Bait the Hook to Suit the Fish. Don't use Wasabi!

I was invited on a fishing trip and figured, I haven’t been adventurous in awhile, so I accepted. Standing in my walk-in closet staring at Coach Purses, Rock and Republic Jeans, and my Valentino Sunglasses I wondered what I was thinking in accepting this invitation—I have nothing to wear! I managed to find some old Guess Jeans at the bottom of my drawer, a sweatshirt, and a couple of t-shirts to sustain my fishing weekend. I also took a pair of heels…just in case.

Holding the hook, I asked, “what do I put on it?” My girlfriend replies, “what the fish wants,” and pulls out a wriggling worm—yuck! “Can’t I put the hook in the water bare like this fall season’s fashion trends?” I was not going to touch that slimy worm. My girlfriend then says to me, “you can, and you may snag something, but your chances of attracting a fish increase greatly if you lure them with what they want.” Ah (chandelier bulb), at that time, I had a hankering for sushi but I wasn’t going to put some wasabi on the hook because that’s not going to attract a fish. I thought this is what I try to teach my job search clients; you can’t apply for any job, you have to do some research and find out what the employer wants. The dilemma most job seekers face is that they write their resumes for themselves, adding achievements or certifications that they are proud of, but in that the employer takes no interest. Thus, we have to identify our target audience, what they want to see, and how we attract them? When writing your resume, the page is your hook; the content, your bait.

I caught a couple of fish that trip, with the assistance of my friend’s fearlessness of slimy animals, and took home a valuable lesson: Bait the hook to suit the fish. Now, I have to do my research on what a handsome real estate agent with a great car and an excellent physique wants.

Happy job shopping!

This is the Year to Meet Your Soul…..Job?

Ladies, have you ever used a dating site to meet your soul mate? I can’t count the number of individuals I know who have found the love of their life by utilizing a dating site. I suppose it makes sense as dating sites work at matching up individuals with similar likes, interests, values, personality traits, etc. When the successful matches are high in numbers, it makes me wonder why we don’t employ the same theories in our job search. If you discover an available job in a company whose interests, culture, and values align with your own, you may have found your perfect match. You may have found your…soul job, in other words. Ah, love is grand.

When evaluating a potential employer, do your research. Go to the company’s website and click on the “About Us” section. Often times this section will contain the company’s mission statement, vision statement, and values. Perhaps you may set up an informational interview to discuss how the company will advance in the future, what the employer likes about working there, and how the hiring manager began working for the company. It could be like your first date to see if you would like to continue the relationship. When getting into the field of career development, I conducted three informational interviews with companies for whom I thought I might like to work. Wouldn’t you know, all three companies contacted me within the next three months to offer me an interview. Luckily, I found my soul job…we’ve been in love ever since.

Happy job shopping!

Interests: Fashion, etc.

I like Coach Purses, Mary Jane Shoes, Gucci Sunglasses, and Juicy Jewelry. I thought that after the employer was finished devouring my employment experience, extensive education, and professional development she might want some dessert. Thus, I added my interests that I am passionate about: Coach Purses, Mary Jane Shoes, Gucci Sunglasses, and Juicy Jewelry. I cogitated that it would be nice for the hiring manager to know something about me as a unique individual rather than simply learning about my dry employment related past. Whoops!


A couple of weeks went by with no contact from the hiring manager; so I called her to learn that she had filled the position. I set up a time with her to call back and receive some feedback. She asked how my interest in purses, shoes, sunglasses, and jewelry were relevant to the marketing position for which I was applying. Um, hmm. I was stymied! She explained to me that she is not interested in what I fancy and that I ought to leave it off my professional document. After working for years in the career development field, I learned that many hiring managers do not care about your interests, they are concerned with their own—which at the time, is to hire the right candidate for the position. Had I been applying for a position with Holt Renfrew for a retail salesperson position, it may have been acceptable for me to add my interests to fill some white space; but, I was applying for a marketing position! Lesson learned: Keep the interests off, unless you have some white space to furnish and some relevant interests to satisfy that space. I’ll save the purses, shoes, sunglasses, and jewelry conversation for my weekend expeditions with the ladies.
Happy job shopping!

Leading from the Heart

Well, I am back from my educational hiatus. I have recently completed my Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology. Thus, I have time on my hands to write.

I went to a conference recently on leadership and was utterly inspired. I would like to start off 2011 with an inspirational story that touched my heart and taught me an important lesson. The lesson is: Lead with your heart. For all you ladies seeking managerial or supervisory positions, this message will be particularly important for you and how you approach your resumes, cover letters, and interviews. A manager is efficient, knows where and when to cut costs, knows how to write proposals, and attains goals; a leader on the other hand, knows her team, inspires, encourages, motivates, listens, takes time to problem solve how to move individuals forward, and leads with the heart. You never know whose life you will change in doing so. Please find below the story that inspired me; it is long, but worth it!

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her fifth grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie? Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same? But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade Teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed, how pretty the bracelet was. She put it on and dabbed some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "pets".

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

We all want our time in the spotlight. Here’s your chance!

As a little girl, I wanted to be famous! I was always the centre of attention and would demand the spotlight from anyone who seemed uninterested in my freshly created painting or newly learned acrobatics. It is curious to me that as I matured, and found myself in (what felt like) dungeon-like interview torture chambers, I no longer wanted to be the centre of attention. Stop asking me all these questions about myself! It was painful! Truth be told: The more you do, the easier interviewing becomes. Thankfully for you, I have been through many a “torture chamber” and survived to transfer my successes to you.

