Stress During Job Search

Some people think that it is merely semantics using the words “Job Transition” as opposed to “Unemployed.”  It is true, however, that there is psychological negative effect that comes with the word “unemployed,” that makes it more than semantics. When a person loses a job, they lose all the aspects of the job and the circumstances associated with the job also changes. Schedules, deadlines, priorities, motivations and purpose all go away or shift. This causes stress in the person and the family--in fact everyone associated with the person who lost their job. Therefore, let’s call the number one stressor from losing a job, “Loss of Structure or Schedule.”

The second and no less of a stressor in the life of a person without a job is, “Loss of Income.” This creates all kinds of fallout from, “How are we going to pay the bills?” to “If I don’t have enough cash to put gas in the car, how will I ever find a job?” Credit Card debt goes up causing more stress and anxiety. Decisions of which bills to pay, “Should I pay the mortgage or buy groceries?” forces some folks to ignore important things because they cannot deal with the stress of not having enough money. This leads to problems growing and not going away until it becomes a legal problem... bankruptcy and home foreclosures are on the rise or at all time highs.

Third in the list of stressors that job seekers must deal with is the “Disruption of the Family.” An amazing statistic we are seeing today is the number of divorces after retirement. I don’t even want to contemplate the number of damaged marriages that have resulted from job loss due to the economy.  Children in school experiencing stress in their family due to job loss find their grades falling or start acting out with negative behavior.  

Today, more than any other time in history we are under attack by stressful things. Not since native peoples struggled against the elements and wild predators have human beings felt the kind of stress we feel today. So the first thing we need to do is see and understand that we are stressed. Then to seek ways to overcome or at least reduce the stress we are under. Communication is a great stress release. Counseling, through your church or a mental health professional, will offer greater relief. Finally, don’t hide your problems, let people know that you are looking for work and you’ll find they don’t think badly of you and in fact may know of something that will lead to a new opportunity.

Job 1: Get Them to Like You

In job search there are two things that are essential when you are in the interview. Everything you do up to that point needs to support those two aspects. First and most importantly in the interview process you really need the interviewer to like you. Ask yourself, why do people hire people? To solve problems and or to get things done are the most common answers. Then ask yourself why do they hire one person over another?

It’s not whether your qualifications are better than the other candidates; those things are screened out prior to the interview. One person may have some talents that another doesn’t have, but then the other may also have unique talents that the former doesn’t. So all things being equal, when you get to the interview it’s no longer about your capability; it’s most likely about you and how you’ll fit. In other words, how well do they like you. I’ve never hired someone because I liked them least among the candidates.

I’m not saying that the hiring process is a popularity contest, but in some ways -- important ways, you need to think in those terms when you are in a job search. Some of my clients come to me discouraged because they haven’t landed a job and have had numerous interviews. When we peel back the interviews, they says things like: “But I’m perfect for the job!” or “I gave the perfect answer...” It seems that while they are spending a fair amount of energy on giving the response that is just right, they may be missing the opportunity to make a favorable impression.

From the first handshake, you are there to present yourself as a professional. As someone who can solve their problems, do the work they need done. You need to fit into their organization, their team and be seen as someone who could work one-on-one with them. They are not looking for someone who will cause trouble or problems. One of my favorite managers use to say, “most technical problems are preceded by people problems.” It’s true. Communication problems lead to product defects; it’s probably the number one cause, but that’s a subject for another blog. So the more they like you, the less problems you are likely to present when you are working together.

Being liked is only the first step in the interview; the hiring manager is looking to validate your experiences that you cited in your resume. How you go about giving that validation is the next step in the process. We’ll talk more about this in a later posting. But for now, just remember that you can greatly improve your chances in an interview by remembering to be a friendly, confident professional. 

Opinions and Career Growth Don't Mix

Keep Your Opinions to Yourself... If you want a promotion or job offer.

We live in America, arguably the best place in the world to live. And the Occupy Wall Street movement is one example of why. We have constitutional rights. Regardless of which side of a question you are on, Americans have the right to voice their opinion. Yet, if you are going for a promotion or looking for a new job, your opinion could lose you an opportunity.

While we all have the right of free speech, hiring managers tend to make hiring decisions on more than just skills. There are three things that hiring managers are looking for from the candidates they consider.

