To be fair, I do get a lot of these types of notes on a daily basis, and my heart goes out to all the people that are unemployed and experiencing financial hardship. To that end, I volunteer and donate my time to the Oregon Employment Department teaching classes on how to write resumes. Through this program, I try to help as many people as possible who don’t have the resources to pay for these services. As it happens, this person lives back East and they obviously can’t take advantage of this class… so I wrote back and offered some specific resources that were free and would be very helpful to help them get on their feet.

And, you know what?

I didn’t get even an acknowledgment or thank you from that person. That part I can live with. Some people don’t “get” common courtesy when someone went out of their way to help them, and we can write that off to poor upbringing, laziness, or general lack of manners.

But what this person did next really exposed the obstacle between themselves and their job search success: I got another message via Twitter with a demand: “Are you going to help me? Yes or No? I need to move on to other resources if you won’t.”

Excuse me?

Demanding job search help doesn’t mean you will get it. Especially when you burn bridges along the way. I might have tried to help this person a little more had they been a little softer and kinder. That doesn’t mean they would have scored a “free” resume, but I could have taken more time to help them and offer more quick coaching tips.

Which brings me to the point of this post: There are tons of career blog posts out there talking about the VALUE of building relationships with people. If you take the time to build connections, you will have a better opportunity to activate others who are willing to go to bat for you. Most people, when asked (politely and respectfully) for help, they are more than willing to provide that assistance.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help; it’s when you demand it -when you put an ultimatum on it – that people start to have knee jerk reactions and turn their backs against you.

Most of us understand we cannot “expect” or demand others give us what we want. Like respect, good will has to be earned and is not simply given away. And, in a job search, one needs to build up as much good will as possible to open as many doors as possible. THAT is the key to a successful job search.

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Of special note, one of my clients wrote, “I feel there should be a website for mature adults who have worked all their lives. Give us a chance.” Very moving… there was no way I could turn my back on this request.

Here is what I asked my current clients:

• What do you miss about working?
• What are some of your biggest job search obstacles?
• What are your biggest job search fears?

Most of the answers were along the lines of what I expected to hear – I have been counseling injured workers for a long time… I want to assure you that you are not alone and what you are feeling is entirely normal!

Here are some of the answers I got to my brief survey:

What do you miss about working?

• Being out in public and seeing people
• Filling up my day with different activities
• Earning money, having freedom and independence
• Having something to look forward to
• Doing something I’m good at

What are some of your biggest job search obstacles?

• Use of my injured body part
• Memory and concentration
• Lack of skills
• Finding a job in a new field or industry
• Age

What are your biggest job search fears?

• Not being able to do the job
• Interviewing
• Not being able to make enough money
• Not being hired
• Learning new skills

It is hard enough to look for and find work, but to add another obstacle such as a work related injury just makes it that much more difficult. There are steps you can take to overcome your concerns, obstacles, and even your biggest job search fears.

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Little White Lies: Who’s Going To Know?

Some job seekers think the goal of a resume is to get them a job. In reality, a resume is a tool designed to get you an interview. It is then up to you to actually “close the deal” and get the job during the interview. By listing experience on your resume you’re inviting an interviewer to ask you more about it. When you fabricate experiences you don’t really have, it becomes readily apparent when an interviewer presses you for more details.

Overstating Your Case

Sometimes, job seekers don’t intend to be misleading on their resumes, but they don’t know how to describe their previous experience both truthfully and impressively. This is where hiring a professional resume writer can be especially helpful. It’s important to hire a writer who will take the time to conduct a personal interview with you; professional resume writers are trained to make your experiences sound as impressive as possible. You don’t want the person who must evaluate you based only upon what he has to read to inadvertently overestimate your abilities or qualifications.

Underselling Your Product

In contrast, job seekers who do a personal consultation with a professional resume writer often find that they have unintentionally been underselling their professional qualifications. Having someone else on the outside looking in will create a whole new vantage point and can frame your experience in a way you never previously considered. We often hear clients say, “I’ve done all of that, I can’t believe I never thought of that before.”

No matter how much experience you have, there’s a way to successfully—and truthfully—market your accomplishments on your resume. It’s just being able to find the balance between impressive, uniquely qualified and not overstating accomplishments you can’t back up in an interview later.

