CMS Career Blog

Fred Rogers is my hero.  If you grew up in this country, there was probably a time when he was your hero too!

When he decided to become Mr. Rogers on t.v. I can imagine that it was a bit risky.  I mean, who would have thought that doing this little show for kids on PBS would make him an American icon.  He was probably laughed at.  Heck, I probably laughed at him.  It took courage for him to do this work, but it was what he loved.  He WAS Mr. Rogers because he was Mr. Rogers.

Here’s a video of him from when he finished his career on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. It’s touching.

Mr. Rogers is my hero because he did what he loved all of his life.

Mr. Rogers is my hero because he encouraged us to do what we love.

How about you?  Are you willing to take a risk and become who YOU really are?  Are you ready to live you life’s passion? What are you waiting for?

I’m on a mission.

The more I work with people to help them develop their career, the more strongly I believe that there is NO REASON why anyone in our culture should not be doing work they absolutely LOVE.  In fact, I will go so far as to say, “If you don’t LOVE your job, quit!”

Now I realize that this is a radical statement, and that most people will ignore me.  Some might even get angry.  But I’m willing to stand firm in my mission until EVERYONE IN AMERICA finds their perfect career.  Even in this economy.

As a Career Consultant with an international outplacement firm I work with lots of people who have recently been laid off or downsized.  Once they get past the initial shock of not having a job, many of them tell me that getting laid off is actually a blessing.  They haven’t been happy in their current position for a long time.  Many haven’t been happy for years.  They have wanted to make a change, but they’ve become complacent and comfortable.  NOW they have an opportunity to do what they’ve always wanted to do.  Some decide to change careers.  Others retire or work for non-profit organizations.  Some stay in their industry and find a company whose corporate culture is more in line with their own personality.  Losing a job can be devastating, but for many of my clients they also find it life-giving.

That’s why I’m on this mission.  Wouldn’t it be better if you quit now and go find your perfect career before you are forced to?  What if you had a chance to do some UP-PLACEMENT before your company forced you into outplacement?  Well, you have that chance NOW.

I’m on a mission to help everyone in America find their perfect career.  So, if you don’t love your job, quit. Take a risk and see where it leads you.  I bet you will be happier for it!

If you haven’t submitted a resume in a while, you may not be aware that things have changed significantly in the past 5 or so years regarding what employers, hiring managers, HR folks, and recruiters are looking for.  Here is a brief synopsis of what used to be and what is, along with some suggestions for making your resume “pop” for that potential employer!

OLD STYLE — we used to think of a resume as simply an accounting of the jobs we have held over our career-life.  The old style of resume (the one I was taught to put together in college) focused on describing what you did on the job.  It was heavily dependent upon responsibilities and was more of a job description.

NEW STYLE — the new style of resume places heavy emphasis on helping your potential employer see how hiring you will bring them a return on that “investment.”  This new resume style is all about results and achievements.  How will you help your potential employer make or save money?

Here are some tips for making your OLD STYLE RESUME into a NEW STYLE RESUME:

1. Begin with a clear Career Objective.  This should be your USP — Unique Selling Proposition.  It should be written to entice a potential employer to read the rest of the resume.  Use their language and be sure to let them know what you will DO for them.
2. Quantify results.  Give quantified examples of what you have done in the past.  Use numbers to express the scope and quantity of your previous work.  Use specific examples that will be helpful to your potential employers.
3. Get LinkedIn and get recommendations.  The Internet has made it easier for you to submit hundreds of resumes.  Conversely, it has made it more difficult for hiring managers and HR personnel to sort through the hundreds of resumes they receive for each posting.  ANSWER?  LinkedIn.  Get recommendations from former co-workers, clients, bosses, etc. and they will help you cut through the clutter.

The OLD STYLE of resume is out.  If you want to get yourself seen by potential employers you must upgrade your resume to show them what you can do for THEM.  The NEW STYLE of resume is the way to go.

I posted this article a year or so ago — but a good article deserves a re-posting!  If you are working on how you should introduce yourself, here’s a great formula!

————————–

Fellow Toastmaster Jim Nudelman has a simple 4-step process for writing an Elevator Pitch — a 10-15 second focused introduction of your “value proposition” that can be given in an elevator when someone asks, “tell me about yourself.” Jim (”the Noodle” as he is known to friends and family) is an experienced National Sales Trainer, so he should know something about putting your best foot forward to capitalize on a brief window of opportunity. Here’s his process:

Step 1 — Begin with an ACTION PHRASE that is NOT a noun. (”I am a ______________” — but don’t use a “label” in the blank.  You don’t want people to put you in a box.)

Step 2 — Add a one sentence statement about what you DO. (”I do _________________” — What do you help people or businesses do?)

