apply for unemployment: Mayıs 2012

30 Mayıs 2012 Çarşamba

Willful failure to comply with a “discovery order” assumes an ability to comply

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Willfulfailure to comply with a “discovery order” assumes an ability to comply
2012 NYSlip Op 03786, Appellate Division, First Department
One of the issues considered by the Appellate Division inthis phase of this litigation was Supreme Court’s denial of a motion to “strike”the New York City Department of Education’s [DOE] answer based on thepetitioner’s allegation that DOE had “failed to disclose” certain recordsshe had demanded in the course of discovery.
TheAppellate Division unanimously affirmed the Supreme Court’s ruling, explaining thepetitioner had failed to "show conclusively that [the DOE’s] failure todisclose was willful, contumacious or due to bad faith."
Thecourt noted that DOE was not in possession of certain records demanded that had been prepared by a formeremployee nor could DOE control whether the former employee “contacts them.”
In such cases the Appellate Division said the test as toa party's “willful failure to comply with a discovery order” assumesan ability to comply with such an order and the party's decision not to comply with such an order. However, ashowing that it is impossible to make the particular disclosure will bar theimposition of a sanction for such non-disclosure pursuant to Section 3126 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
Thecourt concluded that DOE had satisfied the test of “impossibility” insofar as theseparticular records were concerned.
The decision is posted on the Internet at:http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_03786.htm

Atlanta Business Chronicle Addressing ATL Unemployment

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The Atlanta Business Chronicle (ABC) not only cares about the unemployment problem, they are doing something about it.

The word is getting out about the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s new hiring initiative, Hire One Atlanta. It has even received national attention. But if you haven’t heard about it you need to. The Hire One Atlanta initiative is the brainchild of Ed Baker, publisher of Atlanta Business Chronicle, who was looking for a way to stimulate the economy by getting companies to hire the unemployed.

The Challenge

In a public-private partnership to put Atlantans back to work -- Hire One Atlanta -- Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta Business Chronicle are challenging employers to hire at least one new employee this year. In return, Atlanta Business Chronicle will spotlight all companies that hire a new employee in a special ad that will run every week in this year.

“We want to adjust the attitude in the marketplace,” Baker said. “We hope we can celebrate the companies that are doing the right thing.”

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed revealed in an interview on MSNBC Thursday that the Hire One Atlanta initiative has resulted in 546 new jobs by 109 companies, including Georgia-Pacific, Delta Air Lines Inc. and OfficeMax Inc.

The initiative is a metro-wide partnership that includes the Atlanta Business League, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the SHRM-Atlanta and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Inc. All those organizations have agreed to work with their members, their communities and other organizations to encourage participation.

How the ABC Helps Every Job Seeker Every Day

Smart job seekers already know the importance of the ABC to the job search.

The Book of Lists is an invaluable resource for identifying target companies. Even though the retail price is $69, this book is so valuable that most, if not all, bookstores have placed it behind the cash wrap unit. Job seekers should read the Book of Lists cover to cover to understand what companies are in Metro Atlanta and identify which companies peak their interest for further research and possible targeting.

The new Book of Organizations, included as an insert in a May issue, lists many of the industry and special interest networking groups. These groups are where hiring managers and your future peers network. These are the places you want to go to network to find out about the hidden job market and into your future company.

And finally, the weekly ABC is packed with hot off the press information about what is happening in business in Atlanta. Even reading what company signed a real estate deal gives the job seeker a heads up on who will be hiring, enabling the job seeker to network into the company even before the positions are posted.

Job Seekers: Now It Is Our Turn

Job seekers: consider subscribing to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. My subscription guy is Thomas Sander and his number is 404-249-1744. Tell him Judi of RightChanges sent you and he will offer you a discount and even the discounted price can be split into three payments.

If, after talking with Thomas, you decide you absolutely cannot afford to subscribe at this time, go to your public library’s reference section to make use of their copy of the Book of Lists, go each weekend and read the ABC cover to cover, and support the businesses who hire through this initiative. Then, when you are employed, subscribe to the ABC. Remember your last job is not your last and you will want to be in the know about what is happening in business in Atlanta and network at the groups mentioned in the Book of Organizations.

One last thing you can do, join me in thanking Mr. Baker and Mayor Reed!

From this job search coach and former job seeker: Thank you Mr. Baker and Mayor Reed!

Judi Adams
RightChanges.biz

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes - Mistake # 2

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This is a very tough job market. Many highly skilled, extremely professional job seekers are taking an unprecedented amount of time to find a job. There are, though, four killer mistakes that job seekers are making that turn a long job search into an even longer one. This multiple part series will cover these mistakes and give the job seeker (you) tools to overcome them.

In the first part of this series, we covered Mistake 1: conducting the search with a bad attitude. We learned the realities about the new job market so we can successfully navigate in it. We learned what it takes to process the loss, we have a way to deal with pressure points and we have chosen to look for the opportunity.

Mistake 2: Not Knowing Your Product and Your Target Market

Updating your resume seems like it is one of the, if not the, first step of a job search. The truth is that you should not update your marketing materials (which your resume is just one part) until after step 3.

My next analogy: I can’t sell a computer without knowing how the computer works and what makes it better than the competition’s computer. I would not dream of walking into an office to sell the computer and not being able to answer the question “why should I buy your computer over another’s?” I surely wouldn’t dream of saying “because I need the sale”. I also wouldn’t dream of creating the computer’s marketing materials without knowing my computer’s advantages.
I also would miss the mark if I created the marketing material for this computer without knowing my target market. I need to understand who would buy this computer. Trying to sell a Windows machine to artists or film production companies would fail because these industries use mainly Apple technology. If my computer does not have high end graphics cards, I also would not be successful in selling to gamers. Before I can create my marketing materials for this computer I must know its advantages and the target market.

Sadly job seekers update their resumes and begin their search without identifying their competitive advantages. Too many go into interviews without having a good answer for why the company should hire them instead of one of the other candidates. Not wording the resume for the target market also reduces the chance of a sale.

Inventory YOU

To understand your product, you need to take an inventory. You need to discover and write down your :
 Accomplishments
 Abilities
 Interests
 Personality
 Values
 Passions
 Education / Certificates

How do you identify this information? First, ask others. There is something about you that is unique. It comes easy to you and because it does, you think it is no big deal. The rest of us would give our eye teeth for this ability but you don’t see it because it is easy. Yes – for you! You can’t see this unique ability that you have. Only someone who knows you and has seen you in action can help you see it. So ask someone who knows you.

Go through former performance reviews. If your boss was good, they documented your skills and accomplishments. Go through and pull these out and add them to your inventory.

Take assessments that help you understand you.

Accomplishments: As far as I know, you have not cured cancer or solved world peace. However, you have accomplished a lot in your life. Before you got there, the company was one way and was different after you left; your finger prints are all over those accomplishments. You need to document these accomplishment stories. I have always said: memory does not get better with age. Unless you have been documenting these accomplishments as you have gone along, you have already forgotten many of them. We are going to use some of these accomplishments in your resume. All of your accomplishments will be available for you to recall in the interview to add power to your responses. And reading your accomplishments from time to time will remind you how valuable you are; companies have paid for your skills before and they will again.

