Executive Coach, Executive Career Coach, New York

BRIDGE JOBS--NOT GOING DOWN THE CORPORATE LADDER

2010-03-30T16:02:00.001-04:00

Bridge jobs are those things which fill a gap between now—and later. They are sometimes described as crawling down the corporate ladder—and other times as the best thing that ever happened.

But odd things are happening. Bridge jobs are becoming kind of-- Life—Part 2, as the PBS TV program says—that which we never expected to happen. We had it all planned out.

There are people now who, though no fault of their own, have ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. They are laid off, and who wants to go back to the same old thing.

It may appear that the time for action is now—social change opportunities, perhaps with non-profits—going back to school—completely revamping and rethinking the career thing.

Some experts are re-naming this phenomenon as Encore Careers.

We are definitely seeing, whether through layoff, the economy, or just a mid-life crisis, that the demand or desire for an Encore Career is occurring at about 50 to 55 years old, despite the input of the economy. We are, in fact, observing individuals in 10 year career segments.

Writers are going off to start organic farms. There seems to be a burning desire to finish the career story in a positive way. Some people are going abroad to teach and change the world—a la Peace Corps.

The stories of those finding and taking “bridge” jobs have really unique endings—like failing in love with the new thing—figuring out how to start a new endeavor Perhaps some eventually go back to original career paths, but not always. Bottom line: reinvention is definitely taking place.

Many clients of my clients now identify themselves as permanent part-timers. One former client is going to Egypt to teach in a boy’s school—the only way, he says, to make a huge impact on the world in a positive way—but the only way to save and accumulate money. And what will he do with that money? He will live somewhere abroad and write 3 novels, at least. That’s what he has always wanted to do, and figuring out how to do this and still make a positive impact on the world, is making him quite happy.

In so many cases, Bridge jobs are an absolute necessity, but the “career transition” and “midlife crisis” bunch are actually electing to go this route—or one-half of a couple does this while the other half supports a family.

Truly, again, the world of work is changing. Choosing the entrepreneurial route can, also, be labeled a “bridge” job—in that it leaps from one reality to another.

Instead of being asked “what is your management style”, and “how do you like to be managed?”—one can just say—“hey, I have this great idea, and it looks like a VC firm is about ready to give me some funding, and I’m going to go for it. This is my one chance to make an impact, positive and Green, on the world. I will do it”.

And so be it, they will. We are watching it happen.

There is a huge demand for people in the health care field, for instance, and they will have to be re-schooled for the roles assigned. This is going to put forth a whole new surge of supporting further schooling. Bridge jobs will be created in the interim. It all comes down to meeting needs.

Encore careers will be created for people, and created well before sixty years old. It is conceivable that individuals will have more than one Encore career as they move through working years.

Many who had suspected that independence would not necessarily be desirable, are loving it. Call it going down the corporate ladder if you will, but the phenomenon is growing.

It is time to go through, up and down, in the work world. Thinking the unthinkable, and doing it, is getting to be the norm. There are a few careers where one can keep on going up in a given path, but this is becoming a rarity with some careers, while holding on with other areas.

Even service oriented industries are changing their approach and protocol, necessitating a re-training and education of their workforce. Nothing is as it once was. The change has happened and growing in momentum.

Get ready for more and more change going forward. We cannot and will not go back in the world of work. Creative visionaries and entrepreneurs abound. More and more of the over-qualified are ending up at lower levels of work. I huge number of workers have more than one job at a time, or during different months of the year.

Try to think the unthinkable, and that is “work reality” for now. It is working well for many, and at least practical for others.

LOOKING FOR THOSE FREE THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOUR JOB SEARCH

2010-02-02T22:44:00.001-05:00

LOOKING FOR THOSE FREE THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOUR JOB SEARCH—

AND NEVER FORGETTING WHO YOU ARE

It’s just like they say—there is no free lunch in this world—but there are lots of free networking events.

Go to every one you can find. Activity breeds more activity. It’s called exposure.

And have those Business Cards ready—in one pocket, your cards—in the other pocket—their cards. If you are fishing or transitioning, a card with just your contact information may be enough. In case you can be more specific, do that instead. **But don’t go anywhere without cards.

Explore the Internet, not for job listings, but for knowledge. Read the articles on Who’s Hiring, then study the company profiles. Look for exciting, new, venturesome companies that are the ones that you think would be great to work for.

Pick a Target—especially one that is geographically close to where you want to be. Be sure you have decided what size company you want. Then think about what position you want there.

Don’t hang onto their job listings on the Internet, for most of those positions will already have been filled.

Pick a position you think you really want, and could execute. Then find a person who is about two levels above this position. This can be very easy, or hard, or even impossible. But, don’t worry. Management Team profiles will usually give you needed information. If that doesn’t work:

Pick a company that is their competition, and keep going until you have the name and contact number of a person two levels above where you want to be.

Then you are positioned to move. Craft a dynamite Cover Letter to that person, asking for an Informational Interview with him/her. Be flattering about the company, say you will only need a short amount of time, and letting this decision maker know you will be phoning to set up an interview time.

Then do it. Befriend the gatekeeper, and keep calling until you get the interview time. Remember: the purpose of an interview is NEVER to get a job, it is to get the next meeting. In this case, the purpose of the interview is to get information—where to go next—who to phone next.

You can do it! This is really a “character-building” exercise, but it pays off. People love to help others, and you are in a position to make the giver of information look really good.

Using this (free) networking process will eventually get you right in front of a decision-maker who can hire you.

Stay active. Show your boundless enthusiasm at every turn. Help other people when you can.

And through this whole process, never forget who you are. Who are you? A viable contributor to the world, your family, yourself, and the company you want to work for. The world is a better place because you are here—in it.

Looking for a job is a job in itself. The job search climate is getting better. The recession of last year is gone, but we are all wondering what we have now.

For sure, the World of Work has changed forever. You may find yourself “under-employed” and doing a bridge job that you never thought you would see.

Hang in there and keep on keeping on. Definitely don’t want to be the person saying the recession is over, but you as a person can say that to yourself as you keep your search for work as positive as possible.

May great good fortune follow you as you move forward.

Finished with the free stuff. If you want or need to short-circuit the process—make the investment of a Career Coach. Recently I heard a speaker from the West Coast talk about her Coach in a speech given here in New York City. She said she could never have done it without her coach—and that she still has sessions with the coach. A pretty strong endorsement for working with a Coach.

Beth Ross, Ph.D.
www.bethross.com
bross2734@aol.com
212-876-1759

GET READY FOR THE NEW DECADE WITH INTERVIEW TRAINING

2009-12-30T21:55:00.001-05:00

FOR THE NEW YEAR—GET A BLOCK OF INTERVIEW TRAINING
COURSES TO SHARPEN YOUR JOB SEARCH PROCESS

GET A COACH—AND--

BE SURE TO SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS CORRECTLY

Nothing can set you on the right path for 2010 better than getting your Interviewing Skills polished and ready to go—and go—for the rest of a career path.

Interviewing is an emotionally charged event, every time it happens. It almost feels like life is really on the line when one interviews, and it well may be.

The following five points need to be considered:

1. You can’t do it all by yourself
2. Choose a Coach
3. Look at it as an investment in the rest of your career life
4. What you can—and cannot expect from a Coach
5. Evaluating your investment

One can read every book ever written about interviewing, go to seminars, get advice from friends, pray, practice, and explore all theories.

It still comes down to creating boundless enthusiasm, looking and acting the part, creation of massive amounts of self confidence, doing your homework and knowing everything possible not only about the company, but about the person who is interviewing you. A Coach can help you get all this straight and in order, but the questions keep coming.

And even then, how do you know if your listening skills are okay? Do you understand that the purpose of the first interview is definitely not to get a job—it is to get the next interview? Is your eye contact appropriate? What do you do and not do when being interviewed by more than one person?

Have you put together your list of questions for the interviewers? Do you know how many people the company is interviewing for this same position? How do you find out what next steps will occur? How do you stack up with other candidates?

What is that totally unique thing about you that makes you the very best possible candidate for the job? When will they make a decision? What career advancement is possible for you in the company?

The questions can go on and on. A really good Interview Coach will have been through this many times, and will have a close understanding of your particular situation.

Recently, I had the mother of a perspective client ask me if I would guarantee that the daughter get a certain job. Certainly not! Too many extraneous things can influence this happening or not. A good Coach will guarantee to expose the client to knowledge about how to maximize any interview, not just now but in the future. Good Coaches can and do create excellent interview skills for clients. Fortunately, these skills really stick and last and last—getting better over time.

A Coach will be able to increase confidence by getting a client ready for all those questions you are afraid they will ask—and yes, they will. Confidence in addressing these issues will last a lifetime. One learns it once, and it sticks.

A Coach will work with a client on everything from how to dress for an interview to what to say, and not say, about compensation issues. Expecting to be fully prepared for anything is part of the protocol, and cannot be overlooked.

A client has the right to expect to be as fully prepared for interview situations as possible. Practice may not make one perfect, but it surely makes all things better. The more one practices, the better one gets at the whole game. The process takes time. That’s why signing up for a block of 5 sessions is recommended.

When choosing a coach, pick someone who has experience in interviewing and teaching the art. Be sure that their background includes knowledge of your particular area of interest. Perfection will not occur in one session, although there are people who will try this. It just can’t happen. Sessions are intense, and need to be digested between sessions. Often clients sign up just as a big interview is about to happen. This can really create performance stress.

A good Coach will assist clients in putting together an effective, short “pitch” about who they are and what they can do—particularly as it relates to this special position.

Evaluation of a Coach cannot be done on whether the client gets a specific job—or not. The skills taught are lifetime adjuncts to an individual’s personality. Evaluation mainly concerns behavioral changes in the person being coached, increase in self-confidence, and a relaxed and enthusiastic attitude toward the whole interview process.