Step 3 — Give a statement of the SPECIFIC IMPACT. (”People who utilize my process find _________” — list one or two things from the perspective of your potential employer.)

Step 4 — End with a CALL TO ACTION. (”I am looking to be introduced to _______________” — be specific!  If you ask for something non-specific you are likely to get it.  What good it that?)

Here’s Jim’s elevator pitch and contact information:

“My name is Jim Nudelman. I am a master of building relationships. I teach sales professionals how to build and grow their business. Sales professionals who have attended my workshops have increased their business by as much as 50%. Please introduce me to people not companies looking to build and grow their business.”

James Nudelman, National Sales Trainer
503-939-4715
jnudelman1@yahoo.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/thenoodle

It’s a simple formula that works! Try it and you will notice a dramatic increase in the effectiveness of your self-introduction that we call your “elevator pitch.”

I met with a sharp group of graduate students from Portland State University the other day and learned as much from them as they learned from me. They have a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge of the International Business scene! I was impressed.

I shared with these students my “5-Finger Exercise” for Networking. Here is what (I hope) THEY learned form me:

Rule # 1 - Networking is about what you can GIVE, more than about what you can get!
(O.K. — RIGHT NOW make a list of what YOU have to offer in a Networking setting (30 seconds).

Rule # 2 - DON’T FORGET RULE #1!
There’s an old saying “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Rule # 3 - People want to help other people.

Rule # 4 - Know what you want - the clearer you are about what YOU are hoping to get out of the networking meeting, the better!

Rule # 5 - Use the meeting to expand your network.

Three questions you should ask at the end of every networking meeting:
1. “Who do you know that I should talk to for further information?”
2. “Would you be willing to give your comments on my resume?” (Be sure to send it by email — NEVER carry a copy with you to a networking meeting.)
3. “How would you like me to keep you informed of my progress?”

Its almost 2009!  WOW!  Where did the year go?

Have you achieved all your career goals this year?  Did you find that perfect job you were hoping to get?  Are you satisfied with your performance?  We are in the end of the year “Red Zone” – the time to take a look back at 2008 and prepare for 2009.  Here are 5 things you can do NOW to improve your career next year.

1)    Fix Your Files.
For many of us the end of the year (or beginning of next year) is the time to clean out our files.  As you go through your files trying to decide what to shred and what to keep, here are a few ideas that can help you improve your career.  NOTE WINS – what did you do this year that you consider to me a “win” for your career?  Keep track of them and quantify results (as best you can).  NOTE KEY CUSTOMERS/PARTNERS – who did you work with that might be willing to give you a recommendation?  THANK THEM – you are already planning on sending out Holiday cards, aren’t you? Why not include a brief note of gratitude for what they have done for you.  A hand-written note goes a LONG way these days.

2)    Brush-off Your Personal Brand.
What is your personal brand?  Who do you want to present yourself as “Brand You”?  Take a few minutes to look over and update your brand for 2009.  You may want to revise your USP (unique selling proposition), or update your collateral material (business cards, etc).  Don’t forget to update your blog and website.

3)    Look at LinkedIn.
Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most important tools you have in the job search and in your career development.  In today’s world, potential employers and recruiters will Google your name to learn more about you – that’s a given.  LinkedIn helps your name and profile jump to the top of the Google search results.  You might want to ADD or DELETE something from your profile to update it. (hint, what “wins” did you find while cleaning out your files?)  It may be time to ADD or DELETE links from your profile.  How about contacts?  ASK FOR 3 RECOMMENDATIONS.  Now is the time to do it, while you are still on the top of your customer’s mind.

4)    Fire Your 5 Worst Customers.
If you are in sales, run your own company, or have clients; you no doubt have some who suck away your time and energy.  They are never happy with what you do for them, and you probably aren’t too happy to work with them either.  Well, you don’t have to.  You are hereby granted permission to fire your 5 worst customers.  Don’t forget to replace them with 5 new customers who fit your PERFECT CLIENT profile!  You will glad you did!

5)    Review Your Annual Review.
Did you get an Annual Review last year?  Maybe it was in the beginning of the year, or perhaps it was in the summer.  NOW is the time for you to dig through your files and find it.  Look for areas where you got good marks and include that into your LinkedIn profile and “wins” list.  Now take a look at the areas for improvement you and your superior set out for this year.  What have you done to move forward in those areas?  If you have already shown improvement it may be time to shoot your boss an email indicating your progress.  S/he will likely put it in your file so you can discuss it at your next review.  Be sure to share your “wins” with you boss as well.

What you do now, at the end of 2008, can help you propel your career forward in 2009.  We hopes these tips help you end the year strong, and begin the next with a bang!