I know I seem to blog about what seems to be many types of subject matter. However, as a whole they always seem to circle around back to my experiences within management. Tonight I wanted to talk about what we type on our post, threads, profiles, etc.
So many people do not take heed in what has been said countless time after time, about what they type out there in cyber land. They rant, rave, show disgruntle and disrespect to fellow contributors it is just astonishing.
I will not sit and say I never get frustrated toward what some write or share, but I do not contribute to the cause by arguing with anyone just to prove my point. It is better to walk away with my integrity in tack than to argue with someone who refuses to see the light. You know their use to be an old saying "It is hard to win a battle of wits with someone who brings a knife to a gun fight!" There is a lot of meaning in that statement. Look around and what do you see constantly on sites, social, business, whatever the network site is; people are very revealing in what they say and what they show. I realize this subject have been tackled and spoke about many times in different forums, but tonight as I was visiting one of my threads, I watched someone call their parent stupid for their advice and yet did not understand why they were unemployed.
Maybe the case is not that someone will ever notice a comment like this and many will probably just blow it off as a moment in the person's life but it still grounds to pay attention.
In regards to anyone who challenges sights that just simply writes stuff with negativity, insults, disgruntled comments, there is wisdom that can be learned for people who contribute to this enigma.
I can honestly say, I listen, and I participate in several discussion groups. You will never see the many people out there who sit in the shadows. I posted a question in a Q&A forum a while back asking HR and recruiters do they review everything about an individual on linked in and do they follow them if they are interested in them.
The response was scattered. Some stated no, some stated to some degree but do not follow since they simply did not have the time. Others stated if it is someone we are interested in we will follow them, read their profile from top to bottom, learn about them, follow their Q&A activity and watch them in their discussions. Why you might ask? Well for the most part, you are relaxed in a general setting with people of like personalities and/or like situations and cannot wait to voice your opinion. You rebut to comments made, offer suggestions, comment in general, and make jokes and other things.
There are many people sitting outside discussions shadowing and just watching never offering to say anything. These HR or recruiters get a first hand idea of the type of person you are with your communications and how you handle certain dilemmas, case studies, contributions, etc. They view if you are argumentative, caring, your style of dealing with people, if you are easily frustrated, etc. You can actually tell someone's personality simply by the way him or her write.
I literally had a firm contact me a while back and strictly indicated they read my entire profile and even read my blog and liked what they saw and contacted me. I might not have got the job, but people are watching.
I have had this discussion numerous times with my children. At their age and as internet shrewdness as one would think they are you would think they would know better. Well, they say they do know. But each time I read something on one of their sites there is always curse words, cannot wait till the weekend for partying, it’s Friday, fixing to pop a top, having dinner and drinks, downing a few brews on the lake, etc. etc. You get the idea. I cannot make them understand.
The reasoning is it is their personal site, they only let someone they know on it. As anyone with internet savvy experience and by no means am I the expert, but if it can be captured it will. If you have 200 friends, and their friends each have 200 friends do you know who their friends are especially if you have given those friends you have authority to review your profiles and photos? In a tech savvy world that we live in do people not believe companies cannot find nor have ways to get around this. Are you so cautious that you will not slip up with one contact one day who happens to be friends with the boss or someone who wants your position at work? Trust is not something to be taken lightly in the world of greed, and identity theft. There is another saying, “Keep your friends close, your enemies closer!” You might be friends with someone on your social or business site but statistics proves that the average person has a true association with about 10 people in their social settings. Can you actually keep track of 200 so called friends? Do you know each step they make? Do you read every post each one of them makes? It is quite impossible. Then parents are not well informed enough to get this through their kids minds.
In closing, I always, always watch what I write, never imposing anything on anyone, just my thoughts, never taking sides, never being negative, a know it all, or disclosing anything that I wouldn't want grandma to hear. I give truth to my opinions, back it up with many facts when in Q&A forums, straight forward, but kind. I never side with anyone since it is typically an opinion and it simply my opinion and we all have one.
I ensure everything I post is spell checked and worded correctly to the best of my ability. No, I am not an English major but I try hard to ensure it is proper. Many people will not go to all these lengths, but as it has been indicated everything you say is stuck in cyber land despite saying I will delete it; it is out there. Negatives and discontented comments should immediately be struck off by deleting. There is no need to fuel fires if at all you can help it.
One day in all of our distant futures when something we want badly enough comes knocking someone will pull out something that we said or stated and the anarchy begins. It is not like the ole days, it is way too easy to dispel someone over a simple comment.
Showing posts with label Career Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career Advice. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
If I Could Ask A Millennia One Question, What Would It Be and What is Your Reasoning for Asking
My question would be, “What’s with the ME syndrome”?
Someone has already asked about “The You Owe Me Syndrome,” which I guess can be a part of the ME syndrome.
