Tuesday Tip: Focus on Strengths & Build Your Confidence

Whether it is writing your resume or preparing for an interview, being focused on your strengths and what sets you apart "in a good way" is going to make a difference. It brings up your confidence and reflects positively on your resume and during interviews.

 

Several weeks ago, I received an email from a recent college grad to say "Thanks for all your words of advice (that) gave me a great sense of confidence and I think that was evident during the interview 

process." He landed a job in HR at one of the leading tech companies. I have a heart for assisting new grads, those soon to graduate, or those fairly recent grads who were hit by the downturn. It's been a rough 6 years when many grads who, in the past would have landed a job immediately after college, are still struggling to find the way into the right role and "catch up" so to speak. 

 

My advice to the still lingering college grads and more experienced adult professionals who remain unemployed or under employed is choose your focus, leverage your strengths/talents and don't give up. Find your support system of people who know what you do well and keep them close at hand. We all have periods in our lives when others continue to point out our strengths and help us keep our confidence from completely dying out. My best friend has believed in me over the years and pointed out natural talents that no one else noticed.  Aware of those, I've been able to leverage them in my marketing and often share stories about my own unique strengths and process to encourage my clients.

 

If you are struggling, no matter what your situation, reach out to those who believe in you; seek advice from wise and practical people; and, ask for positive feedback about what you do well. Even if it's  been awhile since you've been able to land the right job and "shine," there is always a way to work former examples into a current resume and talk about your unique strengths confidently in an interview.

 

And, today, I received a note from a parent who said "just wanted to update you that (my son)  has a new job ... (and is) doing Sales/Account Mgt. Your counseling put him on the right track!" I'm glad because that's what it's all about.

~ ~

If you are in a situation where you need assistance in getting into that right job or getting back into a role that makes you "shine," I'd love to assist. *

Marianne   408-295-6656  

 

* I do sliding scale for those who need that assistance. 

Start of Spring: Checking In

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: " Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
  

Speaking of travel, have you ever opted for a "staycation" instead of heading to another destination? I am presently on a Staycation. To me it is a time to have "very limited" access on the business world side of things and a lot of access to self through rest and rejuvenation activities. I have 6 days to go but on the first day, I read the quote above. It reminded me of the beauty in my life because of the people in it - all of you. Whether you are client, friend, colleague or a combination of these, I am so appreciative for having the connections with you. It enhances the beauty of my own life.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and wish you all the best that Spring has to offer. It's a time of refreshment and renewal. Often, it's an invitation to create or do something new in some part of our life. I've been signing up for creative workshops and silent retreat days offered locally (in line with my "staycation"). See information at end of email.

So, "Happy Spring!" And, may you enjoy its beauty and time of renewal  whether you are pausing in the present moments or taking a few hours, a day, or more for your own spring break in order to be ready for what this season has in store for you.

~ ~

If you are interested, here is more for you:

RETREAT AND CREATIVE RENEWAL PRACTICES ~
~ Donnalynn Chase workshops  http://soul2express.com/
~ Susan Rowland offerings, Contemplative Center of Silicon Valley http://www.sanjosepby.org/events/soul-space/

Marianne   408-295-6656 

Tuesday Tip: Choose Your Work Colleagues & Play Mates

As a Career Counselor, it's important for me to assist clients in understanding their own values and how values are foundational to finding our best fit for work, community involvement and other group affiliations. Our values define what we hold to be true about ourselves and what is important in the way we live out our work and personal life. They are at our "core" and usually remain consistent throughout our lives sometimes changing slightly with a "season of life" transition like starting a family or retiring.


I'm very involved in a local music organization. The reason we came together was because of our passion for this music gendre, the Blues. However, the reason that we stay together is because we have a similar foundation of values. We like working together and "fit". What makes a particular band stay together for many years? They have a synchronicity in the music they create and perform together. But, it goes beyond that. It's personality styles and getting along. I think it's also that they have enough commonality of core values so they build upon their like mindedness and it's a good fit for a long time.

