Your Child's First Job (aka "Where Did The Time Go?")

As my children grow older, I am now faced with a very different perspective on being a parent.  It’s a very odd feeling and I’m not entirely sure where I fit.  Am I parent or just a landlord? Do I offer advice or wait for them to ask?  Do I direct them or merely make suggestions? Put simply, it’s way more difficult than I imagined it would be.

For example, I am guilt ridden if dinner is not ready when my 18 year old gets home from work…..at 9:30 pm.  I constantly have to stop myself from texting if I have not heard from them for several hours.  I still do their laundry with mine and I still wash their dishes and pick up after them. 

Am I helping them or enabling them?

There is one area, however, in which I know I am right on track.  I walk the talk when it comes to the job hunting tips I share with you on this blog.  

I am am amazed at how many parents expect their children to somehow find a job when their kids don’t know the first thing about how or where to look!  The days of walking to the local gas station or fast food place and then getting hired on the spot are GONE!  I’m amazed at how many high schoolers are given dozens of hours of direction on how to find the right college, and little or NO direction on maneuvering the till-you-find-the-perfect-career point in their lives.

So, for all you parents out there, here are a few tips that will help you get focused, and get started, on helping your child find a job.

Focus, Focus, Focus –  WARNING:  This can be the hardest part. Ask yourself:  What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses that will help or hurt them on the job?  Are they sociable or introverted?  Do they have a driver’s license? If not, can I take them to and from work? Are there lots of opportunity in your town or will they be commuting to a larger, nearby, city? (Can they parallel park!?  EEK!) Are they organized and focused or scattered and require a lot of direction?  What are their long term goals and can those be applied to a short term, and/or part time, job? Are they ready to juggle school and a job?  Are both parents on board to support them in this endeavor?  Does my child know how to manage their money responsibly?

Until you can answer these questions, dare I say, that as a parent;

YOU are not ready for them to have a job!

 

Small Steps, Big Results – Once you’ve answered all of the tough questions, now it’s time for action.  Establish a generous timeline for finding a job.  It will be much easier to make progress if you devote a little time each week rather than a lot of time this week, and then none for weeks on end.  Determine exactly how much time will be spent each week devoted to the tasks of job searching, resume building, networking, and volunteering.  Gather all your child’s “tools”.

These may include, but are not limited to:  A resume, letters of recommendations, business cards, personal and/or volunteer reference list, social security card, driver’s license or state ID, food handlers card, casual business attire, and yes…….a new haircut.

OK, now put them all in one place / bin / shelf / cupboard / hiding spot / cubby.  Then, re-read my blog.  (yes, that was a not-so-veiled attempt at self-promotion)   If you don’t have your tools ready, your first few weeks will be spent gathering and/or perfecting them.  (Did I mention that this “project” may take weeks?)

 

Practice Till It Hurts! – While I would like to think that employers who hire students are going to be pretty patient when it comes to interviews, and will recognize if they are nervous, I’m not sure this is really the case anymore.  Nowadays, teens are competing for the same entry level jobs as adults are.  Even if the employer recognizes the student is nervous, they may see it as a negative reflection of their ability to listen, accept direction, and stay on task.  So, you need to practice job interviewing with your child.  Sit them down at the kitchen table.  Ask them all the questions you think they may be asked at an interview.  Yes, even the tough and open ended ones!  (“Tell me about yourself.” “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “Why do you want this job?” “Why should I give you this job?” “What skills do you have that will help you do this job?”)

 

Give your child feedback on how well they answered the questions.

Then…..you guessed it…….ask them again till they get it right.

Admittedly, all these tips all sound potentially stressful for both you and your growing teenager.  This is the main reason why you want and need to take your time.  It shouldn’t feel like a horrible chore that everyone avoids.  This process shouldn’t put undue stress on the child to “be perfect”.  (something my children have often told me that they I assume I expect of them)

If this all seems daunting, take a step back.  You can find opportunities to discuss job hunting when you’re out an about running errands together.  Ask them “Would you like to work here?”  It’s a good way to find out what their ideas are for a doable first time adventure into work land.

As parents we are tasked for preparing our children for the big wide world beyond our front door.  In today’s rough economy and job market it’s even tougher for inexperienced adults to launch into successful careers, and relationships.  Be empathetic, yet committed, to helping (or pushing) them to get to where they want to be……..even if they don’t know where that is.

Just Do It!

It has been a while since I have updated my blog.  I remain, however, active in doling out job search advice and most recently found myself in a very uncomfortable position of having to do so……to my teenaged daughter.

Let me say first that I do not recall ever being afraid of venturing out on my own.  Maybe it’s because I started working when I was 16 years old in a pine furniture manufacturing company while I was attending boarding school.  I worked half the day and went to school for the other half.  All of my wages went to pay for my tuition.  I was never afraid or nervous, that was just how it was.

It certainly wasn’t fun though.  Believe me when I tell you there was plenty of frustrating days and with no air conditioning or heat in the building where we worked, we were quite often either freezing or sweating.   The work was hard, and dirty, and tiring.  But, since this blog is not how to keep a job or how to move beyond workplace frustrations, I digress.

Tip of The Day

“Just Do It!”

Just a few weeks ago I found out about a job fair on Facebook.  The job fair had been posted by the culinary school that my 18 year old daughter will be attending this Fall.  I told her about it and when the day of the job fair arrived and I told her that I would drive her there, when I got home from work.  I asked her to get ready by showering, dressing appropriately, and putting her resume and business cards in a folder.

When I got home she was sitting on the couch, in old faded jeans, and in a very very bad mood that only female teenagers are capable of pulling off. 

She whined, “Can’t we just go on another day?”