1. Can you do the job?
2. What motivates you to do the job?
3. Will you fit into the culture around the job?

These are all very legitimate aspects to the hiring manager. Notice that only one has to do with your capability to do the job. Voicing your opinion about anything from politics or the greatest sporting contest ever can put you right out of consideration for the promotion or job.

In Chicago we have a great rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs. One place I’m aware of asks the question at the end of their interviews: “Sox or Cubs?” For them it’s not a serious question, but the best answer I ever heard was: “I really don’t follow football.” In fact she was joking and got the job, but more importantly she avoiding annoying anyone.

That’s the problem with sharing your opinions; you never know who will be annoyed. A prospective co-worker or future boss could have a problem working with someone who “thinks that way.” Especially in this time of polar opposition in our society, it’s best to save your opinions for when you are at home.

Do Elevator Speeches Work?

Elevator Speeches... The old sales adage says that you should be able to communicate the core message of your product in the time it takes to go up a couple floors in an elevator... You have between 30 and 90 seconds to tell the person locked in the elevator with you why he should buy what you have to offer. Yes, I know what you’re thinking... People don’t talk in elevators. You walk in, turn to face the front of the box and try not to touch anyone who is also in the elevator with you. Saying hello will get you a strange look. When would you ever use an elevator speech? Even if you’re in the middle of a discussion with someone, when you enter an occupied elevator the automatic reflex is to stop talking.

So if you’re in sales or in a job search, when are you going to use an elevator speech if not in the elevator? Some unemployment professionals may disagree with me; I believe that elevator speeches are a tool to help folks prepare what to say when asked questions while networking or interviewing. However, if a person took 60 to 90 seconds to recite a whole elevator speech, it would come off as pretty artificial and contrived.

Picture this: you’re in line at a wedding reception either for the bar or the buffet. A person walks up behind  you--the line isn’t moving all that fast--so you say “hi.” They say ‘hi” in return. “Great wedding,” one of you say. The other says “yes, (as the line moves up a step) they’re a beautiful couple. By the way, (holding out a hand) my name is Jim Jameson.” (Shaking hands) “Hi Jim, I’m Jacqueline Daniels, how do you know the lovely couple?” Sooner or latter as the line get closer to the desired end, someone asks the other, “What do you do?”  So what do you do?... you dive right in with your well practiced elevator speech. And what do you hear next? The guy behind your new friend saying, “Hey buddy, you going to order a drink or what?” Your new friend darts over to the other open bartender and says, “Make it a double!” and you never see them the rest of the night. Why? Because they are there to dance, eat and drink, see friends and remember how wonderful it was when they were married.

If social occasions aren’t the best place to use your elevator speech, where do you use this all important tool that people have been telling you needed or you’d never find a job? Job Clubs, Networking Groups and Professional Networking Events are the best. I go to an early, breakfast networking event where after forty minutes or so of informal networking we circle up and go around the circle giving our elevator speeches. It’s a smashing time, really great fun! Then people mingle some more to exchange cards with those they hadn’t met before the circle. We exchange leads and asks questions and the group slowly dwindles as people go to work.

At the wedding, it’s better to tell them what you do and then ask what they do. Develop a rapport where you can learn something about the person. If you realize that they are someone you can network with, find a means to follow up with them after the wedding. “Well Jim, we need to get back to the party, it was great meeting you. Maybe we can get together sometime for coffee? I’d like to learn more about your company... are you on LinkedIn? Would it be okay if I sent you an invitation to connect? Great! Enjoy the rest of the evening.”  

BTW, next week I’ll not be posting, I’m off to St. Paul, Minnesota to visit with some friends and celebrate our 30 year reunion.

Phone Interviewing Can be Fun

My clients tell me that I’m nuts when I say that interviewing is a blast. They shake their head when I say that interviewing over the phone is easy. Yet, both of these statements can be true with the right attitude and a little practice. We always say, be yourself and be prepared and that’s the secret to enjoying the interview process. But interviewing over the phone does have its limitations.

When we look at a pie chart that breaks down how we communicate; 55% of human communication is through body language, 38% is vocal or tonal qualities and only 7% is conveyed by the words we use. So when you’re talking on the phone you’re short 55% of the total communication package. Therefore, you need to focus extra attention on your tone of voice and the words you use.

