Billie Sucher Blog

When You Are Not The One

Are you watching The Voice this season? I love that show! If you watch it, you know that some contestants do not get picked. Just like in your job search, sometimes, the other candidate gets picked instead of you. So where does that leave you, then, when you are not the one that gets chosen?  In the middle of nowhere? Close to somewhere? Anywhere at all? 

Where it leaves you is with a chance to start anew in your quest for employment.

A chance to compete again.

To give it another shot.

To give it another go.

To try, try again.

To not stop.

To be relentless in your pursuit of a new opportunity.

To get another chance to sit in the hot seat once more.

To understand that being rejected is something that happens more than you realize to very talented candidates.

To know that not being picked doesn’t mean that you don’t have skills, experience, knowledge, gifts, abilities or talent.

It just means that someone did not pick you on that particular day, that moment, that hour.

It just means that in a stranger’s eyes, you were not the right one for them at that time.

And yes, while it does hurt and it is not easy and it is not what you thought or wanted or needed or hoped would happen when you did not get picked, do not let up. And do not give up – on yourself or others.

Get up.

Dust off.

Press on.

Stand tall.

Chin up.

Shoulders back.

Onward.

Straight ahead.

Looking forward, not back.

Keep moving.

Keep going.

Keep competing.

Until someone picks you.

 

Job Candidate Number Five

Based on a true story...

Let’s suppose that you are a Hiring Manager – a hiring manager that happens to love baseball. Along comes the fifth candidate out of the five you and your team have chosen to interview in person. After the small talk about the weather and did you have any trouble finding the place, you lead off with…

So, how come you are no longer employed…I notice your employment with ABC Company ended in December 2011?  

And you, the candidate sitting in the hot seat, freeze. While you thought this question might be asked of you, you had not counted on it being asked so abruptly at the beginning of the conversation.

Um, well, I guess you could say it was a bad fit – a bad choice…and so I just quit after about a year…resigned in December.

So, am I to presume you are a quitter and one who makes bad choices?

Well, no that’s not exactly what I meant….

So, what exactly did you mean?

Well I meant… I just thought it was a bad fit, you know, a bad pick.

A bad fit? A bad pick? So, tell me, Candidate Number 5, are you saying you also make bad decisions and bad picks on behalf of your employer?

See how this conversation is going nowhere and mostly nowhere fast for you, the Job Candidate Number Five?

Five Tips to Keep A Job Interview Conversation From Going in the Ditch:

1. Know that one of the Hiring Manager’s many jobs is to give you ample fodder to A) keep you in the game and/or B) to listen attentively to your responses to see if you do yourself in and / or take yourself out of the running.

2. Know that one of the Hiring Manager’s many tasks is to assess what you are made of and evaluate how you will add value via the proof / evidence that you deliver in the interview conversation.

3. Know that the Hiring Manager is expecting you to convince him or her that you are a strong contender for the j-o-b and that no matter what “negative bait” you are given, you can manage it with confidence, grace and style.

4. Know that it is your job, as the candidate, to consistently present positive-sounding responses to questions that may be negatively rooted. (So, then, are we to assume that you have poor decision-making abilities and why or why not?)

5. Know that no matter what comes at you – knuckle ball, spit ball, curve ball, fast ball, cutter, slider, slurve, change up – whatever it is, be ready, be prepared – and know it’s coming at you for the purpose of keeping you in or getting you out of the job search game. So swing batta’ batta’ at something good, something that keeps you headed for home plate.

How To Find a Job When There Are No Jobs, According to Someone Who Found One

For nearly six years, I have been a contributing blogger over at Career Hub, and more recently, here at my own blog. During this time, I have shared oodles of “free advice” to help job seekers. Today, though, I wanted to share a job search success story in the words of one of my clients. “Ben” was kind enough to accommodate my request for his thoughts on “How Did You Land Your Dream Job When There Are No Jobs?”  Ben has an inspiring story to tell and I found his words worth sharing. I hope they will make a little dent in your life as a job seeker.

Snapshot of Ben:  Male, Gen X, Supervisor / Team Lead level; resigned his job after 20+ years of employment with a market leader.

How did you find the courage to “quit” your job after so many years of employment in a supervisory / team leadership role? 

