She was a graduating senior when she asked me that question. When you think about it, that's a much easier question to ask at the beginning of your career than it is later on. At the beginning, you feel free to ask people for help in learning what you need to know because you are not "supposed" to know everything. You are much more likely to ask for feedback, and act on it, than you are later on.
When you have been working for a while, or when you become a manager, it's much more difficult to "know what you don't know" because you feel that you are "supposed" to have all the answers. And, the more successful your career has been, the more likely you are to believe that you know what you need to know. After all, why would they have promoted me, if I'm not one of the best?
This attitude can destroy your career if you join a new firm at the mid or senior level. Yes, they wanted someone with your superior skills and experience, but there are hundreds and hundreds of new hires at the senior level who fail, in spite of superior skills and experience. One of my clients put it best. "It's a matter of a balance between listening and acting. If you come in and act as if you already know everything there is to know, and never listen to what we have to say, you will fail. And if you come in and just listen and listen and never take action, you'll also fail."
Just go back to that attitude you had when you first got a job. "I want to be the best at my new job. How do I get there? Then, you will naturally seek the feedback you need to be a success.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
"Angry and Scared"
"That's how our people feel," a high tech executive told me this week. After almost two years of reorganizations, layoffs, and changes in corporate direction, that's pretty typical of a lot of places people work today.
An angry and scared workforce won't make your company competitive in the recovering economy. And if you yourself are angry and scared, your career will stagnate.
Both individuals and organizations need to be more proactiive and look for the oportunities. Focusing on careers is the most effective way companies have to reconnect with their employees. On-site career coaching for individuals can go a long way toward retaining and remotivating them. So can career development processes or career ladders.
If you are an individual who is angry and scared, it's time to take charge of your career. That doesn't automatically mean putting yourself on the job market. How about looking for opportunities where you are now - opportunities to take on more responsibility, gain new skills, or work in a new department? If you make those changes now, you will be more valuable if later you decide to look for a new employer.
A client this week hadn't gotten a raise in five years. How did he decide to make sure he got a raise? He came up with a profitable new business idea, wrote a business plan, and took it to his employer. If his employer doesn't go for it, he has a line on a competitor who will.
That's looking for the opportunities. That's taking charge of your career.
An angry and scared workforce won't make your company competitive in the recovering economy. And if you yourself are angry and scared, your career will stagnate.
Both individuals and organizations need to be more proactiive and look for the oportunities. Focusing on careers is the most effective way companies have to reconnect with their employees. On-site career coaching for individuals can go a long way toward retaining and remotivating them. So can career development processes or career ladders.
If you are an individual who is angry and scared, it's time to take charge of your career. That doesn't automatically mean putting yourself on the job market. How about looking for opportunities where you are now - opportunities to take on more responsibility, gain new skills, or work in a new department? If you make those changes now, you will be more valuable if later you decide to look for a new employer.
A client this week hadn't gotten a raise in five years. How did he decide to make sure he got a raise? He came up with a profitable new business idea, wrote a business plan, and took it to his employer. If his employer doesn't go for it, he has a line on a competitor who will.
That's looking for the opportunities. That's taking charge of your career.
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Cure for Interview Frustration
Yes, people looking for work are beginning to get more interviews, but the interview process is long and frustrating. It seems random. You think you had a great interview; then, you never hear from them again. You are told you are a finalist and will be asked back for a second interview; then, nothing happens.
It's frustrating for the hiring manager, too. Sometimes, the requisition is pulled at the last minute, or the level of the job opening changes. Or a senior person wants someone different. The hiring managers aren't the bad guys, and thinking about them that way is a sure way to kill your interviewing confidence.
Take a tip from the sales professionals, and use your interviews for prospects. Here's how.
When you have been a real candidate and have been interviewed by more than one person, there is bound to be someone you clicked with more than the others. Once you have been turned down for the job, contact the person you clicked with, and say something like, "I know you found someone more appropriate for the job, and I understand. I really enjoyed meeting you and believe you really know who I am and what I can do. Is there any other place you would recommend I look?" If the person responds with a company name, ask, "Do you know someone there I could contact?" If the answer is yes, ask, "May I use your name?" While this only works some of the time, when it does work, it's major.
