Accelerate Your Search™ Now

What is your trade-off for doing what you love to do?  What is your trade-off for something you enjoy or want to have?

As I did the dishes, which I don’t like to do (but I do because I love to have a clean kitchen), I was thinking about a very intense conversation recently.  The conversation was with a friend who is irritated over her current job situation.    

My friend and fellow human resource professional, challenged me the other day, big time on my career advice.  We both have similar views on what it takes to be successful, drive, talent, willingness to work hard, persistence, continuous learning and mastery,  and doing the ‘right’ things, so what was the challenge?

For years, I have shared my career advice, “Do what you love, money follows.”  Her challenge was that my career advice did not hold true in this economy and I need to change or update my message. 

She said it is not longer possible to find a job you love, and make a living, therefore I should STOP giving out that advice.  She said businesses continue to have increased costs and many are still in the mode of changing to fit the talent that is available, or cutting hours to avoid letting jobs and people go to meet payroll, or struggling with new and more expensive compliance regulations. 

As we talked and discussed this I smiled, and her frustration explored with “Have you crawled under a rock?”  Finally I asked her if she thought in my advice I was suggesting that everyone would have a job that was 100% what they loved or enjoyed doing, she nodded “yes” and added you just can be paid enough today to do only what you love.

By then I was laughing and feeling a bit misunderstood.  I do believe my advice is sound in any economy and that if you “Do what you love, money follows.”

What I don’t believe for one minute is you get to do what you love 100% of the time or that you don’t have to also do things you might not like to do.  Employers and customers pay you for results. 

To get results there are some parts of all jobs that you may not “love” or “like” but doing those things are part of getting to do what you do love.  Many people have said it in many ways such as ‘work’ is a four letter word, or ‘that is why it is called work’.  One of my favorite messages on this topic is from Larry Winget, speaker and the “Pitbull of Personal Development®”.   Watch Larry’s video clip and his message for yourself.

Look you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you work for and what you ask for in the world of business.  You get paid for what you love because you are willing to do what it takes to get good at what you do and because you are will to do the things you don’t really like to do that go along with what you love to do.  It works that way in any economy.

When you do what you love, you enjoy it, you are good at it, you are likely to use your talent to be the best in that area and you don’t mind the trade-offs or just adjust to them as part of the deal.  If you don’t love living in a big city where the wages are higher, you love living in a small town and are willing to drive to the big city you can earn a higher wage. The commute is the trade-off.  Trade-offs come in many forms.

For years I was willing to work the graveyard shift to gain different experience and I earned more per hour.  Working the night shift was a trade-off to achieve my goals.

My advice is solid and it stands.  For those who need the rest of the message spelled out I will do so, but it will take more than 6 words.  In life, in work and in your career there are always trade-offs, “Do what you love, money follows” and may you be so blessed by doing what you love that all the trade-offs will be very inconsequential.

Do you have a question about your search?  Look to the right and sign up for next Q & A session, join the session and ask your question.

“Time = Life, Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life,                                                      or master your time and master your life.” ~ Alan Lakein

The quote above is an interesting one.  During a job search or any time for that matter, it is easy to find yourself wondering if you are wasting your time.  Or at least it is for me.

During the last two weeks many meetings and events have fallen on the same day and within in the same week.  In talking with clients, friends and others I am not the only person feeling very busy and with this challenge. 

I also found myself feeling overwhelmed and wondering if all of these activities were a good use of my time or if I was wasting my time (and therefore my life).  At one event, the sessions covered some great information including the new redesign of Google+ and how to use the features, the growing list of bells and whistles LinkedIn offers within its Talent Pipeline, and just how the interface between PayScale and LinkedIn will allow LinkedIn users to automatically see a salary report based on the current job title within their LinkedIn profile.   Don’t get me wrong all of the presenters were good, the information interesting and I could see how most of it might be helpful.  However as helpful as it could be, most of it I could not apply to the goals in front of me or the things I need to be doing to achieve my goals in the next 90 days. 

I find I need to master how I spend my time to help me achieve the goals most important to me and when I don’t do that I do feel as if I am wasting my time or at least using my time in an ineffective manner.  The result of this feeling for me is frustration and a concern about achieving my goals.  I often hear that frustrtation from my clients too.

So I discussed this with a mentor and one of my coaches.  I got some ideas and some advice that should help me over the next several busy weeks.  If you have ideas or advice I would love to hear from you too.

How do you avoid wasting your time?

Here are three tips I received: 

1. Create a solid plan to achieve your goals, then say ‘no’ to anything that does not move you forward toward your goal.
2. When attending a meeting or conference align all activities with the goal at hand.
3. Do 3 things each day that will move you closer to your goal.

