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July 30th, 2008
This is a “silly” saying that Barb Bruno uses to represent a very important concept.
The “biggest frog” represents the biggest problem you have facing you at any given moment.
The topic is referring to procrastination. It is especially easy for job seekers to fall into a situation where procrastination becomes an excuse for not conducting a thorough job search.
Whether you are unemployed, under-employed or employed and seeking a new opportunity, it is imperative that you commit the time necessary to obtain your desired results.
Time Management is a skill that must be applied effectively during your search. Effective time management can be the one thing that secures your next career move, or it can be the one thing that sabotages it. Once you have set your career search goals, you then must dedicate yourself to the actual actions of your search.
In order to conduct an effective job search, you must set specific goals. Those goals need to be measurable and they need to have a specific time frame for within they should be met.
Procrastination is common and you need to make sure you are focusing on your tasks daily.
It is a fact that you can’t do everything that you have to do! Therefore, procrastinate on the small things.
Barb’s concept of SWALLOWING YOUR BIGGEST FROG FIRST” means that you should put off the small, less important tasks. You should swallow the biggest tasks first! Do these before you do anything else!
Everyone procrastinates. The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.
Since you must procrastinate, decide to procrastinate on low-value activities. Eliminate those activities that don’t have a major impact on your job search and in your life overall.
The biggest frog requires attention and it is almost always negative attention. If your main focus is on an event that creates negativity, that one event can often shut down your required tasks for your entire day!
The bottom line is to get rid of the tadpoles and then really eliminate the frogs!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
V.P. of Sales & Marketing
Sales Coach/Consultant
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July 23rd, 2008
Learning to say no may seem like a simple task however, many people have difficulty with such a little word! One of the most powerful words in the English language is the word NO. One of the areas in which using the word no is especially challenging is when you are dealing with time management issues.
Many of us are just used to saying yes. It is almost a habit to answer yes often before we actually hear the question being posed to us.
Saying no to anyone is difficult. When you are conducting a job search, it is important that you put yourself first! Most individuals have family and friends in their lives that require time and energy from them. Of course I don’t suggest that you completely shut out the significant others in order to conduct a thorough job search. Actually, it is important that you surround yourself with family and friends when you are searching for your next career move.
When you learn to say no in a positive manner, your results will probably surprise you. It is imperative that when you say no, you learn to say it politely. It needs to be said clearly so that there are no misunderstandings. You need to say it on a regular basis until it becomes a normal part of your time management vocabulary.
Say no to anything that is not a high-value use of your time and of your life. Say no kindly and graciously, yet firmly in order to avoid agreeing to something against your will, or something that you don’t have the time to devote. Try to stay organized, try to simplify your day. Focus on your priorities in order to get more done in less time.
It is okay to put yourself first – especially in your job search!
Say no early and say it often! Remember that spare time is just that… spare!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
V.P. of Sales & Marketing
Sales Coach/Consultant
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May 21st, 2008
If you are currently in a job search, you need to view your search as your full time job!
This applies to both employed as well as unemployed individuals. If you are currently employed, you must determine how much of a priority your job search is at this time. If you are unemployed, you must devote 40 hours per week toward your search.
There are many steps in searching for your next career move. The following are just a few of the things you need to do in order to keep your search moving and active:
1. Assess your current skills, experience, education
2. Make a list of references
3. Call references and let them know they are listed on your behalf – this step also verifies your references and their current contact information
4. Take some form of assessment tool to help you target your ideal career
5. Write a short cover letter – have it proofed by a trusted professional
6. Write your resume – have it proofed by a trusted professional
7. Research companies in your career field
8. Upon completion of your research – obtain names of decision makers
9. Send your cover letter and resume to target companies
10. Have a follow–up plan – to follow–up with all information sent
(Do not become the “stalker” candidate – no more than once per week)
11. Send a hand written thank you note (when applicable) – have a trusted professional proof it first
12. Keep your attitude positive
13. View each rejection as a learning experience – and one step closer to your next job
14. Maintain consistency in your search – every single day must have some activity getting you closer to your next job
15. Keep the attitude that “If it is meant to be, then it will be”
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
V.P. Sales & Marketing
Sales Consulting
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May 21st, 2008
A CONCERN FACING HR EXECUTIVES
One of main concerns for HR executives is how to grow and maintain a high performing workforce with ever – tightening resources. Companies are cautious to add more resources when they often have fewer employees. Corporations that utilize their employees to their fullest potential with the companies’ goals in mind, will be the corporations who succeed during these challenging economic times.