One client said: “I’m discovering that this is actually ‘fun’. It’s a game I love to play—and you can win or lose for the most incredible reasons”. And that about sums it up.

Get ready for the next decade. Become an accomplished interview person. In the next ten years, you will interview more than ever before as we are all absorbed in all the change that will occur. The people who are ready will be the winners. Don’t let yourself be left behind in the race for interview readiness.

COULD THIS BE THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE?

2009-12-19T21:29:00.002-05:00

COULD THIS BE THE RIGHT TIME TO CHANGE CAREERS?

Yes, it could be—IF----------

• You are able to determine that it is the right time for YOU
• And this means:
o You have to make a PLAN
o You are ready to deal with INSECURITY
o You are ready to put in the TIME
o You are able to FOCUS on what gives you JOY
o You are capable of concentrating not only on your skills, but on your sincere INTERESTS
o You learn to take advantage of NETWORKING possibilities
o You are ready, willing, and eager to become a LIFETIME LEARNER
o You are ready to develop skills that make you an INSIDER in a new field
o You are ready to get expert CAREER CHANGE ADVICE

Notice that all nine of the above points start with “you”. You, yourself, are at the helm. Nobody or no situation can make this happen to and for you. You have to make it want to happen.

When you point in that direction, all the other things start to fall in place.

Timing is everything. During this economic downturn of the last year, many of my clients have been looking seriously at a career change—and they have done it.

This takes careful thought and planning, particularly as it relates to what one might be interested in doing for the next segment of life. It is not always easy to examine interests carefully. For instance, it is sometimes said that hobbies cannot become lucrative occupations. There is a long list of people who have successfully turned something they loved into an occupation—a fruitful business.

It isn’t as easy as going to a career counselor and asking that person to “discover” what you can do. The discovery is all in the lap of the participant. No “occupational test” is going to tell you what to do.

Often people try to select a new career direction from a list—with little luck. If one is bored by what one does not, the chances are good that the career mistake will be repeated.

Look instead at what you like.

Focus on those things that give you joy. What lights you from within? If we know that, then getting a proper job search direction will be easy.

Be ready to invest the time. Nothing just comes out of the blue.

You aren’t going to be stuck in any career forever. The world just doesn’t allow that anymore. You will have more than one career in your professional lifetime—sometimes having more than one at the same time.

Believe it or not, money may not be your main motivator, particularly when you do a career change.

The only way to survive and thrive in the New World of Work, is to be an avid lifetime learner. Always strive to be on the cutting edge of technology and the world of tomorrow. Learn and grow.

And doing it alone is not the best way to go. Investment in a Career Coach partner for your career transition/change, is one of the very best investments you can make.

Many career coaches have clients come to them after the client has tried, and tried, to do it alone. Lots of time and energy gets absorbed before a well formulated plan comes into being. Partnering with an expert will teaching you about networking, crafting an ideal Resume and Cover Letter, becoming an ace at Interviewing, and learning the core basics of Salary Negotiation.

Coaches are different, and approaches are varied. Interview several coaches. Find out who you like. See if you respect their backgrounds. Ask yourself how it will feel to work with that person, for you will be entering into a long relationship.

It isn’t unusual at all for a coaching relationship[ to move right into the client’s new job, as Leadership Development becomes the new focus.

So many positive scenarios can be envisioned here. Talk to coaches about how they handle career transitions, then make a good decision.

Look to the future, and don’t be afraid of transition and change. It can be the way to stay alive, prosperous, and successful.

'TIS THE SEASON TO LOOK FOR A JOB

2009-12-07T21:02:00.001-05:00

‘TIS THE SEASON TO FIND A JOB—ANY JOB

Everybody loves an excuse—to do nothing.

Someone said to me today: “…well, nothing really happens between Thanksgiving and New Year…”

And this is pretty unbelievable.

EVERYTHING happens during this time.

The first reason is: there is more time.

In New York, it is dark and 4:30. People stay in their offices until 7:30, at least. So you have three whole hours for—Interviewing.

Companies are beginning to think of “next year”, and those slots they have to fill—because—they’ve been sitting on their money for the better part of 2009. Now—it’s time to get something done.

And you can’t do it without people—employees. And those employees need to be the best of the best. Right now, some firms are limping along on “also- rans”.

They need you—that potential employee with a specific niche skill that will successfully add to their bottom line. Remember always: they need you more than you need them.

Maybe you will be lucky, and not only identify your dream job, but get it. Chances are, though, this won’t happen.

If you really want to get back to work—perhaps after interviewing for months without any hits—you may end up taking something we call a “bridge job”.

Think of it this way: a bridge job is something to tide you over until things really get better. Funny thing is: some people are actually falling in love with their bridge jobs and are doing an unplanned career transition It’s all for the good. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving what you do.

Just don’t wait until January 1 to start looking. By then, many slots will be filled.

This deep winter time is when decision makers have time on their hands, and they will say yes to a request for an informational interview. This is when you get to interview the company, instead of them interviewing you. Find out what they need. Find out where, if at all, you and your skills might fit in. Find out when they want to tie up hiring decisions.

Exhibit boundless enthusiasm for everything the company is doing. You can position yourself as an insider.

Let them know you are ready to start right now. Exhibit flexibility about work hours. Let them know that sort of a permanent-part-time arrangement is okay to start.

So if you get a bit of a non-traditional working situation, this is ideal for showing your skills, work ethic, and team spirit. It also gives you an important option: if you just can’t stand this thing—you can quit without much guilt/

Do everything, though, to keep this from happening. A job is a job, and having one is better than not.

But remember: it is indeed the season to keep on looking—while everyone else may want to just sleep through. Show your devotion to the task and go for a new beginning.

Whatever you do, get things in line now. Don’t wait for January.

December 2009

Beth Ross, Ph.D.
212-876-1759
www.bethross.com
bross2734@aol.com

RESUME MYTHS

2009-12-07T17:39:00.002-05:00

RESUME MYTHS THAT NEED TO GO AWAY

To the astonishment of the young man from Atlanta, I told him that his Resume is headed straight for the trash can—fast.

Somehow, with astute and brilliant attention to detail, he had crammed everything about his incredible background in languages and journalism—into one page.

The Font was way too small.

The margins hardly existed at all

He had created so many “months” here and there that the chronological events ran together without meaning.

His Professional Summary was not bad, but it was made terrible by the constant use of the word “I”. The presentation was self absorbed and boring.

To top it off, he announced that he is going back to school to learn to become a dentist. When I asked him if he really wanted to be a dentist, he said definitely—no. I don’t think I would want him as my dentist.

Now this individual is totally misguided, but not a bad fellow. He is simply following some outdated conventional wisdom that will not serve him or anybody he knows.

When I quoted him a reasonable price for re-doing the Resume, he was shocked. One can only wonder. Think what dental school is costing in comparison to having his resume fixed. He loves languages, journalism, and creativity.

In truth, it would wonderful to be able to help him, but that’s not what he wants. One wonders, though, because he did post his “need” for help on an alumni job board.

So many are in this predicament of having a resume that shuts doors, rather than opening them.

Know that:

• The demand for a one-page resume went out the door with the horse and buggy. A resume simply has to be as long as it has to be—depending on what you have done. The most likely and okay place for a one-pager is for somebody just out of college. Period.

• Stuffing it all on one page just creates clutter. Nobody wants to read it.

• Sticking in all the words you think will be “scanned” is a myth not worth following. The words just get lost if they don’t have meaning.

• Dates need to be by the year, not the month. Let them ask in the interview, if they are interested, about the months.

• The Professional Summary may turn out to be the only thing read. Therefore it must be crafted with skill and thought and must be a summation of all the incredible things that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

• It is wise to have someone whose editing skills you trust, read the resume and give you an honest critique.

A constant complaint is that resumes are sent to job boards—and there is not a reply. Try not to take it personally. It is totally possible that the document ended up in the trash.

Reports come forth that temps are brought in to collect the resumes from a job board—and told to throw away all the ones that occur after 60 have been put in a pile.

This is why getting in front of a decision maker to ask just for advice—not a job—is such a good idea. They give you good ideas and names of other people to talk to.

To get in to see a decision maker, one needs a super cover letter. And, it’s not hard to do this. Cover letters are always one page, and consist of four paragraphs. A good career coach can help you with this.

Professional resume writers are all over the place. Choose wisely, and don’t necessarily go for the cheapest. Check out experience, and references. Get referrals from friends you respect, who have resumes whose content and appearance you can respect.

Remember that computers are really our friends, in that resumes can be changed, ever so slightly, to fit all appropriate situations.

For life—always have a great resume ready. You never know when it will be needed.

Beth Ross Ph.D.
212-876-1759
www.bethross.com
bross2734@aol.com

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NEVER LOOKED FOR A JOB

2009-12-06T22:00:00.001-05:00

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NEVER LOOKED FOR A JOB

First of all, pick some sort of career direction, knowing that it may well change as you progress. Ideally, pick something you like—and go for it. Direction helps. 2010 may be worse than 2009 for getting jobs, so be prepared for a ride. Persistence pays off. You will get a job, but it may be something totally different from what you expect or really want.

The job you get will most definitely not be one “for life”. We are talking about you finding that thing we call a “bridge job”, kind of something to tide you over until we see what the new world of work is going to look like.

So be sure you have targeted a career before you go forth looking. Too much mental scatter can be a disaster.

Where do you find openings? Start with AOL. Around the first of every week, they print a list of where the jobs are. If that doesn’t work, try your local business newspaper. And always, there are the Internet job postings for your area.

Be sure, though, to do your homework. Sort of interview the company before they interview you. This means finding out everything you can about the company, what they do, and what problems they might have that you can help solve.

If you can get an internship, by all means do that. An internship is kind of like having a job, without having one. There is usually no money involved, but it is a great learning experience.

Internships look great, too, on a resume. When you finally do get a chance for an interview, take it—no matter what. Practice makes each interview get better. Practice doing mock interviews with a coach, if you can. Interviews are very competitive now, and you have a much better chance of maxing an interview if you have practiced and practiced.

