Lessons from Darwin

In the midst of the current downturn, there is a cause for celebration in academic circles: Scientists and historians are raising a glass to the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the evolutionary biologist who brought the concept of "survival of the fittest" into popular culture.

As companies and countries across the globe struggle to find their economic footing, the commemoration feels like a strange reality tv show event to me: Will the outcome of this current market be a changed job market in which only the strongest and most compelling candidates can survive?

In this market, does the process of self-assessment and "finding your fit" fall by the wayside: Does necessity trump career exploration? Is it best to take a job--any job--that comes your way? I don't think so.

I'm no evolutionary biologist by training, but it seems to me that you are more likely to survive in any given position if it allows you to play your natural strengths. Career exploration--and knowing what you do well is a key component of any job search. So is having a great mentor.

Want proof? Take a look at how Darwin's career evolved: before he became known for his groundbreaking research on the H.M.S. Beagle, he made attempts at medical school and studied to become a minister.

How are you positioning yourself to survive the downturn? Will you involve others in your search process? Or will you go it alone? Is your current approach working for you?

Let me know if I can help.

To your success,
Chandlee

(I learned of Darwin's experience through my former supervisor, Patricia Rose, Director of Career Services at University of Pennsylvania, who has been a mentor to me and countless students and employees. Thanks, Pat!)

Why "Fit" Should Come Before "Foot"

You may recently have noticed a new slogan for this blog "Put your best fit forward." It's the essence of my philosophy in four short words.

As I see it, any job search is a dance between the job seeker and the potential employer, and in the end, there are two decisions to be made.

From the employer's perspective, comes the first decision: Are your skills and experiences aligned with organizational needs, and will you fit into the culture?

Decision the second: Is the position right for you? Does the work involved align with your goals and interests? Does the workplace culture feel like a fit to you?

All too often, job seekers place far more emphasis on the employer's decision than their own. Certainly, employers frequently appear to have more power in terms of the first decision--after all, they are the ones who evaluate all the candidates and extend an offer...

But the choice of where you want to work is also very much on the table in any job offer. The economics of supply and demand and your own fiscal reality may make your workplace preference seem like less of a choice, but whether or not you want to accept an offer is virtually always your choice to make.

A bad fit can have many unintended consequences, ranging from simple incompatibility of work style to major philosophical differences and a lack of enjoyment for how you spend much of your waking hours?

Heather Huhman, a careers expert at the Examiner, is running a great series on how to evaluate employers for how well they fit your needs. Here's a link to the first installment. Read on, and share your stories of occasions when you put your "best fit" forward and when you didn't...

A Late Bloomer Learns How to Make a New Year's Resolution

Recently, author Stephen Shapiro shared some surprising findings on New Year's Resolutions:

It appears that the younger you are, the more likely you are to achieve your resolutions.

39% of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.

Less than 15% of those over 50 achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.

If you clicked through to read Shapiro's extended findings and you aren't in your 20's, and you saw the statistic that only about 8% of those who make resolutions consistently achieve them--do not give up on a big goal.

Pick up the phone or turn to your partner and enlist their encouragement. You are much more likely to achieve your goals if you share them--and set them in tandem with someone else. This is how Weight Watchers stays in business.

I share this advice with confidence and conviction. I have tried and failed to achieve resolutions in the past, but this year was a watershed moment: I've found personal success using the collaborative approach.

Prior to 2008, I had unfulfilled dreams of writing about careers in a public forum, but I was stuck in an inner battle between my social self and my quiet self. I love to write but the process is--conventionally--a solitary task. I enjoying reading, but I am happiest when I am making connections with others. I found myself talking a lot about writing but not actually doing it. In 2009, I actually did it. Consistently.

I could tell you that my success is a result of a change in my self discipline, or a testament to my drive and motivation. But I can't lie: Like many who achieve their goals later in life, my success is "highly contingent on the efforts of others." In a New Yorker essay exploring economist David Galenson's research on the differences between child prodigies and those who achieve success later in life, Malcolm Gladwell calls this the "final lesson of the late bloomer."

