JOB SEARCH TIP: If you have a job, please help out.

22 Jun

This plea is to those of you who are fortunate enough to have a job. If someone asks for you for a few moments to ask for advice, please do so. If you know the person well enough and feel comfortable writing a reference or validating some of their skills on this platform, do it.

One exceptionally important thing you can do in a networking meeting it to provide connections to a job seeker from your network. I was trained by my father to understand and utilize the power of networking, a skill others may not have.

I have used this privilege to my own benefit over the years, and am now using that to help others navigate these often complex systems called employers.

I’ve heard some say they are uncomfortable taking networking meetings because of the fear they can’t help. You don’t need to have all the answers. In fact, just listening to folks who are searching can make a difference—you help them feel heard.

Reach out and help not because you may receive something in return (although you might); do it because it’s the right thing.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

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JOB SEARCH TIP: Do your homework.

22 Jun

A former job search client told me about how a first interview with a prospective employer got off to a great start because she was learning about the employer. Prior to her interview she had been online and noticed a news story about the company, which she referenced in the “small talk” introductions. The hiring manager hadn’t seen the article, so was grateful for her bringing it up and it offered them an opportunity to connect. The rest of interview went well.

This is a good example of the importance of doing your homework about a potential employer. In some cases that can be accomplished in online research—the web site of the employer, online review sites and social networking sites can all be useful.

In other cases you need to do some networking with people you know who may have insights or can introduce you to people who do.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

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JOB SEARCH TIP: Don’t take what you do well for granted.

22 Jun

I was conducting a workshop with a group of people who had lost their jobs because of a plant closure. They all knew and worked with each other. I had given the group an exercise for each person to think about their successes at work, which can provide insights into strengths.

One gentleman couldn’t think of any. His colleagues all jumped in to remind him of several successes he had. He told the group he “just thought that was what he was supposed to do in his job.” Although that may have been true, his friends reminded him he did those things very well!

You may have done some things for so long that you don’t realize how special that ability could be to another employer. Think about your successes, and take time to get feedback from others about your successes. What you’ve achieved in your prior work could be the exact kind of work another employer is looking for, so spend time thinking about your successes, even those you may consider modest.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

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JOB SEARCH TIP: Skills + Interests = Strengths.

22 Jun

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.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. There are additional details about asssessments. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

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JOB SEARCH TIP: Have a coach.

22 Jun

Recruit someone to act as your coach, who can provide accountability and support along with way. Your coach can also help with some job search tasks, such as prepping you for an interview.

The only requirements of a coach are they care for you and are willing to help. A good coach could be a loved one, co-worker, or neighbor.

Have at least one meeting with your coach every week. Show them your work plan and talk about where you’ve made progress and where you fell behind. Your coach doesn’t need to show up with a ruler to wrap your knuckles, but are there to listen, to support and to inspire.

What do you pay your coach for their efforts? I’ve found a heartfelt thank you, and maybe some homemade cookies, to be more than enough compensation.

There are twelve brief training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

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JOB SEARCH TIP: Create a plan and work your plan.

22 Jun

JOB SEARCH TIP #2– Create a plan and work your plan. You should see your job search as… your job! Set aside time every day to work your plan, whether you’re responding to job posts or networking or making follow up calls.

If possible, set up a place where you live that is just for your search activities.

I’ll say more about this later, but plan at to make at least one networking call every day. Networking is so important! There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. The handout has a sample plan you can use. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

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JOB SEARCH ADVICE FROM A FORMER JOB SEARCH CONSULTANT

22 Jun

My wife Nancy and I worked for a firm for many years that provided training to employees who had lost their jobs. We were privileged to do this work, and in this time when so many are unemployed I want to share what we learned.

If you’ve lost your job, I am so sorry. Along with the loss of income, we often miss the satisfaction that comes from doing meaningful work and loss of friendships. I don’t know exactly how you feel, but I’ve lost a job before, and our son is currently furloughed.

This isn’t easy.

Nancy and I volunteered to help folks who attend our church a few weeks ago. I don’t want to offer anyone a false sense of hope, but several people we know have gotten jobs– good jobs– in the past few weeks. It’s certainly a more challenging environment, but there are open positions out there.