Potential employers are very interested in how you can help impact their basic bottom line in a positive way. Create a “niche” that makes you unique for the advertised job.

Remember: your resume is your calling card. It needs to be clear, crisp, concise, and formatted correctly. Here again, get some professional help in creating your presentation. They don’t want to read a rendition of War and Peace. What you did in high school is usually not of any interest. Stick to facts that are relevant to the job description that you are attempting to fill.

Have a list of your very own career success points ready. Put together, too, a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This shows intelligence and sincere interest in the hiring company. It also shows that you can think.

And: it is not just the resume that is important. Your cover letter is crucial to getting positive attention. A cover letter is never more than a page long, and it summarizes your qualifications and your knowledge of the company, and your sincere interest in the company.

Pay attention to things like eye contact and your listening skills. Look and act the part.

Enthusiasm goes a long way. Show your enthusiasm and spirit in every way. People are ultimately, almost always, hired because somebody really likes them.

Always follow up after an interview. Thank them for their attention to your candidacy. Be sure to ask them what next steps will be, and get ready to say yes, when an offer comes.

Remember: care, but don’t care too much. No job is the only one in the world. Keep the momentum going. You will get better and better at interviewing. Keep at it. Affirm daily that you will get a good job.

Best of luck--

BUSINESS RESOURCES CONSULTING

2009-11-16T22:06:00.003-05:00

Everything is changing. People are actually beginning to go back to work. Interviewing is now unbelievably competitive, and Interview Training is a big item for Career Coaches and their clients. But it's all part of a larger picture.

But here's the big surprise. Some people who are successful in achieving new positions are quite amazed at what this new world of work is like.

Companies are now concerned with a concept called Outboarding. This starts with the recruiting process, and we are now paying careful attention to the hiring process as almost never done in the past. If an organization hires right, there is a big win. If hiring is not done thoughtfully, then a price is paid.

Onboarding simply means getting new employees up to speed as quickly as possible. This whole process starts even before the new hire is on board. If done carefully, the pay-off is huge.

And once new recruits are at a company, then the challenge to keep the best of the best begins--and this is called Retention. Not too much attention has been paid to this concept in the past, but the change in emphasis is positive. A company can only be as good as the people inside it, making the Recruiting and Retention pieces vitally important.

It costs a lot to hire people, and if the hiring process is done properly, the company doesn't have to worry about vultures circling the compound ready to grab high performers for themselves.

Retention efforts need to start on the first day of employment and continue with enthusiasm toward making the employee know that he/she is in the right place--that growth and contribution is possible--and that a wonderful career can be managed and nurtured right where the individual happens to be.

Leadership Training is essential to continued growth and development, but it is particularly important in the beginning phases of employment. Leadership just doesn't happen unless it is expected and unless there are role models in place to encourage participation.

Employee Retention plans contribute effectively to a company's profitability.

EXECUTIVE COACHING IN THE NEW WORK WORLD

So where does Executive Coaching come into play in the new world of work? Basically, executive coaching supports high-potential executives who are currently making a critical contribution to an organization. All their behaviors need to enhance their growth and that of the organization.

A coaching process is designed to provide insight into a participant's style and how it impacts his or her colleagues, and how it impacts the goals and mission of a company. Values can impact the company's reputation, locally and internationally. Then development plans for particpants are developed that will preserve strengths, and remedy any counter-productive behaviors.

This process provides support for valued employees who need to make any behavioral changes lest they derail. It provides a platform for company cohesiveness in Business Ethics practices, too.

Another benefit is impact on business performance, incresing productivity and quality at all levls.

Business Ethics can be defined as that which govewrns behaviors and actions within an organization. Business ethics addresses actions of individuals as well as the organization as a whole. It is actually conceptualizing and practicing the difference between right and wrong.

Expectations include creation of a Business Protocol that clarifies expectations and serves as a model for individual and company behaviors.

We come back around to Workforce Planning, including Recruiting Strategies and Onboarding Practices. Ultimately we again look at Retention of key employees and a real development of a Code of Ethics.

Now it's time to look again at Leadership protocol and development of a really firm New Leader Assimilation Program.

It is ultimately a lot more thoughtful, and different in many ways, from corporate life before the big crash. Many things are being taken seriously, aimed at the recreation of a sense of effectively hiring and developing the best talent possible for the jobs of the future.

These trends are global in nature, and time will tell what the impact on the global market and economy will be.

HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH

2009-10-02T16:07:00.002-04:00

Much has changed--much is the same.

But the job market is different now, and search and interview techniques need attention. It's a competitive world out there. Think out of the box about how you are going to be presenting yourself.

Networking events abound, but remember that collecting endless numbers of business cards is not networking. When you get a card--give one back--but be sure to write something on the back of the card that you receive that will make you remember the person or group. Be sure to follow-up the very next day with a call or email. Ask them to join your Linkedin network, too. No matter what your opinion of social networking, it is how people find others now. Don't forget.

Should you collect lots of cards, get a business card scanner to capture the information into a database, too. In fact, business cards may be your cheapest and most effective way of advertising. Don't feel you have to keep all the cards. Occasionally go through and discard ones that appear to be of no value.

PREPARE IN NEW WAYS FOR INTERVIEWING

It isn't just acting and dressing the part that gets you the job. In many cases, it's how you present yourself as unique and different from the last candidate inthe door.

A recent survey pointed out that communication skills are the most important attributes that candidates need to maximize the effectiveness of an interview.

Boosting your communication skills won't cost very much, and can be a real plus in interview situations. Sometimes communication skills can be enhanced by simply taking adult education classes.

Interviewers want candidates who can articulate who they are, and what they can do. Also, they want you to be able to tell them why you indeed are unique, and how you will be able to make a positive contribution to the bottom line of the company. It isn't just "talking" that is demanded, but thinking.

In everyone's Professional Summary, there should be positive mention of the excellence of one's communication skills, both verbal and written.

Try some courses in Advanced Composition. And don't forget that Public Speaking is also an asset. Toastmaster groups are everywhere, and their schedules are quite flexible. It's a positive way to grow your presentation abilities.

Interviewers like Life-Time Learners, and taking classes puts you in this category. Think about how learning for learning's sake may enhance your profile as a job candidate.

Be current, not radical, in your thinking and in response to sociological questions. Emphasize your maturity and ability to think through issues. This may become crucial when discussions of management style are on the agenda.

Listen. Keep an open mind. Respond to questions with thought and knowledge. Interviewing is more competitive than ever. Make yourself an expert at interviewing. It is a life-long skills that will always support your efforts.

HOW TO BECOME A LEADING JOB CANDIDATE IN A DOWN ECONOMY

2009-08-11T16:59:00.001-04:00

HOW DO YOU BECOME A LEADING JOB CANDIDATE IN A DOWN ECONOMY

An interview is a performance!—you are on state. You have to be prepared.

The purpose of an interview is never to get a job, it’s to get an invitation to the next meeting. There are still incredible jobs out there for talented professionals.

Your strategy is to become an insider in the industry in which you are interviewing.

The goal is to know everything possible about the company you are interviewing. The Internet is your friend. So many resources are available.

You become an insider, and then you can transition to a new positin—perhaps a new career.

Prepare. Know your lines and have a clear strategy for winning. Remember: the inability to express yourself clearly is worse than a lack of experience.

Script out how you will explain why an employer would want to hire you.

Have a statement ready for why you want to work for a certain company.

If you think an employer might have an objection to your candidacy, formulate your answer for them.

Be comfortable with who you are, what you want, and how you can make a significant contribution to a company’s bottom line.

With these strategies, you cannot lose.

When you are looking for a job:

• Stay connected. Join groups. Go to conferences.
• Create an on-line presence through a web site. Everyone has one. It’s not that difficult.
• Maintain flexibility and creativity. You aren’t going to be doing the same things the same way in the future.
• Create partnerships with larger companies if you need to. This will create visibility and credibility.
• Take every training and career advancement course you can.
• Keep yourself front and center by marketing yourself and concentrate on creating your own person brand. You, yourself, are unique.

Remember: candidates are getting good jobs, and you can, too. Try to conceptualize what words, thoughts, ideas, or actions that are your next moves into the success and prosperity that is yours alone.

Everything in the world of work has changed. It’s time to concentrate on moving forward in a new world of career, change, and ways in which we work.

If you need help, go looking for it. Many find that working with an Executive or Career Coach shortens and focuses the process. You are not alone. Two brains are better than one.

The Resume is your calling card, so be sure it is accurate, clean, crisp, and concise—a document that does indeed open doors, and something you are really proud of. Make your Cover Letter a real winner, and here again is a place where a Coach can help.

Get yourself ready for effective salary negotiation. A Coach will work with you on how to be a masterful negotiator.

Opportunities are out there! Go for them!

HOW TO BECOME A LEADING JOB CANDIDATE IN A DOWN ECONOMY

2009-08-11T16:53:00.001-04:00

2009-07-15T12:53:00.002-04:00

Welcome to a special careers transition edition of Total Picture Radio. This is Peter Clayton reporting.

Joining us today in New York is Beth Ross, a certified career and executive coach. Her background includes a distinguished career as an executive search professional maintaining a bicoastal practice and executing select executive searches.

Beth’s coaching practice is global in scope. Her sessions with clients in the greater New York area are in person, while working with individuals in other areas and time zones by telephone. The protocol includes all areas of the job search and career transition process with particular emphasis on interview training.

Be sure to visit Beth’s feature page in the careers transitions channel of Total Picture Radio. That’s TotalPicture.com for resource links and show notes. Beth’s website is BethRoss.com.

Beth, welcome back to Total Picture Radio.

Peter: One of the things you and I had talked about is the fact that people who set themselves up like that, you never know what’s going to happen. A relative may show up or somebody internally may show up at the 11th hour right before they’re ready to make you the offer and say “oh, I’m really interested in this job.”

