ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > March
March 2007
Stand out during a job search!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are five simple ways to make a splash when embarking on your job search:
1) Be sure your resume has a nice layout, is void of grammatical errors and demonstrates how you have experience different from others with the same background in your industry.
2) Find out the name of the hiring manager for the position you are seeking and use it in the cover letter. Never use “To Whom it May Concern.”
3) Personalize your resume and make your resume (honestly) a perfect match for the position’s job description.
4) Before the interview, research the company so that you are not caught off guard during the interview process.
5) Always do these things to engage the interviewer: a) interview with confidence, b) ask intelligent questions towards the end of the interview demonstrating your knowledge of the industry, current challenges and how your experience can positively contribute to the company’s success.
And lastly, send a thank you note and follow up as discussed in the interview!
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Increase your earning potential with additional education
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Statistics show that job seekers with more education earn more than those who have less formal education. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, (Fall 2006) the national median weekly earnings for full time workers, age 25 or older, is $696.
On average, workers with an Associate degree or higher earn more than those who have not earned a college degree. Those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, earn significantly more.
- Doctoral degree: $1,421
- Professional degree: $1,370
- Master’s degree: $1,129
- Bachelor’s degree: $937
- Associate degree: $699
- Some college, do degree: $653
- High School diploma: $583
- Less than HS diploma: $409
Of course, you don’t need statistics to motivate you to return to school. You’ve already made up your mind that 2007 is the year you’re going to return to school! Right?!
For many people who are interested in returning to school, getting started is the hardest part. There is a vast amount of career and educational information out there that can seem unfamiliar and overwhelming.
Fortunately, here in Georgia future students (of all ages) have a valuable resource at their fingertips!
The Georgia Career Information Center (GCIC), at Georgia State University provides a wealth of career and educational information all in one easy to navigate website! The Georgia Career Information System (GCIS) provides information about student financial aid, programs of study, quick links to trade schools, as well as traditional colleges and graduate programs, career profiles, salary resources like the information found above, and so much more though this valuable on-line resource!
To access the GCIS website, simply visit your school counselor or the Georgia Department of Labor Career Center nearest you and ask how you can access the Georgia Career Information System.
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Is Cupid killing your career?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Love is a subject that generates lots of heated feelings, especially when it is intertwined with the complexities of careers.
However, because personal relationships have such a huge impact on career choices it is nearly impossible to separate the two topics. For instance, it is well known that become a trailing spouse can be a career killer.
Frequently the question of ‘job commitment’ is a good mask for employers to determine if a spousal relocation may prevent a long-term employment situation, and can certainly shoot an arrow in a prospective job offer.
I know at least one couple in an international company that is engaged to be married, yet no one in the company knows they are dating because neither of them is prepared to give up their six-figure jobs and their company’s attitude toward corporate romance has proven to be intolerant.
Of course if you are married, engaged to, or evening dating a person you report to, the conflict of interest is rather obvious. On the other hand with people devoting 50-60 hours a week to their professional life, how are they supposed to meet people socially if they aren’t allowed to ‘fraternize’ with one another? The Los Angeles Times, recently quotes a survey that indicated 43 percent of U.S. workers have had an office romance.
Shockingly, the article said that some companies are even requesting that employees sign a “love contract.” The idea behind the “love contract” appears to be a proactive legal strategy to prevent future sexual harassment cases since it asks the parties to sign off on the ‘consensual’ and ‘voluntary’ nature of the ‘affection.’
I am amazed that our employment environment has become so litigious that shortly after you feel your heart flutter because of the good looking guy in the neighboring cube asked you on a date, your next question should be to ask yourself whether you like him enough to sign a love contract.
Love and work have never been easy to balance, but one thing is for sure. Now you need to be a strategic thinker about how much you will allow your love life to influence you career choices.
Although it isn’t romantic to invite cupid into your career dilemmas, if statistics are accurate almost one of two you reading this will have to decide whether falling in love with your colleague is worth the career risks, for better or worse.
