More on The Apprentice: Sometimes You Have to Keep Quiet

Last week I commented on the Apprentice candidate who quit, standing up to Donald's harsh words: "I hate a quitter." This week's decision was both easier and harder. Candidate Merisa wouldn't shut up, even in the Boardroom. Placed in charge of Marketing, Merisa kept pushing her ideas. Change the name of the salad. Put some chickens on the street. When she failed to sell her team, she wouldn't stop. Even in the Boardroom, she interrupted The Donald as well as everyone else. Sounds far-fetched, doesn't it? How could a smart, attractive business woman make this mistake? Anyone who asks hasn't been a career consultant very long. For example, my client "Ursula" was a talented smart marketing manager of a professional services company. She'd been fast-tracked all the way. Until her new boss gave her a less than steller performance review. Ursula called me. "I've brought up the point several times. He just doesn't want to talk about it." After we talked, Ursula realized reluctantly that she had to move on. If she pressed the point, she'd just irritate her new boss further. She realized she may already be at the top of the pay scale in her job category, so her manager may decide to hold back and let others catch up. (Fair? I have no idea. Reality? Often, yes.) She realized she was completing an assignment from her previous boss that her current boss dismissed as a waste of time. Dropping the project was not an option. And she realized that new bosses, like new brooms, sometimes sweep clean. The solution? Drop the subject. Her boss was an ardent football fan so we agreed she would say nothing. But if asked, she would draw an analogy to a team that didn't like the ref's call but chose to go on with the game. And that's not all. Ursula needed to identify an appropriate, ethical recruiter. She might not begin a job search energetically, but she needed to have all her ducks lined up, just in case. And she needed to get into some pretty aggressive networking. I'm not sure what happened. I did get a one-line email: "All goes well. Thanks for the help!"

Career Strategy: When you win by walking away

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Maybe you’ve heard this line before. I disagree. Sometimes winners are the ones who walk away. Thinking of leaving a program, course, job or career? Here are some ways to frame the decision. (1) Are you a misfit? Example: Carly Fiorina quit law school for a secretarial job and never regretted the move. She was a misfit for law but found her niche in business, ultimately becoming CEO of Hewlett-Packard. (2) You know the ax is going to fall. Are there gains from resigning in lieu of waiting to be fired? Some experts say no. Carly Fiorina refused to let H-P soften the description of her departure. “The Board fired me,” she announced. Sometimes you really can create a positive impression by resigning. But you may lose severance and benefits by leaving voluntarily, so consultations with a lawyer and/or accountant may be appropriate. And often everyone can read between the lines anyway. (3) Do you need an extra burst of energy to reach the finish line? Often success comes just past the point when we’re ready to toss in the towel. For example: You’ve completed all the requirements for a degree except the dissertation. You’re no longer interested in your topic. Quitting can make sense if you’ve got a great job that fills all your time. Quitting makes even more sense if you’ve chosen a school with a so-so reputation. http://www.cathygoodwin.com/schoolbk.html But a graduate degree can open doors to teaching, writing a book and certain types of consulting, so I wouldn’t bolt too soon. I’d negotiate for a new, more relevant dissertation topic. (4) Will quitting actually help your resume? My acquaintance Lionel accepted a low-paying admin job in a non-profit organization. He quit six weeks later: “If I leave now, I can just omit this job from my resume,” he reasoned. Frankly, I was horrified. Lionel’s savings were dwindling and he had no prospects for future jobs. Lionel was right. A few weeks later he had moved to a part-time job where he could display his talents. Six months later he was on the payroll as a full-time, satisfied employee with benefits. (5) Can you wait too long to quit? Following a scary bout of unemployment, Nancy accepted a low-level clerical position with a stodgy financial institution. The move was supposed to be temporary but she got comfortable. Five years passed. Nancy needs to find a way to quit. If she stays, she’s vulnerable to layoffs, takeovers and bad bosses, because she’s no longer marketable. Nancy’s first step is to construct a safety net so she can take a big leap while she still can. Bottom Line: Each decision is a judgment call. No responsible career consultant will advise you to quit. My rule is, “If you need to ask, the answer is no.”