One of the things people in the job search struggle with is a feeling of losing control. That is understandable and a normal response to, in this case, a crazy situation. However, there are many things that job seekers can control– activities that can be done every day to advance a campaign. We’ll focus on those.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. You don’t need to register or provide any personal information: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

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Seven Reasons Great Employees Leave

6 Jan

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Check out this great interview with Leigh Branham about the most common reasons why good employees leave: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smartcompaniesthinkingbigger/2013/01/04/the-7-hidden-reasons-employees-leave–leigh-branham

Thoughts of “Boomerang” Employees

31 Dec

I’m fond of “groaner” joke he learned from our daughter: What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back?

A stick.

Now that we’ve gotten that awful out of the way, I want to share with you the benefits of “boomerang” employees. Those are the folks who leave your employ and then decide to come back to work for you. Many companies find boomerang employees are more productive the second time around, often as a result of learning additional skills while they were away. Their second stay by a boomerang employee may also be a longer one:

“We find that boomerang employees often ‘stick’ longer the second time around,” said Sarah Gutek, VP for human resources at Foremost Insurance. “To keep them longer the second time around, we also offer continuation of service incentives. Basically, if they stay with us for two years after being rehired, we’ll give them credit for all of their previous years of service, as well.” These incentives count towards Foremost’s vacation pay, incentive plans, and service awards programs. (Posted at http://www.retentionconnection.com/article_boomerang_employees.html)

So how do we get more former employees to boomerang? There are a number of techniques you can use to stay in touch with those you would like to have back sometime in the future, but it’s clear to us you will also need to create and sustain a work environment and culture which will entice them to return. Consider the following comments from two employees who work for companies recognized as “Best-Places-to-Work”, whose cultures are highly productive and engaging:

“I inquired about the turnover here when I was job hunting and it was extremely low.  In fact, it appeared that anyone who left the company always found the grass was greener here and asked to come back… to which the company always obliged.”

“I’ve been with the company seven years. I was one of the first employees and we now have over 400. In 2005, I foolishly decided I wanted to experience working in another business environment and left. I was back within a year. This is truly a unique place to work and I have been so fortunate to be involved with this company.”

Comments like these are far more frequent at companies where engagement is already quite high. Think about it—would you want to go back to a disengaging workplace?

I admonish you to passionately work on the six universal engagement drivers we’ve uncovered in our book—Re-Engage. Doing so will help you develop the kind of environment that will act as a magnet to entice great employees to “boomerang” back to you.

Otherwise, instead of getting a great employee to return, you’ll just end up with a stick.

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Wellbeing Elements

16 Nov

Wellbeing is a big topic–very big.

But thanks to the work of Dr. Jerry Wagner, the idea of wellbeing is much easier to understand. Jerry is currently the Director of the Institute of Wellbeing Management at Bellevue University in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also the designer of a unique software program that helps organizations uncover and evaluate employees’ ideas about how the organization can improve wellbeing.

Dr. Wagner has identified ten elements of wellbeing:

Employee Benefits  Physical Health and Nutrition  
  Job and Career Growth  Recognition and Rewards  
  Communication  Social and Recreational  
  Environment and Place  Community Service  
  Financial  Work Policies

A few thoughts about the elements:

  • Some of these elements overlap and also work in concert with each other.
  • Some of these elements might be extremely important to you or your organization, others less so.
  • There is a growing body of evidence about the importance of these elements.

Dr. Wagner has consulted with a number of organizations that have seen the benefit of working together to improve wellbeing. They’ve engaged in a process using the idea management software specifically tailored to wellbeing to identify and rate ideas their organizations could implement. Here are comments from employees who participated in the wellbeing process and how they felt about the experience:

“It was exciting to learn some new things, and also be reminded about wellbeing and how we could be more proactive in wellbeing activities. The process brought excitement to the organization and also brought some cohesiveness. It’s planting seeds of change for us as a community in trying to help us focus not only on our physical wellbeing but our emotional and mental wellbeing.”

“What I thought was exciting was brainstorming and coming up with ideas that would improve our work environment. What especially got my attention was the physical piece… one’s physical wellbeing has an impact on how they do in the workplace.”

“It was wonderful being able to create ideas with co-workers from other departments. I’m excited about the future and what we’ll be doing with the wellbeing ideas.”

“That feeling that you know you are part of something, part of a movement where you change people’s lives for the better, is very exciting.”

“I’ve heard from employees who want to take a financial planning class. Others want to take advantage of our tuition reimbursement benefit. Others want to get more involved in the community—they feel like they want to give back. You get the conversation started, and you’re helping to create a culture where everyone is expected to be always improving.”

You see, when it comes to wellbeing, we don’t have to go it alone. We can work together. We can make a difference for ourselves and folks we care about.

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