Everyone you meet when you are interviewing should be put on your contact list. The more people you interview with, the more people you meet, the more people you have as networking contacts. If they don't help you this time you are looking for a job, maybe they will next time. When you get that job, email everyone on the list a brief thank-you note and include your new contact information. The more you interview, the more networking contacts you will have. Even when they don't result in jobs, interviews are great opportunities to build your network.
Priscilla
It's frustrating for the hiring manager, too. Sometimes, the requisition is pulled at the last minute, or the level of the job opening changes. Or a senior person wants someone different. The hiring managers aren't the bad guys, and thinking about them that way is a sure way to kill your interviewing confidence.
Take a tip from the sales professionals, and use your interviews for prospects. Here's how.
When you have been a real candidate and have been interviewed by more than one person, there is bound to be someone you clicked with more than the others. Once you have been turned down for the job, contact the person you clicked with, and say something like, "I know you found someone more appropriate for the job, and I understand. I really enjoyed meeting you and believe you really know who I am and what I can do. Is there any other place you would recommend I look?" If the person responds with a company name, ask, "Do you know someone there I could contact?" If the answer is yes, ask, "May I use your name?" While this only works some of the time, when it does work, it's major.
Everyone you meet when you are interviewing should be put on your contact list. The more people you interview with, the more people you meet, the more people you have as networking contacts. If they don't help you this time you are looking for a job, maybe they will next time. When you get that job, email everyone on the list a brief thank-you note and include your new contact information. The more you interview, the more networking contacts you will have. Even when they don't result in jobs, interviews are great opportunities to build your network.
Priscilla
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Coming Talent Drain
Experts say that the job market will turn the corner in the Second Quarter of 2010. CareerBuilder agrees, stating that the time to look for a job is right now. At the same time, job satisfaction is at an all-time low, according to the Conference Board. Most organizations don't have the resources to reward even their best performers in terms of raises or promotions. Most organizations don't have managers that can actually talk candidly to their employees.
Our guess at Career Strategies is that these trends mean trouble for many employers between now and July, a brain drain of their "best people," their talent.
The best performers always have an easier time finding jobs, even in the worst of times. They will be on the move first. Then, they will pull their friends and co-workers into the job market with them.
Our guess is that the executives will be taken care of somehow. But the key salespeople, the key relationship management people, the IT genius who keeps things together, the controller that truly understands the business, the product development person who leads the field, all of them will be up for grabs.
If your company or organization doesn't pay attention to these people, now, before they complete their resumes, they will be history. The only retention tool that really works is talking to people directly and honestly about their careers. We have proven that over and over again with our on-site coaching. We can help both the organization and the talent come together on an appropriate career direction for 2010.
Priscilla
Our guess at Career Strategies is that these trends mean trouble for many employers between now and July, a brain drain of their "best people," their talent.
The best performers always have an easier time finding jobs, even in the worst of times. They will be on the move first. Then, they will pull their friends and co-workers into the job market with them.
Our guess is that the executives will be taken care of somehow. But the key salespeople, the key relationship management people, the IT genius who keeps things together, the controller that truly understands the business, the product development person who leads the field, all of them will be up for grabs.
If your company or organization doesn't pay attention to these people, now, before they complete their resumes, they will be history. The only retention tool that really works is talking to people directly and honestly about their careers. We have proven that over and over again with our on-site coaching. We can help both the organization and the talent come together on an appropriate career direction for 2010.
Priscilla
Thursday, December 31, 2009
NEW YEAR, NEW JOB!
It's traditional to think about a new job at this time of year. Sometime toward the end of the first quarter the job outlook is really going to improve, so my headhunter friends tell me. Then, I expect that a lot of people will make a lot of new moves. That's going to free up more jobs and encourage more movement in the job market. More job opportunities!
But a career is based on more than just a succession of jobs. So make a point of adding to your skills and your professional network in 2010. Here's an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on jobs of the future; it might give you some ideas on what skills you may want to learn: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703278604574624392641425278.html
HAPPPY NEW YEAR! 2010 is going to be great.
Priscilla
But a career is based on more than just a succession of jobs. So make a point of adding to your skills and your professional network in 2010. Here's an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on jobs of the future; it might give you some ideas on what skills you may want to learn: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703278604574624392641425278.html
HAPPPY NEW YEAR! 2010 is going to be great.