Laid off? Outplacement For Job Search: The good, the bad and the ugly

This morning's Seattle Post-Intelligencer ran an article about outplacement services, a newswire story that originated in Providence, RI. The story's theme: Companies try to help laid-off workers get jobs by offering outplacement. These services do an inventory of skills and interests, then try to help laid-off workers find new jobs. Company spokespersons note that about 2/3 of lower-level managers and half of senior level managers within 3 months. So are they successful? What I tell my clients (1) Outplacement firms work for your employer, not for you. Their goal is to defuse emotions so you won't sue (or worse). They want to place you as quickly as possible so you'll move on and, incidentally, have no reason to make a claim on your previous employer. If you're earning a good salary, you can't claim financial loss or hardship. (2) Let's get real. Most outplaced workers are employable and even marketable. If you've got a good track record with Firm Blue, if you're not above the age norms for your field, and if your industry isn't about to go belly-up, then you have a good chance to win a similar position in Firms Green, Yellow and Orange. A few job hunting strategies will go a long way. (3) Most aptitude and interest tests are a waste of time and money. See my article on this topic. Outplacement firms use them to gain time: you'll do well on these tests and get into a better mood, so you're more likely to do well on the job market. But when push comes to shove, your outplacement firm doesn't care if you're happy. They want you employed so you make them look good. Is this goal bad? Not necessarily. Getting on a payroll -- any payroll -- often makes a lot of sense. Just don't kid yourself about what's going on. (4) If you're over your industry age norms, outplacement firms may not help. Above a certain age, you need to consider self-employment, whether you have the aptitude or desire. By all means continue looking for a real job with benefits. But insist on an interview with your local Small Business Administration. I have a list of resources to help my own clients and website visitors get started on the Internet. Learn more. (5) You may get lucky. Some outplacement firms have superb consultants and wise leadership. Others do not. Several years ago I met a displaced executive who had no luck with the resume his outplacement firm had put together -- a functional resume that did not show off his superb track record. I made a few suggestions and he was soon happily employed. OK, I am tooting my own horn here, but many career consultants could do the same. I find that outplacement services seem to recommend functional resumes, which turn off employers. Experienced career consultants rarely recommend them. See my own ebook: Irreverent Job Search Guide Bottom Line: If your company offers outplacement, don't turn it down! But stay aware of realities and don't surrender control of your job search to anyone, ever.

Donald Trump: The Apprentice Los Angeles: A Quitter I admire

Okay, so The Apprentice reality television show is pretty grim this year. It’s fun to watch scenes from Los Angeles flash by. No matter how many times I’ve visited, LA always seems exotic and special to me. For those who (wisely) avoid television, reality and otherwise: On this show 18 smart men and women come from all over the Western Hemisphere to compete for a job in billionaire Donald Trump’s organization. The job pays $250K USD a year, which would be a pay cut for some contestants. But they seek adventure, prestige and exposure. Each week teams compete in marketing tasks that have marginal relevance to the real work they did before and will do later. But last night an Apprentice did the unthinkable. She quit. Donald Trump was furious. She’d messed up his carefully orchestrated game plan. “She should have stayed to take her medicine,” Trump’s designated hench man grumbled. Why? I wondered? She knew she’d done a lousy job. So did everybody else. Why waste half an hour hashing out the reasons? And she made a good point: she hadn’t planned to sleep in a tent when she joined the show. She didn’t function well in Tent City. Why stick around and wait for more? “Would you quit if you had won?” asked The Donald. “Probably,” she said. I think she could have said, “Probably not. If I’d done a good job and we won, I would know I could function in this environment.” I admire her spirit. She didn’t waver or back down or cry. She even gave a cheery little wave as she headed down the driveway, pulling her suitcase on wheels...no doubt a staged performance, as there’s no place to roll in LA.