To make a somewhat long and dramatic story somewhat short I had to practicallydrag her to the store. I bought her black slacks, makeup, and earrings.  I insisted that she change her pants at the store and then put on makeup in the car on the way.  She was emotional and accused me of “not being very supportive”.  She wanted to talk about her bad day, she wanted to whine about her school work stress.  I would have nothing of it. 

She said she was afraid and she didn’t know what to expect when she got there.

I pushed her.  I asked her questions I knew they would ask in the interview.  She cried.  I yelled.  I was frustrated at her lack of appreciation for the lengths I was going….to get HER a job!  I told her to “suck it up” and that the world does not revolve around her.  (I am telling the absolute truth when I say that this notion is truly a momentous concept for a teenaged girl)

 

Seriously?

As a teenager I worked in a dirty and boring job, didn’t see a dime of my paycheck,

and SHE was whining?

I have to admit, she pulled it off.  She walked in the job fair with her head held high, answered all of the questions like a seasoned pro and they offered her the job ON THE SPOT. 

Another high point of her day was finding out they were willing to pay her over $3 an hour more than her previous seasonal cashiering job.

She was elated.  She thanked me over and over (and continues to do so, to this day) for pushing her.

My daughter now works for the catering department at Nike, the shoe company in Beaverton Oregon that coined our title phrase.  It’s been a very tough transition for the whole family but we are all happy for her and she works very hard at balancing her responsibilities with her free time desires.  In all honesty, she really didn’t WANT a job but knew it was the next step in her progression of becoming an adult.

Sometimes we need to just DO what we know we have to.  We have to get off our butts, and go to that networking event on the other side of town even when we have PMS from Hell.  We have to suck it up and put on makeup and pretend we want to be at that job interview when we’d really rather be at the beach.  We have to practice, and walk the walk, and talk the talk, and be involved in our own growth.  We have to push ourselves outside our comfort zone and meet new people and allow ourselves to be vulnerable.

Sometimes we don’t have someone to push us.

Sometimes we have to push ourselves.

Sometimes we have to set aside the excuses, our feelings of inadequacy and our fears.

Sometimes we have to “Just Do It!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know When to Say "No!"

Not too long ago I wrote about the similarities between dating and job interviewing.  (July 18, 2011 “Why Interviewing is Like Dating”) and led my readers to consider that dressing up for interviews, hoping to make a good first impression, and all that waiting by the phone make us all feel a bit uncomfortable and vulnerable.

Today, I suggest that the analogy extends even beyond the first date.  If you’re actively seeking a long term relationship (the employment kind, or otherwise) eventually you reach a place where you’ll need to carefully consider the offer that is put before you and analyze how closely it matches your goals. 

But wait….

What ARE your career goals?

Do you know?

A few weeks ago I received a job offer from a very large, and well known, electronics company.  It was a tough decision but I politely told them “No, thank you” after I had weighed their offer against, not only my career goals, but other options that were still open to me.

Tip of The Day

Do the math, and check it against your goals, before accepting a less than ideal job offer.

So…why did I decline the offer?

1)      Do the Math - I receive $507 per week in unemployment compensation.  My vehicle gets 17 miles per gallon and the commute distance was 50 miles per day.  Gas is almost $3.50 per gallon so my weekly gas bill would be $70.  The job offer was for $18 per hour.  (Gross Pay of $720 per 40 hour week)  If you consider how far I would be driving, and my net working pay after 20% income taxes and deductions, my weekly take home would be LESS than my unemployment compensation! 

2)      Unemployment 101 – Initial unemployment claims are good for 6 months.  I received this job offer only 2 months into my 6 months of compensation.  I have to admit, however, that had I received the offer with only a month or less of benefits left to go I would have JUMPED at it.

3)      To Temp or Not to Temp? – I have also posted about the benefits of accepting temporary jobs as a method of extending your unemployment benefits and in consideration of the permanent position opportunities that may present themselves.  The opportunity I turned down was indeed supposed to turn into a permanent position, but not for at least 90 days. As such, that extended the amount of time before I would be eligible for any benefits.  Another proverbial “point” against my new employer.

4)      You want an answer WHEN? – At the time the recruiter called me she indicated that I would need to make my decision within 15 minutes and would need to show up for work within 2 hours.  I had already interviewed for another company and was waiting for a call from them for either a 2^nd interview or a job offer.  The other option was for a permanent job that was within 2 miles of my home and paid significantly more than the temporary job that was offered.  The recruiter called me at 12:15 pm so there was NO WAY I would be able to get a hold of anyone at the other company to see if I was still in the running, or not.

Perhaps you will agree with me that an ideal full time job is close to home, pays competitive wages, is permanent, provides good benefits and advancement opportunity, and an intellectual challenge. Perhaps not. What are you goals?  What are the details behind the offer that is presented to you?  Is it mathematically a great job opportunity or just a short term fix?

The more honestly and thoroughly you consider your long term career goals the more prepared you will be to make the tough call and...know when to say no.

Are you Linkedin?

Keeping up with the latest gizmo, gadget, pick up line, catch phrase, or internet sensation is hard work!  If you’re old like me (read: somewhat past my prime) you may even question the relevance of spending time keeping up with the latest this or that when it’ll be gone by the time you brag to your friends about being hip enough to know about it.

You probably have a Facebook page.  They’re so mainstream now even my “I can’t figure out how to work it” mom has a Facebook page!  You probably have email and the majority of US households have personal computers, or several.  You may even have a smart phone.  But….are you Linkedin?

Tip of the Day

A Linkedin profile is an absolute necessity for job seekers!

If you’ve never heard of Linkedin before, it’s like Facebook but used only for your professional contacts.  In a nutshell, you build a professional profile which closely resembles your resume and then search out “contacts”.  Contacts are people that you have worked for, or with, in the course of your career.   You can also gain contacts by networking, volunteering, or mentoring.  Once you have them, you can then ask your contacts for recommendations. (which are similar to but are, by far, more effective than professional references.)  You can also find jobs and post updates like promotions, job changes, certifications / degrees achieved, or new skills acquired.

