I am going to share a personal truth I need to speak. I caught up with a friend who apologized for the feelings they had after being laid off. I was on business travel at the time of their call and unable to break to return their call. They felt uncomfortable reaching out. Feelings of guilt and shame had caused them to question their value. They were shocked about the notification that they had been made redundant, embarrassed to join the masses of underemployed, and ashamed. They were hoping for a change, but bracing for the worst. What business conditions existed to result in the end of their job was nothing compared to the personal feelings, that kept them feeling that they just lost the best thing they ever had... Fact is sometimes we forget that power of resilience, persistence, and positive activity. I would never let someone talk to my girlfriend this way, and I felt I had to also let her see the good in her was always there, and her capabilities did not take flight, only her freedom to explore whats best for her now!
This is YOUR ideal time to work on your career! So lets agree not to waste time or play "common office politics". You deserve better. And often we deceive ourselves into thinking our history is our future value. There is great opportunity to those rebels, willing to define the rules for their career and manage their professional development!
Come on Rebels, You in?? What's your career goals?? My friend, I have known you for how long?
You have worked for how many years in your industry, you care about quality and you do great things.
When we caught up there was the discussion of surprise that I still cared to talk to them. Relieved to have someone who remembers the good things they had done, and almost shocked that anyone remembers.
My friends deserve better! I have seen great successes arise out of success or adversity, sometimes we put too much emphasis on the moment and miss the journey. They deserve better than the guilt and shame they feel as a result of business change, and darn it if I am not going to be there for my friends, for your friends, and our friends to be that patient reminder, that it is not so much what is done to you as what we do to ourselves that keeps us stuck. They do the same for me.. That's what friends are for!
OUTRAGEOUS RULES FOR WORKING WITH ME: 1. I am different than the norm. I did career placement as a volunteer effort for 6 years before I chose to get paid for it. Why? I have a passion for this industry! I would do it if I were NOT paid because it makes me feel good to help employers to solve really big staffing problems, because I love to find a person who tells me "this is what I want to do", and then help them DO it!. It is my life goal to help more, partner better, and create more value those I represent!
2. Outplacement services will tell you not to discuss dollars before you know of the type of opportunity. I am a realist. Give me tools that can help you. I waste your time, my partners time and our clients time to send candidates that are not a match. When I ask for your range of salary, I am asking for a range of comfort and delight-- a tool from which I will help you. I would n't ask for it if I did not intend to use it to help you.
3. Resumes.. keep em real, keep em accurate, keep em relevant to the career opportunity you wish to attract. Need help? Check our network, your network, or me, for resources to someone who can help you shine if you fear you can not, I have many talented resume writers to refer you to.
4. References.. I know the common advise is not to offer references until you are at a bargaining table. You can trust me NOT to send your supporting career material prematurely, but you can ALSO expect me to be using the endorsements, letters of reference, etc... to help speak volumes of opportunity for you that you alone could not do. However I don't say that which I can not prove. I KNOW it is common practice to throw lots of resumes on a wall and hope something sticks, but that is not my style. I want employers to find the right candidates for their needs. I want you to be happy in the right job.. When I ask for references, it is because I want to help prepare you for the desired end result.
5. I am a master networker. I know you may have come from a place where you have to never let them see your real career goals. My industry is rewarding because it is rich in opportunity to help people achieve their objectives. Attitude is a big big part of the career search, treat me as your partner, and let me help you. My business is about relationships, I care about win win win success and will work hard to accomplish that. With your equal partnership we can do great things!
You have worked for many years in your profession, or worked hard to begin your profession-- does not matter-- if you have a quality of creating value for services, you deserve to be reminded of your value. If you need more feedback ask for it.. I won't play games, but I will support your career objectives to the best of my ability! Its good for all of us!
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