Career

If you are looking for a job. Don’t put up a facade and hope that you’ll eventually come to terms with what you have resigned yourself to do. Don’t do it. Just don’t. If you are in a job that is not your ideal job. Don’t fake it. Your best work will not come through. Your best efforts will never be applied to this role. Don’t do it. Just don’t. Don’t put up a facade to attempt doing a role that you are not passionate about. Don’t tell yourself a lie that you will eventually have to refute. Eventually you will need to come to terms with that facade. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. ~Mark Twain This is especially true for the stories we tell ourselves. Be faithful to yourself. Be truthful to yourself. Be real – you cannot keep up a façade for three years I use 3 years to point out how long it might take for your facade to crack. By this time your facade will have consumed your energy and especially your time. You may be able to put up with a false front for a while, but over the course of time you will tire of putting on airs. You will tire of spending so much energy into supporting a fallacy. What can you do about it? Take charge. Own your career. Own your interviewing process. Own your facade. Everyone puts on a facade at different times of their lives. Facades aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Facades are useful for different parts of you life. Just make sure the facade you commit to is the one that defines you, nourishes you, ands inspires you to be and do your best. What’s the risk? Career stultification. Settling for something you aren’t passionate about. Forcing yourself to accept a lie. “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche This is especially harsh when these are the lies we are telling ourselves. The risk is … We can never believe our own stories again. Tell the Truth. Especially to yourself. Your career and livelihood depend on it. Author: Jeff  is a veteran in the Enterprise Content Management industry. Over the past 20 years he has worked with customers and partners to design, develop and deploy solutions around the world. Jeff is currently the Director of Strategic Alliances at Winshuttle. He has worked for Microsoft, FileNet (IBM), K2, Captaris, Open Text, Kofax and Kodak. He speaks and blogs about ECM and the Intersection between Social, Mobile and Cloud Computing.

There is a framed photo on my desk of a runner out for a run in a beautiful field with mountainous views. The photo says, “Persistence – The race goes not only to the swift but to those who keep running.” I love this photo because it reminds me to be persistent in the pursuit of my goals and dreams. When we are persistent, we act with conviction, and that energy draws us toward those people and events that help our dreams come to fruition. Even if they don’t show up exactly how we want or think they should or, we are met with obstacles and roadblocks along the way, it is the persistent pursuit of our goals that will eventually bring them into reality. This also holds true for our career goals. A great example of this happened with two of my colleagues who were seeking promotion opportunities inside their companies. In fact, they both had the same goal of reaching the highest-level sales position inside their (different) organizations. One colleague gave her pursuit approximately two years, and when she did not see the results she was seeking, she decided to pursue a different goal and left her company to start her own marketing consultation business. Two years later, her consulting business had not yet grown to the level she desired so she abandoned it. She went back to her original goal of seeking a high-level sales position inside another large corporation. She is 18 months into that job and I recently found out she is, again, not seeing her upward movement happen fast enough so she’s beginning to consider alternate opportunities. Since setting the original goal to reach the highest-level sales position in his company, my other colleague has been in several different roles in his company (all sales related). He continues to broaden his knowledge of all sectors of his company and all their different customers in his pursuit of his ultimate goal. He has had some missteps and has taken a few steps backwards as he grown over the past few years, but he has not gotten discouraged. Some of his greatest learning has come from some of his low points. He knows the more he perseveres and the more he succeeds in his current assignments, the closer he gets to his ultimate goal. He has reached the position of Sales Director, which is several levels above where he was when he first began to consciously pursue this goal. This demonstrates his continued positive progression along his career path. Even events that seem like obstacles or that could be perceived as “slowing him down” do not discourage or derail him. He knows all the assignments and new learning are grooming him for the highest-level sales position. He also believes, despite how much he wants to reach that position in his current company, if it doesn’t happen where he is presently working, it will happen somewhere else. He does not lose sight of his ultimate desire and he keeps persisting and pursuing because he knows the race will go to he (or she) who keeps on running. I love this story of his dedication and persistence. It is a reminder to us to never lose sight of where we want to go and to never stop persevering. If we are committed and persistent and open to the variety of possibilities and paths that will take us to our desired place, one day we will wake up and realize that we have reached that ultimate goal. Why? Because we kept on going. Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post The Power Of Persistence In Your Career appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Improving your networking efforts is easy. Effective networkers give first and are always alert for opportunities to help their fellow colleagues, friends, business relationships, and so on. If you’ve made a habit of giving first (and giving often), it makes it much easier (and much more comfortable) for you to ask for something from your network when the time comes. In those situations, where you intend to ask a network member for something, it’s still a great idea to ”sandwich” your ask between two gifts. Try this process next time you intend to ask for something (or for help): Step 1: Give First Offer something, share something, give them a tip or a piece of timely information about something that may be important to them. Other ideas: Offer to send them a book you mention in the conversation. Send them a link to a article that will interest them or help them in some way. Review your notes from your last conversation and look for an opportunity to offer something useful they mentioned last time. Congratulate them on a recent achievement or accomplishment; encourage them to tell you about it. Step 2: Ask Make your request and tell them clearly and exactly how they can help you. Give them all the information they need to enable them to best help you with your request. The easier you make it for them and the more information you provide them, the better they’ll be enabled to help you. Step 3: Give Again ALWAYS ask these three questions: Is there anything I can help you with right now? Is there a particular type of resource you’re looking for? Take a look at my Facebook or LinkedIn network, and please let me know if there is anyone I can introduce you to? Anybody else I can connect you with? Finally, after the “Give, Ask, Give” Sandwich – give them dessert in the form of a final gift — send them a thank you note, a hand-written card, a recent coupon (e.g. Living Social) you received… something small but thoughtful. Do this every time… and watch the magic happen! Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post ‘Sandwich’ Your Networking Call appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Never so much did the term, “Resume Real Estate” resonate until I was tasked to sell my home. “I want to sell my home ‘as-is,’” I firmly asserted to my real estate agent. It’s a beautiful home in a great neighborhood and is an ideal opportunity for the right buyer. Standing head and shoulders among its peer group, I felt, this home offered a unique opportunity that would be obvious to the right buyer, and they would know to make an offer – and quickly! Not only was the home of high quality, positioned in an established neighborhood with a track record of success (e.g., the neighborhood quiet, the homeowners’ association upkeep consistent, the reputation for the city’s upscale attitude broad-ranging, the schools high-caliber – the list goes on), but it also was uniquely located off of a key corridor in the community – easy to get everywhere else from here. Its value speaks for itself! So… why the continual stream of visitors but no offers? Hooking The Buyer With First Impressions Over the next several weeks and months, I gained clarity – through a series of buyer feedback messages and conversations with my professional real estate agent, here’s what I discovered: Other homeowners were going an extra few miles to market themselves and “hook” the buyer, and it was making a big difference! The extra miles they pursued were based directly on the target market’s needs. Moreover, the marketing strategies included appealing to buyers’ emotions – a key component to their ultimate decision to buy. These competitors were not discounting the value of creating a “wow” first impression, beyond the inherent value that the visitors were able to seek out after initially being hooked in. These competitors of mine were investing in their marketing – from buying new carpet to painting the entire interior to installing new appliances and more. And first impressions were counting! The seller wasn’t expecting the buyer to “envision” or “imagine” the potential of the home – they were underscoring the home’s magnificence by placing an up-front investment with the confidence and hope that the investment would pay off – that an ROI was in store. When that would happen was not known or even