Consider the career of Cezanne. As Gladwell tells it, he was supported by his father for years, had his first show at 56 and once had a friend sit for a portrait over 150 times--before he decided to abandon the painting. (Now that's a friend!)

It was others who helped me put words to paper. First I discovered Twitter, and a new community of interesting people who provide me with ideas on what to write about--and who serve as role models on how to write. I also gained not one, but two new mentors who have consistently encouraged me. I made friends with several other emerging writers and took a short course. I sent drafts to friends and family. I learned to take small steps, to use a formula to break writer's block, and to publish the imperfect.

As I look back on what I've written this year, I am grateful for the support that I've received from my friends and family. They have my gratitude and my thanks, and I appreciate their patience. As Gladwell says, "Prodigies are easy. They advertise their genius from the get-go. Late bloomers are hard. They require forbearance and blind faith."

If you have a dream that you can't quite give up on--and haven't managed to achieve just yet, find a friend or mentor who will encourage you with blind faith--and challenge you to be accountable for making it happen. Let me know how it turns out...and good luck!

Three Places to Spot Job Leads

With all the "gloom and doom" in the headlines, it's easy to think every corner of the U.S. job market--from Main Street to Wall Street--has been negatively affected by this economy. But, that's not quite true. This morning, the local paper in my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina featured stories of two potential "winners" who expect to see positive growth: Kohls and Delta Airlines (post-merger).

If you're feeling frustrated, here are three sites to look at:

1. Linkup.com
LinkUp is an aggregator of position listings from company websites. It's a great place to find out about opportunities that might not be interested on other job boards. (In my former life as a recruiter, I paid to post positions on Monster.com--it's not cheap!)

Many thanks to GL Hoffman, author of the blog What Would Dad Say and recently published book, Dig Your Job, for this lead.

2. Jiibe

I learned about this Canadian gem when Greg Scott, company founder, began following me on Twitter. Here is a description of the site--straight from the corporate website:

Jiibe is a user-powered online service that helps people make better decisions for a happier life.

First we help you understand what sort of workplace you need to be happy.

Then we point you to companies that match based on the real-life experiences of other members.

I look forward to learning more about the site, but in the interim--sounds worth checking out!

3. PastRecessions.com

As you might guess from the name of my blog, my favorite word is context. PastRecessions.com provides information on past recessions, and is a good reminder that the economy has suffered downturns--and recovered in the past as well. Resist the temptation to personalize the economy--mass layoffs and hiring freezes at some companies does not equal no opportunities elsewhere (or that you won't be hired by a particular company at a later date).

Keep the faith, and please share your successes!

When To Wine, Instead of Whine

With all the news in the headlines, you may find it hard not to feel anxious with regard to your own job search.

At least once a day I'm asked, "Should I stay where I am? Is it even possible for me to find a job in this market? How can I possibly find something I want when the unemployment rate is rapidly rising?"

Resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself. Visit a job board like Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com. Type in a few key words of interest and see what comes up.

Chances are good that you will see jobs...Current openings that you can apply for. If your experience fits, you should move forward.

I was reminded of this recently when I stumbled upon a website that recently mentioned me in a blogpost...Winetalent.net

This website specializes in executive placement for positions in the wine industry. You don't have to be a vineyard owner to apply, you do need functional experience in the area to which you are applying and a demonstrated interest in the industry.

Even if you're not a oenophile (i.e. lover of wine) with a dream of working in the business full-time, the point here is a broader one: Not all jobs have ceased to exist, and there's a treasure trove of information about potential opportunities across different sectors available. Now get going!

It's better to go out in search of possibilities you'll love then to sit at home and whine...

Cheers,
Chandlee

Making Decision 2008 Personal

Today, I am participating in Job Action Day, a pre-election event hosted by QuintCareers.com. The purpose of the event is a "call to action" for job seekers by sharing resources written and recommended by career experts.

