The other day I attended a workshop on Networking and was reminded of a few items I want to share with you. One of the topics that peaked my interest was the conversation on Networking Etiquette. At networking events, we have all come across someone who did not follow the etiquette rules of networking. So don’t be the person whose business card is thrown away just because you used poor judgement. Here are my tips for dealing with a networking faux pas.
- The time suck: We all know this person... they cannot stop talking about themselves. Not only that, they just keep talking and talking and talking! They don’t pause long enough for you to make a graceful exit. Tip: Keep your answers and stories to 2 minutes or less in order to give the person you are talking with a chance to speak or wrap up the conversation.
- The business card thrower: This person doesn’t take the time to get to know you. They just stop by and hand you their business card and then move on. The worst version of this is where there are people sitting at tables. The ‘thrower’ will literally thrown down his cards on the table in front of you and move on. Tip: The goal is not how many business cards can you hand out. The goal is how many people you can connect with. Just handing out or throwing business cards around does not mean you are connecting with them. They have no reason to utilize your services or even remember you.
- The refuser: This person wants you to have their card so you can help them, but they politely decline your card. They clearly don’t know the phrase ‘givers gain’. Tip: Networking is about developing relationships. It is not about ‘what can you do for me’? Think through how you can help the person you are speaking with.
- The scanner: This person is speaking with you, but is always scanning the room for other people to talk with. They make it clear that they are not actively listening to you. Tip: Actively listen and pay attention to the person you are speaking with. If you need to end the conversation, do so gracefully by letting them know it was great to meet them, and get their business card.
- The bulk emailer: This person sends the same “nice to meet you” note following the networking event to everyone she met. Tip: Your follow-up notes should be personalized to the person you spoke with. The majority of the email might be the same, but make sure to personalize each follow-up email to the conversation you had. How can you remember all of the conversations? Ask yourself: What is on the back of most people’s business cards? The answer: Nothing. This is a great space for you to jot down notes about the conversation and any follow-ups you have promised to complete.
If you recognized yourself in the roles above, that’s okay, now is the time to learn from it. Networking is not easy, but with practice you can get better at it.
What type of networking violations have you seen? Let us know in the comments section below!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
How Can a Career Coach Help Me?
Just as an athletic coach can help bring out your full potential in a sport, a career coach can help you get to a place where you can achieve your career goals. Every individual who seeks help from a coach has different reasons. I’ve listed out some common reasons below:
Individuals approach their career management in different ways. Some individuals can meet their career goals by reading information online or in a book. Others can meet their goals by simply carving out time to conduct research and complete their activities. Others need the one-to-one interaction of a coach to take them from point A to point B. Regardless of which category you fall into, carve out some time this month to review your career goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them.
What is your current career goal? Let us know in the comments section below!
- To gain expertise in the areas of career development and career search processes
- To develop their brand through resumes, cover letters, interviews, etc.
- To learn new career management skills and techniques
- To find inspiration and get assistance with achieving a goal
- To develop a structure for the job search or a sense of accountability to finish tasks
- To obtain an objective opinion from someone who is neither a family member nor a friend and not directly impacted by the decision
- To receive assistance in exposing weaknesses in an area that will require learning new skills before taking the next step
- To understand how skills can translate from a current occupation/industry to other industries
- To learn how to demonstrate strengths in a certain area
Individuals approach their career management in different ways. Some individuals can meet their career goals by reading information online or in a book. Others can meet their goals by simply carving out time to conduct research and complete their activities. Others need the one-to-one interaction of a coach to take them from point A to point B. Regardless of which category you fall into, carve out some time this month to review your career goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them.
What is your current career goal? Let us know in the comments section below!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Choose a Job Opportunity that Matches Your Personality
Impact of Your Personality
List three words that describe you. These three words are just a start to defining your personality, that is, the qualities and traits that are unique to you and make you who you are.
Your personality plays a large role in the workplace. It affects how you:
Job Decision Considerations
When you are considering a job, you naturally make sure your interests and skills are a great match. In a recent blog, I touched on making sure your work values fit with the company culture. This is definitely important and often overlooked. In the same way, we often neglect to make sure our personalities match the job too.
When deciding on a job opportunity, ask yourself, “How well do I fit into this company, the work environment and the culture?”
But how do you find out about the personality of the company? Here are some ideas:
Once you have some data, compare that data to your information about your personality. Given the information you have, will this job be a good fit for you? An easy transition? If your personality does not match the company culture, you can find your energy drained at the end of each day because you are putting so much effort into fitting in. The work itself can be draining enough let alone layering on the energy you exert trying to force your personality to fit into that work environment. Ultimately this can adversely impact your job performance as you are exhausted and may begin to resent the job itself.
