If you have ever tried to call me and reached my voice mail you most likely were greeted with "It's a wonderful day here at First Impression Career Services..." I choose this greeting because every day that allows me to help people to achieve their goals and stretch themselves is a wonderful day. As I thought back on what I accomplished over the past year I concluded that 2007, was a wonderful year, too. Here are some of the highlights of the past year.
- Personal Branding - Companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi stand out in a highly competitive market because they have strong brand awareness. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump have built empires on their personal brand and you can, too! Over the course of 2007, I participated in a number of workshops and seminars to expand my ability to help people like you tap into their personal brand. I am proud to say many of these individuals have moved on to new and better opportunities where their personal brand and talents are valued.
- MBTI Qualified Practitioner - In May I attended a week long training in preparation for the Myers Briggs Qualifying Exam. The class was difficult as it involved an understanding of statistics, not one of my greatest strengths. None the less I persevered and in August I was awarded a certificate. As a MBTI Qualified practitioner I administer and validate the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment, a tool that is instrumental in helping people gain a better understanding of themselves and others. This awareness can be leveraged to assist in making rewarding career choices.
- Professional Speaking - This was the year that I got out from behind the desk and got in front of people. I delivered several presentations to the The Center for Women of New York, The American Association of University Women, Project Management Institute in New York and Westchester County. The most recent one being "What Do You Say After Hello? How to Network Your to Job Search and Professional Success!" In addition, I joined Wendy Enelow and several colleagues who volunteered their time to conduct resume reviews at The New York Times Support Our Troops Job Fair.
- Professional Advancement - In November I enrolled in a Coaching Certificate Program at NYU. The first class Foundations of Coaching I was very enlightening. We explored the underpinnings of coaching which are rooted in the disciplines of learning, change and systems theories, philosophy, positive psychology and contemporary neuroscience. I have already begun to implement what I learned with favorable results. I am looking forward to Foundations of Coaching II, which begins next month, as well as the subsequent classes.
- Job Club Leadership - Last month I joined The Center for Women of New York as a Job Club Leader. Twice a month I am conducting classes in Resume Writing, Job Search Strategies, Interviewing Skills, Salary Negotiations and Career Exploration for underprivileged women returning to the workforce. Currently I am assisting 2 very bright and capable women. It is personally rewarding to make a real difference in the lives of people who don't have readily have access to private services.
- Giving Back - Over the weekend of October 9th, I joined over 2000 women and men who walked 39 miles on behalf of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. To participate in the walk I had to raise a minimum of $1800. With the help of my family, friends and congregation I raised over $2100. This event taught me a lot about myself and what I could accomplish when given the right conditions. Without the support of others, proper nourishment, rest, and the drive to succeed I could not have walked through the finish line.
I am proud of what I accomplished over the past year and hope that when we ring in 2009 the above highlights will have paled when compared to what I plan to accomplish this year.
Several years ago I read "The Accidental Tourist." The book's main character Macon Leary found he had to learn how to live on his own after his wife left him following the loss of their son. Macon struggles to adjust to his new status He sews his sheets into one big pillowcase to make changing the bed easier. He wears sweat clothes to bed so will not have to have to change his clothing when he wakes up. These shortcuts result in an injury, which forces Macon to move in with his siblings. Once again, Macon has the comfort of a family structure.
Like Macon, you might find yourself thinking there is a shortcut to making a career change. The first thing you will probably do is prepare a resume, click on to Monster or Hotjobs and start responding to anything that looks good. However, the most effective method for making a career change is to conduct an analysis of your skills, interests, experience, values, likes and dislikes. You may be thinking this approach will take too long. While it could be lengthy, it could also save you precious time and money. Why insist on looking for job when you really want to make a change?
The reason probably dates back to the messages you received while growing up. Habits are hardwired into our working memory. Such messages include "there's good job security working for the government" or "have you looked in the paper?" A few decades ago, television and radio commercials touted "I got my job through the New York Times." ,
Agreed, you cannot make a career transition without conducting a job search. However, skipping important steps can actually prolong your transition. I have known people who have left secure jobs to try something new and wound up regretting their choices before contacting me. Others posted resumes online with little or no success.
*My client Karen graduated from medical school as a plastic surgeon. She has had several positions since she graduated from medical school two years ago. During our first meeting she confessed that she disliked performing surgery. In fact, she disliked it so much that she frequently found herself getting sick on the way into the office. When I asked her what made her decide to enter medical school, she replied "I wanted to own my own beauty salon but I was afraid I wouldn't make a good living. Now I am paying off loans from medical school and I hate being in the medical profession." Had Karen taken the time to explore her choices she would have never entered medical school.