My curiosity of why I ask this is…
Why do the Millennia feel that someone owes the “ME”? No one owes anyone anything. We are all responsible for our own destiny. The ole adage is work hard, succeed and build a life based on your choosing not based on what someone will give you. When I was growing up you could always count on people. Today’s society steered mainly by the ME attitude is that I cannot count on you unless you get something out of it. I say this with much experience. Having three children, 2 born in the mid, late 80’s, and 1 born at the beginning of the 90’s. The typical Gen Y. They were not brought up that way. They were always taught to respect everyone, lend a hand, and never put your self above the unfortunate. However, their mannerism and attitude has changed from watching their own friends take advantage of those around them. Their response is “Why shouldn’t it be about ME”? As an example, a friend who never sought pity or a handout became unemployed. As he stated, “where were my kids?” When my parents were in need, the children were there to count on so they did not lose everything they worked for all their life. At least the attempt was made to assist. Today’s ME attitude, is you are on your own. I am not saying that it is about the friend being of the ME mentality at all. He’s taken responsibility for his demise and probably would not let his kids help out because he knows they’re not in a position to help, however there is no attempt. None of them ever calls their dad and ask how are you, anything WE can do for you, do you have a place to sleep, and do you have a meal to eat. Nope, it is all about ME. ME has to go party on Friday and Saturday nights. However, ME has no problems when the father was working to come to him asking for a handout. When I got divorced and paying heavily in child support, what was the ME asking, “He doesn’t send ME any money”. They received what could be afforded. Why would you ask a ME question like that? Because they think, they’re owed something. (Note these are just examples, their own friends asked for the same handouts when their parents split up, so it is not stated for sympathy toward anyone, making one think your kids have bad values, it is all around us) Society has changed, and I realize change is good, but not at the detriment of losing value, compassion, and responsibility.
Our country was built on the complexity of WE not the simpleton of ME. It’s in the Declaration of Independence; “WE”hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. In the The Gettysburg Address; “WE" can not dedicate -- "We" can not consecrate -- "WE" can not hallow. The Constitution;"We" the people would write the law --. Do you actually think everyone will always bend to your every whim? You cannot succeed by yourself. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Maybe the Millennia’s do not understand that statement. Are they thinking they were put here to operate by themselves? Can you imagine a global retreat toward only one and everyone being that one? Not everyone can be leaders. You do have to have followers and I’m not suggesting anyone stop striving for the best or stop wanting to become a leader, but what are you going to do when everyone you attempt to lead chooses not to follow because they think along the same lines as “You didn’t hear me say WE, I said ME”? What will you do? What will you do when things do not go your way? In the job force, when you clash or don’t like the job being given, are you merely going to say, “this is not a WE society, this is about the ME society”?
Team effort is about WE not about ME doing it your way. You won’t survive under that analogy. When the top boss says do it his way, it is his company and the team says, I don’t think so, this is not a WE group this about you, you know the one that stresses ME so much and now the team says WE are going home, now you’ll find out just what ME means, because there is a now a truth to the ME. ME has to get it done or ME won’t be around for long. See the same can be used about the friends. When it becomes a WE and they say na, it’s all about ME and leave you to bask in the agony of defeit you’ll find our just what ME is truly all about.
In the movie Wall Street where Michael Douglas playing the role as Gordon Gecko says, “Greed is good.” He may be correct, and honestly, I do not see anything wrong with greed if it is handled in the right light. However, to say greed for ME does not include WE? Imagine in a greed for ME world, every ME wants what you have because you owe them.
Give some thought about the ME syndrome, and remember if you’re thinking it’s all about ME, what are your friends thinking about, are they your friends or are they simply leading you to get what they want. When it comes to ME, there are no friends, there will be no one to count on, no one to turn to, and the world will turn away because all will have the same attitude, “The WE society is dead, and it’s all about ME!” Think about it!
Lastly, being part of the ME syndrome and not willing to start at the bottom, wanting to start at the top; you’ll never be able to run, if the ME’s do not know how to crawl or walk! Without paying your dues, you are definitely setting ME up for failure! Life goes on but will you?
Someone has already asked about “The You Owe Me Syndrome,” which I guess can be a part of the ME syndrome.
My curiosity of why I ask this is…
Why do the Millennia feel that someone owes the “ME”? No one owes anyone anything. We are all responsible for our own destiny. The ole adage is work hard, succeed and build a life based on your choosing not based on what someone will give you. When I was growing up you could always count on people. Today’s society steered mainly by the ME attitude is that I cannot count on you unless you get something out of it. I say this with much experience. Having three children, 2 born in the mid, late 80’s, and 1 born at the beginning of the 90’s. The typical Gen Y. They were not brought up that way. They were always taught to respect everyone, lend a hand, and never put your self above the unfortunate. However, their mannerism and attitude has changed from watching their own friends take advantage of those around them. Their response is “Why shouldn’t it be about ME”? As an example, a friend who never sought pity or a handout became unemployed. As he stated, “where were my kids?” When my parents were in need, the children were there to count on so they did not lose everything they worked for all their life. At least the attempt was made to assist. Today’s ME attitude, is you are on your own. I am not saying that it is about the friend being of the ME mentality at all. He’s taken responsibility for his demise and probably would not let his kids help out because he knows they’re not in a position to help, however there is no attempt. None of them ever calls their dad and ask how are you, anything WE can do for you, do you have a place to sleep, and do you have a meal to eat. Nope, it is all about ME. ME has to go party on Friday and Saturday nights. However, ME has no problems when the father was working to come to him asking for a handout. When I got divorced and paying heavily in child support, what was the ME asking, “He doesn’t send ME any money”. They received what could be afforded. Why would you ask a ME question like that? Because they think, they’re owed something. (Note these are just examples, their own friends asked for the same handouts when their parents split up, so it is not stated for sympathy toward anyone, making one think your kids have bad values, it is all around us) Society has changed, and I realize change is good, but not at the detriment of losing value, compassion, and responsibility.
