SusanStrayer.com

Staying Sane While Staying on the Job

With the economy teetering on the brink of disaster, the most common sentiment continues to be "I'm just thankful to have a job." But for how long? And how do you stay sane on a job you hate but can't leave, or a job you're afraid you'll be asked to leave. Step one--focus on today.

Today, you're employed. That's a good thing. Tomorrow you might not be. So focus on today by doing two things.

1) Stay focused in your current job.
As hard as it may be, you need an on and off switch. The goal is to keep your job even if you're looking for a new one. While you're there continue to work and work hard. Don't slack off--it isn't the time (is it really ever?) Don't get involved in predictions about layoffs or how bad business will get. You've got to focus on you, the task at hand, the job at hand.

2) Turn your job off when you get home
While a favorite happy hour sport is "how much can I complain about my job after work?", there's no better time than now to turn the lights off when you leave. Completely. When you walk out of the office, it's time to focus on what's next. Don't waste your energy on worrying about your day or your colleagues. Use that energy to spend 1-2 hours each night on your job search. Focus, focus, focus. Have a plan of what you'll accomplish each day. Then turn it off, go to sleep and get ready to start your workday.

I know, I know. This is all easier said than done. But if you can separate your current self from your future self, your current misery or fear will be alot easier to manage. And, you won't risk your current job.

Weekly Roundup: Networking Tips

This past week's tips were all about networking. Perfect for the newly laid off, the sick and tired or the plain old "I wanna get ahead" crowd. This week we are going to continue to talk about networking so follow me each day @DailyCareerTips or check back here at the end of the week!

Sun Dec 7: This week networking tips. First up, how to think of networking-not just cocktail parties. It's about how who you know can help

Mon Dec 8: go through your address book & find 3 people that work in jobs kind of like what you want. Make appts w. them. Ask who they know. When meeting, play to their ego "you've been so successful, can you recommend anyone else I can meet with?"

Tues Dec 9: When networking follow the 90/10 rule. Listen 90% of the time and speak 10%. You're there to learn not to talk about yourself.

Wed Dec 10: When asking to network, don't ask for appt convenient to you ask for a time that is "amenable to them across the next few weeks"

Thur Dec 11: when at a networking mtg step to the plate and buy the coffee or lunch. Don't let people take pity on u b/c u don't have a job

Fri Dec 12: Need Holiday Gifts that are worth your $? Try a great book: http://tinyurl.com/5698vk. Books are great for someone in need (i.e. networking book for someone switching careers.) try to anticipate their need!

Sat Dec 13 : (I took the day off, sorry kids)

Weekly Roundup: Resume Tips

Now that @DailyCareerTips has broken 500 followers on Twitter, what better way to celebrate than to provide a roundup of tips here. Normally, I'll do a weekly roundup but the past two weeks were devoted to resumes, so belwo is a collection of the best and most concise resume tips. Keep in mind Twitter only lets you use 140 characters, but there's alot that can be said in the small amount, This coming week, we're focusing on networking tips. Follow @DailyCareerTips real time, or come back next week for a roundup of tips.

Nov 23 (cont'd): Today's tip continues @ resumes post layoff. Don't skimp on content from most recent employer. Be proud of working there

Mon Nov 24: More on resumes post layoff. Generalize titles but don't lie. Client Serv Rep II can be Client Services Manager. Make sense? 2:04 PM Nov 24th from web

Tues Nov 25: Minimize gaps on your resume by only using years instead of months. XYZ Company, 2004-2008 and ABC Company 2002-2004.

Wed Nov 26: It's quiet today. Work on your resume for kicks. You never know when you'll need it. Start by looking at the content....

(Nov 26 cont'd): & ask yourself, does this read like a job description? Or is it specific to my results on the job?

Wed Nov 26 (tip #2): Who will you see at Thanksgiving? If you're looking for a job talk about it and see if they know anyone who can help.

Thurs Nov 27: Stop and give thanks for your skills, your education, and your successes. Even if you're laid off, success will come again.

Fri Nov 28 (cont'd): ATS=applicant tracking system. If resume doesn't look good when uploaded into ATS recruiter will ignore it and move on.

Fri Nov 28: More on resumes (format). Don't use a template. Don't use anything fancy. Left justify. Otherwise company ATSs won't read it.

Sat Nov 29: To make the resume look good to an ATS, it needs to look good in RTF or rich text format. Paste it as text and see how it looks.

Sun Nov 30: When you cut and paste your resume as text make sure the bullets paste correctly and that spacing makes the resume easy to read

Mon Dec 1: More on resumes this week. Today, more format. When you paste resume text job titles and company names are clear. Use caps.

Tues Dec 2: Under education, always put degree first above college. I care more about what degree you have than where you went to school.

Wed Dec 3: create a professional development section on your resume. use it as the catch-all with

(Dec 3 cont'd)...a line each for: volunteer, training, languages, certifications, publications, technical skills etc.

Thurs Dec 4: Add header to your resume. Header should match the prospective job: Experienced Marketing Manager

Fri Dec 5: Under the header on your resume, add a brief profile. Describe who you are, what you bring, & what you're looking for.

Sat Dec 6: ending the week of resume tips. resume content should support your profile. if you're detail oriented in profile give examples!

Bookshelf

Check out Susan's online bookshelf. Whether you want to help yourself, your child, your co-worker, or your client, there's no better value than a book, especially when it can help someone think, act or work better. You'll find career and business books (of course) but also a few of Susan's childhood and adult favorites.

Start shopping!

Job Demos = New Job?

My favorite web genius received an alert in his Google reader advertising a tryout for a position. Was it the NFL, Cirque de Soleil or Broadway looking for new talent? Nope, just an ingenious professional looking for a research assistant.

And it seems to make sense. A research assistant has to know how to do research, right? So why not test the ability?

But it also reeks of "everyone must want to work for me" since there is no mention of pay, benefits or other reason to work for the gentleman other than you think he's "best in his field cool."

More importantly though, are these tests for real? They are--and they are called simulations in the world of workplace assessments. But these simulations have to be tested to be sure they are reliable (does it measure accurately over time?) and valid (does it measure what it intends to measure?) and then you have to be able demonstrate you've done these tests. Other criteria to evaluate simulations include ensuring it is compliant with key government legislation related to hiring.

Most big corporations have legal teams that vet these types of assessments, so you can feel more comfortable that the assessment has been carefully reviewed. But in this case, I think it's a one-off case of "this would be cool." Either way, it's a great example of why you need HR and/or legal advice, even if you work on your own.

Every cool idea still needs to be vetted.