New Office, New Opportunities, New Day!

by: Vicki Hidde

Exciting things are happening in Downtown Tulsa. The Marriott Hotel is renovating the Atlas Life Building and creating a boutique hotel on Boston Avenue. Kanbar Properties has just made my move from the Atlas Building to the Petroleum Club Building a smooth transition. However, any move, much like any job search, can be unsettling. While I am much more comfortable and ready for business in the new location, this past week has been disquieting.

EasyTel has my new phones ringing. Jackson Technical has my computer system working faster than ever. If you are looking for office space, Kanbar has been great to work with. I highly recommend these business services companies. Ace Sign Company is designing new signage.

While I could write a blog paralleling the move to a job search, I will not do that at this time. But I will say that I had an executive client walk in last week during all the packing and needed same day service-- and I delivered by the end of the day. My first day in the Petroleum Club, a fellow tenant walked in, introduced himself and said he needed to layoff one of his employees, because he was not a good match for his corporate culture.

Let me describe my office. I am using a plastic container as a desk for my laptop. Tomorrow my “new” old desk will be delivered. I’ll unpack then and start putting the office in order.

I always appreciate referrals - however, during the month May, as I jump-start this office, referrals are more important than ever. If you know someone in the downtown Tulsa area who needs a better job, or someone who is laying off one or more employees, you may want to forward this shameless commercial appeal to them.

When I wrote the above statement about not paralleling job search to moving my office, I knew I would not be able to help myself. So, relocating an office and looking for a new career have a few things in common. First, you need to get the word out. Then make yourself available for projects that land in your lap. Be prepared and deliver a consistent, high quality product. Know full well you will need to shake the bushes more than once to get the word out about your availability. To get the word out about my services, I will need to market every day for the next 45 days--then again for the next 45 days as well.

Marketing my company is a 5-day a week endeavor. Self-marketing for a new job is much the same.

We can both make something positive happen…if you are reading this, please remember to tell someone about our service. It will make a difference in the life of our company as we coach our clients in assessing career transition opportunities. More importantly, that referral might help to neutralize the fear that comes with job loss and help someone find their dream job.

There are two things that you can do:

• If you know someone who needs a job or a better job, please tell them about the Résumé Source
• If you read an article about overcoming adversity, share that article or website with someone who is experiencing the realities of this downturn in the economy
  

(c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

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The ABC's of Career Management - Part Three

Here's Part Three:

• O Have you mastered on-line tools? Hot Jobs, Career Builder, Dice, Monster and local job boards are excellent tools to see who is hiring. Just posting your résumé may not deliver the result of landing your dream position. Building a circle of influence, which takes networking at the next level, may be just the boost your career needs. Keeping in touch with your contacts and managing your contact base may poise a challenge. If you have not gotten into social networking via the web, might I suggest that you spend a few minutes or hours learning about Facebook, LinkedIn and others? But a word of caution might be in order. Companies may get a window into your ethics, work style, character and personality traits by reviewing the pages of your contacts.

• P Would you agree that having a good plan is much like having a pattern for success? Agreeing with the importance of planning and taking the time to put together a plan are two entirely different matters. Do you have a career plan? If not, why not? Have you taken the time to write down seven things you want to accomplish in your career this Year? Quarter? Month? Week? Day? Why not try it and see if you can measure your success? One other note, there is a difference in a realistic plan and a fantasy plan. Dreams are important, but your strengths need to align with your goals. Through education and training new strong points emerge and dreams are realized.

• Q If you find yourself in an organization that is downsizing, you may need to develop a quick start plan to assess your strengths and quickly market your skills. What would you want to include in your quick start plan? Would you start by developing a list of contacts, polishing your resume, researching job boards, reading local newspapers or even perusing company websites - all to get an understanding of the type of positions available at this point in time.