A nationwide recent poll found that only a mere 9% of Americans describe the relationship between employees and company executives/management as “extremely positive”, and 49% describe the relationship as “lukewarm.” The remaining employees described the relationship as “negative.”
Upon further interviews, only 10% of employees strongly agreed that their companies truly listened and cared about them as individuals. Furthermore, only 9% completely trusted their employers.
This disconnect is not solely related to salary and benefits. According to Rick Garlick, Ph.D, Director of consulting and strategic implementation for Maritz Research, “Our research has shown that the extent to which they trusted their leaders to act consistently, were at least twice as important as salary and nearly three times as important as benefits in predicting the state of labor relations.”
This simply states that we are dealing with human beings. It is crucial that HR executives are encouraging company leaders to key in on and exemplify caring, trust and consistent actions.
One great way to keep employees satisfied is through recognition. When an employee is singled out for any positive situation, their overall attitude toward their company becomes much more positive. Attitudes in general are contagious. Therefore, it is so important to keep “positive attitudes” growing and flourishing as often as possible.
Another great way to keep employees happy is by including them in the overall company goals. This enables them to feel included in the “bigger picture.” They now feel that they are part of the team!
A third way to increase motivation is to have a rewards program. When employees feel they are paid on results, their work product will be their best work. This ties in to the recognition concept mentioned earlier.
Basically, employees want to feel cared about, trusted and consistent.
Through recognition, rewards and involving them in company goals are three simple ways to make a positive impact on your team!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
V.P. of Sales & Marketing
Sales Consultant
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May 14th, 2008
During the past few years, the United States has seen a myriad of high-profile individuals, working professionals, as well as the most entry level individuals committing what should be considered a crime – Resume Fraud!
Technically it is not a crime to lie on a resume. However, most hiring professionals believe it should be. Countless hours are wasted on job seekers who misrepresent themselves on their resumes. In almost every case, where lies have been found on their resumes, those individuals don’t fare well in the working world. If a job seeker is willing to lie on their resume, it is easy to question whether or not they are honest in other aspects of their life. It becomes viewed as a character flaw. When someone’s character is questioned, it is difficult to repair any negative thoughts associated with that person.
Even though resume lies are considered extremely unprofessional, they somehow are still making their way onto resumes and into hiring authorities’ hands. These are seemingly harmless untruths to candidates, yet are highly looked down upon by future employers.
When surveyed, only 5 % of workers admitted to lying on their resume.
However, 57% of hiring authorities reported that they have caught at least one lie on a candidate’s application or resume, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com.
The most important statistic is that 93% of those who spotted a lie DID NOT hire the applicant because of the lie!
The top 9 most common lies found on resumes, according to Forbes.com:
1. Lying about a degree
2. Exaggerating numbers
3. Increasing previous salary
4. Playing with dates
5. Inflating titles
6. Lying about technical abilities
7. Claiming language fluency
8. Providing a fake address
9. Padding grade point averages
My advice to job seekers is to simply be honest!
My advice to hiring authorities is to be aware of dishonesty!
In either case – HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
V.P. of Sales & Marketing
Sales Consultant
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May 7th, 2008
YOU WILL GROW OR YOU WILL DIE –
THE CHOICE IS YOURS…
The following are 10 steps you can take in order to promote Growth in your life!
1. You need to re-think your current lifestyle. Challenge yourself to think in new ways. Ask yourself what is really important to you. Next ask yourself to evaluate what you are sacrificing in order to keep up with the daily tasks you accomplish. If those tasks make you happy then you are less likely to need change. However, if you would like to spend more time with family or friends, then changes in your
calendar might encourage personal and professional growth.
2. You need to recognize that growth is a process. You need to actually set aside time to research different areas for personal growth. Once you have decided what you enjoy doing, spend time doing what you really want to do!
3. You should eliminate the areas in your life that are your non-essentials. So often we focus on our “must dos” rather then our “want to dos” – Find more time in your day to key in on activities that encourage growth.
4. You need to have an open mind! Your true gifts may be hidden beneath your daily tasks. Try not to stay on a safe path – explore the unknown. You may find that taking risks enables you to find more gratifying talents.
