Too Many Goals? How to Get Started!

Carolyn, a woman who attended one of our seminars, had a problem — she had so many goals she didn’t know where to start.  She felt good that she had lots of interests, but also felt like a bit of a slacker because she couldn’t get started.  Carolyn didn’t know it, but her problem was not unique. Prior to working with us, many of our coaching clients had difficulty prioritizing multiple goals. We developed a strategy to address competing priorities in our book, GOAL!  and helped Carolyn think through hers. 

On her list of goals, none of them were time sensitive and none of them were dependent on accomplishing other goals.  However, there was a subset of her goals that were mutually exclusive, so she did have to make a decision among those.  The other goals were not mutually exclusive and theoretically, she could have picked any one out of a hat and just started.  She hadn’t started on anything so far because she was unsure on how to proceed.

Carolyn’s goals were: Starting a business (mutually exclusive options), finishing her degree, writing a book and volunteering her time. 

Here’s how we helped Carolyn get going:

For Goals That Are Not Dependent on Other Goals  If there’s no sequence to your goals (i.e., none depend on the completion of other goals) then look at other factors. For example, is one an event driven goal?  Those goals are tied to some specific future date, like losing weight to attend a college reunion or planning for retirement.  If that’s the case then the date is going to drive when you should start these. If it’s not an event driven goal then you need to determine which goal is more advantageous versus the other. 

Figure Out Which Goal Has the Advantage – If there are goals that have a common objective, (“I’ve identified two businesses which I can start that will both net me $100k”), figure out which one of those has an advantage over the other.  Which one will require less time and energy? Which is less risky? Which one requires less capital? Or, which one will give you more joy? Figuring out the advantages will help you decide which one to go after.

If Both Goals Are Equal? If they are both equal in every aspect and you can’t figure out which one you should do, just arbitrarily pick one and start on that one. If they’re not mutually exclusive, when you reach one goal then start on the other. It’s important to take action because people will often end up doing nothing because they can’t decide between two good goals.

A Grid for Multiple Goals -  Again, if all your goals seem equal and you can’t figure out which one to start first, you may want to make a grid.  We can hear you analytical types saying “yes!”. Vertically down the page list the various goals you have in mind. These could be things like finishing up your college degree, writing a book and volunteering your time.  Across the top of the page, list horizontally the key factors in your decision process, like: time, financial investment, enjoyment doing, satisfaction on completion, ability to involve your spouse, etc. You choose the criteria.  Now you have created a grid. Give each of these a value from 1-10, 10 being the highest value to you (the shorter the time the higher the value, the lower the cost the higher the value). When you have filled in all the spaces on the grid, add the totals across for each goal and see which goal has the highest total.  This will lead you towards the top goal(s). This puts you in a better position to choose which goal to tackle first.

What If You Can’t Identify a Goal? We always tell people to start with what they like doing. Sometimes people will say they’re not sure.  If this is the case, start with what interests you and see if that leads you to something you like. For example, if you’re trying to select a career goal, start out with what you like doing or at least are interested in and figure out what careers would satisfy that. If you can’t figure it out on your own, hire a career coach and he or she can help you identify the careers that will leverage your strengths and be most fulfilling.  If your goal is to find a fun hobby then again, start with what you’re interest in. A lot of people are interested in photography. Take a course or spend time photographing things and see where that leads.  Someone we know had an interest in photography and noticed that all of her pictures tended to be of plants.  That led to a garden hobby.
Goals can be incredibly fulfilling and amazingly frustrating if you don’t know where to begin.  Lots of goals require lots of time, so get started now.  The sooner you start the more fulfilling your life will be.  Carolyn started business “A” and is volunteering her time on the weekends.  She’s never been busier and never been happier, “Once I got started, everything fell into place.”

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
GOAL!  Your 30 Day Career Plan for Business & Career Success

Social Media to Get a Job?

It’s no secret you need to get creative if you want to find a job in this market. You’ve probably done the standards: the networking thing, informational interviews and job sites. But what more can you do to stand out?

Lots of people are using social media to get jobs. They are Twittering and YouTubing their way to employment. But how exactly are they doing that?

 

 

Here are some of the ways they’re using social media to land great jobs:
1. Twitter www.twitter.com - Twitter is a great way to quickly connect with people to tell them what you’re doing and find out what they’re doing. If you’d like to get a job at Apple, Twitter that! For example, Twitter “Looking for a job at Apple. Know anybody there — doesn’t matter who.” Even if no one answers you’ve put it out there on a large scale that you want to work at Apple. Follow tweets about what’s going on at a particular company. For example, find out what a speaker might have just said at a conference about a business problem they’re facing. Then send them an email and tell them how your background can solve that problem.