Beth: That can happen, and we were just talking before this interview about a company that’s now going bankrupt. Last week, they may have engaged interviews for about five people who are now going to have a big, big, big disappointment because the company is in a downsizing mode. And that can happen.

Mergers, acquisitions may be going on behind the scenes. We never know about these things, that you might have, as a candidate, the unlucky honor of sitting there, interviewing for a job that whoops – is going up in smoke. It’s not going to be there.

So you just never know.

Being turned down may have nothing to do with you. It can have to do definitely with that person on the other side of the table, particularly in that first interview. Getting past the gatekeepers in today’s world is real, real, real important.

Decision makers are busy; they don’t want to spend their time on doing this. So the whole interpersonal interaction with people that you’re talking to, particularly if you’re aren’t … try doing this with someone who is very senior in accounting … “I don’t really like to talk to people, I like to crunch number.” Well, you’ve still got to interview.

Peter: I want to do a little role playing with you. Let’s pretend I am a marketing director at Citibank and I’m part of the 17,000 people that are going to be laid off. I come to you and say “oh my god, now what do I do because the banking industry seems to be in real contraction. This is where I’ve worked my whole career. I’ve spent 20 years working in the banking industry. Where can I go?”

Beth: Lots of place, particularly if you’re a marketing person as you said. Citi is one of those places where – you’re right – people could go and they could be … Hewlett Packard was the same way – lifers. Because it was such a good company, why in the world would you want to go anywhere else; you can have all kinds of career paths within this organization and people choose to do that and they’re encouraged to do that and are well taken care. Suddenly, maybe the best thing in their whole life has just happened to them, because new doors are going to open. They’re going to have to open.

If you’re a marketing expert, and you certainly know what the banking industry is doing right now, and you come and you sit down in front of me and we start talking about – I have a number of exercises I run people through to find out really what lights them from within. These are not tests; they’re just things that we really talk about.

Because people may not have for those 17 years dared to say I wish I were doing this and this and this. And a marketing person ought to be an expert on branding. If you could do it inside the bank, you can do it somewhere else. But now we’re talking about changing industries; we’re talking about becoming an insider in some industry where you’re really an outsider, and that’s when we get real serious about how do you do this. What about trade associations? As you say, we can learn everything over the Internet. Networking suddenly takes on a whole new hue in these situations. Yeah, this is going to hurt, this is going to feel real desperate.

Now, I’m jumping all over the place in what I’m talking about, but I do have a protocol. I do have a methodology I use with people who are in this dilemma of I have to reinvent myself. Because we’re having a lot of people … you can be at the wrong place at the wrong time. It has nothing to do with you, your competency or anything else; but it’s so scary because it does have to do with how you make your money, how you take care of yourself and your family and all the obligations in life and so on.

Peter: Beth, what is your impression of these online networks, like LinkedIn and Facebook, do you think these are valuable resources that professionals should be using to continue to market themselves and promote themselves?

Beth: That’s a fascinating world, and we’re going to see more and more of this social networking. I get wonderful reports, particularly my friends who recruit exclusively. That’s what they’re doing now; they use LinkedIn for candidate development and so forth. They also get a lot of inquiries that they wouldn’t get otherwise.

You’ve got to remember that this stuff takes time. Networking is not something that just happens with the click of a finger, you’re going to get a lot of people who call you who want to figure out how they can use your knowledge and so on, forgetting that networking is a two way street, it goes back and forth.

I think basically it’s good and everybody is hooked into it now. So the jury is still out. I can’t say to someone don’t do that.

Peter: What haven’t we covered in this interview that you would like to share with the audience about either career transitioning or what… sort of the focus of this interview has really been on is strategies for going in and acing an interview.

Beth: Yeah, we’ve talked a lot about interviewing. But you and I had talked about beforehand about this being about the demise of the traditional career. Right now the big operative word in our world right now with the political upheaval and so on is ‘change.’ The world of work is changing, even as we speak, in ways that we don’t even understand yet because we don’t know what’s going to be happening with the economy and so forth.

But I think that the biggest thing that all of us – we’re all workers one way or the other – we have to stay very alert to the fact that you’ve got to be creative, you’ve got to be innovative, you’ve got to be enthusiastic, you’ve got to be hardworking. It sounds like a bunch of platitudes, but it’s really not. You’ve got to put that together in how it’s going to work for you. It might mean working for an organization, a company, a corporation and so forth. And as you and I discussed, there are still good jobs out there; we’re just going to be finding them in relatively untraditional ways.

Don’t expect Monster to list all the jobs that you’re going to go after, or heaven forbid you post your resume up there. This is about the social networking sites too; do you want your resume there because who is going to get it and who is going to use it – because they can, because that information is there.

A lot of things are really different. That would be the thing that … every individual’s situation is unique. Of course, I’m a career coach and of course, I want people to come and use my services. I’ve written an article from this business of why and how to choose a career coach.

I will say one word about that. You can go to the Internet and troll around and find out about everything that you didn’t even want to know about it – because everybody has got a good website. I think mine is outstanding, it’s good and it draws people and so on. But then you’re going to talk to people, because different is not better or worse, but it’s different. People have different protocols and different methodologies. Some people will give you tests and tests and tests. If you want tests, you’ve got to go somewhere else. Ah, many career coaches (most, in fact) are either therapists or have been. And that’s okay – totally. But I have to tell my clients, hey, if you need a shrink, you’ve got to go somewhere else because I’m a pragmatic businessperson, I think I’m really unique in that I come out of a very distinguished background in retained executive search. I’ve kept up with the world of work jobs and so on; I know what it’s like.

This is, again, why I do so much interviewing training, I think that I can really get people into a mindset that will make them effective interviewers. They’ve got to do their own communication; I’m not going to be there holding their hand when they’re interviewing.

Back to what’s the one thing I would really want to say to people and that is you’re going to have to keep on reinventing yourself, you’re going to have to keep on making yourself better. The future is upon us, it is now.

Again, the last word I’d like to say is whatever that job is you have right now, it is not your last one. So you’ve got to be thinking about – I think you said this, Peter, not your next job, but maybe the next one. You must dream about that, think about that, prepare for it because it’s coming.

Peter: Beth, thank you so much for joining us again on Total Picture Radio. It’s been great to have you on the show again. We look forward to doing so again in the future.

Beth: Thank you.

We’ve been speaking with Beth Ross, a certified executive coach and executive search professional based in New York City.

Be sure to visit Beth’s feature page in the careers transitions channel
of Total Picture Radio.

Beth Ross and Total Picture Radio Part 3 (of 4) make yourself an insider to get that job

2009-07-10T09:48:00.003-04:00

Welcome to a special careers transition edition of Total Picture Radio. This is Peter Clayton reporting.

Joining us today in New York is Beth Ross, a certified career and executive coach. Her background includes a distinguished career as an executive search professional maintaining a bicoastal practice and executing select executive searches.

Beth’s coaching practice is global in scope. Her sessions with clients in the greater New York area are in person, while working with individuals in other areas and time zones by telephone. The protocol includes all areas of the job search and career transition process with particular emphasis on interview training.

Be sure to visit Beth’s feature page in the careers transitions channel of Total Picture Radio. That’s TotalPicture.com for resource links and show notes. Beth’s website is BethRoss.com.

Beth, welcome back to Total Picture Radio.

What are some of the keys people need to think about if they have to go through a telephone screen to get to what’s really their first interview in the organization?

Beth: The key is to remember that your task is to not only get through this interview, but get through it successfully so that you – literally, so that they do like you. You’re going to know if these people are using a script and does the script adhere to what you’ve seen about a job description or have you even seen a job description. It’s a matter basically of communication and having the skills that bring this person to your side to liking you.

You’re in a position (think about this) to make them look really good. Be sure that you leave that interview, or hang up the phone, or whatever it is… I had a client who did that just last week. We had had several sessions, he was having a lot of trouble with getting past these initial HR screenings. He says “My god, they don’t understand the industry. They don’t what the manager wants.” Yeah, that could be true; the manager is busy, doesn’t have time to talk to them, he shoves a job description in front of them. And so there it is.

Here we go back to the preparation. What do you know about the company, what do you know about what they do, what do you know about what this division or department does, what’s the background on the person you know that you’re going to be reporting to. We can script a lot of this before you have the interview. You can’t use it all. You’re not going to have the luxury of using your own script; the yahoo at the other end of the telephone or across the desk from you does have.

Peter: One of the other things we talked about in preparing for this interview is the fact that – and this gets into another very important topic, which is resumes, unfortunately, are still alive and well and people put a lot of time into preparing their resumes and listing references in their resumes. References are rarely checked anymore. Is that correct?

Beth: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Now we all … if somebody asked you right now for four references, who would you give? Of course, four people that you know are going to say wonderful things about you. And the minute you write that down or tell somebody that, you pick up the phone and you call and say Joe Blow is going to call you and this is what I want you to say.

Many, many, many companies might do some cursory reference checking. Generally, they’re leaning on background checks, and you sign something up front saying that it’s okay to do a complete background check on you.

Now keep in mind, this resume is your calling card. That’s what it is. It gets 20-40 seconds of perusal if you’re lucky. That first page has to be so compelling that they can’t put it down. I mean all those things, I go through with my clients and we get a great professional presentation there.

But more importantly is your pitch about yourself, and it has to be very concise, it has to be crisp, it has to be factual. The worst question in an interview is tell me about yourself, because most people start off and they continue, like War and Peace. When someone says tell me about yourself; okay, you know why they’re asking. They want you to tell them why you would be the best person on the planet for this job in this company. And we could have that all ready beforehand.

Know your accomplishments, know your background and experience, know your company, know what you’re going to say.

When you’re deciding what movie you’re going to see on the weekend, you go to the newspaper sometimes and there is this little blurb about what the movie is about. If that blurb is good, you get in your car or on the bus or subway and boom, you’re there. If it’s bad, the whole thing is toast.

