Accelerate Your Search™ Now

“Wherever there is danger, there lurks opportunity; whenever there is opportunity, there lurks danger. The two are inseparable. They go together.“~ Earl Nightingale

Have you ever experienced one of those phone calls when you hear someone’s voice and immediately sense danger or distress?

I’ve had those calls.  Often they begin with a simple request like, “Hi, I need some help . . . ”  I feel the distress or danger and my thoughts begin to race.  What’s the danger?  Where is this person? And so on.  The distress in their voice and the energy on those calls can be very intense.  Luckily, I usually know within a few seconds that no one is physical danger and no on was injured.

When I reflect back on the calls, the quote above almost always comes to mind and is a reminder that the line between danger and opportunity is very thin.

Preparation and awareness are the key to creating the best outcomes — to turning danger into opportunity.  And, in business and our careers in particular, we often turn those “thin” moments into unique situations — presenting us with better than envisioned outcomes, connections and profitable opportunities.  Applying this preparation and awareness to our knowledge creates focus and the successful outcomes others may view simply as luck.

For a long time I sought the awareness I saw in others — awareness I thought was just easy luck.  Then I discovered I had the awareness I needed, yet too often I ignored it or simply forgot to pay attention to it.  The impact?  Loads of missed opportunities right at my fingertips, ripe for the taking.

My first coach helped me discover why I ignored the great stuff.  It turned out to be a simple issue, though one I could not have seen without help.  Now, my nutrition coach is helping me tackle why I ‘forget’ self care — hydration, rest and better nourishment.  Their coaching makes me better prepared, creating the focus and awareness I once thought was simply luck.

Recently, a client, whose goals were to create focus and successful outcomes, opened with the distress call, “Hi, I need some help . . .”  Through our interaction he tapped into his internal awareness and built into his search what he called a “lifeline call” to help him deal with the thin points.  Using his lifeline, he turned an unexpected question about relocation into an opportunity, then a second interview and through a continued conversation, a great offer.

Are you aware of the opportunities around you?  Are you tapping into them?

 Are you ignoring or overlooking opportunities because you only see danger?

 Are you creating your own “luck” or just hoping for the best?

 Have you built a support network so you can place the “lifeline” call if you need to ?

“The reality of life is that your perceptions — right or wrong – influence everything else you do. When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place.”~ Roger Birkman

People often ask me about the need for additional certifications to land the job they want.  The bottom line?  Sometimes it is necessary to have a certificate or special training for a job.

Yet, when the question I hear starts with a statement like, “I think I need a certification or training to get a job, what do you think?” my radar goes into overdrive.

In most cases, I am very direct (yes, I’m known for being direct and to-the-point) and say, “It doesn’t matter what I think or what an employer thinks, your perception is your truth. Therefore if you think need it, you must acquire it.”

Of course, that’s not helpful to most people.  As a coach it is my job to help the person exploring a certification understand their motivations.  I ask questions to help them discover a solid perspective on the additional training and then assess the need and value of that certification in the marketplace.

It is critical  to remember the employer’s perception of what you need is one of the keys to getting hired.  Forget that and you may stay in your current position indefinitely or quickly become unemployed.

If you’re contemplating a certificate or additional training, ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do I want a certification?

• How will this certification increase my capacity to do the job?

• How does this certification help me use my best-loved skills in my ideal job?

• What is the cost of the certification over 5 years?

• What is my return on investment over 5 years?

• Do I think a certificate is an easy solution?

Then pause and ask yourself, “Am I using a certificate or training as a crutch to avoid addressing a different issue?”

Are you telling yourself you need training just to avoid taking action, making a commitment or shifting a habit/belief that is really slowing your search?

Are you using a obtaining a certificate or additional training as a reason not to face your fears?  Explore carefully or you may just be ‘kicking the can down the road,’ leaving the real issue to be dealt with at a later time.

If you want to discuss the above questions with someone, contact me.  We can dig into the answers and move forward together.

Have a question or comment?  Post it below.

Are you still on target with your intentions?  Why or why not?

I recently read there are two factors that impact your success of achieving a New Year’s resolution more than anything else:

1) Do you like and want the end result of the resolution and

2)  Do you believe the change is good for you?