You should have over 50 accomplishments documented and they should be documented in the format of STAR: Situation or Task that you faced, the Actions you took, and the Results you have received.

Abilities: Rate yourself against a list of abilities and recall and document a time you excelled in using your highest ranked abilities.

Interests: what do you do or what would you do in your spare time? Let’s consider combining your interests and your job. I have had clients who never dreamed of doing that and are now living their dream.

Personality: We are each made a certain way. Some of us get energy by being around people and others of us (including yours truly) who, although we like people, get energy by being alone. Some people need organization and others like to wing it. You need to know how you are made. Understanding your personality will help you find the right work environment for you.

Values: There are companies you would not work for based on the products they sell or the values that they hold. On the other hand, there are companies you would give your eye teeth to work with because of the products that they sell or the values that they hold. Knowing your values will help you identify or eliminate companies to target.

Passions: Given two candidates with similar backgrounds and experiences, the one with the passion for the work or the company will get the job. Know what your passions are and consider pursuing them. When reviewing a list of companies in your area, which ones excite you and which ones leave you flat?

Education and certificate: You already include formal education and professional certificates on your resume. Go one step further and inventory all classes and extensive self study you have ever taken. Include webinars and seminars. These will not all make it onto the resume. The inventory though will help you recall everything you have studied and this information can be used in the interview to support knowledge of a topic. When asked about an area where you do not have experience, instead of saying what you don’t have, you can elaborate on the knowledge you have gained on that topic or a related one.

Target Market

Identify where you want to work and research who is hiring.

Be able to clearly answer why you would like to work in that industry, doing that job, for that company.

Know where to search for those opportunities (read Mistake 3).

You need to research who you know who knows someone who works for that company.

Identify the gaps in your skills or experience that are obstacles of you getting the job and address that gap. There are tons of free courses on-line and many companies even offer free 30 days demo software.

You cannot successfully sell a product unless you know the product and who would buy it. Know your product, YOU, and your target market. Now you can update your marketing materials.

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes - Mistake #3

Sometimes the job doesn’t come until the eleventh hour

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If you are unemployed, you want the job NOW! Christians have always heard that God’s timing is perfect. As humans we usually wish things happened in our time. When I was in a job search in 2002 I even bought a book titled “You’re Late Again Lord, the Impatient Woman’s Guide to God’s Timing” by Karon Goodman just because of the title. This humorous book, sadly out of print now but with copies still availability on Amazon, reemphasizes the point that God’s timing is perfect.

So why does God sometimes wait until the final hour, sometimes even the final minute and second (11:59:59)?

I have two stories of how God perfectly used the time before giving jobs to two women: one is me the other is a good friend.

My story is like so many others. I lost my job in the 4th round of company downsizing following the dot com bust, the resulting stock market “correction” and 9/11. Being in Information Technology (IT) I was like many other techies, I was used to falling into my next job due to the high demand for our skills.

At the beginning of the search I calculated how long I could last financially while I was looking for a job factoring in the severance package (which was small), unemployment, and savings. April. April was the deadline.

I didn’t know that the job market had changed so I was shocked three months into it that I had not been scooped up yet. I had a peace though that God had me where I was supposed to be. I had an amazing peace although I was still keeping my eye on the calendar.

In April I looked at my finances again and surprisingly could make it until August 1st. I had not had many bites and had even been refused registration for a job fair because I didn’t have five years of healthcare. A JOB FAIR! They were going to be sitting there anyway taking resumes but they would not let me attend.

I soon realized what God was doing. He was teaching me to walk in faith and strengthening my walk. If you have read any of my work or heard me speak you know I use a LOT of analogies. The comparison I use for this time is the time we taught my much younger baby sister how to walk. When we knew she was close to taking those first few independent steps, I propped her up against the coffee table and I stepped back a few inches and called her to me. She let go of the table and took one step toward me and then fell into my arms. After praising her I put her back against the table and I stepped back further so she had to walk further. I was stepping back further so she would walk further and get stronger at walking, although I was always right there.

That is what God was doing with me. He was stepping back but not away so I could learn to walk in faith. The happy ending is that not only did I network into and get hired by the company that would not allow me in their job fair, but within two weeks I was promoted to the manager position and a month later HR asked me to work the job fair; the very one that months earlier I was not allowed to attend. That was God reminding me too that through Him all things are possible. Since that time I have been volunteering with Crossroads Career network, sharing with other job seekers how the market has changed and what they have to do to be successful in it.

I continued in IT for the next 6 years but in 2008 I had the opportunity to take a severance package (not so small this time) or apply for another position within my company whose industry was hard hit by the recession and economic crisis. I chose to take the package and that is when I launched my own company as a career coach.

Speaking of walking in faith! I had never run a company before, less start one up, in a field that was not the one I worked in for oh so many years. I didn’t have capital to invest in the business. I was literally walking in faith. And once you take that first step, it is just like when we were teaching my sister to walk. There are longer stretches of road ahead that require faith. But just like on a highway, when we start to wonder if we missed a turn that we were supposed to take, God will give us a sign to assure us that we are on the right road. I now see clearly how God used my eight months of unemployment in 2002 and I am grateful for it; I needed that lesson for now.

Not always do we see the reason, at least in this life. However, there are other times, like mine when it is obvious. No example is as extreme as my friend’s story.

Terri (not her real name) had been in job searches before. Being in HR, she experienced the ups and downs of the market and mergers and acquisitions. A woman of faith, she knew God would provide. One of my favor quotes is attributed to Mother Theresa: “God does not give you more than you can handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much”. I’m sure Terri felt the same way.

Terri’s healthcare coverage (Cobra) was about to expire at the end of February of this year. A week before that Terri started experiencing chest pains. There are many things that can cause chest pains and the feeling of indigestion but since heart conditions run in her family, she went to get it checked out. The first doctor did a few tests and listened to her heart and dismissed it as anxiety (after all she is in a job search and her Cobra is about to expire) and suggested she take an antacid. Not finding any comfort with the antacid, and watching the calendar get ever closer to the end of the month, Terri scheduled another doctor’s appointment with a different doctor.

This doctor conducted more tests and still didn’t see anything of concern. At her urging, he scheduled her for a stress test on Friday. She was sure if there was anything to find, the stress test would do it since she had been experiencing exhaustion and pain especially when she was active.

Upon completing the stress test, the doctor told Terri in his most serious voice to get herself over to the hospital immediately. She had two 99.9% blockages and she needed to have surgery immediately. He said if they had dismissed her, she most likely would not make it through the week.

She had two stints put in that very day. Because of the new advances in surgery she was home the next day and even went on an interview that Monday. By the way she got the job.