Think of it as your movie logline – what is it all about? Well, your movie is your life, what is your life all about? All you’re thinking at this moment is this particular career opportunity. Don’t think of it as a job, think of it as your career opportunity.

Peter: I think one of the best pieces of advice that I’ve heard from you, Beth, is the fact that you have to make yourself an insider to get a job today. You have to really – and this goes to the point that you were saying – I mean, all of this research is now available easily on the Internet, so you can learn as volumes about any organization that you are interested in interviewing with. But when you go in there now, you have to be an insider to that person that is doing the interview with you. You have to be so familiar with that organization that they feel like you already work there.

Beth: You do. Not just the organization, but the industry in general. You’re not really an insider, but you’ve got to give that impression. You’ve got to show enthusiasm, you’ve got to show intelligence, you’ve got to show drive – subtly you have to be saying I want this job because this would be just incredible, but you still don’t know what the job is yet.

Often in the first interview you really don’t – no matter what the job description was, how long a timeline, for instance, has there been since you first heard about this job and you got your interview. It could be they’re thinking about you for something else. So don’t close any doors.

I’m doing a lot of don’ts here – but some people decide in the middle of an interview oh heck, I don’t like the way this is going, I don’t really want this job. That’s a luxury you can’t afford. You don’t know whether you want it or not. They want to know that you are knowledgeable, particularly if you’re making some sort of career transition that is almost the same as what they’re doing but not quite.

So what happens here, when you ask that question about how do I stack up with the other candidates, they might say something like “well, you just don’t have enough of this industry segment…” and so on. Perhaps you don’t even have to answer this because of time constraints at this time. This is what you answer in the letter that you send afterwards, which is incidentally not a thank you note – it’s an influencing letter because you’re going to emphasize all the areas of empathy, everything that was just a perfect match, you can do that very succinctly. These letters don’t need to be long, they don’t have time to read them. But if there was any area of concern, you can start off a paragraph by saying (and it all needs to be on one page), you mentioned that there was some concern about X or Y… by that time, my client and I will have talked about this and figured out exactly what script we want to send to them in writing, not only saying we can get past this because this experience or that time somewhere really fits in here, but you’re going to find some subtle ways to be sure that they understand that you’re the quickest learner that they’ve ever talked to and you would be so excited about all this new challenge… and so on.

You can turn any lemon into lemonade if you work at it right.

Peter: How long do you normally work with your clients? How long is it taking these days for a midlevel or senior level executive to go through the whole process of coaching with you and to get a job offer that they accept?

Beth: Boy, that’s a hard one – and I’m not evading the question – but the answer varies. It really does. There are people who call up or send an email and it’s panic city 101. They’ve put off having any contact with a career coach because they could do it themselves, and they’re not doing it themselves because in two days, they have gotten maybe to the second interview and they say my god, I just barely squeaked through on the first. Or they’re having tons and tons of first interviews and not getting second and what’s wrong with me… sometimes we can have one session and get all this straightened out. It’s amazing how much confidence people get.

Generally though, if someone is ready to make a career transition and we have to, for instance, target the right companies as we were talking about earlier, and we have to redo the resume and we have to go into interview training, and we talk about salary negotiation – all this stuff, I really ask them to commit to five sessions upfront. The reason for that is I want to be sure that all the deliverables on my part get delivered and that I’m there for them the whole way and secondly, that commitment on their part. When they do that, they’re really, really, really serious. Not to say that the people who come to me for one or two or three interview training slots aren’t serious, but it can be very different.

If interviewing – and so many of my clients this is very true – is their only focus, the thing that just really – people are different. Some people can pick up these truths and hints and tips and so on about interviewing very, very swiftly, other people really want the mock interview. They’ll say to me “put together a mock interview for this job description,” and plop, there it is on the table. I can do that. I can make them really think, really sweat the whole business.

You can’t know every question that’s going to happen. I can get someone to the position where they’re so confident going in that you could ask them anything and they could deal with it. They could laugh about things that they might have taken really seriously two weeks before. That’s really important too – take it seriously, care but don’t care too much. If you think this is the only job in the whole world, you’re setting yourself up for a broken heart (1), and also for the message ‘I’m not okay, I couldn’t do it.’ It’s not the only job in the world. It never is.

Peter: One of the things you and I had talked about is the fact that people who set themselves up like that, you never know what’s going to happen. A relative may show up or somebody internally may show up at the 11th hour right before they’re ready to make you the offer and say “oh, I’m really interested in this job.”

Next post will be on Monday - where you can hear the final part of this interview series

####

Beth Ross and Total Picture Radio Part 2 (of 4)

2009-07-09T20:36:00.003-04:00

Welcome to a special careers transition edition of Total Picture Radio. This is Peter Clayton reporting.

Joining us today in New York is Beth Ross, a certified career and executive coach. Her background includes a distinguished career as an executive search professional maintaining a bicoastal practice and executing select executive searches.

Beth’s coaching practice is global in scope. Her sessions with clients in the greater New York area are in person, while working with individuals in other areas and time zones by telephone. The protocol includes all areas of the job search and career transition process with particular emphasis on interview training.

Be sure to visit Beth’s feature page in the careers transitions channel of Total Picture Radio. That’s TotalPicture.com for resource links and show notes. Beth’s website is BethRoss.com.

Beth, welcome back to Total Picture Radio.

What are some of the strategies you give your clients to help them do that?

Beth: The first thing we really talk about is creating your own entity, your own brand, if you will.

A few years back, one of the big magazines had a big campaign about you incorporated. Hey, that’s a great idea because you’re out there really alone. The day of the corporation’s or a company’s loyalty to the individual has long gone. They can’t promise it because they don’t know what’s going to happen with them. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the economy. So what does a person do to get their career into a manageable process?

Sometimes what you do is to take a job that I refer to as a bridge job, something to tide you over until you get onto the career path you think you want. Right now, the very best thing that you can do is to have multiple … let’s call them multiple profit centers within yourself. You may be on a career path … think of the recent people who have been on the career path in banking; I believe they’re having to think how will these skills and this experience translate into something else? There are endless ways you could go – other kind of careers, other kinds of transitions. I work with a lot of people who are trying to figure out whether they can actually transition into doing their own thing, being a sole proprietor or an entity into and of themselves, and this includes everything from purchasing a franchise if they’re able to. And aaahhh… the franchise people, they’ll really let you do this in a number of ways right now; so don’t think you have to have tons and tons of money to do this, what you have to have is the personality, the management skills, the drive, the energy, the sense of entrepreneurship that is really going to make this fly.

Peter: I really like this idea of bridge job because I think a lot of people hold out and hold out and hold out for that dream job that never really comes along and let’s face it, it’s a lot better to be employed than to be unemployed. At least you’re bringing in a paycheck and while you’re doing that, you can continue to network, you can continue to expand your contacts and try to position yourself for that position that you really want but in the meantime, you’re not so stressed out and financially disabled that you can’t do anything.

Beth: The dream job may or may not actually exist. The dream job is in the eye of the beholder at that moment. It may be just a wonderful, wonderful dream realization to have a paycheck coming in the door. That gives you a whole different perspective about what you’re doing.

You’ve got to remember … I can’t stress enough … becoming multifaceted, even when you’re working on a career path that you think this is it, I’m enjoying it, I’m going to grow it, I see all kinds of things that are going to happen – try to learn something else. Anything that you have as a backup could sort of catapult into what you do for a big period of your life.

Another thing here too – we’re living longer, you’re going to have more than one career in all likelihood.

Peter: I want people to understand who are listening to this interview that you work mainly with senior level people. These are people who are executive level, who are coming to you for advice on how to present themselves in an interview. So this isn’t entry level stuff; this is senior level people who have probably, or maybe, have not had to interview in five years. When they come back into this job market that exists today, which is very different than it was five years ago, or even three years ago, there is a very different interview style that you have to adapt.

Beth: Very, very, very true. They’re scared. I think I told you the story about the executive that I was working with who came to me, he was going to be interviewing within his own organization for a big step forward. These are his peers he was going to be interviewing with. I said “what’s your biggest fear?” He said “That I will open my mouth and nothing will come out.” Now this is a guy who has been interviewing people himself for years and years and years.

And yes, it is very true that I work primarily with executives; but, recently I was called by a mother of a 17 year old who is applying for one of the most prestigious scholarships in this country. Part of the scholarship process, in addition to grades – I mean this 17 year old has already run a business, all kinds of stuff – suddenly, I have in front of me a 17 year old who is after this scholarship and he needs incredible interview skills because the interviewing part will be the final deciding part of it. Everything else is on the table. They know all about this kid; he couldn’t be more brilliant, they just don’t come like this. It was very interesting to work with someone; I would only hope that I could live long enough to see what his career, whatever it’s going to be, is going to be going forward. So every once in awhile, one of these things happens.

I also work a lot with people who are trying to get into very esoteric medical school programs, internships, residencies – you better believe they interview these people up one side and down the other because they want to be sure they can talk, they can articulate who they are and what they’re all about and that they’re not just brilliant, but they have many sides to their personality. So this business of a style… if I can work with someone on an interviewing style for one specific thing, I guarantee they’ll have these interview skills for the rest of their life.

Part of it is just – it’s so simple but so complicated – in talking to someone about it who’s objective. Because again, let’s go back to what an emotionally charged issue this is. You could be sitting in a room with someone and your whole life (or you think at the moment) – your whole life depends on what you do and don’t say.

Peter: That’s really interesting that you’re working at that level. Recently in the Wall Street Journal there was an article that Stanford has now joined Yale, Harvard, and a few other of the top tier schools in offering free education to students whose parents earn less than $100,000 a year, or $80,000 a year, what that is doing is just making it all the more competitive with these colleges that so many young people are trying to get into. So you are absolutely right, I mean, any one of these, no matter how brilliant they are, no matter what their GPA is, they’re going to have to sit down and interview someone.

