Cindi asks: I've always been geared toward Administrative Positions. How can I market myself to take that next step forward?
In answer:
The best question to ask yourself is - where do you want to be in (say) five years: if you are brave, push that out to 10 years! Draw a little mental picture and then write it down or even sketch it as to what your life looks like in all aspects - relationships, home life and work life.
Around the work life picture, find someone who is doing that job right now - find out how they got there, what qualifications and experience mix they have, and the job path they took to get to that position. Use their path as the basis for planning out your own path. Then having written it down, chat it through with a few close friends - not work colleagues - and let them test and critic it for you. Modify as necessary.
The answer out of this exercise is that you now have a goal and a path - so now you just need to take it in to action. The easiest way to do that is now take the "where" to your boss, and chat through the opportunities of the "how" with him. If you don't get a positive answer, you know you have to move - go to HR for an internal opportunity and have the same conversation with them, and if that's negative go to a good recruitment agent recommended by a friend who has recently taken an job move.
If you stay where you are, part of your path will be volunteering for projects to undertake tasks or co-ordination - admin people are always good basic project managers; and hence opportunities should abound.
Good luck Cindi, but the answer is - when you know where you want to go, then the path becomes much, much clearer!
Showing posts with label career development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career development. Show all posts
Monday, 11 August 2008
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Do you think I should take the term "drama queen" off my CV/Resume?
Ritzya, a drama coach and public speaker trainier, asks: Do you think the term "drama queen" has a negative connotation? In some worlds it does... the definition: someone that turns everything into drama. However, In the world of stage it is wonderful - in every day life it can be a challenge. Based on your answer, and keeping in mind that I am a professional public speaking/drama coach, do you think I should take "the drama queen" off of my CV/Resume?
In answer:
In 999 out of 1000 cases, I would say YES, remove it - as I think most would, because of those negative connotations. In your singular case, I have thought about this, and I know that YES you should remove it!
It doesn't say "professional" in a personal profile or CV/Resume - it says NIGHTMARE in big, bold, black script with large polished trombones!
Its great as a piece of marketing, and possibly as a marketing choice in a section of a CV/Resume. But as a piece of personal branding as opposed to marketing - disastrous!
In answer:
In 999 out of 1000 cases, I would say YES, remove it - as I think most would, because of those negative connotations. In your singular case, I have thought about this, and I know that YES you should remove it!
It doesn't say "professional" in a personal profile or CV/Resume - it says NIGHTMARE in big, bold, black script with large polished trombones!
Its great as a piece of marketing, and possibly as a marketing choice in a section of a CV/Resume. But as a piece of personal branding as opposed to marketing - disastrous!
When is the best time to seek a new opportunity?
Richard asks: Does one wait until you're unemployed? Should you leave at the first sign of turmoil? Should you weather the storm, gain experience and then vacate?
In answer:
Career management is not something which you just wake up to - and so hence leads to knowing which opportunities you should seek to attain that goal you have defined - which leads to knowing why you took that particularly job, and why you have been there for X period of time - which leads to knowing how much longer you have there, and which opportunities you seek next to write on your CV/Resume - which results in happy and fulfilled employment, and a better life!
You will always know when you are being interviewed by an HR professional, as they will ask you about the points of change in your career: "You went from position A with employer B, to position X with employer Z: why?" They look for both fulfilment in career and application to a particular path, and checked whether that is inline with the position being interviewed for and its skills requirements.
If you apply the question of "where do I want to be that will make me happy" then you will know why you are where you are at present. These people are normally fun to be around, and - like an old mentor of mine - have smiles on their faces at least 3 days out of every 5 work days: unfortunately, the smelly stuff happens to everyone!
If like the majority of people - I'd say 7 out of 10 from those I interview, and you don't manage your career and wake up one day unhappy; or if the job you are working doesn't put a smile on your face 3 days out of 5: then NOW is the time to start changing. What ever you do don't reach for the word processor and start writing a new CV/Resume because you heard of a better job at a particular company - write down why you are happy in your present job, why you are unhappy, and where you want to be in 5 and 10 years time. If you are feeling really brave, write your own obituary - its a tough psychological challenge, and most don't complete it - but its what it reveals about where you want to be and how quickly that change needs to be made which is the actual required and revealing result.