The same is true inside companies and organizations. Culture is shaped around the values established early on in a company's formation and lived out by the top leadership team. If your values fit with the organization, you are in sync. If you are disappointed a lot of the time, or frustrated with the mission and vision, or lack of it, or you feel like the odd man, or woman, out, it may be time to reassess and look for a better values fit.

I want to send you on your way today with a quote shared via Dr. Bernie Rock's newsletter from Latin Rock, Inc. Reading this, inspired me. Thanks, Bernie!

 

"Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people." 

~  Elizabeth Green  

~ ~ 

Have a great week~

Marianne   408-295-6656 

REGISTER HERE: http://www.ucsc-extension.edu/content/spring-hr-forum-march-27

March 27th 8-10am, free event

"Talk Your Way into the C-Suite": Learn how to quickly capture top leaders' attention and gain their support

We hear more and more about understanding HR's value to the Business and making the business case.  Now, it's time to put this into action and communicate with impact to Senior Leaders. Join us at UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley on Thursday, March 27th, 8-10am, to hear from Rick Gilbert, Ph.D. and Founder of PowerSpeaking, http://www.powerspeaking.com/

Learn the proven secrets of powerful executive presentations including:

·         Making your first line your bottom line

·         Using appropriate delivery style

·         Reducing or eliminating PPT

·         Improv: Being flexible

·         Managing the 7 “Deadly Challenges.”

By the time you leave, you will understand the importance of practicing these rules for your career success and the success of your HR team.

 

Frederick Gilbert is the founder of PowerSpeaking, Inc., a speech communication training company in Redwood City. Prior to this he held Quality and Communication roles in High Tech. Rick's coaching  of over 200 senior-level executives led to the creation of the award winning  Speaking Up: Presenting to Executives.  The program won The 2004 Best Buys by Training Magazine, was recommended by Fortune Magazine, and won the Brandon Hall “Excellence in Learning” award for 2011. It features video interviews with 21 C-level executives about how to present effectively at top-level meetings. His book, “Speaking Up: Surviving Executive Presentations” was published by Berrett-Koehler in April, 2013.

 

This event is sponsored by:
Executive Search Firm, Lewis Partners, LLC, http://www.lewis-partners.com/
Career Coaching & Training, Design Your Direction http://www.designyourdirection.com/

UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley. http://www.ucsc-extension.edu/

 

Tuesday Tip: Communicating with Success

Being an effective communicator is such an important skill in business. A former manager of mine, who was very influential in my career life, shared a model of communication feedback years ago. This model has a 4-pronged approach. I'm sharing it with you now so that you may add it to your resources for effective communication.

4-pronged model:

1. Explain your observations to the other person.
2. Describe what you felt or thought.
3. Own your feelings / thoughts and take the other person "off the hook".
4. Ask for feedback from the other person.

Here's an example:

1. In yesterday's meeting,  you expressed dissatisfaction with the project outcomes and raised your voice when doing so.
2. I thought that we had met all of the specifications and felt surprised, unprepared and uncomfortable with this part of the presentation.
3. You probably didn't know that it was the first time our team was hearing this information. Therefore, you most likely didn't know that I felt surprised and unprepared.
4. Would you let me know your thoughts? Thanks. 

From here, you continue an objective dialogue.   

There are some additional key points to keep in mind. Taking time to prepare for a feedback conversation is important. I often prepare and then run it by a trusted colleague before scheduling the feedback meeting.  When communicating, the message (what I say) may not be received exactly the way I intended. Therefore, I recommend checking in along the way to insure that the message is clearly understood. I try to ask clarifying questions like "Would you be more specific?". And, practicing active listening (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_listening), a tool often used in conflict resolution, is very helpful. Giving and receiving effective feedback takes a lot of practice. With time, it does become more comfortable and you find that you have positive outcomes. 

~ ~ 

Further resources for Active Listening:
http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm
http://www.studygs.net/listening.htm
http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/activel.htm

Have a great week~

Marianne   408-295-6656 

Tuesday Tip: What is Career Success?

Today at lunch time, I was in my favorite support group meeting. One of our topics centered on worry and fear about the future and what could go wrong. Several of us are self-employed and we agreed that even when the worst feared "wrong" occurs, 95% of the time it's not even close to how serious we portrayed it in our minds.