You can read about the event--and see tips provided--here:

http://www.quintcareers.com/attacking_job_market.html

I once read some intriguing statistics on the correlation between self improvement initiatives and personal happiness. According to the data, Americans often take on self-improvement projects in order to feel better about themselves and to feel less isolated from others. The challenge: many self-improvement projects are often done independently and without the support of others. As a result, it can be easier to give up on your cause and to feel even lonelier. Having team support is one reason why programs such as Weight Watchers, Team in Training, and Boot Camp Classes at the gym tend to have higher success rates than going it alone...

For these reasons, I challenge you to find an accountability partner to pair up with during the course of your own job search--or join in a national effort like Job Action Day. Working with others can help you stay motivated--and help you feel more connected in the process as you make Job Action Day transition into Job Action Month!

Contact me and let me know what you've done and how you've seen progress. Any strategies you recommend or don't recommend for other job seekers?

To your success,
Chandlee

On the Secret Ingredient to Career Sustainability

Yesterday, I attended "Branding for Sustainability," a conference examining environmental sustainability initiatives at the corporate level. The program included collective brainstorming on a common question: Given that sustainable initiatives often cost more at the outset and involve rethinking relationships, how can individual employees build support for change within an organization?

While environmental issues were the theme for the day, the recent volatility on Wall Street did not go unnoticed. Here are two take-aways that are equally applicable to both the issues of "environmental sustainability" and "career sustainability":

1. Pain drives change, but passion is a better long-term recipe for success. Just as many companies have been prompted to change their conservation practices based on rising fuel costs, your job search may be fueled by external factors--or by your discontent.

Within this environment, making a career change suddenly may stop the pain. That being said, if you haven't had time to reflect on why you are making the change: if you are not passionate or genuinely interested in your new line of work, you may not like your new job, either.

2. We get by with a little help from our friends. At the conference, several of the organizers mentioned the importance of building support for sustainability initiatives by working with colleagues horizontally---i.e. from your friends and colleagues, rather than starting with the c-suite.

Given that it's not always "easy being green," this strategy to build horizontal strength can help you both in terms of your ability to advocate for change and also in terms of your own career success. After all, support from colleagues can help you stay "vertical" and moving forwards in terms of how you accomplish your goals.

Several years ago, Tom Rath, author of How Full is Your Bucket? and head of the Gallup Research Workplace Research and Leadership Consulting Practice, published a book called Vital Friends which examines the effects that friends can have on your work happiness. According to Rath and research conducted by Gallup poll, having a best friend at work makes you seven times more likely to be engaged in your job.

Bottom-line: Stop reading here and engage in conversation with someone!

To your success,
Chandlee

On Looking Focused: And the 30 Second Pitch

Yesterday, I had lunch with a recruiter for one of the only five investment banks in New York hosting MBA information sessions this fall. The circles under her eyes and weary gaze were troubling to me: Despite the relative good health of her company, she is clearly directly experiencing the fallout from the turmoil at Lehman Brothers, Merrill, and the rest of the "Street." Among her current challenges: an increased traffic in candidates from competing firms, many of whom are not exactly sure what they are looking for yet in terms of a new career opportunity.

My friend and I agree that one of the biggest challenges for job seekers and current employees is looking focused in a time of turmoil. It is natural to want to explore your career options but you need to look focused when you speak to potential employers.

If you need to develop your own soundbite for exploration with potential opportunities (and interview preparation), I recommend 15secondpitch.com. This site provides a free "Pitch Wizard" that coaches you to develop a focused pitch targeted on the needs of your audience. At the conclusion of the pitch, your pitch will be placed on a template of a business card--if it doesn't fit, you know you need to condense and refine your message. If it does fit, you can even purchase the cards--and add your picture to increase your chances of "total recall."

