Accelerate Your Search™ Now

I wish you and your family a very special day.  As a Christian, this is a wonderful day of the year — full of hope and promise.   Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, I wish you all the best today and always.

My day and celebration began just before midnight last night and it will continue as a quiet, peaceful day.

No travel for us this year — just my husband and me at home.  A few friends will gather for an early morning tradition — breakfast with hot coffee, sweet rolls, juice and stories of years past.

Later in the day, depending on the weather and the surprises under our tree, a walk, a nap or a game might be in order.   You can bet it will be low key.

Sometimes I do wish, for just a minute or two, for those days when I was younger and celebrated Christmas Day at my parents’ home.  The house was so loud and crazy that after a few hours you needed to grab a jacket and go out outside to have a break from the noise.  Imagine five kids, their spouses and families, extra dogs, a cat or two, grandchildren, neighbors, friends and maybe one or two people you only just met filling the house!  The floor would be covered in used holiday wrapping paper and lots of new stuff.  It was always fun, crazy and loud.

Merry Christmas.  May your day be filled with joy and love!

Having worked with thousands of professionals to improve their personal brand and help them develop a clear, unique brand message I can tell you it takes time, energy and desire.  For many, it is a struggle.  I know it was for me.

Once you know what makes you unique and what to say, most people think it communicating it in a clear manner will be easy.  That’s not always the case.

I realized developing my message was something I could not do alone.  I held on to this belief for far too long.  Why?  Because I was stubborn and I thought I didn’t need help.

And, if I’m really honest, I was afraid of what others would think of me if I could not do this for myself.  Then my coach so wisely asked, “Can you give yourself a good haircut?”  I laughed and got help!

The result was a better message.  I realized the process of clarifying my brand message as a collaborative process was more fun, faster and the message was more authentic.  I needed a pro and a coach to help me get real.

After several conversations with professionals and reflecting on my experience helping others, I recognized there are 10 key steps to the process.

You are special and your message needs to be genuinely you.  It needs to be focused and speak directly to your target audience.  Here is an activity to get you started:

1. Identify your value and why it is important to your target audience.
2. Gather feedback from those who know you.
3. List five to seven adjectives that describe you.
4. Review your adjectives and narrow the list to the three that reflect how you talk.
5. Describe your ideal employer in detail.
6. Jot down phrases that include your value, your adjectives and focus on the employer’s needs.
7. Write many variations of your message.  Say them aloud.
8. Ask other people what the messages ‘sound’ like and watch for their reactions.
9. Ask and answer (honestly) how do you feel about your message?  Is the message you? Are you being truthful or blowing smoke?  Are you communicating your value in a way that is important to your audience?
10. Continue to test your message.  Adjust as needed.

Get help if you need it.  Not everyone “can give themselves a good haircut.”  I couldn’t.  It took me far too long to get help and the cost of my stubbornness was significant.

What does your brand marketing message say about you?  Does it communicate your value to your target audience?  Are you still searching for your message?

What makes you different?  What make you unique? 

Answer these questions and you tap into your unique value.

Oftentimes, people applying for a certain job will have similar backgrounds (education, previous experience, training, etc.) — because without these basics you are not qualified for the position.  Merely listing these basics on a resume or in an interview will not help you stand out.

When you are ready to transition to a new position, you must highlight how you are different.

When you are able to clearly communicate your unique value, you gain favorable attention, build trust and attract your target audience.

A clear, consistent marketing message shares what is unique about you and helps strengthen your personal brand.  It allows your audience to really ‘get’ what you do and how you add value. We often take our unique skills for granted, assuming others will automatically understand our gifts as well.  Not so.

Do not take your uniqueness for granted, rather highlight it.  It is important to carefully craft your marketing message to share your unique value.

If you are struggling to identify your differentiating factors, ask your network.  Ask your peers how they would describe you if asked by a potential employer.

Maybe you are a CFO who has a special talent for communicating bad financial news to investors.  If you fail to clearly communicate your unique ability, you may not be called for an interview or selected for the job.  On the flip side, if you share your brand personality in your written and verbal communication, odds are it will set you apart from the competition.

Want to get started?

Make a list of the characteristics that separate you from your peers.  Then, share your uniqueness in all your communications — including introductions and in your resume.  Emphasizing what makes you different is a sure way to stand out in a crowd.

One note of caution:  it is rare the unique qualities or abilities an organization seeks will be included in a job posting.  However, those qualities are how candidates are selected for interviews and positions, so bring ’em to the table.

Who knows your name?

Being known in the marketplace is critical to job search success.  Your name, what you do and your reputation are intimately intertwined.

What are people saying about you?   If the answer is Zilch, Zip, Nil,  don’t you think you should change that?

If no one knows you or can’t say anything about you, your odds of being hired may go down to zero!

Jeffery Gitomer, author and president of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, says that when someone asks about you or says your name the response will be one of five things:

1. Something great
2. Something good
3. Nothing
4. Something bad
5. Something really bad

Gitomer believes these responses determine your fate.

I agree — what people say about you impacts your providence.  More often than not it is because people say nothing about you or share too little.