The most important function of Linkedin, however, it that it gives you

the ability to efficiently research not only the companies that you’re interested in working for….

but the decision makers that already work there!

These days employers put up virtual or literal barriers to keep job seekers from knowing who they are because HR departments and recruiters don’t want to be inundated with phone calls and emails.  The most common way for companies to do this is to place “blind” ads in newspapers or craigslist.  And even if you do know who the hiring company is it is also quite common for companies to force job seekers to “apply online” via their website.  This process is tedious and often takes hours!  Both methods are impersonal and frustrating for those of us that seek to stand out in the literal crowd of applicants.

So….how DO you stand out in a literal crowd of applicants?

Go to Linkedin.com and do your research!  Who is the manager for the department that you’re applying for?  Who is the human resource manager?  How many of their employers are on Linkedin?  Do you know anyone who already works there?  Do you have any contact in common with someone who works there?  Or better yet…do you have a Linkedin recommendation from a contact who is also a contact with the hiring manager at the company you’re applying for?

A few weeks ago I wrote a Pulitzer prize winning cover letter to the new V.P. of a retirement community management company I was applying for.  I mentioned the growth of their industry and how interested I was in applying my specific skill set to addressing their challenges.  My professional mentor, who had given me a Linkedin recommendation, was also a contact with the V.P. I had addressed the cover letter to; and I included a short excerpt from it into the cover letter itself.

After I dropped off the cover letter and resume (I did NOT mail it, a process which is also referred to as “cold calling”) my mentor then called the V.P. to mention my interest in the position and emphasize how well suited I was for his company’s needs.

Unfortunately, the position that I applied was put on hold and the company is no longer hiring.  (crappy luck, if there ever was any!) If and when they re-open the position, however, the V.P. told my mentor that I’ll be the first person they call!

I may not have a job (yet) but I KNOW that I’m on the right track and that employers appreciate candidates who go the extra mile, do their homework, and stand out.

You don’t need stilettos to stand above the crowd (see my previous blog post “What NOT to Wear”) or facial piercings to get noticed!  Using online tools like Linkedin to do your research and gain valuable professional connections will go a loooooong ways in landing you your next perfect job!

It's Not Easy

Yesterday sucked.  Big time.  Not because anything horrible happened but because...nothing...at all...happened.

I'm a Type A person, always moving, always on the go.  Being unemployed makes me feel lazy, and boring; and it makes me question my own value....not only to society but to the ones I love.

If someone asks me "How are things with you? What's new?" I feel like a complete LOSER if I say "Nothing."  I feel like I should just stay in bed if my one contribution to this world will be walking the dog.

 

Tip of The Day

"Just keep swimming"

 

This blog is about how to stay sane while being unemployed.  How to stay focused, keep your spirits up, how to find a job, etc...

 

Today, however, I'm here to admit that it's just not that easy.  Every plan does not go as planned and some days it's just plain difficult to "Just keep swimming."

 

I'm a huge Disney fan.  One of my favorite animated movies is Finding Nemo.  I love Dori, Nemo's friend character who is voiced by Ellen Degeneres.  She is brainless, but everyone loves her anyways...including me. 

 

Sometimes denial works as a coping mechanism. 

But for Dori, it is a way of life. 

 

Maybe letting go for a day and refusing to acknowledge that challenges even exist, is not a bad idea?

 

Maybe allowing myself to enjoy a moment of boredom or lack of focus, and letting myself off the hook for not being fabulous all the time is a GOOD thing?

 

Today I don't have the answers. 

 

Today I am willing to admit that while I sometimes make it all sound easy, it just isn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 



It Ain't Over...Till it's Over.

Looking for a job is hard work.  I give a lot of advice with how to deal with not having a daily social outlet or financial security; and how to find strength to keep moving.  Some days even I have to re-read my own advice on how to stay motivated.  I'm tired.  I just want to give up. 

Maybe you're tired too?  After several months of unemployment you may be tempted to put all your energy into ONE job opportunity and hope for the best.  After all, you're great, and really qualified, and the interview went well.  Do you really need to keep looking?

Tip of The Day

It ain't over, till you have a job offer.

A friend of mine is also struggling with unemployment right now.  She's a mom of 3 busy boys (the very definition of tired!) and a recent college grad.  Recently, I emailed her a couple of job postings I saw that listed her qualifications.  When I saw these jobs, I immediately thought of her.  They were PERFECT for her.

A couple of days ago I asked her about a recent job interview. She had just found out that she didn't get the job and was pretty upset.  I asked her about the job postings I had sent to her.  She said "I didn't apply for them, I was so sure I would get that other job." 

When she went to re-trace her steps to apply for those jobs they were, you guessed it....the jobs were closed.  They were no longer accepting applications.

I'm going to over-state the obvious here to make a point...

In order to get a job you have to get an interview.

In order to get an interview you have to apply for the job.

In order to apply for the job you have to find a job posting.

In order to find a job posting you have to LOOK...HARD...EVERY DAY!

 

It's OK to pause for a moment and celebrate a good interview.  It's OK to post on facebook that "It looks like I'll be back to work very soon!"  But, no matter how tempting it is, you cannot stop looking until you have a job offer.  You might miss out of something great if you put all your hope on just one job opportunity.

A few weeks ago I had 3 job interviews.  Every one of them went well and all of the interviewers said I would be passed to the next interview level, the following week.  What happened?  The following week all THREE of the jobs were put on hold.  They're not hiring...right now. 

Oh Crap!

The good news is that once they are hiring again (if they do) they'll presumably call me.