Personality is a key component to deciding if a job is right for you yet also a component that is easy to overlook. Make sure a job opportunity is a successful match for you by ensuring that your personality is a good fit for the organization’s work environment.
Have you ever found out the hard way that your personality did not fit with your company or career? Let us know in the comments section below!
List three words that describe you. These three words are just a start to defining your personality, that is, the qualities and traits that are unique to you and make you who you are.
Your personality plays a large role in the workplace. It affects how you:
- perform your work
- communicate with others
- deal with conflict
- demonstrate your worth to the organization
Job Decision Considerations
When you are considering a job, you naturally make sure your interests and skills are a great match. In a recent blog, I touched on making sure your work values fit with the company culture. This is definitely important and often overlooked. In the same way, we often neglect to make sure our personalities match the job too.
When deciding on a job opportunity, ask yourself, “How well do I fit into this company, the work environment and the culture?”
But how do you find out about the personality of the company? Here are some ideas:
- Ask questions at the end of the interview about the environment. What is the interviewer’s favorite thing about working there? What is their least favorite thing about working there? How would they describe the company culture?
- Do some research. What information is available about the company?
- Talk to people. Do you know anyone who works for the company? They are a great source of information about the company’s culture and the work environment.
Once you have some data, compare that data to your information about your personality. Given the information you have, will this job be a good fit for you? An easy transition? If your personality does not match the company culture, you can find your energy drained at the end of each day because you are putting so much effort into fitting in. The work itself can be draining enough let alone layering on the energy you exert trying to force your personality to fit into that work environment. Ultimately this can adversely impact your job performance as you are exhausted and may begin to resent the job itself.
Personality is a key component to deciding if a job is right for you yet also a component that is easy to overlook. Make sure a job opportunity is a successful match for you by ensuring that your personality is a good fit for the organization’s work environment.
Have you ever found out the hard way that your personality did not fit with your company or career? Let us know in the comments section below!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Beware of the Vanishing Job Posting
Dear Coach Wolfgang,
Recently, I applied for several jobs online and I was so excited to hear back from one of the companies. When I tried to look for the job posting on their website, to refresh my understanding of the skills and qualifications they want, I realized the job description was removed. Now what do I do?
This is definitely an area to be mindful of! Finding jobs on websites has become very user friendly. However, the downside to this ease of use is that companies can easily pull those descriptions when they have enough applicants to consider.
The first step is to go beyond the site you found the description on and see if you can find a similar description posted on another website. You would at least have the basic information for the type of position. Also, don’t forget to refer back to your cover letter for the position. Within that cover letter, you highlighted some of the key skills they were looking for in the position and how you met those skills.
In the future, if you find a position you want to apply for, copy and paste the information into another document so you have it to refer back to in case the posting is taken down. Alternatively, print out the job posting and keep it in a file with your other documents related to the job.
Information is definitely easier to find these days, but it is also easier to remove. Your best bet in the future is to keep the job posting information in a place that you can control and that will be easy for you to find when you’re called for an interview.
Recently, I applied for several jobs online and I was so excited to hear back from one of the companies. When I tried to look for the job posting on their website, to refresh my understanding of the skills and qualifications they want, I realized the job description was removed. Now what do I do?
This is definitely an area to be mindful of! Finding jobs on websites has become very user friendly. However, the downside to this ease of use is that companies can easily pull those descriptions when they have enough applicants to consider.
The first step is to go beyond the site you found the description on and see if you can find a similar description posted on another website. You would at least have the basic information for the type of position. Also, don’t forget to refer back to your cover letter for the position. Within that cover letter, you highlighted some of the key skills they were looking for in the position and how you met those skills.
In the future, if you find a position you want to apply for, copy and paste the information into another document so you have it to refer back to in case the posting is taken down. Alternatively, print out the job posting and keep it in a file with your other documents related to the job.
Information is definitely easier to find these days, but it is also easier to remove. Your best bet in the future is to keep the job posting information in a place that you can control and that will be easy for you to find when you’re called for an interview.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
What File Name to Give Your Resume
Dear Coach Wolfgang:
What file name should I use for the resume document I send to employers?
Good question! We don’t really take time to think about this question. You may be inclined to name you resume document “resume”. It makes sense, especially when it is kept on your computer in your job search folder. It is a name that is easy for you to find because you are only concerned with reviewing and editing your own resume.
