Empower Your Career, Inc.

Mergers, acquisitions, layoffs...will your job survive? Your company is no longer your job security. Your job security is you and only you. What does that mean? It means staying current with your skills, whether you are a senior leader or an individual contributor. How do you do that? Stay in touch with the marketplace by giving your skills a biannual checkup. Check out at least 25 job postings for your profession. See new and unfamiliar requirements? Investigate them. Is a particular skill that you lack being repeated on many job postings? Time to look into that skill and determine if it is something you need to acquire. Then, learn it. You can build your own job security if you are in tune with what the market wants. That will allow you to get a new job much faster if you lose yours. An added bonus is that you will bring more to your current employer. That could result in better pay, a promotion, and external opportunities. It’s up to you to control your career as much as possible. Don’t be taken by surprise with very few options. #management #careers #motivation #personaldevelopment

The interviewer asked, “Tell me about a time you handled conflict in the workplace.” 😡 Would Haley give a good answer or fail this question? Haley had prepared herself for this question. She replied, “I experienced conflict with another employee when it appeared that he was blocking some of my decisions to move forward in my area of a large complex project. 🛑 I knew I had to address this problem or risk my area of the project. I decided to think the best of him and scheduled a meeting to clear up any misunderstanding. I asked him why he was blocking my decisions. ❓❓ To my surprise, he said I was blocking his! It soon became clear that our responsibilities overlapped. We decided the best way to assign these common areas and saw our manager together. ⚒ He agreed with our ideas, and the conflict was resolved. Communication and trust were vital.” In this case, Haley trusted herself to resolve this problem. She also listened to the other employee’s views of the problem and collaborated with him. 👂 Another of my Golden Rules of Interviewing – show that you care more about the mission/relationship than your ego. 🌬 You can try to avoid conflict, but you can’t escape it. #JobSearch #CareerAdvices #InterviewTips #Hiring #ProfessionalDevelopment

The worst advice Sue Ellen was given was to follow her dream... Sue Ellen had dreamt of being a prima ballerina when she was a little girl. 🩰 When Sue Ellen was a teen, her ballet school told her parents that despite her hard work and drive, she did not have the innate talent to reach her desired level. The parents spent hours discussing what to do. They did not want to break their daughter’s heart, so they let Sue Ellen follow her dream. 💔 Sue Ellen was not accepted when she auditioned for spots at top ballet programs. Her parents let college and university rejections tell Sue Ellen the hard facts. She was devastated. 😥 In the real-life version of this story, the parents DID tell their daughter about the ballet school’s assessment and channeled her passion. Today, as a ballet teacher, Sue Ellen fulfills her dream by helping others achieve theirs. 👩🏫 Follow your dream is a feel-good saying that can be meaningless if your reality does not match your expectations. When evaluating a career plan and goals, the right fit includes everything about a person, a 360-degree view of who they are as a whole person. What would you have done as Sue Ellen’s parents? ❓❓ Please share your thoughts in the comments below. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #PersonalDevelopment

What a missed opportunity for Harrison in his interview! Harrison said, "No." "Do you know MS Project?" the interviewer had asked. Harrison had used Jira (a project management tool) for three years. He should have said, "I have used Jira extensively to schedule and track projects. MS Project has many functions like Jira. I can download a copy of MS Project tonight and will be a power user by the time I come on board if you decide to hire me." That response would have shown his experience with PM tools and his commitment to the potential employer. When asked if you have a specific skill or experience, THINK ABOUT A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. Marissa was asked, "Have you ever dealt with C-level executives during a sale?" She answered, "I always deal with a prospect's key stakeholders during a sale. I ensure that all invested parties know the benefits and features of my products, listen to and address their concerns, and keep them updated on their status. I am confident I will successfully work with C-level execs following the same communications strategy." Another of my Golden Rules of Interviewing is to use a comparable situation to show who you are. Don't hide behind a 'no'. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #InterviewingTips #Hiring #ProfessionalDevelopment 

A loaded job interview question... “Why are you leaving your company/profession/military now?” Be clear in your own mind why you are leaving. That will help you frame your answer. My first golden rule of interviewing is preparation. The second is to stay positive. Even if you are underpaid and overworked for the world’s worst boss at the world’s worst company, do not say that. It does not add value to you. If you give negative answers, your interviewers think you may trash-talk about them or their company, like you have about your current company and management. Instead, you can consider the following answers and select one that sounds like you or make up your own. “I have increased my management and communication proficiencies at my current job by taking on larger projects, but the opportunity to grow my skillset is limited. I am excited and motivated by the growth opportunities your position offers.” “The mission at my current company is not as motivating as yours. The products and services you offer align more with my values and I am excited to work on them.” “Your position offers the chance to work in a more focused company on current trends and adapt quickly to the changing marketplace. This highly motivates me since I want to learn more about this sector.” And a winner for today’s tech environment: “I was caught in a company layoff, and I am interested in your company because it is held in high regard by its employees,” or something positive. You show value by saying you are motivated or want to deepen your skills, learn more about their business, or contribute. #jobsearch #careeradvice #inteviewtips #professionaldevelopment