The bad news is that I cannot sit around and wait for the phone to ring.   I have no choice but to keep looking until I get an offer.

Hopefully, I'll be a really, really, really great one to boot!

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

Many of my posts give advice for how to find a job when you’re unemployed.  Many people, however, are employed but are not challenged.  Or even worse…they are being bullied in the workplace.

Making the decision to change jobs can be as stressful as being unemployed.  (Ok, maybe not, but close!?)  If you’re in this situation you may find yourself torn between the comfort of your commute, your co-workers who may be your friends, and the opportunities that await you. 

Straddling the emotional fence is a tough gig.  In fact there was even a song written about this quandary:

“Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble…

If I stay there will be double…”

OK, so what’s my point?

Tip of The Day

You can use the tips I outline in this blog to find a job,

even if you’re already employed.

You may have to scale back the time you spend looking for a job because, let’s face it, the laundry and dishes have to be done with the couple of hours you have left at the end of each day.  And most of the networking activities may not be doable when you’re split between here and there but…you can do it!

Set aside an hour on Tuesday evening for your “X” list and Thursday evening for follow up.  Even two, very organized, hours per week will make a difference.

Instead of face to face networking you can use social media.  If you’re not facebook friends with anyone at work (it really is a good idea to maintain a policy of keeping work friends, at work, for this reason) you should let people know via your facebook posts, or other social media outlets, that you’re looking for work.  (Or, I guess you could block your work friends from your job seeking related facebook posts.)

And what happens when a new employer calls and wants you to interview?  Try to schedule interviews for very early in the morning or very late in the day to minimize the disruption to your day.  I try to schedule mine early to avoid the all day and very real possibility of a wardrobe or one of life’s other “malfunctions”.  Spilled coffee on my blouse, ripped stockings, a broken boot heel, lost car keys, running out of gas…yep…been there done that. 

Believe me, you don’t want to show up to an interview looking disheveled and may not have time to run home and sew your bra strap back on!

It’s very easy to get emotionally caught up in the process of looking for a job and losing focus on your actual-paying-the-bills-currently job.  Whatever you do, try not to let that happen.  You never know.  It may take you months of looking (but hopefully not) and you don’t want your work to suffer in the meantime. 

Why?

You need the reference.

Don’t burn the bridge.

…and other cliché’s that come to mind.

No experience? No problem!

I had coffee with a friend this past weekend and when I told her my 17 year old daughter just started her first job she said “I’ve been trying to get my 16 year old son to find a job and he can’t. How did she get past the online application process?”

Tip of The Day

Not having experience does not necessarily translate into not having a job.

My daughter has no work experience.  She did, however, follow my detailed instructions for how to find a job.  Each day, for two weeks this past summer, I gave her “Finding a Job Homework”.  It included things like call and follow up on your application with Pizza Hut, drop off a Thank-You note for your Safeway interview last week, print off 10 copies of your resume, peruse craigslist for all jobs in Sherwood (where we live) and make a list of those you are qualified for.  (Regardless of interest or availability)

For teenagers, staying focused is a real challenge.  (For that matter, many adults are also challenged to stay on task when it comes to doing something they’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with.)   Every time she would complain I would tell her that she cannot grow without feeling nervous, and she needed to stretch herself beyond her immature and self-imposed limits.  (Yes, I talk to my daughter like that)

Can I say it again?  It’s true, my Conquering Unemployment ideas do work and tenacity will even overcome inexperience.  (Within two weeks she had a job!)  Her resume was polished, we practiced interviewing, she dressed appropriately for the interview, she showed up on time, and asked valid questions.  She was hired for seasonal support at a local craft store and is amongst the youngest, if not THE youngest, employee at that store.

Even if you have no experience, but a lot of passion, show up!  If you have lots of experience but are nervous, fake it!  If you’re interviewing in a new industry or for a job you’re not sure you can do, focus on your cross-over strengths and skills. (basic things like organization, typing, ten key, computer skills, excellent references, a good GPA, etc… are great to have regardless of the job title.)

Last night she came home after working 6 hours and said “Now I know why you don’t want to do anything when you come home from work!”  She immediately went upstairs and put on an oversized tee shirt and baggy shorts. (LOL!) Rarely do I get to bask in the glow of being a parent and know that they’re finally getting it.  Today I get to smile, however, and know that this will not be the last time when one of my children expresses their appreciation (even if passively) for my parenting efforts.

Parenting is REALLY hard work.  It’s just too bad it doesn’t pay so well…

The Truth Will Set You Free!

As you are aware, I’ve been unemployed a lot. (see Blog Introduction above) In my entire career I have rarely spent more than 3 years with any one company. (and since I’m “old”, that adds up to over a dozen different companies listed on my resume in the past 10 years alone.) If you’re a Baby Boomer, you might look at my resume and think I lack loyalty or assume that there’s something wrong with me that caused all of those companies to decorate my inbox with a pink slip. (comments intentionally withheld that may reveal the secret to uncovering my personality flaws) If you’re a Generation X member, you might look at my resume and think how lucky I am to have experienced so many different company cultures and have so much variety to my career path.

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted to my blog.  I’ve been working, albeit as a temporary employee.  Between working, commuting, and life; there’s not a lot of time left to pursue this particular creative endeavor that is; blog writing.  Today, however, a phone interview inspired me to blog once again.

Tip of the Day

Embrace the past…AND the truth!

As the recruiter and I discussed my resume, and my “variety is the spice of life” career path, she actually complimented me on the fact that after every job listed there is a reason WHY I life, noted on my resume.  I added those particular details to my resume earlier this year because, after all, they’re going to ask; why not be up front about it?

Granted, my resume reads like a Series of Unfortunate Events (company out of business, laid off, end of assignment, resignation, etc…) but one thing cannot be missed…I’m ALWAYS working!  First, out of necessity, but also because I love to work.  I love being productive. 

