Article Category : Career Management

Your boss is the gatekeeper of your career. Unless you are able to manage a positive relationship with him at each step in your career you will fall short of your potential.

Like it or not, never forget he is the portal through which you connect with the rest of the organization and its resources. Your boss is the one who can pass you along for promotions, or he can stop you dead in your tracks. He is the first hurdle you must get over to get more responsibility and more money. Your plans and budgets must gain his approval, says Ramon Greenwood, head of CommonSenseAtWork.com.

Bosses are not abstract boxes on organization charts. Bosses are human beings, not much different from you and me.

On any given day, bosses can appear as a parent who is respected, feared or barely tolerated. They can be mean, insecure, domineering, and even crazy in varying degrees. They can be competitors and roadblocks or they can be enablers who will help you to advance your career. They are people with whom you will have conflicts, that is if you are pushing to the limits of your abilities and ambitions.

There are seven rules of the road that lead to a positive boss relationship.

(1) The first rule is an especially hard one to accept: everybody has a boss, like it or not. Few achievers like the notion of having a master. Accepting authority is basically at odds with many of the attributes required for success.

Managers report to department heads. Vice Presidents are responsible to executive vice presidents. Presidents report to chairmen of the board who report to directors who report to shareholders. “Mom and Pop” running neighborhood quick-shop markets have some of the toughest bosses in the world, their customers.

Many years ago a Danish zoologists proved that even in the barnyard chickens work within the reality of a strong hierarchy. There is always a top chicken. It can peck other chicken in the yard to show who is boss. The second level chicken can peck those at the lower levels, and so goes the “pecking order.”

(2) Always respect the hierarchy. Make the extra effort to respect your boss and his experience. You don’t have to like the idea of having a boss. Just recognize reality.

(3) Work to make your boss look good in the eyes of his boss. Work diligently to get him or her promoted. Opportunities are created for you when your boss gets promoted.

(4) Never, never go around your boss. Work with and through him. You may believe your boss to be incompetent and a roadblock to all the great things you can do for the business. This may be true, but you put yourself in extreme danger if you elect to circumvent your boss. The hierarchy will close ranks to protect itself from such violations. It must do so to survive.

(5) Know that bosses make mistakes, too. When your boss errs do everything you can to cover his backside and help him to get back on track.

(6) Keep your connections with your boss on a strictly professional basis. Never rely on friendship with your boss. Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, had some good advice on this point: “A man should live with his superiors as he does with his fire; not too near, lest he burn; not too far, lest he freeze.”

(7) Develop a relationship of mutual dependency between yourself and your boss. You depend on him for support and endorsement. He depends on you for the hard work and talent that help him succeed.

If, after all is said and done, you still can’t get along with your boss and the existing hierarchy; find another position in another organization. But remember, wherever you go, you will always have a boss.

Ramon Greenwood is former senior VP of American Express; a professional director, American Express International, financial institutions and consumer goods companies; Senior Career Counselor, http://CommonSenseAtWork.com; consultant to a wide variety of businesses; author of How To Make The World Of Work Work For You and a syndicated column, Common Sense At Work.

How to Turn Career Mistakes into Career Wins

Article Category : Career Management

I recently talked with a client who was paralyzed at the thought of making another “mistake” in her career.

She was stuck and unable to choose a direction. Her fear of looking stupid, of choosing another career that she wouldn’t like, loomed over her. Her negative thoughts were keeping her from making any move at all.

Does this sound familiar?

Have you pursued a career, or taken an advanced degree, only to find it’s not for you?

What is your willingness to try something new?

If this rings a bell, then I’ve got some comforting thoughts for you.

It’s by your mistakes that you learn and grow. You need to know what you don’t want to do, too!

Making choices is part of being an adult and taking control of your life. The more choices you make, the more risks you take, the more “mistakes” you will make. That goes with the territory.

Here’s the key: Mistakes are a good thing, if you learn from them. It’s giving up and deciding to do nothing afterwards that is the “mistake.”

When I was starting out in my career, I tried nursing school and dropped out after 6 weeks. I tried to make a living as a commercial artist and found I couldn’t compete with other talented designers. After I got a teaching degree, I discovered that the city was laying off teachers. The list of professions I tried goes on and on.

When all this was happening I wasn’t very happy. I kept thinking, when am I going to find ‘the’ career that’s right for me? And it didn’t help that I had relatives who reminded me of the smooth career trajectory of my “smart” cousin who became an attorney.

As it turned out, I found several careers that fit for a while. I worked in a corporation for 12 years, was promoted 5 times and finally knew I didn’t want corporate life anymore.