• R Will your résumé make the cut in today’s tight job market? If you have researched résumés, are you confused? Do you need a chronological format or a functional style? How many pages should your résumé be? Does paper color or texture matter? Who will read a paper résumé? Aren’t all resumes on-line today? Is the conflicting information baffling? Résumés are customized work histories and overviews that address your ability to contribute to corporate goals. The skill sets required are fluid depending on swings in the economy as well as industry demands. A well-written résumé reflects not only what you have done, but what you CAN do. Recent studies indicate that a well-designed resume combined with job coaching can decrease the time between jobs by as much 30%.

• S As you review your life, what would you say is more important Success or Significance? Will you agree that to complete tasks and projects successfully allows you to build a solid foundation for future success? As you look through the rearview mirror of life, making a difference while finding significance in your life’s work can motivate you to accept new challenges and stretch your capacity for contribution to group goals.

• T Tempo, like pace, is an interesting word, isn’t it? What is the tempo of your work ? Does it match that of the team? Does it match the expectations of your team leader, customers or management team? Have you considered the importance of finding a career position that benefits from your work tempo? If you are methodical and pay attention to details, does your team value your contribution? If you set a fast pace, do others on the team struggle to keep up with your pace? Is the tempo of your work style fast like a Rock Band or slow like easy listening? Finding the job with the right tempo can go along way toward job satisfaction.

• U Do you have a sense of urgency when you approach tasks? As you review tasks, do you understand deadlines and have a record for meeting target completion dates? There is nothing more frustrating than being put in the position of having to become a firefighter when a little planning and efficient execution would minimize disruptions and facilitate the smooth completion of a task. Whether it is completing projects at work, evaluating your career options or managing a job search, you need to approach the project with a sense of urgency.

Next time, we'll wrap this up with the last few letters of the alphabet and some thoughts on how to make sure you are properly managing your career in 2009!

(c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

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Resume Source In The News!

We're trying to get the embedded video up, but running into a technical issue. Until we get it fixed, here's the link to the story from KOTV-6 and CW12/19!

Video Courtesy of KOTV-6 Tulsa, OK
Post(c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
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The Job Search Super Bowl

Featured Guest Blogger: Kristine Sexter, WorkWise Productions

The front door slams open and a thick shoulder enters your living room sideways, followed by a broad body that makes your big screen TV look like a pocket watch. A weather-beaten face, baseball cap perched on top, seems to hover unsupported over a vast red sweatshirt bearing the word COACH in white block letters. You would be afraid, but the man now towering over your couch bears a strong (and vitamin-fed) resemblance to your elementary school gym teacher, right down to the twinkle in his eyes.

"Sooo...," Coach booms, dropping a sympathetic paw on your shoulder, "they're saying your careers been side-lined, are they? That you've been benched by the economy, laid-off, downsized?"

You nod, hoping Coach will lift his hand before your lungs are compressed into pancakes.

Coach takes a step back, then hunkers down to put you eye to eye.

"Its an old story, rookie. But what I want to know is, what are you going to do about it?"

"Um, well, I...Ive updated my resume. And there are all those job search engines and the newspaper ads. But there are so many people applying for the same jobs..." you stumble to a halt as Coach jumps to his feet.

"Search engines? Newspapers? Come on, now, rookie, wheres your competitive spirit? Don't you want to be a winner?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, yes! I need a job."

"And aren't you the kind of person who rises to the challenge?" he reminds you, using one thumb to point to the plaques on the wall behind his shoulder. "Employee of the Year last year, remember? And Highest Producer the year before that, right? Or is that just locker room talk?"

"No! I earned those awards!"

"Darn right you did!" Coach bellows. "Earned em with hard work, sweat, and a winning attitude. Felt good, too, didn't it? Not just winning those awards, but doing your best, every single day, no matter what they threw at you! What a rush! Am I right?"

"Yes, sir!" you find yourself yelling back.