Kudos to 15SecondPitch.com. for an innovative product that makes preparation work easier...

How to Prepare for Interviews in a Flash: Feed Yourself!

One of the best ways to make a great impression on a prospective employer is to show that you have an understanding of what they do and why it is important. Asking thoughtful questions that demonstrate what you know--and areas that you need to know more about--can go a long way in helping both you and the organization come to a mutual decision about whether a position is right for you. I've heard it said before that one of the fast ways to take yourself out of the running for a position is to simply say that you "don't have any questions" at the end of an interview.

The question then becomes: how to prepare? Is it really necessary to spend 8-10 hours researching for one interview? My answer: it's important to be prepared, but you can also do it as you sleep by setting up "RSS feeds" to feed you news and up-to-date information.

Using web tools such as "Google News Alerts," you can type in key word searches (e.g. company names, news, and events) and have the results sent to you automatically during the time duration that you specify--i.e. "as it happens," on a "daily" or "weekly" basis. You can then review the results of your key word searches, pick out the most relevant information and prepare questions in advance...You can also set up feeds on the Google News Reader or other syndicated content sites so that you can read all your findings in one place!

Feed yourself first, and then let the employer feed you later...

Career "Independence"

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
-Mary Oliver, Summer Day, New and Selected Poems, 1992

Uncertain about your own prospects for new employment? In pursuit of career happiness?

This July, we are an anxious nation with collective concerns: for the third straight month, Gallup reports that concerns over the economy/jobs/recession occupy the “top spot” of most Americans' worry list.

Economic concerns aside, a key component to happiness is independence. A recent "World Happiness" study reveals a strong correlation between happiness and democracy. Study Director Ronald Ingelhart concludes, "Ultimately, the most important determinant of happiness is the extent to which people have free choice in how to live their lives."

In the spirit of Independence Day, how do we pursue career independence in an uncertain economy?

There's no definitive answer, but here is one solution based on a common theme: focus on your strengths in both your existing work and in your job search! Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a new work opportunity or renegotiate a current position based on your core competencies; you may find that focusing on enhancing your strengths gives you a greater feeling of independence, career satisfaction, and freedom than continually trying to rehabilitate each and everyone of your weaknesses. I don’t advocate that you give up trying to gain more experience or skills that help you improve upon areas of weakness, but I do believe that it is generally easier--and may be less time consuming--to focus more on what you do well!

Here are three tips to approach your work from this vantage point:

• Isolate your strengths, and then develop a strategy to pursue new opportunities that allow you to leverage those strengths. Ask yourself what skills and experiences come easiest to you. Here’s a metaphor: If you write with your left hand, and you're in a job that feels as if you have to write with your right hand all day--you may be in the wrong position! (Alternatively, you may be able to work with your colleagues to redesign your position so that it plays more to your strengths.)
  
• Need an outside opinion? Consider working with a career counselor or taking an external assessment to identify what skills come easiest to you. Access to an online version of one popular assessment, the Clifton StrengthsFinder, is included with the purchase of several books including StrengthsFinder 2.0, and How Full is Your Bucket?
  
• Once you pinpoint what comes easiest to you, ask yourself, "Is my current situation one which could be made more enjoyable if aspects of the position were changed?" Develop strategies to utilize those skills more in your current work--and market them in your job search.

Here’s to our collective strengths!

Avoiding Summer Stagnation

Suddenly, summer's arrived with a vengeance: the U.S. unemployment rate has risen yet again, gas prices are at an all-time high, and many states are encouraging you not to eat summer's best tomatoes for fear of Salmonella. (In the words of Guy Clark, "What would life be without home grown tomatoes?)

With all of this dire news, I'm hearing from several potential job seekers that it's hard to motivate. Common party lines include "it's easier to stay where I am, even if I'm unhappy," "my vacation's already planned," and "who's hiring anyway?"

