Another Point of View

Dr. Forni - Oprah - Civility - Good Manners

A recent Oprah show included a segment with Dr. Forni,  author of Choosing Civility:  The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct.   The discussion was on the  importance of civility in today's world, especially the workplace and the internet.  I thought about it for several days, did a word search on Dr. Forni, read related material and, as often happens when you want to write something, it took a few more days for the ideas to come together in my head before I put them down in writing.

I had read where there was a connection between laughter and your health.  What I found fascinating in reading about Dr. Forni's work, was the connection between civility and your health.  Equally affirming for me was the role empathy plays in a person's personal and professional worlds.  Why?  because I've long known I was empathetic.   What I learned in reading The Other Side of Civility is that medically, socially and professionally, empathy is a good trait to possess.

What I've learned from working with clients is that all too often a career has gotten sideways because someone crossed the line of civility while talking to an employee, a supervisor or the boss.  Even more interesting is that there is frequently a somewhat established pattern of career crises brought on by the person's inability to control their words when they are under stress.  Today you can add the internet to that story and suddenly things can get terribly out of hand.  For some reason, many people feel that what they say on the internet is private.  It isn't and their lack of good manners and common sense quickly shows through by the pictures and words they put on Facebook, YouTube and MySpace.  Add blog sites that encourage ranting and raving and suddenly your persona is one of a troublemaker.  Now when people (ie HR personnel) are searching the internet to get a "picture" of you before they consider you for a position, the picture they get is one of someone who they may feel cannot be trusted to keep company information confidential because of what you've said on public sites. 

Recently, I heard someone say you should never put anything on the internet you would not want your Grandmother to show to her church members.  There's truth in that statement.  In today's world of instant communication heard 'round the world, remember the importance of good manners.  Need help being convinced?  Read "Choosing Civility - 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct".

Road to Redemption - Miracle on Ice - - It's about winning!!!

The connection between sports and the world of work is strong.  I've watched the Road to Redemption several times and admit it ranks up there with Miracle on Ice (the 1980 U S Hockey Team).   Bud Greenspan has written that the 1980 Hockey Team win over Russia was the greatest Olympic story he's covered. 

What both depict is the power of working as a team and the positive results that can occur.

When you look at the diverse personalities of the team members and coaches, it becomes very clear that at some point they laid their individual egos on the bench and entered the game to play together and WIN.  And, win they did.  In the competitive business world, the same rules can be successfully applied.  But the leadership and direction start at the top with the head coach.  Certainly, these past few days have shown us what happens in the financial world when there is little or no true leadership at the top of a large financial institution.  This is a time in our history where true leadership can bring about significant change and a more stable future.   Leadership in the business world that equals Coach K's methodology of building a winning Olympic team comprised of successful athletes from competitive teams.  Herb Brooks understood it with amateurs in 1980.

Charice - Oprah - Celine

YouTube  opened the door for Charice.  That magical door led to Oprah, with amazing stops along the way including singing with Celine.   Most assuredly, Charice has a voice that brings you to your feet in amazement.  Is she the only young girl with an incredibly beautiful voice - no.  But she is the girl who was found, electronically, singing in the Philippines.  She was then transported 8,000 miles to Oprah's stage and her career has skyrocketed since then.

I often talk about the power of connections with clients as they transition to a new position.  The overwhelming evidence still affirms that it is the personal connections that pay the richest rewards.  In today's electronic world, it may begin on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or a host of other websites or professional groups/blogging sites.  No matter how you slice it, the operative word is "connection". 

As I continue to develop connections through LinkedIn, I never cease to be amazed that,  no matter how far apart we may be geographically, once you make a connection through a shared group interest, alma mater or hobby, that person becomes a part of your life professionally, personally or both.

It does take an investment of time.  You do need to remember that everything (I do mean everything) you put on the internet for public viewing paints a picture of you professionally.  The good news is that it can be a Charice-Oprah-Celine event that launches your career.

Find the Job - Insider secrets

Occasionally a book comes across my desk that resonates from the first sentence to the last page.  Cynthia Shapiro's  "What does somebody have to do to get a job around here?  44 insider secrets that will get you hired" - -did that for me. 

Her opening sentence of  "We all find ourselves wondering what goes on behind the closed doors of the hiring managers" has often caused me to truly wish I were a mouse in the corner so I would find out what really happens behind closed doors.  Well Cynthia tells us.  She pulls no punches while at the same time she gives suggestions, ideas and solutions that work.

