Mark Hirschfeld

Opportunities will open and close based on a factor not always obvious to the job seeker…

The business cycle.

All organizations run on some kind of year, either a calendar or fiscal. Jobs can become available in a new budget cycle, and they can also go away if not filled within the budgeting year.

Knowing the cycle for a potential employer can be helpful to your search.

One former client knew a job wasn’t going to open up for a couple of months, but proposed they hire him with a start date when the job became available. Another I know took a job with a company that was a temporary role while still staying in the running for another job at the same company that was coming open in a few weeks when a new fiscal year started.

Since we’re coming up on the end of the calendar year there may more of these opportunities out there.

Keep your head up. Keep telling your story. Keep showing how you add value.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

 #jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies

My wife and I made a donation to the PTO that is supporting Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. They were shot by the domestic terrorist here in Minnesota two days ago, who has thankfully been caught.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Senator Hoffman and his wife have been tireless advocates for folks with disabilities, and their work has contributed to the meaningful and productive life of our son and so many others.

As the description below indicates, all the money raised will go the Hoffman’s. Yvette is an employee of the school whose PTO is raising funds, and she is currently out of work as she recovers from eight– that’s right eight– gunshot wounds.

They will also have medical bills and other expenses such as improving security at their home.

You should check with your accountant, but the PTO is a nonprofit and you could deduct this donation.

Anyway, thanks for considering. Be well and give all those you love an extra hug. Here’s the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-yvette-and-john-hoffmans-recovery

On this Father’s Day, 2025, I mourn for the family of Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were murdered by a domestic terrorist in my adopted home state of Minnesota yesterday.

They have two children who are now without parents, one whose wedding was being planned.

May their memories always be a blessing.

And I pray for the recovery of John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were also shot by the same terrorist. The Hoffman’s have been passionate advocates for folks with disabilities, fighting for folks like their daughter.

Accounts indicate that Yvette threw her body over her daughter as the bullets came flying into their home.

A heroic act to thwart the intentions of a man who apparently was motivated to kill Melissa and John because he disagreed with their politics.

Despicable.

I am grateful for my family and the pleasure and privilege it is to be husband to Nancy and dad to Jillian and Jacob, and on this day in particular I will not take that for granted.

I will hold them close, and I will continue to speak out against the senseless violence that has taken grip.

My friend thought the interview was going well. Toward the end the recruiter asked him if he had any questions. He had done quite a bit of homework about the company so didn’t feel a need to ask much on that topic, but he asked:

“What is the culture like here?”

“Is this a fun place to work?”

“How do team members get along?”

“How often do we meet as a team?”

“What do customers say about the firm?”

Important questions, right?

The recruiter couldn’t answer ANY of them.

Not one.

Nada.

Maybe the recruiter was having a bad day, or MAYBE the performance of the recruiter is a reflection of a company that doesn’t know what it stands for and the culture they are building.

I encouraged my friend to network with current and former employees to find out more.

Having a good job is important, but company culture is important too.

Do your homework.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

 #jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies

Several years ago I worked with a company to conduct their annual employee engagement survey. After I presented their results I was asked to come back a few weeks later for another meeting. As I was waiting in the lobby I noticed a book on the coffee table.

I opened it up and found copies of all the reports of the survey I had just presented.

I was stunned.

When my contact came to fetch me I asked her why this was in the lobby: “We talked about it as a leadership team, and we decided that we wanted everyone who visits us, including prospective employees, to know how employees feel about working here.”

“As you know, not everything is positive in that report, but we wanted to be as transparent as possible.”

Then I was impressed.

Most companies don’t do this, but you can still learn about potential employers. Check out online company ratings. You can also talk with former and current employees.

Do your homework.

I’m sure you’re worried about getting a job and want to spend most of your time responding to postings and networking, but I’d like to encourage you to take time to consider jobs that fit your skills and interests.

How are skills and interests different?

I love to play golf (interest), but for the life of me I can’t make a three-foot putt (poor skill). On the other hand, I’m actually pretty good at project management (skill) but I hate doing it (definitely not an interest).

If we find a job where skills and interests align we’re likely to be happier and more successful.

There are a number of free self-assessments out there and some for a nominal fee. None of them are perfect, but they can give you guidance.

Additionally, ask others who know you to provide feedback on what they see in your skills.

Finally, think back on some of the occasions when you have been most successful. Detail those successes. Then review to find patterns of what you did that contributed to your successes. Your strengths generally will be a big part of those successes.

#jobseach #hiring #careers

In a recent executive roundtable I presented a leadership model developed by Brad Shuck. It was a heart-felt and gut-wrenching discussion. Executives talked about the deaths of coworkers and customers from COVID, the stress is having an impact on the lives of families including an increase in divorce, and of the challenges related to working with their teams and engaging their customers:

· Leading “above the line” was important before the pandemic but is essential now. The six behaviors have always been important, but in the midst of this crisis are even more important. Our research shows that employees who believe their manager is leading with compassion are more engaged and inspired in these difficult times.

· Although leading with compassion is critical right now, it is getting harder. The increase in more remote employees, the challenges of helping “essential workers” be safe and to succeed are just two of the additional issues facing leaders.

Our leaders need help.

Stop thinking about leadership development as “something we’ll do when we don’t have anything else to do” and start thinking about it as a key to the ability of the organization to succeed in these changing times.

Because, you see, it does.

Have you applied for a job at a company, had an interview, and then never heard back?

You’ve been “ghosted”.

Sadly, many employers don’t follow up with candidates who aren’t moving forward on a job. It is, in my view, lazy, disrespectful and unprofessional on the part of an employer. It can hurt their brand. Even if you don’t get this job, you are still a potential future employee, referrer and also a customer.

As a job seeker, what should you do?

~ If you had what you thought was a good interview that you think might lead to an offer, DON’T STOP SEARCHING. Keep looking. You are in control of your search.

~ Check your networking contacts to see if you know someone can help.

~ Finally, take the high road. Send one last note to the recruiter or hiring manager. Express your disappointment they have not followed up, and wish them well.

Stick to your plan. Do your homework. Tell your story.

Back in the 1960’s when I was old enough to be around our family business, I met Clara. She worked in sales at our clothing store.

There were women selling women’s clothing, but I don’t remember many women selling men’s clothing.

But Clara did.

She was a great salesperson.

Passionate. Competitive. Customer-Oriented. Ethical.

The only part of the job where she needed help was when it came to taking measurements for a man who was buying a tailored suit. One of the other salesmen would take the inseam and waist measurements, but otherwise Clara was in charge.

Just like the rest of the sales staff she worked on a small draw, and most of her income was commission.

The same compensation as men.

Clara had customers whom she knew well and was seen as their trusted advisor when it came to how they dressed.

Our store would not have been as successful if it weren’t for Clara.

Are there assumptions you’re making about who can sell your products and services for which your mindset is setting you back?

Do you have a bias that is getting in your way?

Would your customers be even better served if you thought differently?

Put those attitudes down.

Seek out your version of Clara.

And thrive.