2. YouTube www.youtube.com - While YouTube has mostly fun videos of people doing everything but business, many companies post “How to’s” or business presentations that can tell you a lot about what’s going on in that company. Do an advanced search for news in a company you’re interested in working for. After viewing the video, post a comment — or even better — a video response. A video response can be like a mini-ad for you. It will tell the viewer how you think and how you present yourself. People who appear in these company videos want to see who is saying what about their topic. This will give you an excellent chance to make them aware of you. And with a video response you can do it over and over until it looks just right. After posting the video response, wait a week and follow-up with them — either a call or email to let them know what you thought about their presentation. That will open doors for you.

3. LinkedIn www.linkedin.com LinkedIn is a great networking site and if you’re not on it already — get on it! Fill out your profile completely — list your accomplishments under each job. Too many people just list the places they’ve worked, the years they were there and the title they held. They tend to leave out the good stuff — their accomplishments, which can trigger a response from a recruiter. Also, put your email address right on your profile. It makes it easier for recruiters to contact you. LinkedIn also has “Answers,” a section which people use to get answers to questions they have. An easy way to raise your profile is to answers questions on LinkedIn to demonstrate your expertise. For example, recently there was a question that asked “What is the best & worst day to make a new product launch?” If that’s your background, answer the question. It’s an opportunity to show how you can add value. You can then follow-up with an email to the person asking how the product launch went.

4. Follow Blogs – Find someone who’s blogging for a company you want to work for and make comments on their blogs. People who blog really appreciate comments and that will raise your profile with that person.

5. Create a Blog – Start your own blog about your job search. Make it fun and make it a point to talk about the companies that you’re interested in. Tell people how you’re going about your job search and the things you’ve come across. Diablo Cody, the woman who wrote Juno, got discovered by blogging. A producer enjoyed her daily blog and contacted her about writing a movie. Let your personality shine through and keep focused on what you’re interested in — getting a job!

These times call for creative measures. Be creative, have fun. Looking for a job doesn’t have to seem like work. One woman who was determined to get a job at Twitter decided she would take matters into her own hands. She created a website with the URL Twittershouldhireme.com. Guess what? They did!
Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com
Authors of “GOAL! Your 30 Day Career Plan for Business & Career Success”

Finally! A Plan to Get Your Next Job

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The question is how?

You’ve got a goal, now here’s a plan to get that new job:

1. Target Companies – Every week create a list of 15 companies that you’d like to work for. Don’t factor in whether they’re hiring or not. Even companies that have had recent layoffs still hire for certain positions. Organize the list into a spreadsheet or some document so that you can make notes and keep track of what progress you’re making in each company.

2. Who to Write to - You are going to send a specific email to an individual at each targeted company. To do that, you’ll need to find out who in that company would be your potential boss. Use Google, LinkedIn or look through the company’s website to determine who you should send the email to. You can figure out their email address by finding a sample on the company’s website.

3. Research – Find out what issues the company is facing. Do this by reviewing their annual report and current press releases. Google them to find out what’s being written and use Google Alerts to keep you current with things happening in the company. Enter this information on your spreadsheet so you know at a glance what’s going on in each company.

4. What to Say - The email you send needs to be company specific. Mention the issues they are facing and how your background can help them address these issues. For example, “I’ve read recently how the company is looking to deal with rising costs of raw materials. As a Purchasing Manager, I was able to reduce costs of goods by 10% and increase profitability. Given this, I believe I could be very effective on your team”. Keep the email short — no more than 200 words. Attach your resume and also paste it (below your signature line) in the email. Don’t attach a link to your resume. You want to make it easy for someone to review it.

5. Follow-Up – Call each person a week after emailing them. That means 15 people each week. Have your spreadsheet handy so you can address specific issues if you are fortunate enough to get someone “live”. Your follow-up call or message should state why you’re interested in working at the company and how your background can add value now.

6. Network - Make it a point to connect in person with three people in your network every week. Attend networking events or form a group of your own which is a great way to learn what other people are doing in their job search. Take people who are employed out for coffee and find out what’s going on in their industry. Ask them for a referral to someone who is working in an industry or company of interest to you. Even if the company is not hiring, get a name. There is always value in meeting new people. Regarding networking sites, keep your profiles in Linkedin and Facebook fresh. Put your email address on your LinkedIn profile. That makes it easy for recruiters to contact you.

