Billie Sucher Weblog

The Asset, The Essay

For 20+ years, I have been involved in writing or critiquing career management and marketing materials. Every once in a while, I am asked to read a personal essay with a "tell me what you think" directive attached to it. I have read some really good essays, some terrible ones, and then, there are the ones that make me pause. This essay, for me, was of the pause variety...it was written by a young woman who hoped to win a new computer to advance her life, and her career. The following essay is reprinted with permission:

When I was born both my mom and I almost died. I had the umbilical-cord wrapped around my neck 5 times. The doctors put me in the neo-natal unit of the hospital because something was very wrong with me.

At the age of 4 my parents had me evaluated to see what was causing my delay in development. They found out that I had a mental disability do to the lack of oxygen at my birth.

With a mental disability, it is hard to learn at school, at work or at home. Everything is hard for me, but I do not let it get in my way. I do the best I can at everything I try. For example I had to take driver's test 7 time's, but I never quit trying. I now have a car that I bought with money I saved since I was little.

It is hard to make new friends when you have a mental disability. Lots of times I have been left out because of my disability. My family and my dog love me for who I am.

Did you know that my name Tessa spelled backward's mean's Asset? I even had to tell my mom that. My SCL worker's think that I am very funny with a good since of humor. Since I was born, I have had good instincts. My mom say's that I have a good antenna and that I am smart in many way's.

If I could win a computer, I would use it to educate myself, Right now, I am learning how to use Excel and Word. Hopefully I could use the computer to start my own dog-walking business. Another big way to use the computer to achieve independence is to stay in touch with all the people who make my life work.

Thanks you for your time,

Tessa

Today, the young woman sat on the steps of her home, overcome with emotion as she held the letter in her tiny hands...the opening line said: Dear Tessa, Congratulations, you have won...

 

Spring Cleaning

The last few days I have been cleaning out my office in preparation for new carpet and new paint, a total spring clean up to be sure. Everything had to be out of my office by last Friday -- hundreds of books, files, and memorabilia accumulated during 17 years at my present location. Needless to say, my office was in absolute chaos -- boxes, bags, articles, papers, notes, pens, pencils, poems, articles and business cards galore -- what a mess.

As I was shredding, dumping and packing stuff, it occurred to me that while it is a huge chore to clean up my office, it's a much bigger chore to look for a new job. In the end, though, the results will hopefully be worth the time, energy, effort, and commitment. Have you considered doing some spring cleaning as it pertains to your job search?

Dump irrelevant information on your resume. Eliminate boring text. Shred your old resume if you think it's a less than stellar representation of you and start over. Toss out tired, overworked words and replace with strong language that supports your target goal. For example, if you're going after a Customer Service Manager job, insert customer service management-sounding language in your resume. Align your qualifications to match the employer's job requirements. Make it easy for the reader to notice how well your skill set matches their needs.

Polish your interviewing skills. If it's been a while since you have been in "the hot seat," now is not the time to practice on the employer. If you can't find someone to practice with you, practice with yourself. Stand in front of a mirror, ask yourself questions and answer them to the best of your ability. Notice if you're smiling; notice if you sound confident; notice how the practice helps! At first, it may seem a little strange to practice this way; however, the more you practice your responses, the better prepared you'll be when you get a chance to deliver your lines at a real interview. 

Get rid of a potty mouth prior to engaging in interview conversation. Poor grammar, slang and profanity will not score you points in an interview with a recruiter, hiring manager, or other decision-making authority. Speak well and it will serve you well.

Discard tattered, worn or ill-fitting clothes and shoes. Wear clothes that are clean and well-pressed when you go to an interview. I vividly recall a few years ago screening two talented candidates (both males) for a Director of Sales job. My male colleague and I liked both candidates equally well and then, just like that, the one candidate did himself in. He did so by contradicting himself in a weird sort of way...he was telling us he was really good with details, nothing got by him, and that he always followed through. During our lengthy chat, he removed his suit jacket and much to our surprise, his entire shirt, short of the very front part and shirt cuffs, was full of wrinkles. Apologetically, he told us that he'd ironed only the places visible to the eye. Details, details, details.

Remove any digital dirt that someone may find if they perform a Google search on your name. Google thyself and if by chance you find damaging information that you're unable to remove on your own, engage the services of a firm such as Reputation Defender to see what, if anything, they can do to help your plight.

Abandon outdated job search strategies no longer applicable to today's competitive job search world. If you aren't using 21st century job search practices, you are doing yourself a great disservice. There are numerous resources, starting here with these free Career Hub e-books, to assist you in this endeavor.

