4 posts tagged “job search”

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.

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?

 

 

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:

1. Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet and exercise, achievement is fueled with energy.
   
2. Push yourself forward - build on your strengths and recognize your limitations.
3. Stay flexible both in body and mind. Be willing to adjust your goals.
4. Track your progress, even the baby steps add up. 
5. Form your own personal cheering section.Tell friends, family, colleagues, coaches and mentors how they can help and support you.
   
6. Remember the right tools and equipment are an investment not an expense.
   
7. Reward your accomplishments - even the little ones.
   
8. Be prepared for the unexpected.
   
9. Remember challenge is an obstacle waiting to be overcome.
   

Support me in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

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.