But here is why His timing is so perfect for Terri. He knows Terri. He knows that if her Cobra had not been about to expire, she would have dismissed the signs and deferred her doctor appointments. After all she can’t afford the expense or the time from her job search. He also knows that if she had already started her job, she would have not taken time off for a doctor’s appointment; how would that have looked just having started a new job? God KNEW this was the only time He would have her full attention. Had she not gone to the doctor when she did, she would not be with us today.

How is God using this time with you? Is He trying to teach you something you will need in the future, like me? Is He trying to draw you closer to Him so you are seeking with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-17)? Is He giving you time to take care of and spend time with a relative who is sick or dying? Or does He know you like He knew Terri and is trying to get your attention about something? Ask Him and then listen for His direction.

26 Mayıs 2012 Cumartesi

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes - Mistake #4

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Mistake #4 is a must read for all people - employed and unemployed.

This is a very tough job market. Many highly skilled, extremely professional job seekers are taking an unprecedented amount of time to find a job. There are, though, four killer mistakes that job seekers are making that turn a long job search into an even longer one. This multiple part series will cover these mistakes and give the job seeker (you) tools to overcome them.

In the first part of this series, we covered Mistake 1: conducting the search with a bad attitude. We learned the realities about the new job market so we can successfully navigate in it. We learned what it takes to process the loss, we have a way to deal with pressure points and we have chosen to look for the opportunity

In part two, we covered mistake 2: Not Knowing Your Product and Your Target Market. Job seekers must understand the product they are selling and the market they are targeting before they update their resume and begin their search.

Mistake 3 was searching the wrong way. The majority of job seekers apply for jobs on-line yet only 10% or less of job seekers get their jobs that way. The right way to search for a job is through networking.

Mistake 4: Stopping When You are Employed

Your next job is not your last; that is one of the realities of the new job market. You will be on the job market again. Don’t try to do the minimum to get this next job. In fact you should use this time to get good at the job search.

Some of the practices you have put into place and the pains you went through are lessons for what you should continue to do the rest of your life even and especially while you are employed.

Of course when you land that job you will want to notify your contacts but it doesn’t stop there with them. Maintain these contacts. Don’t let the only time you call Uncle Fred be when you are out of a job. We do have caller id and if you only call when you need something, he’ll know it is you calling again and be less likely to answer or at a minimum feel used.

Develop new contacts. As the title of Harvey MacKay’s book, Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty, illustrates, you want to develop your network before you need them. Develop contacts in your new department and in other departments in that company. Be intentional about continuing your participation in industry networking meetings and develop new contacts there.

Increase your marketability. If your company offers employee training, take it. If they don’t, take it anyway; invest in yourself by paying for your own training to keep your skills on the top of the market.

At a conference I attended in 2008, Jim Collins the author of Good to Great, gave the following as a word of advice to a recent graduate,” Do not spend 5 years getting 2 years worth of experience”. Baby Boomers and generations before thought they owed it to a company to work there as long as possible even if, as an employee, they were not growing new skills. With the reality of the new job market being that your next job is not your last, you need to continually grow your skills. After 2 years if you realize you are not still growing your skills, ask for new responsibilities that will develop new skills for you. If the current department can’t offer you that, look elsewhere in the company. If the company does not have a place for you to grow, then you need to go.

Maintain your marketing materials especially your accomplishment list, a list of training you have taken, and your list of new technical skills. Remember what it took to recall this information when you did your inventory. Make it easier for yourself by recording these as you go. You can even give your list of accomplishments to your manager before he has written your annual review stating that you are capturing this information for yourself but if it helps him at review time, great, if not, that’s okay too; you are doing it for yourself.

Keep up on the industry. If your industry is about to fold, get out. If your industry is getting into something new, be one of the first to learn it and then come back and offer to share that knowledge with your peers and managers. That will set you up as the Subject Matter Expert.

Save aside the equivalent of 8 to 12 months of salary for your next transition.

Assist others. Think back to the people you encountered during your job search. Some would not give you the time of day and others went out of their way to help. What reputation do you want?

Do not let your engine seize up by lack of use. Keep your job search engines warmed up to make the next transition shorter and easier.

Learn from your mistakes or that of other jobs seekers. When you have a positive attitude, when you know your product and target market, when you use the right search strategy, and when you do what you need to while employed to make that next transition easier, you will ace navigating this new job market.

Consider a Mother Resume

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Good news, I’m not suggesting you reformat your resume AGAIN! This is not the latest fad format to send out as a part of your job search.

Let’s see what a Mother Resume is then. Do you have a collection of formerly used resumes that you use as a basis for your most current resume? You may pick a section from this one and another section from another. You liked the wording on a version but you deleted that section and now have to search through all the previous versions for that wording again. Well, the Mother Resume is instead the single resume from which all others are spawned.

• The Mother Resume has all previous jobs listed; it is not limited to an industry, position, or dates.

• Because there is no limit to the number of pages with this resume, you have all of the previously used wordings and accomplishments on it.
You are not sending this version out so it can be as long as you need.

• I suggest you title it Mother Resume so you keep track of its purpose and don’t delete anything from it. Mother Resumes are only to be added to or enhanced.

Then when you need wording or a previous position or accomplishment, you have it safely and centrally located in the Mother Resume. Consider creating a Mother Resume to make resume building easier.

Rate Your Job Search

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There are millions of people looking for jobs these days. The market is tough and you have to be at the top of your job search game to be successful. Yet too many job seekers are not prepared; they have not done what they need to do in order to compete.

To know where rank in your job search skills, answer True or False to each of the following statements. Then total the number of True statements and compare it to the chart to see how you are doing on your job search.

Following the statements are links to articles that address many of these areas. If you ranked lower than you had hoped or expected, you will want to read the articles related to that area and make changes to improve your search.

T/F Statement

Step 1 - Attitude

1. I have processed the loss and harbor no negative feelings about my prior companies or bosses.

2. I am excited about my future prospects.

3. I have no life issues (foreclosure, bankruptcy, etc.) or I have sought assistance / advice about them.

Step 2 - Aptitude

1. I have inventoried my prior accomplishments in STAR format and have at least 25 accomplishments.

2. I have at least 50 accomplishments documented in STAR format.

3. I have reviewed my prior companies, bosses, positions, and identified trends of what I like and dislike so I can make an informed decision about my next job and company.

4. I have identified my top 5 strengths (Strength Finder 2.0) and documented a STAR for each.

5. I have rated my abilities and documented STARs for each of my top abilities.

6. I have taken training since I have been on the job market or grown my skills in a volunteer capacity or through contract work.

Step 3 - Altitude

1. I have identified and can clearly communicate the industry and position I am pursuing.

2. I have identified 5-15 companies I am actively targeting.

3. I have defined the geographic area I would consider, the minimum salary I can afford to take, and the salary I would like to earn.

Marketing Materials

1. I have a 30 second elevator pitch, which I have practiced, and it does not include any reference to the past (example “I used to…” or “I worked for…”) and I find opportunities to share it with others.