Most people don't know what makes them happy, so recognising that you may want to make a change Richard is 7/10ths of the battle won. Now its just a question of finding what and where, and those are relativity easy in comparison. The outcome will be a clear goal, a better plan with more networking to find that better opportunity - and a happier work life.
Good Luck!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
RB
................................................................
Dear Richard,
Thank you!
If I can help you at any time, please just ask, and in the mean time - Good Luck!
Best Regards,
Ian McA
In answer:
Career management is not something which you just wake up to - and so hence leads to knowing which opportunities you should seek to attain that goal you have defined - which leads to knowing why you took that particularly job, and why you have been there for X period of time - which leads to knowing how much longer you have there, and which opportunities you seek next to write on your CV/Resume - which results in happy and fulfilled employment, and a better life!
You will always know when you are being interviewed by an HR professional, as they will ask you about the points of change in your career: "You went from position A with employer B, to position X with employer Z: why?" They look for both fulfilment in career and application to a particular path, and checked whether that is inline with the position being interviewed for and its skills requirements.
If you apply the question of "where do I want to be that will make me happy" then you will know why you are where you are at present. These people are normally fun to be around, and - like an old mentor of mine - have smiles on their faces at least 3 days out of every 5 work days: unfortunately, the smelly stuff happens to everyone!
If like the majority of people - I'd say 7 out of 10 from those I interview, and you don't manage your career and wake up one day unhappy; or if the job you are working doesn't put a smile on your face 3 days out of 5: then NOW is the time to start changing. What ever you do don't reach for the word processor and start writing a new CV/Resume because you heard of a better job at a particular company - write down why you are happy in your present job, why you are unhappy, and where you want to be in 5 and 10 years time. If you are feeling really brave, write your own obituary - its a tough psychological challenge, and most don't complete it - but its what it reveals about where you want to be and how quickly that change needs to be made which is the actual required and revealing result.
Most people don't know what makes them happy, so recognising that you may want to make a change Richard is 7/10ths of the battle won. Now its just a question of finding what and where, and those are relativity easy in comparison. The outcome will be a clear goal, a better plan with more networking to find that better opportunity - and a happier work life.
Good Luck!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
RB
................................................................
Dear Richard,
Thank you!
If I can help you at any time, please just ask, and in the mean time - Good Luck!
Best Regards,
Ian McA
Sunday, 3 August 2008
What happens when you wake up one day and realize your career is in shambles?
Todd asks: What happens when you wake up one day and realize your career is in shambles, your nearly 40 with a wife, kids, a mortgage and a boat load of credit card debt?
Two years ago I moved to a new city to take a new job with a home builder. Three months later the industry collapsed and so did that job (just before the holidays).
Next I took a job with a start-up company which lasted a year before serious cash flow problems resulted in another layoff.
A few weeks later I accepted another position with a financial institution only to find out that my boss was a complete and total nightmare. She terrorized the department with her hostile and unprofessional behavior. I tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue. First directly with her, then with our department head and then eventually HR. Our entire department was so focused on dealing with her hostility that we spent large chunks of time talking about it, coping with it and trying to find ways to support each other. It dominated our time, our thoughts and our performance. Eventually it started to affect me emotionally and physically. After only 4 months on the job I resigned my position.
The next job I took was working for a company in California as a telecommuter. During the job interview the CTO and VP of Sales specifically told me the owner of the company was impossible to work and that they were looking for new jobs. I figured after my last boss there was no way I couldn’t handle this guy, besides I would be working from home most of the time and it was making substantially more than I had ever made. Three weeks later the CTO resigned and the VP of Sales was so consumed with his hate for the boss that he couldn’t think or talk of anything else. At the five week mark my boss told me he needed this position to be full-time at his location. When I refused to move, he fired me.