5. Once you have decided what it is you have a new passion for, personally and professionally, don’t let distractions take your energy away from the new tasks necessary to achieve your new goal.
6. Keep your mind open to new concepts and ideas. Let your creativity help you visualize a new future. This new future has been created by you… for you!
7. Be aware of the core values that motivate you. Make sure that your life is in sync with your values and priorities. If they are not, growth is a necessity!
8. Don’t forget to always expand your knowledge. You should also try to expand your options. For personal and professional growth you need to commit to ongoing learning.
9. Until you try to make steps towards personal or professional growth, you won’t know if the timing is right. Embrace trial and error. When the timing IS right you will experience new found growth.
10. Try to get opinions from others your respect. Tap into your network – family, friends and colleagues. These individuals may be able to provide you feedback, advice and overall support. As you benefit from the input of others, you may also find that you’re helping someone else along the way.
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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April 24th, 2008
The answers you put down for Current Salary and Desired Salary have more impact on your eventual offer, than anything you say during your interview. The current salary can be verified so you don’t want to misrepresent the amount. You should not include bonuses, incentives and other perks unless they are guaranteed. List your base salary and put plus signs next to the amount. When you are asked what the plus sign mean, you explain those represent your bonuses, incentives, perks, etc.
When an application form asks you to list your desired salary, you should put “open” “negotiable” “depends on entire package” or any answer other than a specific dollar amount. If you list a salary that is too high, you have eliminated yourself from contention before you even know if your interested or if their benfits more than make up for a lower salary. If you list an amount too low, you will leave money on the table.
With over thirty years of experience as a recruiter, I can tell you we NEVER know what a job will actually pay. It depends on how well “you interview!” If we sent someone who aces the interview and our client feels there is no learning curve, dollars go up. If the interview went “okay” and the client identifies red flags or a learning curve, dollars go down. That is why it is so critically important that your desired salary is vague until after the initial interviewing process.
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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April 18th, 2008
Hiring authorities are positively impacted when a job seeker has taken the time to “learn” about their company. One of the most effective ways to sound like an insider is to speak with individuals (friends and family members) who may have worked for their company. These individuals can describe the company culture, selling points of the company, and provide inside information to help you sound informed.
When you tell a company you have “targeted them” as someone you want to work for, you have a competitive edge. You then follow this statement up with “why” you have targeted their company. This is where the inside information you have obtained is invaluable!
If you don’t know anyone who has worked at a company you have targeted, do your research on the Internet and read what “others” have written about the company. You can also utilize social networks like linkedin to find employees from these companies. If you do your research and obtain inside information, you will be more prepared and you will receive a higher salary offer when you “ace” your interview!
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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March 27th, 2008
Most job seekers know to dress appropriately for an interview. When you’re not sure of proper interview attire, visit the employer a few days prior to your interview, and dress better than the employees you observe. It’s better to error on the side of appropriate attire.
What most job seekers don’t realize is your first impression not only involves your appearance, dress, grooming and personal hygiene when you show up for your interview…..it starts with your first contact with the company. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. If you were asked to fill out an application form (either hard copy or on line) did you fill it out thoroughly?
2. Did you check your application form for spelling, grammar or punctuation errors?
3. If you sent a resume, was the resume targeted at this specific opportunity or company?
4. Did you proofread your resume to make sure there were no errors?
5. Does your resume include accomplishments vs. just being a “job description”
6. If you included a cover letter, was it customized?
7. If you had a conversation with a receptionist or HR Assistant, were you polite and did you thank them for their help?
8. When you arrive at the interview, did you treat everyone you met with respect?
You would be amazed how many times a hiring authority will ask their receptionist or HR Assistant how they were treated.
Never underestimate the impact these areas can have on your ability to land your DREAM JOB!
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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March 12th, 2008
Most resumes are basically a job description with your name of the top! Job descriptions are NOT “tickets to interviews!” It’s important for you to bullet point your accomplishments for each of the jobs you have held. Write a three to five line job description and then list your accomplishments. List what you did and how it had a positive impact on your employer. If you have ever saved your company time or money, those are the accomplishments you should list first!
When you list your accomplishments on a resume - it does become a TICKET TO THE INTERVIEW!
Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
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