Our country was built on the complexity of WE not the simpleton of ME. It’s in the Declaration of Independence; “WE”hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. In the The Gettysburg Address; “WE" can not dedicate -- "We" can not consecrate -- "WE" can not hallow. The Constitution;"We" the people would write the law --. Do you actually think everyone will always bend to your every whim? You cannot succeed by yourself. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Maybe the Millennia’s do not understand that statement. Are they thinking they were put here to operate by themselves? Can you imagine a global retreat toward only one and everyone being that one? Not everyone can be leaders. You do have to have followers and I’m not suggesting anyone stop striving for the best or stop wanting to become a leader, but what are you going to do when everyone you attempt to lead chooses not to follow because they think along the same lines as “You didn’t hear me say WE, I said ME”? What will you do? What will you do when things do not go your way? In the job force, when you clash or don’t like the job being given, are you merely going to say, “this is not a WE society, this is about the ME society”?
Team effort is about WE not about ME doing it your way. You won’t survive under that analogy. When the top boss says do it his way, it is his company and the team says, I don’t think so, this is not a WE group this about you, you know the one that stresses ME so much and now the team says WE are going home, now you’ll find out just what ME means, because there is a now a truth to the ME. ME has to get it done or ME won’t be around for long. See the same can be used about the friends. When it becomes a WE and they say na, it’s all about ME and leave you to bask in the agony of defeit you’ll find our just what ME is truly all about.
In the movie Wall Street where Michael Douglas playing the role as Gordon Gecko says, “Greed is good.” He may be correct, and honestly, I do not see anything wrong with greed if it is handled in the right light. However, to say greed for ME does not include WE? Imagine in a greed for ME world, every ME wants what you have because you owe them.
Give some thought about the ME syndrome, and remember if you’re thinking it’s all about ME, what are your friends thinking about, are they your friends or are they simply leading you to get what they want. When it comes to ME, there are no friends, there will be no one to count on, no one to turn to, and the world will turn away because all will have the same attitude, “The WE society is dead, and it’s all about ME!” Think about it!
Lastly, being part of the ME syndrome and not willing to start at the bottom, wanting to start at the top; you’ll never be able to run, if the ME’s do not know how to crawl or walk! Without paying your dues, you are definitely setting ME up for failure! Life goes on but will you?
So You Want to Manage/Supervise People? Is It Not Because of Getting More Money?
You're also asking what are the headaches of supervising People? What would you recomment to people before they take on a supervising position? What are the benefits of managing people compared to a position where you just manage yourself?
It's all in the following.... Read on!
Managing and supervising people is not always about the money. It is as if leading a squadron into battle, are you ready to take on more being a leader? Many decisions lie upon your lead, your direction. I enjoy being a manager/supervisor. Do not always care for the politics, but with every good, there does come evil. You have to accept and move on or retreat to a different position. The ultimate victory is to achieve a win/win scenario. Not always an easy task. You do have to combine your leadership tactics with a servant’s attitude. You have to be ready to please all sides, your upper leadership giving you expectations and their direction as well as your subordinates ensuring they understand your direction and expectations. Again not always an easy task.
I feel it is the ability of being a contributor, a decision maker. Being there to help make a difference and rise to the level beyond bureaucracy, possibly influencing the decision making process. Sure, you can always offer ideas in any position and many just want to be the follower. Getting people involved is like a village raising a child. Motivating, achieving the uncertain. You cannot be indecisive; you have to be a quick study, know what is being asked of you and know without a doubt that you are going to succeed. In most cases, you do not have a choice but to succeed. That is what makes it interesting and forthcoming. A challenge. We are challenged everyday we awake. However, more so working with people to push an idea through, get it noticed, complete a job, and bask in the unknown. Be the one who made it work. I am not talking about recognition. That is another story or question. It’s helping, it’s assisting, it’s building, it‘s teaching, it‘s succeeding. Like an engineer who creates something from the bottom up and gets the joys by seeing it function. Being a manager and/or supervisor is the same joy. Sure, you have bad apples, what baskets do not have one that spoils. What project in an engineer’s eye will not have a bad bolt or screw? Nevertheless, you get the opportunity to watch your department, your business, your district, your people grow and achieve and feel good about being part of that and steering it toward success.
What are the benefits of managing others compared to managing yourself?
It is different but not very different. As a team you work together, you have group input, you are the person who keeps things under control. You manage the time and the final decisions. Managing yourself, you have to have just as much initiative and ambition to complete the task on time successfully, on schedule within guidelines given. You have the reigns so to speak to motivate others who unlike you might see things differently. You can drive hard and the results achieved are slightly different. You choose to motivate yourself regarding time as long as it is completed within the expected time frame. Not so much leading a group. You have to prod some to stay on task, to meet target and you have to accept responsibility for others. For yourself you accept responsibility for yourself. With teams, you have to depend on others, their direction, their uncertainties and certainties. With steering yourself you are either confident in your own decisions or not. Like a battlefield, you make the call, and you hope it is the right call and your troops will follow you into battle. With yourself, you depend on yourself. At the end, it all depends upon your comfort zone. Are you willing to step out the box and be challenged with your team or would you rather relinquish success to just yourself. Everyone has their own reasoning’s for doing and choosing what they do.
