Talking back to the head hunter on performance reviews.

On a recent post, a recruiter "The Headhunter" columnist answered a reader's question about performance reviews. "I haven't had a review in 4 years," the reader said. "What should I do?"

The columnist advised the reader to press the issue. If necessary, he said, "Go to the Human Resource department. It's possible your boss isn't following policy."

But here's a counter argument.

What are the nonverbal signals? Are you getting raises and rewards? What's your relationship with your boss?

More important: Are you more marketable today than you were 4 years ago? One year ago? Six months ago?

Staying marketable is your best protection against bad reviews, no matter what.

For more:
http://wwww.midlifecareerstrategy.com/perfreviewbook.html

Career Advice to cope with a job you hate

Last week a reporter from Australia emailed me, getting background for an article about careers. As it turned out, the questions related directly to my ebook on "Ten things to do when you really, really hate your job." http://www.cathygoodwin.com/hatejob.html An example of the career advice I shared: Q. How do we ‘readjust’ our attitude to be able to cope in a job we don’t like? My answer: You can't force yourself by saying, "I have to like this job. I have to like this job." Instead, think of your job as a vehicle you can use to move to your next job. What can you use: Does your company offer training and education programs? Are you improving your resume every week or at least every month? Are you learning new skills? Another technique is to regard your job as a day job. Be careful to do enough so you won't get fired. But do the minimum and use your energy to work towards your real dream. Often you need to work with a consultant or coach to avoid getting caught up in the day job. It's familiar. You get a check every week. You're in a comfort zone. Let's face it: Cushy day jobs can be hazardous to your career. Believe me: I know!

What's Special About Midlife Career Change?

When reviewing career change books, I sometimes add the comment, 'This book seems more appropriate for 20-somethings or 30-somethings. But midlife career changers will resist." (1) You need different networking systems. A Young Career Changer (YCC) can ask for informational interviews. He can ask to shadow someone for a day or two. But if you're in your 40's or 50's, managers may resist opening their doors to someone who's a peer, perhaps someone who's been working elsewhere. When I taught live MBA marketing, my "older" students had trouble getting interviews for projects. "Two gray-haired men? They thought the IRS had come to call," said one student. For the record, I offered to create a special project for them, but they declined. They'd caught the fire! (2) You're un-learning a style of professionalism. As I like to say: Corporate life is like professional football. Carreer change is like playground basketball. A whole different set of moves. You can do it, once you realize what's going on. (3) Life happens. I'm not typical: my parents are gone and my next-of-kin has fur and paws. Many 40-plus career changers have teenagers, boomerang kids, aging parents and a whole lot more. Some of my clients experience health concerns, whether seeking additional medical screenings or dealing with symptoms. (4) Your day job is more demanding. By mid-career you've probably moved up the corporate ladder and you have more responsibilities. As an executive or professional you may have more flexibility but you work longer hours. And your family becomes more important. (5) Your comfort zone has gotten broader and deeper. What's a lateral move to a YCC may be a giant leap backward at mid-career. I encourage clients to consider the consquences of, say, giving up a large home for a small apartment. Some care a lot. Some barely notice -- they're too excited about the future. Success depends on feeling proud and happy, genuinely, authentically. Anything else gets in the way. Please leave a coomment for me!

Career Tips from The Apprentice LA? Don't do it!

As a long-time Apprentice fan I looked forward to the move to Los Angeles. This one was over the top. First, do you believe the losing team really slept outside in the tents? This scene has to be staged! Second, we need two judges. This time around, Donald has decided that the winning project manager can sit in the Boardroom to have input on the big decision: who gets fired. Bad idea. In the old show, Donald had not one but two people to be his "eyes and ears." Now he just has one -- his daughter, an attractive woman who seems very smart. But she can't be everywhere. And she just lacks the edge. Trump made a huge mistake when he fired Carolyn Kepcher. She cut through the nonsense to ask just the right questions. We had fire in the boardroom. Last night's boardroom went all over the place. The best part came when the candidate simply couldn't believe he was fired. Donald chose the nice-guy fatherly approach: "I'd hire you as a lawyer. You could teach my children. But you won't do the nitty-gritty stuff..." Actually he's got a point. Corporate life is about tending to mind-numbing details, over and over again, while you're all dressed up in a nice suit. Read Carly Fiorina's book, Tough Choices, for an eye-opening view of life at the top (not to mention the perches along the way). As for other new rules: the winning project manager gets to stay in charge until his or her team loses. Again, bad idea! How will we assess the leadership skills of the other team members? OK, let's face it. This show gets driven by ratings, not realism. Good watching. Bad business.

