Billie Sucher Blog

Takeoff to Touchdown: Your Job Search

Taxiing out of Reagan National last night, the flight attendant announced that it would be two hours and 15 minutes from takeoff to touchdown.

Takeoff to touchdown.

A few minutes later, the captain announced that it would be a smooth ride.

A smooth ride.

Wouldn’t it be spectacular if someone would assure you that your job hunt was going to be a smooth ride from takeoff to touchdown?

In the event you are just now boarding the job search flight this first Monday of November, 2011, here are a few tips to support your safe travel en route to your final destination.

Job Search Boarding Pass Checklist:

Financial – Scrutinize and review your current financial condition. Where can you trim, cut and reduce expenses during this period of career transition?

Emotional – Evaluate and examine your mental toughness. What strategies have worked well for you in the past when confronted with some of life’s toughest challenges? What can you do now to keep yourself motivated and inspired to effectively compete for a job in today’s saturated market place?

Physical – Analyze your present fitness plan. If you have a physical fitness program in place, you are already in motion. If not, what can you do starting today to enhance your commitment to your health and physical wellness?

Spiritual – Critique your spiritual well-being and reassess what works best for you, whether it’s taking a walk and communing with nature, conversing with a member of the clergy or some other activity that holds meaning for you.

Occupational – Assess and audit your brand, from top to toe. Reflect upon where you have been and give yourself a chance to recover, rethink and rebuild. Or, what about a rebrand?  Then, thoughtfully and carefully consider where you hope to go prior to walking across that jet bridge.

Wheels up. 

"You have such a chance! Oh, how I wish I were you!!!" ~ Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr. ~ Yale University Class Day, May 1994

 

 

The Unemployment Line

One of the things I love about being a career management professional is all that I learn from clients. And beyond the learning, it is also the comments shared that linger long after a client has left my office.  

The other day, someone said to me…the unemployment line sure is a long one.  While the comment was made a few days ago, I have not stopped thinking about it. And clearly, it must be bothering me, or I wouldn’t still be pondering it with this post. Casual remarks. Unanswered questions. Nagging away at my incessant thinking about how to best help job seekers in this current job climate. So how long is the unemployment line, anyway?  I wondered how long the unemployment line would be if each and every unemployed person in America stood up, side-by-side one another?

Yesterday, I got tired of wondering. I pulled out my trusty ruler and decided I would do some basic math. I say basic, because I am clearly no Archimedes at mathematical endeavors.  Twenty-four (24) inches I measured for my experiment -- that is the amount of space I allocated for each unemployed person in America – two feet.

I then commenced my calculations, using 14 million as the number of unemployed people in America. Though unsure of the precise number as of this writing, for the sake of my experiment, that is the number I used.

Checking multiple sites for the driving distance between LAX and JFK, I settled upon 2,785 miles. Based upon my calculations, the number I came up with is:

5,303 miles

Five thousand three-hundred and three miles of people who are unemployed, in transition, and out-of-work in this country, the United States of America.  

If this number is anywhere close to being accurate, that means that the unemployment line could start at LAX and go to JFK and then return nearly all of the way back across America, almost all of the way back to LAX short of a few hundred miles.

The unemployment line.

Sure is a long one.

May I Have Some More Job Security, Please?

In conversation with a person who had lost her job within the last couple of days, the individual remarked that she would be looking for a new job with more security. Her words stopped me cold in conversation. I had not heard the word ‘security’ tied to jobs for months now.

Our chat quickly turned to the new workplace – how the workplace of today is in a constant state of flux -- you know, like the tide – in one minute, out the next. I am not sure if my analogy made any sense to this new job seeker or not…for sure, I do not think it was what she thought she would hear. A few thoughts for you to consider regarding the word security as it relates to j-o-b-s.

Skills that are sharp, solid, portable, transferable and mobile 24/7 in a volatile, intensely competitive and global job market.

Embrace what’s coming at you head on with a willingness to do what you need to do to make your life work today.