Priscilla
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Take the Time to Volunteer...
...not just this time of year, but all year round. There is a reason why more and more companies are sponsoring volunteering programs for their employees. Choosing to volunteer not only helps the people and organizations you are serving, but can help you a lot, too, in very practical ways.
If you are working and you volunteer for a company-sponsored activity, you can meet and work with people from other parts or levels of your own organization, a real exposure bonus. One of our clients made a very successful proposal to a senior manager a month after she had painted a day care center with him. He knew her, and she knew him, which made the presentation much easier to do and much easier to receive.
If you are working and you volunteer on your own, you will get to know a whole new organization with a new cast of characters. That can broaden your own skills and abilities and even show you a new career direction. One of our clients ended up a leader in every organization she volunteered for. She used that experience to move into a very successful management career.
If you are NOT working, volunteering can make a huge difference to you. It will get you out of the house. It will give you some recent accomplishments to put on your resume. It will give you something new to talk about in an interview. It will broaden your personal network. The important thing to remember is to volunteer your professional skills when you can. Several of our clients who are looking for work in this recession have added impressive volunteer activity to their resumes. If you can't find such an opportunity, ask your professional association. Many sponsor volunteer activities for their members.
You may seem to be doing something for someone else when you are volunteering, but you are also doing something important for yourself! Add volunteering to your New Year's resolutions!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays,
Priscilla
If you are working and you volunteer for a company-sponsored activity, you can meet and work with people from other parts or levels of your own organization, a real exposure bonus. One of our clients made a very successful proposal to a senior manager a month after she had painted a day care center with him. He knew her, and she knew him, which made the presentation much easier to do and much easier to receive.
If you are working and you volunteer on your own, you will get to know a whole new organization with a new cast of characters. That can broaden your own skills and abilities and even show you a new career direction. One of our clients ended up a leader in every organization she volunteered for. She used that experience to move into a very successful management career.
If you are NOT working, volunteering can make a huge difference to you. It will get you out of the house. It will give you some recent accomplishments to put on your resume. It will give you something new to talk about in an interview. It will broaden your personal network. The important thing to remember is to volunteer your professional skills when you can. Several of our clients who are looking for work in this recession have added impressive volunteer activity to their resumes. If you can't find such an opportunity, ask your professional association. Many sponsor volunteer activities for their members.
You may seem to be doing something for someone else when you are volunteering, but you are also doing something important for yourself! Add volunteering to your New Year's resolutions!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays,
Priscilla
Monday, December 14, 2009
New Jobs Now
Usually, this time of year is very quiet. New jobs rarely come on the market between now and January. Not only have our job-seeking clients at Career Strategies remained active in the job market, but they are finding new jobs to interview for.
Two traditional post-recession trends have reappeared. First, there is an increase in temporary jobs. This is a great opportunity in Massachusetts where we have health care available. Here, people can afford to take a temporary job and hope it will become permanent. The second is that the hiring process is very slow. Organizations don't want to make a mistake, so they are very careful, requiring multiple references, many interviews, and a lot of time to pass between first meeting and final offer. That can now take as much as six weeks.
But the big news is that the Federal Government has decided to make some of its contract jobs into permanent jobs. At Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, there will be 800 people hired between now and June. Here is their website: www.afesccareers.com
And there will be more investigative accountants hired by the IRS next year. Don't overlook Federal Government jobs in 2010. They have great benefits and good training.
Two traditional post-recession trends have reappeared. First, there is an increase in temporary jobs. This is a great opportunity in Massachusetts where we have health care available. Here, people can afford to take a temporary job and hope it will become permanent. The second is that the hiring process is very slow. Organizations don't want to make a mistake, so they are very careful, requiring multiple references, many interviews, and a lot of time to pass between first meeting and final offer. That can now take as much as six weeks.
But the big news is that the Federal Government has decided to make some of its contract jobs into permanent jobs. At Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, there will be 800 people hired between now and June. Here is their website: www.afesccareers.com
And there will be more investigative accountants hired by the IRS next year. Don't overlook Federal Government jobs in 2010. They have great benefits and good training.
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