Uh oh. You made a big-time mistake. 🙈 Remember that sickening feeling when you realized your mistake? You just wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. 🕳 Sometimes, when you make a mistake, it feels like the end of the world. 💣 Your emotions kick in, and you feel unhappy and stuck. We all make mistakes, misjudgments, blunders, and bloopers. What to do? Emotions must be controlled to think clearly about how to fix the situation. Somebody will discover the mistake sooner or later. ⚡ What is that old saying? It isn’t the crime; it’s the cover-up. 🔍 Admitting a mistake and accepting responsibility gives you the power to fix it. By blaming someone or something else, you give away your authority to fix the mistake. This process is not easy. 🏋️♀️ Admitting a mistake can make one feel vulnerable, exposed, and weak. There is the fear of losing a partner, friend, or job. 😨 It takes strength to admit an error, blunder, waste of money, unkindness, and so on. 💪 Most people will respect your willingness to come forward, admit a mistake, apologize, and try to remedy the situation. Even if it hurts, think about a time you made a mistake. 😔 Can you admit your humanity? #motivation #careeradvice #professionaldevelopment

Do you ever feel like screaming because you are not being heard? 😱 Everyone wants to be heard! Maybe you are discussing an issue with a coworker and see them glancing at their phone. 🥱 Or, you could be pouring your heart out to a partner or friend who is bored. You’re asking yourself, ‘Is it me that no one wants to listen to?’ Not! If we are not being entertained or charmed, we turn off. 😴 We make the situation all about us and our reaction. That connection to our fellow humans takes a back seat. What to do? 🤷♀️ Is this something that can be fixed? If we want to be heard, don’t others? Aren’t we all wanting that human connection, to mean something to others? 🤝 Here’s what I have come up with. If you have better ideas, and I’m sure you do, please comment below. I decided to model what I wanted. Yes, to be engaged and listen. 👂 I am hoping that this behavior will be contagious, like the flu! When someone is talking to me, I give them my full attention. I make reassuring noises like Uh Huh, Yes, and Hmmm. Now, don’t be cynical. Pay attention and show that you are engaged. 🤔 I often sum up or model what the other person is communicating. ‘So, you are saying that...’ Avoid problem-solving for someone else. They have their answers within themselves. Whatever we put out in the Universe comes back to us. 🌌 All you have to do is listen. #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #PersonalBrand #InterviewTips

Are you feeling unmotivated about your #jobsearch? 🥱 Lack of #motivation often stems from self-doubt. It’s normal to doubt yourself after searching for months without success. Have you used the ‘throw it against the wall and see what sticks’ job search method? 🤞 Applying for those kinds of jobs results in rejection, increasing your self-doubt. Stop doing that! 🛑 Self-doubt will erode your soul. 🤷♀️ Gain #inspiration from within! Dig deep and remember how you overcame adversities in the past. 💪 Those memories will help to renew your belief in yourself. Could you revamp your resume and LinkedIn profile and deepen your skills? Carefully target your search. 🎯 Gaining new skills anytime shows an employer you are committed to your profession. If you are currently unemployed, look for temporary or contracting positions in your field and gain new skills. ⚙ The unemployment gap is smaller when you can show positive activity while searching for a job. Believe in yourself and your value. 💰 Someone is looking for exactly what you can bring to a company. #motivation #inspiration #jobsearch #careeradvice #hiring

The #JobSeekers eternal conundrum – there is no salary with this #JobPosting! Should I apply? The job sounds perfect for me! What to do? There are two great resources to tell you what a job title is worth in a particular area of the country. You can double-check your salary in your area or the #JobPosting. Are you underpaid, overpaid, or just right? Before applying, check out the salary offered for the #Job you are interested in. If they underpay for new hires, that may be consistent throughout your time there – raises, promotions, and profit-sharing may be underwhelming. If a company overpays for new hires, do some digging. Are they having problems attracting talent, or is it the scarcity of qualified candidates for the job? Both www.salary.com and www.payscale.com have good data to offer. Salary.com gets its data by purchasing the most current compensation salary survey reports from well-recognized compensation consulting companies. Payscale.com collects salary data from employees through a detailed online survey. I like to check out both. They have valuable insights to offer those #SeekingWork and people wanting to know what the market has to offer. #Jobseekers #SeekingWork #JobSearch

Are you worth more than a big-screen TV or a Brazilian butt lift? 😆 People spend thousands of dollars on things they can see, touch, and admire, but when it comes to their #Careers or #JobSearch, they hesitate to spend a dollar. 💲 No, this is not a sales pitch about why you should spend money with me... This is about self-care and getting you to think about why you feel that you don’t deserve to spend money on your career, #Resume, #LinkedInProfile, or #Interviewing. After all, you spend at least eight hours a day at your job. ⚒ That is a significant chunk of your life. Many people think they can write the best #Resume ever, create the most engaging #LinkedInProfile, and ace every #Interview with some help from the web. They will struggle for months #SeekingWork rather than get help. Why is that? Do you do that? If you were feeling sick, wouldn’t you see a doctor? 🩺 If you were seriously depressed, wouldn’t you get help from someone? Wouldn't you call a landscaper if your lawn turned brown and flowers died? 🥀 And so on... You are entitled to ask for help with your career to get what you need faster ✈ and better. Do it. Get help with your career. Make a change and transform your career and life. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #InterviewTips #ResumeTips #ProfessionalDevelopment