Now it’s been just shy of two years, I’ve had four jobs, three in the last six months, and after a month of looking I’m taking a contract to hire position because it’s the best I can do with that many jobs on my resume.
In answer:
This is very common career path Todd - even in good economic times.
People make good choices, but things just don't work out - often because a successful business also depends on a business plan being both realistic and executed: so what did the first two have to do with you? I am a bit surprised by the last job choice - they actually warn you how bad the boss is, and you still took the job: and yet I am not because people after two/three short term job moves that don't work out do make rather short term "get a job" choices over better career management options.
So, here's the good points - you are asking questions, and seem to be staying positive: you are hence very employable. The bad points are - even in a down turn, there are still opportunities. Its just that you have to fight your way through the crowd that is now around, and having made a few moves you'll know how the market works so that gives you an advantage.
You need to sit down with a blank piece of paper, and ask yourself what you want to REALLY be doing in ten years time. Figure out how it rewards you emotionally, physically, and financially. Then, pick someone who's doing that job, and find out how they got there - experience, qualifications, or most likely a mix of both and a few job advancements. Now, write yourself a new career plan based on what you want to do using how they did it as a reference- sure, a few things may have changed, but that can be built in. Then ask three great friends - including at least own woman - to review and critic your plan. Sure, at this point you could go an get a career coach, and the best place to start for one is with your old colleges or if you have military experience your Forces Liaison point - but friends can be as good before those steps.
Now you have a plan, which you can turn into a job search, and write the right resume for - you will need some help there, its a presentational issue you'll have which is easy to overcome. The trick is employers like people who know what they want and what excites them - it doesn't matter what the economy looks like, someone will always give a focused employee a job!
Good Luck - you are asking the right questions, stay positive, and if I can help further: please just ask!
Two years ago I moved to a new city to take a new job with a home builder. Three months later the industry collapsed and so did that job (just before the holidays).
Next I took a job with a start-up company which lasted a year before serious cash flow problems resulted in another layoff.
A few weeks later I accepted another position with a financial institution only to find out that my boss was a complete and total nightmare. She terrorized the department with her hostile and unprofessional behavior. I tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue. First directly with her, then with our department head and then eventually HR. Our entire department was so focused on dealing with her hostility that we spent large chunks of time talking about it, coping with it and trying to find ways to support each other. It dominated our time, our thoughts and our performance. Eventually it started to affect me emotionally and physically. After only 4 months on the job I resigned my position.
The next job I took was working for a company in California as a telecommuter. During the job interview the CTO and VP of Sales specifically told me the owner of the company was impossible to work and that they were looking for new jobs. I figured after my last boss there was no way I couldn’t handle this guy, besides I would be working from home most of the time and it was making substantially more than I had ever made. Three weeks later the CTO resigned and the VP of Sales was so consumed with his hate for the boss that he couldn’t think or talk of anything else. At the five week mark my boss told me he needed this position to be full-time at his location. When I refused to move, he fired me.
Now it’s been just shy of two years, I’ve had four jobs, three in the last six months, and after a month of looking I’m taking a contract to hire position because it’s the best I can do with that many jobs on my resume.
In answer:
This is very common career path Todd - even in good economic times.
People make good choices, but things just don't work out - often because a successful business also depends on a business plan being both realistic and executed: so what did the first two have to do with you? I am a bit surprised by the last job choice - they actually warn you how bad the boss is, and you still took the job: and yet I am not because people after two/three short term job moves that don't work out do make rather short term "get a job" choices over better career management options.
So, here's the good points - you are asking questions, and seem to be staying positive: you are hence very employable. The bad points are - even in a down turn, there are still opportunities. Its just that you have to fight your way through the crowd that is now around, and having made a few moves you'll know how the market works so that gives you an advantage.