After my mother’s death, family became especially important to me. I wanted to see my son play baseball and football. I wanted to have weekends off and be with my family on holidays. In retail, you work when everyone else is off. I did not feel appreciated at work. Every year, you worked harder and you received less. 

How long did it take you to find another job in a job market where there are no jobs?

I started looking for a new job at the end of September 2011. By mid-October 2011, I found a new job and gave notice. By mid-November 2011, I knew I had made a big mistake with the new job I started. I came to the reality that for the last two years, I hated my job. On December 23, 2011, I decided I would put myself first before everyone else. This was the first time in my life that I was going to quit a job without having another. On 01/26/12 I found my dream job, Monday – Friday 7am. to 4pm.  

What job search strategies worked best for you?

Your résumé is an investment. Invest in yourself and your future. Spend the money on your résumé to display the real you. The way the résumé is written in 2012 is totally different than in 2000.  Have four great professional references. You need to network with your friends and family. The last two jobs I found, I sent my résumé to someone who knew someone. In my new job, I let my present employer know that I just dropped my wife off at the airport. My new employer noticed that my wife worked for the same company and asked what she did.  

What is the single-best-piece of advice you would offer today’s job seeker to do?

I have a super résumé. I have a personnel endorsement on page one and two of my résumé.  I had my second interview on a Monday and on a Tuesday, I received two emails that my personal references were contacted by my new boss. My personnel reference knew I was looking for a job but I never contacted them to let them know that my second interview was a homerun.   

What was the defining moment of your job search?

The position I applied for had a reference number. For this position, I noticed there were four different references numbers. I applied for each position, even though the only difference was the reference number. In my last interview, I had asked why all the different reference numbers for this position.   

What did you do on the days if and when you felt like giving up on the search, got discouraged and/or lacked motivation to look for work?

Call a great friend, pray, cook, take a walk, clean and re-clean house or car.   

What do you think today’s job seeker could do to enhance their chances of standing out from the crowd?

Take the time to research the company you want to work at. If you get a phone interview or an in-person interview, make sure you have six great questions to ask the interviewers. Wear your best business suit. Get a business card so that you can send a thank you email. Make sure you have copies of your résumé on quality paper. Wow your interviewers. Interviews are hard to get. First impressions are huge.   

What other words of wisdom might you offer to job seekers today?

Don’t give up. On a daily basis, keep track of who you sent a résumé to and rate yourself from 1-10 on your job search performance.

Anything else you learned about finding a job in a competitive market that would be of value to job seekers?

It is not fun not having a job. Make sure you do not take it out on your family. I sent out over 40 résumés.  I had three phone interviews and three in-person interviews. I received 15+ decline letters and the rest of the résumés I did not hear back from. Keep your chin up. Some résumé and application forms took four hours to complete. After you fill out the application, some companies have you take timed tests and ask how you would handle a certain situation, math and computer skills. Many companies you send résumés to go to a third party to sort. I would call the local HR office and they did not hear of the position that was open. HR is a 24 hour operation. Many times I would receive decline letters in the middle of the night.•

Charisma? Attractive Personality?

Watching one of my favorite television programs, CBS Sunday Morning, I was particularly interested in the piece about “Charisma.”  The story reminded me of some teachings in a Napoleon Hill book I recently read again. Lesson Ten from the The Law of Success, copyright 1928, is titled “Pleasing Personality.”

What, exactly, is a pleasing personality?

According to Napoleon Hill, there are seven important factors that enter into the development of an “attractive personality.” Pay particular attention to the second and fourth factor, as he claims that these are most important. The essence of Mr. Hill’s seven factors are highlighted here. While his book is from another time and another century, the relevance for today’s job seeker is timeless: 

1. Interest yourself in other people – find out about them and speak of them in terms of praise.
2. Develop an ability to speak with force and conviction, in day-to-day conversations and in public speaking.
3. Dress in a fashion that showcases your physical build and occupation. (His exact words: “Clothe yourself in a style...). 
4. Develop a positive character.
5. Learn how to shake hands to express warmth and enthusiasm.
6. Attract other people to you by first “attracting yourself” to them.
7. Your only limitation (within reason) is what you establish in your own mind. 

So how about it. job seekers?

Do you have charisma? Do you have an attractive personality? 