Creating a rewarding career presents new and exciting opportunities for increased self-awareness and increased self-esteem. Do you have an idea of what you would love to do? If you answered yes, what are you next steps? Perhaps you are unsure at this point. If this is the case, what then, do you need to do to begin the journey?
- 52% of students who reported securing full-time jobs had applied for a job through a campus career center-sponsored career fair.
- 41% had posted their resumes through their campus career center's website.
- 71% of the 12,000+ students applied for a job by sending their resumes directly to an employer's website.
- 47% of students mailed a resume directly to the employer.
- 44% applied at a career center-sponsored job fair.
- 34% posted a resume through a career center website
Like a good book, your resume should capture and hold the interest of your readers, hiring managers. By using the same techniques that authors use to create best sellers you can compose a resume that makes it to the top of the candidate pool.
1. Present a job objective that will appeal to the readers’ interest. A clearly stated objective such as PROJECT MANAGER / BUSINESS ANALYST will get more attention then “a challenging position that will utilize my skills and talents.”
2. Think of your profile or Career Summary as the back cover copy of a book or a mini sales letter. Some hiring managers decide in as little as 10 seconds whether to call you or toss your documents in the circular file.
3. Keep your profile no longer than 6 lines. Make every word count; your profile is 10 times more powerful than the sections that follow. Use sound bites; action oriented verbs and KEY words; picture and emotional words, benefits, not features to keep your message focused and capture your readers' attention.
4. Writers know readers like to focus on one topic at a time. include only information that is relevant to your career or job objective. Omit information such as marital status, age, weight, and any data that is unrelated to your objective.
5. What are your readers most interested in? Take the time to research the jobs and companies that interest you. What qualities, skills, or knowledge are they looking for? What have you accomplished, have knowledge about, or are skilled in that will demonstrate you are qualified to do the job.
6. A well-designed, clean, simple layout with ample white space is easier to read than a document that has multiple type fonts and type styles. Use BULLET POINTS TO CALL ATTENTION TO ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BOLD FACE TYPE for Section Headers, Job Titles and / or Company Names, Academic Degrees and / or Colleges or Universities.
7. The key to good writing is edit, edit and edit some more. What if your readers can spot grammatical errors that you didn't know were there? EVERY MISTAKE IN GRAMMAR, SPELLING, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, AND OVERALL ORGANIZATION, ANYTHING THAT TRIPS UP THE SMOOTH FLOW OF IDEAS FROM YOU TO YOUR READER IS A POTENTIAL MINEFIELD. Once your resume and cover letter are completed have the documents proofread by someone other than you.
Everyday, our lives are peppered with sound bites. Tune into the morning news and you’ll hear something like “Searchers are headed out today looking for John Smith. He has not been seen since Monday morning when he left his home in Hollywood and headed to his office in Miami. ABC’s correspondent in Miami joins us with the latest information about this case.” In a legendary presidential campaign promise George Bush, Sr. avowed “Read my lips, no new taxes.” In fact, knowing how to get your point across in sixty seconds or can change your life.
A key factor in any job search or career transition is the ability to effectively network. I have come across a variety of reactions when I coach people in this method. The most common response is a sigh followed with “I have tried but I have not had any luck.” When I ask about what exactly they tell their network, they say they tell their friends they are looking for a job and if they know of something to please let them know. One of the reasons people fail in their networking efforts is because they lack clarity. Think about it, whom do you know has the psychic power to know what you are looking for and would be willing to listen out for something that could help you, even if they were unsure of what it was you were looking for?
“Help me…help you” Jerry McGuire (Tom Cruise) pleaded with Ray Tidwell (Cuba Gooding) in the 1996 movie Jerry McGuire. Besides being an excellent sound bite it sums up how effective sound bites can capture interest and win support. The clearer you are about your strengths, your goals and what you need from your contacts the easier it will be for them to become a valued member your career team. Instead of asking vague questions use carefully selected words to demonstrate the value you present. Prepare a list of companies you are interested in working for instead of telling your friends how hard it is to find a job. Ask who do they know that either works or who might have a contact at one of these companies. I promise you your friends, family, acquaintances, past employers and even the dry cleaner really want to do anything they can to help you achieve your goals. They just want need to be told what you need from them.
ANATOMY OF A SOUND BITE:
The Sound Bite
I have 10 years experience in selling advertising space to small business owners, non-profit organizations and schools. I am now looking to transfer my experience to a private school or cultural organization that wants to reduce their marketing costs and expand their reach. While sales have been a large part of my position, I also write powerful ad copy and press releases. I have been told that I also have a real eye for layout and design. In fact, ABC Day School and County Arts Center were so happy with the campaigns that I created for them that they fired their advertising agency. With the money they saved on agency costs they were able to penetrate new markets. Since you have such a good handle on marketing, I thought I could take you to lunch and discuss some ideas on which organizations to approach and my strategy for reaching them.