Funny thing is – I know all of these tips.  The issue – I forgot to practice them.

Do you have a tip or a suggestion you use to avoid wasting your time?  Post it below.

How to use LinkedIn for your job search … yes follow companies … 

LinkedIn Continued …

Creating clarity, focus, and thinking about your intention is critical in a job search and in life for that matter.  LinkedIn now makes it easy to engage and attract favorable attention during your job search with employers and businesses. 

The data and information shared by LinkedIn with the company about who is engaged very valuable.  It is one easy way to be visible, to connect and to engage.  I have always recommended creating a short list of targeted companies very early in your search.

Having a short list helps you with research, as well as helping you find tune your short list of targeted companies and your search focus.  Using LinkedIn you can easily follow your top 10 target companies, and engage as you wish with each company. 

LinkedIn receives over 50% of its revenue from its hiring solutions and 30% from its marketing solutions.  They invest in ways to share information and create a positive engagement experience.  You can leverage this investment.

Who are you following?  What companies are on your short list?   What can you learn from following a company?

Are you active, engaged and seeking out new opportunities or sitting on the sidelines waiting for the phone to ring?  

How are you using LinkedIn?  Have a comment, tip or thought?  Post it below.

Do you have a question about your search?  Look to the right and sign up for next Q & A session, join the next session and ask your question. 

LinkedIn Continued …

A few weeks ago a friend called to ask if she could share my name with someone seeking information on using LinkedIn, my reply was sure.  Interesting and as usual, the best part of those types of connections is they are fun.

It is a chance to talk to and meet someone new, and learn something new which I love to do.  Maybe it leads to work, other new connections, or an interesting relationship.  One just never knows what or where being open to an opportunity that presents itself, will take you.

In this case, at least so far the opportunity has lead to an interesting conversation and a point to ponder – What and how do I use LinkedIn for …?  The caller was engaging, focused and did not waste time, great qualities in my book.  Yet, this one call has prompted me to really think about a question I get at least a few times a week – How do I use LinkedIn for my job search?

There is not a single answer.  There are many good books, blogs, videos, workshops, seminars, forums, and the list goes on covering the topic.  My best guess is the ways and the “how” to use LinkedIn for a job search are unlimited.  At least, if you are open to the possibilities and opportunities that could be presented to you.  Google offered 151,000,000 hits on the question in 0.22 seconds!

No, I am not being flip.  LinkedIn is a tool, not unlike a car. If you know how to drive and you have a license to drive, and access to a car – how do you use the car?  To go places, to get things, to have fun.  That list too goes on and on.  Maybe the question is – how do you want to use the car?  

My point is this – learn how to use LinkedIn and then change the question – How do you want to use LinkedIn in your job search? or to build your business? or to hire great employees? or … ?

If you can drive, have a license, access to a car that is in good shape, well maintained and some fuel, you can go just about wherever you want.  That is great.  If , but it you never get in a car and go places you will never know how far it can take you, or how to drive in different places or conditions.

In my view LinkedIn is much the same as a car, or any other tool needed to get the results you want.  Learn about LinkedIn, understand the rules of the road, decide what you want (make and model that is on brand for you), how much you are willing to invest, (don’t forget to look at the cost of not using LinkedIn too), clarify the why using this tool is the best for the job (if it is), decide where and when you will use it, and then go for a drive!

Travel, go places, experiment, and see where it takes you.  Be open, share, and discover how LinkedIn can work for you in your job search.

LinkedIn is an ever changing tool.  Assess where you are, decide the results you want, create a plan, execute the plan and adjust as needed.  That is one surefire “How” to use and to leverage the power of LinkedIn to accelerate your search.

How are you using LinkedIn?  Have a comment, tip or thought?  Post it below.

Do you have a question about your search or using LinkedIn?  Look to the right and sign up for next Q & A session, join the next session and ask your question.

Do you need a personalized plan for your search?  Contact me I will see if I can help you. 

You are building your brand.  You are leveraging your strengths, gifts, and talents.  Your brand does help you stand out in a crowded market place.  Hiring managers remember you, then pick up the phone and call you – do you want this to continue?  If so, you will definitely want to read “7 Personal Branding Trends for Job Search in 2012”.

The personal branding trends to watch list is published annually by William Arruda.  Arruda is a personal branding guru, an author, and speaker.  He is credited with turning the concept of personal branding into a global industry and the founder of Reach Personal Branding (disclosure: Reach Personal Branding is a partner of my company).  His annual trends list is a quick snapshot of what’s evolving in personal branding.

