Billie Sucher Blog

On Breathing and Tomorrow

Just yesterday I thought about breathing
And matters of air and such.
In unprecedented times of change and challenge
And the economy pained so much.

Don’t you hear the silent screams
That fall short of ever a sound?
Can you hear the child’s heart racing
As her parents go ‘round and ‘round?

Everywhere you turn,
And every corner that you take
Signs of woe and trouble
Oh, where is the good to make?

So what then do we do
to create more new jobs today?
Questions and more questions
Will I ever find my way?

Who can lend some help?
And where can you find a job?
When you are but one of the millions
Amongst the evolving corporate blob?

“They” say things always get better
And that I do believe
How long though, and how much
Until we see a tiny reprieve?

Just a flicker of hope
A glimmer, a glance, a peek
A spark to get things moving
to get on with what we seek.

I am waiting. I am worried.

I am hopeful and I am strong.
I am confident and I am curious.
As my job search moves along.

Back to air and breathing,
I will touch my heart and say,
Keep on, keep on, keep on,
For Tomorrow is on its way. ♦

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.

 

Others

During a blogging and job search presentation I delivered a few weeks ago, one of the participant questions had to do with “what to say when you write a blog or make a tweet." A tip one of my English teachers taught me years ago was to think of one word of interest and then, write one thought about it. Turn that one thought into one line and then, a few more lines. Turn the few more lines into a paragraph. And a paragraph to a page. And a page into an article or story or book, depending upon your goal. So, the word my client and I were discussing yesterday afternoon was this one:  others.  After she left my office, I gave further thought to the word and posted below is what I came up with. As a job seeker, what additional thoughts might you add to this post about the word others?

Listening to others.

Asking others.

Paying attention to others.

Helping others.

Encouraging others.

Convincing others.

Motivating others.

Included by others.

Inspiring others.

Inviting others.

Interested in others.

Influencing others.

Excluded by others.

Opening the eyes of others.

Engaging others.

Opening the hearts of others.

Learning from others.

Respecting others.

Building up others.

Persuading others.

Serving others.

Sharing with others.

Training others.

Trusting others.

Accepting others.

Accepted by others.

Rejected by others.

Commending others.

Connecting with others.

Disappointing others.

Advocating for others.

Figuring out others.

Getting frustrated with others.

Avoiding others.

Complaining to others.

Finding fault with others.

Looking for the best in others.

Praising others.

Greeting others.

Reconnecting with others.

Supporting others.

Talking to others.

Reaching out to others.

Recognizing others.

Caring about others.

Being nice to others.

Showing thoughtfulness to others.

Valuing all others.

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming

This is not a test. For each of the movie lines below, can you name the movie associated with each quote? Who knows, maybe one day in a job interview you will be asked to cite your favorite movie line of all time. (Answers at end of post.)

A. “Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” 

B. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

C. “You’re either in or you’re out, right now.”

D. “My Mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get.'" 

E. “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta’ do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

The other day, someone mentioned “Keep swimming, keep swimming” and it has stayed with me since. I like that line. I especially like it for job seekers and job search…and life in general.

When things don’t go your way, just keep swimming.

When the phone doesn’t ring, just keep swimming.

When the eighth rejection letter arrives, just keep swimming.

When the voice message announces that you are the #2 candidate, just keep swimming.

When your resume is ripped on for the fourth time, just keep swimming.

When no one returns your phone calls or emails, just keep swimming.

When the bank says you can’t get the loan to start your small business, just keep swimming.

When your immediate supervisor says we need to talk, just keep swimming.

When your appointment cancels on you 20 minutes before the scheduled meeting time, just keep swimming.

When you are advised that your position has been eliminated and that a box and a security guard are waiting by your desk, just keep swimming.

When you go to an interview and a representative informs you that the position has been put on hold for now, just keep swimming.

When you have submitted numerous applications and heard back from no one, just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Answers to this is not a test.