What would you recommend to people before they take on a supervising position?
I do believe managing and supervising is not for everyone. I do think it takes a certain type of person that must want to do it; there must be an inert feeling that drives them toward such a success. Managing people comes in many different styles. No one style will work best for every situation. Know your strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Continually learn, read books, white papers, publications in management and utilize self help to personally grow yourself, take advantage of all learning tools, never stop learning and achieving the unexpected, but don’t stop there enable your people to grow too. Get them involved in learning to become better. The more they become better the better you will become. Learn to build trust. Trust is enabled by truth. Building trust can be as easy as delegating, which frees up your time for other opportunities that need attention. However, know the ones you delegate. Know that you can depend on them and let them know you have their back and they will have your back. Learn that there are different styles of management.
Expect challenges and disagreements. Learn how to handle and at times get around them. Learn to have thick skin. Not every personality will click with yours or yours with theirs. Do know that as a manager you are accepting a higher level of expectations, and responsibility. Learn to set yourself and your employees goals. This gives everyone an opportunity to strive. It puts people on a level playing field seeking to achieve what is expected of them.
Do know as a manager/supervisor you have to be a people person to the extent of Human Resource management. You will undoubtedly come against some of the best people in your field but you will also come against some of the most unruly people at times. You have to know what to do and how to handle situations without being judgmental and defensive. Oh it is so easy to become defensive when backed into a corner. Are you ready for this. You are not always going to be right.
In addition, you have to be a good and effective communicator. You have to provide a positive and safe work environment. It all lies on you. Are you ready to handle the stress?
In the end, it does not hurt to have a mentor, someone you can seek advice from and learn, but never be something you are not. Do not be a fake. Be upfront, truthful, and transparent. You will learn your own style of managing in time but do not be a copycat. Your employees need to know what expectations are required of them and how to achieve them.
Below is some great reads that if you want to be successful at managing/supervising I suggest you consider these.
1.The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell
2.How to Manage People (Creating Success)
3.Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...
4.It's Your Ship
5.You Lead, They'll Follow: How to Inspire, Lead and Manage People.
I also recommend reads by Zig Ziglar and one person I recommend reading his techniques and is known as the granddaddy to leadership and management is Peter Drucker. There are many books written by him in his time. He had the foresight to see things as they changed.
It's all in the following.... Read on!
Managing and supervising people is not always about the money. It is as if leading a squadron into battle, are you ready to take on more being a leader? Many decisions lie upon your lead, your direction. I enjoy being a manager/supervisor. Do not always care for the politics, but with every good, there does come evil. You have to accept and move on or retreat to a different position. The ultimate victory is to achieve a win/win scenario. Not always an easy task. You do have to combine your leadership tactics with a servant’s attitude. You have to be ready to please all sides, your upper leadership giving you expectations and their direction as well as your subordinates ensuring they understand your direction and expectations. Again not always an easy task.
I feel it is the ability of being a contributor, a decision maker. Being there to help make a difference and rise to the level beyond bureaucracy, possibly influencing the decision making process. Sure, you can always offer ideas in any position and many just want to be the follower. Getting people involved is like a village raising a child. Motivating, achieving the uncertain. You cannot be indecisive; you have to be a quick study, know what is being asked of you and know without a doubt that you are going to succeed. In most cases, you do not have a choice but to succeed. That is what makes it interesting and forthcoming. A challenge. We are challenged everyday we awake. However, more so working with people to push an idea through, get it noticed, complete a job, and bask in the unknown. Be the one who made it work. I am not talking about recognition. That is another story or question. It’s helping, it’s assisting, it’s building, it‘s teaching, it‘s succeeding. Like an engineer who creates something from the bottom up and gets the joys by seeing it function. Being a manager and/or supervisor is the same joy. Sure, you have bad apples, what baskets do not have one that spoils. What project in an engineer’s eye will not have a bad bolt or screw? Nevertheless, you get the opportunity to watch your department, your business, your district, your people grow and achieve and feel good about being part of that and steering it toward success.
What are the benefits of managing others compared to managing yourself?
It is different but not very different. As a team you work together, you have group input, you are the person who keeps things under control. You manage the time and the final decisions. Managing yourself, you have to have just as much initiative and ambition to complete the task on time successfully, on schedule within guidelines given. You have the reigns so to speak to motivate others who unlike you might see things differently. You can drive hard and the results achieved are slightly different. You choose to motivate yourself regarding time as long as it is completed within the expected time frame. Not so much leading a group. You have to prod some to stay on task, to meet target and you have to accept responsibility for others. For yourself you accept responsibility for yourself. With teams, you have to depend on others, their direction, their uncertainties and certainties. With steering yourself you are either confident in your own decisions or not. Like a battlefield, you make the call, and you hope it is the right call and your troops will follow you into battle. With yourself, you depend on yourself. At the end, it all depends upon your comfort zone. Are you willing to step out the box and be challenged with your team or would you rather relinquish success to just yourself. Everyone has their own reasoning’s for doing and choosing what they do.
What would you recommend to people before they take on a supervising position?