I moved on to the next ‘right’ position. I never felt married to any profession.

I had careers and jobs that suited me at particular times in my life. When I was in my 30’s and 40’s, making my mark, earning a big salary, having a 4 -window office with a view and a title were important. Now, I could care less about those things.

Job satisfaction, making my own schedule, doing work that I love-those are the factors that drive me now.

Which brings me to a critical point: If I hadn’t made those career “mistakes,” I would still be wondering, “you know, maybe I could have been a (fill in the blank).

I have no regrets that I tried things that I didn’t end up staying with long-term. In fact, my past “mistakes” enable me to use my experiences to guide clients.

So what can you learn from my story?

Wisdom and self-knowledge come with making choices; experiencing the possibilities that are presented to you everyday. Focus on what you can learn about yourself, not on the fear of making a mistake. In the end, they won’t be mistakes. They will add to the reservoir of life skills that you can use wherever you end up.

Dale Kurow, M.S., is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. Dale works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to survive office politics, become better managers, and figure out their next career move. Visit Dale’s web site at http://www.dalekurow.com/phone_ebook for information about her latest E-book, Phone Interview Skills Sharpened Right Here!

Seven Myths You Must Challenge Now To Begin Your Second Career Today

Article Category : Career Management

* Has it been awhile since you explored career options?

* Are you making your 21st century choices based on beliefs that were accurate when Reagan was president of the US (and Thatcher was PM of Great Britain)?

* Do you wish you could take a test that would point you to the perfect Second Career?

Then you’re probably operating on yesterday’s myths — time to move to today’s reality!

Myth #1: Science supports the traditional linear career change model: test for interests, identify careers and go find a job.

Reality #1 Researchers at Stanford and Harvard found that career exploration proceeds in a zig-zag trial-and-error path, almost always with a hint of serendipity. Learn more.

Myth #2: Starting a business is riskier than seeking a new job.

Reality #2: If you’re midlife and/or have a high profile in your industry, you may replace income faster by starting a business — even if you continue to seek a job at the same time. Learn more.

Myth #3 : Skills that brought you career success are the same skills you need for career change.

Reality #3: Career and business achievement calls for football skills: teamwork, planning and playing your position. Career change? Think playground basketball! Scramble and change rules with every game. Learn more.

Myth #4: Ignore unexpected thoughts like, “Maybe it’s time to move. ” They’ll soon go away.

Reality #4: These hints come from your intuition, which is not a woo-woo concept but a reliable source of insight that has been recognized by mainstream psychologists, security consultants and scientists. Crack your intuitive code and find a new source of power. Learn more.

Myth #5: Make tough career decisions like business decisions. Or gamble. Choosing between two wonderful opportunities? Or two equally scary options? Estimate probabilities…or give up and flip a coin.

Reality #5: Work with new processes designed specifically for life decisions. Learn more.

Myth #6: Feeling scared? Stop!

Reality #6: Fear can be your friend, especially when you’re moving outside your comfort zone into a new adventure. Fear means you’re taking care of yourself as you move into the unknown. Learn more.

Myth #7: Career change means feeling stressed and miserable.

Reality #7: Career change can become a source of meaning and growth. Most people look back with gratitude on this time in their lives. Learn more.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

“Ten secrets of mastering a major life change” mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

Moving Without A Job: Should You Move to the Location of Your Dreams and THEN Look for a Job?

Article Category : Career Management

Moving without a job will challenge your identity — but for some people, it’s the best way to go.

Here are some ways to deal with the question.

How will you answer the “What do you do?” question?

Landlords and bankers want something more solid than, “It’s about being, not doing.” And will your self-esteem hold up after you say repeatedly, “I’m looking for a job.”

You cannot take for granted that a particular set of professional skills will be in demand.

Arlene, a physician, found she could not relocate easily to some provinces of Canada; a shortage of hospital facilities restricts the number of physicians allowed to practice. The old stand-bys — teaching, social work, library science — have become crowded fields, often unionized, with long waiting lists.

But what if you really want to move? Here are five ways to protect yourself.

Want to start a new life before you start a new job?

Do you have fantasies of moving to a new part of the country or even the world? Quit your job or escape a layoff and start over?

Hold on tight to your chair. Force yourself to stay seated until you have an action plan, preferably in writing. Here are seven tips to get started.

1. Carefully research your target destination. Forget the myths. A small town may be not be a haven of low-cost, crime-free living. A big city may have few opportunities in your chosen field.

2. Protect your work identity. Line up a job — even a temporary job — before you move. Find at least one client for your free lance business.