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How many networks do I need to network?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the things I have learned about Atlanta is, it is a networking town. Many job opportunities and business transactions are the result of being connected to the right person who can make the right introductions for you.
It’s not about being in the “good ole boy” club but gaining a business connection network. As the world is becoming flatter, networks are becoming global. So, how many do you need to belong to?
There are community groups, professional groups, church groups, chamber of commerce groups, ethnic groups, gender groups, national groups and global groups. There are online groups and there are groups that strategically meet. Some of the original groups still in existence are rotary clubs, lions clubs, and Elks, etc.
I recently joined Linked In and XING - which is a global connection site for helping people to connect in business. I also joined Meet Up - which is a social and professional connection site that I found works best for local connections.
Which groups do you belong online or otherwise? How do you connect with other professionals? Has broadening your network opened up career opportunities for you?
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March Madness…You Bet!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you bet … at the office? We’ve had a few good chances of late: Super Bowl and now NCAA and WNCAA … March Madness for men and women!
Who watches the WNCAA? According to an article in the Sports section of the AJC last week, there’s a “fundamental gap between man and women” … in basketball. I know, some of you are saying, “That’s a no-brainer.” However, master coach John Wooden and basketball superstar analyst Bill Walton have publicly championed the skills of the women’s game.
Knowing that may have nothing to do with what you watch and who you bet on.
AND, as of this writing, only the women’s Tech and Georgia teams are still in the tournament.
What are you watching and who are you betting on?
There are lots of office pools that go on, but how much serious betting versus nickel/dime betting goes on? What’s tolerated at your office and what’s your take on it?
(Off the record, who are you putting your money on to take the NCAA and the WNCAA?)
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Are you an impostor?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have you ever worried that if your boss realized how little you knew about your job, you would be terminated immediately? Have you ever secretly thought that you were only masquerading as a competent, knowledgeable, intelligent person? Do you believe that you’re fooling everyone at your job and don’t deserve any accolades even when you achieve a success? As you can imagine, this line of thinking can be a major career barrier but it’s also much more common than you might think!
If you’re thinking along these lines, you are probably suffering from the Imposter Syndrome. The impostor syndrome was first identified by psychology professor Pauline Clance and psychologist Suzanne Imes in their book based on their research entitled, The Impostor Phenomenon among High Achieving Women (1978).
Being a victim of this syndrome is evidenced by routinely dismissing any personal accomplishments as a fluke even when your accomplishments are supported by proof of your intelligence and abilities such as advanced degrees, professional recognition, promotions or raises, you hold tight to the belief that you still don’t measure up.
If you’re suffering from this syndrome, you believe your success is only attributed to luck or fooling the boss. You obviously have everyone thinking you are smarter and more capable than you are, when in reality you don’t quite measure up. Although both women and men may be affected by this syndrome, the incidence is much higher in professional women.
Googling the term impostor syndrome resulted in multiple sites with suggestions for dealing with the syndrome and its symptoms. If you think you suffer from this syndrome, emergency treatment is needed, one site to learn more is www.impostorsyndrome.com.
If you have ever experienced these feelings, learning more about impostor syndrome and finding the right prescription could allow you to achieve even higher limits and not feel like such a fraud. Do you recognize yourself in this description of symptoms? Imagine the possibilities if you find the cure for yourself.
What’s your experience been like if you’re recovering from this disorder or if think you have it?
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Walk out the door with class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You have had enough with your current employer - the pay is less than what you deserve, you are sick of the office politics, the internal systems are terrible, and the work environment is negative. So you have decided to throw in the towel. Now what?
Resignation - the first step in your departure
Resigning is never a fun part of your departure from a job. When giving notice of your resignation, you should always supply a letter of resignation. This should include the date of your resignation and the position you are resigning from as well as your signature. This is a brief letter. Be careful to make it short and to the point.
The Last Days
Wow! You’ve resigned and you are almost to the finish line with working out your notice. It is a time you should mention that your reason for leaving is just time for you to move on and you have found an opportunity in line with your long-term goals. If you are asked to assist in training your replacement, do so with class. The more graceful your exit, the more certain you can be that you can always count on your previous employer for a stellar reference.