So, even if I don’t have on my rose colored glasses, there’s a valid reason I don’t work there anymore and why shouldn’t I embrace it as a chance to move up and contribute to another company’s bottom line?  Not all people fit well in all companies.  It’s not my fault that a company may not like my Type A approach or value my contribution.  It does not lessen my abilities, efforts, or experience. 

I’ve made mistakes, yes.  But dragging them into a job interview or lowering my head in shame over the questionable fax I sent to my boyfriend from work 15 years ago…does nobody any good.  Instead I choose to move forward to my life, and career, with my head held high while actively embracing all the positive feedback I’ve received from supervisors and managers. (Much of it, in writing, thankfully!) 

I embrace my past, my unique qualifications, my outgoing personality, and the truth that I don’t always fit into someone else’s idea of a round hole. 

Yes.  I’m a square peg, and proud of it.

Square Pegs Unite...and Thrive!

(all those who live in Portland,Oregon; say “AMEN!”)

Follow Your Bliss! It may lead you to unexpected places.....

It’s interesting….what I remember from my childhood.

My dad would always say “The worst person to work for is yourself!”  He ran two businesses; a hair salon and a landscaping business.  (Yeah, I know, an interesting / odd combination!)  He loved working outside but hated doing hair.  Nonetheless, come rain or shine, he would do both.  I believe his advice was born not from his lack of passion for planting rose bushes but from his lack of business acumen.  He was, in a nutshell, not a good business man.  Financially he never knew where he stood, who he owed, or who owed him.  It’s no wonder he was always stressed out.  Day in, and day out, no matter how hard he worked he never felt like he was getting ahead.

I carried this perspective into my adult life.  I always figured I would work for someone else and that the freedom that came from working for myself was not worth the stress of taxes and marketing. (the two areas of business in which I am the least adept at.)  It wasn’t until very recently that I realized the value in putting my time and emotional energy towards the advancement of my own standard of living, instead of someone else’s. 

Conquering Unemployment may not mean finding a job working for someone else.  Instead of updating your resume, it may mean drafting a business plan.  Instead of cashing an unemployment check, it may mean meeting with bankers or investors to apply for a loan to launch your newest idea.  Instead of worrying about fitting into someone else’s idea of professional or productive, you’ll be writing your own job description.

Tip Of The Day:

It takes passion and conviction to turn your bliss, into a money making reality.

I could, and perhaps will, write a whole blog about my becoming an Entrepreneur.  But before you follow my lead, know this; it takes a strong will and undying passion to get past the nay sayers and the cynics. (my father included!)  Before you quit your job to start a business lecturing about the nutritional benefits of Spam, consider that the comfort of a bi-weekly paycheck may be replaced by weeks of mac and cheese or top ramen for dinner.  (No Spam for me, thanks!)

I am, however, inspired daily by examples of the “follow your bliss” mentality.  Like Scott, the Cheap Landscape Guy, who didn’t have a computer so he handwrote his flyer in pencil on a piece of notebook paper and left it on my door step.  (Of course, I hired him to mow my yard.) 

Would you ever think of launching a website called “I Want To Write A Song For You!”? Some guy did and his website was recently featured on Shark Tank! (Yep, I sent him $99 to write my theme song and I have to admit it turned out pretty well!)

Or take, for example, every farmer’s market booth owner that wakes up at 5 am to set up and oftentimes sit under an awning, in the rain, to sell their wares.  (I’m NEVER awake at 5 am on a weekend.  That’s just crazy!)  Can you imagine how much passion that takes?

Think about it.  What did you want to be, when you grew up?  Are you following your dreams?  Are the benefits of running your own business worth the lack of financial security?  (which, in today’s economy, really isn’t what it used to be…..)

It may be.  Only you can decide. 

Eight Days a Week

What day is today?  Seriously, when I don't have a job my days seem to just run together....  Can you relate? Do you find yourself unable to believe how much time has passed since you last worked? 

A couple of posts ago I shared my secret for finding jobs.  I suggested that you would create and complete an "X List" every Monday.  As promised, today I'm going to share examples of the types of things I do to keep up, stay ahead, and maintain my energy.  Day by day, here's what you can do with the rest of your week that will provide structure to your week and help keep you motivated.

Tip of the Day

Have a structured job search plan, and stick to it.

Monday - Create and complete an X List

For specific instructions check out my blog post entitled "Can you keep a SECRET?"

Tuesday - Follow Up Day

After you have documented the jobs you found on Monday, Tuesday should be spent applying for those jobs!   The two key factors to consider while emailing prospective employers are:  1) your resume 2) your cover letter.  Your resume should have at least 10 key words that match the job posting.  If it doesn't, edit it so it does.  The same rule applies for your cover letter but it can also provide you with an opportunity to inject your personality, or highlight special skills or training that might be buried in your resume.  If you are applying for a job you are only marginally qualified for, say so in your cover letter and give them reason to contact you by highlighting your "cross-over" skill set.  (skills that you have, that will be valued in ANY position)  For more ideas about how to create an eye catching cover letter you can find them on my post entitled "Cover Letters - You had me at Hello."

Wednesday - Research Day

I have to say it.  The internet is an amazing tool.  (Yes, I know, overstating the obvious) When it comes to research, nothing matches the speed and efficiency of the most popular search engines and social networking websites like Google, Bing, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Spend a few hours researching the companies you have applied to work for.  Are they an older company or a newer start up?  Do you have an friends that work there?  Do they have a good reputation for how they treat their employees?  How many of their employees are on LinkedIn?  Are they a large company or a small one?  Do their values match your own?  How well do they market themselves and their services online?  Answering these questions, and making notes, will help you get a feel for the company, it's culture, and will make you absolutely SHINE at an interview!