3. Define your career flexibly. Are you willing to wait tables, paint houses or work as a temporary secretary? Do you have marketable skills: carpentry, construction, dog grooming?

4. Don’t count on the old stand-bys — teaching, social work, library science, nursing. You may need a union card or local reference to get established. And many openings exist only for beginners.

5. Identify friends and friends-of-friends in your target destination who can jump-start your social life and show you the ropes. .

6. Rent or buy before you leave your job, if at all possible. If you haven’t moved in twenty years, you may be surprised.

7. Much advice from well-meaning friends and relatives will be useless and even harmful. People share their stereotypes and their own buried fantasies. “I’ve always wanted to live there,” they say wistfully. Or, “Don’t they have a high crime rate?” Get the facts and seek professional consultations.

From Making the Big Move…

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

“Ten secrets of mastering a major life change” mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com

Category : jobmove

Job Search Tips - How to Increase Your Success

Article Category : Career Management

Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience. Here are three things that you can do to minimize the pain and increase your chances of success.

1) Approach finding a job as if it were a full-time job, because it is. Consider this: if you had a job, you would report to work at the same time each day (like 8 am), take an hour (or less) for lunch, and quit at the same time each day (like 5 pm). You would work five days every week. And you would work hard to accomplish as much as you could because your career depended upon it.

When you are searching for a job, you should follow the same type of schedule because your future depends upon it.

Treating your job search like a part-time hobby guarantees that it will take longer. It even sets you up for failure.

In addition, the lack of focused activity will create a sense of helplessness. That sends you into a downward emotional spiral that makes it increasingly difficult to find a job.

So, begin tomorrow by reporting to work and spending the day on tasks that lead to a job.

2) Make it a project. That means you should set goals for yourself, make plans, and monitor your progress. You should apply all of the tools and skills that you used in your last job to the project of finding your next job.

As you must expect, this is an important project. The sooner you complete it, the sooner you gain a promotion into a job.

3) Be your own boss. You must set expectations for what you need to accomplish. You must provide direction. And you must monitor your work.

Meet with yourself once each week to evaluate your performance. I recommend doing this by writing two reports. The first is a candid evaluation of what you accomplished during the previous week. The second is a description of your plans for the coming week. Your plans should include your goals, actions, and priorities.

The first time that you write these reports, write an evaluation of what you have done so far. Describe the results that this effort has produced. And compare these results with what you wanted to have.

Next, map out a realistic plan for the next week based on achievable goals. For example, you could set goals for the number of people you will call, the number of networking meetings you will attend, and the research you will conduct.

In the coming weeks, compare the results that you obtained during the previous week with the goals that you set. For example, if you planned to attend twelve networking meetings and you attended only two, you should a) explain why this happened and b) plan actions that will correct such a difference. You should also analyze why you missed your goal because this provides insights on what you need to do differently. For example, your goal may have been set too high. Or maybe you could car pool with a friend who is also looking for a job.

Finding a job is a full time job. Work through it with a plan and the support of a good boss (yourself).

Business expert and author Steve Kaye works with leaders who want to become more successful. His book, Create Success, shows people how to take control of their future and manage their career. Visit http://www.ablecareer.com to learn more about this book.

Category : jobsearch

Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

Article Category : Career Management, Work Place

Job loss affects most of us like any other loss in life. Yes, there are other losses that are greater, but this one comes close too!

From my experience, job loss can make anyone sick! There can be terrible anger; anger which turns into depression. Even euphoria, has its other side; depression is it.

Relief at getting out of a bad job should be enjoyed while it lasts. Relief and euphoria can prepare the job loser with a second wind!

It’s at the time when anger, depression and frustration set in that the job “loser–soon to be job seeker” can hit some rough spots with displaced anger; sleeplessness, and a feeling of mild despair.

Again, from my point of view, this is the time of job loss to exercise at something. Exercising not as drudgery, but at something that is fun.

The most important thing to do is to get emotional support. Never mind whether it is from a friend, family member or an agency. Support is crucial in avoiding illnesses, which can surface even after getting a new job.

Talk, talk, talk it out. Write, write, write it out. This experience will not last forever.

When you look at the experience from another point of view, MAYBE this is a new time to think of WELLNESS; when you look for your next job.

Practice new skills before setting new goals, laugh a lot, and be good to yourself at last!

Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A. Certified Job & Career Transition Coach Phone: (509) 469-3514 Email: doitnow@nwinfo.net Web: http://www.doitnowcareers.info

Category : jobsloss

No Experience? No Problem!