Retirement Careers: A Controversial View

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Some time ago, Wall Street Journal featured a long article about starting a business at retirement age. The article took a cautious tone. Don’t gamble all your life savings on a business. You won’t have time to recover from a massive failure (as you would at 20 or 30). And so on. But as the article itself pointed out, sometimes you don’t have much choice. When we turn sixty, fifty, or even forty-five, the job market begins to fade. Career articles try to convince us we’ll just love working in a bookstore, serving burgers or working long hours at a “part-time” job with no benefits and no path to promotion. Our number one goal, they would have us believe, is flexibility so we can go see the grandchildren whenever we want. Now it’s fine with me if you have grandchildren and love volunteer work. But if you don’t fit the mold, you’re probably on your own. When I was feeling restless while living in New Mexico, a well-meaning neighbor suggested, “Why not become a Pink Lady at the hospital.” Since my relationship to hospitals can be summarized as, “They’ll have to carry me in feet first,” I realized it was time to get serious about growing my business. Here’s what I tell my own career-changing clients. (1) Plan early for self-employment. You have a window of opportunity from age 40 to age 50. Use that time to get credentials, move as high as you can in your professional field and grow your financial net worth. From 50 to 60, plan what you’ll do for retirement – your post-career career. You may want to spend thirty years with golf and fishing. You may choose employment rather than self-employment – and you may get lucky with a career you love. But I recommend creating a Plan B just in case you get frustrated, bored and/or restless. (2) Rehearse for the Real Show. While you’re still working, begin a self-employment sideline in a playful, “no big deal” spirit. And while you’re earning a good salary and stashing your cash, now’s the time to find mentors and hire resources. Take classes. Read books. Conduct informational interviews. Explore. In my experience, choosing the right resources (and losing the losers) is what creates success. (3) Count on the long haul. I’m no medical expert, but I keep reading, “Fifty is the new 30. Sixty is the new 40.” Since I joined a weight training class at my local gym, those claims seem even more plausible. Twenty or thirty years is a long time to set your brain on cruise control. When I talk to retirees, many seem bored, although they make fervent denials. I vividly remember a former neighbor who claimed to be enjoying a comfortable retirement, living in his dream house with a view of the mountains. But he kept asking everyone about their lives (“What was the plumber’s truck doing outside your house? ”) and offering free advice on everything from finances to fertilizers. After awhile, we’d run when we saw him coming. Another former neighbor became a recreational shopper. She had been a business dynamo and now her energies turned to retail. Her large home filled with souvenirs, books, clothes and memorabilia. Me? I'd rather be working. You may reprint this article in electronic media if you make no changes, use the following resource box and inform me of use. Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., coaches midcareer professionals who want to transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs. Learn why most career change doesn't happen and how to make yours a reality. http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html

[Career Change Strategy] The Real Deal on References

Q. I'm changing jobs. Before leaving my current position, should I get letters of reference? A. Probably not. In my experience, corporate employers rarely pay attention to "To Whom It May Concern" letters. They'll prefer phone calls that aren't recorded. When they need a letter, they'll have their own forms and they'll want letters sent directly to them. But before taking off, take time to set up your references for future calls. (1) Research the way your present boss normally handles references. Some well-meaning managers avoid giving anyone a glowing recommendation. "Nobody's that great," they'll say. "I want to be honest." But of course everybody else exaggerates and your reference's "honesty" comes across as concern. Other references are just clueless. My colleague "Nick" genuinely wanted me to get a great opportunity when he wrote a letter for me. But he added a line suggesting I might be "somewhat eccentric." Luckily an interview committee member asked me, "What on earth does he mean?" "We're friends," I said, truthfully, and reached for the phone. Nick was completely baffled ("I meant it as a compliment") but he agreed to revise his letters so I'd sound like a serious candidate in all respects. (2) Get permission to list references and be sure they're "live." Your boss may be required to refer all calls to Human Resources. Or she may be moving to a new career and you're part of the past she wants to forget. In my former life, students often asked if they could list me as a reference for jobs and graduate programs. But sometimes I'd get a surprise request from someone I barely remembered, creating awkward moments for all of us. (3) Watch for red flags. If your job prospects get derailed mysteriously, over and over again, consider hiring a resource to check your references. They'll call to say, "I'm checking references on Tim Toole." They won't pretend to be an employer; it's rarely necessary. One reference-checking consultant told me, "The manager who answered the phone said, 'Just a minute.' Then, without covering the mouthpiece, he yelled, 'What did the lawyers tell us to say about Tim?'" (4) Discover the common practices and unwritten rules of your own industry and field. University professors and administrators typically submit three letters of reference with each application. Often these references will be mailed directly to the hiring department but they're standardized and prepared ahead of time. By the time you've gained some seniority in your field, you're probably familiar with standard hiring prospects. But when you need to change careers, talk to some well-connected recruiters. Talk to managers who have actually done some hiring in recent months. (5) Be proactive. Let's face it: writing reference letters adds hassle to somebody's day, especially when your reference is not familiar with your target market. If appropriate, offer to follow up or draft a list of key points to emphasize in the letter. If you liked this article, you'll love my Irreverent Guide to Job Search: Download here and jump-start your career change today. Get articles like this one delivered to your inbox each week. Start here.