7. Informational Interviews - Have one a week. This is a great opportunity to make new contacts and learn something valuable about a company or an industry. When you set up these meetings, make it clear that you’re not asking for a job, you just want to learn more about that company or industry. Have at least three insightful questions to ask and get a referral. Send a thank you email as a follow-up. Informational interviews can turn into jobs!

8. Respond to Job Sites – Spend a couple of hours a week responding to job postings. Given the volume of people that respond to these jobs, we wouldn’t recommend spending any more time than this.
So, work your plan: every week send 15 targeted emails, make 15 following up calls, meet with 3 people in your network, have an informational interview, research 15 new companies and spend a couple of hours responding to job postings. This will take you roughly 40 hours a week with about half of that spent out of the house (do #1, #2, and #8 at Starbucks). This plan of working fulltime to get a job – will get you a job – a paying one!

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The qu…

You’re out of work and want to get back as quickly as possible and are willing to be as aggressive as need be. You’ve heard this a million times, “Make looking for a job, your full-time job”. The qu…

Leave My Job in This Market?

You’ve been itching to leave your job for a while now and nothing exciting has cropped up in your current company. A recruiter calls with a great opportunity. In the past you would have jumped at this. But this time, there’s a nagging voice that’s telling you “You can’t leave your job in this market. If you do, and there are layoffs in the new company, then you’ll be first to go.” So, you stay put wondering if you are making a big mistake by not pursuing this potential dream job.

Should you stay or should you go?

Before you decide to pass on this great opportunity, consider our Take Five:
1.The New Company is Hiring – While there are no guarantees, the fact that the new company is hiring in this economic climate is a good sign. Companies that are hiring in down markets are usually in industries that are not as negatively impacted by the recession. Because of this, they are less likely to be downsizing in the near future.

2.There’s a Need for the Position - This new position is part of some strategic plan that they just put in place. After all, if they didn’t value the position, they wouldn’t be hiring for it. So, don’t automatically assume that if a layoff does occur that this position will be affected. During the course of your interviewing, find out from the company how this position fits into their long term strategic plans. If they see it as something that is integral to their long term future, that’s a good sign. Even if there are layoffs and you’re new, don’t assume that all layoffs are a function of tenure – LIFO (last in, first out).

3.Great Jobs Don’t Come Along Every Day - You can’t steal second with your foot on first. As Oprah says, “The greatest risk is never daring to risk”. If you never put yourself in a position of potential risk, you will significantly reduce your ability to advance your career. This job sounds like a great opportunity because it is! The greater risk might be staying where you are.

4. There’s No Security Where You Are - Wouldn’t you kick yourself if you didn’t take the new job for fear of being laid off, only to get laid off from your current company? No job carries with it a “lifetime guarantee”, so you need to actively and consistently evaluate your career to determine when a job move is warranted.

5. It Ain’t Happening at Your Current Company - This isn’t a dig at your current company, it just means that this great new job doesn’t exist where you are. If your current company can’t offer other challenging positions, then it’s just a matter of time before you’ll leave anyway. If you decide to wait until the market turns around, you’ll miss out on this great opportunity.
If you are presented with a great new job opportunity evaluate all the pros and cons carefully, but realize that advancing your career can sometimes entail a certain degree of risk. There are no guarantees in life. You can minimize that risk by doing your homework, but don’t let the fear of what might happen down the road prevent you from taking advantage of what appears to be a good career choice.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

Canned or Not, Layoffs Affect Everyone

 Whew! The good news is that you just survived the most recent round of layoffs. The bad news is that your job just got bigger. Your title hasn’t changed and there’s no raise in sight, just more work for you to do, since there are fewer employees.