Thursday - Networking Day

Networking can be done anywhere.  Networking is all about staying in touch with encouraging and connected, friends and family.  Extend your reach.  Find new people to connect with by joining a club like Toastmasters, attending a lecture, or joining an online activity club like Meetin.org.  Get out of the house.  Schedule time to have coffee with a friend, find a mentor, volunteer for your favorite charity.  You never know where your next opportunity may come from!  You can find more ideas about networking on my post entitled "Networking 101 - It's not all about you!"

Friday - Mental Health Day

You've worked hard all week at finding a job.  You've put in at least 4 hours every day in your endeavor to find your next perfect job.  Feel proud of your efforts. Friday is all about you.  What do you love to do?  Knitting, reading, hiking, taking your dog for a walk, or watching movies?

I like to clean.  It feels so great to have a house that looks and smells clean.  I feel so accomplished when everything is done and I can relax, without guilt.  This rarely happens any more so, nowadays, its REALLY great to find time to organize, purge, deep clean and then.....relax. 

Take a few hours each week to celebrate your work, your accomplishments, your interviews.  Take a few hours to intentionally look forward to your next job instead of worrying about how to pay the light bill.

To Temp, Or Not To Temp? That is the Question.....

I've been working since I can remember. Very early in life I developed a passion for animals and that meant spending several hours every day taking care of them. Before and after school I could be found feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after my horses, cats, dogs, goats, geese, chickens, ducks, and pigeons. My rubber boots, often covered in mud, were a permanent addition to the back deck decor.

As soon as I was old enough to weed, mow lawns, spread beauty bark, trim rose bushes and plant shrubs, I worked for my father's nursery business. Inside the house there was lots to do as well. I learned very early to cook, clean, dust, and vacuum. When I was 16 years old I was sent to boarding school where, for two years, I worked the first half of every day for four hours at the local saw mill to help pay for my tuition.

As an adult, when I am unemployed I spend most of my time getting caught up on household projects.  Said projects range from painting and garden work to, yes...you guessed it...taking care of my animals. Even with my very long TO DO list I have to admit, it is VERY easy to get used to the life of an unemployed professional.  I often wonder how I manage to get everything done for my kids and household when I AM working, and gone 50 hours per week.  But, somehow I do.

So, what's my point here?  I know, I'm rambling.....

Today's job search involves a lot of internet research, registering for job search websites and online employer and agency applications.  Invariably the question always arises. 

Are you looking for:
   a) part time work
   b) temporary work
   c) full time work
   d) permanent work

Tip of the Day

Your answer should always be e) All of the above

If you're not a huge fan of change, the idea of working somewhere as a temporary employee for only a few months is certainly less than comfortable.  Pull up your big girl panties and do it anyways.  It will expose you to a whole new network of professionals and may even lead to a full time job. 

I can hear you now. 

"But, Michelle, if I am working part time, won't that take time away from my job search?"

Are you really spending 8 hours a day dutifully looking for work?  Even I'm not THAT productive!  Working a part time job will force you to be more efficient in your job search and.....at the risk of sounding like a broken record.... "It will expose you to a new network of professionals and may even lead to a full time job." 

Circling back to my cute stories above...In a nutshell, I love to work.  My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me that I am, frankly, thankful for.  I feel productive, energized, and proud of my ability to support myself and my family. (and my animals) Part time jobs fulfill my need for social interaction, temporary jobs lengthen the time I can collect unemployment.   Nothing bad about that.

If you don't love to work, find something you can get paid for, that you DO love.  It's easier said than done but make it your goal to find enthusiasm for ANY work in the meantime.  Find something admirable about what you do, or who you do it for.  Think of the benefits of any kind of work and be proud of your own ambition.

When I grow up I want to be a barista.  I want to have enough money generated by my "other projects" (the subject for another blog) so I can afford to make coffee for strangers.  I want to wake up early, smell the coffee, and know that all of my hard work has paid off...

I will be finally doing what I love!

Nothing bad about that!

Can You Keep A SECRET? (Shhh......)

Today…drum roll…I’m going to share my SUPER DUPER TOP SECRET way of finding jobs.  I know it sounds obvious but in order to get a job you have to find a job.  And since you can’t exactly expect that you’ll get the first job you apply for, or interview for, you have to find lots of jobs to apply for. 

I’d like to say I’ve always been pretty lucky.  Rarely am I unemployed for long, even if it means I have to accept a temporary job or work as a short term project consultant.  But the truth is, luck has nothing to do with it.  Over the years I have developed a method that I use to find jobs, and lots of them!

Tip of The Day

Create and Use an “X List”

Step #1 – Make a list of keywords that describe your professional life.

So, first off.  What do you do?  (What is your job title?) What have you done, in the past? What do you want to do, at your next job?  Do you have a certification?

Brainstorm and write down at least ten words that describe your professional goals and experience.  You can find them on your resume, your Linked In profile (more on that later) or your professional affiliations and special skills list. 

Example:  My last job title was Purchasing Manager.  My keywords are purchasing, procurement, supply chain, buyer, sourcing, logistics, inventory, CPIM (my certification) Six Sigma (special training) materials, public speaking, training, event planning, and operations.

Step #2 – Make a list of at least six job listings websites. 

Here, let me help you.  Start with craigslist.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and indeed.com.  (my favs!)  There.  You have four of them already.  One of your websites should be regionally based like the employment listings from your local online newspaper or your state’s unemployment website.  The last one should be either indicative of your profession or your special skills.

Step #3 – Create your X List

Using either a spreadsheet or a piece of paper, list your websites across the top of the page as column headers.  Then, list your keywords separately down the right hand side, one per row.  If you’re using paper, draw lines to separate the columns and the rows.  (also, if you’re using paper, make 5 or so copies before you proceed to Step #4.)