Managing your brand is an ongoing project, not a once in a while task.  Keeping up with the trends, that help you communicate who you are and what you do, is critical to your career and you job search.

Just as you must hone your skills, stay in touch with what’s new and the ever changing world of  your industry and profession, you must understand the current trends in personal marketing and personal branding.  If you don’t market yourself, you will fall behind those do market themselves.  When you know the trends, you choose what is best for you and your target audience. 

Not all trends will interest you or work for you, yet you won’t ignore them.  Take a look. Then decide how to leverage the 2012 trends into a carefully crafted marketing plan.  Knowing where you are today, having a plan you can execute ensures you continue to communicate your personal brand to accelerate your search and success.  Here are William Arruda’s 2012 personal branding trends to watch list:

 1. Headshots Everywhere

2. Crowdsourcing for Professionals

3. Personal QR Codes

4. Job Postings R.I.P.

5. Professional, DIY Video

6. Permanent Unemployment

7. Personal Qwikis

Assess the trends.  Decide your course of action, stay relevant and gain the favorable attention of your key contacts, centers of influence, recruiters, and hiring managers.  That action will help you accelerate your search and land the job you want. 

If you need help implementing or incorporating one or all of these trends into your job search contact me.  Do you have a question about your job search or leveraging your personal brand?  Call or look to the right and sign up for next Q & A session, join the session and ask your question.

Are you asking yourself ‘What do I want to be when I grow up?’ or ‘What do I want to do next?’ or ‘What do I want to be or do when I retire?’   If you are in a job search the odds are that you are asking these or similar questions.   All are great questions.

Recently, a former client contacted me to say “I plan to retire in the next 3 years, and I am as stuck as to how to make the shift as I was several years ago with my job search, will you help?”  My reply after understanding where he was stuck was yes. 

Why,  he was stuck with what managing his retirement career, not all the other retirement stuff like 401 Ks, health insurance, etc., those things are not my forte.  

If you are searching and asking these questions, here is a quick tip to help you accelerate your search.  Write the question at the top of a blank page of paper, then over several days set aside 10 minutes to brainstorm all the possible ideas you have and write them down, add pages if you need to.  Don’t evaluate the ideas, just jot them down.  At the end of the week review all the ideas.   Move the top 3 to 5 ideas to blank pages and continue to explore your ideas.    

Ask yourself these questions for starters:

   What would it take to do this?

   What would be the impact of this?

   Why do I want to do this?

When you are ready to seriously explore your ideas discuss them with someone you trust.  Then formulate a plan, and take action to create the transition or transformation you want.

Have a comment or thought?  Post it below.

Do you have a question about your search?  Sign up for next Q & A call to the right, join the session and ask your question.

What does your career pattern look like?  How does it compare to your peers?  

What does it say about you, about what you believe and where you are going?  What does it say about career planning and living in general?

The article in Fast Company, “The Four-Year Career” by Anya Kamenetz discusses a pattern the article states is increasingly defining the careers of US workers. Read it and share your view.

The article shares some recent statistics – “the median number of years a US worker has been in his or her current job is just 4.4, down sharply since the 1970s.”  As well as a close look at the careers of three people, two females, ages 36, and 61, and one male, age 28. Additionally, it shares more interesting statistics, insights and lessons.

The world of work is new and different than many of us were taught as young children, or at least different than how I was taught.  My view of what I was taught at an early age shifted in the 1980s.  Do you still believe what you learned as a young child?  Has your view shifted?  If not, what would happen if your view did make a shift?

I hope you enjoy the article.  I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts on Anya Kamenetz’s article.  Post them below or drop me an email. 

May I leave you with a few questions to ponder…

What do you believe in, why do you want to do the work you are pursuing?

What job or jobs (for others) could you create if you move or drive toward new goals, objectives and your beliefs?

What is next for you?   Do you have a four year plan?  If no, what do you want a plan?

You have heard it and you know your reputation counts in your job search.  It is a given that employers will check your references.  Employers and recruiters will ask you and others about your experience, how you work, the quality of work you deliver, and many other questions to help them determine if you are the right person for the current opening in the organization. 

Do you know what others say about you when asked?  Do you know how others view you? 

Your reputation – who you are and what makes you tick all help you communicate your value to an employer.  What others share about you is critical.  Do you understand how others view you?

When you have a keen understanding of yourself and how you are communicating who you are, how you work, play and do all things it is much easier to communicate your value in a way that paints a clear picture for others.  When you also have an understanding of how others view and value you, you are better able to market and leverage your brand.

After all your reputation (your personal brand) is about what others think of you, not only what you think.  Do know what others value about your knowledge, your experience, your skills, your style, your value in the workplace, your vision and your values?