The last two paragraphs of her book are:

"Don't ever let hidden agendas, underhanded tactics, and inexperienced reviewers keep you from achieving the jobs you desire.  All it takes is a little planning and some insider knowledge to get you there.

"Now you have all the power in the process.  You can do it!" 

Phrases like hidden agendas, underhanded tactics and inexperienced reviewers may make you see red for a few minutes, but they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you really need to know from an insider to get that next career opportunity.

She validated many beliefs I've long held about how the selection process really works.  She gave me insight into new ways to be sure you are included not excluded.   And the book is written in a very entertaining manner.

Worth the investment - - without question.  Her website is:  www.cynthiashapiro.com

Great Advice from Cindy Kraft the CFO Coach

In a recent article, Cindy gave great advice about sobering truths:

1) Company loyalty has been replaced by corporate profitability

2) The likability factor is only relevant as long as your boss remains your boss

3) In the age of corporate volatility, the next merger or acquisition can be right around the corner - - and it usually comes with leadership change.

To learn more about her point of view, go to either: www.blog.cfo-coach.com or www.exec-essentials.com They will take you to the articles she's written. She has great insight in the job market for today whether you are a CFO, a COO, CEO, or VP at any level.

One very important fact she covered extensively was the value of a network and that importance of keeping it current and investing as much as you expect to receive. It is definitely a two-way street and if you wait until you are unemployed to start building your network - - it will take a long, long time before it is up and running at full speed. Cindy likened it to an ear of corn. ?Corn only produces edible fruit after the seeds have been planted, watered, nurtured and time has passed. Likewise, a network will only produce when the seeds of relationship have been planted, nurtured with a willingness to give freely and cultivated by a season of trust.

LinkedIn, Netshare, Facebook, and the list grows daily - - will all help you build your network.? But only you can do the work. There's no better time to start than now.

Good Luck and Good Networking - - may you grow a bumper crop.

Thongs, Sandals, Cleavage and Promotions for Women

I wonder why some women forget to check their attire in the mirror before they go to work.  I'm not talking about what you wear after work or at home, but what you put on your body to go to work and get a paycheck.

Recently, a young professional woman got on the elevator in the building where I work.  She was wearing a black dress that flared slightly and was an appropriate length.  Now, as Paul Harvey would say, for the rest of the story.  The V-neck was plunging and not only was I doing a double-take, so were the others (male and female) in the elevator.  Her make-up was impeccable and her jewelry appropriate.  Her footwear - - that's the rest of the story - - so help me - - she was wearing black flip-flops.  Yes flip-flops - - not dress sandals, not even sporty sandals - - flip-flops. As she got off the elevator, we could hear the flapping sound of the flip-flops as she walked to her office carrying a briefcase. 

There is no way she will be viewed professionally if she wants to move up the ladder (small business ladder or big corporate ladder).  Why?  She doesn't dress the part.   Is that important - - yes it is.  Here's why.  The world of business has many similarities to competitive sports.  I'll only touch on one aspect in today's column - uniforms. 

For those who play competitive sports, they would never imagine not putting on the team gear before going out on the field.  Show up for football in soccer gear or swimming suit? Not going to happen. Then why in the world think those rules do not apply to work?  They do. 

Want a paycheck?  Want to be taken seriously for your work?  Dress the part, show up, and play the game.

Salary Negotiation - - Advice that puts dollars in your paycheck

One of the most important elements of "sealing the deal" for your next job is the art of negotiating the compensation and related perks.   An Amazon.com word search of "Salary Negotiations"  lists 13+ books that will give you specific advice, from the author's point of view, on salary negotiations.

 

Jack Chapman's book :Negotiating Your Salary:  How to Make $1,000 a Minute" provides step-by-step suggestions with backed by stories from clients who have benefited from his advice.  He also provides one-on-one telephone coaching that can be invaluable when you know you have a firm offer.  Go to his website:  www.salarynegotiations.com for more information.

 

The key word is "firm".  If you mention a figure before they've decided to hire you, you may immediately be excluded if you're too high.  If your figure was lower than they were anticipating, they pocket the difference and you've missed out on getting what you were worth for that particular position. 

 

Money is important - - to you and to the company - - what you do not want to do is leave money on the table or never get a chance to negotiate. 