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Here are six ways to capture a little summer and put it in your cubicle:

Take Some Beach

Are you a beach bum? Grab some seashells, sea glass, or sand and make your own desktop beach! Get a little creative: mix all of them in a clear vase and place it next to your computer screen. No sunblock needed.

Indulge A Little

What were your favorite summertime foods as a kid? Corn dogs? Grab a pack of microwavable ones to make in the office kitchen. Ice cream? Pick up a mini cup of Ben & Jerry’s and take five at your desk. Hey, it’s summer, right? You deserve few guilty pleasures.

Put Up Summer Art

Whether it’s a painting of the sun, a photo of the beach, or an ornament from your garden, a little summer art can really brighten up your office (and even your mood).

Smell The Ocean

Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up a summer-scented air freshener. When you’re having a brain freeze at work, take five minutes, close your eyes, and imagine a relaxing place while smelling your favorite summer scents.

Get A Plant

It’s no palm tree, but having a little desk plant can add some life to your work space. Flowers are always a nice addition to the office, but perhaps you should get an aloe plant so you can treat that sunburn you go over the weekend?

Opt For Iced Tea

Need the caffeine but want something more refreshing than coffee? Pour yourself a nice, cold glass of iced tea. Don’t forget the lemon!

What do you do to enjoy summer when at the office?

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1. Almost everyone starts at the bottom. Regardless of what you think you deserve, you probably will, too.
2. There are no “right” answers for finding career fulfillment. Every path is different; every destination unique.
3. It’s not enough to be good at what you do. Talent and skill will only take you so far.
4. Work is not separate from the rest of your life. Compartmentalization is a myth.
5. Professional growth requires discomfort.
6. If you’re unhappy with your career, it’s up to you to change it. No one else controls your situation.
7. Almost every job has a trade off. You’ll probably never get everything you want in one place.
8. Achieving long-term career goals requires sustained effort and deliberate action. It’s no accident or coincidence.
9. Your career is about YOU.
10. A successful job search should take anywhere from three to six months. It’s not something that happens overnight.
11. If you hate your job, it probably won’t get better with time. Sticking around because you’re afraid will only dig you deeper into the rut.
12. Just as any successful business owner has a business plan, every successful professional should have a career plan.
13. Money may be the reason you have to work, but it’s not the true motivation. People who wake up with joy each day are working for entirely different reasons. Money is simply a byproduct.
14. Bad career advice is everywhere. If it sounds too simple to be true, it probably is.
15. If you find yourself job hopping and nothing ever satisfies you for any period of time, it’s time to look at yourself. Most likely, you’re part of the problem.
16. Every company has that person who gets away with slacking off, takes all the credit, earns more than she deserves, etc. The good news is that she’s not your problem. Let it go.
17. If you’re not willing to invest in your career, why would any company be willing to invest in you?
18. Most people change careers 3-7 times in their lives. That doesn’t mean you will.
19. Layoffs happen. You may get fired. You may be “forced out” for reasons beyond your control. You’ll survive, and you’ll be stronger for it.
20. No one achieves career success alone. The most successful professionals nurture their networks, show support and give more than they expect to get.

Do you have any to add? Please share in the comments!

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I love this photo because it reminds me to be persistent in the pursuit of my goals and dreams. When we are persistent, we act with conviction, and that energy draws us toward those people and events that help our dreams come to fruition. Even if they don’t show up exactly how we want or think they should or, we are met with obstacles and roadblocks along the way, it is the persistent pursuit of our goals that will eventually bring them into reality. This also holds true for our career goals.

A great example of this happened with two of my colleagues who were seeking promotion opportunities inside their companies. In fact, they both had the same goal of reaching the highest-level sales position inside their (different) organizations. One colleague gave her pursuit approximately two years, and when she did not see the results she was seeking, she decided to pursue a different goal and left her company to start her own marketing consultation business.

Two years later, her consulting business had not yet grown to the level she desired so she abandoned it. She went back to her original goal of seeking a high-level sales position inside another large corporation. She is 18 months into that job and I recently found out she is, again, not seeing her upward movement happen fast enough so she’s beginning to consider alternate opportunities.