Exit Interview
If your company has an Exit Interview or Exit Questionnaire, there are a few things you should know how to handle properly when going through this final process. This is when you should discuss the details of insurance coverage, pension plan extension, vacation pay and any other outstanding discussions that relate to benefits. You will also be asked many questions such as: If you could change anything about the company, what would you change? You answer should be similar to, “I think that we have a lot of exceptional people on our team and they could be driven to move mountains; however, I do think that the performance based compensation plan is not as competitive as it could be. With a few small changes, I believe it would heighten overall performance and make a positive long-term impact on the company.”
Remember, if you land a new job and want to leave a lasting impression on your co-workers and management that will reward you time and time again through references throughout your career, be POSITIVE about the company. Who knows? Your new company could later acquire or merge with your old. Who would have guessed that someone leaving their career at the established Time Warner Company to take a new position with America Online would later merge right back in with his old buddies?
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The law of attraction at work…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the top selling DVD’s on the market is the The Secret and one of the top selling books is The Law of Attraction. I have not read the book, but I use the video in some of my workshops. If you are having challenges in your life, I highly recommend the DVD.
The law of attraction tells us that everything that is happening in your life that you have is attracted to you. The video tells us we have attracted the company we work for, the type of job we have, the success we are having and the amount of money we are making. This attraction is the result of our thoughts, feelings and vision.
This may be tough to comprehend, but it makes a lot of sense. Some individuals love their job and seem to get all of the lucky breaks. Others seem to keep getting jobs that they hate with terrible bosses. The law of attraction says that you are getting things you are focusing on. If you focus on negative job situations, you will continue to get negative job situations. If you focus on the positive, you will receive positive job opportunities.
Did you attract your job or boss? Do you have the job you want? If not, why not?
To the top floor please…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Depending on which statistics you believe, between 70-85% of all jobseekers will find their next job through their personal and/or professional network. No matter what the actual number may be, the bottom-line is most jobseekers need to be seeking employment through grass roots self-promotion in their community.
Last week, I attended a terrific jobseekers event hosted by AtlantaExecutive.com. Not only is this website a place for executives to learn more about $100K plus jobs in Atlanta, they sponsor events with featured speakers that will remind you about some important ‘block and tackle’ strategies required to win the career game.
The month’s featured speaker was Jennifer Briskin, founder of HR Innovations. She delivered an excellent presentation on how to rise to the top using a powerful elevator speech. Jennifer reminded me that no matter what phase in your career you are, you need to know how to make the pitch about your career in 30 seconds or less. You must answer the questions about who you are, why you are different, and how someone can help you find your next employer in 2-4 sentences.
As we practiced delivering our Elevator statements, we were each critiqued by the group. What became crystal clear to all of us is how easy it is to ramble, rather than make a strong point quickly. So many times we try to use big, impressive words instead of clear, simple words that are easily understood. Other times, our sentences wander as we struggle to find our own point and then try not to notice that our listeners have the ‘glazed over’ look.
Too often, we speak in generalities about our job search in an attempt to leave ourselves open to a broad range of opportunities. Ironically, being very specific rather than too general about your credentials and the types of jobs you are seeking is the best way to have doors opened for you by others. Communicating in a succinct and well-organized way is difficult, yet essential in a successful job search. In fact, it goes beyond the search.
This is a career skill that all of us need to have honed. Jennifer told us that while she was employed by GE, former GE CEO, Jack Welch road the elevator with his employees. When Jack asked you what you did, you had better know how to say it with clarity and impact. The ones that did, often found themselves rising to the top, even after they got off the elevator!
Do you have an elevator speech ready to go? Or does this stump you?
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Is there an “I” in team?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have been doing team work facilitation for quite some time now, and I have used the term, “there is no I in team” on a regular basis. But this might not be a totally correct statement.
Everyone does not have the same skills. Each of us has our unique strengths and attributes we bring to the table. I may not be good with numbers but good with people. Another team member may not be good at follow-up but is great at creating vision. A third team member may be good at analysis but are not very creative.