Here is what I learned:

Wait to be seated. It is extremely awkward to sit when the employer is still up walking around. By waiting you are exhibiting courtesy and politeness.

Bring extra copies of your resume and cover letter; you never know who will be in the room interviewing you. Respectfully offer additional copies to ensure everyone has your documents.

Use your resume as a cheat sheet throughout your interview. Remember, your resume lists your work experience; your skills, evidence, and what they can do for the employer; your education; your achievements; and potentially a whole lot more. If you are puzzled by a question, briefly scan your resume to prompt your memory.

Propose returning to a question later if you are feeling stymied. Please only use this tactic once or twice at most as you could imagine the perception of the employer when your response to every other question is “may we return to this question at the end?”

Take time in the awkward silences to create a genuine answer. Employers know when you are talking for the sake of talking because you felt uncomfortable in the space between the question and your answer. The last time I conducted interviews, multiple interviewees provided me with intricate elaborate stories that never answered my question because they felt pressured by the silence. Someone who takes the time to search their memory for the best possible answer shows me that they are genuine and will be thoughtful and careful in their role, not jump the gun.

Try not to fill the void with um, ah, you know, or like in those silences that you feel are awkward. These words could be distracting the employer from the real content you want them to remember. Using these words may also demonstrate poorer oral communication skills then you actually possess. Simply speaking: be cognizant.

Bring your portfolio to evidence or support anything you state. By referring to your portfolio, you may be also demonstrating your presentation skills.

Ask questions at the end of your interview. Inquire about the company’s goals. Ask when you should expect to know the outcome. Query about what the interviewer likes about working for the company. And my fave: What does an ideal candidate look like for this position, in your opinion? Google questions to ask at an interview to discover many more. Asking questions at the end of the interview demonstrates your interest in working with the company and your interest in ensuring this is the right “fit” for the both of you. Have a minimum of three questions prepared.

Remember these tips and certainly you will be the centre of attention, and, maybe even land yourself your dream job. Happy job shopping!

Secrets

Hey Gossip Girl! I bet you love secrets just as much as I do; therefore, I am going to let you in on one of my fave’s. Don’t tell ok? On second thought.....let’s tell everybody!

When in an interview and the hiring manager asks you, “tell me about yourself,” what do you say? Does the hiring manager want you to talk about your hobbies? Your work history? Your education? Your family? Where do you start? Ugh. I was stumped by this enquiry myself, until I learned a little trick. Lean in a little closer so I can whisper to you my secret: Utilize the acronym W.E.P.! W.E.P. stands for:

Work history

Education and training

Personal

Remember this acronym and you will never fret the dreaded enquire tell me about yourself again. For example, my friend Blair has an interview for a retail position. The hiring manager asks, “tell me about yourself Blair.” Blair may answer something like this:

I have worked in the customer service industry for 5 years including 2.5 years in retail. My education and training consists of 1+ years post secondary in Fashion Marketing and I am World Host certified which validates my skills in customer service. Something personal about myself is that I am extremely customer focused, great with conflict resolution, and I love to stay on the cutting edge of fashion.

What do you think? Blair has given a very strong and well-rounded answer in my opinion. Remember, when speaking of your work history, to quantify your years of experience if possible and leave out anything that is not relevant. For example, if Blair also worked in landscaping for 1 year, she is likely going to leave that information out. When speaking of education and training, you can always use high school, post secondary, or any certifications you may have received that are relevant to the position. Again, if Blair also has her Serving it Right, she is not going to mention it in her retail interview. Furthermore, something personal about yourself could be soft skills, hard skills, or even relevant hobbies.

Essentially, when the hiring manager asks you to tell him/her something about yourself, they are asking you to sell yourself in 30 seconds or less; so, provide only the highlights. We could call this your 30 second commercial; you will find that having a 30 second commercial will benefit you in other areas of your life also—not just in the interview.

Happy job shopping!

Miss DJ play my song!

You’ve handed out hundreds of resumes and cover letters and have not answered your bejewelled cell once to hear an invitation to an interview. What is going on??? Are you targeting your promotional documents (resume, cover letter, etc.) to the jobs for which you are applying? Targeting your documents is time consuming, I know; however, isn’t it better to take a day or two to target your documents and find quicker results than create lacklustre general documents that the employer will likely yawn at?

Here is an analogy to help you learn how to target your documents: A DJ has hundreds, maybe thousands of songs, but is she going to play all of her songs at each gig she receives? Put her playlist on random and hope the crowd dances? Likely not. The DJ is going to put together playlists based on the type of gig obtained: wedding, night club, graduation, etc. You, ladies, are the DJ; the event, is the job; and the playlist, is your skills.

Say you are applying for a position as a Food and Beverage Server. Are you, Miss DJ, going to talk about that time you worked in a warehouse folding boxes all day? Or that job landscaping one summer? Do you think the employer will be interested to know what is not relevant to the position? Probably not. Employers are getting dozens of resumes each day and they do not have time to read what is not relevant to the job; therefore, like the DJ who chooses her music based on the type of gig, you choose your skills to showcase based on the type of job. So, maybe instead of promoting your physical aptitudes, ability to work outside in all weather conditions, or capacity to do repetitive tasks for eight hours, you can advertise your approachability, salesmanship, professionalism, great memory, proven ability to work with a sense of urgency, and cash handling skills—to name a few. So, if I am the employer and you are applying for a job within my company, please Miss DJ, play my song!