I once heard a motivational speaker talk about how she continually stayed positive- in the face of adversity, in spite of the doom and gloom life (and the evening news) often brings, and despite the propensity we all have to enjoy some good old-fashioned negativity. After all, it is difficult enough to remain optimistic and thoroughly positive every day when life is bouncing along normally, but is much more challenging in extremely difficult economic times and intense market downturns, such as now.
So, I decided to share this nugget with you, and I challenge you to remember it and make a habit of thinking about it on a regular basis. Like many of life’s most impactful lessons and knowledgeable morsels, it is relatively simple; but don’t let that change the fact that it is a principle that we should all adopt.
The key to Perpetual Motivation is a Deeply Rooted Purpose.
I told you it was simple enough. Now the challenging part- and it will likely take longer than 5 minutes of thinking or an hour of pondering: figure out what your deeply rooted purpose is. Now it can change as the seasons and priorities of our lives certainly do.
As my dad is quoted for saying: “Low-paying is any job that has money as the only motivation for doing it.”
So, as important as money is, go deeper- or you will continually be disappointed. Similarly, this is a principle that some would put in a box labeled “WORK”; don’t do that! Apply it to your life. What are you living for? For some, there may be one deeply rooted purpose for why they are willing to go to work every morning and grind out every single minute of another day with a smile, and yet another purpose for why they do something else; for others, one deep-seeded purpose may be the common motivating factor for all they do.
Which ever it is, FIND IT! Think, ponder, deliberate, and decide what your Deeply Rooted Purpose is. Then focus on it, write it down, work toward it, and more importantly, live for it!
Thanks for reading; until Next Friday,
Jason Weaver
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Selling Yourself
They say ‘desperate times call for desperate measures’, which is true enough; however, despite this tumultuous period, I am not (yet) suggesting a turn to the “world’s oldest profession”!
Selling yourself is a basic principle that we too often overlook which is readily applicable to those who are looking for a new opportunity, as well as those who are in any given job. We all know the importance of this when it comes to dealing with clients and new acquaintances, but too often neglect it when interacting with co-workers and bosses. Now some, who are gainfully employed, may question how they can do this; yet, it is just as important in keeping your job- and excelling at it, as it is when trying to land a new one.
In regards to those who are employed, this principle is often done by what you do rather than what you say. It boils down to your results, as well as to your contributions and attitude. Even to those who are salaried (not on any type of commission), work as though you are getting paid for production. Focus also on what you contribute to your workplace and co-workers, even when you think it doesn’t affect you directly- because it does. Contribute with creative thoughts and good ideas, positivity and encouragement, mentoring and instruction, as well as a helpful attitude and caring demeanor. This, along with concentrating on your contribution to the bottom line allows you to continually sell yourself to your employer and your team mates.
To those on the prowl for a new job, a few simple tactics are in order. DON’T try to sell yourself on that little piece of paper called a resumé! More is not better in this case. Simply make them curious to learn more, to want you in for an interview. Once in an interview, humbly let them know how you have (personally) benefitted other companies and what you would contribute to their company- how you could benefit them, increase production, cut costs and operate more efficiently.
Hand in hand to sales is marketing, and one of the most integral parts of marketing is branding. So in the same stream of consciousness of selling yourself also focus on branding yourself (no, not with a hot iron!)
For those of you in a good and promising job (or at least one that pays the bills), determine what your specific strengths are, what you’re best at and likely were hired for. On a regular basis, even daily, make sure you are both using and enhancing those strengths, becoming even more adept at those valuable commodities you possess. Decide how you will further heighten those abilities (see last week’s post), and do it! Become the best in your specific areas of expertise in your profession, or at least in your office.
Similarly, for those who are on the job hunt, determine what your forté is, the value proposition that sets you apart and above the rest in your field. Then, ensure your personal ‘branding statement’ is both on your resume and a specific focus during interviews. And don’t wait until you are in the new job to start enhancing and furthering your knowledge and ability as it pertains to this strength; do it now!
We all know the importance of branding and selling a product or service, many of us do it for a profession; so make sure and parallel this crucial strategy as it pertains to you in your career which will enhance your value to the company and offer more job security.
Thanks for reading; until next Friday,
Jason Weaver
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
Selling yourself is a basic principle that we too often overlook which is readily applicable to those who are looking for a new opportunity, as well as those who are in any given job. We all know the importance of this when it comes to dealing with clients and new acquaintances, but too often neglect it when interacting with co-workers and bosses. Now some, who are gainfully employed, may question how they can do this; yet, it is just as important in keeping your job- and excelling at it, as it is when trying to land a new one.