The first tip I offer my clients is to use a quality phone and a land line if possible. If you’re down to 45% of your communication capability, phone static and a poor connection may be a killer. The next tip is to smile, because a smile can be heard over the phone. Yes, I know that sounds silly, but all the experts say it’s true. Plus,  this is a grand way to help convey your enthusiasm for the job; if you’re not smiling you’re not going to come across as very enthusiastic over the phone or in person.

The next tip I offer is to stand up and look into a mirror when you’re talking on the phone. This way you have visual feedback and can make eye contact when your talking. It helps you stay focused on your message and to be clear and concise. If you don’t have a mirror, I advise talking to a picture of a loved one or someone you’d like to be a loved one. Nicole Kidman works for me but maybe George Clooney will work for others. This actually works and my clients who have used this tip report the whole phone interview process as less intimidating. Of course it is sometimes shocking on the other end of the phone when the interviewer gets called Nicole (or George when that isn’t their name); so don’t make that mistake.


All kidding aside, these tips work; however, if you fail to be yourself and be prepared you’re going to fall flat. You cannot fake an interview or be someone you’re not. So be honest in your responses and practice those responses. There is a finite number of questions that are asked in an interview, especially a phone interview. Hire a coach or read any one of a number of different books on interview questions. Write down your responses and then rehearse over and over. Practice at job club meetings and networking coffees.

I help people everyday feel more at ease when interviewing. These tips work and with practice and a little experience you too can feel confident and enthusiastic when interviewing over the phone... Good hunting!

The Transition Two Step

   Whether you are in a transition due to being laid off or because you have been promoted or have retired, transition is a difficult time for couples. I had the great pleasure to listen to Terry Shapiro, Ph.D. discuss this subject to about 250 professionals who are in transition. Dr. Shapiro approached the subject with humor and wisdom and empathy. He also hit the nail on the head. 

   Newton's Third Law of Motion states, "To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction;"  this also applies to relationships. When a person goes through a change as serious as a termination, retirement or a death of a loved one, everyone in the family is affected, especially their "significant other." 

   It's like riding on a train, where you are the engineer driving the train watching the track ahead and everyone else- especially the spouse- is sitting in one of the adjoining cars with only a view out the window as the scenery goes by. They are along for the ride and have no idea of what's ahead unless you communicate.

   Communication is Key... Communication with respect, empathy and intimacy. Dr. Shapiro spelled it out and pointed out some of the pitfalls of poor communication that is not open and free flowing. He offered some guidelines:

• talk about what your are doing and how you are feeling, sharing specifics
• ask about how your partner is doing and how they are feeling, and listen
• more communication is better than less, especially right after the activating event
• anger is natural and is not bad if it isn't destructive or the most common emotion
• ask for what you need and listen for what your partner needs

   Having empathy for your partner is not easy for many people especially when under stress. Dr. Shapiro said that you don't have to agree with your partner or even completely understand why they are feeling... but knowing what they are feeling and thinking can ease a lot of stress for both of you. 

   Respecting where they are and what they are going through as you go through your stuff can save a lot of fighting. Dr. Shapiro commented that fighting is part of a relationship between two people who have opinions and emotions. It's as normal and natural as anger and laughter. However, he warned that when a couple fights they need to fight fair. There needs to be rules and allowance for the other to call time out, to withdraw for a specific time as a way to check emotions from escalating. 

   The "two step" as a dance works best when both partners know what to expect. As long as you and your partner are dancing to the same music a few toes may be stepped on, but hopefully nothing will be broken.

Dr, Terry Shapiro is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. His practice is located in Chicago's western suburbs.

Job Search Tools

"What you need to have handy when you're looking for a new job." 

Resume

    A good resume is the first and best tool for the job seeker. It is also the first thing the job seeker needs to work on. Actually, this document should be up to date all the time, even while you still have a paying job. Most people don't have their resume up to date the day they get notified they are being laid off. If you need to, get the old resume out and update it with your most recent experience situations.
    Unless you have special circumstances you'll want to use a chronological resume with a career summary statement, highlighted experience/accomplishments and work history. At the end of the resume your education and special training.
    There are dozens of books out there with suggestions for better resumes, specific formats, choice of paper and fonts. Regardless of what you read... you need to realize that your resume is your marketing material to help you get an interview. Note: your resume isn't a silver bullet. It will not get you the job! It is a tool to be used to get interviews and a device to be used to introduce your skills, abilities and experience in networking meetings.