2. I have a resume that sells my skills in the section “above the fold”.

3. In my resume, I use bullets for my accomplishments and not for parts of the job description.

4. My resume is not my most used piece of marketing material. My elevator pitch, business cards, and marketing plan are.

5. My resume does not begin with an objective about what I want.

6. My resume does not have the words “references available upon request” (or equivalent) on it and I know not to add a picture unless I am applying for a job before the camera (modeling, newscaster).

7. I have business / networking cards that contain my name, the title of the position I seek, and my contact information. The back of the card has white space where the recipient can jot notes.

8. I carry a stock of my networking cards with me at all times and give them to my new contacts and I ask them for their cards.

9. I have developed a one page marketing plan that defines what I am looking for (title and target company). I give copies of my one page marketing plan to people in my network so they have in writing what I am looking for and know to introduce me to anyone they know or meet who works in my target companies.

10. I have a profile on Linked In with my picture, at least 50 connections, and 3 recommendations.

11. I use the T cover letter format that visually walks the reader through why I am the perfect candidate.

Step 4 - Search

1. I participate in job networking groups on a regular basis.

2. I actively participate in industry or special interest networking groups on a weekly basis.

3. I spend 70%+ of my time each week at networking meetings or following up with contacts I have met.

Step 5 - Sort

1. I have practiced an interview and received feedback from a reliable source.

2. I know of and use other places to research the company before the interview other than just the company’s web site.

3. I have familiarized myself with other interview do’s and don’ts.

4. I know to develop questions to ask during the interview about the company, the industry, the boss, the position, and economic impacts to the organization so I can determine if this is the right place for me.

Step 6 - Select

1. I compare the company offer to my requirements.

2. I will not take a job if it is not a fit for me.

Once Employed

1. I know that the reality of the new job market is that my next job is not my last.

2. I place a high priority on continuing education that increases my marketability even if I have to pay for that training myself.

3. I continue to network in the company on a regular basis and within the industry at least once a quarter.

4. I continue to maintain my accomplishment list, the list of training I have taken and skills I have developed.

Score

28 – 36

It appears you are doing many if not most things correctly in your job search. You may want to read up on the other areas to see if you can make even more improvements.

19 – 27

You are doing many things correctly although there is definite room for improvement. By implementing ideas from this checklist, you can ace the job search and land your next job.

10 - 18

Although you are doing some parts of the job search correctly, there are many important aspects of the search you need to add.

0 – 9

The job market changed. You will want to and need to change your approach to the job search.

For more information about the various topics and steps mentioned above, check out the following articles. Some of the articles contain the similar information but may be presented in a different way that resonates for different people in different circumstances.

Step 1 - Attitude

Good News! The good news is that there are millions of available jobs out there.
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-news-good-news-is-that-there-are.html

What May be Keeping You Unemployed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-may-be-keeping-you-unemployed.html

The Truth You Need to Know but May Not Want to Hear
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

Truths About the New Job Market
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/truths-about-new-job-market.html

When You Can’t Find Something – You Change Your Perspective: Try it With Your Job Search Too
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-you-cant-find-something-you-change.html

There is no Shame in being Unemployed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/there-is-no-shame-in-being-unemployed.html

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Part 1
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-part-1.html

The Phone Number All Job Seekers Should Know
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/01/phone-number-all-job-seekers-should.html

How to Stay Positive in a Job Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-stay-positive-in-job-search.html

If You Hit a Wall in Your Job Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-you-hit-wall-in-your-job-search.html

The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 1 of 4- Active Listening
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job.html

The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 2 of 4 - Body Language
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job_11.html

The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 3 of 4 – Accepting Change
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/12/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job_16.html

The Other Skills That Will Help You Get the Job: Part 4 of 4 – Good Attitude
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/01/other-skills-that-will-help-you-get-job.html

________________________________________

Step 2 - Aptitude

Tip 2 - You Have to Know You to Sell You
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/04/tip-2-you-have-to-know-you-to-sell-you.html

Identifying Your Competitive Advantages
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/11/identifying-your-competitive-advantages.html

The Power of Your STAR Statements
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-your-star-statements.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 2
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake # 2
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-2.html

________________________________________
Step 3 - Altitude

Mandatory Requirements are Not Always Mandatory
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

The Underutilized Job Search Tool: The Informational Interview (Two part series)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-your-star-statements.html

http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/underutilized-job-search-tool_18.html

If you are Transitioning Industries or Careers
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-you-are-transitioning-industries-or.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 3
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing_18.html

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Marketing Materials

The Most Powerful Cover Letter
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/most-powerful-cover-letter.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Your Marketing Materials
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-next-important-step-to-landing_25.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 2)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/05/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 3)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Your Marketing Materials (Part 4)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

What Document is as Valuable to a Job Seeker as a Great Resume? (The Marketing Plan)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-document-is-as-valuable-to-job.html

Another Item in a Successful Job Seeker’s Marketing Materials
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html

Resume Tune Up
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/07/resume-tune-up.html

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Step 4 - Search

Wash That Gray Right Out of Your Search: Tips for the More Experienced (Older) Job Seeker
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Step 4: The Search
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake #3
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-3.html

How to Network if You are Not Good at It
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-network-if-you-are-not-good-at.html

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Step 5 - Sort

The 4 P’s of a Successful Interview (Four part series)
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-1-of.html

http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-2-of.html

http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-3-of.html

http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/10/4-ps-of-successful-interview-part-4-of.html

Handling the Salary Discussion
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job –Step 5: Sort – The Interview
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/08/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html

The Phone Interview Checklist
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/02/phone-interview-checklist.html

How Will You Answer the Interviewer’s Question: What Else Have You Done Since You Left Your Last Job?
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-will-you-answer-interviewers.html

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Step 6 - Select

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Step 6: Select the Right Job
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-next-important-step-to-landing.html

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Once Employed

Job Seekers: Action Items Once You are Employed
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/08/job-seekers-action-items-once-you-are.html

The 4 Killer Job Search Mistakes – Mistake # 4 http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/03/4-killer-job-search-mistakes-mistake-4.html

Take the Next Important Step to Landing that Job – Action Items to Take While Working to Make the Next Transition Easier and Faster
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-next-important-step-to-landing_19.html

What Employed People Need to Know
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-employed-people-need-to-know.html

The Most Powerful Cover Letter

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When a hiring authority comments on how good the format of your cover letter is, you know you have done something right. That is what one of my clients experienced this week and she asked that I republish the article I wrote “The Most Powerful Cover Letter” so others can benefit from it as well.

Here is that article.
____________________________________________________

Recently I heard an interesting statistic from a poll taken of recruiting and hiring managers. The poll uncovered that 75% of the people who review resumes said they read cover letters but only if they know the cover letter has been customized for the company and the position.

I have two ALWAYS statements regarding the job search and one Always is to ALWAYS send a cover letter. There is one cover format I recommend over any other: the T cover letter.