Change happens non-stop. Are you prepared to manage it and if so, what are your specific coping strategies – naming them clearly and concisely may help alleviate some of the wonder and/or worry. 

Understanding what was and how it is behind you and considering what can be and how it is before you – yours to seek, find, make and create.  

Realizing that job security comes from within, not from some external source looming ‘out there’. Are you doing everything within your power to stay current, relevant and ready to meet today’s turbulent workplace needs and demands?

Ingenuity which leads to ideas and possibilities, innovations, insights and interesting new tomorrows that can generate income to provide for you and your family.

Talent -- yours to build, yours to keep and yours to share whether you are in a job or out a job. What talents do you possess and what industries and organizations are waiting for you to target, tap or invent?

Yesterday is done. You can’t get it back. You can’t go back. You can only decide about this moment, this day, this hour and what you will do with it. How will you commence the process of defining (and/or redefining) what security looks like for you now, today – August 25, 2011?

 

 

Would You Buy A Lemon of A Car?

You can tell a child is growing up when he stops asking where he came from and starts refusing to tell where he is going.  ~ Author Unknown

When our children were little and growing up, I drove a verrrrry loooooooooooooooooong station wagon (SW)  that I did not like – evah! Not that I wasn’t grateful, I just didn’t like the brand, the car, the shape, the style, the anything about it, but I drove it for many years anyway. During a visit to The Windy City, not far from Wrigley Field, I spied a car that I thought was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen. I scribbled the car’s name on a piece of paper, later to look it up on the Internet. While I chose not to invest in a new one, I started saving money for a competitively-priced used vehicle of this particular variety.

During this time, I also befriended a local auto dealership representative that marketed and sold the specific product line that I aspired to own. As you enter the dealership, visitors go one way for new cars and another for pre-owned. I was advised not to say used, so now I say pre-owned. Also, I was advised not to say used car salesman --  I am to say car sales professional or car sales specialist. So, I met a car sales person whose name was the same as a former USA president’s – which was good because it was always easy to remember him.

When I met the car sales pro with the former President’s name, I gave him a list of the specifications that I wanted in my new used pre-owned car. I asked that he please not contact me with any other makes, models, equipment, etc. as I knew what I wanted and when he found it, I would buy it. We had already established a price range I was willing to invest in said product.  14 months later, I got a phone call from the pre-owned car pro – they had a match! Woo hoo! Peace out and bye-bye SW!

If you know what you want in a car, you probably have acquired some pretty good instincts and ideas about what you want in a job. Would you buy any car? Would you buy any job? Would you intentionally, purposefully and knowingly buy a lemon of a car? I hope not. Would you buy a lemon of a job? While I would hope that you wouldn’t, I have heard countless stories from clients who do. “I knew the job was all wrong, but I took it anyway because I needed a j-o-b.” (I am not talking about stop-gap or bridge jobs here).

Homework Exercise:

Make a list of the specifics that you would like, desire and prefer in your work. What would you be doing? Who would you be reporting to? Who would you be working with? What activities, tasks and roles would you be performing? What elements would be your favorite? Who would be your ideal customer? How much money would you be generating for your time and talent? Where would the job be located geographically? What type of environment do you wish to maneuver through? What type of work space brings out the best in you and which one brings out the worst in you? How long of a commute, if any, are you willing to make? What would you be contributing? What goals would you be achieving? What skills would you be using? What passions would you tap into and apply? What sacrifices would you be willing to make? And on and on and on – what kind of job do you wish to invest in at this time in your life?

When buying a used car, punch the buttons on the radio.  If all the stations are rock and roll, there's a good chance the transmission is shot.  ~ Larry Lujack 

How to Write A Cover Letter

If you like books, mark your calendar to go to The Newberry Library Book Fair in Chicago next year. It was spectacular! Last Saturday, I spent a fair amount of time browsing through books, books and more books and found myself dwelling in the poetry, psychology and law sections. In an old box, I stumbled upon a gift-pack on ‘How to Write a Love Letter.”  