I do believe managing and supervising is not for everyone. I do think it takes a certain type of person that must want to do it; there must be an inert feeling that drives them toward such a success. Managing people comes in many different styles. No one style will work best for every situation. Know your strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Continually learn, read books, white papers, publications in management and utilize self help to personally grow yourself, take advantage of all learning tools, never stop learning and achieving the unexpected, but don’t stop there enable your people to grow too. Get them involved in learning to become better. The more they become better the better you will become. Learn to build trust. Trust is enabled by truth. Building trust can be as easy as delegating, which frees up your time for other opportunities that need attention. However, know the ones you delegate. Know that you can depend on them and let them know you have their back and they will have your back. Learn that there are different styles of management.
Expect challenges and disagreements. Learn how to handle and at times get around them. Learn to have thick skin. Not every personality will click with yours or yours with theirs. Do know that as a manager you are accepting a higher level of expectations, and responsibility. Learn to set yourself and your employees goals. This gives everyone an opportunity to strive. It puts people on a level playing field seeking to achieve what is expected of them.
Do know as a manager/supervisor you have to be a people person to the extent of Human Resource management. You will undoubtedly come against some of the best people in your field but you will also come against some of the most unruly people at times. You have to know what to do and how to handle situations without being judgmental and defensive. Oh it is so easy to become defensive when backed into a corner. Are you ready for this. You are not always going to be right.
In addition, you have to be a good and effective communicator. You have to provide a positive and safe work environment. It all lies on you. Are you ready to handle the stress?
In the end, it does not hurt to have a mentor, someone you can seek advice from and learn, but never be something you are not. Do not be a fake. Be upfront, truthful, and transparent. You will learn your own style of managing in time but do not be a copycat. Your employees need to know what expectations are required of them and how to achieve them.
Below is some great reads that if you want to be successful at managing/supervising I suggest you consider these.
1.The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell
2.How to Manage People (Creating Success)
3.Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...
4.It's Your Ship
5.You Lead, They'll Follow: How to Inspire, Lead and Manage People.
I also recommend reads by Zig Ziglar and one person I recommend reading his techniques and is known as the granddaddy to leadership and management is Peter Drucker. There are many books written by him in his time. He had the foresight to see things as they changed.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Selling Yourself
During a Discussion I was having the conversation tip toward interviewing, here's what I said.
A sharing moment- As George said we are all salesperson. Most people IMHO do not know how to sell anything let alone selling themselves. Why would they. If all you have ever done were work a lathe 20 years, how would you even begin to sell something you know nothing about? Ever looked at a site where they have a title called "About Me"? What I have seen in those sections is, "I have a hard time talking about myself so if you want to know something just ask". Clear indication they do not even know about their own product "themselves". In my opinion, you can have the best-looking resume, but if you cannot tell someone about you, yourself, your resume is a waste of time. It is just pretty words you cannot backup. All throughout my career, I have been told I need public speaking classes to help me relax when I speak. I have gotten a zillion times better over time because like anything else you have to practice and familiarize yourself with what you are speaking or selling. In my case, it helped me when I was tied to sales. Although my experience has always been in management, sales was a new area to tackle. However, once you are forced to talk to clients and you do not want to screw it up you learn real quick what you say can win the client or lose them. As someone told me not to long ago, think about your interview as a sales call and think of it as you have a resource you are selling to a client that has a need and you have the resolution to that need.
In Mark D's mantra response to himself, one thing I always think of is the little train that could. I think I can I think I can I think I can and eventually you'll say I know I can I know I can.
As in sales, I have made myself numerous study sheets for my product "ME". I have my elevator pitch that I study constantly so it does not come off as just something I memorized. I want it to be as natural as if I did it today, yesterday or tomorrow. I've reviewed my resume in and out and anything that sparks a potential tell me about a time... or tell me about.... I have a list of the words, I know what I did, but I also know the definition to those words so I know if I'm thrown a curve ball I am still able to reference my answers in my mind as to what is it they're really wanting to know. 2ndly, I also have a list of questions that I am familiar with that most of the time you are asked during an interview. I have studied these in and out with not just an answer but with live examples when things happen to me. I cannot tell you how many times I interviewed someone and when asking a question the response is, “um I can’t think of anything”. I have fallen short to that myself on occasions, which is why I came up with my own study guide. I carry it with me everywhere I go and when I have down time I study, study study.
Here are a couple of other things that might help someone. Others may say different or similar, but do you know a couple of things that will hamper an interview? The word "UM" or using the word "uh". Use it throughout your conversation as in every other word because yes they know you are nervous but it shows you are not sure of what you are saying. In addition, do you know why speakers will use the phrase "that's a very good question"? Typically because they don't have an answer to what is being asked so this gives the person just enough time so to speak for the mind to sort through all this information and come up with the answer to what is being asked.
Lastly, when your interviewer ask you tell me about yourself. In my experience and all the seminars and on behavioral interviewing I have always been taught do not tell them about your kids in little league, you wife how you love her apple pie, and how you just love sitting around watching football or NASCAR. This is not what they are asking. What they want to know is “tell me about you, professionally” not personally. These are tips I have learned over time that has worked for me. I am not a recruiter and play a terrible one online, but you would be surprised how simple little tips can make or break an interview. Although, I am clearly not a pro at this and I still stumble more so than most, I am still learning.
Bottom line is study, prepare, study, prepare.