guaranteed to happen. These home sellers were taking a calculated risk. Targeting Buyers’ Real Needs Further, the competing home sellers’ marketing approach was based on the target buyers’ real (rather than perceived) needs. I discovered I hadn’t been honing in on my target market’s real needs. One of my mantras regarding the value of my home was: “I just invested in a new air conditioning and heating system, so of course the buyer will immediately and intellectually interpret the value of these items just as much as if I had painted the walls or added carpet.” However, my target market (single individual/couple/parent and child) seemed to be more transient in nature, and fulfilling long-term needs such as the need for a reliable, long lasting AC/heating system was lower priority. In short, if the buyers’ areas of pain include a need to buy a freshly carpeted/painted home so that they may immediately settle into a comfortable routine (without the burden of installing carpet and painting walls) then that is what I must address. Without this focus, I was being weeded out of the buyers’ processes before I had a chance to really engage them beyond first impressions with the subtle qualities and nuances of my special home. Parallels Between Home Sellers And Job Searchers This experience struck a cord with me in how my attitude has paralleled that of some my (less-informed) resume prospects! They are ready for a job search, and they want to initiate it NOW – “as-is” with little preparation or respect for the processes or preparation for creating their “curb appeal,” as it were, in order to really wow “their” buyers – the employers. Those job seekers who haven’t been educated about the importance of communicating value drivers and focus just want a “simple” resume that

In addition to having solid health care skills, those who succeed in the nursing profession possess unique qualities of character and spirit. These are nine personal attributes every nurse needs to provide the best possible patient care: 1. Compassion A nurse must be drawn to caring for the sick and injured. This includes having empathy for the pain and suffering of patients, as well as a strong desire to make the hospital experience as positive as possible. 2. Communication Since a nurse is often a patient’s advocate as well as a link between family members and hospital staff, the ability to effectively speak and listen is critically important. Nurses in the research and education sectors also must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively. 3. Ethics A nurse needs a solid framework of ethics that will guide personal and professional conduct. This framework should include a commitment to humanitarian service and concern for the dignity of all patients. 4. Critical Thinking Nurses are faced with important choices on a daily basis and must be able to use critical thinking to aid in decision-making. Furthermore, nurses who are involved in policy-making need critical thinking in order to successfully improve health care for all members of society. 5. Attention To Detail A nurse’s actions on the job can have far-reaching consequences. Whether you’re a family nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, even the smallest mistake may have tragic results, therefore, strict attention to detail must be second nature for a nurse. 6. Confidence Nurses must be confident they have the skills and knowledge to provide the best possible care. They must be able to work independently with little supervision, knowing they will get the job done. Self-doubt can be dangerous when a nurse is faced with a critical situation. 7. Adaptability Flexibility and the ability to adapt are especially important for nurses. Like doctors, nurses are often required to work long hours or deal with fluctuating schedules, and the ability to cope becomes paramount in such situations. 8. Stamina Nursing is a demanding profession that requires physical, mental and emotional strength. An effective nurse needs a high energy level and a healthy lifestyle in order to succeed. 9. Commitment To Development Health care is a dynamic field. In order to stay current, a successful nurse is dedicated to continuing education and participation in professional organizations. This article was written by Social Media Outreach Coordinator Erica Moss on behalf of CAREEREALISM-Approved Partner, 2tor — an education technology company that partners with institutions of higher education such as Georgetown University to deliver their online Masters in Nursing degree. Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post 9 Nursing Skills Every Practitioner Should Possess appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Is your brand the ultimate narcissism? My grandmother, who is 86 this year, always told me, “Humility was for people who could afford to be humble,” and when I was 10, “I couldn’t afford it.” She wanted me to be more confident, brag a little bit. I’m sure she was just a proud grandma, and I love her for it. It was only after years of corporate experience that I finally understand what she meant. Of the many cold hard facts of the work-world, one of them is, “You have to ring your own bell.” I can hear some of you chuckling already. I’m sure you had a kindly boss, like I did, who might have seen your potential and wanted to motivate you. Maybe she or he was just giving you career advice as a mentor, or adviser. Whatever the case might be, my lesson was clear, don’t be afraid to brag a little bit. After all, no one in this 60,000 person organization is going to look for me under the carpet or hiding in my cubicle. Perhaps you feel that way when writing your resumes. I know I did. I thought, “Wow, that’s one hell of a claim to make. It was our team who brought in the sale, not just me.” But my HR side said, “Yes, that’s true, but you can’t afford not to ring your own bell.” I watched Julie and Julia the other day and something occurred to me. The movie is about a sad government secretary who embarks on a mission to cook all of Julia Child’s 540 recipes in 364 days, and blog about it, each day. After awhile, she becomes completely self-obsessed. Soon, her marriage is in jeopardy and she wallows even deeper into narcissism. But soon, her idol Julia Child inspires her to take a second look at how she is treating those around her. As the Dalai Lama said, the more you focus on yourself, the more miserable you will be. So, what is all this talk about “Brand-You?” Isn’t that just the epitome of self-obsession and unhappiness? I believe there is a delicate balance, a middle way, between how much we ring our own bell and how much we focus on giving. After all, we don’t live in a vacuum. As we build our brands online, writing articles, taking the voice of authority, commenting critically on blogs or LinkedIn groups, remember– We may not be good enough to be humble, but a bell that rings too loud get’s silenced. Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post Is Your Brand The Ultimate Narcissism? appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Sometimes, avoiding conflict in the workplace can be difficult. However, it’s extremely doable. Here’s a personal example: While at work one day, I received an instant message from a colleague. It read, “Do you have a minute to chat?” “Of course,” I responded. Instantly, the phone rang. To be honest, I assumed this would be a routine call pertaining to a joint proposal this co-worker and I were collaborating on, and so I was a bit blindsided by what followed. “I came across a post you wrote recently about rolling your eyes in a meeting,” she said. “And I just wanted to ask if you were writing about me.” Awkward silence. The truth is, I did write a post about a meeting where I had behaved uber-immaturely and, yes, she was the voice on the phone. I explained the situation:  I was rolling my eyes at the characteristically bureaucratic nature of corporate decision-making and the post was about my mistake and not her. She listened politely, seemed genuinely interested in the root cause of my ire, and we hung up the phone. But here’s the catch: rather than feel defensive or put on the spot, I felt fine. No drama. No hurt feelings. No lingering doubts or suspicions. Now, let’s contrast this to how she could have handled the situation, shall we? Upon reading my post, she could have… Silently sulked, but not said a word. (Of course, every time she saw me from that point on she would secretly have negative blog flashbacks.) Publicly sulked by trashing me to everyone BUT me. Forwarded the post to a few mutual colleagues with colorful commentary such as, “Who does this *$&^ think she is?” To her credit, she didn’t choose any of the above (all-too-common) options. In fact, I wanted to use this post to highlight exactly what she did right, so you’ll know how to handle it if you ever find yourself in a similarly sticky situation. 1. She Came Directly To Me Most people don’t like conflict, and so they avoid it at all costs. Therefore, it takes an incredible amount of maturity to go to the person who has “offended” you and clear the air in person. (It’s obviously FAR easier to talk about them behind their back, and that’s why the majority go that route.) 2. She Reached Out To Make Sure It Was A Good Time To Talk Since this could have been an emotional conversation (remember: she didn’t know how I would react), it was smart to make sure I wasn’t under a deadline or otherwise distracted. 3. She Approached The Call From A Standpoint Of Confusion (“I wasn’t sure if you were talking about me”) versus accusation (“I can’t believe you said that about me.”) This subtle distinction made all the difference, i.e. rather than feel attacked, I felt camaraderie and we actually hung up the phone closer as team members than before. 4. Once She Got To Bottom Of My Issue, She Offered To Help Can you imagine? Here she thought I was visibly disrespecting her (in front of her boss, mind you) and she ends the call by asking if there’s anything she can do to help make my life easier. Whoa! In our reality-TV driven culture, where we are all so immersed in conflict, short fuses, and a general lack of civility, it’s nice to see some people still value and respect maturity. You would be wise to follow my colleague’s example. (And I’m not just saying that because I know she reads my blog now.) Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post 4 Tips For Avoiding Conflict In The Workplace appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Everyone knows how important it is to double check attachments on your e-mails, especially when you’re applying for a job. However, sometimes the wrong file can find its way onto an important message. This nightmare happened to one girl, who accidentally sent a potential employer an e-mail attached with a scary photo of Nicolas Cage instead of her resume and cover letter. Talk about a bad first impression. Don’t let a careless mistake like this cause big embarrassment and missed opportunities. Here are seven common errors to check for before you hit the “Send” button: Get Names Right Nothing is more embarrassing than messing up someone’s name, especially if it’s your boss or potential employer. Always double check names and spelling! Make Sure Your E-mail Address Is Appropriate First impressions are huge. Do you really think a potential employer would respect an applicant whose e-mail handle was “sexy.beach.babe.123@gmail.com”? Probably not. Make sure you have a professional e-mail address for business-related messages. Watch Out For Typos We all are guilty of misspelling a word or two every once an awhile. It’s a pretty common mistake, so we tend to brush it off. However, it might not sit well with a potential employer if your e-mail was peppered with minor typos (especially after all that talk about your attention to detail in your cover letter!). Be Aware Of Your Grammar Double check “your” and “you’re,” “their,” “there,” and “they’re,” “than” and “then,” and “it’s” and “its.” Each of your little mistakes will reflect on your employer, no matter how small. If you can’t even write a grammatically correct e-mail, how will you represent the company? Avoid All Caps NO EMPLOYER WILL APPRECIATE AN E-MAIL FROM AN APPLICANT THAT DOESN’T HAVE THE COURTESY TO TURN OFF CAPS LOCK. Not only does it look like you are shouting, but it’s also incredibly annoying. Ditch The Slang, Bro Make sure to avoid using slang words and phrases in e-mails, especially professional ones. Even if you are sending a casual message to a co-worker, practice good e-mail habits so things like “thx,” “brb,” or “LOL” don’t slip into an important e-mail. Try Not To Use Emoticons Although it can be hard to convey emotion through e-mail, try not to use smiley faces in work-related e-mails. Though there are worse things you can put in an e-mail, some people find them to be annoying and unprofessional. Sorry :-( And above all, make sure Nicolas Cage doesn’t creep into an attachment! Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post Embarrassing E-mails: Don’t Let This Happen To You! appeared first on CAREEREALISM.

Reality television is big business. Millions of people watch it. It’s fun, creative, and unpredictable. It’s also very difficult to get your foot in the door as a producer. But if you are prepared to work hard and follow the steps below, it’s absolutely possible to get a job, climb the ladder, create a successful TV career, and maybe even create the next big hit reality show… 1. Get Educated It is possible to get a job in television without a media-related Bachelors degree. But if you are able to enroll in a TV or film course, it’s the most effective way to become skilled in the different areas of production, such as directing, script writing, camera operation, lighting, sound, and editing. There are even local organizations or community colleges that offer short workshops to introduce you to video production skills. Make sure you do research to ensure the course is reputable, and you can even get in touch with professional broadcast associations to see if they have recommendations. 2. Be Prepared To Start Small Reality television is a business where you should expect to start at the bottom and work your way up. Find out which production companies make the shows you want to work on, and call and ask to speak to the Head of Production and see if there are any freelance opportunities. There are also a number of job websites that have media listings such as Mandy.com and Entertainmentcareers.net. Be prepared to start off as a production assistant, which may include making photocopies and ordering lunch. The good news is as you build trust and experience, your responsibilities will grow, and you can start getting involved with more hands on tasks such as being on set, booking crew and locations, screening footage, and dealing with talent. 3. Network Networking is an essential part of working in reality television. The more production contacts you have, the more your reputation will grow and the more opportunities will come your way. Join media organizations such as your local Broadcasters Association, or the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and attend networking events and seminars to start establishing yourself as a member of the industry. Use social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn to join professional television production groups, and engage in conversations with other producers about upcoming projects and opportunities. 