DO NOT Lose Faith In Yourself

DO NOT Lose Faith In Yourself Yesterday I had a wonderful radio show with Susan Whitcomb.   We talked about a lot of cool stuff, and the Recruiting Animal jumped on and added some great info (digging to why I didnt get a job if Im such a smart guy, and so driven??).   You can download it, or just listen to it online, at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jibberjobber. Susans ending thoughts revolve around what she calls Providence, saying that in the end we just cant lose faith that things will work out.   I truly believe this can you think of anyone who is completely left out to dry, with no way to survive?   While some people may feel like it, things somehow work out (even if we dont end up with the boat, and ATV, and other toys that we think we should have). Im not going to talk about Providence you can listen to Susans interview here. I want to talk about what happens to the professional as the job search goes longer and longer.   I went through this myself, and experienced some of the lowest days of my life.   And almost daily I hear from professionals who are in serious pain. At the beginning of my job search, I knew I was pretty hot.   My credentials were strong, including a Computer Information Systems degree as well as an MBA.   I speak Spanish fluently, my past job titles include general manager, VP, CIO, IT Manager, etc.   I was involved in some very cool projects, and saw significant growth/improvement, etc. I did not have a problem with feeling good about myself. Until a few weeks went by and I was not getting any return phone calls or emails.   I was sitting in my chair, with my laptop, wondering why people werent responding to me.   Couldnt they see how incredible I was, and what Id add to their company, and why they should hire me???? I started to doubt myself. Was I really that good?   Or maybe I was just in the right place at the right time, and lucked out in the previous part of my career. I lost self-confidence. If companies werent interested in me, even for lesser jobs than I had in the past, maybe I wasnt worth anything?   Did I go to the wrong school?   Was my employer badmouthing me when called as a reference?   Where my skills just not useful anymore?   Was I the commodity I never should have been? I compared myself to others, in a really bad way. People who I thought I was better than, but guess what?   They had jobs and paychecks.   If *they* could get work, and I couldnt, what was wrong with me?? It was easy to lose perspective.   You can read over 200 comments on my Depression Clouds Everything post, which talks about depression in the job search.   You can read why having this happen to you will only prolong your job search in my post about HR and recruiters being able to smell blood a mile away (like a wolf can smell blood of a wounded victim are you a wounded victim?   HR doesnt want to bring a wounded victim onboard). Some things are in your control.   Like what time you get out of bed, what time you shower and get dressed, and how you take care of yourself.   You control what activities you do in your so-called job search.   Is it to sit on the computer and apply online all day, or will you do the right (and hard) stuff like pick up the phone or go out and meet people face-to-face? One of my moms favorite sayings is this too shall pass.   Meaning, no matter what we are going through, well get through it. I KNOW you will get through your job search.   Does it suck?   Its beyond sucking.   Its a demoralizing state.   But its also a very common state, and many people are in it right now, and many more will be in it soon.   And youll be in it again. But please, please dont lose faith in yourself.   This job search will pass, and soon enough youll find yourself employed, pulling in a paycheck, and okay.   You may not have hit the bottom yet, but you will find that job you are looking for. DO NOT Lose Faith In Yourself Yesterday I had a wonderful radio show with Susan Whitcomb.   We talked about a lot of cool stuff, and the Recruiting Animal jumped on and added some great info (digging to why I didnt get a job if Im such a smart guy, and so driven??).   You can download it, or just listen to it online, at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jibberjobber. Susans ending thoughts revolve around what she calls Providence, saying that in the end we just cant lose faith that things will work out.   I truly believe this can you think of anyone who is completely left out to dry, with no way to survive?   While some people may feel like it, things somehow work out (even if we dont end up with the boat, and ATV, and other toys that we think we should have). Im not going to talk about Providence you can listen to Susans interview here. I want to talk about what happens to the professional as the job search goes longer and longer.   I went through this myself, and experienced some of the lowest days of my life.   And almost daily I hear from professionals who are in serious pain. At the beginning of my job search, I knew I was pretty hot.   My credentials were strong, including a Computer Information Systems degree as well as an MBA.   I speak Spanish fluently, my past job titles include general manager, VP, CIO, IT Manager, etc.   I was involved in some very cool projects, and saw significant growth/improvement, etc. I did not have a problem with feeling good about myself. Until a few weeks went by and I was not getting any return phone calls or emails.   I was sitting in my chair, with my laptop, wondering why people werent responding to me.   Couldnt they see how incredible I was, and what Id add to their company, and why they should hire me???? I started to doubt myself. Was I really that good?   