Let go of a negative attitude and any angry, bitter feelings and emotions. While it's your choice to drag negativity around with you - here, there, everywhere - it simply won't serve a useful purpose in executing your mission of finding new employment as expeditiously as possible. Delete negative-sounding language from your thinking and from your conversation. Do you have a problem or do you have an opportunity? Do you view transition as a chance to start over, or a stumbling block to your future? Do you speak of your former employer in positive terms, or do you have disdain in your voice when speak of them?

Shed a "victim" perspective ~ your're a job loss survivor! You will find another place of employment. You will find another job. And if you can't find an employer who is willing to hire you right now, how about hiring yourself and starting a business? Imagine all of the possibilities instead of all the impossibilities.

Reject the negative images and messages that surround you on a daily basis. Decide that you will move forward no matter what and resist the temptation to buy in to how bad things are, how awful the economy is, and how terrible it is to be in transition. The bottom line ~ someone, somewhere, somehow got a job today. And it might as well be you tomorrow!

Meanwhile, back to more spring cleaning...

Matters of Mothers

As Mother's Day draws near, I can't help but think of my own mother and all of the other mother figures who have helped shape and mold my professional career and my personal life. I am ever-grateful for my Mother's wisdom, teachings and unconditional love. No matter where I am age-wise, my Mother is my anchor, my rock, my comforter, and my one and only Mother, Mom, Mama, and Madre.

And even though I have long been grown up, I will always be her "girl" who makes her proud, who makes her laugh and who she still "shows off" to her friends who can't hear, don't care, or don't have a clue about whose  daughter I am..."that's my girl" she'll tell them and I absolutely cherish our times together! My mother - the one who for years has told me good-bye in one breath and then wants a definitive answer to "when will you be home again?" in the next.

Contemplating this post, it occurred to me that some of my most valuable life (and career) lessons weren't "said" to me as much as they were "shown" to me by my mother and the many other female influencers I have been blessed enough to know along life's way. I learned from them, by them, through them, and with them as my magnificent role models. A few things my Mother, and the many others, taught me along the road of life...

• If you want it badly enough, you will figure it out.
• You can count your true friends on one hand.
• The only kind of dirt you need is the kind you can wash off.
• Put on your thinking cap; use your noggin'.
• No use crying over spilled milk.
• Education is the key to your future.
• Get to know the great composers, artists and poets of the world.
• You screw it up, you fix it up.
• Appreciate the beauty of classical music.
• The cows don't care if you're in a bad mood or a good mood; they still need to be milked.
• Don't compare yourself to anyone else.
• Putter around.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Like it or lump it.
• Be a good reader and don't sing-song your words.
• Everybody puts their shoes on the same way you do.
• Don't settle unless it's what you want.
• Hard work won't hurt you.
• No excuses.
• Somebody else will always have more than you do, so don't worry about it.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers who have made you - you! Feel free to share a thought or two about how your mother (or mother figure) helped shape you, your career and your professional life.

Are You Ready to Play Ball?

When they start the game, they don't yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball." ~ Willie Stargell, 1981

Do you like major league baseball? When you hear the street names Addison & Clark, do you know where you are? Do you know who said "It ain't over till it's over." Do baseball terms get tossed around in your day-to-day conversations? If so, you're like many of my clients who express their thoughts about looking for a job in sports-related terms, especially baseball:

In the ballpark: This term can be used to discuss salary and compensation matters.

Right off the bat: This term can be used when a hiring manager starts an interview conversation with "What are your salary expectations?"

Cover all the bases: This term can be used to describe the myriad of strategies and tactics one must use when looking for a new job.

Curve ball: This term can be used when a hiring authority asks an illegal, inappropriate, or weird question.

Swing and miss: This term can be used when you're trying to connect with someone and they don't return your phone call or e-mail.

Left field: This term can be used when you get a phone call you weren't expecting from a hiring manager or network contact.

Step up to the plate: This term can refer to the relentless focus and unwavering commitment it takes to look for a new job in a challenging and competitive economy.

Go to bat for: This term can refer to your references who can, and will, attest to your professional competencies.

Ninth inning: This term can be used when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions.

O-fer: This term can be used to describe the act of sending 284 resumes into cyberspace and not hearing back from one single employer.

Off base: This term can be used when you receive career information that is misguided, inaccurate, or flawed.

Screwball: This term can be used to describe the unpredictable nature of a job search.

Cleanup hitter: This term can be used to describe your ability to lead a team, resolve problems, and deliver results.

Home run: This term can be used to express your elation when a job offer arrives in the mail.

Job search - a team sport. Job search - a game of strategy. Job search - you have to play to win. Job search  - sometimes you're in a slump. Job search - every now and then, you hit a homer! Are you ready to play ball?

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." ~ A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977