A sharing moment- As George said we are all salesperson. Most people IMHO do not know how to sell anything let alone selling themselves. Why would they. If all you have ever done were work a lathe 20 years, how would you even begin to sell something you know nothing about? Ever looked at a site where they have a title called "About Me"? What I have seen in those sections is, "I have a hard time talking about myself so if you want to know something just ask". Clear indication they do not even know about their own product "themselves". In my opinion, you can have the best-looking resume, but if you cannot tell someone about you, yourself, your resume is a waste of time. It is just pretty words you cannot backup. All throughout my career, I have been told I need public speaking classes to help me relax when I speak. I have gotten a zillion times better over time because like anything else you have to practice and familiarize yourself with what you are speaking or selling. In my case, it helped me when I was tied to sales. Although my experience has always been in management, sales was a new area to tackle. However, once you are forced to talk to clients and you do not want to screw it up you learn real quick what you say can win the client or lose them. As someone told me not to long ago, think about your interview as a sales call and think of it as you have a resource you are selling to a client that has a need and you have the resolution to that need.
In Mark D's mantra response to himself, one thing I always think of is the little train that could. I think I can I think I can I think I can and eventually you'll say I know I can I know I can.
As in sales, I have made myself numerous study sheets for my product "ME". I have my elevator pitch that I study constantly so it does not come off as just something I memorized. I want it to be as natural as if I did it today, yesterday or tomorrow. I've reviewed my resume in and out and anything that sparks a potential tell me about a time... or tell me about.... I have a list of the words, I know what I did, but I also know the definition to those words so I know if I'm thrown a curve ball I am still able to reference my answers in my mind as to what is it they're really wanting to know. 2ndly, I also have a list of questions that I am familiar with that most of the time you are asked during an interview. I have studied these in and out with not just an answer but with live examples when things happen to me. I cannot tell you how many times I interviewed someone and when asking a question the response is, “um I can’t think of anything”. I have fallen short to that myself on occasions, which is why I came up with my own study guide. I carry it with me everywhere I go and when I have down time I study, study study.
Here are a couple of other things that might help someone. Others may say different or similar, but do you know a couple of things that will hamper an interview? The word "UM" or using the word "uh". Use it throughout your conversation as in every other word because yes they know you are nervous but it shows you are not sure of what you are saying. In addition, do you know why speakers will use the phrase "that's a very good question"? Typically because they don't have an answer to what is being asked so this gives the person just enough time so to speak for the mind to sort through all this information and come up with the answer to what is being asked.
Lastly, when your interviewer ask you tell me about yourself. In my experience and all the seminars and on behavioral interviewing I have always been taught do not tell them about your kids in little league, you wife how you love her apple pie, and how you just love sitting around watching football or NASCAR. This is not what they are asking. What they want to know is “tell me about you, professionally” not personally. These are tips I have learned over time that has worked for me. I am not a recruiter and play a terrible one online, but you would be surprised how simple little tips can make or break an interview. Although, I am clearly not a pro at this and I still stumble more so than most, I am still learning.
Bottom line is study, prepare, study, prepare.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Are You A Trader?
One thing I've learned in management is keeping up with change. Change means learning and reading. I talked about learning in an earlier blog referencing the never stop learning in your career/on the job synopsis. And I covered areas such as having Google and Wikipedia by your side. This article talks about reading material.
With such an array of things to read one thing I've taken interest toward is downloads from Trader.com. They constantly are offering white papers, articles and even book orderings on their site. And the best thing are they're free. Well the white papers and articles are and as for as the books you can usually download them as a summary. Here's a few good one's I've come across and are good reads and once you download them you have them on file for future use. If you're like me these items are like gold. You can reference them and keep up with many areas of business from recognized authors and even some that aren't publicly recognized but have managed to get published. Oh yes the articles are:
"Customer Relationship Management: Secrets to CRM Success", from Microsoft Corporation.
"PCI Compliance for Dummies", from Qualys, Inc.
"Integrated Business Planning: Redesigning Planning for a More Dynamic Business Environment", from Infor.
"Hosted CRM Comparison Guide", from Tippit, Inc..
These are just a few I've come across. Now you might not be involved in particular subjects, but it makes great reading material and let's face it if you have something to offer during a meeting or a conference that you might have learned from a simple download, wasn't it worth the few minutes of effort?
Remember it's like all the meetings and training you've ever attended. If you've walked away with one thing that you've learned, it was worth the investment!
Sometimes it's worth being a Trader :)
With such an array of things to read one thing I've taken interest toward is downloads from Trader.com. They constantly are offering white papers, articles and even book orderings on their site. And the best thing are they're free. Well the white papers and articles are and as for as the books you can usually download them as a summary. Here's a few good one's I've come across and are good reads and once you download them you have them on file for future use. If you're like me these items are like gold. You can reference them and keep up with many areas of business from recognized authors and even some that aren't publicly recognized but have managed to get published. Oh yes the articles are:
"Customer Relationship Management: Secrets to CRM Success", from Microsoft Corporation.
"PCI Compliance for Dummies", from Qualys, Inc.
"Integrated Business Planning: Redesigning Planning for a More Dynamic Business Environment", from Infor.
"Hosted CRM Comparison Guide", from Tippit, Inc..
These are just a few I've come across. Now you might not be involved in particular subjects, but it makes great reading material and let's face it if you have something to offer during a meeting or a conference that you might have learned from a simple download, wasn't it worth the few minutes of effort?
Remember it's like all the meetings and training you've ever attended. If you've walked away with one thing that you've learned, it was worth the investment!
