ResumeBear Blog |
Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:29 AM PDT   |
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ResumeBear Blog |
Posted: 03 Jul 2011 10:41 AM PDT  “I can always tell when someone’s looking for a new job because they suddenly send me an invite to connect on LinkedIn, along with a whole bunch of our former coworkers.” I hear this sentiment all the time. It’s a little late to start reaching out for connections *after* receiving that pink slip, reaching that final straw at work or deciding to launch your new business. It takes time to build your network and it looks a little self-serving to only connect once you actually need something from your former colleagues. Instead of sending an invite to connect followed by an immediate “Do you know of any job openings?” or “Can you help introduce me to so-and-so?”, it’s much wiser (and polite, in my opinion) to connect with these folks up front and begin the networking process *before* you find yourself behind the proverbial eight ball. A strategic LinkedIn networker builds his/her network when times are good and is available to help his/her connections if those folks happen to have a need. After all, it’s much easier to ask for help when you’ve already done so for others. I’m not saying that there’s a need for quid pro quo necessarily, but if you’re the type that helps others, it will all come back to you. As I always say, “Pay it forward!” Bonus Tip: Join relevant (local, industry or profession-specific) LinkedIn groups and participate in the discussions periodically. You will establish yourself as an expert in your field and build a great network of your peers if you should ever find yourself in need down the road! Stacy Donovan Zapar San Diego, CA, United States Most Connected Woman on LinkedIn ~ Blogging about Social Media, Recruiting, Networking and Job Search Tips & Tricks… Pay It Forward  |
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[New Posts] Does a Bankruptcy Kill a Job Offer? |  |
Posted: 02 Jul 2011 10:00 PM PDT How negatively do employers view an applicant who has a bankruptcy on his or her credit report? What can I do to make employers look past this? To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.          |
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The Work Buzz's Latest News: 7 career lessons from Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” |
Posted: 01 Jul 2011 07:36 AM PDT Celebrities don't always make the best role models. For every Bono and Oprah Winfrey there is a real housewife of [choose your city] screaming at her supposed friend in a busy restaurant. Celebrities don't always make the best authors either. Just because someone can sing or act doesn't mean they're capable of writing a stellar autobiography either. It doesn't even mean they have an interesting story to tell. Fortunately that’s not the case with Tina Fey's half-autobiography/half-musings "Bossypants." In one chapter she explains how the fundamentals of improvisational comedy are great guidelines for everyday life. Later, when she recounts some of the hurdles she has faced as a woman in comedy and as the head writer on a historic TV show, her struggles sound remarkably like those of many non-famous workers. After I was done being upset that this fun, leisure reading had been interrupted by unintentional learning, I realized that Fey's lessons reached beyond the confines of improv. In case you don't get the chance to read "Bossypants" or you're currently too busy rereading the "Harry Potter" series in preparation of the final film, here are seven lessons every worker can learn from Tina Fey: 1. Agree and say yes Fey explains that the first rule of improv is to always agree with your scene partner. Whatever scenario your acting partner has set up is the one you have to follow because otherwise you end up with two people onstage bickering, and then nobody laughs. Being agreeable is, of course, not the easiest thing to do and not the appropriate reaction in every scenario. However, it is a good jumping off point. "[The] Rule of Agreement reminds you to 'respect what your partner has created' and to at least start from an open-minded place," Fey explains. "Start with a yes and see where that takes you." You're going to strongly dislike many people you work with or for. You're probably also going to think your ideas are always better than everyone else's. Even if you're right, give other people a chance before automatically dismissing them or their ideas. 2. Yes, and… In scene with your improv partner, you aren't just agreeing with them, you're also helping them move the story along. Therefore the best response to give is actually, "Yes, and…" The reason is that a simple "yes" is neither helpful nor entertaining. Journalists avoid simple yes or no questions if they want their interviews to be exciting and conversational. "To me, 'Yes, and' means don't be afraid to contribute," she writes. "It's your responsibility to contribute. Almost make sure you're adding something to the discussion." Good bosses don't just promote nice workers; they promote employees who are ready for the next level. Clocking in and clocking out every day and doing the bare minimum means you're doing your job, but no one is going to take notice. If you offer your own ideas and contribute to the conversation in some way, you help move the organization along and leave your mark. 3. Think of solutions, not questions In improv, you don't want to riddle your scene partner with questions. If your partner presents you with a scenario, then then say, "Yes, and…" followed by an assertion. In "Bossypants," Fey explains that asking question after question makes your scene partner has to think of all these responses alone. No one likes that much pressure. The adage "Don't bring me problems; bring me solutions" holds true here. You're in a situation at work and you know there's an issue that needs attention, don't run to the boss saying, "This project is going to fail and we're going to lose millions of dollars." Think about how you can fix the problem first and then bring up the problem. Telling your boss, "This project has some serious setbacks, but here's what we can do to fix it," is a much better way to do business (and keep your job). 