Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Network for success – don't be a bumper car

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872986311_e33b9503b9_mI try to practice what I preach, so I’ve been making an effort to attend in-person networking events. Every time I go to these events, I learn something! This week’s lesson: don’t network like a bumper car.

Many networkers at the event seemed to spend their one-on-one time in pursuit of their next contact. You know the type: shifty eyes, impatient body language and unfocused conversations. I found it difficult to connect with these networkers, as it seemed that they were much more interested in the next conversation than in the current one!

In watching them interact during the night, they reminded me of bumper cars, haphazardly moving around the room, without any direction or focus. Maybe, incidentally, this type of networker will bump into someone and have a valuable interaction, but it seems more likely that this style would prevent meaningful interactions. After all, who would be interested in someone who doesn’t seem very interested in them?

On the flip side, I had several excellent networking conversations that reminded me how easy it is to form a connection with a stranger. I spoke to one person, a painter, for some time. Obviously a skilled networker, he asked about my work and talked to me about his business. Throughout the conversation, he was very focused on what I was saying, his eye contact focused on me (not his next “target”), and his responses to my questions were on point.

During our conversation, I felt that I had a strong sense of his professionalism and business philosophy. When we were finished speaking, I made a mental note to give him a call when I was ready to move forward with some painting projects I’ve had in mind.

Incidentally, his background and personal network turned out to be very related to my own networking goals, as he is very connected to the HR and recruiting world. So, in addition to the opportunity to learn about him and his business, he may be able to provide some valuable contacts for my business. This is another example of the fact that you can’t judge a book by its cover!

Focus on each person you encounter when networking (and even when you are not officially “networking.” You never know what you might learn and how it will propel you toward your goals!

Need help networking? I’m here to teach you what you need to know! Contact me to discuss how we can work together.

photo by whatdavesees

Used cars and job hunting – don't ask for the sun, moon and stars

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sunmoonstarsWe’re selling a car, so we posted a detailed ad on Craig’s List and received over 30 replies in just one day. Clearly, we want to sell the car, but we are busy, so going through the replies seems a bit tedious, even though we are happy to have people interested (don’t get me wrong)!

Many express interest and include their contact information. Some even let us know when they are available to see the car. Others followed up their original email with YET ANOTHER email – within 24 hours! But, the most interesting (to me) were the ones who had 8 or 10 (!) additional questions, wanted a picture AND asked if the price is negotiable! Faced with 30+ responses, which do you think we’ll contact first? Yup – the ones who gave us the information we need and didn’t seem too demanding.

Lesson? When you connect with someone – for any reason – think first about THEIR needs. How will your note, letter or request strike them? If you hope to hear back, make sure you include information that helps your target understand WHY connecting to you would be advantageous. Make it easy to them to respond (by including your phone number and email address).

Finally, don’t be too demanding! If we can sell a car without responding to extra questions and sending pictures, we’re going to go that path. “High maintenance” isn’t a label you want as a used car buyer in a seller’s market or as a job seeker in a recession.

Think of this analogy when you apply for your next job. Are you putting yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes? What can you do to make things easy for him or her? Are you connecting the “dots” between what the job requires and what you offer with your resume? Are you addressing the employer’s key questions in your cover letter? Are your materials optimized and competitive? Do what you can to increase the odds that you will be in the “short stack” of people contacted for the opportunity.

My clients get interviews and land jobs, even in competitive industries. I can help you achieve your goals. Contact me to learn more!

photo by preciouskhyatt

Should you make waves at work?

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316689_jacket.inddEverywhere you look, someone is losing their job. Advice comes from all directions: What to do keep your job. How should you find a new job. Should you try to fit in? Should you demonstrate that you stand out? Some believe that they’d better conform to the norm if they want to stay afloat.

Not true! says Robin Fisher Roffer, author of The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You’re the Only One Like You.  She asserts “Being different gets you noticed, which is the first step to gaining influence.”

“In a time when many companies are having to make the hard choice between who can stay and who should go, make sure that your name is on the top of the list of employees they can’t afford to lose,” she advises.

