Greetings!
Welcome to Between the Trapezes! Often the changes in
our lives feel precarious as we are in that space between two certainties.
But taking that chance is what brings success.
Enjoy reading, and feel free to forward this eNewsletter on.
And if you received this email in error, our apologies -- just unsubscribe
using the easy link at the bottom of this page.
Joanne
Success Story: A Career Diary, part 2
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Last
month, I wrote here about the wisdom of keeping a career
"diary". This is on-the-job keeping track of new tasks and new
responsibilities you handled well, and what you're learning. Doing so
helps you on your current job AND when you prepare to find your next job.
In response to that
article, I heard from a reader, Dan Bell, who is doing precisely this on
his job, which he's had for a little over six months. His role is to
revamp production processes for greater productivity, a new initiative
for his company and new for Dan.
How is Dan tracking what he's learning? Dan is using simple journaling
software to note processes that he's tried and haven't worked, and of
course, what's working. He logs the new methods he's trying, and which
ones the people on various teams respond to. He notes what he has to
adjust as people learn. He tracks what he's covering in the training for
those involved, as well as the training content that differs for each
group. He's making note of the problems that have cropped up, and what
solutions work. And of course, he's tracking his own role in all of this.
What has this taught Dan?
As he reviewed his job diary recently, he realized he is documenting all
the new things he's doing and learning -- as well as a possible next job.
He actually sees that what he's doing in his work is unique: not only in
his current company, but in his industry. He's paving the way. In short,
he's going to be far more able to lobby for his next position with his
company because he'll have data and successes to point to, when the time
comes. He won't be counting on his memory. He'll be more than ready.
Your career diary would
be far different than Dan's yet would be just as powerful. Start keeping
track of your successes, and you'll be ready for your next search, too.
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A Happy Ending: Kate's Story
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Kate
was a brand-new MBA when she began to work with me on her search. She had
some entrepreneurial experience with her family's business, but not a lot
in the way of corporate work, even in her internships.
Working with Kate, she
decided on a track for Project Manager. Marketing research or business
analysis were two target career areas.
She began networking and doing career research meetings, and this led to
her sending her resume to a few companies where such meetings helped her
uncover openings. Her confidence was building.
A networking contact
led Kate to an interview at a priority target company of hers. She had
the interview and some phone meetings, and was made an offer. She was
delighted, as was I, and now felt able enough to do some negotiating. So
she successfully negotiated for tuition reimbursement, a huge concession
for this particular company, according to everyone there she'd talked to.
For someone who was just beginning her career, it was a coup, and it
seemed she was set to start.
It was then that Kate went, I believe, a step too far: emboldened, she
asked the hiring manager for more concessions. His reaction: she now
seemed, well, greedy, especially for someone with so little experience,
so he withdrew the offer. Kate was devastated.
We talked about her
options now. I suggested she talk with the hiring manager again, and she
did. Although he would not reconsider her, he recognized her potential
and suggested she keep her eye open for other managers' openings there,
though none materialized during the rest of her search.
Kate forged on. She kept
up her resume submissions and networking meetings, and had another offer
which she turned down because it didn't fit. She then landed with an
investment research firm in a Project Management track, which will propel
her toward her ultimate goal. She's getting valuable experience.
In her search, Kate learned her value in the marketplace, and that she
probably wasn't a fit for one of her target companies -- initially a
disappointment but in the end, good to know.
Despite a few bumps, she landed in the right place for her.
Congratulations, Kate!
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Thank You for Your Referrals!
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A hearty and grateful thank
you goes out to those of you who referred associates, friends, and
family to us over this last month or so, or who asked us to send this
newsletter to someone who could use it:
Gene Wood, Peg Roberts, Perry Charpentier, Dan Hagebak, Cathy Waldhauser,
Tom O'Brien, Robin Johnson, Jim Campbell, Steve Ness, and Tim Olson.
Joanne appreciates your trust, and is looking forward to working with
your referrals to ignite their job searches!
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The Job Search is All About the Right
Communications
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So much of the search depends on how you communicate your
value to a potential employer. Here's a tool that will help you find
the right words.
The Resume Queen's Job Search Thesaurus and Career Guide is available here or on Amazon.com, where it's gotten solid positive reviews. AND it's also
available as a iVersion for your iPod.
By using the Thesaurus and Guide, you'll improve your chances of
strong communications with prospective employers. In these uncertain
times, why not give yourself every advantage?
Thank you for your order!
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Tip of the Month
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Joanne Meehl
Thought of the Day:
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the
difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them.
-- Phyllis Bottome, novelist
Tip of the Month:
Be sure to have job search business cards separate and apart from
those you use for your current job. These cards, with bullets
highlighting your leading value factors, along with your contact
information, are a useful tool during your search.
_________________________
We are proud members of:
- Association of Career
Professionals Int'l
- Career Management
Alliance
- Chapman Private Practice
Alliance
- Business Networking
International
Called "The Resume Queen" years ago by a career
counselor colleague, Joanne Meehl decided to have fun
with the nickname (which we've officially trademarked). But she also
takes it seriously by keeping her career management skills on the leading
edge, through research and ongoing dialog with hiring managers.
You're now seeing us use "The Job Search Queen", which better
reflects the breadth of our services. The trademark is pending. We use
both "queen" nicknames in our materials.
________________________
Know someone who would benefit from getting this newsletter? If
so, send us their email address, and we'll add them to our mailing list.
Are you trying to fix the wrong problem? -- Maybe you think your
resume isn't working but could it really be that there just aren't many
jobs in your field right now? Or maybe the companies just aren't a good
fit? Find out what's wrong, especially if you're stuck, stalled, and
confused, during a Quick
Consult with the Queen. This 1-2 hour session gives you concrete
steps to follow for getting unstuck, for a fee of $150. And if you choose
to work with Joanne on these steps, that fee is applicable to your
project.
Joanne's Blog:
The Heart of the Matter
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