Beth: They will interview not with just one person, not with just one someone, but many someones, and all of these people have different backgrounds, different experiences, different agendas.

I work with clients a lot… you know, some of us just take the business of evaluating people, we read people well. Someone like myself who has been in search for so many years, gosh, I’ve just interviewed and interviewed people and so I know how to do this. Not everyone does and not everyone who is going to be interviewing you is going to be a super interviewer themselves. And some people you’re going to like and some people you will not like and you have to really make this distinction and know how you work with someone that you suddenly know oh we’re so different, but the sameness that you want to convey is that sameness that’s going to make you a fit in the organization and a fit for the specific position.

Peter: Beth, do you work with your clients from a strategic standpoint of say, alright, here are three companies I would really like to work with, or work for; let’s figure out an plan to get me into these three target organizations that I have identified and done a lot of research with and know that I would be a good fit from a cultural standpoint, from an educational standpoint, from a personality standpoint – I’d really like to get into these organizations because I see them growing. How can you help me crack that and get in the door?

Beth: I wish I had someone intelligent enough to appear in my {laughing} sphere of influences that say this. No, but I say that… I turn around and I say this to them. Look, there are four ways that you get jobs.

You get jobs through ads, you get jobs through recruiters, you get jobs through networking, and you get jobs through direct contact. Now most of the senior level people I’m talking to are not going to be getting through ads – and not just generic recruiters, perhaps executive search, but that’s a whole other thing. Networking – maybe yes, maybe no; we’ve got the social networking and all that stuff going now. But know it’s part of my protocol and my way of working with executive, I have them target 3 to 10 companies they want to work for. They’ll say “but I can’t get in there, I don’t know anybody, I don’t have any names…” – yes, you can.

I show them how to get in front of a decision maker not to ask for a job (never ever, ever, ever) – to ask for advice, especially at the senior level. It’s so hard to say the words ‘I need your help.’ ‘Where do you think I might fit in to this industry?’ And if they say oh my god, you never would, then say ‘where do you think I would fit - period.’

There is a whole strategy that I won’t go into now, but that I really work with people on to get in front of decision makers. Because you’re going to come out of that meeting – and yes, you will get that meeting. I can show you and tell you how. It is hard work, there is no free lunch, you’ve got to work at it and you’ve got to keep meticulous records and so on. But when you leave that meeting, you have a new networking contact. Hey, this is what we’re doing now – networking! That’s how we get all our information, all the sites you might be a part of and so forth. But we’re talking now about a specific job search. You’re talking about someone working with a career coach, like myself.

Now the first obvious advantage of that is that two brains are better than one. The second very obvious advantage is that one of the people, the coach, hopefully is totally objective about this thing and can really create focus and keep the whole process on track.

But yeah, this business of identifying exactly where you want to go, it is possible. I can document this. People can get a job at the company that they want to work for at whatever level because we are, alas, in a downsizing economy but there are still wonderful positions out there.

Peter: For the talented people that actually go after them.

Beth: Yep – that go after them and that can assume the attitude of a consultant.

One of the worst things people do in interviews, it’s all about me, me, me, me, me. No! It needs to be about the company. Find out what their problems are, figure out a whole strategy in your mind of how can help solve these problems and positively impact their bottom line. It’s all about money.

Peter: Beth, I want to return to something we talked about earlier and that is the gatekeeper. So many of the initial interviews today are phone screens that you have to somehow get through, and a lot of those phone screens are even conducted by third party organizations that are doing this on behalf of the company and they’re not even part of the organization, or they may be just a junior level HR person within the company who has a script in front of them and is checking things off as you’re talking.

What are some of the keys people need to think about if they have to go through a telephone screen to get to what’s really their first interview in the organization?

###

Beth Ross and Total Picture Radio (1 of 4) Career Coaching - Interview technique

2009-07-08T15:31:00.003-04:00

Get The News About Your Job Search Out There

2009-07-08T11:34:00.000-04:00

Beth Ross, Ph.D.
212-876-1759
www.bethross.com

GET THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR JOB SEARCH OUT THERE

Don’t be secretive about the fact that you are looking for work.

Of course you are going to all the usual—and even, unusual—networking events. You are watching all the job boards, calling friends and colleagues, perhaps even doing some brush up/retraining on skills.

But there is somewhere else that you need to publicize your need for active employment. Reaching out with information to decision makers within corporate cultures is definitely in order. Further, it can be quite helpful to talk to individuals who may be so successful in what they have done in the past, that they feel very good about helping those moving forward into the future.

Yes. You really can get in front of anyone you want to talk to. Some very basic guidelines will get you there.

• People love to help
• Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
• Do your homework and know everything you can find out about the individual and either their present or past work history
• Be persistent
• Ask questions
• You are there for information, not a job offer

The process starts with a dynamic Cover Letter, letting the individual know that you are coming forth to ask for a job, but rather to ask for advice about who you should see next. You will get it!

The Cover Letter will let the person know that you will be phoning his or her office to set up an appointment.

The letter needs to go via Snail Mail, as too many emails are read by others. Be sure to mark the envelope “Personal And Confidential”.

Your first phone call will start your relationship with the Gatekeeper, who will undoubtedly wonder who you are.

They will look frantically for the letter, which is probably in the decision maker’s In-Box, because it was Personal and Confidential.

You will have told the Gatekeeper that you would be calling back, so do that in a day or so. It may take as many as four or five calls to set the appointment.

Be sure your Cover Letter has acknowledged that you know how busy Mr. or Ms. Decision Maker is, and that you will only take a short period of time.

Remember that you must think of this as a high-level informational interview. Your aim is to leave the meeting with new information and a direction to follow.

Put together a short pitch about who you are and what your core strengths are. Remember this word: SHORT. If you run on like a copy of War and Peace, you lost.

Ask the question “who do you think I should talk to, and in what company and/or capacity?” They will tell you where to go next—maybe more than one person or place.

Don’t be afraid to say: “I need your help and advice”. Stay upbeat and positive about who you are and what you can do. Make sure you briefly mention your unique ability to impact the bottom line of anywhere you work.

Remember to write a brief note of thanks and appreciation after the interview. Be sure to give any feedback on where you will be talking next.

You are indeed in a great position to make the referring person look really good.

If you have read in the media, or heard somewhere, that a particular company if laying off employees, rest assured that they are hiring, too. Make yourself so confidently impressive that perhaps a position may actually be created for you in a place where there was no immediate indication that an opening exists.

Face-to-face contact with decision makers works. It’s a far cry from an ad, a recruiter, or even a networking contact.

RETENTION: THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING COMPANIES TODAY

2009-07-05T14:43:00.000-04:00

Beth Ross, July 3, 2009

RETENTION—THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING COMPANIES TODAY

As we moved into the 21st Century, Retention of employees became a top priority. Now that we are in the midst of an economic downturn, Retention is even more important.

Why? Several reasons, both for now and future, come up.

It has been easy for companies to find excellent talent to fill open slots today. Here they are—and what will keep them from being lured away by recruiters and great opportunities as the economy gets better?—which it will. We just don’t know when, but preparing now is crucial.

There is much talk now of the new word Onboarding. Onboarding is the process of acquiring, accommodating, assimilating and accelerating new employees and team members, whether they come from outside or inside an organization.

This process of bringing new users into a company, system, culture, or methodology is creating new thought. Books are being written on the subject. The book, The First 90 Days, by Michael Watkins came forth in 2003, and that was the beginning.

Executive Coaches often now get assignments in New Leader Assimilation. Without attention to leadership and assimilation of new executives, the whole process can fall through the cracks. It costs a lot to find and hire leaders with the right skill-set background and either leadership skills, or the potential to develop these skills, in place. Hiring mistakes are costly, and lack of attention to creating a platform for leadership is even worse.

Losing employees means having to hire yet again. Everything has to start from the beginning, causing goals and objectives to be re-evaluated, and creating a feeling of lack of stability in the organization.

Building a shared culture is essential for retention. Proper onboarding of new team members can be important, increasing productivity and creating this needed shared culture.

Retention is closely tied to hiring the right team members in the first place. Recruiting the right candidates is therefore going to be one of the most important components in Retention

During this downturn, recruiters have been terminated in high numbers in companies, so forward thinking companies need to be considering their upcoming recruiting practices and personnel seriously.

Recruiters within companies will turn out to be on a contract basis initially, until it can be determined which individuals can contribute on a long-term basis to the organization. This will create some interesting compensation issues, as in the past, recruiters often preferred to work on contract. We may be looking at serious issues of compensation with organizations, particularly as this relates to the place of Recruiting or Talent Management within company Human Resources organizations

So here is the question: what can employers do to retain their best employees and prevent recruiters from wooing those employees away to competitors?

• Concentrate on fair and equitable compensation policies
• Provide on-going Leadership Training
• Create a corporate culture that invites participation, contribution, and growth possibilities
• Keep communication channels open
• Give employees the opportunity to be a part of change and growth within the organization

Happy employees will stay. That’s the bottom line. Employers need to keep a handle on what that means to their hand-picked workforce. Recruiters and other companies will always be attempting to lure top talents away.

Retention is THE issue for retaining your top workforce.

Beth Ross, Ph.D.
www.bethross.com
bross2734@aol.com
212-8761-759

WHAT KIND OF CAREER COACH DO YOU NEED?

2009-05-12T13:21:00.000-04:00

This morning, I attended yet another Networking Meeting--for "People In Transition"--and this means--Out of a Job, right?

I sat next to a charming person, out of work for 6 months from one of the biggest financial houses in the world. She is the consummate professional, with credentials to die for. She has "Outplacement" with one of the biggest firms in New York City.

Unfortunately, her Outplacement time is running out. Because she is senior--senior--what they label the "C" level person, she has been assigned as counselor--the head of the firm. She is gracious in her description of him.

"He's busy. He could only talk to me 5 minutes on the telephone about my Resume. It was mainly about the margins. He kept saying 'yes', to all my content changes. I couldn't tell if he meant it or not".