Last page of your resume

It must be the time of year: I’ve had several resume questions lately (always happy to hear from readers). In my experience, job changers tend to ignore the last part of their resumes – the part where you put professional memberships, education and “personal.” So here are the 3 resume tips that are easiest to overlook. (1) List only memberships that relate directly to your targeted job and/or those where you have held office or documented significant accomplishments. Membership in an organization sends a signal that you know (or don’t know) your tribal customs. Does everyone belong to American Marketing Association or the Sales & Marketing Executives group? Be aware that listing some professional organizations may actually send a negative message. For example, I’ve found people react strongly to memberships in Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. Some are positive; others negative. Memberships in Magnolia Historical Society and the local Garden Club are best omitted, unless you’re applying for a job in a museum or a plant shop. If you belong to several organizations, list only those where you have played an active role. After all, many organizations admit anyone who can pay dues. (2) List education at the end of your resume (unless you’re applying for an academic job). Begin with your most recent degree. Include certificates that relate directly to the job you’re targeting. Accuracy is critical. I actually met someone who was asked to explain why she wrote “Minor: French” when no minor was noted on her transcript. She explained that she had taken more courses than most schools require for a minor, but her school didn’t offer that option. Her company seems a little detail-oriented, to put it mildly, but why take a chance? (3) Use “Personal Information” as an opportunity to present a positive view of yourself as a well-rounded individual. It’s not a time to reveal that you have a pet rat and play war games in your basement (unless those qualities would be valued in your field). True story: A manger told me casually, “X has a lot of community service activities and even more hobbies. We work long hours here. Will he want to give up all those commitments? We aren’t willing to take a chance.” And X’s resume went straight to the reject pile. Another true story: In my academic years, my Personal section included “Single with two (2) cats.” I knew I’d raise an eyebrow or two, but the job market was good and I wanted to work with folks who had a sense of humor. Would I advise a client to do this? No way.

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.

7 Time Management Strategies To Complete Your Stalled Projects

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but I never seem to finish them! I'm pulled in so many different directions -- and I end up with nothing to show for my efforts! A. While you're in a creative mode, you're most likely to be swamped with ideas! Feeling swamped can be a source of stress. Here's how to deal with the "too many to finish" challenge. (1) Stop berating yourself for not finishing a project. Instead, say, "I don't feel ready to move in that direction. I'll write down the idea and file it away for the future." (2) Tell a story about what would happen if you finished each project. "Susan finished all her art projects and..." You may be surprised what comes up. One client resisted finishing a book because she dreaded getting a slew of rejections from agents. Another resisted applying for jobs because she dreaded spending eight hours chained to a desk. (3) Review your finances. If you're desperate to finish these projects to make money, fear may be blocking your intuition. You'll have trouble thinking clearly and setting priorities. On the other hand, if you don't need the work, you may not be motivated. Some people need a certain amount of pressure to get moving. (4) List up to three goals that you'd like to accomplish in the next six months, even if you do nothing else. Some people need to focus on a single goal or they get hopelessly distracted. However, others (including most gifted adults) are multi-taskers, who aren't happy unless they're juggling several balls in the air. (5) Study the market for each project you are considering. Once you've identified your target customers and the need you'll be meeting -- and made sure people will pay for what you offer -- you'll realize whether moving forward makes sense. (6) File each new idea in a computer or paper folder or set up an "idea board" near your desk. As you think of ways to flesh out an idea, add notes to each folder. Give each idea time to mature. Some will fade away on their own; others will ripen into exciting opportunities. (7) Create a strong support system, even if you have to hire a consultant or coach. As Julia Cameron wrote in The Artist's Way, the notion of solitary creativity is nothing but a stereotype. Writers, artists, business owners and professionals need opportunities to talk about their progress. They need to feel someone cares about what they're doing and believes in them. In my experience, this lack of a support network tends to be the single greatest source of success in any field. Are you ready to take your Time Management system to the 21st Century? Click here and begin adding hours (and accomplishments) to your day. You may reprint this article in your ezine or blog if you make no changes and include this resource box with live links: Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is a career consultant specializing in midlife professionals who want to manage any area of their career: office politics, job search, career advancement or striking out in a whole new direction. Visit http://www.cathygoodwin.com Discover the 5 essential ingredients of successful career change: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html