Sometimes it's worth being a Trader :)
Don't Leave Home Without It
The more I watch and learn, I'm fascinated by the tools we're so getting use to utilizing in today's technology. Over the vast amount of time I've spent setting up accounts, googling, and blogging I've noticed 3 things that appears to be needed by every good manager. And you should consider having them at your right hand each and every time you're involved with social media. Dictionary.com, Wikipedia.com, and Google.
I've watch in real life so many managers try to make a point by email, phone call and even in their own blogs and of course at sales meetings, company meetings, presentations, etc. not having all the information they need to speak on a subject. How embarrassing in most cases, and can I say a lot rides on your reputation. Ever receive an email where someone didn't bother to use spell check? I know we're not in a spelling bee, but really folks I find one of the most embarrassing areas you can hurt your reputation is by demolishing the English language. It may hurt when you're trying to pronounce something but you can usually give credit for at least trying. Spelling and English on the other hand when in writing form takes on a whole new era.
That's where Dictionary.com, Wikipedia.com and Google come in. It doesn't take no time to call up a word that you're not familiar with quickly learn the definition to it and find out whether it should be used in your sentence. If you have to know more about a particular subject how easy it is from the prehistoric days of encyclopedias to call something up and read through it and learn more about what you're speaking about. And as for as for Google, you have to give these guys a lot of credit for coming up with this search engine. Just ask a question and BAM you're taken to ultimate sites to choose from that allows you to become more inquisitive and knowledgeable.
I can only imagine the generation of the year 2020 and beyond and maybe sooner than that never having to bring home a textbook again. It's all there right in front of your eyes. If you can't use it you just might want to consider maybe going fishing, knitting, or something where you don't need a whole lot of energy to pull something up that's not related to the computer generation.
It's my belief that these 3 items are a give me for every professional to live by when dealing with social media and it doesn't hurt to have it with you in all your writings whether email, word processing, blogging or whatever your niche' is. Honestly I can't live without them.
Have a, Dictionary thought, Wiki-moment, and a Googly Day!!!
I've watch in real life so many managers try to make a point by email, phone call and even in their own blogs and of course at sales meetings, company meetings, presentations, etc. not having all the information they need to speak on a subject. How embarrassing in most cases, and can I say a lot rides on your reputation. Ever receive an email where someone didn't bother to use spell check? I know we're not in a spelling bee, but really folks I find one of the most embarrassing areas you can hurt your reputation is by demolishing the English language. It may hurt when you're trying to pronounce something but you can usually give credit for at least trying. Spelling and English on the other hand when in writing form takes on a whole new era.
That's where Dictionary.com, Wikipedia.com and Google come in. It doesn't take no time to call up a word that you're not familiar with quickly learn the definition to it and find out whether it should be used in your sentence. If you have to know more about a particular subject how easy it is from the prehistoric days of encyclopedias to call something up and read through it and learn more about what you're speaking about. And as for as for Google, you have to give these guys a lot of credit for coming up with this search engine. Just ask a question and BAM you're taken to ultimate sites to choose from that allows you to become more inquisitive and knowledgeable.
I can only imagine the generation of the year 2020 and beyond and maybe sooner than that never having to bring home a textbook again. It's all there right in front of your eyes. If you can't use it you just might want to consider maybe going fishing, knitting, or something where you don't need a whole lot of energy to pull something up that's not related to the computer generation.
It's my belief that these 3 items are a give me for every professional to live by when dealing with social media and it doesn't hurt to have it with you in all your writings whether email, word processing, blogging or whatever your niche' is. Honestly I can't live without them.
Have a, Dictionary thought, Wiki-moment, and a Googly Day!!!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
How Bad Do You Want that Career
Ok folks it's my chance to offer my thoughts in this New World of employment. And let me begin by asking how bad do you really want that career, job, position? Can you taste it? Will you go the extra mile? Think you can breath, eat and be the company man like your employer wants you to be?
Now don't get me wrong I'm not sitting here saying you have to devote every working minute to your employer, but it helps! I came from a small family that didn't have the income to send every kid to school for a formal education. When you grow up in a small town and raised by a single mother and your main objective is you have to work to survive sometimes higher education takes a back seat. However don't go for a minute and think that you have to give up. My motto, is never ever give up and as I say on my profile, "Failure is not an option".
I know some think well why didn't you go after you left home. Fair question, but like most kids we find that special someone and devote out lifetime to them, have kids, buy a house and strive for the great American dream. I did manage to get into the university where I grew up and even a vocational institute where I gained some educational backing. But other difficulties prevailed and time was limited during that time period. But again I never gave up.
I took full advantage of my employers ability to teach me everything I could grasp and I continue doing it today. Go ahead read my profile. I'm very proud where I started and where I'm at today. I know people that actually have college educations that are still trying to reach for the top and haven't made it passed the door entrance.
What I'm saying is I didn't wait for anyone to tell me to learn. I might have had some difficulties completing a degree but I never stopped learning. I spent many days coming in early, staying late on my own dime, learning. I've gone from department to department sitting, watching and asking questions and taking notes only to learn from my skilled peers in areas that I didn't work in but knew the more I knew the better I could do my job and my bosses would see I was serious about working. You can't be scared to put on a pair of overalls and get your hands dirty. In fact, getting your hands dirty actually better prepares you for the jobs down the road, whether it's a higher position working on a technological break through or a cushy office job, or a Senior Management role. It all plays it's part. To many times I've seen people get into a rut and say oh I can't do that, I didn't go to school to do that sort of thing. Sometimes it's worth putting your pride aside just to benefit yourself down the road.