Step #4 – Use your X List

Every Monday morning, sit with a cup of coffee (or your morning beverage of choice) and literally type every key word on your list into every website / search engine you have and as you do so, write “X” where they intersect.  I know.  This seems tedious, but if I only typed in “Purchasing Manager” I would miss out on all of the job listings that used the other keywords on my list but were essentially the same job!

Step #5 – Document the jobs you find!

On a separate piece of paper or spreadsheet put the following headers across the top: Date, Website, Job Title, Contact Name, Contact Phone Number, Applied Via (email or internet?) and Notes.  As you use your X List and find jobs that you are qualified for, document them in this consistent format.

You won’t be able to fill in all of the information since often the phone number is not listed.  You will also fill out the Applied Via and Notes column when you actually do apply for the jobs…..on Tuesday!

If you’ve created your X List and use it every Monday you can then look forward to Tuesday morning when you can then start applying for all those jobs!!!

* * *

There are actually many uses for the jobs list.  Now you have your Monday TO DO list.  I’ll talk more about the many uses for your job list, and your TO DO lists for Tuesday through Friday on my upcoming blog posts. 

You can’t wait to read them. 

I know. 

Having structure to your job search, and your week (Is today Wednesday or Saturday?) will help the time go by and will also help you feel uber-productive. 

So exciting!?  :o)~

When Life Hands You Lemons...

WARNING:  Life does not always go according to “the plan”.  If you’re older than 25 years old and have lost your naïve luster, you have undoubtedly experienced heart ache, or loss; or both.   We all start our lives as adults with a plan, even if it’s nothing formal or spoken. We have an idea about how and where our life with take us.  For some, their lives go exactly as planned.  But for others, and certainly myself on more-than-I-care-to-admit-to occasions, nothing EVER does.

Tip of the Day

When life hands you lemons….bounce!

Yeah…I know…a new twist on an old adage.  But I like it.  (I wrote it, of course I like it!)

Pretty recently I once again had the less-than-unique-to-me opportunity to pull myself up by my boot straps and mentally recover from yet another job that didn’t go exactly as planned.  The odd thing is that I did a great job, they really appreciated my contribution, and the department was running more smoothly than it ever had before.  And yet, I was dismissed because I “didn’t fit in”.

Ouch. 

It is very difficult to accept that others don’t like you or appreciate your contribution as much as you think they should.  It is natural to be angry (been there) ashamed (done that) and want to crawl into a hole and not come out.  Actually, I think if you’re feeling like this, you should….but for not more than 5 days.  Then, it’s time to…bounce.

Call a friend, update your resume, accept what happened for what it is and move on.  There is nothing to be gained by self pity.  Believing in yourself and your abilities is a huge factor in finding your next job and, if you’re like me, finding another job is pretty critical since it is the one thing keeping a roof over your head.

On to Plan B.  Or Plan C.  (Seriously, I think I’m at Plan P by this point in my life…)  Make a list of what you want from your next job.  Read books on self esteem, career advancement, image making, or public speaking.  Do anything but sit around and feel sorry for yourself.

For the past few weeks, life has been seriously kicking my ass.  You name it, it went very wrong… money, relationship, career, family, health.  All of it.  I have cried more, this week, than the previous 6 months combined.   Even my therapist is a bit stumped on how to help me outta’ my funk.  

Speaking of old adages…have you ever heard “The plumber’s sink is always clogged”?

That is me…the advice giver who needs more advice than anyone.  I have theories and ideas and always seem to figure it out but…it’s not easy…and some days it seems pretty freakin’ impossible.  But, instead of being embarrassed and sad and allowing my self defeat to get the best of me I’ve decided to share my life, and experience, with you. 

Maybe, just maybe, you’ll realize that you’re not alone.  There are many many of us who don’t like making lemonade and would rather just….bounce.

The Good News, The Bad News, and The Future

 I love it when a plan comes together. All the stress about money and my future is behind me and I'm headed back to work! The good news is, despite being in the job market in the midst of the worst economy in over 25 years, I received not one but TWO job offers. The bad news is that I won't have as much time to blog, to spend with my kids, to get projects done around the house, to sleep in, or just hang out with my friends.

Remember when I started this blog and I told you I was really good at job hunting? Yeah....well....I wasn't lying! Now, before my head gets too big or I break my arm from patting myself on the back too rigorously, let me take a moment to digress.

Tip Of the Day

Finding a job takes time, effort, luck, organization, skill, and a good first impression.

In a nutshell, my tips do work. Really, they do. Everything I shared with you in this blog I did, and more. Finding a job is the result of many little things and they all count. Every week you need to devote time to your job search. You need to network, update your resume, order business cards, and buy thank you cards. You need to keep a list of the companies you have contacted and follow up with them. If your resume is lacking in one skill set or another, take a class or read a book to find the answer to filling that gap. Take inventory of your closet, and put together interview outfits that make you look and feel fabulous! Shine your shoes, spend time with friends and family who support you, make chili or brownies, exercise outside, and find a creative outlet.

No, this is not my last blog post. I am merely taking this opportunity to present you with a brief summary of all that I've shared with you, thus far. Although my posts will be less frequent due to the new obligation that is my job, I will continue to share ideas on how you can develop your job seeking skills and then find yourself in the enviable position of juggling two job offers.

In future blogs you'll learn about where to find resources for free and low cost items that you'll need for your job search. I'll share with you my super duper top secret “X List”. I look forward to sharing ideas on how to use internet search engines, Facebook, and Linked In to find people that you need to know. And, I still have many, many, more tricks up my sleeve...

In addition to my name, phone number, and email address; the business cards I use while networking or job hunting also list my personal mantra: My future's so bright, I gotta' wear shades! (inspired by that tacky song from the 80's that you may not wish to admit that you know.) Attitude is everything and a good attitude reflects positively in everything you do.