Career Change: Not Just a Transfer of Skills

Q. “I’ve been a teacher. Can I transfer these skills to become a trainer or professional speaker?” A. You’ve probably heard, “Career change is about transferring skills.” As far as I’m concerned, that’s an urban legend. Skills transfers make sense for some jobs, such as telephone operators who become call center reps. But managers often don’t transfer skills. They join tribes. Teaching and training both call for speaking in front of groups. There the resemblance ends. Teachers have captive audiences. They don’t structure lectures the way a trainer will design a session, much less the way a professional speaker will develop and present a motivational talk. Whether you join a company or offer your services as a consultant, you’ll be expected to join a tribe, with unwritten rules, norms and values. You may be a gifted writer, but some public relations jobs require a degree in journalism. A marketing or business degree won’t count. (1) Use talents to choose a life that feels meaningful. You will probably be most happy and successful when you use your natural talents. And you’ll feel purposeful and authentic. (2) Use skills to create your career makeover. To earn a living, you sell skills, whether you work for a company or for yourself. In other words, you package your talents and get evidence that you know how to use your talents in a way that benefits an organization, group, community or person. ➢ You may have artistic talent, but you get paid for producing a work that will sell in a gallery, designing a website, or creating a knock-your-socks-off advertising piece. ➢ You may write brilliantly, but you get paid for producing articles or books on deadline in a form that meets the demands of your market. ➢ You may be a naturally intuitive person but you get paid for helping clients make measurable changes in their businesses, relationships and/or lives. (3) Get credentials that have meaning to the tribe you want to join. “Vaughn” found his MBA didn’t count with a group of publicity executives. They valued journalism degrees. “Carla” drew rave reviews from students but needed a PhD to get a full-time university job. “Pete” found he needed a CPA to compete for high-level finance jobs, although he’d made money for several companies. When I began to seek speaking opportunities, what drew a sparkle to the eyes of meeting coordinators? My Ph.D.? My years of teaching and speaking on services marketing? My media credentials? Everything helped. But their eyes lit up when I told them I took second place at the regional level in a humorous speaking contest, sponsored by Toastmasters. My former university colleagues would have dissed the whole idea (“you got involved in what?!”). But to my new tribe, this award had real value. Somehow I’d managed to pass an initiation rite without realizing what I was up to. So I encourage my clients to think of the 3-step process – talent to skill to credential – and go where they’ll be valued. You may reprint this article in your ezine or blog if you make no changes and include this resource box with live links: Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is a career consultant specializing in midlife professionals who want to manage any area of their career: office politics, job search, career advancement or striking out in a whole new direction. Visit http://www.cathygoodwin.com Discover the 5 essential ingredients of successful career change: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html

What I've been reading...

I’ve been reading Carly Fiorina’s book, Tough Choices. She’s the H-P CEO who was fired after 5 years of missed targets. A fascinating glimpse of corporate life and I’d love to hear what readers think. Read more. After years of living with cluttered offices, I finally feel vindicated. Last week the New York Times ran an article, “Say Yes to Mess,” by Penelope Green. New experts urge us to embrace clutter and stop beating ourselves up. About time, I’d say. Read it here: Read the article here.

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 Strategy] Get ready to wear your next hat