Here’s our Take Five on how to keep up with your workload when more is being piled on:

 

 

 

1. Keep Things in Perspective — You may have more work to do, but at least you’re still drawing a paycheck. If that doesn’t give you comfort, it should. It’s better than the alternative, being laid off and trying to find a job in a tough economy. Another plus to taking on new responsibilities is that it’s an opportunity to increase your skill set, which can make you more valuable internally and externally.
2. Set Your Boss’s Expectations — Just like David Letterman has his “Top 10″ list, you and your boss should agree on yours. Meet with your boss and let him/her know that you are going to do your best under the circumstances. Have in mind your list of top projects and the rationale for why they are important. Get agreement from your boss on which projects can be assigned a lower priority. It’s likely that your boss is under additional pressure as well, and your approach to your new workload will be one less thing for them to worry about.
3. Be More Efficient — There’s a saying “work expands to fill the time allotted.” There’s also a saying “If you want something done, get a busy person to do it.” Land somewhere between these extremes. This is a great time to look at your job with fresh eyes. What can you do more efficiently? Are there reports that can be shortened, combined or deleted all together? Examine every component of your job — don’t take anything for granted, as there is always an opportunity to streamline processes.
4. Use Outside Resources — It’s not unusual for companies in the aftermath of a layoff, to allow the use of contract/temporary workers to pick up the slack. Even a part-time extra pair of hands can help. Only by asking will you find out if your company is willing to go this route.
5. Be a Nicer Co-Worker — Cut backs affect all departments and it’s likely that many other employees are doing more with fewer resources. Recognizing that your co-workers may be feeling the same psychological pressures that you are, make the extra effort to be even nicer to them. The nicer you are, the more they’ll do for you. After all, you can’t say “The hole is on your side of the boat.” You all succeed or fail together.

It’s all in how you look at things. More work doesn’t have to mean more stress. Just take a one-day-at-a-time approach and do your best. The old axioms in business don’t hold true anymore. Like Yogi Berra said “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Look on this as an opportunity to shine in difficult times.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

Co-Workers Driving You Bananas? Avoid Getting Bruised!

Whether they’re arrogant, talkative, pushy, time-sucks, whiners, or over-all annoying, if they’re your co-workers, you have to deal with them. As tempting as it would be to go “postal”, the reality is you need to have a positive relationship with them in order to be effective in your job. Sure, you could complain to your boss but that could make you look bad and potentially worsen the situation with your co-workers. How do you manage the relationship with an impossible co-worker – without alienating them? Here are the behaviors that cause the most trouble, and ideas on how to deal with them:

1. Arrogant Alvin – He’s the guy who swaggers into your office and is all too happy to point out what you need to do. To boot, he probably talks loud. Arrogant people are generally very insecure, so it’s important to be tactful. The best way to deal with Alvin when he insists on telling you how or what to do is to acknowledge his positive intention, “I know you’re trying to be helpful and I can appreciate that.” Then kill two birds with one stone. Create a bond with him so he’s likely to walk away feeling good, and tell him how you generally handle things so it’s more a statement about you than it is about him. For example, “If I find I need your help, it’s good to know that I have you as a resource. Generally, however, just like you, I prefer to do things my own way.” This leaves the door open for you, should you need his help in the future.
2. Pushy Pricilla – Pricilla is stubborn and argumentative and generally pushy. When she takes a position she won’t give an inch – even if there are other valid options to consider, she has to be right. The best way to deal with her is to find some point of agreement with what she is saying. This will immediately disarm her and she will become more open to your point of view. Pricilla is so pushy and stubborn because she feels like her idea is being resisted. For example, Pricilla insists that the marketing budget should be spent on advertising, yet you think promotion is more important. She says “Advertising works. It always has in the past and it’s a no brainer”. If you respond “No, we should do promotion” she will launch into 10 reasons why advertising is better. The most effective way to handle Pricilla is to find something you can agree on “You’re right, advertising has worked.” This does not mean you agree that the budget should be spent on advertising, you’re just finding common ground. By offering this, Pricilla will no longer feel the need to keep pounding away at her position and will be more open to hearing your ideas.
3. Willie Whiner – Complainers just want to complain. Willie doesn’t want advice or you to argue with him, he just wants a sounding board. Oh, but it’s so annoying to listen to him complain and complain. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the faster you empathize, the quicker he’ll be finished. For example, Willie says “I work hard and nobody notices.” You can short circuit this conversation by saying “You do work hard and I can understand why you’d be upset if nobody cared”. You just gave Willie what he wants – a little understanding.
4. Talkative Tillie – Every office has someone like Tillie. By all accounts, she is a very nice person but just tends to talk too much. You see her walking down the hall and look for an open door to duck into. You feel guilty, don’t want to be rude, but have work to do and can’t spend big chunks of time listening to the minutia. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid her forever so when she pops into your cubicle, set the expectation upfront. Let her know you’re in the middle of something and only have a couple of minutes. Then signal that with body language: stand up, don’t let her sit down; look at your watch and have an intensity about you so she knows you need to get back to work. You can excuse yourself and say “sorry I have to cut this short”.
5. Nosey Nancy & Rude Richard – Let us hear from you.   What is your best advice on dealing with these types in your office?