In regards to those who are employed, this principle is often done by what you do rather than what you say. It boils down to your results, as well as to your contributions and attitude. Even to those who are salaried (not on any type of commission), work as though you are getting paid for production. Focus also on what you contribute to your workplace and co-workers, even when you think it doesn’t affect you directly- because it does. Contribute with creative thoughts and good ideas, positivity and encouragement, mentoring and instruction, as well as a helpful attitude and caring demeanor. This, along with concentrating on your contribution to the bottom line allows you to continually sell yourself to your employer and your team mates.
To those on the prowl for a new job, a few simple tactics are in order. DON’T try to sell yourself on that little piece of paper called a resumé! More is not better in this case. Simply make them curious to learn more, to want you in for an interview. Once in an interview, humbly let them know how you have (personally) benefitted other companies and what you would contribute to their company- how you could benefit them, increase production, cut costs and operate more efficiently.
Hand in hand to sales is marketing, and one of the most integral parts of marketing is branding. So in the same stream of consciousness of selling yourself also focus on branding yourself (no, not with a hot iron!)
For those of you in a good and promising job (or at least one that pays the bills), determine what your specific strengths are, what you’re best at and likely were hired for. On a regular basis, even daily, make sure you are both using and enhancing those strengths, becoming even more adept at those valuable commodities you possess. Decide how you will further heighten those abilities (see last week’s post), and do it! Become the best in your specific areas of expertise in your profession, or at least in your office.
Similarly, for those who are on the job hunt, determine what your forté is, the value proposition that sets you apart and above the rest in your field. Then, ensure your personal ‘branding statement’ is both on your resume and a specific focus during interviews. And don’t wait until you are in the new job to start enhancing and furthering your knowledge and ability as it pertains to this strength; do it now!
We all know the importance of branding and selling a product or service, many of us do it for a profession; so make sure and parallel this crucial strategy as it pertains to you in your career which will enhance your value to the company and offer more job security.
Thanks for reading; until next Friday,
Jason Weaver
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
Friday, February 13, 2009
How to Upside-Downtime
Many people I speak with- friends, clients, prospects, and most of those breathing air find they have more ‘down time’ than usual. In and of itself, this is an understandable sign of the times and nothing to be ashamed of. Simply put, at least a couple days of the week (if not more) we have less to do than we used to when we were too busy to think.
Granted quite a few folks are doing the job they used to PLUS another 1 or 2 people’s jobs, as I eluded to in my last post. And most of us know that times like these require more work to accomplish a fractional semblance of the production we used to have.
Here is where I would insert the old adage about the two guys in a tree-chopping contest, with one going non-stop, all day and the other taking breaks every 30 minutes; upon losing the workhorse asks the other man how he won when he had taken so many breaks, to which he replied in his ‘breaks’ he had been sharpening his axe.
So, I ask, what are you doing in your ‘down time’??
Some ogle the many things they want with online ‘shopping’- wisely leaving their credit cards in the car, technically making this ‘browsing’ (at least buy something, it may help the economy!) Others are looking for life’s career answers on job sites and planning their hopefully-unnecessary strategy, only to find they are already in a better situation than any others being offered. While still others are culminating current events knowledge by reading every headline on each of the major (and not-so major) papers, after which they find themselves dismayed that nobody really knows what’s going on and then becoming semi-suicidal from the rampant negativity!
Why not sharpen your proverbial axe.
Very simply, I would suggest taking advantage of this new freedom and turning it around to find the upside of your downtime. I have a dear friend who is considerably smarter than I am and has decided to do just this. He is among the masses who have more downtime than usual, and makes a concerted effort to learn during these lulls. First, he has identified what he wants to learn- a specific area of expertise. This went hand-in-hand with why he chose this subject, which is to heighten his knowledge and strengthen his professionalism and expertise in a specific aspect of his business. Next, he has charted a simple path on how he can become more knowledgeable in his chosen topic. Quite simply- and this may vary some for you but is definitely applicable, he reads books on the subject matter; and moreover, studies the books, takes notes, and highlights pertinent parts. He also searches for expert advice and blogs online that cater to his subject matter, and seeks others who are doing this for comparative analysis.
Emerson once said, “Every man I meet is in some way my superior, and in that, I learn from him.” (I am certain this applies to women as well) And so, I would challenge you to learn, as I have, from my good friend and upside (your) downtime!