She has had no Interview Training, did not know what "Targeting" was exactly, and has found herself two interviews that look promising. She is surprised that there is so little one-on-one time and personal attention to her specific needs. This is her first Outplacement experience, and she hopes--her last.

It is sad. She is feeling very alone, and she is emphatic about the way money was spent on her care upon lay-off--and how little return on investment her former organization has realized.

This is why, in certain situations, that Outplacement services from a Sole Proprietor, can be really effective--particularly at the C level.

Go to my web site, and read about my Job Search Process protocol. Call and talk to me. And if your company will let you choose between a big firm and an individual--see if I might not be a fit.

If you aren't getting Outplacement services, and have been downsized, consider using a Career Coach to short-circuit the process and get back to work quickly. You will get an assessment of what lights you from within--what you ought to be targeting next for your career life. You will be able to learn how to maximize every interview, and negotiate effectively for the best compensation package possible. What do you really want to do for the rest of your work life?

People are getting marvelous jobs in this economy. Opportunities are there. Having a Career Coach assist you in this process could well be the best investment you have ever made in yourself. Consider all your options.

I look forward to speaking with you. And best wishes to you for all good fortune going forward in The New World of Work. Reinvention can be exciting! And I even take credit cards--

WHAT NOT TO DO IN SALARY NEGOTIATION

2009-05-03T20:03:00.000-04:00

WHAT NOT TO DO IN SALARY NEGOTIATION

EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT NOW

As a Career Coach, I really do everything I can to get clients ready to negotiate their compensation in the best way possible.

And, sometimes they listen—and sometimes they don’t.

For example, let’s take the case of Sam. He really aced Interview Training, and managed to get three sets of interviews with a medical facility. Everyone was on board with his expertise in working with addicted personalities in a therapy setting. He was ready, until-----

Someone asked him what his salary requirements would be. Now Sam knows that compensation comes in many currencies. It never is just bas salary. Total compensation includes benefits, vacation time, a possible bonus, sometimes stock, often professional membership dues, occasionally transportation costs to and from work, and even advanced educational classes.

Sam also knows—because I told him—that the first person who mentions money—loses. Sam, though, was feeling pretty secure, so he conveniently forgot his script. He knew they were impressed with his background, as well they should; so he mentioned a very high figure.

Everyone around the table nodded and smiled before he left.

A week and a half later, he got a formal offer in the mail—with the amount being offered being one-half of what he had requested.

He immediately phoned the head of the group and told him how astonished he was to get such a low offer, when everyone had agreed on his request for compensation.

Sam had, in fact, thought he was “back in the game” in this wretched financial time we are in. He was wrong.

An email followed the conversation, letting Sam know that everyone had agreed, across the board, that he was not worth what he was asking.

Moral: when someone, or a group, tries to get you to tell them what you want—don’t do it if you can possibly avoid the situation. Look them straight in the eye and say something like: “look, this is a great organization, and I am really hoping that I get the chance to work for you—but we are just not talking about duties and responsibilities—and I would like to keep doing that for a while. And, look, I know that a great organization like this will, if we come to an agreement that we want each other as work partners, make me a fair and equitable offer. Okay?”

Now you may not quite get away with this—but try. **Put off the mention of money as long as you can. For who knows what will be decided in the end.

There are so many parameters of a job that are not mentioned in a job description. Be sure you know what the job really is before deciding it should pay one thing or another. Until you actually have an offer in hand, you are still interviewing. You also may not yet know anything about your competition for the job.

Information is power. Be sure you have it all. Be really sure you only give away that information that is needed to convince them that you are the very best candidate for a specific position.

LAST: We are in a totally different economic climate from anything known before in this country. The strategy you bring forth in salary negotiation needs to be well thought out and focused. Competition is fierce. You won’t get a second chance. Do it right the first time!

NOTE: May 8, 2009 a fantastic--and accurate COMMENT was sent to my email. Here it is--copied for you:

"One thing to remember is that salary ranges are all very well, but the key to maximizing your compensation is about clearly demonstrating the benefits that you can bring to an organization. A well-documented performance which provides a prospective employer with quantitative results and shows him how you solved problems or accomplished tasks is pretty tough to argue with!"

A wise and accurate Comment.

2009-05-02T21:03:00.000-04:00

ARE YOU A TYPE-E PERSONALITY?—AND--

WHAT THIS MAY MEAN FOR YOU IN TODAY’S WORLD OF WORK

Do you get bored easily?

Are you really glad you don’t have a 9 to 5 job anymore?

If you are honest, do you really want to do it all yourself instead of delegating?

Do you like moving from one project to another?

Do you think of yourself as totally different from everyone else?

Do you hate small talk?

Even though you may have learned how to appear to be a “team player”, do you know that this is what you most definitely are not?

You were kind of devastated when they laid you off, but truthfully—a little relieved, too?

Answer honestly.

**If you are getting “yes” answers to these and some other questions you will find, go to the type-e personality web site and take Alex Giorgio’s 60 second quiz to discoer just where you fit—or not.

Alex says that 5 to 10 percent of the world’s population are Type-E’s, and that they love living on the edge. A total type-e is a creative visionary. Usually these people are entrepreneurs, top executives, leaders, and innovators. He says they fly from the seat of their pants.

Just thinking about this is more important than it ever has been. And, if ever there has been a time for the E-type personality to shine—this is it.

Why? Well traditionally, it has really been the norm for Type-E’s to try to fit in to whatever corporate mold they found themselves in. This results in a good chance, too, that these will be some of the first individuals laid off, too. They never did fit. Right? So now they have to figure out what to do next.

Also our current economic plight makes way for creativity in a way we haven’t seen. Risk-taking is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Sometimes the “bridge jobs” we are hearing about are attempts to create a whole new way of doing things. The concept of “permanent part-timer” work is in the same category.

New endeavors are being undertaken all the time now, with the creation of ideas, products, and ways of working that have been unheard of, or undertaken in a traditional way before now.

Go to the Type-E web site, where Alex Giorgio will give you the test, explain the personality type, and let you know that the time of the creative visionary and his/her support team is—now.

Get ready to change. The new economy is changing the way we work, and if you are a type-e personality, if you are ready to live on the edge with some degree of comfort—your time really may have come.

Best of luck, and let me know what you are doing. This is important. I will phone Alex and tell him about you.

IT'S A NEW WORLD OF WORK

2009-04-09T15:43:00.001-04:00

THE ECONOMY HAS CHANGED—AND YOU MUST, TOO !

Everything is different. Get used to the idea that you may definitely not be able to replicate your last job. The industry may be dead, too.

If you have come out of technology, resolve to stay right on the cutting edge of new technology. Take classes, go to professional meeting, network non-stop. Learn!

Whole new categories of jobs are being created. Find out what these are. You are going to have to work longer and harder to get a job than ever before.

Demand for workers is always surging somewhere. There are reports on the Internet every Monday morning about industry and job segments that are hiring. People are getting good jobs. Adapt your skills for companies who need them.

Don’t overlook your alumni association as a vehicle for networking. Colleges and universities have active alumni associations in the New York area, and all it takes is one good contact to change your life.

Those who still believe that all one must do to get a job is check the job boards and send in Resumes—will lose. Creative approaches to information and to decision makers is absolutely necessary. Your personal networking list, accumulated hopefully over the years, will open doors when least expected. Don’t ignore either personal or professional networks.

When the economy is shrinking, entrepreneurs are always on the lookout to fulfill unmet needs. Stay alert to these trends and open every opportunity to learn from these people. As their organizations grow, perhaps you can create a position—even part-time—to help out.

Stay open to contract and part-time work. Many of my Career Coaching clients now refer to themselves as permanent part-timers.

We now have a whole new category of jobs called “bridge” jobs—something to tide one over until other things open up. Funny thing is: some of these bridge jobs are becoming permanent for workers, and they end up enjoying what they are doing, and beginning to grow into a whole new career.

There is so much negativity in the headlines. Stop paying attention, and create your own, new reality. As the economy changes—and it is—you have to change with it.

Work with a Career Coach to make your Resume and Cover Letter the very best—a professional presentation that opens door. Become so skilled at Interviewing that you are set for life. Have such a good Pitch about your skills and background, that you are someone who gets a chance to present your ability to make a unique contribution to a company’s bottom line.

Stay focused and mindful of all the opportunities that are out there now.

Dr. Beth Ross is an Executive and Career Coach. Web site: www.bethross.com
Speaking engagements on: Managing Your Career in Harsh Times

FROM LAYOFF TO CAREER LAUNCH

2009-04-09T15:35:00.000-04:00

FROM LAY-OFF TO NEW CAREER LAUNCH

UNIQUE WAYS OF WORKING IN THE NEW ECONOMY

Everything in the World of Work has changed. It is time to start on a new career path, or perhaps on several new paths.

We are now talking a lot about “bridge” jobs—jobs to hold life and limb together while waiting to go back into a former line of work or industry.

A funny thing is happening here. Some people are literally falling in love with their bridge jobs.

Just last week I talked to a cab driver on Park Avenue. He was smiling as he patted a full notebook on the seat beside him. I asked him how long he had been driving a cab, and he laughed and said: “This is my fourth week, and I love it.”

He confessed that he is using his friend’s medallion three days a week. “I love people, and I love not sitting at a desk. I’m still living on severance, but who knows what will be next. This is the best outlet for my writing that has ever come up. I’m actually learning while I work.”

Now who knows if this former Wall Streeter will become a professional cab driver, but he is pretty excited about his life right now.

I have another Career Coaching client whose background is in media. As we worked, and explored interests, she showed a distinct liking for service and communication. As we worked further, she began to tell me about friends who were in the Executive Assistant arena of work.

Ultimately, we have revamped and reformulated her Resume to stress these skills, and she began answering postings for these kinds of positions.