Since no man is an island and we all have to work together, it’s important to try and understand where your co-workers are coming from. When you realize their behavior is a symptom of some other issues they’re dealing with and most likely has nothing to do with you, you’ll be better equipped to deal with them. No matter how annoying your co-workers can be, have compassion. After all, you may fit into one of these annoying categories on a bad day.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching

Copyright 2009 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

 

www.whelanstone.com

The Art of Working with Recruiters

Since we’re recruiters this might seem self-serving (and it is), but it’s still beneficial to job hunters.   There is an art to working with recruiters and we know first hand what works and what doesn’t.  It’s smart to learn how to maximize your relationship with recruiters so they’ll want to work with you.  In addition, when two candidates are “neck and neck” for the position, companies will often rely on the recruiter to help them decide who should get the offer. 

 

Given this, and the fact that life’s too short, here’s our Take Five on how to have a mutually beneficial relationship with your recruiter and stand out from the herd:

 

 

 

1. Be Clear and Realistic – Don’t try and position yourself as being all things to all people.  While you don’t want to pigeon-hole yourself, you do want to have a focus.  Know what environment works best for you and what role you are best suited for.  If you are trying to break into a new area, help the recruiter understand what your transferable skills are.  Remember companies hire recruiters to find candidates who have specific experience (meaning they’ve done it before).  While you may be a quick study, companies are generally looking for “plug & play” candidates. 
2. Be Forthcoming – No fudging your resume or involvement in key projects.  The truth will come out eventually and inconsistencies will weaken your candidacy.  Also, be upfront regarding your salary expectations – don’t wait until the offer stage to unveil a new minimum compensation requirement.  Nothing drives recruiters crazier than getting to the finish line only to find a candidate who has “upped the ante” considerably from what they said initially.  Unless you’ve won the Nobel Prize during the course of the search, you shouldn’t be changing your requirements.  Finally, let your recruiter know when you are interviewing with another company.  And by all means, tell recruiter “A” right away if you are close to getting an offer through recruiter “B”.  It’s impossible to over-communicate. 
3. Be Responsive – When a recruiter approaches you about a job opportunity, get back to them ASAP, even if you’re not interested.  It’s not only courteous, it’s smart.  Candidates who are frequently unresponsive stop getting calls and you may miss out on a great job in the future.  Also, by getting back to the recruiter, you can tell them what types of positions you are interested in.  Responsiveness is especially critical after you have interviewed with a company.  Recruiters are counting on your timely (e.g., less than 24 hours) feedback so they can provide that to their client.  Waiting too long can send a message of disinterest, which may not be the case.   Just as you would like prompt feedback, so do the recruiter and company.  Being responsive in all phases of the search – when initially contacted, after interviewing and during the offer stage – will encourage recruiters to work with you again.
4. Establish a Long Term Relationship – Recruiters like to maintain relationships with people they know, long after they’ve helped them land a position.  One of the best ways to cement the relationship is by staying in touch when you have new contact information: when you have started a new job, gone to a new company, or changed addresses.  Also, it’s a big plus to recruiters to get referrals for jobs they are looking to fill.  When you get a “source” call, try and be as helpful as possible.  Even if you don’t have someone in mind for the position, at least get back to the recruiter. 
5. Be Appreciative – Saying ‘thank you” and showing appreciation will make a recruiter more likely to help you in the future.  If you have had a really good experience working with a recruiter, let the hiring company know how well they were represented.  Also, if you know your company is actively hiring, offer to introduce the recruiter to the appropriate internal person. 

 

If you are currently in a situation where you have to reach out to a recruiter you’ve ignored all year, that’s okay.  We’re a pretty forgiving bunch.  Just acknowledge that you realize you haven’t been responsive in the past.  Now, you can start with a clean slate, following the guidelines above and live happily ever after.

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

Whelan Stone

www.whelanstone.com

 

You Had Me At Hello – Finding Your Dream Job

It’s no secret that a lot of people are unhappy in their jobs.   Given all the hours spent at work, wouldn’t it be better to do something you enjoy rather than stay in a job where you’re bored or unhappy?   “Yes, BUT I need to pay my mortgage and this is no time to change jobs.”  You’ll always have financial obligations and there’s no guarantee your current job will be there tomorrow.