Since setting the original goal to reach the highest-level sales position in his company, my other colleague has been in several different roles in his company (all sales related). He continues to broaden his knowledge of all sectors of his company and all their different customers in his pursuit of his ultimate goal.

He has had some missteps and has taken a few steps backwards as he grown over the past few years, but he has not gotten discouraged. Some of his greatest learning has come from some of his low points. He knows the more he perseveres and the more he succeeds in his current assignments, the closer he gets to his ultimate goal.

He has reached the position of Sales Director, which is several levels above where he was when he first began to consciously pursue this goal. This demonstrates his continued positive progression along his career path. Even events that seem like obstacles or that could be perceived as “slowing him down” do not discourage or derail him. He knows all the assignments and new learning are grooming him for the highest-level sales position.

He also believes, despite how much he wants to reach that position in his current company, if it doesn’t happen where he is presently working, it will happen somewhere else. He does not lose sight of his ultimate desire and he keeps persisting and pursuing because he knows the race will go to he (or she) who keeps on running.

I love this story of his dedication and persistence. It is a reminder to us to never lose sight of where we want to go and to never stop persevering. If we are committed and persistent and open to the variety of possibilities and paths that will take us to our desired place, one day we will wake up and realize that we have reached that ultimate goal. Why? Because we kept on going.

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If you’ve made a habit of giving first (and giving often), it makes it much easier (and much more comfortable) for you to ask for something from your network when the time comes.

In those situations, where you intend to ask a network member for something, it’s still a great idea to ”sandwich” your ask between two gifts. Try this process next time you intend to ask for something (or for help):

Step 1: Give First

Offer something, share something, give them a tip or a piece of timely information about something that may be important to them.

Other ideas:

• Offer to send them a book you mention in the conversation.
• Send them a link to a article that will interest them or help them in some way.
• Review your notes from your last conversation and look for an opportunity to offer something useful they mentioned last time.
• Congratulate them on a recent achievement or accomplishment; encourage them to tell you about it.

Step 2: Ask

Make your request and tell them clearly and exactly how they can help you. Give them all the information they need to enable them to best help you with your request. The easier you make it for them and the more information you provide them, the better they’ll be enabled to help you.

Step 3: Give Again

ALWAYS ask these three questions:

• Is there anything I can help you with right now?
• Is there a particular type of resource you’re looking for?
• Take a look at my Facebook or LinkedIn network, and please let me know if there is anyone I can introduce you to?
• Anybody else I can connect you with?

Finally, after the “Give, Ask, Give” Sandwich – give them dessert in the form of a final gift — send them a thank you note, a hand-written card, a recent coupon (e.g. Living Social) you received… something small but thoughtful.

Do this every time… and watch the magic happen!

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“I want to sell my home ‘as-is,’” I firmly asserted to my real estate agent. It’s a beautiful home in a great neighborhood and is an ideal opportunity for the right buyer. Standing head and shoulders among its peer group, I felt, this home offered a unique opportunity that would be obvious to the right buyer, and they would know to make an offer – and quickly!

Not only was the home of high quality, positioned in an established neighborhood with a track record of success (e.g., the neighborhood quiet, the homeowners’ association upkeep consistent, the reputation for the city’s upscale attitude broad-ranging, the schools high-caliber – the list goes on), but it also was uniquely located off of a key corridor in the community – easy to get everywhere else from here. Its value speaks for itself!

So… why the continual stream of visitors but no offers?

Hooking The Buyer With First Impressions

Over the next several weeks and months, I gained clarity – through a series of buyer feedback messages and conversations with my professional real estate agent, here’s what I discovered: Other homeowners were going an extra few miles to market themselves and “hook” the buyer, and it was making a big difference!

The extra miles they pursued were based directly on the target market’s needs. Moreover, the marketing strategies included appealing to buyers’ emotions – a key component to their ultimate decision to buy.

These competitors were not discounting the value of creating a “wow” first impression, beyond the inherent value that the visitors were able to seek out after initially being hooked in.