4. Make statements Fey notes that woman, in particular, should speak assertively and not with self-doubt. Women in the workplace still face men ready to disregard their contribution, unfortunately, but her advice is good for anyone who is hesitant to speak up. "Speak in statements instead of apologetic questions," she writes. "Make statements, with your actions and your voice." As she explains, no one wants to hear their doctor say, "I'm going to be your surgeon? I'm here to talk to you about your procedure?" 5. There are no mistakes, only opportunities This lesson sounds like one of those atrocious affirmations people tell themselves every morning while looking in the mirror, but it has merit. If you're improvising and think you're acting out one thing but everyone perceives it differently, you can't stop and tell them they're wrong. Their perception is now the scene you're acting in and it's your responsibility to go with it. "In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents," Fey writes. In the workplace there are accidents. Horrible, terrible, someone-make-it-stop accidents. We've all been there. However, there is no Ctrl+Z button to undo these mistakes. Once a mistake happens, it happens, and whining about wanting a do-over doesn't change anything. It's now your responsibility to make whatever mess you're in work. 6. You're going to fail sometimes Fey says that Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels often told her, "The show doesn't go on because it's ready; it goes on because it's 11:30." His point was that the show is live and will be on the air at 11:30, whether or not you think everything is perfect. That's why sometimes some terrible sketches make it on the air. The writers and actors didn't have time to perfect each line. "You can't be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute. (And I'm from a generation where a lot of people died on waterslides, so this was an important lesson for me to learn)," writes Fey. "[What you write] will never be perfect, but perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring on live TV." If you're too afraid to make a mistake, you'll never get anything done, which means you'll never have any successes either. Sometimes the misfires happen and, although you're upset, your life isn't ruined. Make sure the successes outnumber the failures and you'll be fine. 7. Be smarter than your critics Fey points out the many critics who have declared that women aren't funny. Surprisingly, her attitude is that she doesn't care what they or any critics think. Unless the critic is your boss, their negativity isn't worth your time. If they are your boss, obviously you need to deal with their criticisms of you, whether that means discussing it with them or with someone who can help. But if they're not, think twice before focusing on their negativity. "So my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism or ageism or lookism … ask yourself the following question: 'Is this person in between me and what I want to do?' If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you're in charge, don't hire the people who were jerky to you." Ultimately that's good advice for all workers: Know the difference between someone who can hold you back and someone who is just distracting you from reaching your goals. So, do you think the career lessons of a comedian are applicable to your career? Or would these lessons not work for you? Let us know.  |
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Job Broker's Blog |
Posted: 01 Jul 2011 09:11 AM PDT Job Brokers officially announced last Friday the hiring of Brian Pinks as their VP of Recruiting. Brian Pinks joins the Job Brokers team solidifying their Executive Team. The executive team consist of Ryan Nouis, Max Hansen, and Heather Jimenez. Heather who was Job Brokers Business Development Manager has been promoted to VP of Business Development. The Job Brokers executive team feels confident this [...] |
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Long Interview Process? Assume You Didn’t Get the Job | |
Posted: 01 Jul 2011 10:00 PM PDT You've spent four months in the interview process with one company? If so, assume you will not get the job and focus on other opportunities. To get this useful advice and many other helpful career resources, visit us now at CAREEREALISM.com.     |
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The Work Buzz's Latest News: Not getting that promotion? Try ironing your shirt |
Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:50 AM PDT  You've worked your butt off the last few months trying to show your boss that you're ready for a promotion, to no avail. You've gotten compliments from customers and you've surpassed your sales goals, but the promotion just isn't happening. You're starting to think your boss must just hate the way you dress, or that she's just got something against tattoos. And you know what? You might be right. According to a new CareerBuilder survey on promotions, certain personal attributes — namely those that might detract from your professional image — can prevent you from ascending the corporate ladder as swiftly as you may like. "While strong job performance and leadership skills will weigh heavily on prospects for upward mobility, employers will also look at whether the employee conveys an overall professional image both internally and externally," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. So next time you're running late in the morning and thinking no one will notice if you skip the iron, think again. Wrinkled clothes were one of the 11 qualities that employers said might deter them from extending a promotion to an employee. The other 10 include:
The good news is, though, that none of the qualities mentioned above are permanent or too hard to change. All can be covered up, toned down or otherwise ironed out. So, if you're hoping for a promotion in the near future, it may be worth giving your office a quick cleaning or taking out your piercing before heading into work. "When it comes to career advancement, you want to stack the deck in your favor," Haefner says. Want to make sure your work persona is professional? Check out these articles, below. Your work wardrobe 101 Professional, not provocative, equals productive, employers say Spring cleaning? Don’t forget your desk  |
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