.com can also be helpful when making the decision to adjust or change your career. If you’re a run-of-the-mill accountant, for instance, Jobnob.com will tell you that your average salary is $46,092. You could decide to become a tax accountant, who earns $50,301 on average, or an auditor, who earns $56,865 on average. Even better, maybe a finance manager position is in your future. These guys have similar skills and education as basic accountants, yet they get paid $72,376.

Consider adding this tool to your arsenal so you are prepared to negotiate well! It’s always great to have new resources to help gain the upper hand in negotiating and career planning!

Still looking for that perfect job? Contact me to learn how career coaching and a transformed resume can help!

How to negotiate a job offer in a recession, Part 2

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2402698820_6606b5ca8a_m1I hope you read Part 1…You need to know your value proposition, research, know what you value and have a good understanding of the organization and its needs. Now…

You have an actual offer. Now what? How can you negotiate for the best possible deal?

Instead of saying “OK” to an offer, it may be beneficial to pause and say “HMMM.” According to Jack Chapman, the well-known career consultant, telecoach, and author of Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute, this single technique enables more people to negotiate a better salary than any other. In other words, don’t jump at the first offer. This single technique along with the following information will assist you in obtaining the most favorable compensation package.

It is very important to thank them for the offer and indicate that you are looking forward to getting it in writing so you can review it carefully. It’s ALWAYS important to negotiate. You don’t want to leave money “on the table,” so to speak. I can tell you stories of two people, equally qualified, from the same school, similar experiences, who wound up with the same job but unequal salaries because one failed to ask if it was negotiable.

It’s also a good idea in many industries to ask if there is a signing bonus! This is another example of an opportunity to leave money on the table!

What are some behaviors you’ll want to incorporate into the negotiation?
While you don’t want to jump at the offer, you do want to indicate that you are excited about the job and remind the organization of why they chose you. This is not the time to remind the organization about the tuition you need to pay for your son in college or for your penchant for designer clothing! Focus negotiations on your value. It’s a good idea to remind the decision makers of everything you bring to the table.

Keep it positive and be flexible and a team player throughout the process. Remember – you want to work with these people!

What do you want to consider regarding the offer?

Again, be prepared! What’s your “bottom” number? Is there a salary you MUST earn, no matter what? Decide if there is, and recognize that you may lose the offer if it doesn’t work out. Be ready to explain why you believe you are asking for a specific salary.

Evaluate a company’s entire benefit plan.

Sometimes, the hiring manager will not be able to negotiate the salary up. Think outside of the box and be creative in your negotiating. Look at the entire package. Think about negotiating using:

  • Vacation time, flexible hours, tuition reimbursement
  • Overtime, days off, relocation expenses, stock options
  • Company car, expense accounts, bonuses, etc.
  • Benefits (health, retirement, disability, stock options, education assistance)
  • Relocation expenses, reimbursement for commuting costs

What every negotiator needs to remember:

  • Never burn bridges – communicate in an open and thoughtful manner.
  • If you aren’t prepared to walk away, don’t offer ultimatums.
  • Look for the common points – use them to negotiate.

It’s a good idea to practice your techniques (I’m happy to help!) and prepare as you would for an interview. With the right attitude and preparation, you will be set to earn what you are worth, even in a down economy!

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How to negotiate in a recession, Part 1

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money_on_table_1The news is not good. Talk of a recession is now turning to talk of a depression. If you do land a new job, what options do you have for negotiating your salary? Can you afford to be aggressive in negotiating your salary? Do you want to risk leaving money “on the table?”

As with most career advising, there is no one “right” answer. How you proceed will depend on your industry, your level of expertise and how important your position is to the organization. I do not advise entering a negotiation thinking that you should jump at any offer you are “lucky enough” to get. Organizations still need to recruit talent. Take a good, long look in the mirror. Know what you offer and negotiate based on that value. There is a lot to keep in mind…

Research, research, research.

Before you get the point of being asked to name salary, you must do your homework! Yes, that should include online research. Alison Doyle, who writes the About.com Job Search column lists several sites to visit. (Feel free to list others in the comments section.)

In addition, you’ll want to talk to people to try to determine if you can get a sense of salary ranges. Although there’s been talk of employees sharing salary information with each other, it is not generally accepted to ask someone what he or she earns! However, it is acceptable to talk about ranges and to ask general questions. For example, “Does this company typically pay at the high or low end of the industry’s range?”

What should you list on an application that asks for salary?

Avoid listing salary. Write “negotiable.”

What should job seekers do to be prepared to actually negotiate an offer?

What to know about yourself. Make some choices about your needs: Before you begin negotiating, make a list of the things that are key factors for you:
-    What’s going to make you love your job?
-    What will make you proud to come to work every day?
-    What would keep you at a company?

What to know about the organization?

Be prepared and informed. ?How badly does the employer need to fill the position for which you are being considered? How difficult is it to find someone with your special skills?  This information lets you know what type of leverage you will have to negotiate a better offer. Most importantly though, you must have conducted comparative salary research (as described above). Determine your market value in the profession and location. Once you have all of this information, along with your own salary history, you can determine how to negotiate your offer – even in a recession!

Stay tuned tomorrow for what to do once you have an offer!

Need to get to the offer? I can help! A new resume and job search strategies can make all the difference!

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