These competitors of mine were investing in their marketing – from buying new carpet to painting the entire interior to installing new appliances and more. And first impressions were counting! The seller wasn’t expecting the buyer to “envision” or “imagine” the potential of the home – they were underscoring the home’s magnificence by placing an up-front investment with the confidence and hope that the investment would pay off – that an ROI was in store. When that would happen was not known or even guaranteed to happen. These home sellers were taking a calculated risk.

Targeting Buyers’ Real Needs

Further, the competing home sellers’ marketing approach was based on the target buyers’ real (rather than perceived) needs. I discovered I hadn’t been honing in on my target market’s real needs. One of my mantras regarding the value of my home was: “I just invested in a new air conditioning and heating system, so of course the buyer will immediately and intellectually interpret the value of these items just as much as if I had painted the walls or added carpet.”

However, my target market (single individual/couple/parent and child) seemed to be more transient in nature, and fulfilling long-term needs such as the need for a reliable, long lasting AC/heating system was lower priority.

In short, if the buyers’ areas of pain include a need to buy a freshly carpeted/painted home so that they may immediately settle into a comfortable routine (without the burden of installing carpet and painting walls) then that is what I must address. Without this focus, I was being weeded out of the buyers’ processes before I had a chance to really engage them beyond first impressions with the subtle qualities and nuances of my special home.

Parallels Between Home Sellers And Job Searchers

This experience struck a cord with me in how my attitude has paralleled that of some my (less-informed) resume prospects! They are ready for a job search, and they want to initiate it NOW – “as-is” with little preparation or respect for the processes or preparation for creating their “curb appeal,” as it were, in order to really wow “their” buyers – the employers.

Those job seekers who haven’t been educated about the importance of communicating value drivers and focus just want a “simple” resume that outlines, without any flash or exaggeration “who I am and what I do / have achieved.”

No pomp and circumstance and no real up-front investment of time or money should be necessary – “the employer will be able to read between the lines the value I offer them if I simply outline where I worked, my titles, and a bulleted listing of responsibilities and accomplishments. They should be ‘hooked into’ me, although my presentation is plain vanilla and uninspiring.”

Their resume marketing, therefore, lacks emotional appeal – how will they, as the employee, influence the employer that they are immediately qualified to solve specific PAIN? To do this, they must identify a target market and then go out on a limb, market to a specific audience and address particular needs (not just overpower the employer with ideas of what is assumed they most wish to hear).

For example, a sales professional may wish to transition their focus to opportunities that are more product development focused than sales focused. However, they may miss the boat by quickly writing a resume that speaks heavily to sales goals, sales teams, territory growth and more because that seems to be the easiest and most natural way to outline their reverse chronological history of experience.

As a result, the experiences listing may deemphasize product development/launch or present it in a low-level way, burying the candidates’ value to the target company, and making it too much work for the hiring authority to understand that indeed, the candidate is a perfect match. The hiring authority, therefore, will most likely move on to a candidate that showcases the product development information in a “wow first impression” way, attending to the company’s specific needs.

In summary, the components of marketing oneself to sell special value in a job search and marketing one’s home to sell in the real estate market are strikingly similar. Although negotiating the final sale/job is about much more than initial curb appeal and marketing enticement, without that initial hook and “wow first impression” to entice the buyer, home sellers and job seekers most likely will stall the attainment of their ultimate goal.

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1. Compassion

A nurse must be drawn to caring for the sick and injured. This includes having empathy for the pain and suffering of patients, as well as a strong desire to make the hospital experience as positive as possible.

2. Communication

Since a nurse is often a patient’s advocate as well as a link between family members and hospital staff, the ability to effectively speak and listen is critically important. Nurses in the research and education sectors also must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively.

3. Ethics

A nurse needs a solid framework of ethics that will guide personal and professional conduct. This framework should include a commitment to humanitarian service and concern for the dignity of all patients.

4. Critical Thinking

Nurses are faced with important choices on a daily basis and must be able to use critical thinking to aid in decision-making. Furthermore, nurses who are involved in policy-making need critical thinking in order to successfully improve health care for all members of society.

5. Attention To Detail

A nurse’s actions on the job can have far-reaching consequences. Whether you’re a family nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, even the smallest mistake may have tragic results, therefore, strict attention to detail must be second nature for a nurse.