4. Learn On The Job Don’t be afraid of asking questions, remember most Producers were once in your position and are more than happy to give advice and answer questions. Watch cameramen, directors, and other crew members carefully, so you learn what everyone’s job entails. If the television show you are working on involves a cast or host, form relationships with them. Being a good Producer means getting along with people and you want to be known as someone who is enthusiastic and efficient. If you find a producer you connect with, they may even be prepared to mentor you, make introductions, and give you insight into how to advance. 5. Understand The Industry You cannot be a successful reality producer without being clued into what’s happening in your industry. This means being familiar with all of the top shows, checking the ratings every week, knowing which networks are commissioning new series, and what shows people are talking about. This means a combination of reading industry publications such as Variety, watching television and of course water cooler talk with co-workers. Be a person with ideas, engage in conversations, and make sure your colleagues know you as someone with knowledge and opinions. 6. Go Above And Beyond Enthusiasm goes a long way, especially when you are starting out in the television industry. Offer to help out on weekend shoots for free, ask if you can sit in on edits. There are always postings on media websites looking for production assistants or producers to work unpaid on low budget documentaries or reality projects. This is a great way to build experience. The more time y

A little while back, I had an eye-opening experience during a coaching session with my Parenting Coach – Not only about parenting, but also about job search. My goal in hiring her was very measurable and explainable: Show me how to get my son to take responsibility in the morning, get dressed on his own, make his own breakfast, and get to the bus on time. I dreaded being the nagging mommy; the walking reminder who no longer engaged in conversation; the mommy who barked orders instead – “What do you mean you can’t find your socks!” I begged her to help me work myself out of a job in the morning! “Achievable?” I asked her. “You bet!”  She assured me. And, during that grueling (and, in parts, enlightening) exchange in which I took lots of notes and shed a few tears (over all my previous mistakes), I had an out-of-body, “aha” kind of moment: I had to get out of my son’s way and let him do his job. I’m an enabler. Finally, I get it. Without knowing it consciously, my son relied on me to fill his lunchbox with a healthy mix of celery (not too much) and meringues (more than one), his cereal bowl with the perfect blend of Kix and Chex, and his backpack with his logs, goodies, and notes for the teacher. He trusted that I would get him to school on time, without letting him suffer any logical or natural consequences. The morning was inadvertently a team sport; we were mutually responsible for getting him out the door on time. And, I never let him down. In the midst of my realization, it occurred to me job seekers often view job search in a similar way: a team sport. We hand off the job of “making our lunch” (getting a job) to others who say they will: Circulate our resume. Submit our resume to their corporate website. Look around for open positions for us and let us know if they see anything that looks like it would be a good match. And, we wait. We wonder when “they” are going to call. We hope our friend does, in fact, have a friend who sees our resume and jumps for joy at having been handed the Holy Grail. Unfortunately, our network isn’t always as reliable or as committed to our success as our Mommy is – no matter how hard they try. We give others too much responsibility in our job search when we need to take control of the situation. We have to take our power back. Next time you find yourself about to watch someone take your resume off to who-knows-where, try this instead: “Thank you for agreeing to share my resume with your friend at [my target company]. Would you mind sharing his/her contact info with me so that I may follow up with him/her after you share my resume?” Today, consider how you might be waiting for someone to make your lunch. Are you under functioning in the job search and hoping others will help you? Is it working? Did you give your resume to someone in hopes it would get to the “right” person. Did it? And, in case you are curious, today (with the help of my fabulous parenting coach) my son woke up to his alarm clock, made his own breakfast, packed his own lunch, and got to the bus by 8:10 AM – without a single reminder from me… OK, maybe just one. Photo Credit: Shutterstock The post What My Parenting Coach Taught Me About Job Search appeared first on CAREEREALISM.