Richman: Sitting in Seattle: Advice that simply can’t wait
Richman: Sitting in Seattle: Advice that simply can’t wait
I’m sitting in an airport in Seattle, listening to my voice mail.
“I need to talk with you right away. I have an interview on Monday, and I know this is Friday afternoon, but I’m not good at interviewing, so I must have an appointment ASAP. Call me!” ...
... “My wife needs your help right away. She’s real upset because she’s afraid that she’s going to be laid off and she doesn’t know where to begin to find a job.” ...
... “I just got back from an interview that turned into a train wreck. I obviously don’t know what I’m doing and don’t know where to turn or what to do.”
I hear each concern and request for immediate help, and I want to be on the ground in North Carolina so I can assure you that everything is going to be just fine. To assure you that, yes, you can do this. That’s my first thought. My second thought is this: What do you need from me to know you can do this?
Let’s start with the basics: If you want to conduct a successful job search, prepare before you launch. Proper preparation requires time to think and space to process. Begin with a thorough self assessment: Identify your strengths, skills and values. Your strengths are what come naturally to you; the things you do because you want to, they’re easy, they’re relaxing, and you are recognized for your ability to do them. Your skills are what you’ve learned to do. You may do these tasks adequately or do them well. The significant question is: Do you enjoy doing them? If you do, they connect to your innate strengths, and you’ll easily improve in your ability to move from good to great.
Next, what do you value? Intrinsic values are intangible and provide inner satisfaction and motivation. Extrinsic values are the tangible rewards or conditions you find at work, including the physical setting, job titles, earnings and earning potential.
Honor your intrinsic needs, prioritize your extrinsic needs, connect them to your strengths and skills and you’ll be able to respond to the words that strike fear in the hearts of most job seekers: “Tell me about yourself.”
With that accomplished, you’re ready to focus on your résumé. Begin with a written objective that specifies the job you seek that connects your strengths and skills to your wants and needs. Follow with an outline of your work history that in reverse chronological order highlights the experience and accomplishments that reinforce your objective. With that done, you’re ready to network.
Contact people with whom you share strengths and values and talk about your search. Tell them what you want to do, where you want to go and how you’d like to get there. Ask for suggestions that can help you along the way. Ask for names of people you can contact who in turn might know of possible job opportunities.
Practice interviewing by role playing with trusted people willing to ask you tough questions and give you frank feedback. Incorporate their suggestions and keep practicing. Get this right and you’ll be ready for prime time.
Joyce Richman is a speaker and career coach conducting seminars and workshops throughout the United States, and the author of “Roads, Routes & Ruts: A Guidebook for Career Success.” You can reach her at 288-1799 or JERichman@aol.com. Watch Richman’s latest career advice Wednesdays at 6:35 a.m. during “The Good Morning Show” on WFMY News 2.