How does your sociometer stack up against your competition?

How can you best utilize your charisma and an attractive personality to win a job in 2012?

 ~ Be Your Very Best Always. ~    

Job Seekers: Here's to You and Fresh Starts in 2012!

Looking forward to 2012, my friend and I were chatting about words that end in –al and how they seem to provide a launch pad for goals, changes, fresh starts and dreams for a new year.  As you peruse this list below, perhaps you will contemplate how each of these –al words might play a part in your job search, career and professional life in 2012:

Analytical – When a hiring manager scans your career marketing materials with an analytical eye, what conclusion might they draw?

Controversial – What controversial subjects do you plan to avoid in job interviews and at networking events?

Conversational – How might you enhance your conversational abilities in 2012?

Denial – What, if any, 2011 issues have you brought forward to 2012 and what, if anything, will you do to deal with them in the immediate future? 

Economical – What one thing will you do in 2012 to contribute to the economical betterment of your community and world?

Educational – What one educational goal do you intend to pursue this year?

Emotional – What, if anything, needs some attention with regard to your emotional well-being?

Essential – What are the most important matters that will demand your full attention in 2012?

Financial – What are your financial goals for the coming year?

Impractical – What decisions did you make in 2011 that may now be impractical in 2012?

Individual – What, if anything, could you do to improve the individual Brand You 2012?

Influential – What subjects would you like to become more influential about in 2012?

Inspirational – From what sources and resources will you derive your inspiration in the New Year?

Intellectual – How can you better share the intellectual abilities and gifts you have been given?

Intentional – What good things do you plan to do with intention and purpose in 2012?

Interpersonal – What, if anything, can you do to refine your interpersonal skills in 2012?

Managerial – In managing your career transition project (or work projects) what can you do this year to improve upon last year’s performance?

Mental -- How would you best describe your mental toughness should you find yourself in a state of career transition?

Motivational – What are three specific motivators that you plan to maximize in 2012?

Occupational – Are you working in or working toward an opportunity that holds interest and passion for you?

Organizational – What steps can you take today to better organize your job search activities to produce more desirable results in 2012?

Original – In what ways are you original and how can leverage that originality to better serve your job search efforts and outcomes?

Personal – What one thing would you like to change, add to, or delete from your personal brand in 2012?

Physical – What, if any, physical goals do you have in the works for the New Year?

Potential – If an organization asked you to describe your potential in 2012, what would you say?

Professional – When December 31, 2012 arrives, what is the single best thing you will have achieved professionally?

Psychological – If you have been struggling with a particular issue or concern in 2011, what plans, if any, do you have in place to address this matter in the New Year?

Relational – As you review your relationships and connections in your life, do those on your list have a habit of ‘building you up’ or ‘bringing you down’ and what, if any, improvements could be made as you move forward in 2012?

Social – How would you best describe your social life / network (both offline and online) and what, if anything, might be enhanced in 2012?

Spiritual – What, if any, spiritual goals have you thought about for 2012? 

Survival – If you lose your job in 2012, what plans do you have in place to maneuver through and manage the transition phase?

Testimonial – Have you considered how the voice of others can leverage your candidacy for a job, interim assignment or independent contracting opportunity?

Transformational – If you could transform one thing about yourself in the next 90 days, what might that be and how would it be of value to you, or to others?

Transitional – How can you more effectively manage each 2012 ‘work day’ as you explore new career options?

Verbal – How would your most recent supervisor rate your verbal skills and what might you do to improve them in 2012?

Vital – No matter what else you do in the New Year, what three to five things would you most like to accomplish by the time the ball drops in 2013?

Vocational – What, if anything, would you like to do differently this year regarding your employment situation?

Happy New Year to You! Wishing you good health and much happiness in 2012 with a sincere thank you for reading this blog!

Gerbils and Job Search

Have you ever watched a gerbil running on a wheel? Although I haven’t owned any gerbils, I have learned that if you can get them to run on a wheel when they are young, they will spend much time exercising on it - going around and around and around in a circle. Never really going anywhere, mind you, but around and around and around to absolutely nowhere.