Stand Out
Instead, look at your resume through the eyes of a hiring manager. If you are the hiring manager and 50 people apply for the position, and 50 of them name their resume document “resume”, who stands out? No one.
My advice is to make sure to include your name in your resume file name. For example: Amy_Wolfgang_Resume2011. This is a way to brand yourself. Others choose to name their resume with their name and the company’s name. This could, potentially, demonstrate to the hiring manager that you customized your resume for this position. You may decide to name your resume with your name and a description of a trait in order to draw attention to your resume: Amy_Wolfgang_Top_Sales_Producer.
At the very least, put your first and last name in the resume file name. As far as adding the company name or a personality trait, do what you feel comfortable with.
Choose Universal Format
One additional piece of related advice: send your resume as a .pdf file. You don’t know what type of word processor or operating system the company or hiring manager uses. If they use a different type of system, different software or a different software version, they might not be able to view your resume with the formatting you intended. Your resume could look very disorganized which is not the image you want to portray! Sending it as a .pdf file will preserve your formatting and allow most users to open it.
There are lots of subtle but important considerations when it comes to submitting your resume for a job opening. So what are yours? Let us know in the comments section.
What file name should I use for the resume document I send to employers?
Good question! We don’t really take time to think about this question. You may be inclined to name you resume document “resume”. It makes sense, especially when it is kept on your computer in your job search folder. It is a name that is easy for you to find because you are only concerned with reviewing and editing your own resume.
Stand Out
Instead, look at your resume through the eyes of a hiring manager. If you are the hiring manager and 50 people apply for the position, and 50 of them name their resume document “resume”, who stands out? No one.
My advice is to make sure to include your name in your resume file name. For example: Amy_Wolfgang_Resume2011. This is a way to brand yourself. Others choose to name their resume with their name and the company’s name. This could, potentially, demonstrate to the hiring manager that you customized your resume for this position. You may decide to name your resume with your name and a description of a trait in order to draw attention to your resume: Amy_Wolfgang_Top_Sales_Producer.
At the very least, put your first and last name in the resume file name. As far as adding the company name or a personality trait, do what you feel comfortable with.
Choose Universal Format
One additional piece of related advice: send your resume as a .pdf file. You don’t know what type of word processor or operating system the company or hiring manager uses. If they use a different type of system, different software or a different software version, they might not be able to view your resume with the formatting you intended. Your resume could look very disorganized which is not the image you want to portray! Sending it as a .pdf file will preserve your formatting and allow most users to open it.
There are lots of subtle but important considerations when it comes to submitting your resume for a job opening. So what are yours? Let us know in the comments section.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Time to Assess Your Job Interviewing Skills
Job Interviews are intimidating for many individuals. There is, naturally, a lot of pressure during interviews, knowing what is at stake. There is also the pressure we put on ourselves. Maybe this is your dream job or maybe you are unemployed and really need this job. The interview environment itself can be intimidating: a small room with, potentially, several people looking at you and writing down what you say, and some interviewers may never even crack a smile!
All of these things can make us feel less sure of ourselves and wish we had better interviewing skills. I truly believe that interviewing is a learned skill and not innate. Yes, there are individuals who seem more ‘natural’ at interviewing, but with enough work everyone can dramatically improve their skills. Now is the time to asses your interview skills!
Areas for Improvement
Here is my list of top interviewing areas for improvement that you can identify and work on to dramatically improve your interview skills. Work on this list now so that when the big interview approaches, you are ready.
Mock Interviews
How do you know what your areas for improvement are? Conduct a mock interview. You can do this with a friend, family member, or career professional to get some feedback. One of my favorite parts of my job is conducting video-taped mock interviews. Rarely does anyone like to see themselves on tape, however, this is a great way for you to see first-hand how you answer questions and what, if any, areas you need to improve. The videotape gives you a starting point for your interviewing skills level. Work on the skills you want to improve and then videotape a second interview. You can visually see the results of your hard work and build confidence.
Interviews can seem overwhelming but with focused and repetitive practice you can improve quickly. Use the mock interview or, even better, a video-taped mock interview as part of this practice to visually track your results. Identify the areas from my list that you need to work on and soon you will be a “natural” at interviewing!
How have you successfully improved your interviewing skills? Let us know in the comments section below!
All of these things can make us feel less sure of ourselves and wish we had better interviewing skills. I truly believe that interviewing is a learned skill and not innate. Yes, there are individuals who seem more ‘natural’ at interviewing, but with enough work everyone can dramatically improve their skills. Now is the time to asses your interview skills!