You need to sit down with a blank piece of paper, and ask yourself what you want to REALLY be doing in ten years time. Figure out how it rewards you emotionally, physically, and financially. Then, pick someone who's doing that job, and find out how they got there - experience, qualifications, or most likely a mix of both and a few job advancements. Now, write yourself a new career plan based on what you want to do using how they did it as a reference- sure, a few things may have changed, but that can be built in. Then ask three great friends - including at least own woman - to review and critic your plan. Sure, at this point you could go an get a career coach, and the best place to start for one is with your old colleges or if you have military experience your Forces Liaison point - but friends can be as good before those steps.
Now you have a plan, which you can turn into a job search, and write the right resume for - you will need some help there, its a presentational issue you'll have which is easy to overcome. The trick is employers like people who know what they want and what excites them - it doesn't matter what the economy looks like, someone will always give a focused employee a job!
Good Luck - you are asking the right questions, stay positive, and if I can help further: please just ask!
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Do you network without looking for a job?
Dennis asks: I've been posting in a blog about reasons to network. It does not have to be all about getting a new job (although, networking is helpful there). What things have you done to network? What benefits have you gotten from networking?
In answer:
If to you "networking" is only undertaken when you went a job, then clearly - you don't get it (networking) and won't get the best job.
Your network can bring your plans to fruition - finding you experts, learning experiences, people with complimentary skills, ideas, and eventually: realisation. You can apply those to both job hunting and business development, sales or ideas for your existing corporate job - just about anything you want to apply it to.
Networks are also passive - they don't react best immediatly, they react best over a period of time to a constant tune. The key in networking is to have a plan - know what you want and what you can offer, and communicate that: then passive energy works for you.
If all networking is to you is finding a job when you need one then - you just don't get it! Networks can be career builders, but that's like viewing them as Job Centres
In answer:
If to you "networking" is only undertaken when you went a job, then clearly - you don't get it (networking) and won't get the best job.
Your network can bring your plans to fruition - finding you experts, learning experiences, people with complimentary skills, ideas, and eventually: realisation. You can apply those to both job hunting and business development, sales or ideas for your existing corporate job - just about anything you want to apply it to.
Networks are also passive - they don't react best immediatly, they react best over a period of time to a constant tune. The key in networking is to have a plan - know what you want and what you can offer, and communicate that: then passive energy works for you.
If all networking is to you is finding a job when you need one then - you just don't get it! Networks can be career builders, but that's like viewing them as Job Centres
Monday, 28 July 2008
How can I create my own career path within my company?
Curtis asks: My entire career so far has been in the same industry. I chose a particular discipline to focus on, but I am discovering that my company has a limited career path for me to follow. My skills go beyond my focus discipline, but even those areas limited. I really enjoy what I do but would like to know what my future could be and to know I have options. Any suggestions on how to create my own path would be greatly appreciated!
In answer:
Everyone - particularly those in corporate employment - need a career plan: so well done for spotting the need Curtis.
I don't think the "inside one corporate" career path is that different to the self-managed career path, and it offers more opportunities - your soft side skills enable you to be liked and offered opportunity in wider markets that a self-managed career path would not. However, the downside is is that if you don't get on with someone, or the markets change and they sell/close your division, then your career path opportunities become narrow.
As with all career path management, I suggest you set a goal - and that's easiest in corporates by saying "I want so and so's job:" yes, pick an individual. Then, read about them - how did they get where they got, and why: training, experience, focus. Once you know that, approach them (Mega Corp via your boss or HR department; smaller size by approaching their assistant), and asking for a 30min meeting to discuss them and career opportunities within the organisation. Most good corporates will do that easily, its just the courage of asking. From that you may well get yourself a mentor, which is what you are really looking for.
After that, network, communicate and volunteer - you still get paid, so what's the problem; and the more you do, the more you will be asked to do and trusted.
1. Network yourself and raise your visibility: target specific people in the company who would be great to interact with and who can help you learn about the options that are there.
2. Communicate your intentions to people who can assist in your goals: I'd enlist my HR business partner (if they have them) and let them know that you are committed to the company but want to expand your knowledge beyond what you are doing now. Also -feel out your manager to see how open s/he would be in assisting you development -but keep in mind that you hold the sole responsibility for that. If you find that there are no resources in your company - perhaps you should start looking.