I was immediately drawn to the item and thought to myself … these ‘directions’ sound similar to how you write a cover letter. So, here goes, directions from my newly-acquired gift-pack on how to write a love letter…modify these directions to write your cover letter:

1. Place a picture of the one you love (the job you would love) in front of you.
2. Using separate sheet of paper, create two lists: 1) His/her (your) unique qualities and 2) your hopes for a future together.
3. Begin your letter with a personalized salutation, such as “To my darling” ________________, “Dearest _________” or “My beloved ________” (“Dear Ms. ________” “Dear Mr. _________”  “Attention: Hiring Manager”)
4. Start the body of the letter by describing his/her (their) qualities that you find irresistible, unique, or romantic. The descriptions can be direct and simple, or they can be passionate and elaborate (professional), depending upon your personal style (brand).
5. In the next paragraph, convey your hopes, dreams, and / or passion for your future together.
6. End the letter with a personalized closing such as “I will love you always” “Loving you forever” or “My heart is yours” (“Warm regards” “Best regards” “Sincerely”)
7. Don’t forget to sign your letter! Signing with a pet nickname, if you have one, further deepens the sentiment. (Sign your name exactly as it appears at the top of your cover letter / professional resume.)
8. Spray the letter with a light fragrance. (DO NOT spray your cover letter with anything and avoid spilling coffee, soda, etc. on it, too!)
9. Address, seal and stamp the letter.
10. Drop it in the mail, and look forward to the response.

As you can see from the above, the ‘directions’ on how to write a cover letter appear in bold font and should you, by chance, need to write a love letter – for any reason or no reason – well, there you have it, Steps 1 – 10, straight from the gift-pack at The Newberry Book Fair 2011.

 

First Impressions and Your Job Hunt

I stared at the wedding reception invitation wondering what on earth I would find to wear to the event which is going to be held at a lovely country club. My clothes fall into two basic categories:  work clothes or go-to-the-garden clothes. I don’t really have fancy dresses or ‘cute’ as my friend says or ‘hot’ as another offers as it relates to clothing descriptors.  Cute – a cat is cute. A puppy is cute, but an outfit? Really? And hot is exactly what my office has been this week – the kind of hot where sweat blocks my thinking or drips down the side of my client’s face. I mean, that is hot! Cute or hot -- whatever -- off to the store!

I begged (bribed) my youngest daughter to go shopping with me for ideas and inspiration. I did so because I spend more time contemplating what book to buy or what flower to add to my garden than I do on clothes shopping. Plus, I needed her feedback and input which was swift and succinct: 

That’s disgusting.

Don’t ever wear that!

Seriously, NO!

That really sucks.

You look like a ________(fill-in-the-blank)  

Grrrrrrrreeeat! My esteem was soaring, along with the 115-degree heat index permeating the dressing room. Hot indeed!

I hope you will have as much fun selecting your job interview attire as I did searching for a dress. A few “Ps” to consider as it relates to appropriate interview attire and your visual presentation:

Professional – Keep your attire professional regardless of the type of position for which you are interviewing. If the Hiring Manager thinks you’re dressed for the club instead of the conference room, you will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Project a business-like appearance.

Perfumes/Fragrances/Colognes – If the employer can ‘smell you before they see you’, you may give them a headache – seriously!  Be remembered for your sense, not your scents!

Pressed / Polished – A few years ago, a colleague and I were retained to screen / interview three top-level candidates for a VP Sales vacancy. One of the candidates we both really liked kept telling us he was ‘a fanatic about details’. When he stood up to remove his suit jacket, his designer shirt was ironed only on the front – the balance of the shirt was full of wrinkles. His shoes were scuffed and dull. Right – details.

Practice – Whatever attire you select for the big day, wear it in advance. Execute a dress rehearsal. Do a trial run. The most beautiful new pumps in the world will do you in if you have to walk nine blocks off the El stop to your interview in downtown Chicago (or wherever).

