REPOSITIONING DURING A SLOWER TIME

A slow economy and constant change make everyone anxious. What are some of the ways to reposition your career for growth?

 

On a personal level, slow downs and layoffs, as hard as they are to live through, provide the opportunity to redefine your priorities and goals.

 

If there are whispers of directions that have called to you, perhaps this is the time to evaluate and explore your options.

 

A candidate with a solid history in banking and financial services was part of a recent layoff.  Through coaching provided by Tech Exec Partners, she realized that she could continue down the corporate path or potentially transition toward her love of fine entertaining by exploring a career as an entrepreneur specializing in beautiful tableware.

 

In between jobs? You may consider temping.  Temporary work is an excellent option to maintain your income, keep your skills sharp and stay in the work force.  Temps, also known as contractors or consultants, are used across business units in many companies.

 

Companies are now looking at every bottom line expense to determine continued value. In some cases, where full-time employees have been cut, contractors are brought in to maintain work flow.

 

If you’re in the process of repotting your career, temporary or contract work can maintain your income during a slower economic time.

 

 

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Keeping Jack and Jill Motivated

You’ve hired a new employee.  References and background check were perfect.  The first few weeks were a dream.

 

Jack or (Jill) is motivated and enthusiastic for weeks.  Slowly, you realize that Jack is not meeting your expectations.  His attitude is no longer stellar and he seems to be losing focus.  As a manager, what should you do?

 

Most important is to find out why the shift in attitude.  Is there a personal issue of which you’re not aware, or is it a work related one?

 

If the issue is personal, do offer support.  Keep communication open and be empathetic.  On the managerial side, although it may not seem intuitive, do give this person MORE work to refocus on the office.

 

If the issue is professional, it could be attributed to any of countless issues, some of which you may not be aware.  Establish an open forum for communication and feedback.  An employee suggestion box is a discreet and excellent way to find out how to improve your environment for everyone.

 

Lead by establishing accountability from Day One and accountability will become a nonissue. If it’s not in place, create a system for your team where everyone forwards reports on a regular basis. This can be as simple as an email with bullet points of daily accomplishments.

 

As a manager, should you need a next step, it’s time to micromanage.  Meet with your employee every day for a minimum amount of time, such as two weeks.  By the end of this period, your employee will potentially dread this session so much that you’ll find you have the results you need.

 

The issue is employee stimulation.  Give your team enough responsibilities and projects to keep his or her mind focused and challenged.

 

Less drama in the office equals greater productivity.

 

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Time Off from the Office

Summer’s just around the corner and it is vacation time.  With the gas crunch, many are planning to stay local.

 

Taking time off is good for you and good for the company.  There is a clarity and perspective that comes only with distance from the office.

 

Vacation allows you to rejuvenate your creativity and productivity.  Time away from colleagues, management, stress and daily work flow allow you to recharge your energy.

 

Don’t feel you can take a vacation this year?  Consider taking several long weekends instead.  Even a long walk in fresh air will regenerate you.

 

Happy Memorial Weekend!

 

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Best way to sabotage your job!

A physician working on research projects for a pharmaceutical company was fired without warning. Why?  He was viewing pornography on his office computer.  This highly compensated physician was walked out of his office by security without notice.

It happens all the time.  Unless you work for a company such as Playboy, where porn is a part of the daily work flow, be prudent.

Monitoring Software

Many companies use software and email monitoring programs that record every keystroke and password you enter on your computer–as well as Web sites visited.  Spyware and malware are further threats to your job security; they leave tracks of your electronic whereabouts.  Choose to do online banking from the office?  Your boss, or tech support, now have access to your pass code.

Internet gaming during office hours is also not a way to further your career.

Inappropriate use of the office computer is an easy way to lose your job.

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To see more of Stuart Rosen’s work: www.gurustu.com

 

Be Proactive! Keep Your Résumé Updated.

You never know when you may need your résumé.  Even if you’re not looking for a job, keeping your résumé up-to-date will help you track accomplishments.  It can be challenging to recall dates, projects, and successful outcomes, sometimes years later.

Résumés today must be tailored to every job for which you apply.  A summary or objective at the top can list accomplishments as they specifically relate to each position.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Accomplishments are achievements above your daily responsibilities.  They set you apart from other candidates.
• Accomplishments highlight your skills and are quantifiable.
• Accomplishments can include goals achieved, projects successfully completed, ways you’ve saved the company money, helped to decrease costs, maintained happy clients, brought in new accounts, degrees earned, and more.
• Accomplishments need not be major.  You can list promotions, awards, articles written, speaking engagements, successful events and any other items beneficial to your quest.

POWER VERBS

• Do use “power verbs” to showcase your abilities.
• Power Verbs include terms such as “responsible for,” led, managed, developed, and achieved.
• Avoid using the term “duties include” since “responsible for” says the same and is stronger.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Do track your technical skills and ongoing certifications.  Technology changes quickly and you don’t know what software version a company will require.

DATES AND TITLES

Do keep all dates and titles accurate.  More companies are running background checks and disqualifying candidates for erroneous information.

REFERENCES ON RÉSUMÉ

• It’s best not to list current references on any version of your résumé until point of offer, for a direct hire position.
• It’s not necessary to add “references available upon request” as anyone seeking your references will ask.

Being proactive is prudent in today’s economy.

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RÉSUMÉS

You’re always welcome to forward a résumé.  Dianne opens every résumé and responds to each personally, then forwards internally to our recruiting team.  We always keep you in mind.

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Can Office Gossip Be Good For You?

No matter how large or small your office, office gossip is universal.

Office rumors stimulate conversation and provide natural breaks to make the day go by faster.

We all should be careful about engaging in office gossip, as it often can be derogatory when aimed toward others.

Office gossip, on the other hand, can be instrumental in discovering the pulse of the company.

What can you gain from office gossip?

You most certainly want to listen for valuable information that could affect your job.  For example, if the company is about to be bought, sold, merged, or about to right size, down size or outsource, you most certainly want to be proactive in listening for signs of change. You certainly don’t want to be the last to hear important information.

A senior manager arrived at work one day and discovered that her company was sold.  The sale was not announced to the staff.  A team member found an article in the morning paper and then substantiated the information online.  The senior manager was fired shortly thereafter as her position was eliminated for redundancy.

If you’re sensing unusual activity or hearing rumors, depending on the source, chances are they are true.

What’s the best way to protect your own interest?

1) Always keep your résumé updated.

2) If appropriate, ask questions.  Find out details, if you can.  Ask colleagues and vendors for information.

3) Ask your management or CEO if rumors are true.

4) Make it a practice to research your company online.  See what you find out.

5) Tap into your professional network.

• Make sure you have contact numbers and emails for colleagues in your firm.
• Confidentially let your network know that you are potentially available for new opportunities.

The question is, do you participate in or stay out of the gossip?

A prudent approach is to listen more than you speak and find out as much detail as possible.

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