Or maybe I was just in the right place at the right time, and lucked out in the previous part of my career. I lost self-confidence. If companies werent interested in me, even for lesser jobs than I had in the past, maybe I wasnt worth anything?   Did I go to the wrong school?   Was my employer badmouthing me when called as a reference?   Where my skills just not useful anymore?   Was I the commodity I never should have been? I compared myself to others, in a really bad way. People who I thought I was better than, but guess what?   They had jobs and paychecks.   If *they* could get work, and I couldnt, what was wrong with me?? It was easy to lose perspective.   You can read over 200 comments on my Depression Clouds Everything post, which talks about depression in the job search.   You can read why having this happen to you will only prolong your job search in my post about HR and recruiters being able to smell blood a mile away (like a wolf can smell blood of a wounded victim are you a wounded victim?   HR doesnt want to bring a wounded victim onboard). Some things are in your control.   Like what time you get out of bed, what time you shower and get dressed, and how you take care of yourself.   You control what activities you do in your so-called job search.   Is it to sit on the computer and apply online all day, or will you do the right (and hard) stuff like pick up the phone or go out and meet people face-to-face? One of my moms favorite sayings is this too shall pass.   Meaning, no matter what we are going through, well get through it. I KNOW you will get through your job search.   Does it suck?   Its beyond sucking.   Its a demoralizing state.   But its also a very common state, and many people are in it right now, and many more will be in it soon.   And youll be in it again. But please, please dont lose faith in yourself.   This job search will pass, and soon enough youll find yourself employed, pulling in a paycheck, and okay.   You may not have hit the bottom yet, but you will find that job you are looking for. DO NOT Lose Faith In Yourself Yesterday I had a wonderful radio show with Susan Whitcomb.   We talked about a lot of cool stuff, and the Recruiting Animal jumped on and added some great info (digging to why I didnt get a job if Im such a smart guy, and so driven??).   You can download it, or just listen to it online, at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jibberjobber. Susans ending thoughts revolve around what she calls Providence, saying that in the end we just cant lose faith that things will work out.   I truly believe this can you think of anyone who is completely left out to dry, with no way to survive?   While some people may feel like it, things somehow work out (even if we dont end up with the boat, and ATV, and other toys that we think we should have). Im not going to talk about Providence you can listen to Susans interview here. I want to talk about what happens to the professional as the job search goes longer and longer.   I went through this myself, and experienced some of the lowest days of my life.   And almost daily I hear from professionals who are in serious pain. At the beginning of my job search, I knew I was pretty hot.   My credentials were strong, including a Computer Information Systems degree as well as an MBA.   I speak Spanish fluently, my past job titles include general manager, VP, CIO, IT Manager, etc.   I was involved in some very cool projects, and saw significant growth/improvement, etc. I did not have a problem with feeling good about myself. Until a few weeks went by and I was not getting any return phone calls or emails.   I was sitting in my chair, with my laptop, wondering why people werent responding to me.   Couldnt they see how incredible I was, and what Id add to their company, and why they should hire me???? I started to doubt myself. Was I really that good?   Or maybe I was just in the right place at the right time, and lucked out in the previous part of my career. I lost self-confidence. If companies werent interested in me, even for lesser jobs than I had in the past, maybe I wasnt worth anything?   Did I go to the wrong school?   Was my employer badmouthing me when called as a reference?   Where my skills just not useful anymore?   Was I the commodity I never should have been? I compared myself to others, in a really bad way. People who I thought I was better than, but guess what?   They had jobs and paychecks.   If *they* could get work, and I couldnt, what was wrong with me?? It was easy to lose perspective.   You can read over 200 comments on my Depression Clouds Everything post, which talks about depression in the job search.   You can read why having this happen to you will only prolong your job search in my post about HR and recruiters being able to smell blood a mile away (like a wolf can smell blood of a wounded victim are you a wounded victim?   HR doesnt want to bring a wounded victim onboard). Some things are in your control.   Like what time you get out of bed, what time you shower and get dressed, and how you take care of yourself.   You control what activities you do in your so-called job search.   Is it to sit on the computer and apply online all day, or will you do the right (and hard) stuff like pick up the phone or go out and meet people face-to-face? One of my moms favorite sayings is this too shall pass.   Meaning, no matter what we are going through, well get through it. I KNOW you will get through your job search.   Does it suck?   Its beyond sucking.   Its a demoralizing state.   But its also a very common state, and many people are in it right now, and many more will be in it soon.   And youll be in it again. But please, please dont lose faith in yourself.   This job search will pass, and soon enough youll find yourself employed, pulling in a paycheck, and okay.   You may not have hit the bottom yet, but you will find that job you are looking for.