What is a T Cover Letter?

The T cover letter gets its name from the imaginary T that is formed by the two columns in the middle of this single page document. In the left hand column of the T, you list in bullet form the requirements as outlined by the hiring company. In the right hand column you list in bullet form your qualifications that match the requirements. With this format you are visually walking the hiring manager through why you are the perfect candidate. Pretty powerful, huh?

The Format

There are other sections of the one page cover letter in addition to the T.

Letterhead

The top of the cover letter should look exactly like the top of your resume: the same information, in the same format. This is your letterhead and gives a professional look to your materials. In fact, this same letterhead should be used on all of your job search correspondences. Consider it your own custom stationery.

Address

Address the letter to the name of the hiring authority, which you can get through networking. Under no circumstances should you address the letter to “Dear Sir / Madam”.

Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph should mention the position you are applying for and how you heard about the position. If you did it correctly, you networked into the position. If so, mention the name of the person who told you about the position or who suggested you contact the person you are writing.

Brag Phrase

Brag phrase is the name for the section that appears before the T . This phrase (a sentence or two) should affirm that your experience and abilities seem to be a great match for the position and serves as a transition to the T portion of the letter.

The T

The T is an MS Word table, two columns, with a row for the titles “Your Requirements” and “My Qualifications”, or something equivalent, and one row for each of the requirements.

Each item in the columns should be bulleted. Because you are using a Word table and a separate row for each requirement, your qualifications in the right column will automatically line up with the corresponding requirement in the left column. Use the exact wording for the requirements that the company used. Keep the text of the qualifications as concise as possible.

When there is a requirement for which you do not have a matching qualification, just don’t list it. Hiring managers list all of the skills and experience they would like to have. Even some requirements listed as mandatory will be overlooked for the right candidate.

If you have more qualifications for more of the requirements than can fit on one page, add the words “and more…” below the last line of the T so the reader knows you could go one and on but didn’t. At no time should you exceed one page for the cover letter.

Closing

Following the T portion, add a closing phrase in which you express your interest and your belief that you are a great fit, and mention the next steps (example: you will follow-up with them in a few days to see if they have any questions).

Tips

• To select the phrasing for the opening, brag and closing sections, look through the book Cover Letters That Will Knock’em Dead by Martin Yate. Go through and find wording that sounds like you; not all phrases and wording will. Consider creating in Excel a collection of phrases to select from when you create a new cover letter.

• Make the T cover letter the first page of your resume document. Doing so will eliminate the problems that can occur when the cover letter is a separate attachment.

 If it is separate attachment, the cover letter may not get read. Hiring Managers may only print the resume assuming the cover letter is just another blah blah blah, paragraph-formatted letter.

 If it is separate attachment, the cover letter may not get forwarded or stored with the resume. The company recruiter may have read the cover letter and been impressed by it but it may not get forwarded to the hiring manager.

 There is one big advantage of making the T cover letter the first page of your resume. If the company uses keyword search software, your resume will match because you used their keywords in the requirements section of the T.

By using the most powerful cover letter format, the one page T cover letter, you will walk the hiring manager through why you are the perfect candidate.

For a sample of the T cover letter, send an e-mail to Info@RightChanges.biz with the words “Sample Cover Letter” in the subject line.

Judi Adams is the founder and Senior Job Search Coach at RightChanges, the Affordable and Successful Job Search and Career Direction Coach. For more about RightChanges go to www.RightChanges.biz.

What Document is as Valuable to a Job Seeker as a Great Resume?

To contact us Click HERE
All job seekers know the importance of having a resume and many job seekers learn how to create a great resume. There are not many job seekers, though, who know there is a piece of marketing material that is as important and valuable as a great resume: a one-page networking guide.

The networking guide in the past has been called a marketing plan but the old name is misleading. The old name, marketing plan, does not reflect the most important purpose of the document: a guide for your network to use to help you network into your next job.

People want to help you with your job search; they just don’t know what to do. And if you told them they probably don’t remember what you said; they have lives of their own and probably know more than one person in a job transition. When someone offers to help you with your job search, they need something concrete and actionable to do. Having it in writing helps so they don’t have to remember what you said.

As the new name implies, the main purpose of the networking guide is to provide the information needed so your friends, family, and network buddies can help you in your job search. Help them by giving them a one-page summary of the key points to listen for as they are out and about.

When you give them a copy of your networking guide, let them know they can help you by keeping it in a place they see frequently (like on their refrigerators or by their desks). When they meet someone who is hiring one of the job titles listed, or works at one of your target companies, regardless of position, they should just introduce you to them. Simple and actionable.

Seeing it often will help them remember the information. As they are talking with other people and hear a company’s name that is on your list, they will remember to introduce you to the person who has a contact there.

The one-page document has a side benefit. It forces you to concisely state what you are looking for. It includes industry, the various names the position you seek is called, and geographic area (ex. whether or not you are open for relocation). The process of creating the guide helps you identify your top skills, your competitive advantage, and a list of 5 – 10 target companies.

As a job search coach, job seekers frequently offer me their resumes, not to review but so I can help them network. Even as a job search coach the resume does not help me help them. The resume states what they have done, not what they are looking for. The networking guide, however, gives me a list of job titles and target companies that I can use.

One job seeker shared his networking guide with me and said he was told to use it as the cover letter when sending out his resume. Ah – no! Do not share your networking guide with your target companies. Your target companies should believe they are the only company you desire.

How to Create a Networking Guide

Header
The header of the networking guide should be the same header you use on your resume. This is now your letterhead and should be used on all job search materials, giving you a professional look.

Summary
If you used a career summary on your resume, you should use that here. If you don’t have one, summarize in less than 5 lines your experience that highlights your competitive advantage.

Table of Core Skills
In a table with 3-5 columns, identify the major categories of your core skills and a few (1-3) brief accomplishment statements that support those skills.

Elevator Pitch
In this section, document the parts of your elevator pitch: the industry, the position (with the various titles used for the same position ex. Project Managers are sometimes called Delivery Managers), and the geographic area you are considering.

Target Companies
Overwhelmingly statistics prove that networking is the best way to find and secure a job. Since it takes time to network into any one company, you do not want to use the shotgun approach and spread yourself too thin. Identify the top 5-10 companies that you really want to work for. This list should come from research you have done to understand who is expanding their business (ones to consider including) and which companies are struggling or letting people go (ones to exclude from your list). Remember too that most of the available jobs are in smaller companies.

Your job as a job seeker is to work your network, find and contact people in these companies, and build a relationship so they get to know you. The rapport you build gives you advantage over the faceless people represented by the thousands flat pieces of paper called resumes that the company received via the internet or mail.

Create your networking guide and freely share it with the people in your network. Save your resumes for the target companies, the ones you will network into with the help of your network buddies.

To receive a networking guide template, e-mail Judi@RightChanges.biz with the subject line “networking guide template”.