Q. My last 2 jobs I wore a lot of different hats. Now I want to go to a new city and find a new job. How do I present my varied experience? A. First and foremost, be straightforward. List your jobs chronologically. Don’t be tempted by the siren call of the functional resume. But there’s more than one way to present your accomplishments professionally. You’ll need multiple resumes, interview preps and elevator speeches – one for each hat that you’re hoping to wear in your next job. (1) Write at least 5 success stories for every job you’ve held since entry level. If you’ve held one job for a long time, write at least 1 or 2 stories for every 2 years on the job. An ideal success story has 3 parts: a problem, how you worked with others to address the problem, and the quantifiable outcome. Example: “Customers complained their orders were late. I headed a team that analyzed the problem. We talked to distribution, manufacturing, and sales. We interviewed customers. We recommended a streamlined ordering system that reduced complaints from 400 in 2005 to 22 in 2006.” (2) Identify the hats you would wear if you get each job. As you apply for jobs, you’ll discover what each employer finds important. If you’ve handled both marketing and customer service, for instance, you may find yourself responding to both marketing jobs and customer service jobs. (3) Rewrite your stories to focus on the new hat. The “late order” story can be written with a customer service slant, emphasizing improved customer relations, measures of customer satisfaction and systems. But if you’re applying for a marketing job, you would frame your story in terms of your company’s strategy. You might write about identifying a time-sensitive customer segment and meeting the needs of that segment. And a human resource professional might talk about hiring temporary workers for the task force, revising pay grades and job descriptions for the revised system, and developing training systems. (4) Transfer your stories to your resume and interview notes. Your stories become the raw material for your career marketing program – what I call “claiming your bragging rights.” So make your drafts really long and include lots of details. Of course you’ll revise your stories for your resume. And when you’re asked a question during an interview, respond with a story. Example: “What was your toughest management challenge?” You would respond with a story of how you pulled a team together to solve a marketing problem. If you’re interviewing for a customer service job you’d frame the challenge as marketing. (5) Create sound bites and elevator speeches from your stories. Interviewers are busy. Practice presenting your stories in 1-minute or 2-minute sound bites. If you catch their interest (usually a good sign!), you can always say more. If you’re applying for a corporate job, remember that interviewers want to know if you’ll be a strong, supportive coworker. Your story calls for an ensemble cast, not a one-act play. Finally, a lot of career change success depends on how well you click with the interviewer. If you seem like “a good fit,” your interviewer will nod appreciatively rather than get bogged down in the details of your knowledge. If you seem like a maverick or misfit (as I so often was), you’ll feel the chasm widen as the interview continues. You may use this article in your blog of ezine IF you (a) make no changes and (b) include this resource box: Cathy Goodwin, PhD, helps midcareer professionals transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs. Download 7 secrets of successful midlife career change: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html Begin your 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover today. http://www.cathygoodwin.com/21days.html

[Career Advice] Moving Your Career "For the Family"

You’ve got a wonderful job, a nice place to live and lots of friends. But you realize you miss your family, who live five hundred miles away. Maybe you just retired and you want to be closer to your aging parents. Or you want to watch your grandchildren grow up. Or you want to get closer to siblings and old friends. Should you move? Here are some questions to help gain insight as you wrestle with a tough decision. (1) Are you moving from a sense of excitement and hope – or from a nagging feeling of obligation? Every so often, I get calls from clients who begin, “I moved to be near my beloved friends and family. And once I arrived, I realized they didn’t need me. In fact, they liked me better when we lived farther apart! How can I get my old career and my old life back?” (2) How will family dynamics change once you’re fifteen minutes away instead of 500 miles? Often you’ll grow closer together and find new sources of strength and inspiration. But sometimes a retiree becomes a taken-for-granted, round-the-clock baby-sitter. A busy self-employed professional is expected to participate in time-consuming family rituals. And more. (3) What’s your family like today – not one, five or ten years ago?. You move to spend time together. But do you know each other? Do you still have a lot in common? If you haven't been in the same city for awhile, expect surprises. Couch potatoes become fitness fanatics. Television addicts discover the public library and the bookstore. Even a change in movie preferences can affect the quality of a relationship. Eight years ago, I wasn’t interested in basketball or dogs. Needless to say, I get into some very interesting conversations with anyone I haven’t seen since 1998. (4) Will you enjoy your new city on your own? Even with a close family, you’ll need your own life. Will your new community support opportunities to grow and change? The best resource (in my biased view): http://www.cathygoodwin.com/bigmove.html (5) Can you find career satisfaction? About a third of my Power Hour calls focus on long-distance job search, with good reason. You have to walk a fine line between showing potential employers you’re motivated to move – and sounding so eager you’ll take whatever you can get. Typically I refer clients with complex family questions to a specialized professional. I urge everyone to understand the impact of career on family. No one wants to spend five years living with resentment because “I gave up a wonderful career for you.” A family counselor will help you sort through these issues. There's reason for optimism. With careful planning, my clients usually find creative ways to enjoy the family and also maintain a satisfying career. If you liked this article, you'll love my ezine: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html You're welcome to reprint this article in any format IF you notify me and include this resource box: Cathy Goodwin, PhD, helps midlife professionals who want to transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs. http://www.cathygoodwin.com Begin your 21-day Extreme Career Makeover http://www.cathygoodwin.com/21days.html

