career – Page 5 – Success Strategies

5 Things To Do When Rejection Shatters Your Dream Opportunity…

Years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone. Having not been in the job market for a long time I began my search for a new and meaningful opportunity. With great elation a dream company reached out to me. It was always a goal to work with them. It had great salary, great benefits, and most important – meaningful work. But I would have had to relocate. No problem for me as I didn’t have a chick nor child (as the saying goes…hint kid in college). I could hardly wait to get started.

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Where Did The 8-Hour, 5-Day Work Week Come From? Rissman Tells All…

Turning point for the Standard Work Week shared by Stearns Weaver Miller on what’s happening concerning COVID_19

Where did the 8 hour, 5 day work week come from? Ford Motor Company in 1914, but it was a long time coming. Before that, factories were open around-the-clock with employees working long days and 100 hour weeks. In the late 1880s, a labor movement started using a slogan like “eight hours for work, eight hours for play and eight hours for rest”. After that, it took almost 20 years until Ford reduced employees’ regular work week to 5 days consisting of eight hour days. The company also doubled employee pay, causing shockwaves throughout the industry. By doing this, Ford saw employee productivity increase and profit margins double. The thinking was that if the company was going to make any money, employees needed time off to buy things. Seeing the success of Ford, other companies naturally implemented the eight hour day, which soon became the working standard. So there it is, the reason the 8 hour, 5 day work week exists in our country for over a century is nothing more than an old effective factory work schedule.
Glenn Rissman

Read the full commentary on the turning point of the standard work week here

Professionals Share 21 Pro-Tips on How To Work Remotely…

Either you run the day or the day runs you.

In a public forum, renowned author Seth Godin asked professionals to share their approach to working remotely. Here are a excerpts of their responses I gleaned as they thunderously chimed in.

Create a designated working space with everything in reach.
Deep work in the morning. Lighter work in afternoon.
Go outside at least once a day
Divide time into 30 minute segments, making sure a task is attached to each. Regular short breaks, food.
Stick to a schedule and treat self to a half hour sitcom during lunch. A good lunch keeps mindset light.
I work from home but my husband doesn’t. Feel like my space is being invaded a little. I always stick to a routine and make sure I dress as though I’m leaving the house. That helps my mindset a lot.
Shower and dress well. Focus on one (only one) major item to accomplish that day.
Act as if you are in an office. Dress, voice and stature. Be even more engaged by email and on calls ideally video. Make presence felt virtually. Do brief turn-the-chair around update chats by messenger and quick zoom call.
How can some (e.g. a dentist) work from home? In response to this question personally I say, plan, strategize future business and/or personal goals.
Do breathing exercises and make sure environment working in isn’t distracting.
Take one hour shift with partner to manage young kids home from school.
Eat lunch with friends over video calls.
Set up own schedule and share with friends to chat when not working
Building a machine learning model.
No prototype…no work meeting. Have a tangible artifact to collaborate on or review
The one thing I appreciate is that I can work from home (and thinking of those who cannot).
More focused… meaning work gets done earlier than disruptions in office (i.e. called to meetings, discussions etc). Then Netflix to end the day.
This is a time to reflect, learn and innovate.
Bought flowers this week. Brightens the view on a rainy day
Made office space private and more organized. When door closed, no one bothers.
Set a goal that you can meet each day that will help you feel accomplished at the end of the day. Oh… and talk to someone each day about something other than work. Social distancing does not mean social isolation.

Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. A Story…

Most of us have only one story to tell. I don’t mean that only one thing happens to us in our lives: there are countless events, which we turn into countless stories. But there’s only one that matters, only one finally worth telling. The tale of someone’s life begins before they are born.

Listen to my interview with former Regional Director turned Radio personnel, singer, songwriter, Poet and Musician shares how he Ditched It to do what he loves in order to follow his passion. Learn the strategies he used.

Most important his audience was exposed to the inner secrets of the man behind the mic.

Stay tuned for new book soon to be released “Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It”

Cheers!

Time Wasters. Manipulators Among The 5 Kinds Of Toxic People

They give headaches. Increase stress…and Simply make your life miserable. Living with one? Whew! Working with one? May God help you! (yep). But whatever your situation…Do something about it!

In my Success Strategies workbook, I outlined 8. Here are 10 kinds Jeffrey Moore posited. I’ll share my top 5 from his list. Check his 10 kinds of Toxic People for more including descriptions.

Toxic People

1.Time Wasters

2.The Victim

3.The Always Negatives

4.Manipulators

5.The Always Stressed Out

But how do you deal with them? Stay tuned to learn more in my soon to be released book Ditch It. Switch It.

From those listed here, what are your top 5? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. 8 Steps To Relaunch It…

Ditch it. Switch it. Relaunch it. Ditch? Switch What? Your career! That’s what.

A recent article shared Goalcast 8 steps to a successful career change. I reflected on which were more important, but coming from a place of experience in HR Leadership. I must agree that all is important. No step can be omitted if you want to do what you love.

Need a job to survive? Get one. You’ve gotta survive but once that’s done, don’t take your mind off where you want to go. Don’t settle. Each step is a journey to success. Here I share the 8 points with my own twists to get you moving.