Presentation – Carefully evaluate yourself from top-to-toe. As the saying goes:

"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Trenches With the Unemployed, Anyone, Anyone?

In the 1986 hit movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, there is a line that the economics teacher keeps repeating as he is trying to teach his class. The teacher keeps quizzing his students with the tired refrain of ‘anyone, anyone’ to which no one replies. Fast forward to early June 2011 in my office when a client said these words to me:

Is anyone listening to the plight of we the people with no jobs…anyone, anyone?

Though I still don’t know exactly what I want to say, I have wanted to write this post for a while. Usually, I write an educational, motivational or inspirational blog post in minutes – this one (I’m not sure what kind of –al I can affix to it) has been percolating for several days, even weeks. So, I decided to let it flow and however the words roll out, that’s how the post will go. I hope that even one little shred of what I write might strike a chord with anyone, anyone?

As a career management professional, I would love to be so confident arrogant glib as to suggest that I know what to tell you, the person who hasn’t had a job in nine months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, or 36 months and beyond, precisely what to do to find one. Actually, I have no clue. I have no clue because I really, really don’t know and quite frankly, I would love to meet the person who claims to know the answers and the solution to this unemployment fix we’re in. Anyone, anyone?

In my 25+ years in the career management industry, I have taken great pains to develop an expansive base of knowledge about the subject of job search. And I have consistently continued to expand that knowledge given my passion for excellence in educating and training job seekers to become efficient and expeditious in landing that next job.  I have studied well…I am a ‘life-long’ learner; I have focused deeply. I have listened intently, I have cared much and served well and I continue to do all of the above…learn, listen, care, focus, and serve. I know more tips, tricks and tactics about job search than you can shake a stick at, so my friends say.

I have written books to help job seekers find jobs. I have blogged and tweeted ad naseum about the subject of careers and job search. I have counseled many, many unemployed people from all walks of life and at all levels of the corporate ladder. That said, sometimes I feel like the words I am saying -- the last few months in particular --  sound shallow, hollow, and empty when it comes to the many unemployed workers.

Do you know what to say to the unemployed, super-talented, well-educated workers with stellar track records of achievement, accomplishment and contribution who haven’t had an interview in over a year, anyone, anyone? Do you know what to say to the unemployed entry-level clerk or the unemployed middle-aged, mid-level manager about what to do to find a job when they have already done all of the ‘right’ things they are ‘supposed to do’ to find a job, anyone, anyone?” Hang in there sounds hollow. Keep your chin up sounds lame. You’ll be fine doesn’t begin to sound credible. Don’t cry over spilled milk doesn’t cut it.

Is anyone listening to the guy who is losing his house because both he and his wife lost their decent-paying jobs, anyone, anyone? Is anyone listening to the single Mom who has 50 grand in college debt, three kids, and no job because it was merged, anyone, anyone? Is anyone listening to the first-generation college grad who went to school thanks to his parent’s second-mortgaged home, and now the home is in foreclosure and the kid with the degree can’t find a j-o-b, anyone, anyone? Is anyone listening to the unemployed people who now find themselves taking multiple medications (which they can’t afford) to cope with the depression and anxiety of being jobless for an extended period of time, anyone, anyone? What words would you choose to console the out-of-work client who claims they’re worth more dead than alive, anyone, anyone?

What might you say to the unemployed person in America today, anyone, anyone?

 

Hogscald Hollow and Would You Go Jump Off A Cliff?

See the guy in this picture? His first name is Mitch. Never met him before and don’t know his last name. As this stranger was passing by our family safely standing at the top of this cliff, I said, “Are you really going to do this – jump off this cliff.”  And he said with great confidence, “Yes, just waiting for my two spotters.”  Within minutes, his two spotters appeared. Mitch was as calm and cool as could be and offered “I need to keep my arms straight up when I jump.”