More on the Real Deal of References

Several readers wrote following last week’s article, The Real Deal on References (see posting below for Saturday December 16). Nona Aguilar gave me permission to use her name along with a tip she received from an HR person. When you’re checking a reference, call when you’re pretty sure the reference will be away from his or her desk. Leave a voice mail. Those who are eager to give positive references will return the call. Those who dread giving a negative reference will delay or ignore your message altogether. And... Q: “I now have to ask colleagues for references – how do I do this?” A: Just ask. In some industries it’s so common that nobody will be surprised. You can say, “I’m applying for a job with X and they would like references from colleagues and peers as well as bosses. I’ve really enjoyed working with you and believe you know my work. Could I give your name?” Sometimes your colleague will say, “I’m not sure what to say about you.” In that case be ready to offer specific suggestions or even draft the entire reference letter. The challenge comes if you’re job-hunting in secret and you need references from present colleagues. In general, I believe companies should understand that you can’t give references from your current job till the very last minute. You may offer to bring in copies of performance appraisals, awards and other documents. Q. “I’m pretty sure my boss is giving me a bad reference – what can I do?” A: First, try to negotiate. Many bosses will be so glad to see you go, they’ll help you along the way! I once taught at a business school where everyone realized that we had made a big mistake when we hired a new dean. He was a real disaster. So the senior faculty gave him glowing references when he applied for a new job. Unfortunately, they had friends at other schools and didn’t want to cause hard feelings. The dean’s job hunt was a long one. At this point for you, it’s a matter of sizing up the boss’s hot buttons. Emphasize that you’ve learned a lot from her or you want to leave on good terms with him. Explain that you’ll benefit from the work experience and would like to move on to make a contribution elsewhere. Some bosses will not be reasonable. When you can’t change the reference, frame your presentation to prepare your next employer. Keep your comments short – 1 sentence, 2 at most. “Frankly, Mary and I never really clicked. She wanted more of a numbers type and I’m a creative guy.” Or “You’ll find I got along really well with my previous bosses and I still exchange Christmas cards with most of them. Hank was the only exception. He inherited me when he transferred to our division and he really needed to hire his own team.” Do you have evidence that anyone, anywhere, is making false statements about you? And are those statements causing harm? If so, make an appointment with a lawyer who specializes in employment cases. I am not a lawyer so I am not sure what is required. And some situations may be considered unique under the law. Only a lawyer can advise you on what constitutes illegal behavior and what evidence you need to take legal action. If you do get evidence of defamatory action, usually a letter from your attorney to the individual and/or the company will be enough. But these days a lot of serious reference action takes place behind closed doors on secure phone lines. If you like this posting, you'll love the Great Career Moves Ezine. And if you're going through a job search, check out my irreverent (and highly practical) job search guide. Download today and begin searching more effectively for your Great Escape job.

Storm in Seattle (or why I didn't answer your email)

Last Thursday we began to hear warnings, “Big storm predicted for Friday.” So Thursday afternoon I backed up my computer files, shut down the computer and stocked up on the basics. Crossing Queen Anne Avenue was like fording a small river. Overnight the wind was really loud and rain kept coming down. But we were lucky. The power flickered. I missed some emails. And by Friday morning, the streets were dry and the air was crisp and cool. Others were not so lucky. Most of my friends and neighbors with “real” jobs got Friday off. Schools were closed. Trees fell and demolished some homes. Our local newspaper plant lost power so we had no print news on Friday. And as I write this ezine, many homes in Seattle have been without power for days. At every gathering you hear people asking, “Do you have power yet?” My second winter in Seattle: very different from last year in every way.

[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.

"Wanting and Having"

I can't remember where I heard this: "What do you want? Look at what you have." In some way we create what we have, unless of course we're living in a repressive regime or prisonlike place. Similarly a relationship coach told me, "When I meet a couple who say they're not happy, I say, 'So why are you still together? There m ust be something that's working for you.'" Change begins when the balance shifts. But first it's important to see what's working. Careers work this way too. "Why are you still in the same job?" You like what you have and believe it won't happen anywhere else. For weekly articles delivered to your inbox subscribe here.