3. Volunteer to assist on projects outside your immediate responsibility: in today's world, all departments are short handed - so people are open for an extra set of hand. Don't let it interfere with your primary job but be flexible.
From a combination of mentor and approach, you should find a path which suits you - from that draw up an initial plan. In review of your second or third draft (with your mentor, with your HR partner), add in a few "transportable skills" should the division in which you work be sold or you meet with that career blocker - at least then your choices are widened over narrowed. This widening is often best achieved through academic qualifications - the MBA, certificates, the Harvard Exec program etc, which are all tax-deductible costs for the corporation.
Finally - I want to tell you that you are half way there just for asking the question. The thing that most corporate career people seem to say is the lack of opportunity, where as most corporate HR people would complain about the lack of ambition in most of their employees. If you are willing to create an opportunity and career with your existing employer, I think you will be amazed by the reaction. But key to all this is finding a mentor.
Good Luck - and if I can help further, please: just ask!
In answer:
Everyone - particularly those in corporate employment - need a career plan: so well done for spotting the need Curtis.
I don't think the "inside one corporate" career path is that different to the self-managed career path, and it offers more opportunities - your soft side skills enable you to be liked and offered opportunity in wider markets that a self-managed career path would not. However, the downside is is that if you don't get on with someone, or the markets change and they sell/close your division, then your career path opportunities become narrow.
As with all career path management, I suggest you set a goal - and that's easiest in corporates by saying "I want so and so's job:" yes, pick an individual. Then, read about them - how did they get where they got, and why: training, experience, focus. Once you know that, approach them (Mega Corp via your boss or HR department; smaller size by approaching their assistant), and asking for a 30min meeting to discuss them and career opportunities within the organisation. Most good corporates will do that easily, its just the courage of asking. From that you may well get yourself a mentor, which is what you are really looking for.
After that, network, communicate and volunteer - you still get paid, so what's the problem; and the more you do, the more you will be asked to do and trusted.
1. Network yourself and raise your visibility: target specific people in the company who would be great to interact with and who can help you learn about the options that are there.
2. Communicate your intentions to people who can assist in your goals: I'd enlist my HR business partner (if they have them) and let them know that you are committed to the company but want to expand your knowledge beyond what you are doing now. Also -feel out your manager to see how open s/he would be in assisting you development -but keep in mind that you hold the sole responsibility for that. If you find that there are no resources in your company - perhaps you should start looking.
3. Volunteer to assist on projects outside your immediate responsibility: in today's world, all departments are short handed - so people are open for an extra set of hand. Don't let it interfere with your primary job but be flexible.
From a combination of mentor and approach, you should find a path which suits you - from that draw up an initial plan. In review of your second or third draft (with your mentor, with your HR partner), add in a few "transportable skills" should the division in which you work be sold or you meet with that career blocker - at least then your choices are widened over narrowed. This widening is often best achieved through academic qualifications - the MBA, certificates, the Harvard Exec program etc, which are all tax-deductible costs for the corporation.
Finally - I want to tell you that you are half way there just for asking the question. The thing that most corporate career people seem to say is the lack of opportunity, where as most corporate HR people would complain about the lack of ambition in most of their employees. If you are willing to create an opportunity and career with your existing employer, I think you will be amazed by the reaction. But key to all this is finding a mentor.
Good Luck - and if I can help further, please: just ask!
Thursday, 24 July 2008
The career development to management
This is a common situation these days, and one which is ages old - the career development to management. In present career paths, the average person will change careers four times - but this career development has been happening from the beginning of time. So, here's a typical question on career development into management....
Mike asks: How can I format my resume to emphasize several leadership roles I've taken on in my past positions, even if my official title is one of an individual contributor? I've worked as an engineer in the information technology function for over fifteen years and I'm interested in making the change to a management role. My past position titles all are some version of software engineer or applications developer. So, many recruiters send me jobs that are of the same individual contributor type, even though I've recently completed an MBA degree and am looking for management positions. I have much experience leading teams and projects, but this wouldn't be evident by just looking at my past titles. How can I emphasize this experience so the recruiters will send the types of jobs I am really interested in?