Want to know if you are making waves or getting lost in a school of other fish? Roffer offers this quiz to find out!

How fearless are you at work?

Are you the wallflower by the water cooler or the star of your department? Take this quiz and find out if you’re fearlessly making the most of who you are at work.

1. You’re at a meeting and you have a great idea for how to increase sales. Do you:
a) Keep your idea to yourself because people might think it’s stupid.
b) Wait for someone to come up with a similar idea and then add to it.
c)  Share your idea proudly with the group.

2. You just got hired at a new job and you’ve been invited to a company social event. What’s your social style at the event?
a) Wait on the sidelines for someone to start talking to you.
b) Make conversation with the people who hired you and the folks you know in your department.
c) Go table-to-table introducing yourself to everyone.

3. It’s review season. Do you:
a) Trust your boss to know your best contributions and accept his or her review.
b) Bring a short list of contributions to your review for backup just in case your boss forgets something.
c) Send a high-priority email to your boss prior to your review with a list of your contributions that you’ve been keeping track of all year.

4. Your department didn’t perform as well as expected this quarter. Do you:
a) Blame everything on your coworkers who are poor performers.
b) Accept personal responsibility and apologize profusely to your boss.
c) Acknowledge that mistakes were made and make suggestions for how to improve performance next quarter.

5. What do you feel is your most important contribution to your company?
a) You work long hours and never say no to overtime.
b) Your positive attitude boosts your team’s morale.
c) You are very creative and have a lot of great ideas that drive revenue.

6. How important do you think you are to your company?
a) Not very — I feel I am dispensable.
b) Somewhat — All of my coworkers seem to like me.
c) Very — I am talented, forward-thinking, and proud of what makes me different.

7. Which statement describes your work wardrobe?
a) I follow the dress code — I don’t want to have anyone question my style.
b) I follow the dress code, but add interesting accessories that express who I am.
c) I am a trendsetter — I have a signature style that makes me positively stand out.

8. How would you go about asking your boss for a promotion?
a) Wait until your boss brings it up or your annual review.
b) Wait until after a big company success when everyone’s spirits will be high.
c) Bring it up with your boss as soon as you think you’ve earned it.

9. You’re at a meeting where you feel strongly that your department’s strategy is not up to par, while everyone else thinks it’s right on target. How do you get others on your side?
a) Give up. If no one else agrees with you, you must be wrong.
b) Start by convincing the people in the meeting who seem to like you.
c) After the meeting, go to your boss, state your case, and give solutions.

10. Your department hires someone younger and more technically proficient than you to do a similar job. What’s your move?
a) Assume your company has hired him or her to replace you and start looking for a new job.
b) Let the newbie focus on the technical details, so you have more time to devote to using your unique strengths in sales, marketing, etc.
c) Ask your boss if you can mentor the new person — you’ll seem more important if you’re in a leadership position.

Mostly A’s: Spineless Jellyfish
You are hard working, but underappreciated because you don’t speak up for yourself. It’s okay to have an opinion or idea that differs from the norm and to share it. There is a way to let your voice be heard without alienating yourself. In fact, putting yourself out on the line could finally get you the recognition you deserve.

Mostly B’s: Schooled Fish
You are good at standing up for yourself and are well-liked by your coworkers, but you don’t stand out from the school of fish as much as you could. Push yourself to really think outside the fish bowl and you could have a much bigger impact. Bigger impact means more recognition, which could lead to job security and a promotion when the economy recovers.

Mostly C’s: Holy Mackerel!
You are one fearless fish! But be careful — remember, you can swim your own way, but don’t forget it’s your company’s ocean. You want to ripple the waters, not create a crushing tidal wave. It’s all about balance. Make your confidence work for you without going over the top and alienating coworkers.

Are you a fish out of water at work? Need a new job before someone shows you the door? Contact me before you are desperate. Getting help now can make all the difference. Contact me!