As an aside, I have listed a few books that I recommend:
Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin
Now is Your Time to Win by Dave Dean
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
The Servant Leader by James Autry
Power-packed booklets:
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Common Denominator of Success by Albert E. N. Gray (free at: http://www.amnesta.net/mba/thecommondenominatorofsuccess-albertengray.pdf )
Thanks for reading; until next Friday,
Jason Weaver, VP
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
Granted quite a few folks are doing the job they used to PLUS another 1 or 2 people’s jobs, as I eluded to in my last post. And most of us know that times like these require more work to accomplish a fractional semblance of the production we used to have.
Here is where I would insert the old adage about the two guys in a tree-chopping contest, with one going non-stop, all day and the other taking breaks every 30 minutes; upon losing the workhorse asks the other man how he won when he had taken so many breaks, to which he replied in his ‘breaks’ he had been sharpening his axe.
So, I ask, what are you doing in your ‘down time’??
Some ogle the many things they want with online ‘shopping’- wisely leaving their credit cards in the car, technically making this ‘browsing’ (at least buy something, it may help the economy!) Others are looking for life’s career answers on job sites and planning their hopefully-unnecessary strategy, only to find they are already in a better situation than any others being offered. While still others are culminating current events knowledge by reading every headline on each of the major (and not-so major) papers, after which they find themselves dismayed that nobody really knows what’s going on and then becoming semi-suicidal from the rampant negativity!
Why not sharpen your proverbial axe.
Very simply, I would suggest taking advantage of this new freedom and turning it around to find the upside of your downtime. I have a dear friend who is considerably smarter than I am and has decided to do just this. He is among the masses who have more downtime than usual, and makes a concerted effort to learn during these lulls. First, he has identified what he wants to learn- a specific area of expertise. This went hand-in-hand with why he chose this subject, which is to heighten his knowledge and strengthen his professionalism and expertise in a specific aspect of his business. Next, he has charted a simple path on how he can become more knowledgeable in his chosen topic. Quite simply- and this may vary some for you but is definitely applicable, he reads books on the subject matter; and moreover, studies the books, takes notes, and highlights pertinent parts. He also searches for expert advice and blogs online that cater to his subject matter, and seeks others who are doing this for comparative analysis.
Emerson once said, “Every man I meet is in some way my superior, and in that, I learn from him.” (I am certain this applies to women as well) And so, I would challenge you to learn, as I have, from my good friend and upside (your) downtime!
As an aside, I have listed a few books that I recommend:
Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin
Now is Your Time to Win by Dave Dean
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
The Servant Leader by James Autry
Power-packed booklets:
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Common Denominator of Success by Albert E. N. Gray (free at: http://www.amnesta.net/mba/thecommondenominatorofsuccess-albertengray.pdf )
Thanks for reading; until next Friday,
Jason Weaver, VP
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jobs, or lack there of...
With the new Jobless numbers out today, now at 7.6% and still rising (as I believe they will continue to, likely to double digits), it strikes further fear in many- both those who are now out of work and seeking a job and even those who still have a job. Similarly, the continued claims and those still filing for unemployment is on the rise; meaning people are getting laid off and cannot find new work. And as when adding negative numbers, this creates an even greater negative sum total. Certainly there are an array of thoughts and opinions on stimulus spending vs. tax cuts, on whose shoulders the burden of fiscal responsibility sits, and how long and deep this recession/depression will cut our economy. I am not here to debate these things, nor to take sides, but to offer some thoughts and insights into the current climate of employers- and employees.
We have all seen, and most-assuredly felt, the cuts in wages (statistical or not) over the last 18 months; and most know the fierce competition in the job market right now- both of those who will work for less and those who are 'significantly more qualified' and will work for the same compensation- or less. Some companies are taking advantage of this by squeezing more juice out of the proverbial turnip (aka. employee) and making them take less to do more, as many now have 1 person doing 3 people's jobs since the other 2 are no longer there. Likewise, a few employers are re-stocking their employee-shelves and letting tenured, vested and very capable employees go to get even more seasoned and seemingly over-qualified individuals in those seats- for the same paycheck mind you.
I say all of this not to dig the pit of our tough, if not negative, reality even deeper; but to let those who may stumble upon and read this know my empathetic understanding. My company, a recruiting and placement business (http://www.ExecutiveSearchandPlacement.net/), operates in the resort real estate and luxury hospitality industries; and we receive numerous resumes each day from stellar (and hopeful) candidates. With that being said, I would like to offer a few thoughts that I hope may be helpful.
