I do encourage you to stay away from the doom and gloom discussions. But, I also encourage you to be prepared at all times for the possibilities. One such possibility is that your company could lay you off- or you could find yourself out of work. So here are a few tips to help you feel more in control and prepared if that happens:
Ø Have your resume updated and keep 3 versions on hand (1 generic, 1 specific to your current field or a primary field you would pursue, and 1 for a secondary field you might pursue)
Ø Have two to three people review your resume with your target field/audience in mind
Ø Spend 1 hour per week examining the help wanted ads to identify where opportunity exists and what fields seem to be doing well
Ø Pick up your local business times and get more familiar with the job climate in your city
Ø Consider if now is the time to change careers/fields, move cities, etc… It’s actually a great time to make a break if you ask me.
Ø Take coffee breaks with those you like and trust. Now is the time to make up for all those “meant to connect” appointments you failed to make time for in the past. Opportunities are out there- and those people may know about them. Keep the conversation upbeat, optimistic and full of opportunity. Let them know you are keeping your eyes open for possibilities in the event of a layoff. (Everyone is doing this- so it won’t be a surprise.)
Ø Brush up on your skills. Take a class. Become a voracious reader. Learn something.
Even if you don’t experience a layoff the above will be a great exercise to remind you of your worth, challenge your current status and state of mind, and allow you to play with the possibilities.
Enjoy the ride.
Showing posts with label leaving job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leaving job. Show all posts
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
First Steps to Getting that New Job
As a coach, I work with a number of people who want to change professions (yes, even in today's climate). We work on identifying the areas they'd like to explore and when they are ready, we begin actively pursuing work in those fields.
I cannot tell you how many times I find people getting caught up in the details way too early. They evaluate a job posting with x-ray eyes and feel that they need to love and embody each detail to even consider it. Save your time! If it fits the field you are looking for and it fits 75% of what you'd be interested in APPLY. The devil is in the details- but that can and will be worked out during and post-interview. If you like them and they like you - there is room for negotiating most of those details anyhow.
Remember, the job description is meant to be an introduction to the job, duties, responsibilities, etc.. Different companies and fields do it differently. Some exaggerate who they want or who they don't to ward off the lazy, less than interested, absolute non-fits, and those they learned painful lessons from in the past. Others low-ball the salaries. Hey, if your going to dream- dream big! "I want the perfect person who will work night and day meticulously and I want them for minimum wage." Still others, the most reputable of firms will be honest and fair in the job ads and descriptions. (And, here's a hint- those are the ones you want to work for.)
How many people do you know who negotiated a higher salary then was originally posted in the job? I know a great many. How many people negotiated work at home hours even when the ad said, no tele-commuting or home offices. Yep, again- quite a few.
Evaluate the opportunity not the details too closely. There will be time to state your case after you've wowed them and you both agree this would be a great match.
A quick and personal story: I was honored to work for a very distinguished firm years ago in the military contracting field. When I left the founder of the firm called me and told me he'd pay me what ever I wanted to stay on board. What ever I wanted? Wow. I asked him why he'd make such a generous offer. I was far from the smartest person on staff or the greatest business generator. He said it was my initiative. I had the greatest initiative he'd ever seen and he wishes he could bottle it. Initiative was never in my job description. It had nothing, on paper, to do with my value, but it was everything to the person who mattered most. I still left by the way. It wasn't about money.
I cannot tell you how many times I find people getting caught up in the details way too early. They evaluate a job posting with x-ray eyes and feel that they need to love and embody each detail to even consider it. Save your time! If it fits the field you are looking for and it fits 75% of what you'd be interested in APPLY. The devil is in the details- but that can and will be worked out during and post-interview. If you like them and they like you - there is room for negotiating most of those details anyhow.
Remember, the job description is meant to be an introduction to the job, duties, responsibilities, etc.. Different companies and fields do it differently. Some exaggerate who they want or who they don't to ward off the lazy, less than interested, absolute non-fits, and those they learned painful lessons from in the past. Others low-ball the salaries. Hey, if your going to dream- dream big! "I want the perfect person who will work night and day meticulously and I want them for minimum wage." Still others, the most reputable of firms will be honest and fair in the job ads and descriptions. (And, here's a hint- those are the ones you want to work for.)
How many people do you know who negotiated a higher salary then was originally posted in the job? I know a great many. How many people negotiated work at home hours even when the ad said, no tele-commuting or home offices. Yep, again- quite a few.
Evaluate the opportunity not the details too closely. There will be time to state your case after you've wowed them and you both agree this would be a great match.