What would happen if you did?

All of these items are elements of your personal brand and who you will be as an employee.  These elements make up ‘fit’.  “Fit” for the job is one of the critical factors in hiring a new employee.  Employers want not only the skills need to do the job they also want employees who “fit” on the team and within the organization.  Don’t you want “fit” too?

One of the best indicators of future performance is past performance, and most if not all hiring managers know this.  Therefore, as employers seek employees for new or open positions they not only identify the skills and experience needed for the job, employers seek to discover how you have performed in the past and they seek information from others to learn about your possible ‘fit’.

When you began your job search you probably updated your résumé, your LinkedIn profile, contacted a few key people in your network, maybe asked for a reference or two, posted your résumé online, and set up a few online search agents to send to you emails of job openings in your field.  Then you may have made a few calls to see who might be hiring, and began to look at the job openings online.  You submitted a few applications or emailed out your résumé and now you are waiting to the phone to ring or the emails asking you to set up an interview.  Does that sound like your marketing efforts and your search plan so far?

If so maybe it is time to leverage your reputation and actively market yourself.  Here are the steps to leverage your reputation (your personal brand) and actively market yourself and have a better understanding of your personal reputation and how to market and communicate your ‘fit’ to employers who will value you.

1. Get feedback on your reputation.  Learn about what others think of you and how they communicate your strengths.  Assessments, interviews and conversations will help gather feedback.
2. Review the feedback.  After you selected those to provide feedback and gathered enough data, you will want to review the data.  This type of feedback will often provide valuable data to help you create a very on target message to share your value.
3. Review the feedback with a trusted advisor or coach.   To look at your reputation and grow and leverage your personal brand you will need help.  Companies hire teams of experts, don’t short change yourself by lacking the benefits and insights of having a trusted advisor or coach help you review the data you have gathered.
4. Establish your brand aspirations.  Your reputation evolves.  This occurs with or without your intention.  How can your reputation and your strengths help you achieve your goals?  How will you communicate these as you continue to grow and evolve?  Strong personal brands grow and evolve and your personal brand is a tool to help you market yourself and to achieve your goals.  What is your desire for your brand?  How would you like to communicate your desire?
5. Plan and execute.  Ideas, Thoughts, Aspirations are great, however without planning and action nothing happens.  Develop your plan to leverage your reputation, make a commitment to yourself to take action, now execute and market yourself communicate your value and use your reputation and what others say about you to demonstrate your “fit” for the job you want.

One of the common mistakes is not being clear about what you do.

Over the years, as I work with executives and professionals, I have discovered that it is often the most talented who face the biggest challenge in clearly communicating what they do and make the mistake of not being clear.  Most people forget to keep the message simple.   

That is why I smiled this week when I read this post “Randy Fenoli: ‘Say Yes To The Dress’ Star At Brides Magazine White-Hot Hope Style Shop”.   Randy Fenoli is very clear about what he does and does not do – “I don’t sell dresses. I dress brides”.

Randy Fenoli gets it and communicates it in 3 words! 

For those who are interested, curious or want to know more about Randy Fenoli, he has a clear 133 word; 6 sentence Bio or his Twitter Bio to complete the picture. His message is consistent and clear.

Is your message clear?  Do you tell others quickly and clearly what you do?

Do you have a question or need some help to clarify your message, develop or communicate your personal brand?

 Sign up to the right and join the next Q & A call.

Here are five tips for improving your online visibility with your personal portal profile:

1.  Have a plan.  Think about your brand, what you want to communicate and how do you want to show up online.  Be consistent.  Stay on message and stay on brand.  Start with one site, use it and maintain it. Don’t know where to start?  Explore about.me.

2. Add your photo or branded background.  If you just started your search you may not be ready to do that, so until you have the photo you want to use on your page, or your branded background ready to go, select one of the many backgrounds in a gallery that is a good fit for your brand.  There are many for you to select and use.  You can change and update your background easily in the future.  The prior background photo is saved giving you instant flexibility.  I suggest you add a high quality personal picture that captures you and your brand.  But if you are not ready to do this, or your appointment with the photographer is next week – the background gallery is fine for now and helpful.

3. Personalize your page.  Selecting the font that is right for you and on brand.

4. Add your brief bio. It is easy to go to your Branded Bio file, copy and paste.  Style the page to fit you, be sure to view and proof.  The features on most sites allow you to select color and location of your brief bio.  These features help you stay on brand.

5. Add links to tell visitors to your page where your web content is – make it “one click” away.  Consider adding an email link so visitors can email you directly from your page.

Do you still have a question?

Post it below or join the next Q & A and ask your question or contact me.