Visualize your future, think of where you'd like to be and how you want to get there....and you will.

Why Interviewing Is Like Dating

We have many opportunities in life to leverage our experience in one area of our lives, with another.  If, for instance, you are a good parent you’re probably a pretty good party planner or project manager. If you are very detail oriented, and love that about yourself, you might be a kick ass editor even if you’ve never considered it as a career path.  If you have not been on a date in many years, or if you just went on one yesterday, you can also apply those social skills (or fond memories of the experience of dating) to interviewing.

Yes.  Scary, but true.  Think about it.  You talk on the phone or email to confirm the details.  You do a little bit of research on the internet about the other person beforehand.  (Or…um…is that just me?)  You want to make a good first impression.  You consider the outfit you’re going to wear and might even make a trip to the dry cleaners or get a haircut before hand.  Sound familiar?

Whether you’re on a date or an interview you have an opportunity to meet someone new, to present yourself and skill set and personality for their consideration, and decide if that opportunity to spend more time together (via a job offer) is one that suits your needs.

Tip of The Day

Interviewing is like dating, so have fun and be your genuine self!

The inspiration for today’s blog came from a conversation I had this past week with my BFF.  I was recounting how jobs are like men.  I wish I could take the really short commute from this job, the great pay from that job, the nice boss from the other job, and the great workspace from the other one….to create the perfect job.

But, alas, there is no perfect job, or man, or woman.  Whether you are dating or interviewing you'll weigh the good and bad aspects of an opportunity, find your deal breakers that would make you run the other way, and decide that although you understand that you don’t really know what the end result will be; you’re willing to take the risk and move forward with what you do know....and hope that it’ll all work out.

A few years ago I published my first book, Women Seeking Men.  It is a compilation of several ads that I placed in the Women Seeking Men section of Craig’s List, and the men’s responses to them.  Looking back, I deeply appreciate what a really great learning opportunity it was for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and listed my strengths and weaknesses for the world to see and asked complete strangers “What’s wrong with me?”

There is nothing wrong with me. (unless you ask my ex-husband, he might disagree here.) There is nothing wrong with you. (and I’m sure you can find an ex-boss or ex-lover to find a flaw in your perfect self as well.)  We are all just different grades of perfection in progress. How refreshing! Just think, there actually is also no perfect candidate, manager, employee, interview, job, or company.  Stop trying to find one!!!  Instead, take a step back and view them all with your dating glasses on, weighing both the positive and negative attributes.

Finally, when interviewing (and dating, of course) have fun but most importantly, be genuine.  If you are your true self you'll get a far more accurate perspective of how well you and your employer can work together than if you were to "fake it till you make it".

Don't forget, if the job does not work out as you planned, you at least had the opportunity to learn something new about yourself and move on.  After all, nothing ventured.....nothing gained.

Cover Letters - "You had me at Hello."

First Impressionists are people that trust their gut instinct about people so much so that virtually nothing matters to them after their first impression. Everything that is said after “Hello” just sounds like blah blah blah. (and, yes, I stole that phrase from the movie “Jerry McGuire” for the purposes of this blog.) I have heard that when dating, the man will make the decision about a second date within 8 seconds of meeting on the first one. I have also heard that homeowners make the decision to buy their new home within 30 seconds of walking into it!

While the actual numbers may or may not be true, they certainly seem to support the well known fact that first impressions matter. This is not the first time I've mentioned this in my blog so let's just say that it's so important, it bears repeating. Today, however, we're going to talk about another way to establish yourself in the hiring manager's memory banks, namely; with your cover letter.

Your cover letter is, in many many cases, your very first impression. It's the first thing that hiring managers see before they click on the attachment that is your resume. I know, it's a hassle and a bother and seems to be superfluous but, cover letters matter. Since your first contact with an employer will most likely be via email it only makes sense that it would include a somewhat formal cover letter, NOT as an attachment, but as the body of the email itself.

Tip of the Day

Cover letters ARE very necessary and should be a brief, but creative, summary of your resume.

The Format – Begin with the submission date. Next, address it to the company and the interviewing manager using as much information as you have. (Yes, even the company address and the zip code.) If you do not have a name, address it to “Hiring Manager”. Then, list your name and address. After a brief introductory sentence, a paragraph that highlights your skill set, and a sentence expressing interest; close the letter with “Sincerely” and use your formal name with your first name, middle initial, and last name.

The Content – Put yourself in the employer's shoes. They do not care about you. (Sorry, but it's a fact.) They only care about what you can do for THEM. So, do NOT start your introductory sentence with the word “I”. In keeping with well-known speech writing techniques aimed at getting an audience's attention, my cover letter actually begins with a question:

“Are you seeking a results and detail oriented ......management professional with exceptional

multi-tasking, negotiation and communication skills?

Of course they are!

Your summary paragraph should briefly summarize your resume including, most importantly, how many years of experience you have, working in your field of expertise. Don't be afraid to use a bold font and underline key statements in your cover letter. They should be the ones that most closely reflect the job description for the position you are applying for. Feel free to even use the job posting as a guideline for your cover letter content as well. (Super Duper Top Secret Tip: You can even cut and paste it!)

The Closer – Recruiting professionals will tell you that if you want the job, say so! Your closing statement in your cover letter should be not only a description of your work style, your personality, and other attributes you would like them to know about you; but a statement of interest as well. Here is an example:

“I am flexible, creative, outgoing, available immediately; and looking forward to hearing from you so that we can discuss your needs further.”

Last week I applied for a job and took my own advice. I cut and pasted part of the job posting into my cover letter. The employer literally called me within 15 minutes of receiving my email to schedule an interview. I have no doubt that it's because my cover letter did it's job of making a good first impression.

Wish me luck!