Coach looks you straight in the eye and challenges, "Then isn't it time you started feeling that way about your job search, kid? Stop thinking bush league, and start thinking majors! Ive got a playbook here that is guaranteed to put big points on the job-search score board! Just bring on some of that hard work and you can be a contender! What do you say, kid? Are you with me? "

Suddenly, you find yourself on your feet, your fists pumping, feeling the first glimmer of hope since you lost your job. "Yes! Yes! Bring it on, Coach!"

"The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity." The unknown author of this statement may never know the profound impact these words have had upon the thousands of persons with whom I have shared it. If you or someone you know is looking for work, then "suit" up and hit the field and Ill coach you through one of the most important games of your life: The Job Search Super Bowl!

THE PLAYBOOK : according to the Department of Labor, 48% of all people report finding their jobs through referrals and networking ("It takes the whole team to win a Super Bowl!," says Coach). 24% found their job via direct contact with companies (Coach calls this breaking through the defense), 23% through employment agencies, staffing companies, college career services offices and executive search firms ("Where did you learn to play football anyway?") Only 5% of people find their position through the help wanted ads, the Internet job boards and other printed advertising ("That's called the Hail Mary play!).

THE RULES:

Rule 1: Attitude : Its the only thing you have 100% control of, 100% of the time. All the coaches cant be wrong!

Rule 2: You must hit the playing field everyday: Looking for a job IS your job. Do it 7 days a week.

Rule 3: Wear the right uniform and protective gear: Dress to win, know that falling on your face is still falling forward. If you get tackled/knocked down- Get UP!

Rule 4: Ethics: Play fair. Play clean. Its a small world...

Rule 5: Its a team effort Help each other to win. Share your knowledge

Rule 6: The Super Bowl takes a series of wins: One step at a time. Win one game, then the division, then the league. A good job today may be a great job tomorrow.

SCORING:

• Interview for an open position that is a good match: 6 points (Touchdown!)
• Called back from an interview for a 2nd interview : 1 point (the extra point)
• Called back for a 3 rd interview: 2 points (conversion)
• Networking with business cards and resumes ready: 3 points for each occurrence:
  
  
  • Contact entire contents of family/home telephone book (every relative, every neighbor, friend. These people truly care about you. Make sure they have a copy of your resume)
  • Attend a professional association meeting and really work it!
  • Attend a business/ industry specific forums.
  • Join/start a job club.
  • State Employment Job Search Workshops/Meetings (Click Here)
  • Obtain an Informational Interview
  • Get a Mentor. Meet regularly. Mentor others.
  • Alumni clubs (military, school, ex-employer, special interest)
  • Contact entire contents of family/home telephone book
  • Your personal ... professional services contacts (physicians, attorneys, accountants, etc.) made aware of your search and you send resume
  • Attend Career/Job Fairs
  • Met someone at a: football game (!), fitness centers, weddings, theme parks, airplanes, hair/nail salons, movie theatres, or shopping ... gave them a resume.
    
• Direct Contact and Agencies: 2 points for each occurrence

Warning: Do not PAY any agency for a job! (Penalty-Expulsion from the game) Research, then contact specific companies that match your skills. Contact department/division head (not human resources) for informational interview.

• Send Resume to Job Posted in Local Newspaper .5 points
• Send Resume to a Company-Specific Internet Job Posting .5 points
• Built your own website; post resume to it. 1 point
• Send 1 Resume via Internet Mega-Job Board PENALTY! subtract 1 point

Ultimate Goal= 200 POINTS Job obtained......Super Bowl is won!

Know stars and leaders who'd be interested in reading more articles like this? Subscribe to Kristine's Newsletter here!

Your Coach, Kristine Sexter, President of WorkWise Productions is a professional speaker, workshop trainer, columnist and author. She works with companies of all sizes from start-ups to Fortune 500, as well as trade ... professional associations across the country that want to reduce turnover and increase profitability by recruiting, developing and retaining star talent.

Article used by permission. (c) KristineSexter.com
Blog (c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

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