Handbill
    A handbill is another networking tool. Sometimes called a "mini-resume" it is used in networking situations at networking or job search clubs or meetings. Like a resume they are meant to be given to people so they will
remember you. You can be creative in how you present your info but don't get crazy. There are three parts to the handbill:

• contact info: Name, phone number(s) and email address 
• history of your experience, skills and abilities: Past employers and accomplishments in brief 
• list of target companies: Companies that are hiring or that you would like to work for
  

See link for an example handbill or a link for a template.

Business Cards
    Another essential tool is a business card. Some people put a mini resume on the back of the card. I feel the KISS rule is essential. (Keep it Simple, Seeker) Your contact info and a good tag line are best with room on the back for people to jot notes about you. You can get business cards for the cost of shipping at: www.Vistaprint.com

Elevator Speech
    Everyone talks about having an elevator speech. The idea is to have something prepared to say that doesn't sound prepared which you could say to someone you meet while going up an elevator.  The point is to make it quick and memorable and not to hope you're riding to the top of the Sears (oops, Willis) Tower. A good
elevator will communicate to the listener what you could do for them or their company. Sample Elevator Speech

   Creating these tools will also prepare you for the work of job search. Namely networking! I heard a clever mnemonic the other day, "If you're not networking, you're not working." These are the tools and like all tools the user needs to practice and work with them to be comfortable using them. Get going and make it happen.

Social Media Especially LinkedIn


  Click on "Why LinkedIn Works"

Success Stories: Part 2 -- Building the Stories

In a 45 minutes to one hour interview you'll have three to five opportunities to share a success story with the interviewer. If that is the case you're going to need more than one or two stories. Additionally you may be called back for one or two more follow-up interviews. I know of people who have had five interviews with a company before the process came to an end. Keeping this in mind you really need a pool of 15 to 20 success stories in your pocket.

How do you build your story? Where do you get the ideas for the stories? Remember to use the S-A-R format for the stories. Start with your resume and elevator speech and look at all the points and accomplishments listed. Every point and accomplishment is an avenue to convey your potential to the interviewer. Another source of successes are past co-workers of bosses and ask them if they remember a time when you helped them out of a tight spot. And if you still have them, look over past performance evaluations for stories ideas. 

Now you have the story idea. Remember to keep the listener's attention! You cannot overwhelm them with details, you need to present the situation in a compelling way. For example one client shared a story with me: 

On a wastewater treatment plant the equipment vendor could not provide the large anchor bolts until 6 weeks after our first planned concrete placement, severely messing up our schedule. I needed to get the bolts from somewhere else. The specifications were very distinctive due to the stresses the bolts would be required to hold once the plant was in full operation. I knew that even a small variance in the quality or strength of the bolt could result in more problems down the road.

The client made a few mistakes in his first attempt. The story is too specific and would only appeal to a very specific interview. Notice the personalization of the problem. The situation should describe the problem you fixed not direct the interviewer to a problem you were associated with. With a little editing we came up with: 

The company had a problem where an equipment vendor could not provide an essential part thus putting a project at risk of failure.

Short, sweet and to the point; plus it has the added benefit to fit a number of different business scenarios. Lets move into the action the client took in order to save the project: 

I needed a local fabricator who could make the Anchor Bolts to the required specifications and deliver them to the job in 2 weeks – just in time for our first foundation concrete placement.  With a great deal of research I contacted the original vendor's manufacture and negotiated a deal to deliver directly to our company.

The only real change here is in the specifics of the narrative. Every business has had a vendor drop the ball on them, but not every business needed Anchor Bolts in their concrete. We came up with: 

I researched and found a local vendor that could provide the part allowing us to meet the project's deadline.

This example allows the storyteller to utilize the listener's experience and frame of mind to set up the story in a quick and engaging way. Moving into the  result or the story's conclusion we need to expand its length by adding specifics... numbers, percentages and savings that the interviewer will appreciate: 

By doing this I preserved our schedule and saved $5,800.00 per part. This equated to a $1.5 million savings to the entire project. In addition to the materials savings there was an additional savings of 23% in labor costs due to the timely delivery of the parts.

The first draft of the story may be too wordy, but that is okay. The goal is to get the success story down to a length that creates dialogue between you and the interviewer where you can share the details that resonate within their environment. Once this story is done, the next stories will come easier and so on, until you have a collection of stories.