You see I take my career more serious than most, and I must say I'm not conceded but I haven't done bad at all. Make it a point to show your employers how serious you are. Do the job you're expected to do but never stop learning. Every day is a new adventure in educating yourself. Take note everything you do or even asked to do has value and adds value. Keep track of your numbers. Know what you've done to help your company succeed. Know the capabilities of the people who work for you and what they have to offer. Get involved. Don't wait for someone to come to you and say you deserve a promotion. Sure that may happen but why wait for it. Our employers hire us for value. What can we bring to the table. What do we have to offer. How can they benefit from hiring us. You see I've always had the attitude the world doesn't owe me anything, however there's a lot of world out there and if I don't get my piece, someone else will.
I can say there's no employer that's ever hired me and hasn't received their value for hiring me. Their investment paid tri-fold and sometimes a lot more. I want my employers to know by hiring me they're not only making an investment, they've made the right choice. Learn to give it your all. Always keep in mind the child's fable about the "Little Engine that Could". That in itself is a life long educational story everyone can learn from. One of my all time favorite mentors is Donald Trump. Not for the shows he now plays on, but the idea that he doesn't sit around and wait on people. He goes out and makes his own path. He learns what he needs to learn for the task he about to take on and he goes for it.
If my employer asked me what's the best thing about myself, I'd have to reply that I am a go-getter. I'm there to bring value to who I'm working for. I never give up. The task at hand is nothing more than trial toward the reward.
You have to go out and make your own path in life, you can't wait for life to make a path to your door. Take the bull by the horns and wrestle with it but keep in mind you're not going to let it defeat you. Know you're a conqueror, an over-comer, your problems or inaccuracies did not come to stay, they came to pass. Know you're destined for victory.
Until we meet again!
Now don't get me wrong I'm not sitting here saying you have to devote every working minute to your employer, but it helps! I came from a small family that didn't have the income to send every kid to school for a formal education. When you grow up in a small town and raised by a single mother and your main objective is you have to work to survive sometimes higher education takes a back seat. However don't go for a minute and think that you have to give up. My motto, is never ever give up and as I say on my profile, "Failure is not an option".
I know some think well why didn't you go after you left home. Fair question, but like most kids we find that special someone and devote out lifetime to them, have kids, buy a house and strive for the great American dream. I did manage to get into the university where I grew up and even a vocational institute where I gained some educational backing. But other difficulties prevailed and time was limited during that time period. But again I never gave up.
I took full advantage of my employers ability to teach me everything I could grasp and I continue doing it today. Go ahead read my profile. I'm very proud where I started and where I'm at today. I know people that actually have college educations that are still trying to reach for the top and haven't made it passed the door entrance.
What I'm saying is I didn't wait for anyone to tell me to learn. I might have had some difficulties completing a degree but I never stopped learning. I spent many days coming in early, staying late on my own dime, learning. I've gone from department to department sitting, watching and asking questions and taking notes only to learn from my skilled peers in areas that I didn't work in but knew the more I knew the better I could do my job and my bosses would see I was serious about working. You can't be scared to put on a pair of overalls and get your hands dirty. In fact, getting your hands dirty actually better prepares you for the jobs down the road, whether it's a higher position working on a technological break through or a cushy office job, or a Senior Management role. It all plays it's part. To many times I've seen people get into a rut and say oh I can't do that, I didn't go to school to do that sort of thing. Sometimes it's worth putting your pride aside just to benefit yourself down the road.
You see I take my career more serious than most, and I must say I'm not conceded but I haven't done bad at all. Make it a point to show your employers how serious you are. Do the job you're expected to do but never stop learning. Every day is a new adventure in educating yourself. Take note everything you do or even asked to do has value and adds value. Keep track of your numbers. Know what you've done to help your company succeed. Know the capabilities of the people who work for you and what they have to offer. Get involved. Don't wait for someone to come to you and say you deserve a promotion. Sure that may happen but why wait for it. Our employers hire us for value. What can we bring to the table. What do we have to offer. How can they benefit from hiring us. You see I've always had the attitude the world doesn't owe me anything, however there's a lot of world out there and if I don't get my piece, someone else will.
I can say there's no employer that's ever hired me and hasn't received their value for hiring me. Their investment paid tri-fold and sometimes a lot more. I want my employers to know by hiring me they're not only making an investment, they've made the right choice. Learn to give it your all. Always keep in mind the child's fable about the "Little Engine that Could". That in itself is a life long educational story everyone can learn from. One of my all time favorite mentors is Donald Trump. Not for the shows he now plays on, but the idea that he doesn't sit around and wait on people. He goes out and makes his own path. He learns what he needs to learn for the task he about to take on and he goes for it.
If my employer asked me what's the best thing about myself, I'd have to reply that I am a go-getter. I'm there to bring value to who I'm working for. I never give up. The task at hand is nothing more than trial toward the reward.
You have to go out and make your own path in life, you can't wait for life to make a path to your door. Take the bull by the horns and wrestle with it but keep in mind you're not going to let it defeat you. Know you're a conqueror, an over-comer, your problems or inaccuracies did not come to stay, they came to pass. Know you're destined for victory.
Until we meet again!
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