First, being that a 7.6% unemployment rate means there is a 92.4% employment rate, if you are one of the many who is gainfully employed:
Maintain your focus! Do not let all of the superfluous negativity affect you or distract you from your job and the tasks at hand.
Do NOT act out of fear! You were hired for a good reason, and you are still employed for a reason. Do what you know how to do, and do it the best you can.
The company is vested in you- most know it is less expensive and easier and better to keep you doing what you do than to replace you with somebody because their resume might have a few more bullet points. BUT now is the time to further embrace positivity, more production, longer hours, team building, and a better attitude.
Now, for the millions who are (and I'm sorry to say, will be) without a job:
Don't be discouraged! Your situation is NOT unique to you- and nobody looks down upon you for losing your job. If you think and feel dejected for being ejected, you will surely act rejected. And to borrow a phrase: putting a suit and smile on a dejected candidate for an interview is like putting lipstick on a pig.
Expand your search! I always tell candidates, "the bigger pond you fish in, the more bites you'll get." This goes for geographic locations as well as other industries which require parallel skills. Don't take just any opportunity, but don't be too picky. Ensure your set ramifications and parameters are met by the position and that the company is stable and financially secure, but don't go overboard.
Think! You will not get hired, nor even go to Round II interviews if you are more qualified than the direct superior; that's what they call 'job security'! A boss doesn't want a subordinate who has more expertise than they do and is obviously willing to work for less. So, approach the opportunity appropriately.
Remember, in the words of a man much greater than me, "This too shall pass."
Please let us at ESP know if we can be of service to you in your search for the right people or for your next opportunity.
Thanks for reading; until next time...
Jason Weaver
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
We have all seen, and most-assuredly felt, the cuts in wages (statistical or not) over the last 18 months; and most know the fierce competition in the job market right now- both of those who will work for less and those who are 'significantly more qualified' and will work for the same compensation- or less. Some companies are taking advantage of this by squeezing more juice out of the proverbial turnip (aka. employee) and making them take less to do more, as many now have 1 person doing 3 people's jobs since the other 2 are no longer there. Likewise, a few employers are re-stocking their employee-shelves and letting tenured, vested and very capable employees go to get even more seasoned and seemingly over-qualified individuals in those seats- for the same paycheck mind you.
I say all of this not to dig the pit of our tough, if not negative, reality even deeper; but to let those who may stumble upon and read this know my empathetic understanding. My company, a recruiting and placement business (http://www.ExecutiveSearchandPlacement.net/), operates in the resort real estate and luxury hospitality industries; and we receive numerous resumes each day from stellar (and hopeful) candidates. With that being said, I would like to offer a few thoughts that I hope may be helpful.
First, being that a 7.6% unemployment rate means there is a 92.4% employment rate, if you are one of the many who is gainfully employed:
Maintain your focus! Do not let all of the superfluous negativity affect you or distract you from your job and the tasks at hand.
Do NOT act out of fear! You were hired for a good reason, and you are still employed for a reason. Do what you know how to do, and do it the best you can.
The company is vested in you- most know it is less expensive and easier and better to keep you doing what you do than to replace you with somebody because their resume might have a few more bullet points. BUT now is the time to further embrace positivity, more production, longer hours, team building, and a better attitude.
Now, for the millions who are (and I'm sorry to say, will be) without a job:
Don't be discouraged! Your situation is NOT unique to you- and nobody looks down upon you for losing your job. If you think and feel dejected for being ejected, you will surely act rejected. And to borrow a phrase: putting a suit and smile on a dejected candidate for an interview is like putting lipstick on a pig.
Expand your search! I always tell candidates, "the bigger pond you fish in, the more bites you'll get." This goes for geographic locations as well as other industries which require parallel skills. Don't take just any opportunity, but don't be too picky. Ensure your set ramifications and parameters are met by the position and that the company is stable and financially secure, but don't go overboard.
Think! You will not get hired, nor even go to Round II interviews if you are more qualified than the direct superior; that's what they call 'job security'! A boss doesn't want a subordinate who has more expertise than they do and is obviously willing to work for less. So, approach the opportunity appropriately.
Remember, in the words of a man much greater than me, "This too shall pass."
Please let us at ESP know if we can be of service to you in your search for the right people or for your next opportunity.
Thanks for reading; until next time...
Jason Weaver
Executive Search and Placement
Jason@ESandP.net
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