Collectively, we make up a great team; however, we are individual contributors (I’s) that make the group whole. This is diversity at work.
Author, lecturer Marcus Buckingham puts this best in his book “The Thing You Need to Know”. Marcus suggests that we determine what the one thing each individual does best and capitalize on that one thing vs. focusing on their weaknesses.
The moral to the story is, if your team is having a tough time performing at the level they desire, are you criticizing team members for their short falls or are you recognizing people for their unique contributions?
What are some of the dynamics in your team? Are you a fearless leader or just a follower? Have some in your team that will trample all over you or take all the credit?
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Cancer … in the workplace
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Laughter has a place too…
I was at a meeting at the American Cancer Society (ACS) here in Atlanta recently. Around 50 employees from about 40 companies in the metro area attended it. I was a moderator for part of the program. After the president of the ACS made his presentation, I asked the audience a question: “Who here either has cancer, has had cancer or has an immediate family member who has or has had cancer?” I wanted to know who had direct experience with cancer personally or through loved ones.
What percentage of the people do you think raised their hand? If you guessed 70-75%, you’re right! Everyone in the audience including the ACS president were surprised; maybe even shocked at how closely cancer has touched us!
Has it touched your workplace? I’ve had the experience of a co-worker with cancer in three different organizations.
I went online to do some research, and was looking for more unusual information regarding cancer. I found two sites that I want to pass on to you.
The first is Cancer and Careers, whish is a site targeted at employees and employers, managers, and HR professionals who want to support co-workers who have cancer. There’s a tab that provides advice for co-workers and a tab for employers. Both tabs point out the importance of reaching out to your co-worker and the employees with cancer generally welcome the interest, support and concern of co-workers. They appreciate you being the co-worker you have always been, and your returning to the usual work relationships you have shared before their diagnosis of cancer.
The second, and most unique, is Guilda’s Clud of Greater Atlanta. Do you remember Gilda Radner, the comedian and beloved star of Saturday Night Live? The fascinating part of this organization is that because of it being founded in memory of Gilda, it includes the use of humor and laughter (and tears) as part of the healing experience.
Gilda’s Club provides a customized membership program including cancer specific networking groups, education, support, nutrition and exercise, children and teens activities all free of charge to anyone living with cancer.
What’s been your experience with cancer and co-workers in your organization? How have you and your organization responded to this widespread issue?
Office talk overkill?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the movie “Office Space” (which should be required viewing for anyone who works in an office and is not terribly offended by four-letter words or scenes of extreme violence against a fax machine), the protagonist, Peter, is accused by an overly perky co-worker of “having a case of the Mondays.” This phrase annoys him enough that he later asks his construction-worker neighbor, Lawrence, whether anyone ever says that at his job. Lawrence replies that saying something like that likely would result in physical harm — though, of course, Lawrence puts it more colorfully.
People tend to have their favorite — and least favorite — phrases, and being around the same people at work every day offers ample opportunities to hear them over and over … and over … One of my friends had a boss who always used to say, “Lord willing and the creek don’t rise,” which grated on her nerves.
My pet-peeve phrases usually have something to do with overused or otherwise irritating business jargon. A former boss would pepper virtually every e-mail, memo or conversation with “FYIs.” (I still get a little shudder down my spine when I hear that!) My current No. 1 verbal nemesis is “at the end of the day” — as in, “At the end of the day, we will have created a profitable and crowd-pleasing product.” As with many pet peeves, this one isn’t easily explained. It’s not even an objection to the literal meaning (few of the projects being discussed are completed in a day!) so much as to the phrase itself and its seemingly endless appearances at meetings and in other “business-speak” situations.
What words or phrases do your co-workers or bosses use over and over that just rub you the wrong way for some reason? Why do you think those words or phrases irk you so much? Have you ever said anything to the boss or co-worker about something he or she says that gets on your nerves? Or do you just grin, bear it and tune it out?