Right now, she started a new job. “I don’t even know if I ever wanted to think of myself as an Executive Assistant, but managing the life of a CEO is really exciting. I find it interesting and challenging, and of course am learning so much—about people and about this business.”

Her communication skills, her personal presentation, and her acute intelligence are paying off.

It is doubtful whether she would have come in to this new career path without the help of a Career Coach. An outstanding value of having a Coach is that there is direction in taking a new look at what can be labeled as a “bridge” job—but may possibly turn into a permanent career path.

More and more now out of work individuals are beginning to look at contract, project, and part-time work. In fact, there is a huge cadre of workers who now refer to themselves as “permanent part-timers”—and love it.

The World of Work is different, and workers and seekers of work need to stay aware of differences and move with these changes. Technology is breaking through new frontiers, and staying on the cutting edge of tomorrow is important. Life time learning, and the ability to grow and change, is essential.

You may well develop a career that you never thought of before. Make yourself creative and be a visionary. Think the unthinkable, and stay with a positive and upbeat mind-set.

Beth Ross is an Executive and Career Coach. Web site at: www.bethross.com
Speaking engagements and expert on Managing Your Career in Harsh Times

Don't Forget Your Public Library As Part Of Your Job Search

2009-03-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

DON’T FORGET YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY

AS A POSSIBLE PART OF YOUR JOB SEARCH

When was the last time you visited your nearest Public Library?

For some, the answer is “yesterday”, because they live in a community in Connecticut where the library was an out and out donation, including grounds overlooking a magnificent river, from the family of a high profile celebrity. It is so beautiful that people just go there to “be there” and have a sense of renewal.

In urban settings, libraries have possibly been in their locations for many years, and the interiors remind and represent a feeling of being in an office building. Passersby rush in to return or sign out books, to check on recent newspapers and magazines, or to do some quick research that can cover a myriad of subjects.

And your Library Card is free!

But—did you ever think of your Public Library as a place of Free Advice, and even Free Computers that you can use?

If you don’t have a personal computer, and you need to explore Job Sites on the Internet, here is your answer.

Need a book on Resume Writing? The library has many, in addition to books on how to Interview and how to negotiate your compensation.

And don’t forget Librarians! These are people who have studied Research for years and love it helping library clients. Years ago when I was doing my Ph.D. studies, and when we didn’t have the Internet, I relied on the help and expertise of librarians in so many instances. It would have been impossible to do it without their help. This is what they do!—find out things that others think might be impossible.

Times are hard, though, for libraries. Hours and staff are being cut. It’s pretty essential that job seekers get busy now and reap the benefits of job search help from libraries.

If, perhaps, one is able to only use the limited services of a Career Coach, the Public Library can be a place where basic Research can take place.

Do everything you possibly can—free—not just the Library but Networking Groups. When at a Library computer, you have the whole Internet world at your disposal. Check job postings for every company you are interested in, and never fail to check sites like Craigs List to find unique, creative, and innovative people looking for just your skills.

Keep thinking! There is always more out there.

The Library can also be a great place not only for information, but a place to meet others who might well be in your own profession. Additionally, some Libraries actually have people on staff to help you with crafting an efficient and impressive Resume. The list goes on.

WHAT IS OUUTPLACEMENT?

2009-03-25T11:34:00.000-04:00

March 25, 2009

WHAT IS OUTPLACEMENT?

Outplacement can be the biggest gift you could possibly get—or a big disappointment So much depends on the effectiveness of its delivery.

Basically, Outplacement is offered to employees who are being terminated from a company. It can happen at anywhere from a huge bank to a small manufacturing company—and everything in between.

Often, big companies who specialize in this service are called in to do the project. They charge a lot, and generally have the process mechanized to a fault. There are lots of group sessions. Data bases are shared with clients, and sometimes other companies let them know that there are job vacancies at their companies. Often there are resource libraries. They provide a format for Resume writing, and there are even sometimes videos on Interviewing and so forth. It’s a “package” project. There is scant one-on-one interaction.

Hopefully the process works well for participants. Sometimes it does, and clients are able to move on to other jobs. Clients can also be disappointed at the service they receive.

As a Sole Proprietor Career Coach, I too provide Outplacement services for corporate clients, and I believe my approach is effective and a bit unique.

Obviously there is just one of me, so the buck stops right here. Generally my projects include from thirty to fifty participants, and the success ratio is high.

We start with private, individual discussions with each participant. Being downsized is a strongly emotional occurrence, and it is essential that there is a neutral party to talk through the situation.

We look at their current Resume and start revisions for the next Targeted job situation. Particular attention is given to the Professional Summary part of the Resume.

Additionally, we craft a Cover Letter that can be adjusted to any company, position, or situation. The Resume and Cover Letter is the Professional Presentation, and vitally important.

We spend time Targeting the person’s next move. If the Target is right, and realistic, the job search process will be much easier.

Effective Interviewing skills are crucial in today’s marketplace. The first, initial, interview must be maximized in order for the candidate to move ahead into further discussions with a decision-maker.

Every participant gets a session on Salary Negotiation—what to do and not to do—so they are ready when the discussion of money comes up.

General Counseling is offered as needed. The main objective here is to be sure that the displaced worker does not drown in feelings of isolation and panic.

Effective Outplacement goes a long way. People are achieving good job offers even in the market we see today. Outplacement Services can contribute significantly to a more optimistic and healthy mind set. It is far too easy today to adopt a stance based on fear and worry.

Setting realistic goals about what kind of job—and when—can be helpful. It might well be necessary to take something we label as a “bridge” job for a while, in order to reach attainable goals that will be available later.

If you aren’t getting an Outplacement Package, perhaps you can consider the services of a Career Coach on your own. Often, for example, people come to me just for Resume Writing, or Interview Training.

Get in touch and we can talk about your special needs. www.bethross.com

MANAGING YOUR CAREER IN A DOWN MARKET

2009-02-24T16:54:00.000-05:00

MANAGING YOUR CAREER IN A DOWN MARKET

Don’t let the prevailing depressed atmosphere get you down—in fact, keep it at bay and keep moving forward. It is a slow time, but make the best of it.

How in the world can one do that? Well, it’s not easy. Competition for jobs is fierce, to put it mildly. One is responsible more than ever for making sure that skills are at an optimum and that you are the best you can be within whatever profession you work in.

When my clients go in for interviews, I always tell them to be sure to ask where they stand in the line-up of candidates. Literally, it is necessary to kill off the competition by proving that you are the best in what you do. What distinguishes you from the competition? What unique skills do you bring that will positively impact the company’s bottom line. This, by the way, becomes even more important for maintaining career growth even if you currently have a job. Make this list, and add to it all the time.

Look carefully at new ways of marketing yourself, and selling your unique qualifications. This isn’t a time to sit back and wait for a recruiter to call, for instance. Let everyone know who you are, and what you are looking for. You are literally in a marketing stance at all times.

It’s great to be in a recruiter’s database, but it’s even better when you convince a recruiter that you can make them look very good by being the number one candidate of choice. Stay close to these people. Their on-going relationships with clients can benefit you greatly. Find a few that you really feel comfortable with, and cultivate these friendship and professional association..

Think of every way possible to create demand for your services and knowledge. Be sure to stay close to business networking events, programs, and Internet networking. Knowledge and information is power, and this is the way that breaks come through. Sometimes it’s the only way.

Continuous learning is so important. One has to stay abreast of everything happening in their world of work. Nothing in the world of work is the same now, so new ways of thinking and staying on top of change are vital for success. In job interviews, you are expected to be aware of what might be happening next in whatever your area of expertise might be. This kind of knowledge says to the perspective employer that you are able to move with the speed of change, that you are a life-time learner, and that you are endeavoring to be on the cutting edge of tomorrow.

Watch the business news. Be aware of trends and know what the current growth industries are. This is where you will find new and interesting opportunities. The chances for advancement will be here. Growth areas, like alternative energy, are constantly moving. We are going to have careers and job titles never with us before.

Don’t fall into the trap of answering any old ad. Be sure your background and credentials match those demanded by a potential client. Be ready to defend your knowledge and expertise, and know constructive ways your experience will make a substantial contribution to the company’s profit. Even letting interviewers know that you are taking courses in new areas is impressive.

Be creative and constructive. Recently I heard of a group of young people, all recent college graduates, and all out of work, who decided on a unique approach. They established themselves as a group, and advertised their diverse skills both on the Internet and locally. It was, in many ways, an overnight company—no benefits, no bosses, no infrastructure to speak of. This is simply a group of pooled skills, ready to serve. It’s working—better in some areas than others—but giving everyone a sense of purpose and determination to move ahead in the world of work.

There is a huge increase in numbers of people who are working on their own, as freelancers and contractors. For many, they are discovering great delight in independence and entrepreneurial activities. Things first done out of necessity can become life-long passions.

The times we are in are demanding creativity like never before. There are so many different challenges in developing and managing a career now. Just today, a long-time professional acquaintance spoke about avoiding falling into all the conventional despair that seems to be around now. Yes, all is daunting, but remember this: there ARE good jobs out there at this moment in emerging and growth industries—and even in companies we might label “traditional”.. It has also been true in our history that seemingly hard times have created great opportunity.

Create your own opportunity, and keep growing and changing—making the world a better place. We have job reports daily in our world now. Concentrate on what your own career report might be. Be the best you can within whatever you do.

It is said that we now have a new freedom to work in this country, particularly the freedom to work longer. We will definitely have more than one career path in a lifetime. Make each step your very best. Make your contribution outstanding. Stay optimistic and hopeful. The only certainty is—change.

And REMEMBER: especially in a time like this, astute management of your career is crucial. If that management means taking a detour into some other work, or into part-time endeavors—do it.

Have the goal of customizing your career to meet your needs, now and in the future. Rigidity cannot be the name of the game.

Network, listen, learn. Get a Career Coach, even for a short period of time. It will change the way you think and operate in the world of work. Two brains are always better than one.