Empowering People To Change

For the past few weeks i have been working with a variety of clients seeking experience IT and Accounting Finance managers for a SAP project. I have found that is difficult locating professional in this market. Although the unemployment index is above 10.5 nationally. In some areas it is over 20.0% and the economy is very affected. Given this high unemployment why is it people have not differiented themselves in the job market, and seeked additional training.

I am not saying everyone is going to be an SAP programmer. However if we all trained or requested additional training perhaps we can resolve our problems and lower the unemployment index. Just a Thought!

Where the Jobs Are

It has been a while since i have posted to my blog. I have been busy with training and coaching executives who are having a difficult time with locating a new position and need some career advice.

The best advice i have for anyone today seeking a new position is to never give up or become not focused on our goal and objective. We have to try and change the way we do things with looking for a job, interviewing, resume writing, and proper attire for the job.

i am going to update my content more frequently and continue to write and empower people to change.

Usually people associate dining out with fun, pleasure and a relaxed atmosphere. All true statements until you are trying to land a job while going out for lunch. Candidates normally asked themselves why an employer would want to conduct an interview over a meal. There are many reasons why. The hiring manager may not want the office to know they are interviewing for a certain position. The position may require heavy client interaction and business meetings and not only are you being considered for the position but also you are being observed on how you perform in an open environment. It doesn’t matter what the reason is, but in an extremely tight job market you the candidate need to be prepared.
Here are a couple of Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind.

The Do’s
 Shut off your cell phone – I know it’s very tempting to check you blackberry or phone but resist temptation. Even if your interviewer is checking their phone do not check yours.
 Learn the Restaurant – Find out something about the restaurant that can be associated with something you are interested in. Engage your interviewer about the restaurant ask a question “Have you been here before?” “What do you recommend?”
 Inquire about your interviewer – You need to break the ice, ask questions such as “What do you like most about the company?” “How did you get your position here?”
 Keep your guard up – Remember this is an interview not a social setting. Keep focused on what’s at stake. Some companies will send an employee that is similar in age and background that will try to possibly stay something that you should not have.

The Do Not’s
 Talk Excessively – Better known as the pregnant pause used by interviewers. When you are done answering a question do not fill the open air. It is interesting what is said when someone is nervous.
 Being Late – Whether it’s for an in office interview or lunch interview always arrive about 15 minutes early.
 Rude to Restaurant Workers – This rank’s number one as the biggest blunder. Be polite to your waiter/waitress. Be patient and keep you focus on why you are there.
 Your Ordering Taste – Keep in mind the price of the items on the menu. Ordering the most expensive item. Skip dessert and only order coffee if the hiring manager is having something. This shows that you are fiscally responsible. Beware of what you order. Order something that you need to use a fork, and stay away from onions and garlic.

Following these easy to remember tips will help you land your new position. Lunch interviews just added some more complexity to the hiring process. Also always do your research on the company and be prepared.

Yesterday I meet with a great person who has been seeking a job for the last 6 months. What sets Gloria apart is her positive approach and dedication to find a job. She has not given up and decided to continue pushing every day. I explained to her don’t worry about how long it will take, or what others will think of you, or how difficult it will be. Just stay focus and continue searching every day. Instead of wasting your time and energy on worry, use that time and energy for action. Instead of visualizing what you don’t want, create what you do want. I always tell people if you can visualize your dream job than you can materialize in life.

Of course there will be challenges, painful mistakes, embarrassing moments and difficult efforts. But instead of worrying about them and making them worse, just go ahead, work your way through them and get them over with. Worry fills you with doubt, and doubt eats away at your dreams. It will cause you to second guess yourself. Instead of worrying take action, with so much relentless determination and intensity that there’s no room for worry.

Even though there will always be problems, you are truly capable of greatness. I explained to Gloria Imagine yourself fulfilling that greatness, starting right now. Then embrace enthusiastically into the journey of success and bring your best possibilities to life.

If you are having a difficult time finding a job don’t worry your dreams will come true if you believe and continue every day.

Empowering Movement in the Job Market

           With many people we are surrounded by stress and it compiles daily in our lives. We start our day with stress just figuring out what to wear and forget about trying to get a quick cup of coffee at the local Starbucks. Stress in the workforce is a harmful and emotional response that occurs when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the workers. 

Stress can lead to greater health risk later on in life. Stress affects virtually every organ in your body from your heart, blood vessels, immune system, lungs, digestive system, and sensory organs. A stressed filled life greatly increases our risk for heart attack and stroke. This is especially significant for people over the age of 40 which I am and also being a Black American. Stress in the begin may act as a boost in strength in the short run but overtime stress takes a great toll on the body. It is now believed that constant stress puts much strain on our arteries, causing chronically high levels of stress hormones and pushing people to maintain unhealthy habits like smoking, over eating, or drinking. Men who are stressed out are doubling their chances of having a stroke then their peers.

These results carry slightly over into women but they are found to not suffer from strokes as much. Women are actually more susceptible to stress then men which lead to many problems with their sleeping, eating, and routine habits. To relieve stress many simple things can be done to significantly lower your stress level. One of the main ways to lower stress levels surprisingly is laughter. Putting on a funny movie, going to a comedy show, or just having a good time with friends is a fantastic way to reduce stress daily. We should also treat ourselves and find other outlets to relieve stress. For some with more severe stress should look into yoga or meditation. It seems easy to say you do not have enough time to handle your stress. Change the way you look at things and handle life different.

If you are struggling financially or whatever the stress in your life may be take 5 minutes out of your day to cool down and take a deep breath. Reflect on the positive things in life and the good things around you. Close your eyes and visualize success and empowerment.

During the holidays I am thankful for my Health, Happiness, Family, and friends. I wish you all the best and pray you are empowered by my articles and you land a life changing career position.  

Empowering People to Change,

Today I met with a great person who was affected by the job market. Her company performed a RIF (reduction in workforce) and she has been without a job for less than a month. What set her apart was her determination and focus to find another position. She was positive and had a clear vision of when she was going to start working. That is all she focused on and nothing could change her mind.

I wish all the people I met had the same positive outlook on life and overcoming a difficult time in the nation’s economy. Sometimes when I speak with candidates I become a counselor, motivator, shoulder to cry on, and just a friendly ear to listen to someone’s pain. You can’t avoid reading another article or listening to the news and hearing about unemployment rates, foreclosures, and the pending automotive crisis. The media continues to focus on death, crisis, and financial woes before something fun and exciting… at least in the Miami news market.

I always tell people do not listen to negativity and focus on the positive.   If you focus on images and thoughts of negativity, then that is what will come true in your mind. We all need to learn and stop being our own worst enemy. Let’s try to empower someone every day with information to help them in their lives, and change the way they do things.