A. from What A Girl Wants movie.

B. from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off movie.

C. from Ocean’s 11 movie.

D. from Forrest Gump movie.

E. from Finding Nemo movie.

Recipes and Remedies

For the last several days, I have been battling the winter crud, cold and laryngitis. My friends, family members and even clients have offered remedies, cures and solutions as to how to get rid of this stuff. The get-well quick fixes cover a host of recommendations, including: 

Load up on Vitamin C.

Drink black tea; sip green tea.

Live on ColdEeze.

Take Tylenol Cold medicine.

Gargle with salt water four or five  times per day.

Try my grandmother’s homemade hot toddy.

Go to the emergency room and tell them you are very sick.

Rest and drink lots of orange juice.  Avoid coffee and teas. 

Get some of those zinc things.

Call the doctor back and tell him you are getting worse, not better.

Grease with Mentholatum; grease with Vicks Vapor rub.

Go to the pharmacy and ask for that purple (or maybe it’s blue?) over-the-counter-as seen on tv stuff you are supposed to take before you go to sleep.

To date, I have tried several of the above-recommended fixes, homemade remedies, and yep, I feel just about as crappy now as when the crud all started right before the New Year. While my voice is all crackly and I can’t really talk other than a whisper, my mind has been mulling over all of the ideas I have been given as a cure for the cold. I appreciate them – all of them. 

And it somehow reminds me of the many  ideas I heard years ago when I announced I was going to resign my job. Quit. Step away. Stop doing what I was doing. While I was not giving up on work by any stretch of the imagination. I just wasn’t going to do that line of work and that job anymore. And it wasn’t about my bosses, my colleagues, the national / international distributors I worked with – they were all truly wonderful people -- it was simply coming to a fork in the road and as Yogi would offer…taking it. 

And the unsolicited, well-intentioned advice I got before, during and after  r e s i g n i n g  from that great job was a boat load:             

Who will hire you now?            

Nobody in their right mind quits a good job like that.    

Are you nuts?            

Go to graduate school? Are you serious…you have a kid, and a husband,  and….well, a dog.            

This will look bad on your record.            

I just don’t understand you.            

You have it made…why would you do this?            

Are you feeling okay?           

People don’t quit good jobs.             

Are you sure you want to do this?             

That’s a bad idea; wouldn’t do that if I were you.             

I’ll be surprised if you ever find another opportunity like that.            

Something must be bothering you; what’s really going on? 

I am not sure when I will get my voice back and I am not sure when I will be 100% done with this crud. I will have to wait, though, until it runs its course. That, I know.  And I also know this. 

You can start over.

I did.

And so can you.

Whether you lost your job or your job lost you. 

Whether you quit your job or someone quit it for you. 

Trust in yourself. 

Believe in yourself.

Even when you doubt yourself and your decision(s).

It isn’t easy to change and start over.

It takes courage.

And tenacity.

And commitment.

To look forward to what’s ahead of you, and not dwell on what’s behind you.

And to listen to your heart, while consulting your head, and trusting your gut.

And to let negative incoming go in one ear and out the other if it serves no worthy purpose.

When someone tells you something weird or strange or ridiculous, most times they are just trying to help. So, say thank you.

In the interim, don’t give up on discovering your own recipes and remedies.

And solutions.

And fixes.

Be it for a bad cold – or a good career. 

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!

Happy Holidays From the Heartland

Memories are those moments

Tucked away in your heart.

Somehow they stay with you,

They’re an important part.

 

Of who you once were,

Of what you are now,

Of who you hope to become

Even though you wonder how.

 

Time passes so quickly

The clock’s ticking away

And you say to yourself

Oh, it’s just another day.

 

Well, this day is upon you,

It’s yours for the taking

So prize it immensely

In the plans you are making.

 

We can’t predict the future,

Nor dwell on the past

We can only treasure this moment

And love it while it lasts.

 

And if someone’s touched your life

Or made a difference to you.