23 Mayıs 2012 Çarşamba

Failing to provide for the timely removal of a contested writing from an employee's personnel file or record is not fatal to filing §3020-a charges against the employee

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Failing to provide for the timely removal of a contestedwriting from an employee's personnel file or record is not fatal to filing §3020-acharges against the employee

The arbitrator found a New York City school teacher guilty of variousspecifications filed against her pursuant to §3020-a of the Education Law. Thepenalty imposed: a four months' suspension of employment without pay andbenefits.
Supreme Court denied a New York City school teacher’s petitionseeking to vacate a post-hearing arbitration award brought pursuant toEducation Law §3020-a(5) and CPLR 7511, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
In affirming the lower court’s ruling, the AppellateDivision said that the arbitration award had been made in accord with dueprocess and was not arbitrary and capricious, irrational, or lacking inevidentiary support, citing City School District v McGraham, 17 NY3d 917.
In response to the teacher’s challenge to the award on thetheory that the New York City Department of Education [DOE] had failed to meetthe time requirements set forth in Article 21(C)(3) of the collectivebargaining agreement, the Appellate Division said the even if DOE had failed tocomply with such time requirements “dismissal of the disciplinary charges againstthe educator was not required.
Article 21(C)(3), explained the court, “merely provides forthe removal of a contested writing from an employee's personnel file or recordin the event the procedural requirements of the Article are not followed.”Accordingly, such a defect “does not preclude the filing of formal disciplinarycharges pursuant to Education Law §3020-a.”
Citing Matter of Pell v Board of Educ. of Union FreeSchool Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County,34 NY2d 222, the Appellate Division said that “The penalty imposed does notshock our sense of fairness,” and dismissed the educator’s appeal.
The decision is posted on the Internet at: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_03879.htm
======================The Discipline Book, - a concise guide to disciplinary actionsinvolving public employees in New York State. A 1528 page e-book. For detailsclick on http://thedisciplinebook.blogspot.com/

======================

Filing of an amicus brief with PERB

To contact us Click HERE
Filing of an amicus brief withPERB
Selected Rulings posted by PERB – Matter of the County of Suffolk, Decision U-28610
The Board granted motions by thePolice Conference of New York and the Suffolk County Police Conference to file amicus briefs* with respect to exceptionsfrom an ALJ decision dismissing a charge alleging that the County of Suffolkviolated §209-a.1(d) of the Public Employees’ Fair Employment Act when itunilaterally transferred supervisory police duties previously performed on theLong Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway by the members of the SupervisorOfficers’ Association of the Police Department of the County of Suffolk.
* This decision reflectsPERB’s view that an amicus brief may be valuable duringconsideration of pending exceptions.

Volunteer firefighter injured while engaged in the Fire District’s program to maintain his or her ability to perform his or her duties compensable under the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefits Law

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Volunteer firefighter injured while engaged in the Fire District’s program tomaintain his or her ability to perform his or her duties compensable under the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefits Law

All volunteer firefighters and emergency medical techniciansin the Volunteer Fire District were informed that the swine flu vaccine wasgoing to be provided for them at a designated clinic. One firefighter/EMT wasrefused the vaccine at that clinic but subsequently went to different clinic toreceive her flu shot. Returning home, the firefighter/EMT was involved in aone-car accident that resulted in multiple injuries.
The individual filed a claim for benefits available pursuantto the Volunteer Firefighters Law and a hearing was held to determine whetherher claim fell within the provisions of the Act. Ultimately, the Workers' CompensationBoard determined that her injuries were incurred while she was engaged in anactivity covered by the law and awarded her benefits. The District and itsworkers' compensation carrier appealed.
The Appellate Division affirmed the Board’s determination,explaining: “[W]hether a given activity of a volunteer fire fighter fallswithin the line of duty is a question of statutory construction particularlywithin the Board's expertise.” In this instance the Board found that injuriessuffered by the firefighter/EMT were compensable pursuant to VolunteerFirefighters' Benefit Law §5(1)(p).
§5(1)(p). covers individuals participating in a"supervised physical fitness class, group session or program for thepurpose of promoting or maintaining the performance of their duties asfirefighters, as well as necessary travel to and necessary travel from suchactivity."
Here, said the court, the record demonstrates that “theDistrict, at the very least, strongly encouraged EMTs to receive the swine fluvaccination and made arrangements for them to receive the vaccine at no cost.”Under these circumstances, the Appellate Division found that the Board couldreasonably conclude that individual's injuries were sustained pursuant to herparticipation in a program to maintain the performance of her duties and, thus,its determination was supported by substantial evidence
The decision is posted on the Internet at:http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_03920.htm

Board of Education’s decision concerning the discontinuing of the services of the school superintendent sustained by the Commissioner of Education

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Board of Education’s decision concerning the discontinuingof the services of the school superintendent sustained by the Commissioner of EducationDecision of the Commissioner of Education, Decision No.16,352
The contract of employment between the school board andits superintendent included a provision entitled “Termination” wherein itprovided that the employment relationship between the superintendent and theboard could be terminated for any of the following reasons:
1. Disability of the superintendent;
2. Written resignation of the superintendent;
3. Termination upon agreement; or
4. Discharge for cause.
When the board and the superintendent entered into anagreement entitled “Separation Agreement, Release and Waiver” providing for apayment of $89,500 in full satisfaction of the district’s financial obligationsto the superintendent and the superintendent’s agreement to resign from theposition and forfeit all claims against the District, an individual filed an appeal withthe Commissioner of Education challenging the execution of such an agreement.
Essentially the appeal argued that the superintendent shouldbe terminated for cause without compensation, alleging various acts ofmisconduct on the part of the Superintendent.
In addition, the appeal allegedthat the Board “wilfully neglected its duty and misused district funds byoffering to buy out the superintendent’s employment contract and by failing toinvestigate [the petitioner's] allegations and take corrective action.” The redress requested: theCommissioner should remove members of the Board from their positions and appointa new board to serve until a special election is held and appoint or overseethe process to appoint a new superintendent.
After noting a number of procedural omissions requiringdismissal of certain allegations advanced by the individual, the Commissionerturned to turn to the merits of the remaining claims.
Citing Education Law §§1709(13) and (33), and 1804(1), theCommissioner said that a board of education has broad powers “concerning the superintendence,management, and control of a central school district.” In addition, notedthe Commissioner, “a board of education has the authority to enter into anemployment contract with a superintendent including provisions regardingtermination, citing Education Law §§1711 and 1804[1].
Finding that in this instance the Board had entered intoan employment agreement with the Superintendent that contained several options with respect to termination, the Commissioner dismissed the appeal commenting that “I will notsubstitute my judgment for that of a board of education unless it isdemonstrated that the board acted arbitrarily, capriciously, abused itsdiscretion or failed to comply with applicable law.”
In an appeal to the Commissioner, the petitioner has theburden of demonstrating a clear legal right to the relief requested and theburden of establishing the facts upon which petitioner seeks relief.
TheCommissioner decided that “On the record before me, petitioner has failed tomeet her burden,” explaining that “The terms of the contract specificallypermit termination by mutual agreement, and [the Board’s] answer indicates that[the Board] carefully considered the issues, including weighing the costs ofdischarge for cause versus a negotiated agreement.”
Although the Commissioner noted that the petitioner disagreed with the Board’s decisionnot to dismiss the superintendent for cause, the Commissioner said that “shehas submitted no reply to refute the board’s statements that it reviewed itsoptions and determined that a separation agreement was more responsible than aprotracted dismissal for cause” and dismissed the appeal."
The decision is posted on the Internet at:http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/Decisions/volume51/d16352.html