I challenge you to consider applying now. For many sectors, it is actually the ideal time to be looking for a new job. Here's why: Many organizations, especially non-profits and educational institutions run on a July 1- June 30 fiscal year cycle. For these organizations, summer can be a time of hiring booms, particularly as new hires are often approved for a new fiscal year and employees depart for new positions.

In case you need a jump start, here are three strategies to help you get going--even while you're on a vacation:

1. Be a passive job seeker: Find out what's available by establishing job search alerts on career sites such as Indeed, Monster, and Simply Hired to alert you of openings in your areas of interest.


2. Keep a record of what's available--and a running tab on positions you've applied to--through Jibber Jobber.


3. Find a friend to hold you to your word: Enlist the help of a friend, mentor, or trusted career advisor to be your "accountability partner" and to help you benchmark your progress against your goals. Having someone to check-in with on your status can help you "get it done."

Many happy returns!

On Being Grounded

Career discussions that focus on job options and lifestyle choices frequently involve a brief mention of the importance of "being grounded": to have a home base, to be able to define what your core skills are, to know how your skills "stick."

But grounding isn't always good. Sometimes it's necessary to go out of your way not to do it.

I was reminded of this last night on my way home in the New York subway system. I started out taking the R train out of Prince Street. There was a cluster of Wall Street bankers, and they were talking quite loudly about the benefit of the recession to smaller financial services firms: from their perspective, these firms will be the lucky beneficiaries of the recent layoffs at Bear Stearns and other banks. I resisted the urge to interrupt and question whether this might also be an appropriate time for laid off employees to consider market sectors outside of the financial industry--market "pockets" where hiring projections outnumber pink slips and a deep talent pool. Given the sheer market numbers (and the widely reported statistic that every laid off Wall Street employee ultimately affects three other positions), I couldn't help but think that contemplation of alternative industries which use similar skills might also be useful. For example, I would imagine that a former communications VP on Wall Street might transition into a position in new media uptown: both are fast paced work environments, and I've heard that there's a shortage of senior management talent in this young industry. (This tip compliments of a career fair on Interactive Advertising sponsored by 212).

When I arrived at 42nd Street to transfer trains, I lost sight of the i-bankers and focused on the platform as I discovered subway workers on the train rails--picking up trash, using rakes, and wearing headlamps. I was uneasy, given that:

• The overhead announcer made it clear that the trains were still running on the track,
• I knew that one of the rails on the track was a "live" one in order for the trains to run, and
• I had recently read a NYT article about accidental deaths of subway workers.

The men on the tracks finished their work, but one worker stayed behind on the platform. I asked him about the live rail, and he gave me a quick crash course in how to avoid it: if you touch it, it won't hurt you unless you are grounded. If you're touching metal (in other words, if you are "grounded" to something else on the subway floor or to an object)--you'll be gone before you can blink an eye. He said the key was knowing the danger, and taking good care to avoid it.

Score one for the importance of taking care to "not be grounded" in New York.

The Job Search Equivalent of Feng-Shui

Last year, I took a class in "Value Stream Mapping," which is a technique used to analyze the flow of information and materials required to bring a product or service to a consumer. Initially developed by Toyota, Value Stream Mapping is a "lean" manufacturing technique which is now used in manufacturing and other sectors, including product development. Think of it as the Feng Shui for the business world.

My favorite Value Stream Mapping term is Poka-yoke (pronounced "POH-kah YOH-keh"). This is a Japanese term that means "fail-safing" or "mistake-proofing." The idea is that you can avoid inadvertent errors if you set limits on how an operation can be performed in order to force the correct outcome. In cars, examples of poka-yoke engineering include features that make it difficult for us to lock our keys in the car with the ignition running.

I'd love to say I could Poka-yoke your job search completely. But I can't. That being said, I'm a big advocate of research and of the concept of "test driving" your ideas for future career opportunities. The more you know, the more you can reduce the likelihood that you'll make the wrong move.