A quick and personal story: I was honored to work for a very distinguished firm years ago in the military contracting field. When I left the founder of the firm called me and told me he'd pay me what ever I wanted to stay on board. What ever I wanted? Wow. I asked him why he'd make such a generous offer. I was far from the smartest person on staff or the greatest business generator. He said it was my initiative. I had the greatest initiative he'd ever seen and he wishes he could bottle it. Initiative was never in my job description. It had nothing, on paper, to do with my value, but it was everything to the person who mattered most. I still left by the way. It wasn't about money.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Have You Overstayed Your Welcome?
Have you reached a plateau in your career with your current employer?
Have you found the last year to be unstimulating and/or sterile?
Do the years look the same?
Many people find themselves in the comfort of the "same old same old". Only, it really isn't comfortable we just convince ourselves that it is. And, given that change can sometimes be difficult- we make excuses to stay where we are even though we are no longer challenged at work.
Our work, our employment, is a significant piece of our lives. It should be empowering, stimulating, positive, life-fulfilling, and rewarding. It is essential that you recognize the signs when this is no longer the case. When that happens you have to be prepared to make a move.
Some of the things you can do:
Speak with your supervisor to see if there is a special project you can take on.
Evaluate your own performance- maybe the lack of stimulation is with you.
Look at the company offerings. Is there something you want?
Survey the industry in which you work. What is out there that excites you?
Evaluate your desire to switch industries. Are you ready? Where do you see yourself?
Update your resume for those opportunities you may want.
Don't stay in a dead end job. Don't let talk of a bad economy hold you back. Stop allowing excuses to rule your years.
Your current job may have served its role in your life. Now, its time to find your next adventure. That adventure may be as simple as a new project at work. Or, it could mean a life-changing switch in your career.
Have you found the last year to be unstimulating and/or sterile?
Do the years look the same?
Many people find themselves in the comfort of the "same old same old". Only, it really isn't comfortable we just convince ourselves that it is. And, given that change can sometimes be difficult- we make excuses to stay where we are even though we are no longer challenged at work.
Our work, our employment, is a significant piece of our lives. It should be empowering, stimulating, positive, life-fulfilling, and rewarding. It is essential that you recognize the signs when this is no longer the case. When that happens you have to be prepared to make a move.
Some of the things you can do:
Speak with your supervisor to see if there is a special project you can take on.
Evaluate your own performance- maybe the lack of stimulation is with you.
Look at the company offerings. Is there something you want?
Survey the industry in which you work. What is out there that excites you?
Evaluate your desire to switch industries. Are you ready? Where do you see yourself?
Update your resume for those opportunities you may want.
Don't stay in a dead end job. Don't let talk of a bad economy hold you back. Stop allowing excuses to rule your years.
Your current job may have served its role in your life. Now, its time to find your next adventure. That adventure may be as simple as a new project at work. Or, it could mean a life-changing switch in your career.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Say NO to Quitting via Email
I was meeting with a referral partner this morning who commented about employees leaving jobs via email notification. What?
Is it ever a good idea to send an email to your boss saying, "I'm quitting."
No. The answer is absolutely no.
What were you thinking? Why do people believe this avoidance of confrontation and lack of professionalism approach is acceptable- ever?
Can you call up your last three bosses and have a friendly genuine chat with them? If not, lets talk.
Sure there might have been a bad boss along the way who didn't deserve proper and professional notice- but you owe it to yourself to be bigger than that. Your reputation stands on the line in this situation. Your reputation is one of the greatest assets you have. Don't lose it over your need to make a quick line to the exit.
Do the right thing.
Quit with style, integrity -keep your professional demeanor.
Email is NOT good for some things. This is one of them.
Call or email me before your exit- don't make the situation worse. You ARE smarter than that!
Is it ever a good idea to send an email to your boss saying, "I'm quitting."
No. The answer is absolutely no.
What were you thinking? Why do people believe this avoidance of confrontation and lack of professionalism approach is acceptable- ever?
Can you call up your last three bosses and have a friendly genuine chat with them? If not, lets talk.
Sure there might have been a bad boss along the way who didn't deserve proper and professional notice- but you owe it to yourself to be bigger than that. Your reputation stands on the line in this situation. Your reputation is one of the greatest assets you have. Don't lose it over your need to make a quick line to the exit.
Do the right thing.
Quit with style, integrity -keep your professional demeanor.
Email is NOT good for some things. This is one of them.
Call or email me before your exit- don't make the situation worse. You ARE smarter than that!
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