Income Protection Insurance - How to Apply for Unemployment Mortgage Protection Insurance to Cover Payments in Case of Job Loss

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How to apply for unemployment mortgage Income Protection Insurance to cover payments in case of job loss? Because you might be having unemployment mortgage money protection insurance, for that fact that it is for your own protection and security in case you will lose your income because you are jobless. You also have many bills at home to the point of loosing your home.

In applying for the unemployment mortgage Income Protection Insurance in order to cover your payments in case of job loss, Then you must learn how to grab an unemployment protection insurance mortgage that will be useful and helps you from financial issues such us payments at home and etc. You need to research for many kinds of possible plans in order to find out that you're eligible enough, then calculate for the coverage that you are going to check and need it for the policy that you want to apply. And then, compare the premiums and the coverage that were offered.

17 Mayıs 2012 Perşembe

Another Job Search Essential: Your Personal Brand

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The job market continues to change and so must your approach to finding a job. Personal Branding is the latest key to success for your job search. The market is very competitive and a Personal Brand will help you stand out from your competition.

You may be wondering though “what is personal branding and how do I implement it in my search?” In this three part series we will cover the what, where, why and how of personal branding.
 What is personal branding?
 Why should I implement branding in my job search?
 How do I identify my brand?
 Where do I use it?

Part 1: What is Personal Branding and Why Should I Implement Branding in My Job Search?

We are familiar with the concept of brands in marketing. Wikipedia reminds us it is the collection of experience and associations with [what we think and feel related to] a service, person or any other entity [like a product].

In 1997, Tom Peters coined the term personal branding and the concept has slowly made its way into the competitive job market.

Personal Branding for Job Seekers

Personal branding in the job search actually involves your entire job search; it is not just something you put onto your resume or business card. Think of it as your ad campaign.

Your brand is the consistent message about the value you bring and what you are looking for. Your brand offers a consistent look and feel to your marketing materials (example: the same header is used on your resume as on your cover letter) and even a consistent use of your name (example: with or without middle initial), and consistent colors and fonts. Most of all, your brand needs to be consistent with the product - you.

There are some terms you may hear about Personal Branding. USP is your Unique Selling Proposition. That is the one thing that differentiates you from your competition and benefits others. ROI is return on investment. In the job market the ROI is the benefit the company realizes when they hire you.

You are Unique

As I tell my clients and when I’m out speaking to groups, there is something about you that is unique to you. Whatever “it” is, it comes easily to you and, since it does, you minimize it in yourself. You think “that’s no big deal, that easy”. Yes, to you! The rest of us would give our left arms to be able to do that the way you do. Since you are not a good judge of what makes you unique, you have to ask people who know you and therefore know what that special something is about you.

Years ago I participated in an outplacement class. The facilitator asked us to share with the group something for which we are known. The first two people mentioned something that they are known for cooking wise. It got me thinking: I fix a great Derby Pie (chocolate chip) that has won awards at local bake offs. It is so easy to fix I even thought I could whip one up that night and bring it in the next day so they could see for themselves how good it is. However, the facilitator called on me next and said “from you I want a work example”.

Well! He wasn’t going to get my pie now. I thought and thought “work example huh?” and the co-worker to my left said “Are you kidding me?” From that I took her to mean that she had thought of something for me, so I asked her for her idea.

She reminded me that when I took over the support team, we were not loved by our internal customers. In order to determine the problem, I set up separate meetings with each customer and asked them what it was that the team did well and what areas did we need to improve. She went on to remind me that when I assured them that I would turn things around and make them “raving fans”, they not only trusted me enough to give us a clean start but they even invited me to their internal meetings, where IT (my department) had never been invited to before. She was saying that I earn people’s trust quickly.

My first internal thought was “So? That’s no big deal”. Then I thought back to other times where people trusted me quickly and completely. This is one way I am unique and thanks to Angela I am now aware of it and have had it affirmed over and over again.

You too are unique. You have a reputation with those who work with you. You are known for something and you want to leverage that reputation to stand out from your competition.

In Part 2 we will cover how to identify your brand. For now let’s talk about the parts of your brand.

Personal Brand Statement (PBS)

The PBS is a detailed statement, three to four lines in length, which powerfully communicates the fundamental trait that differentiates you. Your PBS must include an indication of who is your audience, your value to the hiring company, and your uniqueness.

Tag Line

The other item for your branding is a tag line. The tag line is a one sentence, catchy phrase about your uniqueness. This must convey the same basic message as your PBS about the value you bring and your uniqueness.

Think back to some of the most famous tag lines in the world of advertising. FedEx’s “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.” clearly communicates who the audience is (people who ship things and are in a hurry) and the value FedEx brings and how they are unique (it WILL get there overnight).

Why Should I Create a Brand?

Branding is becoming a staple in the job market because you are in essence selling a product and you want to stand out so the customer (the hiring authority) remembers you and the value you bring.

You already have a reputation at work; the brand is just leveraging it to demonstrate your uniqueness and generate a curiosity about you.

Your brand also identifies the type of company and position that is a fit for you. Let’s say you are known for and enjoy the challenge of turning companies around. You would not be a fit for a company that is looking for someone to come in and keep things running as they are. That company also would not be a fit for you because it would be a waste of your talents.

No Brag, Just Facts

If you want to sell a product, you have to be able to recount its virtues or you won’t get the sale. I work with people though who were reluctant to talk about themselves and it usually goes back to the way they were raised. They were taught that it is wrong to brag. I agree you should not brag; fortunately I am not asking you to. Your brand is based on fact.

I use a lot of analogies; my analogy for how your brand is not bragging is that of an artist. An artist who wants to sell some of their art would carry an artist’s portfolio filled with samples of their work. You will agree it would be absurd for the artist to refuse to show the art to prospective customers. Instead, the artist would open up the portfolio and lay out the art, step back, and let the other person judge for himself. You would not consider this bragging, would you? No!

With your brand and with your STARs *1, you are stating facts. Bragging would be to say “I’m great” or “I’ve done it before and I can do it again” without providing supporting details. Instead, lay the facts on the table (your STARs and brand) like you did the art and let them judge.

Next in the Series

In Part 2 of this three part series we will discuss ways to identify your brand and in Part 3 we will examine where to implement your brand.