Breaking It Down
About you - I have 10 years experience in selling advertising space to small business owners, non-profit organizations and schools
Clearly Stated Objective- I am now looking to transfer my experience to a private school or cultural organization that wants to reduce their marketing costs and expand their reach.
Strengths / Personal Qualities - While sales have been a large part of my position, I also write powerful ad copy and press releases. I have been told that I also have a real eye for layout and design.
Unique Value Proposition - In fact, ABC Day School and County Arts Center were so happy with the campaigns that I created for them that they fired their advertising agency. With the money they saved on agency costs they were able to expand their campaigns to penetrate new markets.
Effective Request for Help - Since you have such a good handle on
marketing, I thought I could take you to lunch and discuss some ideas on which
organizations to approach and my strategy for reaching them.
The Sound Bite
While working out in the field I discovered I had a knack for working with people in education and cultural organizations. Not only was I able to uncover their real needs but I found I had effective ideas about how to increase subscriptions and enrollment. In particular, I created an insert for the County Art Center’s winter program. They had such a great response that they had sold out tickets for entire season in less then two weeks. Do you think that some of the cultural organizations around here would have the need for a full time marketing director?Breaking It Down
Strengths / Personal Qualities - While working out in the field I discovered I had a knack for working with people in education and cultural organizations. Not only was I able to uncover their real needs but I found I had effective ideas about how to increase subscriptions and enrollment.
Unique Value Proposition - They had such a great response that they had sold out tickets for entire season in less then two weeks.
Effective Request for Help - Do you think that some of the cultural organizations around here would have the need for a full time marketing director?
My friend, Mona called the other day to say she was in town and would like to get together. Mona and I go back almost 30 years, when we helped each other nurse broken hearts and struggled to find our place in the world. When Norman and I moved to Westchester five years ago, I was comforted to know Mona lived nearby in New Rochelle. I had fantasies of us and frequenting garage sales and thrift shops to find a few rare treasures to compliment my 70 year old home. Of course life got in the way and we settled on getting together for birthdays, holidays and the occasional lunch. Fed up with the high cost of living in New York, Mona headed for the hills of Virginia last year. Always supportive of my efforts, I was delighted to think how proud she would be when I told her I was participating in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. And then I remembered, Mona is a breast cancer survivor.
Since I signed up for the walk, I've been touched by the realization that many people I know and love have been affected by breast cancer. My Aunt Francis who will be celebrating her 98th birthday this Sunday had a bilateral mastectomy over 40 years ago. My friend, Catherine fought hard and won her battle against the illness. Anna, my husband's cousin, wasn't as lucky. It is a bittersweet experience to see the list of family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and neighbors who've been personally affected by breast cancer expand with every dollar I raise.
The Law of Attraction says we manifest the results of our predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. This certainly has been the case with my fund raising efforts. Yet, I can't help wonder is it reasonable to expect as a person's career goals become clearer that corresponding opportunities will present themselves? If it this is the case, why do many people avoid or procrastinate in taking steps to fulfill their dreams? What dream have you put on hold? Why have you left it on hold? What's the first step to making your dreams happen? What benefits will begin to manifest themselves in your life when this happens?
This coming Columbus Day I will be walking 39 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. In preparation for the big event, I walked over 5 miles this evening . I started out with a goal to walk 8 miles. By the time I reached Scarsdale, it became apparent that I would only reach 5 or 6 and encounter some unexpected surprises. My shoelaces were tied to tight, the soles of my feet began to ache around mile three and if I continued to sip my bottle of water a more urgent situation was going to occur. Shortly before mile four I was aching to turnaround and head home. However, knowing I was building endurance helped me to push past the aches and continue up a hill. I listened to Anita Baker as I cooled down. I felt great, I completed over five miles, burned 632 calories and walked 17,892 steps and mentally began to plan subsequent walks.
As I reflected on my latest milestone it occurred to me preparing for a marathon was similar to the job search. process. At first a new job seeker, such as a recent college graduate or long time employee, may set his or her goals too high or too low and adjust them as they get more information. Along the way surprises are bound to arise Several of my clients have reported having a great interview only never to hear from the company again. They came to realize how a company treats you during the hiring process is an indication of how they will be treated as an employee. Others, in their haste, prepared a resume that lacked focus and had to invest in having it redone after their goals were more clearly defined. As unemployment rates skyrocketed in the wake of 911, I assisted clients who were out of work for over a year. The ones who were successful stayed focused on their goals and learned how to adjust to market changes by developing new skills and knowledge that gave them the competitive edge.