As a job seeker, has it ever occurred to you that perhaps you are running around and around, not really going anywhere? Maybe you are, maybe you aren’t. Perhaps you are familiar with the following Albert Einstein quotation:

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

If you are looking for a job in today’s intensely competitive market, how long have you been doing the same job search activities over and over, but not yet achieving the type of results you desire? Here are a few questions to ponder:

1.      What, if anything, can you stop doing that doesn’t seem to be working in your favor?

2.      What, if anything, can you start doing, that you haven’t yet been doing?

3.      Have you drafted (and practiced, practiced, practiced) solid answers to these specific questions:

a.      How does your brand differ from 14,000,000 others, or even 50 others?

b.      Can you name five specific reasons an employer ‘should’ hire you and can you provide proof / direct evidence for each reason cited?

c.      Can you name five of your best work skills (with supporting examples) that you feel passionate about applying in the market place?

d.      Can you name five words that do not sound the same (or similar) to those articulated by 14,000,000, or even 50  other job seekers?  (Hint: name qualities that align with your specific target goal for optimum brand alignment.)

e.      Can you cite three specific examples of how you will contribute to an organization’s bottom line.   (Hint: do not say “Well, because I have a great track record and successful experience”;  get specific, not generic to distinguish yourself from the competition.

As 2011 draws to a close, now would be a good time to consider how you would like your 2012 to take shape regarding your job hunt. What strategies need your immediate attention? What practices can you improve? What small steps can you take today that will result in your ability to run a better job search race tomorrow?

 

Generations and The Job Search

Remember that interview you just conducted where you told the candidate I have tee-shirts older than you are.

Remember when you called the job seeker sitting before you a whippersnapper?

Remember when you said to the head of the department that he was about your Grandpa’s age?

Remember going to the interview and describing one of your biggest achievements as taking place back in the day.

Remember when you told your HR buddy that the person you just interviewed was still wet behind the ears?

Remember when you went to the interview about a month ago and said the following words to the Gen Y Hiring Manager: Youngsters of today just don’t get it.

Remember when one of your colleagues inquired if you were on LinkedIn and you replied with can’t say that I’ve heard of it.

Remember when you went to that networking event and asked someone about a twit when what you really meant was a tweet?

Remember when the recruiter asked you if you had a blog and you responded with: so what’s a blog?

Remember when the 20-something manager said to you, a Baby Boomer,  I don’t care about your age, I care about commitment and will you show up and do the job.

Past. Present. Future. Generations Global.

We Can Work It Out

You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s all right.

~ John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Are you looking for a job? Are you holding on to the job you have, yet can’t stand going to work? Did you get fired from your job recently? Have you been unemployed for two months or maybe even two years? 

When I listen to people, be it my clients, a speaker, a colleague, a friend, or one of our children, I am always listening for the essence, the takeaway, the nugget of what they are saying. The other day, I was listening to a speaker talk about working things out, whatever it might be in life. And the main message I took away from his presentation: “We can work it out.”

What in your job search would be well, wise and worth it for you to work out?

Do you need to work out how you are going to pay your bills to keep things afloat until you can find new employment?

Do you need to work out how you are going to start that business you’ve always talked about doing?

Do you need to work out how you are going to interact with a boss or co-worker you do not like until you can find a new job elsewhere?

Do you need to work out how you are going to write a résumé when you have held seven different jobs in the past five years?

Do you need to work out how to speak about yourself and your brand before you go to market and explore new opportunities?

Do you need to work out how to stay motivated and energized, up and on after being rejected 15, 20, or more times?  

Do you need to work out how to learn more about social media and how it could be another valuable tool for you?

Do you need to work out how to juggle unemployment and part-time work and who will watch the kids?

Do you need to work out how to talk to your spouse, partner or loved one how you’re going to ‘get through this’ together instead of apart?

Do you need to work out how you are going to explain to a Hiring Manager why you are between jobs?

Do you need to work out how you are going to tell your family that you are really struggling with being out of work?

Do you need to work out how to renew, rebuild and repair relationships with the people in your life who really matter?

Do you need to work out a way to forgive yourself, stop blaming yourself and resist the temptation of seeing yourself as a failure?

Do you need to work out a way to let someone know that you are sorry for what you said?

Do you need to promise yourself that you will do whatever it takes to hustle, to stay focused and to leave no stone unturned in making changes that need to be made to work out your life?