1.Reflect on Why You Want to Change Your Job

Been doing the same thing for many years. Want a change. Got married. Started a family and you want to be available for the initial growth of your kids. Empty-nester who wants to go on a different path. To try a new thing. To go on a different direction. Or you need personal growth.

Whatever the situation, reflect on why you want to change.

2.Think about what you would like to do instead

What do you really like to do? What brings you the most satisfaction? What drives you to jump out of bed in the mornings? When do you feel like you’re working hard but not feeling it? Not realizing that time is passing by? Think about it. Then do that.

3.Think How you Can Achieve It

What can you Do to achieve it? Think about it. Is there a gap in the skills that you have and the skills that you’ll need to get into the new career that you want? If you don’t know go to the next step.

4.Research

Go do your research.

If it’s a new career then find out what you need to be successful. Do you have the skills? Certifications?

Don’t know what you want to do? Search. Do assessments to get to know you.

5.Investigate the Job Market

Are there jobs available for your desired career? Are you relocating …or do you need to consider relocating? How much does the job pay? Will it meet your desired standard of living? Investigate things like that.

6.NarrowDown your Options

Gather the data you researched about your career. Reflect on it. Analyze it. Picture yourself doing it, then make your decision. Select a path.

7.Create a plan

When will you be able to make the switch? Do you have enough money to make the change. If not plan it.

8.Create a Resume

Now it’s to time to create your resume to suit the job you want. Need help there are lot of resource out their from career counselors, google, resume writers to templates online.

Consider your skills. Pull together those skills relevant to the job you want. Tailor your resume to match the job You want.

Need help to make the leap? Let’s Connect or do it yourself through gleaning through my new book Ditch It. Switch It.

Cheers!

4 Strategies To Beat The Over-Qualified Syndrome…

The fear they seek becomes their own

The Qualified are haunted and hunted by the overqualified syndrome. One recruiter even went so far as to say she would not hire someone who she believes is ‘over-qualified’ for the job. But has that recruiter examined the reason the so-called over-qualified applicant is searching? It could be for a career change. It could be to start a family and the person chooses to take a step back. It could also be an empty nester with a desire to simply slow down.

Give the Peeps a Chance

Here’s where it becomes necessary for the well-experienced candidate to use strategies to convince recruiters that you have no intention to come in to wreak havoc. Your desire is to join forces and work hard for the organization and/or department’s benefit.

Be warned Recruiter, one day you may be get there and then you will understand…when you’re misunderstood.

4 Strategies to Overcome

In her Wall Street Journal article the overqualified trap can hit you at any time, Sue Shellenbarger shared several strategies to combat the syndrome. Here I share my top 4 favs:

Explain upfront why you’re applying for a position that seems beneath you
Be consistent in explaining your reasons for applying throughout all interviews for the job
Line up references who will vouch for your commitment
Network with contacts who also know insiders at the target company

As a HR practitioner myself, I tend to be open to diverse applicants and our society certainly expects it. However, not all organization’s search process is without idiosyncrasies. So if you are an experienced job searcher as The power of Resilience when things go wrong in this depiction, the strategies listed before will help.

If you are on the hunt and find that there’s something that works for you, do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

The 10 Key Tips To Beat Workplace Woes…

Some days are just a mess. It’s even worse during prolonged Quarter or month-end report preparations or during times of change. It’s at those times that anything we can do to lessen the stress is welcomed. I fell aghast when I bumped into Amy Jackson’s 10 tips to beat workplace woes repeated by writer Ariana Huffington. Read the full piece here. For those who gotta have a quick peek, here I share the abbreviated list.

Brighten up your Desk (make it personal)
Do Something you enjoy during your Lunch Break (not errands)
Plan things to look forward to (weekend getaways, vacations)
Eat & Drink to boost your mood (water is good)
Meditate (breathe)
Make use of Perks (if you’re lucky to get them…check HR to see what exists)
Chat to your Colleagues
Laugh (look at memes or YouTube video)
Look at your work life balance
Identify if there’s an underlying problem

I found this list interesting to beat the workplace woes and I hope you will too. Any burning tip missing? Do share! We would love to hear.

Cheers!

5 Things To Do When Rejection Shatters Your Dream Opportunity…

A senior level position, I had to go through a 5-level-interview process with different senior level teams. Nailed the toughest two. Then the onto the third. Nailed it! Or so I thought. The interviewer thought otherwise. They replied thanking me for my time but they decided to move on. This after being interviewed for almost a month. I was confident that with my qualifications and experience I was sure to get the job. I didn’t. Though an interviewer myself, I was very disappointed. I questioned myself… what did I do wrong? How could I have done better?

Not Every Opportunity Is For You

Then came the reassurance from a quiet inner voice. Not every opportunity is for you. What seems ideal may not be for you. Keep looking. The right change is in store. Learn to wait. And while you’re waiting, keep strong.

Here I share things to do to bounce back after any kind of rejection, be it job, entrepreneurship or relationship.