Building your name recognition and a great reputation takes dedication, execution and time.  Are you putting time and effort into being known by those who need to know you?

When someone asks about you, my theory is that most people say nothing for one of two reasons.  One, they don’t know anything about you – Zilch, Zip, Nil – therefore have nothing to say.  Or two, they are unsure what to say and therefore say Zilch, Zip, Nil.

What if you converted either of those groups into people who said something good?  WOW!  You would double the number of brand ambassadors you have in the world.

Why not start today?

Here are three easy steps for getting known:

1. Define your personal brand.
2. Consistently communicate a clear message.
3. Connect with the people who need to know you — on and off-line.

Oftentimes, it is easier to listen to the voices of doubt and sit still than it is to have the courage to listen to your REAL call to action and move forward with faith, completing what you really need to do.

Everyone desires success and wants life to be easy.  Me too!   I would love it if I could just wait by the phone or my Inbox and clients would come flooding in.  However, without continuous and innovative marketing and networking, I don’t land the job — and neither will you.

You can’t just keep fussing with your résumé of filling out online applications and expect someone to call you.  Unfortunately, time is not on your side.  Being out of work for a period of time does impact your value in the market.

If you are ready to stop making excuses and be back to work soon, it is time to take action!

Where to start?

First, you must BELIEVE!  Believe that results will come as a result of your actions.  Have faith that you are enough.  By nurturing and believing in your vision you become a magnet for success and prosperity.

Next, feel CONFIDENT in your values, skills and the job you perform.  Be aware of your doubts and negative feelings or you may miss out on available opportunities.

Then you must ACT!

Begin by assessing your network.  Take inventory of the people you know.  Do you need to grow and nurture your current network?  As in any business, inventory is an asset and impacts your bottom line.

Create a plan to connect and stay connected.  Who knows you?  Who likes you?  Who trusts you?  What is the best way to connect?  How will you stay connected?

Execute your plan.  Who will you call this week?  Pick up the phone.  Connect with people.  If you don’t have opportunities for a job in your pipeline you need to expand your network.

At the end of the day, stop listening to your doubts, decide what results you want and take action to achieve it!

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the U.S., many are making plans for Thanksgiving Day!  May your celebration be special and include time for quiet reflection, gratitude for your blessings and simple moments of appreciation for all you have been given.

With Thanksgiving, the holiday season is officially underway.  It is a great time to expand your network and to Accelerate Your Search.  Holiday and family gatherings provide opportunities to connect and nurture relationships within your network.

Here are four tips to maximize each gathering during the holiday season:

1. Give.  Be prepared to give something to everyone you meet.  A smile, a kind word, a connection or your time — these are wonderful gifts.
2. Ask questions and listen.  Ask others questions about what they enjoy about the season or what exciting things are happening in their lives.  Listen carefully and ask follow-up questions.  Avoid offering helpful suggestions/ideas unless specifically asked.
3. Market yourself.  But, don’t beg for a job or oversell!  Be prepared to answer the question “What do you do?”  Avoid saying, “I am unemployed” or “I am looking for a job.”  Instead share what you do and how you add value.  Exchange business cards when appropriate and don’t forget to follow up.
4. Manners Matter. Take your manners and a positive attitude to each event. Be sure to thank the event host.  Yes — even Aunt Sally — your less than favorite person.  Show appreciation for the work and effort put into planning and hosting the event.  When appropriate,  prepare and deliver simple, unique and fun gifts to the host.

Go network, enjoy and have fun!  Avoid negative comments or conversations.  Be open to the opportunities before you and maintain an attitude of gratitude and appreciation.  Your upbeat attitude will prove contagious and you will expand your network and Accelerate Your Search.

“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” – Gandhi

Searching for your next position can be one of the toughest jobs you will ever hold.  Despite “positive thinking,” great marketing and all the resolve and determination you can muster, doubt can still seep in.  Go ahead, admit it, you’ve felt those doubts before, right?

All people have inner doubt at one time or another — maybe it happens when you reach for the phone or begin to compose an email.  You hear that little inner voice begin to chatter.  It says things like, “Why would this person be interested in hearing from me?” or “What will this person think of me?  I’m unemployed and begging for a job,” or even, “This person probably won’t even remember me!”  My “little voice” gets the loudest when I am marketing my services and communicating my value.  If the voice gets loud enough, I may even stop taking action.  Sound familiar?

How you ACT and interact with others is impacted by how you feel.  If you feel “less than” or doubt your skills and abilities it WILL show in your actions and interactions.  Each action (or inaction) directly impacts the results we achieve, the jobs for which we interview and consequently, our income and long-term success.

Let me share an example.  Have you seen people at networking events, walking the room, trying to meet EVERYONE?  They are stuffing their card into people’s hands, interrupting conversations and desperately trying to make something happen.  These actions are often driven by fear and will not garner the results the person is so desperately searching for.

Are you letting your doubts dictate your decisions and actions?  If so, pause and think about how you FEEL about your value, making connections and calling potential employers.  In times of doubt it is so important to continue to be bold and lean into the direction of positive change.