*1 For more on STARs, go to http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-your-star-statements.html

By Judi Adams, the Affordable and Successful Job Search Coach. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Ms. Adams is a keynote speaker and her blog of job search articles (RightChangesJobSearchCoach.blogspot.com)are read world-wide. Ms. Adams is about to publish her first book. Stay tuned for more about her upcoming, one of a kind book about the job search.

Another Job Search Essential: Your Personal Brand - Part 2

Part 3: Another Job Search Essential: Your Personal Brand

To contact us Click HERE
The job market continues to change and so must your approach to finding a job. Personal Branding is the latest key to success for your job search. The market is very competitive and a Personal Brand will help you stand out from your competition.

You may be wondering though “what is personal branding and how do I implement it in my search?” In this three part series we cover the what, where, why, and how of personal branding.

Part 1 covered
 What is personal branding?
 Why should I implement branding in my job search?
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/06/another-job-search-essential-your.html

Part 2 covered
 How do I identify my brand?
http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/07/another-job-search-essential-your.html

In the third and final part of this series you will discover where to use your brand in your job search.

THE BASIC CONCEPT

The basic concept of personal branding is that your entire job search has a consistent message, look, and feel. Think of it as your ad campaign.

Other than Geico, which has multiple ad campaigns going at one time, the gecko, the talking money, and the Rod Sterling character, most companies only have one ad campaign running during a particular timeframe. You should be like most companies and only have one campaign going at a time.

Here is a list of things to check to be sure you are being consistent with your marketing materials:

Name: Do you use the same name on all of your marketing materials or do you have your formal name in some places and not others? Do you use a middle initial in one place but not everywhere?

Job Title: When you state what you are looking for, are you consistent with the job title? If you list various titles for the same job, do you list them in the same order?

Document Header: Is the header (content and format for your name and contact information) on your resume the same as on your networking guide and cover letter? This is like your stationery. If you laid out all of the pieces of your marketing material together on a table, would you instantly know they are for the same person without having to read the name?

Color and Font: If you have a website, is it the same color scheme as your business card? Do you have a logo or graphic that you consistently use for your marketing materials?

Consistent with the Product: Is your brand consistent with the product - you? Are you looking for a position based on its title or pay but is not consistent with what you can do or want? If you are looking for an upper management position, do you dress and groom like upper management? For instance I dress conservatively (suits) so my appearance would not be consistent with someone in fashion or a creative field.

Now let’s cover the specific places to add your branding message to your marketing materials.

IMPLEMENTING YOUR PBS AND TAG LINE IN MARKETING MATERIALS

RESUME

Tagline:

If you developed and want to use your tagline on your resume, it should go immediately under the header and is considered part of your header. If you have a horizontal line under your contact information, then the tagline can go under the graphic line.

Consider typing the tagline in italics and in title case (first letter of each primary word is capitalized). Decide if you want the tagline in color so it stands out when viewed or printed on a color printer. Realize however that if the recipient prints on a black and white printer it will show in a shade of gray so you may want to test printing it in black and white to see how it looks.

Personal Brand Statement (PBS):

You do not need to use both a tagline and personal brand statement on the resume. If you use both, do not use the exact same set of words. Example: my tagline is “The Affordable and Successful Job Search Coach”. If I use that on my resume and want to use my personal brand statement as well, I will want to use other words for “affordable” and “successful”.
If you use your personal brand statement in your resume it should go where you have a career summary. It can be used in place of your existing career summary or blended in.

Accomplishments:

Be sure to list your accomplishments in the section “above the fold” and under the job history that support your brand. If you don’t, your brand will ring hollow.

COVER LETTER

If you added your tagline to your resume header, you should add it to the header on your cover letter. You should always use the same on all of the job search documents you create.

Using the T cover letter format, you should be sure the qualifications you list support your brand. For more about the T Cover Letter go to:

http://rightchangesjobsearchcoach.blogspot.com/2011/04/most-powerful-cover-letter.html

BUSINESS CARD / CONTACT CARD

Side note: Every job seeker should have a business / contact card. In fact it has surprised me how many job seekers do not have or use one. My next article will be on the importance to job seekers of having a contact card.

It is essential that you add your tagline to your contact card. You may also want to add a few points from your Personal Brand Statement onto the card, maybe in bulleted format. Do not add the entire PBS to the card; it is too much text.

E-MAIL SIGNATURE BLOCK

If you use an e-mail system that has the feature to add a signature block to the e-mail (name, contact information), you want to preformat the signature to include your tagline.

If your e-mail system does not have that feature, open a Word document and develop a signature block yourself that you can use to copy and paste into your e-mails. That will also help make your correspondences more professional looking.

LINKEDIN & OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

In your LinkedIn profile, you can include your tagline in the free form field under your name. Your entire profile, including your photo, should support your brand as well. Be sure to request recommendations from people who can attest to your brand. Your photo should be consistent with your brand.

Hiring authorities will search on-line for your name to see what is out there about you. Before they do, you should do a search on your name to discover what’s out there about you. Take the time to clean up your Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and blogs from anything that could eliminate you as a candidate.

By doing an internet search on your name now you will know what is out there currently. What about new entries? There is a tool you can use to alert you to future mentions. Google Alert can be used to identify any mention of your name on-line that the search engine encounters. Note however, it will give you alerts for anyone and everyone with the same name. It is easy though to quickly review all alerts and delete the ones that are not relevant.

ELEVATOR PITCH

The basic elevator pitch includes your name, title, what you are looking for, and ends with a closing question in the form of a question. Your elevator pitch should also include your tagline whether you use the one you developed or a conversational version of it.

NETWORKING GUIDE

The networking guide is the one page document you should give to people in your network so they have something specific and actionable to do to help you in your job search. Just like with your resume and cover letter, the networking guide should include your tagline or brand statement.

INTERVIEW

When I worked in Information Technology (IT), I was known for taking over teams that were struggling and turning them around. I improved productivity and quality and increased customer satisfaction and employee engagement. That is what I want to communicate during an interview with an IT company.

During the interview, you want to be sure to communicate your brand, what you are known for, the value you bring, and how this company will benefit by hiring you.

Maintain your brand. Be sure other people know about you and the value you bring by participating in in-person networking and LinkedIn groups.

Develop new skills, increase self-awareness, expand your network, and evolve your brand as you evolve.

TO FIND OUT MORE

There are some fabulous books on the market about personal branding. They include but are not limited to the ones listed here. If you have recommendations about other books on personal branding, please e-mail me the titles and authors.

Me 2.0, Revised Edition by Dan Schawbel

Career Smart: Five Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand by Sherri Thomas

Managing Brand You by Jerry S. Wilson / Ira Blumenthal

Judi Adams is the Affordable and Successful Job Search Coach. In addition to her coaching practice, Ms. Adams is a keynote speaker and her blog of job search articles are read world-wide. Ms. Adams is about to publish her first book. Stay tuned for more about her upcoming, one of a kind, book about the job search.