 

Here’s our Take Five on how do you go about finding that new exciting career that brings you back to life: 

 

1. Use Your Current Job As a Starting Point – Even if you hate your current job, there might be aspects of it that can lead to your dream job. Let’s say you’re a brand manager and know you want to make a change.  What part of the job do you like best?  Is it the packaging, advertising, promotion, or market research?  Maybe you decide it’s the market research.   Do you like the qualitative side or the quantitative side?  If you prefer the qualitative side, your new career could be a focus group moderator or someone who runs ideation sessions (this sounds like fun), or generates creative for a naming company, just to list a few.  If you like the quantitative more, maybe you should go into risk management, become a go-to-market strategist, or a business consultant. There are many potential paths you can take that will enable you to do the aspect of the job you love most.
2. Listen to What People Say You’re Good At – Your co-workers, family and friends sometimes see you differently than you see yourself.  If you hear people saying “oh, you’re great at staying in touch” consider opportunities that involve sales and networking.  People might say “you’re good at giving advice.” Then ask yourself is there a teacher, trainer or coach lurking in you?
3. Make a List of What You Like Doing – Don’t filter your responses. Make a laundry list of what gives you joy including things you used to do as a child.  As a child, did you like to build things, write stories or perform?  In addition to what you like to do in your current job, how do you like to spend your off hours?  Next to each item on your laundry list, ask yourself what about the activity gave/gives you joy.  See what epiphanies might occur and how you can translate these into your next job.
4. What’s Your Personality Telling You? – Some personalities are suited for certain positions.  For example, if you handle rejection well and enjoy constantly meeting new people, sales might be right for you.  Knowing who you are is a big part of finding the right career.  Would you like to be a big fish in a small pond?  If so, you may be cut out to be an entrepreneur (if you’re okay taking risks) or take a bigger role in a smaller company.   Conversely, you may want the resources and cache of working at a large company and are willing to deal with multiple layers of management.   Do you like being in a leadership role or a support position?     Do you like working independently or in a team?   Do you like project work or positions that require on-going building? It’s so important to find something that meshes with your personality.  Otherwise, you’re a square peg in a round hole. 
5. Be Open – Be open to ideas which can come from anywhere: when you’re reading books, newspapers and magazines; watching TV; talking to your family friends and co-workers.  What ideas do you spark to?  Being open means being inclusive – every idea is worth considering. 

 

If there are a few career options that you have identified and need to know more about, go on informational interviews. If you’re still unclear as to what career suits you best, there are many great books like, “What Color is Your Parachute?” or career coaches (like us J) who can help.

 

It may be scary at first to think about changing careers, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time.  But isn’t it better to face the fears than to stay in a job that’s not focused on what you enjoy doing most?

 

Yes!

 

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

www.whelanstone.com

I Just Lost My Job – Now What Do I Do?

Whether you saw it coming or not, it’s still a gut-wrenching experience to get laid off, canned, downsized, kicked to the curb, fired, terminated.  You can couch it in any language you want, but you’re out of a job.  True, it’s not 1999 anymore, but it’s not 1929 either.  There are plenty of job opportunities even in this market.

 

In 1999 you may have been flooded with opportunities, but now the emphasis has shifted to your proactive efforts. 

 

Sure it’s going to be more work but the results will be worth it.

 

Here’s our Take Five on  how to get back on track and find the job of your dreams:

 

 

 

 