Why Made to Measure is Important for a Womans Career, Too

Why “Made to Measure” is Important for a Woman’s Career, Too Consumer demand is changing, and in the business world, this change is a push forward. The bespoke options available have changed shopping online from a one-size-fits-all approach to a made to measure approach. Men can send their measurements to suit tailors online, and the suit is made custom and shipped to the buyer. And now the made to measure trend is coming to women, too. Dressing for the Office is Difficult Some offices are casual. Others offer stipends of $2,000 to make sure that their office staff looks their best. Women have to walk a fine line between mixing fashion, garment length, heels, no heels â€" its difficult. You want to look professional, but you don’t want to look overdone in some cases. You also need to dress for the job you want. Accessories are easy to add because they fit well, but having a tailor create your blazers or blouse is expensive. There are few options available to you, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t look best. But small startups and companies are aiming to change all of this, making the custom garment possible Sumissura offers a unique option for blazers for women. The company, like many startups, is using the made to measure trend to offer options that large retailers do not. Consumers can enter their height, weight, age, measurements and then go through every aspect of the blazer to have a truly customized garment without going to a tailor. Online consumer options allow women to wear clothes that allow for a more professional look in the workplace. When going for interviews or meetings, the made to measure look can help an employee stand out, get that promotion they’re applying for and look their best while doing it. Better Fit and More Options There’s a difference between a well-fitting garment and a poor-fitting garment. You look better when clothes fit properly. But women also have to overcome double standard issues in the workplace. Everything is not equal. Men enter the workplace and they can wear the same two pairs of pants all week, but women wearing the same dress or blazer leads to a lot of office talk. Women also need to consider how low a top is.   Button-down tops are often a go-to standard in business casual attire for women, but this standard is not written in an office’s dress code policies. Its a double standard, but it’s not a standard that is going to change any time soon. Men, just look at Mark Zuckerberg, can get away with wearing similar outfits on a daily basis, but women are scorned by it. Women, with all their curves and beauty, are now able to leverage the made to measure trend, looking better and more professional in the workplace. Its one less hurdle in inequality that women have to worry about. And women can start dressing for the jobs they want without having to spend a small fortune on custom-tailored clothing. As a woman advances in her career, made to measure will ensure that she can look as professional as her counterparts.

How Andrew Luck Can Become Peyton Manning

How Andrew Luck Can Become Peyton Manning Melissa Crossman is a freelance writer based in Indianapolis. She’s also a Colts fan; we like her anyway. Trying to fill the shoes of future football Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning is no easy feat, even for the best of the best.   But after watching Andrew Luck mesh perfectly in his first practice with the Colts, he appears prepared to take on the challenge. Considering his excellent run as Stanfords quarterback for the last four years, its clear now that Luck was more than just a big fish in a small pond. But it may be a while before the Indy faithful accept Luck as worthy to play in Mannings old spot. Filling the Shoes of a Legend Just as Luck was promoted to Mannings coveted spot, many professionals find themselves faced with the intimidating responsibility of filling the shoes of an all-star employee who moved up or out. This former employee was popular, respected, and (incidentally) great at his job. Although you may have been the king (or queen) of your old department, the fact remains that you are you, not the other guy who used to do the same job. Just not being him can be a liability, no matter how good you are. But fret not: a promotion gives you the opportunity to prove just how much of a champion you really are. No matter how much you may have prepared to take on your new position, you’re likely to face challenges along the way. Start practicing your end zone dance, and consider the following. Start with a Strategy Football players dont even set foot on the field without a  concrete strategy  laid out for virtually every minute of the game. When something doesnt work out as planned, they study the data and come up with a way to react until they discover a tactic that works. Similarly, you should approach your new position with several different strategies until you find one that hits the mark. The same strategies that worked with your old job may not with the new one, so be willing to get creative and try new things based on how the team responds. Bond with Your New Team Your  team members  likely have some important insights into the new responsibilities youll be taking on; after all, they’ve watched the beloved all-star succeed for years. It helps to get them on your side so you have somewhere to turn when the going gets rough. In addition to helping you adjust to your new position, building strong relationships with your new team helps them to be more productive under your leadership style. You can ensure that work will be completed more smoothly and effectively, allowing you   and your new team   to shine. Invest Time in Mastering the Playbook It pays to devote your free time to learning more about your new position and developing essential skills for success. To improve your qualifications for the job, you can  take classes on relevant subjects  in your new job or read books by experts in your industry. Doing so will prove that youre dedicated to and fully qualified for your new responsibilities. You may not instantly become the Peyton Manning on your first day, but that doesnt mean a little hard work and strategizing wont get you there eventually. Filling the shoes of a legend may come with pressure to repeat his performance, but bringing something unique to the company is also valuable. Don’t be afraid to maintain the originality and unique traits that earned you the promotion in the first place.  There is room in the Hall of Fame for all styles of players. Melissa Crossman is an avid blogger who writes about careers and job searching.  She lives in Indianapolis with her two dogs.