How to avoid being scammed on big job boards

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scamFor a job seeker, I can’t think of anything more disheartening (and aggravating) than applying for positions online that don’t turn out to be actual jobs, but avenues for scam artists to try to take advantage of down-and-out job seekers. 

 

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Sarah Needleman reminds job seekers that, “It Isn’t Always A Job Behind the Online Posting.” She describes the story of a job seeker who uses CareerBuilder.com to apply for jobs. Twice in two years, Tom Greene was invited to interview for “positions” via postings at the popular site, only to encounter a sales pitch from a shady service offering career advice to the tune of $10,000!

Read the rest of the post on my blog at GreatPlaceJobs…

 

photo by jepoirrier

How dreaming and visualization can help your career transition

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flyingsolocoverToday, I’m happy to share a guest post from my business partner, Hallie Crawford. Do you know you need a career change, but you aren’t sure what path to take? Hallie specializes in helping recent college grads and boomerangs identify their ideal career paths and make it happen. Hallie recently published a book targeted to singles in transition, Flying Solo.

If you’re single and considering a transition, I recommend you read Flying Solo for many terrific tips about what can be an unsettling, albeit exciting transition!

This is an excerpt from Chapter 2: Getting Your Transition Started. Visit her site to learn more about Hallie!

by Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC

Dream First, Dream Big

You know the traditional image of the American Dream: Work hard and you can have anything you want, regardless of where you came from, your socio-economic status or any other aspect of your life. Well, the American Dream has changed, and the traditional way to pursue that dream is quite different. No longer is there just one “work hard” ethic to achieve the American Dream. And, it’s no longer about sticking to one career path for the rest of your life.

[If you are] a single person you have even more freedom to set up your career, to break the mold, and figure out what will work for you. The process of “Dreaming First” will help you stay outside the box and think creatively about your career transition.

Why dream first? Why turn to the fanciful side of your brain when everyone keeps telling you that a practical plan is the key to success? Because it works. While a practical plan is one of the strongest keys to success, the best-laid plans always start with the dream-a dream that you can trim and shape later to fit your real-life situation.

One way to dream BIG is to use the technique of visualization.

Envision how you want your career transition to unfold, visualize the pieces you want to have in place to make it happen and “see” all the players you need to support you along the way. When you develop your vision first, you will not only become clearer about what you want to happen, you will also be more likely to make it happen in the way you’ve envisioned it, and therefore be successful.

Dreaming First enables you to brainstorm as many possibilities as you can imagine for living out your dream, and therefore, enables you to identify many more ways to make it happen.

Two great tools for Dreaming First are journaling and visualization.

Your Quick Start Tips on ‘Dreaming First’

  • Start with a blank slate in your mind.
  • Always act from the present and what you really want, not from past experience.
  • Commit to making your choices as independently as possible from the voices of your past-your parents, the media, past experience, previous failures or successes, and assumptions.
  • Throw away any preconceived notions you have about transition being hard, about not being able to have a job you love or whatever assumptions you have that hold you back.
  • Jump into the realm of possibility. Think and act only from there.

Dream journaling involves writing out the process of your career transition in an ideal light, as if it has already happened.

Include in your dream journaling:

1. The time frame in which you achieved your goal-six months, one year?

2. How did you feel during this transition? Confident, clear, focused?

3. Make a list of those personal characteristics you tapped into and any new qualities you identified.

4. Where did you need extra support and where did you get it from?

Dreaming Visualization Guidelines

1. First, take a deep breath.

2. Include anything you want.

3. Have fun with it.

4. If you find yourself starting to doubt what you’re seeing or feeling, just let that image go.

5. Create a structure for your vision.

6. Imagine your transition complete.

Now come back to the real world and take a few minutes to think about what happened. How did it go? How did you act? Answer these questions in your Career Journal.

Dreaming First will continue to be an important part of your career transition. The more you use the Dream First process, the more fine-tuned your dreams become.

Reprinted from Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles, by Hallie Crawford, CPCC, by permission of the author. ©2008 Hallie Crawford. All rights reserved.

If you need help with your search, contact KEPPIE CAREERS for everything you need to help you with your job hunt!