1. Don’t Panic! – The first thing you may be tempted to do is hyperventilate and start assuming the worst possible scenario – “I’ll never get another job in this market.”   This kind of thinking will only drain your energies, which could be better put towards getting a new job.  It’s only human nature to hit the panic button in times of stress, but the sooner you get off the buzzer the better you’ll feel and the more progress you’ll make.  Focus on the things you can control – like creating a plan of action to get your next job.  This will help your stress level go down.
2. Target Companies – Create a target list of companies that are hiring.  Target those industries that grow in down-markets, whether they are counter-cyclical (like automotive aftermarket) or emerging (e.g., green-focused, alternative fuel).   Look through the annual reports of public companies and target ones with healthy balance sheets (lots of cash, little debt).  Once you have your target list of companies, identify the person in each company who could be your next potential boss.  Send them a company-specific email, letting them know why you want to work there and what value you can bring to the company. This will separate your communication from the vast majority of candidates who send generic ones. Let a week go by and then follow-up with a phone call.  This approach has proven effective at landing a great job.
3. Work Your Network – Contact everyone you know and let them know you’re in the market.  Don’t focus on what went wrong (e.g., bad relationship with your boss, troubles in the industry), keep the conversation forward thinking, what you are interested in and how you can add value.  Even if their company is not hiring, they’ll think of you if they hear of an appropriate opportunity elsewhere.  Try to get one referral from each person in your network so that it will expand.  Whenever possible, meet the person in your network for coffee, lunch, etc.  Nothing reinforces the connection like an in-person meeting.  
4. Think Broadly – Many people make the mistake of pigeon-holing their experience into a particular category.  Say, for example, you have been working in financial services for most of your career and are looking for a new job.  Rather than limiting yourself to other financial services companies, focus on the functional area of your job which could be applied elsewhere.  For example, a systems analyst, product marketer, sales person, controller in a financial services industry can utilize their expertise in a packaged goods company, a retail business, an insurance company or pharmaceutical company.  Another option is to leverage your industry knowledge into a new field, like financial consulting or teaching a finance course at a college.
5. Keep On, Movin’ On – All of a sudden you’re housebound and with that can come boredom or depression.  In order to ward this off and increase your prospects for landing a new job, get out there and do consulting, give talks in organizations and join local networking groups. This will keep your energy and confidence up.  Staying active in smart ways (don’t get wrapped up in busy work) will generate opportunities.

 

You may have just lost your job, but the prospects for something even better may be on the horizon.  While others are preoccupied with the negative news, you can spend your time focusing on what you want and working to make it happen.   There are jobs out there – really there are – and it’s up to you to find them!

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

 

Whelan Stone

Help! My Co-Worker Is Now My Boss

Everything was going great, your career was rolling along and then the announcement came down from the executive suite that your co-worker, NOT you, got the much coveted promotion.  Darn!  And you were friends too, so this feels even more awkward.

 

As Lincoln said, “The better angels of our nature” should help us be magnanimous in defeat.  Then again, what did Lincoln know about things going “south”?  You lick your wounds and realize you’re going to have to figure out a way to make this work.  After all, you love the company and the work you’re doing, plus you don’t want to derail the career success you’ve had to date.

 

Here’s our Take Five on how to move forward now that your co-worker is your boss: 

 

 

1. Offer Support – Congratulate them on getting the job and tell them you know they’ll be successful.  They’ll appreciate this vote of confidence because, don’t forget, this is new territory for them.  Offer them your expertise, some special skill that you have that will help them be more effective in the initial months of their new job. 
2. Don’t Be Two-Faced – The worst thing you can do is to put on a happy face to your boss and talk negatively behind their back to others in the department.  Or undermine their efforts and authority by criticizing them: “Joe doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.  If that’s how you really feel, bring it up to Joe rather than badmouthing him which will reflect poorly on you.  Even if people come up to you and say “You should’ve gotten the job”, resist the opportunity to agree with them.
3. Take Orders With a Positive Attitude – This might be the hardest part at first, taking orders from a former co-worker.  Remember that one of the keys to being successful is being flexible.  It’s perfectly normal for them to be giving directions, so accept it in that light and don’t take it as a personal affront. 
4. Be Patient – Keep in mind this is a new position for your boss and that s/he will be figuring this out as they go.  If they happen to stumble, that should not reinforce to you that the wrong person got the promotion.  In a new job, we all have a learning curve and your new boss is no different.  Give them the benefit of the doubt.
5. Keep Your Friendship – Chances are that you were friends (at least at work) with this person as a co-worker.  Maybe you went to lunch or attended conferences together.  There’s no reason for this change in organizational structure to affect your friendship.  It’s perfectly okay to invite them to lunch as you used to.  Be understanding if their new commitments don’t always allow them to accept.  Real friendships tend to survive these new circumstances. 

 

 

Change is part of everyday life in an organization.  Sometimes it works in our favor and sometimes it doesn’t.  That person was chosen over you because they were seen as the stronger candidate.  Use this as a learning opportunity to discover and develop those areas which will make you the next one promoted.  In the meantime, anything you can do to help your new boss will strengthen the department and reinforce you’re a team player. Senior management values this quality in their leaders, which will serve you well in the future.

 

Fred & Gladys

www.whelanstone.com

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.