TWAS THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

'Twas the day of the Interview, I had prepared
Though I still felt a bit nervous and slightly scared
My accomplishment statements were written with care
And I had my best suit cleaned and ready to wear

My resume had been simplified and revised
I even got rid of the typos and the lies
Key skills were highlighted to my targeted job
I done my prep and was clearly no blob

I ran out the door, and thought… I will do my best
I sprang into my car and drove toward the west
Arriving at the company’s site in a flash
Spit out my chewing gum and threw it in the trash.

The receptionist ushered me in with a smile
Do you want coffee? You’ll be here for quite a while
Actually what I really wanted was a beer
I replied no, and hoped someone would soon appear

The HR director came in, smiled and said hi
I knew in the moment I was their woman/guy
Though the many interview questions they came,
She queried and paused and even called me by name

"Tell me about yourself? What did you do? How long?
Why did you leave? What have you done since you’ve been gone?
Hmm, Who do you know? Ohh, Why should we hire you?
Now again from the top what do you want to do?

As my voice began to squeak and mouth became dry
I reinforced the real reason behind the why
I had been so successful throughout my career
It was my strengths and skills I wanted her to hear

And then, out of the blue I heard her clearly proclaim
You would be great, lets see if others think the same
My mouth fell open, and I almost shrieked with joy
Down the hallway she led me to the boss named Roy

Dressed business casual with Cole Hahn loafers on his feet,
Said he was really pleased to have the chance to meet
And that there were a “bunch of monkeys” on his back,
What could I do to get him on the success track?

His eyes, they twinkled, as I shared my plan
He nodded when I told him, I know that I can
He chuckled when I asked him for the position
After all that was my intention and mission

He told me what to expect in the salary range
The tables had turned and this was a positive change
I had researched the position and was ready
Quietly, I sat there and held his glance steady

You’re making me an offer on the job,? I asked
Then sat and played cool keeping my emotions masked
Negotiations began and I kept my wits;
We established base salary then benefits

He spoke the words I had waited so long to hear
”I’d like to offer you the job for the New Year”
I shook his hand and told him yes, said that was great
It was a great day one that would guide my fate

I left the office feeling a sense of relief
It does really work if you have the right belief
Working your strategy is what you have to do
I GOT A JOB AND MUCH SUCCESS TO ALL OF YOU!

Written by Chief Career Strategst-Heather Wieshlow 2003
www.aturningpoint.com/

New Career Coaching Club for Professionals begins Monday November 20th!

I'm proud to announce the Career Coaching Club for Professionals seeking employement!
Start your job search off right with this unique concept that blends lecture with a lab experience and is guided by professional Career Coach, Heather Wieshlow and guest instructors will work with individuals each week so that they will have tangible deliverables and will be built on accountability. This Coaching Lab is excellent for individuals that have had some job search training but need help in actually implementing the basic concepts taught. Professional environment, fun people, excellent learning all designed to help you land your next position!

4 Week Program - Mondays 8:30 – 12:30pm
Irvine, CA

For more detailed schedule and how to get started. http://careerclub.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/laguna_niguel/

A Poem for the Job Seekers Journey

In your job search there’s no need to despair

Just remember who you are and prepare

Know what you want and be willing to share

Everywhere, everywhere, I do declare

Only 8 Days before the Opportunity Green Business Conference at LA Center Studios, September 22-24, 2010

The world can no longer afford business as usual. Opportunity Green confronts this challenge and brings together the brightest innovators leading the growth of the new green economy. Forge new strategic partnerships, get the inside view on the hottest trends and technologies and find out where the jobs are beginning to sprout up. Explore the latest in sustainability strategies and best practices, and learn knowledge that will help in your job search. http://www.opportunitygreen.com/

GET 30% OFF DISCOUNT CODE:  OGL30

Key Points to Remember when you "Tell me about Yourself"

The purpose of "Tell me about Yourself" is a way for the interviewer to get to know who you are as an individual, find out what your background and areas of expertise are and if it meets their needs. It also sets the stage for the entire interview process. Much can be garnered from this powerful question including how you communicate, your level of confidence, your ability to organize information, level of honesty and trust you project, your ability to influence, whether you prepared or not, clarity on desired direction and to the more discerning eye many non-verbal factors that can be indicative of numerous other "areas of interest".
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. Should be approximately 2 minutes in length.
2. Emphasize specific work history and areas of expertise that are applicable to the position you are applying for.
3. Focus should be on your professional skills spoken from overview perspective not a chronological recap of your entire life history...example: when I was six years old I moved from Wisconsin from a dairy farm, then when I was seven...
4. Write your two minute version of your "30 Second Commercial" then practice it out loud numerous times. Do not memorize it, rather integrate it so that is flows easily, is fresh, always comes across as interesting and is spoken in a conversational tone. If it is boring and done by rote you will be bored and so will the interviewer. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to practice this out loud and receive feedback...it takes time to get it right!
5. Remember that this is just an "appetizer" and that you want to engage the interviewer in a way that creates interest and allows you to share your power stories about what you do and that showcases who you are and what you bring to the table.
6. Remember to use the accomplishments spoken in the PAR (Problem, Action, Result) format. It is nice to hear that you take the initiative, but the proof will be shown if you can share an accomplishment that proves that you take the intiative. Share percentages, numbers, dollars, time saved etc for more impact and validity.
7. Share pertinent information that is relevant to the position and the company. Everyone has numerous accomplishments but choosing the right ones for the right position allow you to be seen as the right candidate.
8. Branding is important. How do you want to be known will be reflected in your tagline as well as how you come across on a personality level and in what you say.
9. Speak to the person you are interviewing with, not at them with and remember to make a connection.
10. Be authentic, speak from your heart but organize your information with your head.