Dictionary.com defines belief as “something believed; an opinion or conviction.”

Belief is a powerful factor.  How are your beliefs impacting your job search and/or your New Year’s resolution results?

Recently, a client shared he preferred the freedom of unemployment over receiving a weekly paycheck.  With this realization he created a new plan.  He would not seek a new job and instead was planning on selling his home and moving in with his elderly parents to serve as their caregiver.  This would allow him to continue to enjoy the freedom of his current lifestyle.

His conviction, as he shared it, was that his freedom was more important than receiving a paycheck and he decided finding a way to have the freedom was more important to him than finding a job.

What is important to you?  How is it impacting your career-related New Year’s resolution(s)?

I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts on the topic.   Post a comment or share your resolution and your progress.

Yes, it is!   Boring is out for 2013 and WOW is in!

Everyone needs an Elevator Speech.  It is your commercial and often serves as your only introduction.

Used when you meet and greet, it answers the question,“Tell me about yourself.”   The term “Elevator Speech,” as I understand it, comes from the Venture Capital world.  It was developed as a marketing pitch, customized to the people and situation and designed to secure funding for the next great idea or product.

Has your Elevator Speech lost its WOW (or maybe never really had it)?  If so, it’s time to ditch it!

What is the WOW in your branded Elevator Speech?

WOW stands for your Worth (what you do and the impact of it), the Opportunities you are seeking, and What you can do for the person (or someone they know) experiencing your message.

Your WOW makes you memorable, helps others connect with you and understand why they should care about what you have to say.   If the WOW is missing, odds are you will be forgotten or the conversation will fizzle quickly.  Without a strong WOW your brand awareness is diminished and it takes longer to have influence in any situation.

Remember, you only have seconds to connect, set the stage and share your WOW.  Your first impression is vital — make it count or you will be forgotten!

Ditch your boring Elevator Speech.  Be relevant.  Gain favorable attention.  Ensure that when you meet someone they understand what you do and the impact you have.

Ready to ditch boring and add WOW?

There are thousands of formulas for an elevator speech — pick any formula you like.  Draft your initial speech.

Then slice it, dice it, edit it, and make it yours.    Deb Dib co-author of “Ditch Dare Do!”  recommends being ruthless when editing — every word should count!

Now it is time to hone your elevator speech.  Practice it.  Use it.  Change it as you grow.  You need to be comfortable delivering it, yet if it sounds canned it will impact the impression you make.

This formula will get you started:  “I <what you do> <the problem you solve> and the <results you produce>.

Here is an example a client started with:

“I train rescue dogs to serve as companions for recent widows struggling with a lifestyle change and who want a friend around the house, but no more laundry in their life!”

The above message includes humor that may not fit you.  It fits the person who shared it.

In 25+ words you know a great deal about her brand and what she does.  When she speaks you will decide to continue a conversation or not.  Yet the message is long.

After some editing, she now delivers her WOW in 12 words.   Less is often more!

She revised it as follows:

“I train dogs to serve as companions for widows who hate laundry!”

You get the idea.  Ditch boring and the extra words.

Does your Elevator Speech have WOW?   Is it on brand, clear and to the point? Does it tell your brand story?

Have a comment or thought?  Post it below.

What will 2013 bring for you?   Will you achieve your goals?

Is a new or better job on your list of resolutions?  If your goals include building, accelerating and sustaining your career or finding a new or better position in 2013, here are three steps to help you:

1.    Assess your current situation.

• Where are you today?
• Where do you want to be at the end of 2013?
• What’s next for you and your career?
• What is the right fit for you now and 10 years from now?
• Why is changing your current situation important?
• Do you have career-marketing materials that promote you in a credible and distinctive way or do they need to be created?

2.    Create an action plan.

• How will you get in front of the people who need to know about you?
• What is the quickest path to get from where you are to where you want to be?
• How do you manage future positions so you don’t end up in this situation again?

3.   Set up an execution strategy.

• What are going to do every single day to execute your plan?
• How will you measure and evaluate your results?

Have a wonderful 2013.  If I can help you, let’s connect.

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.

“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.

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.