What would happen if you stopped listening to your doubts? 

What if you truly believed you are enough? 

What if you started to feel and act with positive expectation?

What would be different if, as Gandhi suggests in the quote above, you grow into the faith that you are enough and that connecting or re-connecting with each person will bring good things to you and to them?

You and I already know you have significant value to offer.  I also know that there are no accidents and that if you are considering the contact you should act on it!

What might change?  I know it takes a lot of courage to BELIEVE that you are enough, but results do occur when you lean into faith and take positive, proactive action.

Today is an important day in the United States.  It is Election Day and people, both old and new, will be selected for federal and state offices.  I hope you voted.

The campaign process and elections are  public examples of a unique form of interviewing.   No matter your view you on parties, the people running or the process in general, you can learn much about what to do (and what not to do) in a job search by watching the election process unfold.

If you are searching for your next job, here are 3 important lessons I’ve gleaned from the election process:

1. Being known is critical.  In an election or a job search you must be known.  Who you are, what you can do and what you have done will be scrutinized during the selection process, the interview and even after you’ve been hired.
2. Appearance and how you are perceived by others counts.  Whether during an election or a job search you are judged by what you wear, your facial expressions and how you answer questions.  Make sure you understand how others perceive you and your experience.
3. Investing in yourself and your personal branding is required.  It takes time, energy and money to run a campaign — just as it does to run a  job search.  You can’t get elected or hired without help.  You need resources, expertise and the insights of others to navigate the process.

Before you start your job search (or run for office!) ask yourself the following questions:

How are you getting your name in front of key decision makers?

Do hiring managers know who you are?

How are you perceived by others?

Does your appearance support your efforts to land the job you want?

Are you willing to invest in yourself?

Do you see other lessons or have a different point of view?  If so, please share your thoughts below.

Does your résumé set you apart and encourage your next boss to call you?  That’s great.  When your résumé is strong and communicates your unique value it serves as a key to open locked doors.  If your materials  are not helping you stand out in the sea of other résumés, you may not get the opportunity to interview for the position.

Today, more than ever, organizations are proactively looking for the skills and experience they seek.  Being reactive in your search is not the most effective marketing strategy.  I see hundreds of résumés each week and coach clients on the necessity of tailoring their résumé and message to your target audience.

Being focused on the position you want and clearly communicating your message to your target audience helps you stand out in a crowd of other qualified candidates.  Ensure your résumé is authentic and has clarity of purpose.   Show how you can help your future boss and organization achieve their goals.  These simple steps, overlooked by the majority of job seekers, help you “leap off the page.”

Action exercise:

1.  Write a brief job description of your ideal job.

2.  Then, just as if you are applying for the position, put your résumé and the job description side by side.  Highlight the needs and wants of the employer for your ideal job.

3.  Next, use the highlighter to highlight the keywords and information in your résumé that are applicable to the needs and wants of the employer.

Use this same exercise  before you react to a job posting.  Look for the unique ways you solve an employer’s problem or address the needs and wants expressed.  If your résumé is lacking,  fix it, or it may never seen by your future boss.

In the world of online sourcing and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), résumés that don’t match slip into the darkness and are never seen again.

Tomorrow is Halloween in the USA.  Many youth will dress in costumes and go door to door seeking candy or healthy snacks.  As each door opens they say ‘Trick ‘or Treat’ hoping to receive a treat in lieu of having to perform a trick.  If you want your résumé to be treated to human eyes, tailor it to match the job you are seeking and add style  and be sure it stands out. 

Happy Halloween!  Check out my Halloween treat for you.

“Write injuries in sand, kindnesses in marble.” ~ French Proverb

The quote above was shared with me at a time I was stuck and having a hard time moving forward.  It provided me with the fresh perspective I needed.

Wind, rain and many other factors move sand around easily.   Think of a sandcastle at the beach.  One minute it adorns the landscape, then a wave comes in and it is gone.

In business, organizations make decisions for thousands of reasons and sometimes those decisions are poorly planned, communicated and executed.  The outcome of some of these decisions is dramatic and immediate and the outcome of other decisions may take months or years to be seen.

When an organization decides to reduce or layoff staff or change employee job functions,  people are deeply impacted.  For some professionals the end of a job is a powerful force that moves them forward at once to the next great adventure.  For others, the blow is dramatic, personal and stops them in their tracks.

It is not always easy to “move on.”  If you are asking, “Why did this happen?”  Sometimes you need to stop and do something different.

If a change in your career has you currently focused on the hurt, write the “hurt” in the  sand or build a sandcastle.  Then visualize a wave washing over the sand.

Now, ask yourself different questions in order to move on. 

Ask yourself:

What do I want to do next?

What am I afraid of doing?

What would happen if I did what I am most afraid of doing?

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

What work would be fun or I would do without pay?

What am I most interested in doing?

What do I want my legacy to be?

Try a different questions.  Write down your answers.  Ponder your answers and be open to your answers.

Does it matter if you write messages in sand or marble?  I think so.  If you need help asking different questions or moving your search forward, look to the right and sign up for the next (no charge) Q & A session and let me know how I can help you.