Article Category : Career Management, Job Requirements

Are you a new graduate with little or no work experience??Sometimes it can be tough to get a job without experience, and how do you get more experience if you can’t get a job?

Well, your chances are better than you think. Even if your work experience is a little weak, you’ve probably got life experience that will help you. After all, it’s not really your job history that employers are interested in — it’s your talents, abilities, knowledge, work ethic and attitude. It’s likely that you’ve developed and fine-tuned these traits through your school work, volunteer activities, and interactions with people throughout your entire life.

The key is to identify your best attributes from your life experience and promote these to potential employers in the right way.

Make a detailed list of all your talents, skills, knowledge and personal qualities.?Think about all you’ve done in your life and what you’ve gained from it. For example, if you earned extra money by babysitting or mowing lawns, you gained experience in promoting your services, obtaining customers, negotiating payment, and accomplishing the required tasks while demonstrating self-motivation, punctuality, responsibility and customer service!?If you’ve participated in a sport, you’ve shown commitment, discipline and teamwork!?And don’t forget to list what you’ve learned in school:?computer skills, software applications, math, science, communication, etc.

Once your list is complete, you’ll see that you really do have experience and can offer potential employers the talents, abilities, knowledge, work ethic and attitude they need in their ideal candidate!?All you have to do is convince them of that. You can do it… you’ve convinced people of things all your life!?Your parents, siblings, friends, teachers — think of all the times you were able to convince them to see things your way.?It’s one of爕our talents, so use it during your job search and you’ll be gaining work experience in no time!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Category : firstjob

Top 10 Tips for Career Advancement

Article Category : Career Management, Self Improvement

Here’s a list of the top 10 tips you can use to advance your career:

1. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”?If you don’t know something, say so; don’t try to fake it.?

2. Take responsibility for your actions. If you’re at fault, admit it and take the blame. If you’re wrong, apologize.

3. Never gossip. Gossip can hurt the careers of two people: the person being talked about, and the person doing the talking.

4. Never say “That’s not my job.” Don’t think you are above anything. Pitch in and set a good example, especially if the job is one that nobody else wants to do. Your willingness to do so will be noticed and appreciated!

5. Share the credit. People who share credit with others make a much better impression than those who take all the credit themselves.

6. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t let a difficult task get out of hand. When you need help, ask for it — before things get worse.

7. Keep your dislike to yourself. If you don’t like someone, don’t let it show. Never burn bridges or offend others as you move ahead in your career.

8. Don’t hold grudges. Life isn’t always fair. If you were passed over for promotion, didn’t get the project you wanted, etc., let it go. Be gracious and diplomatic, focus on the future and move on. Harboring?grudges won’t advance your career.

9. Be humble. When you’re right, don’t gloat about it. Never say “I told you so!”

10. Make others feel important. Compliment others, emphasize their strengths and contributions, and help them whenever you can. They will enthusiasitcally help you in return.
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Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Seven Steps to Making a Successful Career Change

Article Category : Career Management, Self Improvement

My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe and make 2,430 copies of the Ten Commandments convinced me I was on the wrong燾areer path!?OK, maybe I’m not quite THAT old. But I did start out as a secretary.?While I didn’t mind the work, eventually I decided it wasn’t very satisfying. I often felt like a “tool” that helped others contribute to the organization’s success. I wanted to make my own contributions, to find creative ways to make a difference. It took me about 12 year to come to that conclusion, decide to do something about it, and change my life.

If you are not happy in your current job, perhaps it’s time to think about making a change yourself.?Here’s what you should do:

1.?Determine why you’re not happy.?Are you really unhappy with the work you do, or just upset with your salary, boss, coworkers,爋r the office environment? There’s a difference between hating your job and hating your work, and realizing that will help you decide what course to take.

2.?Find your passion.牋 What do you love doing more than anything else? List your top three favorite activities. Try to be a bit realistic here and choose activites that you might be able to earn a living with.?For instance, if your three favorite activities are sleeping, eating and watching TV, your career options are somewhat limited. But do include hobbies and activities one doesn’t always associate with work.

3.?Evaluate your strengths.?What are you good at??Consider more than just your technical skills. For example, do your prefer leading or following; analyzing or simplifying; working alone or with a group??

4.?Do research. What career fields would allow you to use your passions and strengths to earn a reasonable living? There are some爂reat online resources (such as www.jvis.com) that offer tools to help you do a self-assessment and then find careers that match your interests and skills:?/P>

5.?Consider alternatives to jobs.?Some people go into business for themselves when they become fed up with their jobs. If you think simply switching careers isn’t enough, look into that alternative and others, such as… marrying a millionaire, becoming a beach bum, winning the爈ottery, writing children’s books, painting and selling pictures, doing consulting work… the sky’s the limit!