In answer:
Easy one to answer - I did the same thing myself, although I can give you a bit more insight these days.
You are a software engineer, and as you would expect, we in the recruitment industry use software to manage our dBases of candidates. So, I have a client who needs core skills A, B and C, so after skimming my head for the current candidates/those who are looking for a career change, I search my dBase for those skills and up pop the basic search candidates. I am in recruitment to make money, so if those skills are in your CV/Resume, you'll pop up in my search of the dBase.
Now, here's the problem for career changers. If you are in the mind and dBase of a recuiter as an X, then you are unlikely to jump to becoming a Z if in both their heads and their CV dBase you are filed as an X. Hence why they keep sending you the wrong job.
So, here's what to do. Get a friend - women are better at this than men - and get them to read the first page of your CV/Resume. Ask them to decide whether you are a manager or a software writer - because its that first page which dictates where afterwards the average reader will file you, and the average software system also.
I'd suggest from that exercise (get at least three people to do the same thing), you need to do two things. Firstly, rewrite your resume emphasising your managerial skills over your software skills - that will be tough for you to do, so in such cases it is often worth employing a CV/Resume writing professional. Secondly, register with a select few new recruitment and head hunting companies, emphasising your outright managerial aspirations. The moment they or any of your existing recruiter contacts send you a software job, kindly point out your new desires - if they do it a second time, ask to be removed completely from their dBase system, and explain your reasons. They may ask for a third chance, but I bet if they contact you it will be about a software job!
This is something I address regularly, and what the candidate needs to do is recognise why they keep getting sent particular opportunities, and work with professionals (and dBases) which recognise their new aspirations.
If I can help further, please just ask - and Good Luck!
Mike asks: How can I format my resume to emphasize several leadership roles I've taken on in my past positions, even if my official title is one of an individual contributor? I've worked as an engineer in the information technology function for over fifteen years and I'm interested in making the change to a management role. My past position titles all are some version of software engineer or applications developer. So, many recruiters send me jobs that are of the same individual contributor type, even though I've recently completed an MBA degree and am looking for management positions. I have much experience leading teams and projects, but this wouldn't be evident by just looking at my past titles. How can I emphasize this experience so the recruiters will send the types of jobs I am really interested in?
In answer:
Easy one to answer - I did the same thing myself, although I can give you a bit more insight these days.
You are a software engineer, and as you would expect, we in the recruitment industry use software to manage our dBases of candidates. So, I have a client who needs core skills A, B and C, so after skimming my head for the current candidates/those who are looking for a career change, I search my dBase for those skills and up pop the basic search candidates. I am in recruitment to make money, so if those skills are in your CV/Resume, you'll pop up in my search of the dBase.
Now, here's the problem for career changers. If you are in the mind and dBase of a recuiter as an X, then you are unlikely to jump to becoming a Z if in both their heads and their CV dBase you are filed as an X. Hence why they keep sending you the wrong job.
So, here's what to do. Get a friend - women are better at this than men - and get them to read the first page of your CV/Resume. Ask them to decide whether you are a manager or a software writer - because its that first page which dictates where afterwards the average reader will file you, and the average software system also.
I'd suggest from that exercise (get at least three people to do the same thing), you need to do two things. Firstly, rewrite your resume emphasising your managerial skills over your software skills - that will be tough for you to do, so in such cases it is often worth employing a CV/Resume writing professional. Secondly, register with a select few new recruitment and head hunting companies, emphasising your outright managerial aspirations. The moment they or any of your existing recruiter contacts send you a software job, kindly point out your new desires - if they do it a second time, ask to be removed completely from their dBase system, and explain your reasons. They may ask for a third chance, but I bet if they contact you it will be about a software job!
This is something I address regularly, and what the candidate needs to do is recognise why they keep getting sent particular opportunities, and work with professionals (and dBases) which recognise their new aspirations.
If I can help further, please just ask - and Good Luck!
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