Year-End Career Moves

Q. "I hate my job and I really want to move to a warmer climate. Arizona sounds good! But it's the holiday season. I'll start the process on New Year's Day." A. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas often gets dismissed as dead time. Why bother? Few employers are hiring and few clients want to embark on new projects. Anyway, we’re all drowning in year-end deadlines and rejoicing in family festivals. We’re shopping and partying. Who’s got time to think about the future? But my clients who accomplish successful transitions refuse to be derailed. They may take extra breaks but they assign a minimum number of minutes per day to work on their long-term goals. And they gain leverage by putting their subconscious minds to work for them, even while they're attending a party or tracking down gifts at the local mall. How does this happen? Let's say you allocate fifteen minutes a day to your Number One long-term goal. Maybe you add a weekly power surge by calling a coach or mentor. You're verbalizing your goals and hearing reinforcement from a supportive resource. As you're walking the dog, driving to work, or chatting at a party, your subconscious mind remains tuned to your goals, processing the data you generated during your fifteen dedicated minutes and (maybe) your phone sessions. Additionally, everyone you meet will view you as a source of purposeful energy. Enjoying a party? As you spread onion dip over a cracker, you fall into conversation with someone who adds a critical piece to your long-term puzzle. You attract strong, motivated people like yourself, and you reinforce one another. You ease away from the group that's moaning, "I haven't done a thing all week. I really dread the coming of January." What can you do for fifteen minutes a day, between now and New Year's Day, so you’ll be closer to your goals and dreams as you change your calendar?

Audio or visual?

Recently I met someone in person after several months of phone communication. He had proposed a joint project and I was backing off, based on a number of phone communications and missed deadlines.

I was charmed by his style. If I hadn't made a firm decision ahead of time, I'd have said yes.

On the other hand, he was more of a visual person. He hoped to use the opportunity to convert me to say yes. But when we met, he picked up on my body language and nonvebal communication, and he dropped the idea almost immediately. We had a glass of wine and talked about everything but our project. As soon as we met, he recognized it was a dead deal.

I live on the phone and Internet, so I tend to forget the power of face-to-face. And I pick up more on the phone than I do in person. Many people work the opposite way.

"Why am I still here?"

Q. “After ten years in a university community outreach office, I’m ready to join the corporate world. But interviewers ask me why I’ve stayed so long in the nonprofit sector.” A. When faced with tough questions, most of us begin by feeling defensive. Instead, at the first sign of attack, begin to claim your bragging rights. You have to plan ahead so you’ll be prepared. (1) Discuss how you’ve grown in your current job. “I’ve had promotions every two or three years. Each promotion gave me a whole new set of experiences – like moving from job to job.” “Actually I resigned two years ago. My current employer made a counter-offer to keep me.” (2) Show how you’ve contributed value. “I’ve increased our placements from 50% to 90% in two years with no increase in promotional spending.” “With my team, I developed a seminar program that doubled student participation in one year.” (3) Demonstrate your comfort level with corporate for-profit organizations. “Although I work for a university, I deal more with businesses like Pepsico and Citicorp than I do with my own departments. I submit proposals and work on joint programs with corporate executives.” “I work with the business school and we’re immersed in contemporary corporate challenges every day.” (4) Emphasize the prestige of your current organization. “My university’s business program was ranked 9th in our region.” “We attract students and faculty from all over the world.” (5) Use business concepts to frame your resume and interview stories. For example, an academic committee often operates just like a corporate cross-functional team. “My six-member team developed a marketing strategy that doubled the number of Fortune 50 recruiters who came to our campus from 2005 to 2006.” Got the idea? Now practice responding to your own toughest questions by flipping the switch from “beg” to “brag.” Will these tactics guarantee success? Not necessarily. Some companies (and managers) will remain inflexible, no matter how persuasive you are. Remember the Job Changing Mantra: Sometimes the outcome has nothing to do with you. But if you apply what I call the Bragging101 principles, you’ll increase your odds of achieving success. And you’ll come across as a confident professional who deserves respect throughout the interview process.

Using Metaphor to Deal With Office Bully Experience

I just ran across an interesting article on office bullies. Click here to read. You'll also find an article on my website about dealing with bully bosses. Click here to read. Is this a hot topic for you? Send an email