 

Read up on the art of negotiating - - - and be prepared when it comes time "seal the deal"

 

 

 

 

Job Search on The Today Show with Matt Lauer and Jean Chatzky

On the Today Show, Matt Lauer interviewed Jean Chatzky and featured a segment with Lisa Johnson Mandel.  They gave quick and insightful overviews of changes you can make on your resume and with your appearance if you are 50 or older.  Jean's website is:  Jean Chatzky  - and the clip is currently saved on her page.  Lisa's website is:  www.filmazing.com.  The following is some of the take-away information I garnered.

1)  The date you graduated from college?  Leave it off.  If a recruiter or hiring manager asks, you can say you do not want to be screened out based on a date.  You are looking for an opportunity to help a company meets its goals.  (This statement should sound like you and contain at least one or two of the "buzz words" in your industry).

2) Executive summary at the top?  Do not start with 20+ years.  Use phrases such as:  Extensive experience in;  Proven track record; Professional Engineer in the area of design and modification; Sales Professional who consistently meets/exceeds corporate expectations.

3)  Your professional appearance?  For women:  Hem length should be at the knee (not too long and definitely not too short);  Gray hair - - an age appropriate color can take years off your looks as well as a good hairstyle.   For men: Do not wear a tie if the office is business casual.  Gray hair - - probably okay.

4)  Most important?  Your attitude.  If you sound grumpy you will immediately be excluded.  It helps if you smile while you're talking during a telephone pre-screen.   Not sure how you sound?  Record your voice answering questions.  Don't like the way you sound?  Work on improving it.

Lisa's update of  her blog site and her resume' resulted in two new career ventures.  Well worth the investment for someone in the entertainment industry.  Jean Chatzky's suggestions were excellent. Bottom line? Stay current with your resume, your professional persona and always, always, always have a positive attitude.

Lost your job - now what??

Today a  question was asked on Linkedin about the effect of a wrongful termination lawsuit's effect on the employee who sued.  From my experience (and based on conversations with a labor attorney who represented firms), rarely  is it worth the cost of time, money and emotion on the part of the employee.  I'm not saying that from a strictly leagl interpretation, the employee was wrongfully terminated. The reality is companies have more money, attorneys and time than most employees do to fight such a case. 

My suggestion to clients has always been they look at what happened as objectively as possible and move on.  I'm not talking about fairness, but I am talking about reality.  You can learn from each challenge presented to you, including wrongful termination.  It is difficult and painful to do, but worth the result in  personal growth. 

Class action suits are another matter.  They can take years to put together and be presented.  When they are successful, those named in the lawsuit do receive some compensation and there is a chance the corporation may change their policies because of  the lawsuit expense. Again, for most people they would personally be better off to move on, learn from the experience and, most importantly, not carry a grudge.  Difficult to do?  Absolutely.  But worth it personally and professionally.  I think so.

Testing the Waters

A recent Workforce column (http://www.workforce.com/archive/feature/25/58/09/) entitled Testing the Tests, gives added impact to my column entitled EQ vs IQ (dated 10.8.07).  An example is FedEx who agreed to abandon the basic skills test they utilized as a part of their hiring process.  As a career adviser, I've long known that many of the requirements listed for a position had little relevance to the actual performance on-the-job.  Many factors play into the job descriptions posted on websites, printed in the help-wanted section of a newspaper, or posted on bulletin boards.  Those factors range from:  "We've always used that job description for that job" - to "We do not have time to observe someone actually doing the work then write a job description that more accurately fits the needs of the position". Somewhere in the middle is a good solution.  Finding that solution takes an investment in time, people and resources.  For those companies focused on bottom line profitability, it may be hard to justify a time-out to find the solution.  However, the cost of not investing could be much higher.   

To give you an idea of some of the information in the article, here are some excerpts/statements contained in the article:  Employers should also review their educational degree requirements.  The high school diploma requirement is the granddaddy of all testing and selection issues.  "Outdated tests and job requirements and blanket diploma requirements open the door to legal challenges by unsuccessful candidates".  "To explore alternatives, bring .....existing employees, their direct supervisors, HR and diversity personnel"...to the table.  (At a time when education is highly stressed, this seems like a contradictory statement.  Read the article to get a better understanding)

The Internet provides an upside and a downside to equal employment.  Capturing the data has become easier, thanks to the internet.  Conversely, that reporting data is now available to others who are looking for the adverse impact of said data. 

Ultimately, most employers want a selection method that really works, not one that avoids liability.  Most prospective employees want a fair chance to be hired.  There is a common meeting ground, but it takes dedication on both sides of the fence, added to a new way of analyzing the real job requirements for a position.

Interesting times for HR professionals and their employers.