Hope this information helps all of you working on your "Tell me about Yourself"

Success tips from GoDaddy's Founder

Bob Parsons from GoDaddy offers 16 rules for success in business and life.
http://www.bobparsons.me/bp_16_rules.php

Are you in the Discovery, Design or Development Phase in your Job Search?

Everything we do in life is comprised of a series of little steps that can be observed and will generate a productive or non-productive outcome. For example, if we want to brush our teeth, we wouldn't go outside and look for our toothbrush in the garden. We wouldn't be calling our friends at midnight and asking them whether or not we should brush our teeth. To be effective we would not brush one side of our mouth, then leave the other side for the next day. (at least I hope not :>) The same principle applies to the job search process, if our activities are not streamlined with our objective we won't generate the results we want and will need to make changes that will allow us to be more effective. The first step is to know where we are at so that we know how to proceed and what we need to do. Take these quizzes to see where you are at in the job search process and then look at the resources to see how they may be able to assistance to you.

DISCOVERY PHASE

In this phase individuals find themselves in an exploratory phase of dealing with their career transition and are seeking clarity in order to decide which direction they want to go next. They are eager to find out what is important to them in their personal and professional lives. By clarifying their talents, values and mission in life they will find what they are most interested in and understand where they can find this combination in the workplace. To help you find out if you are in the Discovery Phase of your Career Transition, answer the questions in the Discovery Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Discovery Resources.


DESIGN PHASE

In this phase individuals have a fairly clear idea of who they are, the type of position they are interested in and the type of environment they are best suited for. They are seeking specific information, connections and strategic skills that they need to obtain a fulfilling career. The specific steps in this phase are Personal Preparation, Professional Preparation, Job Search, Interviewing and Offer Acceptance. This includes information on resumes, salary negotiation, social networking and much, much more. To help you find out if you are in the Design Phase of your Career Transition, answer the questions in the Design Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Design Resources.


DEVELOPMENT PHASE

In this phase individual have found employment and are seeking ways to become more productive in their work, deal with change more effectively, resolve conflicts, and increase their ability to grow in their current positions. It focuses on the areas of interpersonal skills, creativity and communication. To help you find out if you are in the Development Phase, answer the questions in the Development Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Development Resources.

Green Education and Networking Opportunities in the Southern CA area

Looking for a job in the Green Industry? Check out these Conferences for information and networking opportunities.

Clean Technology Conference & Expo June 21-25, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/yhvwxhj
Learn about jobs, opportunities and developments in Global Sustainability. Clean Technology 2010 brings together over 5,000 technology and business leaders and experts from academia, investment, government, startups and Fortune 1,000 companies.

Opportunity Green Business Conference at LA Center Studios, September 22-24, 2010
http://www.opportunitygreen.com/
The world can no longer afford business as usual. Opportunity Green confronts this challenge and brings together the brightest innovators leading the growth of the new green economy. Forge new strategic partnerships, get the inside view on the hottest trends and technologies and find out where the jobs are beginning to sprout up. Explore the latest in sustainability strategies and best practices, and learn knowledge that will help in your job search.

The Ultimate Question...how far will $10 go...You won't believe it

Check out my day on $10!
http://tinyurl.com/yymy6sk

Have you backed-up your Linkedin Profile Recently?

To Friend or not to Friend...that is the Question

In our 24/7 high tech world we can be reached at any moment. It is not uncommon for people to take their phones on walks, to the grocery store, while dining and even to the bathroom! Yet that still is not enough we also have a plethora of social networking sites that let us update our every move and thought. Yet, the question begs to be asked...how much is too much? In a society that is known for its ability to over consume, when will we be satiated? After all there are only 24 hours a day and only so many activities can be accomplished. What do we sacrifice when we are constantly on "go mode", connecting with the masses and spending upteen hours updating our status and finding our next friend? Perhaps we can have a tendency to forget the most important relationships that are right in front of us. Like the relationship we have with ourselves, with nature and even with the people that we call our family and "real friends"

This article http://tinyurl.com/yh2f8mo offers another perspective to the current craze of social networking and is worth considering. After all if the tool begin to rule our lives instead of being an instrument that we choose to use... is that really progress? Share your thoughts....when you have time :>)

Focus and Relaxing your Brain is the Key

You heard it before...focus...and relax. Now a technology from NueroSkype actually shows you in a live lab format how you can use your brain to perform various tasks an maximize your abilities by doing just that. Even, see how your mind can actually move objects! http://tinyurl.com/y86m6ux

The technology has numerous applications, yet if we remember to focus and relax in our everyday lives...we have the ability to get the same results without the headgear. Take a moment out of your hectic day to connect with your body, take a couple deep breaths then begin the tasks that are on your action list with a clear focused brain and experience the difference.

Jacquie Mosley wins the 1st CHEER Award

Jacquie Mosley is like many other people...looking for a job. However, while many people can easily fall into a pit of dispair when unemployment confronts them, Jacquie has kept a positive sense of optomisim, utilized creative thinking and holds onto a deep sense of gratitude despite any situation she experiences. Take a look at this video and see what an amazing woman she is. http://tinyurl.com/yczrwmm and if you have a job opportunity, email her at jacquimosley@aol.com

I have awarded her the the 1st CHEER Award that honors job seekers who demonstrate the traits and characteristics of success despite obstacles. Congratulations Jacquie, I know you are destined for great things!