Recruiters Heres How to Choose the Right Job Title

Recruiters Heres How to Choose the Right Job Title Ever seen a job ad searching for an employee with an unusually creative title? Then after reading the ad, you find out that the employer is simply looking to fill a very common position by giving it a unique title to make it sound more appealing? If you’re like most people, you probably asked yourself, “Well, why didn’t they just call the position by the name everyone knows?” Most recruiters have seen this many times. An employer will decide that since their company thrives on “outside-the-box” thinking and encourages unique and creative ideas inventing a radical title for a decidedly non-glamorous position will send the outside-the-box thinkers rushing to apply. Unfortunately, employers who do this are not taking something very important into consideration â€" unique position titles only make it harder to find candidates who are searching for jobs, as they often never reach their targeted audience. Call it as you see it On Indeed.com, there are currently 3,399 job ads seeking Rock Stars. As annoying as this term has become when used metaphorically, employers need to ask themselves whether this is really the most appropriate choice of titles in order to place their job listing at the top of the list of a prospective employee’s job search results. While it may result in a brief pause and a few smiles for those perusing the website, most job seekers search job boards using targeted keyword searches based on their skills and job titles. And let’s face it, not even Mick Jagger would search CareerBuilder using the term Rock Star! I am a big advocate of the K.I.S.S. principle â€" Keep It Simple, Stupid. When advertising an open position, it is important for employers to put themselves in the shoes of the job seeker. What job title will get their position in front of the most candidates? What titles will the ideal candidates most likely be searching for when they log onto common job boards? These are the titles that the employer will want to focus on in the job ad. Just because your company refers to the Receptionist as a Director of First Impressions, or the Website Designer as a Cyber Ninja, doesn’t mean that candidates looking for those positions will search job boards using those titles. In fact, there’s nothing in either of those titles that a candidate would likely include in his or her keyword search when scouring the internet for prospective jobs. In the end, employers should consider the results before advertising for a Ninja, Guru, Super Hero, Wizard, Evangelist, Maven, Warrior, or any other ridic ulous title. Understanding is key Obviously, for employers who absolutely insist on a unique job title, there are ways to still get their ad in front of the right candidates. One way, for example, is to include several relevant keywords throughout the ad, resulting in the ad appearing in job searches matching the position’s duties and qualifications, regardless of the actual title. However, consider this â€" in a recent survey by Monster UK, 64 percent of job applicants said they would not apply for a job if they didn’t understand the title. So aside from the fact that a uniquely titled position is less likely to reach the right candidates, once it does, they are less likely to apply to it. It works both ways For those job seekers reading this, the same principles hold true for resumes and social media profiles. Currently, there are 287 Twitter users who describe themselves as Social Media Freaks in their bios. While it may show enthusiasm, perhaps it’s not the best way to make a first impression on a prospective employer. Granted, one can assume that these people are not seeking employment. However, any recruiter can attest to the number of people who accept job offers they were never even looking for. So why close the door of opportunity? Don’t let creativity hinder your search So what is the conclusion to all of this? When advertising for a candidate to fill an open position, use standard terminology. Conduct a search on a few popular job boards for the position you’re looking to fill and see what titles appear the most consistently. Those are the titles that are most likely getting the most traffic, and will therefore yield the best results. Once you have found that perfect candidate, if giving him or her a unique and individualistic job title meets with your company culture and is acceptable to the candidate, then by all means, let your freak flag fly! But when beginning the candidate search process, remember to think like a job seeker, not like a trailblazer. Whats the strangest job title youve come across? Let us know in the comments below!