5 Things To Do To Overcome Rejection

Learn from the Experience
Talk to a trusted mentor, coach, or friend. Share your disappointment.
Don’t dwell on the situation. Affirm it. Accept it and move on.
Acknowledge it as evidence that you’re trying. You are pushing your limit.
Keep going

Have you had a disappointing experience during a job hunt, or a key contract for your entrepreneurship endeavor? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

11 Top Habits Of High Achievers…

Small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results. ~Robin Sharma

Inc shared Christina DesMarais 25 Simple Daily Habits That Separate High Achievers From Everyone Else Here I Share my top 11 favs from her list.

Top Habits of High Achievers

Every morning, delegate, defer, and delete.
Start every day very early
Get outdoors for physical activity.
Focus on quality, not quantity.
Set aside 30 minutes to focus on long-term improvements
Make time for joy.
Start the day with meditation.
Listen, read, and create something new.
Never book more than half your day.
Put creativity back on your to-do list.
Visualize success

Personal Favs

Of the traits the two that stand out are delegate, defer and delete. Too often we try to do everything ourselves without delegating or deferring to those aptly capable. Often too we hold onto stuff that we have been doing for years not realizing the process is no longer applicable and should be …yup…deleted.

My other fav is Never booking more than half our day with meetings. I have have known colleagues who book their entire day without thinking about when they will find time to check emails or communicate with issues awaiting their approval. What then happens is the rush to work late nights, weekends and holidays. Years ago I was as guilty as charged. Then I learnt. Balance is important.

How about you? Any that stands out for you? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

The Mistake. Frustration. Experience. The Learning…

I Thought I Made the Worst Mistake of My Career, But 3 Things Helped Me “Embrace the Suck” and Move on. ~Emile Lee

I love stories of resilience and learning and this is a great one espoused by The Business Insider. Here Emile Lee speaks about his encounter with an overseas career assignment that was not a fit. Mistaking his cultural background, he was hired on the spot for an assignment he wasn’t fit for. After mulling over the good, the bad, and the ugly, he stopped feeling sorry for himself and decided to embrace his circumstances and learn from his situation.

Looking Back

Looking back, he shares his learning. I have extracted the 3 key points that forged his new path.

1. Embrace The Suck

2. Use positive self-talk to open yourself up to risks and change

3. Seek out mentors and internal champions

Hope this story inspires you to keep going and never give up. Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Be Your True Authentic Self…

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment. ~Waldo Emerson

Oprah Quits 60 Minutes hmm…why? The INC article captured my attention. Interest sparked because of the hundreds job hunting who consistently ask what aspect of their education and experiences they should omit from their resumes, or when completing job applications on websites. This question often comes from individuals who are looked at as ‘overqualified’.

Overqualified refers to having qualifications that exceed the requirements of a particular job

Job Search Caution

Do exercise caution when accepting jobs that fall below your experience level. So for example, if you are a Senior Marketing Manager in transition, be careful of accepting positions at a mid-junior level. The challenge… it can compromise your ability to get the right job that you are looking for. Similarly, if you have a degree that may not be applicable to a job that you are applying for, good resume writers will tell you to omit it (for now). However, how sad is that? You spent years studying as well as paid a vast amount of money to acquire your education, only for it to be shelved.

On the other hand, there may be circumstances that you cannot help which causes you to accept whatever opportunities come your way. But let it not be for long. Keep looking. Accept the opportunity and continue your search in order for you to get back to your appropriate level in good time.

Career Change?

If however, your plan is to change careers… due to your own personal situation such as being a new mom, furthering your education, or you just don’t want the responsibilities of a manager anymore, your choice may very well be that you want to work at a lower level. In such cases …it’s all good. However, if you are trying to get back to your senior level, don’t wait too long. Hiring managers will be confused about the reason you are working at the lower level. It may compromise how you are perceived.

Conforming To Expectations

Naturally, some organizations wish to change you to conform to their expectations. You are expected to fit into a ‘box’ built by the organization. This was the case discussed in the article about Oprah. By any means, working with 60 Minutes would be a great opportunity… even for Oprah. But they were asking her to reduce herself from being who she was at heart. After many attempts to conform, she gave up. She walked away from the opportunity. Her decision? To stick to who she was.

The Moral Of This Quest

You too can do the same. The lucky organization that hires you will benefit from your critical thinking and other skills that you are sure to bring to the job if you work hard.

The Moral of this quest… when you are in need and can’t do any better, you may decide that you “gotta do what you’ve gotta do“. Oprah is a billionaire …and you are barely getting by. But the lesson here is to strive to be your one true authentic self.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

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Toxic People

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1.Reflect on Why You Want to Change Your Job

2.Think about what you would like to do instead

3.Think How you Can Achieve It

4.Research

5.Investigate the Job Market

6.NarrowDown your Options

7.Create a plan

8.Create a Resume

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Give the Peeps a Chance

4 Strategies to Overcome

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Not Every Opportunity Is For You

5 Things To Do To Overcome Rejection

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Top Habits of High Achievers

Personal Favs

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Looking Back

1. Embrace The Suck

2. Use positive self-talk to open yourself up to risks and change

3. Seek out mentors and internal champions

Share this:

Job Search Caution

Career Change?

Conforming To Expectations

The Moral Of This Quest

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