6.?Create a plan.?Once you know where you want to go, figure out what steps you must take to get there.?Determine exactly what you need to do, how much time it will take, and what it will cost.?It’s probably best not to leave your current job until you’re ready and able to start earning money with your new job/venture.

7.?Get help.?You’ll be amazed at how helpful people will be when you tell them your plans. Talk with family, friends, professional associates, club members; participate in topic-related online forums; NETWORK as much as possible!?Achieving great goals is always easier when you have others cheering you on and helping you out.

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Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

Category : career-change

Three Ways to Transition to a New Career

Article Category : Career Management, Self Improvement

As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than others. Some professionals already possess a foundation of skills to make the transition easier. I’ll give an example. An unemployed network engineer and hobby electrician decides to become an electrical contractor for new construction. His transition might be easier because he needs minimal training to enter the new field. But others require training, or additional schooling, which can sometimes be costly.

Strategy for Changing Careers

It’s best to take a strategic approach when changing careers. The first step is identifying a career of interest to you. Then, visit jobsites like Careerbuilder.com,Monster.com, and Hotjobs.com and search for job postings by keywords or titles relating to your newly desired career field. Next, read through the job postings identified, analyze them, and try to determine the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers are searching for in this field. Once you’ve researched your chosen career, deepen your knowledge through class work or mentoring with a friend whom you respect and whose experience might relate to that field. In order to advance in your field of choice, an undergraduate or advanced degree may be necessary.

Speak to a Recrutier

Another way to make an effective career change is to contact someone like myself ? a recruiter or “headhunter” who specializes in your desired field. The purpose of your call is to gather information about your chosen profession. For example, at Find Great People International, we have recruiters specializing in manufacturing, information technology, health care, apparel, finance and accounting, and professional temporary staffing. It may be helpful to jot down a list of questions before your call. When I speak to someone about changing careers, the individual usually acknowledges they do not possess the skills or experience to do the job yet — but they are eager to break in. I evaluate their skills, based on a series of questions. Sometimes they’ll have a foundation for the new career and that’s a starting point.

Education: a Positvie Step

Schooling or training is a wise first step for many who shift careers, provided they have the money to pay for it. There are times when I recommend a national training center with locations throughout the U.S. Or, since I specialize in the IT field, I’ll suggest a technical training institute, or a technical college that offers supplemental training. Some certifications and trainings in the computer field can range between $8,000-10,000. This may seem steep, but the truth is most places of employment will not hire you without some sort of training.

Step Into Your Field in a Better Job Market

There is a third, bolder angle, which works better in a more robust job market. Simply investigate companies in your field of interest, contact them directly, and ask them if they are hiring entry level. If you are lucky enough to speak to a hiring authority, or someone in a position to be helpful, use the time to sell yourself on the transferable characteristics you possess as an employee.

Transferable Characteristics as an Employee:

• complete projects on-time and within budget
• work well with people
• reliable and dependable
• follow-through skills
• computer skills

Highlight Former Profession

Do not overlook the generic qualities of your former profession, when presenting yourself to a potential employer in a new field. These include verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication, and are considered portable skills. If you feel you are lacking in some of these key areas, then think about acquiring these skills through training. I have often recommended something like Dale Carnegie’s course, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” If the cost for this course is prohibitive, then consider acquiring some books or audio tapes which help to build these skills.

To maximize success in your new field, I suggest that during the education or retraining process, you become a member of a professional organization. Plug yourself into an association, either local or statewide, related to your specific industry niche. Go to the monthly meetings. Get to know people. Start selling yourself by way of relationships and friendships. By the time you’ve finished your education, you’ll have a network of people who will be aware of your skills and availability.

Select any one of the three methods I’m recommending, or combine aspects of all three. You’ll be well on your way to landing a new position. Your new field might not open up to you right away, but if you are persistent about it, you should be successful.

About The Author

During the past 14 years, Steve Hall has been a consultant with Find Great People in Greenville, S.C. He has successfully found several hundred great people for clients all over the Eastern U.S. His focus includes Retail, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Insurance, and Financial Services. For the past five years, Steve has averaged an interview-to-hire ratio of 3 to 1, compared to the industry average of 7 to 1.

In November 1994, Steve achieved his Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) certification. He is one out of approximately 90 in the state of South Carolina with this designation. In addition, he has served as President for the State Recruiting Association and is a tenured member of the Board of Directors for that organization.

Steve Hall received his BS in Marketing Management.

shall@fgp.com

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