Writing a Resume For an Internship

Writing a Resume For an InternshipIf you're going to be writing a resume for an internship, it's important that you follow the guidelines set forth by the program. If you don't, you run the risk of getting the internship offer rescinded and your chances of securing employment lowered significantly. Here are some tips to help you create a solid resume for an internship.The first thing to consider when writing a resume for an internship is the date of the internship. Some internship programs require the internship resume to be submitted by the date of the program. This will give you time to set up a face-to-face interview, but it can also prevent you from receiving the most important component of your resume - a professional picture. Many companies require pictures when it comes to placement.When you write a resume for an internship, keep in mind that some positions may not require a cover letter or that the position requires that you send a cover letter with your application. All of t hese things can change the way that you write your resume. It's important to always maintain a professional tone when you're writing your resume for an internship. It will catch the eye of the hiring manager and make him or her more likely to hire you on the spot.When writing a resume for an internship, keep in mind that the goal is to land the job. This means that you should always put your best foot forward when you're writing a resume for an internship. That doesn't mean that you have to have an impressive resume filled with all of your college-admissions information. It means that you should have a resume that demonstrates that you have learned everything you can about the position that you're applying for.While it's true that you'll be learning the skills of an internship, it's not necessary to cram a ton of information into your resume. In fact, if you do so, it could cause a hiring manager to think that you're a little crazy. Think of your internship as a way to start a new c areer that you would not have found on your own. If it's very important to you that you show a commitment to success, then write your resume in an upbeat manner.Keep in mind that an internship resume should never include a cover letter. In fact, it is probably better to avoid it entirely. A cover letter is a common resume filler that many people use to give their resumes an extra layer of polish.Instead, focus on the specific skills that you developed in the internship. Explain how you learned these skills and what you were able to accomplish as a result. You don't want to be limited to just listing what you learned, because it will look like you are only listing what you did and nothing was learned from your internship.As you can see, there are some important tips to follow when writing a resume for an internship. It's important to keep in mind that the focus is on landing a job, not on boosting your own ego. If you do this, you're sure to be well-received and you'll increase your chances of getting the internship you want.

Another great comment - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Another great comment - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog One of my most popular posts is still the one about The Cult of Overwork and it just got another great comment from Dee: I work in retail, and it?s true, some enjoy spending all their time at work, and that?s fine. If you want to spend 60 hours at work, that?s your prerogative. What I don?t like is the judgmental attitudes surrounding work hours? the unsaid expectation that if you don?t work 9-9, you?re a failure, or letting your team down. No, working 12 hours, five days in a row makes me miserable AND a failure? a failure at my job. I work to live, I don?t live to work, as the old saying goes and, when I first started and was eager to fit in, I bent over backwards keeping a similar schedule. I felt ashamed that my ?meager? 12 hour day contribution wasn?t enough, and I felt in ?awe? of the woman that habitually came in at 6am and leaving at 9pm. Then one day, about a year into the job, I remember wondering why I had gotten the flu yet AGAIN, (the fourth time in two months!) when it hit me. I was working way too much and almost killing myself. Life is going to get me in the end. I don?t need my job to speed up that process. Now I work less, work better, and win more accolades, get more sales, and get sick less, all because I don?t conform to the cult of overwork. I?m in the minority, but I?m happy. And that lady? Well, she still works her heart out, and complains the whole way. Thats the way to do it, Dee! Read the rest of the comment here. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Job Search Help Just For College Grads

Job Search Help Just For College Grads This is the time of year when thousands of colleges release fresh graduates into the world. Sadly, many will not be able to find a job.  There is help for unemployed college grads. Image credit Bentley University But it takes hard work, a plan and a reality check. Here are some resources providing actionable help. HubSpots Ultimate Guide To Getting A Job After You Graduate by @KatieBurke Confession. Im a huge fan of the information HubSpot produces. (HubSpot provides businesses with services and tools to help with  inbound marketing.) So what does an inbound marketing company know about job search? They hire a lot of fresh graduates so theyve seen them go through the hiring  process.  Its straight-shooting  advice worth reading and sharing! The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job After You Graduate   Not  Sure What You Want To Do? Payscale has a super easy assessment to help weed through the thousands of occupations and find ones that are a good match for your style. Its called Best Jobs For Me. Answer six easy questions about the  kind of work you like best (hands-on, corporate, humanitarian, etc), how you feel about school, stress and money and voila! You get something like this. Image credit Payscale Need Help With LinkedIn? There are a host of resources for new graduates provided by LinkedIn. They are all featured here.   LinkedIn Resources for College Students Here is LinkedIns college student resources page. Join These Twitter Chats Two of my favorite Twitter chats are #OMCchat (Fridays from Noon to 1 pm EST) and #InternPro chat (Mondays at 9pm EST) Just search and follow the hashtag and youre pretty much in business. Chats are a great way to get your questions answered quickly, meet new people and have a little fun! I hope youll check them out! What  questions about your job search?