Now’s a good time to tell them

If that’s possible to do.

 

Remember, our moments are the magic

And in our dreams dwell the hope

Offering a chance to start anew

As we imagine and we cope.

 

So, celebrate each new day

And find more good than bad

Treat each day as the last

And not the first to be had.

 

Wishing you abundance and joy

Prosperity and peace be with you.

And may life’s richest rewards

Be ever-present with you, too.                          

Copyright 1995, 2011 Billie Sucher

Stay Hungry, My Friend, Stay Hungry

In the late 80’s, I was lucky enough to meet a management consultant who turned out to be one of my most influential mentors and teachers and now today, a very treasured friend. Prior to starting his consulting business, he taught at a major public university and later traveled the country working in the public sector.  As we got to know each other, and later work on some projects together, he had a particular line he’d always tell me. Not sure if he would recall the impact it made on me, but it did. He told me:

Stay Hungry, My Friend – Stay Hungry.

I never did ask him what he meant, for sure, but I have never forgotten his words. And the reason I never asked him to explain to me what he meant was because he would have no doubt told me to "figure out your own definition.” And more recently, while listening to Steve Jobs’ 2005 Commencement address at Stanford University, I picked up on the following words:  

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

As a job seeker, are you hungry?

Hungry to amass as much knowledge as possible?

Hungry to start over?

Hungry to overcome the many obstacles, roadblocks and hurdles you may encounter?

Hungry to build relationships?

Hungry to help someone succeed?

Hungry to give to others?

Hungry to be better tomorrow than you are today?

Hungry to school yourself regarding 2011/2012 best practices for job search?

Hungry to seek new ideas and possibilities for employment?

Hungry to share with someone why you are unemployed, in transition or between jobs?

Hungry to stop saying what you can’t or won’t do and start thinking about what you can do and will do?

Hungry for the future?

Hungry to stretch yourself in ways you have never imagined?

Hungry to increase your computer skills?

Hungry for a positive attitude and an energetic spirit others find contagious?

Hungry to track down new job leads even though the last 50 have led to nowhere.

Hungry to embrace social media?

Hungry to step out of your comfort zone?

Hungry to put your pride aside and ask for career help?

Hungry to get out of the box you find yourself in?

Hungry to write the first line (or any line) of the book or blog that’s buried within you?

Hungry to investigate personal branding and how it could be of benefit to you?

Hungry to take a stop-gap job to support your household until the right one comes along?

Hungry to volunteer in your local community?

Hungry to go back to college and complete the six-hour shortage?

Hungry to share your knowledge, skills, abilities and value at a job interview?

Hungry to take the plunge and build a business in 2012?

Hungry to do something thoughtful, kind and nice for someone without them ever knowing that it was courtesy of you?

Stay hungry, my friend, stay hungry.

To Blog Or Not To Blog?

Have you ever thought about starting a blog? As a job seeker, has anyone suggested you might get one going? Have you seriously considered the possibility of blogging and then upon reflection, decided.... naah, not going to do that? I love to listen to job seekers and their rationale for doing something -- or not doing something. Listed below are some reasons job seekers have told me they are not going to blog. Feel free to add to the list.

1. What would I say? I don't know what to say.

2. Who would read it?

3. I can't write; I am not a very good writer; I hate writing; my teacher told me I was not a good writer.

4. I am not an idea person; where do you get ideas for a blog, anyway?

5. I might get fired if my boss (supervisor) found out I had a blog.

6. What if I would embarrass myself?

7. I don't have enough confidence to write a blog.

8. I just go blank if someone wants me to write something.

9. What if people don't like what I write? What if someone disagrees with my thoughts?

10. What if someone left a nasty comment?

11. I don't have the time for such things.

As 2011 draws to a close and we move into a New Year, how about it? What's the best thing that could happen to you if you started your own blog? What's the worst thing that could happen to you if you started your own blog? What if, what if, what if?