Here are a few resources that will allow you to explore your interests without commitment:

If you're only seeking a temporary escape you can try a brief stint as a rock star, an elephant trainer, or a Roman gladiator. Travel and Leisure Magazine has a feature on the "World's Quirkiest Adult Camps":
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/the-worlds-quirkiest-adult-camps

VocationVacations:
http://www.vocationvacations.com/

VocationVacations offers clients the opportunity to spend between one and three days test-driving a dream career (opportunities range from alpaca rancher and comedy club owner to chocolatier and cheesemonger).

Naturally, these trips come with a cost.

Cheaper alternatives include the more mundane jaunt to your local Barnes and Noble or public library. I also highly recommend the "Library Vacation" as recommended by "Ask the Headhunter" Nick Corcodilos: http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/halibrary.htm

Alternatively, if you're not afraid to ask--consider requesting a private "job shadowing" experience with someone who works in a field of interest to you--or live vicariously.

Sean Aiken, a recent college grad from Vancouver, has spent a year trying out new careers each week and he's sharing his observations with the world: http://www.oneweekjob.com/

Happy hunting,
Chandlee

On the Similarities between Applying for Jobs and Dating

The process of picking a new job or a career often resembles speed dating. A closer look at these stages.

Priming for the Hunt:
You spend several hours marketing yourself for the opportunity; you gather knowledge about the requirements and interests of your intended target. This typically includes dropping hints to your contacts to let you know of your interests in a transition while trying not to be too obvious to some (i.e. "nosy" people or--in the professional world--your current employer).

Putting Yourself in the Game:
Based on your research, you present yourself with your best foot forward: In the job application process, this generally takes place through a resume and a cover letter). In the dating process, it depends on how you intend to meet your interests...i.e. in person, through an introduction--or increasingly--online.

Making Your Presence Known: Knowing that competition can be fierce, you look for ways to follow-up without being too obvious.

Primping for the Interview: If offered a meeting time and place, you prepare accordingly. You do your homework on who you'll be meeting, prepare your list of questions to ask (based on your requirement) and dress accordingly.

The Interview or Date: Your eyes meet, you shake hands, and you make a quick assessment in two minutes or less (as per the research of most experts in both business and personal relationships). You spend the rest of your time together gathering information to either support or discount your initial impression.

Many questions are asked of you, and at the end--you have a chance to ask a few of your own and to assess your own opinion.

Here's where the comparison ends: with dating, most individuals approach the initial meeting as equals (i.e. the stakes are the same). With the job search, the stakes are much higher: i.e. the employer is deciding whether to financially support you on the basis of your work, and you are deciding whether you want to spend the majority of your working hours from this day forward spending time with this new group of people. The timeline for making decisions can be relatively short: just a few interviews before a full-time offer is extended.

The process of interviewing for positions and making career decisions is, in my opinion, the dating equivalent of going out twice--and deciding to move in together with a lease. It is about making a personal commitment. It is about making a financial commitment. And yet, unfortunately, it's commonly not a process that feels at the time like a decision among equals. Why not? Because as job seekers, we often feel like the employer has more of the cards than we do--if we don't have multiple interviews, we may feel like we have less options. And so, all too frequently, we approach our interviews with all the anxiety of adolescents or as if we are trying out for . We spend a great deal of time primping and not enough time asking ourselves all the right questions. It's as if we are trying out for A Chorus Line: we think to ourselves "I hope I get it, I hope I get it" and we pray quietly "I really need this job. Please God, I need this job. I've got to get this job." And when it doesn't go right, we turn to self doubt "God, I really blew it!
I really blew it! How could I do a thing like that?"

And yet, if we step outside of our situation: we should realize that the process of looking for jobs is one of mutual selection. My goal in my work is to help clients prepare for the process, so that they can gather information and present their own credentials in the best light possible--while also having enough room to honestly access whether a given position is right for them (irrespective of whether the position is offered or not).

I welcome your own observations and feedback.

Best,
Chandlee