So, why do we drive ourselves crazy with that fear?  Does that fear keep us from being fully engaged on our work and life path? Does it create a barrier to success? Bill Cosby said: "In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." 

So, that leads me to the next question to ponder. What does success mean? It's different for all of us you know. I've sat with thousands of individuals who are working on their career goals. Each one defines success differently.

When I first decided to work as a career counselor, over 18 years ago, I created my mission statement. It was how I defined success for myself. That mission was to "help people create the greatest work of art that is their life". A couple of years later, I realized that one aspect of my mission had changed. The work wasn't to create it - that was already a done deal. People are born, I believe, with innate talents. They have natures that lead them to do work in a field that suits them.  So, my mission is "guiding people to discover the greatest work of art that is their life."  I help people uncover what at some level they already know about themselves and set that knowledge into action.  

A colleague of mine, Monica Loncich, who works in the HR field, recently sent me a story that describes what career success means to her. It's a lovely story and I'd like to share it with you:

~ "My parents immigrated to the US in the early 60’s, intending to someday return to their country after achieving some measure of financial stability. Both of my parents worked hard, using their skills in a variety of jobs to support our family of nine. My sisters and I excelled in school, and built lasting friendships. It became apparent over the course of many years that my family had built a good life and were in the US to stay permanently. I embraced the values my family taught me – the value of learning and receiving a good education; diligence and working hard and extending a hand to help others. As I progressed in my career, these values have helped me to develop many positive relationships in the various companies where I have worked. Many former co-workers are now good friends. Success for me is the choice I have made many, many times to treat others as the life travelers and companions that we are. I am reminded that every person’s choices and decisions affect my life as mine touches theirs. Success is the reward of continuing to learn from other people and to know that I have influenced and positively impacted a number of those who have traveled the road of life alongside me."

Monica truly has thought about and embraced her definition of career success. She is living it through the work she loves in the human resource field and beyond.


So, think about how you'd like to define your career success. There isn't a right or wrong answer. Your definition of success might involve making a certain income level, having a positive impact on the environment, helping others, etc. Then, in order to achieve that success, it's simply doing what you do best and not letting worry and fear get in the way.

~ ~ 

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. ~ Bill Cosby

I wish you much success wherever your career and work life takes you this week.

Marianne   408-295-6656 

Tuesday Tip: Considering Interests 

Lately, I have tuned into radio and tv shows and heard about the top 1% of wealthy people in the world. During some of the shows, I've heard it said that others could do the same if they worked harder. I'm always astounded by this idea as so much depends on a person's interests, talents, personality, etc. and, most importantly, the situation into which one is born.

In the field of career development and career counseling, many of us use an assessment, the Strong Interest Inventory ®. A practitioner has to be qualified to administer this assessment. I was certified in the inventory years ago as a new career counselor; it is still one of my favorite tools.

Someone in the top 1% of wealth who has "earned" money leveraging entrepreneurial and business knowledge would score in the interest area known as enterprising.  People in this category are persuaders and influencing leaders who take more risks in the business world. Enterprising is one of six categories on the Strong Interest Inventory®.   Of course, there are people with other interest areas -  sports, entertainment, inventing, to name a few - who also achieve wealth. Not everyone has, in fact many, many people throughout the world don't have, enterprising interests. Many people are not interested in the business and politics of the world. It takes all types to "make this world" work.  And, many people making the world go round are not interested in business, politics, and leading.

So, I'm suggesting not to generalize and say "just work harder", when there is so much more to consider.

~ ~ 

For some information on the wealthiest in the world, here's an article in the Atlantic Monthly:

The World's 85 Richest People Are as Wealthy as the Poorest 3 Billion: What exactly does that mean? Derek Thompson, Jan 21, 2014.  http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/01/the-worlds-85-richest-people-are-as-wealthy-as-the-poorest-3-billion/283206/

 

And, for information on the Strong Interest Inventory:

https://www.cpp.com/products/strong/index.aspx

~ In the midst of your work and life and interests, I wish you a good and productive week.

Marianne   408-295-6656