Do you need to work out in your mind and heart that you buy-in to the concept of we can work it out?

Life is very short, and there’s no time

For fussing and fighting, my friend.

~ John Lennon, Paul McCartney 

Job Loss Don'ts

Just in case you lost your job today, yesterday, or recently, here are some job search don'ts for you to consider:

~ Don't do something today that you will most certainly regret tomorrow.

~ Don't refuse to tell those you love (and like) the most that you no longer have a job.

~ Don't expect that the employer will realize 'they made a mistake' and will want to 'take you back.' In my 26 years in the business, I recall a mere three instances where a terminated employee was rehired.

~ Don't blame yourself for decisions made over which you had no control.

~ Don't think that there 'must be something wrong with me' or I would still be there.

~ Don't put yourself down, blame yourself, or view yourself as a 'failure' or a 'loser.' Change happens. It's constant in 2011.

~ Don't stay in bed until noon tomorrow and the next day and the day after that if you lost your job today. Stay in a routine. Your new job is to find a job and it will require and demand your full-time attention.

~ Don't shy away from gatherings of friends and family. Talking about 'the situation' will help you see that you are not alone and the support of others can make a difference, as long as the support is of the positive variety.

~ Don't badmouth your former employer, boss or co-workers who 'still have a job.'

~ Don't accept job interviews until you know you are ready to speak with confidence, clarity and calmness about yourself and your brand.

~ Don't think of yourself as unemployed. Right now and in the coming days and weeks, you will be the driver behind one of the most important and influential projects you've ever managed -- yourself! Move forward with grace, style, confidence and success! You can do this!

~ Don't give up on yourself and the search -- even on your worst day -- even when the cat or dog or roommate or partner or spouse or friend want nothing to do with you and your brand! Remember that old saying: this too shall pass!

~ Don't expect someone 'out there' to find you a J O B! You are in charge of finding the next opportunity. You are the captain of your ship. You are the driver of the cart! Stay focused and relentless in pursuit of new work opportunities.

~ Don't be reluctant (or afraid) to invite others to help you as you move forward in the transition process. If certain people are not interested in supporting you or helping you, or are too busy, let them tell you and show you that they are...don't make the decision for them.

~ Don't let rejection stand in the way of getting on down the road to your new tomorrow which is waiting for you to take action and do something productive today! Rejection is a word, not a way of life.

~ Don't be too hard on yourself. Life is tough. The market is tough. The competition is tough. Just keep telling yourself that you are made of 'mental toughness' and that you can and you will get through this period of career transition.

~ Don't try to 'go it alone' -- get help immediately from a competent professional with expertise in career transitions. Help is everywhere. You can also do a Google search such as this: Career Transition Services + Chicago, Illinois (your local area) if you wish to work with a pro in person. Talk to three providers and listen to their program offerings before pulling out the plastic or forking over the green stuff.

~ Don't be too hard on yourself. Every now and then, remind yourself that you are one of the best!

~ Don't forget to say 'thank you' to anyone and everyone who helps you along the way.

 

 

 

 

Are You a Job Seeker -- Just Looking?

Imagine that you are out and about shopping for a new outfit for your upcoming interview. Let’s say you walk into a store and this is what you experience:

Crowded aisles

Cluttered displays

Disorganized merchandise

Dirty, dusty floor

Dressing rooms filled to the brim with discarded try-ons

Lighting that is dim and dreary

Music that does absolutely nothing for you

And you have money in your pocket, ready to spend. Are you going to invest it in that store?

While only you can decide the answer to that question, consider how browsing any résumé is similar to shopping at any store.

There are hundreds of stores – there are millions of résumés.

When a Hiring Manager views your résumé as a guest, what will he or she experience?

Crowded margins (mini-margins)?

Cluttered arrangement of words?

Disorganized information?

Too much text?

Hard to follow messages?

Lack of achievements and results?

Lack of brand evidence to do the job?

Words slammed on a piece of paper without thought, direction or purpose?

Do yourself a big favor today. Before you hit send, stop by your résumé store for a while.

And remember, you have money in your pocket to spend. Based on what you experience and see on the résumé before you (Brand You), would you be compelled and convinced to invest in the merchandise?

posted by: billiesucher