Mitch’s two spotters and our family watched as he jumped off this cliff over the 4^th of July weekend at a place called Hogscald Hollow in Arkansas.

Would you be like Mitch and jump? As you think about you, your life, your career and who you are, would you go jump off this cliff?

Mitch jumped... and here’s the photo to prove it.

“Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.” ~ Ray Bradbury

Photo courtesy Sarah Sucher

 

 

 

 

Texas Bluebonnets and a Brand You Story

Perhaps you have seen Texas bluebonnets before – for real, not in a picture, a postcard or a Google image.  I am talking about the breathtaking sort of Texas bluebonnets where you can actually touch them and inhale their fragrance up close and personal! For years, I have thought (dreamed) about how amazing it would be to see first-hand somewhere on Texas soil a bunch of bluebonnets!

This year in April, it happened, not far from Ennis, Texas which is not too far from Dallas. And for sure, the Texas bluebonnet experience was spectacular, just as I had imagined it would be! If you have ever stood in a field of Texas bluebonnets, you know how splendid it is. If you haven’t, I would highly encourage you to put it on your "Things to Do” list. I was awestruck.

As I was taking it all in, I spied an orange-colored flower amidst all of the beautiful bluebonnets. I didn’t know what it was until a Texan told me it is called Indian Paintbrush.   Something different in a sea of bluebonnets. Something that made me think of personal brands and job seekers and standing out and being a distinct, one-of-a-kind original in a sea of sameness.

As you look for a new job, are you standing out? Are you offering a distinct and unique brand that meets the criteria the employer desires? Do you know how your strengths add value to an organization’s needs and bottom line? Are you cognizant of your competitive advantage? Are you describing yourself with interesting, relevant language or are you regurgitating worn out words and tired phrases?

I hope you are like the Indian Paintbrush standing out in a field of Texas bluebonnets. I hope you are easily noticed. I hope you know why the hiring manager ‘should’ pick you! I hope you ‘get’ the extreme amount of focus that it takes to distinguish yourself in a field full of outstanding, talented candidates.

posted/photos by billiesucher

Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach

Though not on my bucket list, I liked loved going to Luckenbach, Texas! I had no idea what to expect, so I kept an open mind, grabbed my camera and headed out to this Texas hill country dot on the map.

My only frame of reference regarding Luckenbach was a song I recalled about Waylon, Willie and the boys. Upon arrival, my first encounter was with two roosters (shown here), a Texas longhorn and a host of Harleys. That said, I felt comfortable and found my way to fit in with a multi-generational (did I say Boomers?) crowd, especially when I saw this t-shirt: Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach.

Fitting In!

Fitting in! It's a big deal, especially when you are looking for a j-o-b. As you explore potential career possibilities, do your best to find a good fit. Employers evaluate any number of variables regarding an applicant's candidacy and a significant one is this: Is this person a good fit? Ask yourself the same question: Do I feel like I belong here? Is there a good fit for me here?

In the general store (gift shop?) as I paid for my purchases in the Nut Department (please see image), the cashier told me she was the chief psychiatrist for said area which leads me to my next point:

Have Some Fun!

Whether you are looking for a job, have a job, or want to change jobs, try to have some fun carrying out your day-to-day activities. What one thing might you do to have some fun for free as you experience the job search process? Laughter is free; a sense of humor is free; a smile is free. Use these free gifts to your competitive advantage as you explore new career opportunities.

And last, and not least -- just like the t-shirt suggests:

Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach! 

And to this thought I would add, everybody is somebody right where you are, whether you are in Luckenbach, Los Angeles, London or Lima!

...so baby, let's sell your diamond ring

Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away

This coat and tie is choking me

in your high society you cry all day

We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones

Four car garage and we're still building on

Maybe it's time we got back to the basics...

~ a few lyrics from the song, Luckenbach, Texas, co-written by rock and soul producer Chips Moman and keyboardist Bobby Emmons.