You know those times where you get writers block. I mean really stuck. Usually I can come up with something, anything. Today all I was thinking about is my son repeating a line from Star Wars, “Laugh it up, fuzz ball.” I had to know who said the line so off I go to the net to find out. It was Han Solo. So today all I’ve got it is, “Laugh it up, fuzz ball."
Maybe I need a day to laugh it up instead of sitting here stuck like a fuzz ball.
The calls we are getting from some of our candidates can break your heart. People are stressed, not working, frustrated, scared and desperate -- but those traits won’t get you hired. When you talk to a potential employer be confident, happy, smart, sensible, and strong. And if you don’t feel that way, fake it til you make it.
Seriously, fake the happy, sensible and strong. Fake the confidence. Don’t give into fear and insecurity no matter how you really feel. If you need to vent, dump your frustrations and fears on your family, friends and your shrink, not on a potential employer. Then, sit down and put together an employment plan and work the plan.
Not working? Have you finished "The Honey-Do" list? Need something to do while you are searching for a job? Work for a Non-profit. Yes, volunteer your time. What volunteering does for you?
1. Makes you feel good. You are helping those who need help while you are helping yourself.
2. How are you helping yourself? By expanding your network. You are meeting people you might not normally meet.
3. Develops new skills or refines skills you already have.
4. Keeps you busy. Idyll hands, idyll mind. Keep yourself sharp by keeping busy.
There are many successful companies today, companies that are showing a profit. If you work for one of these companies and are thinking you deserve a raise - it’s OK to ask for one, but do it in the right way.
You are not entitled to a raise. You must earn one and demonstrate why you deserve one. Especially in this tough economic climate where cutbacks are the norm, you need to make sure you have all your preverbal “ducks in a row” when you go talk to your boss. Show, preferably using positive examples, why you deserve a raise. Your credit card bills, your stock market loss and your kids’ tuition increasing are not reasons to get a raise. Saving the company money, increasing the bottom line, and turning around a difficult situation to the benefit of your company – those are all reasons to receive a raise.
So, get your pitch together with all the facts, be genuine, and state your case. If they say no, at least your boss learned all the good you’ve done. If they say yes, celebrate!
Part of an easy job search is to develop a document to use with your resume. This “plug and play list” will have all your accomplishments and all of your skill sets. You list all of them out separately. When you are applying for a job and re-writing your resume you can “plug and play” what is appropriate to the job.
Keep in mind, this is a working document, not one you will share when taking in your resume. If you have a web site you formalize the list and post it. Mostly, this document is strictly for convenience when you are styling your resume for your next job.
A few rules:
• No stodgy boiler plate phrases.
• No exaggerating the truth. If it was a team effort that is OK. You were part of a successful team.
• Write in your own voice. Writing like you are someone else shows up in the interview. When we drill you down and get the – who, what, where, why and when (5W’s) we can pick out all the truths and falsehoods.
• Be prepared to go into detail about all your accomplishments. Again the 5W’s.
• We like numbers -- Increased sales by 200%. Saved $71 million. Reduced over due balances by 25%.
So, get going on your plug and play and make it easy to change up your resume as needed.
"One pound of learning requires ten pounds of common sense to apply it." - Persian Proverb.
I’m taking that proverb to heart and have read my instruction book on my new cell phone. Now I need some common sense!
I am having the hardest time getting used to my Droid’s touch screen. I feel like a child having to learn how to tie their shoes and I’m getting really frustrated. I got the Droid because I was told that in about 2 years we won’t be able to get key pads anymore. Cell phones are going completely over to touch pads. So, I embrace the change.
Well, yippee on the totally cool technology but my fingers don’t want to do it. So, for the next week if you text me or email me, you just might be getting some very interesting messages back. Be patient with me as I attempt to learn how to use my phone! This is so ridiculously my life.
I did not call Dave a dinosaur last week. He’s been on the phone all day Tuesday and now Wednesday, today, insisting I said he’s a dinosaur. Dinosaurs are the creatures my son is fascinated with - they are cold blooded, larger than life, ancient and quite interesting.
OK, maybe I should be calling Dave a dino...
Dave can be cold blooded, especially when he turns the air conditioner down so low my feet go numb, he is always larger than life and lets us know that! Dave, by some standards, could be considered ancient in the recruiting industry. However, in our family, where people live into their late 90’s, he’s still considered young and quite, of course, interesting – it’s never a dull moment around here.
Way to go, “Dave the Dino” you got yourself written into my blog – again.