Whether you are currently in or anticipating being in a job search or marathon here are some ideas to help you reach the finish line:
- Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet and exercise, achievement is fueled with energy.
- Push yourself forward - build on your strengths and recognize your limitations.
- Stay flexible both in body and mind. Be willing to adjust your goals.
- Track your progress, even the baby steps add up.
- Form your own personal cheering section.Tell friends, family, colleagues, coaches and mentors how they can help and support you.
- Remember the right tools and equipment are an investment not an expense.
- Reward your accomplishments - even the little ones.
- Be prepared for the unexpected.
- Remember challenge is an obstacle waiting to be overcome.
Creative Visualization written by Shakti Gawain has had a tremendous impacts on my life. Published long before The Secret, this book speaks about the power of visualization or law of attraction. Whatever you call it, this book discusses attitudes that block achievement and then offers a series of guided meditations to help you access you deepest desires. People like Walt Disney, Martin Luther King and Ben Franklin recognized the power of visualization. I have used these techniques, with great success, in my own life and while coaching clients.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey - Stephen Covey is a master of relationship management. He understands the power of listening and asking good questions. The greatest idea I took away from his book is the importance of the emotional bank account. Everyday, I try and add something into the emotional bank account that others hold for me. Be it a kind word, acknowledging an accomplishment or cheering on a friend, family member, acquaintance, client or even a stranger. As my husband so eloquently puts it "my stock is up today." The greater your emotional bank account or stock becomes the easier it is for others to forgive your transgressions.
Getting the Love You Want, Harville Hendrix Ph.d - The lessons I learned about love, relationships and communication while attending the Imago workshop and reading the book were life changing. If I could, I would give the workshop as an engagement present to every couple I know. However, given the investment, I will have to settle on giving the book or CD as present, instead. Hendrix provides the most sensible tools and methods for improving interpersonal relationships. Please read his book or better yet sign up for a workshop http://lindaschnapp.com (in the New York Area) or Gettng the Love You Want (outside the New York area)
Interview Strategies That Will Get You the Job You Want; Greener Pastures; Life's A Bitch and Then You Change Careers, Andrea Kay - I first heard Andrea Kay speak in 2002 at a Career Master's Institute conference in Kansas City. My first thought was wow, this woman is amazing. My second thought was I want to be as good as her and so I bought her book Interview Strategies That Will Get You The Job You Want. It quickly became one of my favorite reference books. A few years later, I heard Andrea was speaking on a teleseminar. So, I quickly signed up. This time not only did I buy her book, Greener Pastures, but I contracted with her to be my coach and mentor.
Andrea's no nonsense, practical approach to career management is a must read for everyone. Her strategies for making a career transition, as outlined in Life's A Bitch, have proven successful with every client I've coached. While I whole heartedly recommend working with a good mentor or career coach to catapult your career, Andrea's books are a close second.
While walking our dogs the other day, my neighbor, Nancy (not her real name) an extremely talented and experienced graphic designer, mentioned that she wanted to increase her business. Nancy explained that she was never big on networking but now realized she needed to get actively involved in new business development and target organizations that were willing to pay her what she was worth. Her challenge was in competing with young professionals who were available in considerably lower rate.
Nancy has considerable experience in magazine layout and design. Prior to my career transition into career coaching and resume writing, I had sold advertising space in newspapers and magazines. I had worked directly with the publisher of one of New York's largest and trendiest city magazines and mentioned that I would be willing to make an introduction. Nancy's response spoke volumes about how she feeling, went somewhat like this: "thanks for the offer, but magazine's like that want to hire younger people, who they don't have to pay a lot. Besides they wouldn't be interested in someone my age." I don't know if Nancy was having a bad day or if she had lost too many jobs through the years . What I do know is that her attitude was impacting her business growth. .
What if instead of blaming her lack of business on factors that were out of her control she invested in sales training and learned strategies for overcoming objections? What if instead of rejecting my offer, she took advantage of the opportunity to increase her network and maybe gain some insight as to how she could competitively position herself in a changing market? Perhaps, it would help Nancy to begin to identify the market demographics that she would like to work with.
Well, it's Monday and I am back in the office after taking a week long training in the Myers Briggs Personality Type administration and validation. I am always amazed by my passion for learning, which, in part, can be attributed to my Myers Briggs Personality Type.
According to my validation of personality type, I am an ENFP. ENFP's are credited with being warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities (for me, learning presents many new possibilities). Make connections between events and information very quickly (I am usually anxious to share my knowledge to benefit clients, friends, family and colleagues) and proceed on patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others and readily give appreciation and support (I just love it when clients report back that they've gotten a better position or that the resume I wrote turned their job search around1) Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency.