Got designs on becoming an entrepreneur?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I had the opportunity to participate as a presenter in three events during National Entrepreneurship week (February 24 - March 3). Participants consisted of business owners and those who would like to go in to business for themselves. The best part of this experience for me was everyone had the desire to be an employer vs. and employee. I would like to share a few of the points that I presented during these sessions.
If you are thinking about going into business for yourself here are ten points to consider:
1) First - determine if there is a demand for your product or services and who is going to buy from you.
2) Create a breakeven analysis - how much will you need to take in to break even and how long will that realistically take?
3) How much capital is needed and do you have enough capital to sustain yourself until you reach profitability?
4) What is your exit strategy? Are you buying yourself a job or are you creating an asset?
5) Create a vision, mission, operational strategy and name that makes sense.
6) Create an organizational chart for the business five-years out. Your name will most likely go in all of the boxes now. You will need to determine how to get all of these tasks done. Examples are: CEO (YOU), finance responsibilities, HR responsibilities, marketing and sales manager, production and operations responsibilities, etc.
7) Seek out successful people to critique your goals and plans.
8) Develop a timeline and plan.
9) Start your business.
10) Hire the right people through reliable sources (like ajcjobs.com) and stay away from hiring friends and relatives.
Are you thinking about becoming an entrepreneur?
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Career sacrifices in dual income households
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things are humming along nicely in your career. Your work is fulfilling, you have a great commute and your manager allows you a good deal of flexibility on the job. Your spouse, who happens to be the primary bread-winner, is also doing well professionally. So well in fact, that you come home one evening to some exciting news.
Your partner has just been offered a promotion! It’s going to mean a nice raise, the opportunity to work from home and stock options.
The problem is you’re going to have to relocate, and not just to the next town. The move is going to take your family across the country, 17 hours away from your friends and extended family. Your kids are going to have to change schools mid-year.
Even with the bump in income your spouse’s job will bring, you’re still going to have to work because the city you’d be moving to has a much higher cost of living.
Money aside, you love what you do, so you want to continue working even it’s only part time. But you have a very specific skill set and you may not be able to find work easily in a new city where you have no network. While it will propel your partner’s career forward, this will move will do nothing to advance your career may even set you back.
Still, the opportunity puts your spouse on the fast track to upper management and is definitely a smart career move. So, the two of you spend the weekend debating the pros and cons of accepting the offer.
What do you do when there is no middle ground? Do you sacrifice your own career advancement and professional happiness to allow your spouse to grow and take on new challenges? Or do you stay put and jeopardize your partner’s chances for future advancement?
Blowing the whistle on the Bad Boys (and Girls)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The idea of ethical behavior in business has received a lot of play lately but what is the reality? Do mandatory courses in business ethics or for that matter ethics in any profession or workplace make a difference?
Unethical behavior is documented almost daily in the media, ranging from corporate greed run wild, the selling of company secrets, or the endangerment of employees by ignoring potential health risks. Is this behavior the exception or just the tip of a huge iceberg of unethical behavior and misconduct?
Most workers are naive in the beginning and believe that telling the truth about an unethical practice will result in change on the level of the dramas played out daily in the evening news or the morning paper. But in reality, all truth tellers and persons trying to expose unethical practices by their employers or bosses do not end up on the front page or even recognized for their ethical conduct. It’s my observation that the majority are ignored, punished or let go.
Wikipedia describes a whistleblower as “an employee, former employee or a member of an organization, especially a business or government agency, who reports misconduct to people or entities that have the power and presumed willingness to take corrective action”.
In general the misconduct relates to the violation of laws, rules or regulations. However, the misconduct can also relate to a threat to the public interest, fraud, health or safety violations and corruption. The National Whistleblower Center provides a website that provides support and information for whistleblowers or those considering such actions.
As you get older or as you become wise to the fact that unethical behavior exists at many levels of our society from schools to corporate boardrooms. When faced with one of a broad array of areas for misconduct, your decision becomes, is it wiser to be a whistleblower or should you just hunker down and hope someone else is brave enough to expose the unethical or perhaps even illegal behavior?
People who do become whistleblowers often face uncomfortable times and potential unemployment. Are you a whistleblower? Ever had a scuffle with one?