Areas for Improvement
Here is my list of top interviewing areas for improvement that you can identify and work on to dramatically improve your interview skills. Work on this list now so that when the big interview approaches, you are ready.
- Long Monologues - answers that go on to long and lack structure.
- Eye Contact Avoidance - not commanding attention from the interviewer sufficiently through eye contact.
- Weak Endings - giving a great initial answer but not knowing how to end your statement.
- Excessive Filler Words - too many distracting filler words (um, like, kind of, etc.).
- Tangents - answering the question but going off on tangents so the interviewer is unable to follow you.
- Not Answering the Question - great replies but ones that don’t help the interviewer.
- Personal Ticks - Annoying personal habits that distract the interviewer.
Mock Interviews
How do you know what your areas for improvement are? Conduct a mock interview. You can do this with a friend, family member, or career professional to get some feedback. One of my favorite parts of my job is conducting video-taped mock interviews. Rarely does anyone like to see themselves on tape, however, this is a great way for you to see first-hand how you answer questions and what, if any, areas you need to improve. The videotape gives you a starting point for your interviewing skills level. Work on the skills you want to improve and then videotape a second interview. You can visually see the results of your hard work and build confidence.
Interviews can seem overwhelming but with focused and repetitive practice you can improve quickly. Use the mock interview or, even better, a video-taped mock interview as part of this practice to visually track your results. Identify the areas from my list that you need to work on and soon you will be a “natural” at interviewing!
How have you successfully improved your interviewing skills? Let us know in the comments section below!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Is Your Job Search Working for You?
We have all heard the quote from Rita Mae Brown, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” This quote is particularly applicable to many job searches I see out there. Below is my checklist for making sure your job search strategy covers all your bases and effectively delivers the results you are striving for.
Example of an Ineffective Job Search Strategy
At a recent networking event, someone asked me why he still hadn’t found a job even after 9 months of trying. I asked him to describe his weekly job search process. Here are his steps:
He repeats this process each week. Sometimes he receives a reply from an employer, but oftentimes he does not. Even still, he repeats this process each week.
If this sounds like your job search, ask yourself if what you are doing is working? Are you getting the results you want? If not, have you altered your approach? If not, then stop for a minute and examine your process and make the necessary changes. You need to determine why you aren’t rising up to the top of the candidate list and fix your process so that you do!
Checklist
Strategy – you need to do the right things
Execution – you need to carry out your plan consistently each week
Connections – you need to connect with the people who receive your resume
If your job search is not yielding the results you want, ask yourself when was the last time your reviewed the plan and made some changes. Review the checklist above and see what changes you need to make and implement them. These changes are going to yield positive results.
What job search technique have you found most useful in your search? Let us know in the comments section below!
Example of an Ineffective Job Search Strategy
At a recent networking event, someone asked me why he still hadn’t found a job even after 9 months of trying. I asked him to describe his weekly job search process. Here are his steps:
- goes to four job search websites
- conducts searches based on his criteria
- reviews the jobs that meet the criteria
- sends his resume and cover letter to each of the jobs he determines to be a good fit
He repeats this process each week. Sometimes he receives a reply from an employer, but oftentimes he does not. Even still, he repeats this process each week.
If this sounds like your job search, ask yourself if what you are doing is working? Are you getting the results you want? If not, have you altered your approach? If not, then stop for a minute and examine your process and make the necessary changes. You need to determine why you aren’t rising up to the top of the candidate list and fix your process so that you do!
Checklist
Strategy – you need to do the right things
- What are the components of your job search?
- Do you have a plan with measurable targets (i.e. number of networking connections you will make, jobs you will apply for, etc.)?
- Is the plan written down?
- Are there other job search tactics you should add to your plan?
Execution – you need to carry out your plan consistently each week
- Which parts of your job search plan do you like to do?
- Which ones don’t you like to do?
- Do you spend more time doing the things you enjoy (i.e. searching for jobs online) and less time doing the things you dislike (i.e. finding networking connections)?
- Do you document your actions each week?
- Are you meeting the targets in your plan?
Connections – you need to connect with the people who receive your resume
- Are you getting your resume and cover letter to the right person at the company?
- Are you spending time trying to find that person?
- Are you making connections at that company to ensure the hiring manager does review your resume?
- Is your profile on LinkedIn or other professional social networking sites updated?
- Are you using these sites to make connections with others?
If your job search is not yielding the results you want, ask yourself when was the last time your reviewed the plan and made some changes. Review the checklist above and see what changes you need to make and implement them. These changes are going to yield positive results.
What job search technique have you found most useful in your search? Let us know in the comments section below!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)