6. Confidence

Nurses must be confident they have the skills and knowledge to provide the best possible care. They must be able to work independently with little supervision, knowing they will get the job done. Self-doubt can be dangerous when a nurse is faced with a critical situation.

7. Adaptability

Flexibility and the ability to adapt are especially important for nurses. Like doctors, nurses are often required to work long hours or deal with fluctuating schedules, and the ability to cope becomes paramount in such situations.

8. Stamina

Nursing is a demanding profession that requires physical, mental and emotional strength. An effective nurse needs a high energy level and a healthy lifestyle in order to succeed.

9. Commitment To Development

Health care is a dynamic field. In order to stay current, a successful nurse is dedicated to continuing education and participation in professional organizations.

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My grandmother, who is 86 this year, always told me, “Humility was for people who could afford to be humble,” and when I was 10, “I couldn’t afford it.”

She wanted me to be more confident, brag a little bit. I’m sure she was just a proud grandma, and I love her for it.

It was only after years of corporate experience that I finally understand what she meant.

Of the many cold hard facts of the work-world, one of them is, “You have to ring your own bell.”

I can hear some of you chuckling already. I’m sure you had a kindly boss, like I did, who might have seen your potential and wanted to motivate you. Maybe she or he was just giving you career advice as a mentor, or adviser.

Whatever the case might be, my lesson was clear, don’t be afraid to brag a little bit. After all, no one in this 60,000 person organization is going to look for me under the carpet or hiding in my cubicle.

Perhaps you feel that way when writing your resumes. I know I did. I thought, “Wow, that’s one hell of a claim to make. It was our team who brought in the sale, not just me.”

But my HR side said, “Yes, that’s true, but you can’t afford not to ring your own bell.”

I watched Julie and Julia the other day and something occurred to me. The movie is about a sad government secretary who embarks on a mission to cook all of Julia Child’s 540 recipes in 364 days, and blog about it, each day. After awhile, she becomes completely self-obsessed. Soon, her marriage is in jeopardy and she wallows even deeper into narcissism.

But soon, her idol Julia Child inspires her to take a second look at how she is treating those around her.

As the Dalai Lama said, the more you focus on yourself, the more miserable you will be.

So, what is all this talk about “Brand-You?” Isn’t that just the epitome of self-obsession and unhappiness?

I believe there is a delicate balance, a middle way, between how much we ring our own bell and how much we focus on giving. After all, we don’t live in a vacuum.

As we build our brands online, writing articles, taking the voice of authority, commenting critically on blogs or LinkedIn groups, remember– We may not be good enough to be humble, but a bell that rings too loud get’s silenced.

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While at work one day, I received an instant message from a colleague.

It read, “Do you have a minute to chat?”

“Of course,” I responded.

Instantly, the phone rang.

To be honest, I assumed this would be a routine call pertaining to a joint proposal this co-worker and I were collaborating on, and so I was a bit blindsided by what followed.

“I came across a post you wrote recently about rolling your eyes in a meeting,” she said. “And I just wanted to ask if you were writing about me.”

Awkward silence.

The truth is, I did write a post about a meeting where I had behaved uber-immaturely and, yes, she was the voice on the phone.

I explained the situation:  I was rolling my eyes at the characteristically bureaucratic nature of corporate decision-making and the post was about my mistake and not her.

She listened politely, seemed genuinely interested in the root cause of my ire, and we hung up the phone. But here’s the catch: rather than feel defensive or put on the spot, I felt fine.

No drama. No hurt feelings. No lingering doubts or suspicions.

Now, let’s contrast this to how she could have handled the situation, shall we? Upon reading my post, she could have…

• Silently sulked, but not said a word. (Of course, every time she saw me from that point on she would secretly have negative blog flashbacks.)
• Publicly sulked by trashing me to everyone BUT me.
• Forwarded the post to a few mutual colleagues with colorful commentary such as, “Who does this *$&^ think she is?”

To her credit, she didn’t choose any of the above (all-too-common) options.

In fact, I wanted to use this post to highlight exactly what she did right, so you’ll know how to handle it if you ever find yourself in a similarly sticky situation.

1. She Came Directly To Me

Most people don’t like conflict, and so they avoid it at all costs. Therefore, it takes an incredible amount of maturity to go to the person who has “offended” you and clear the air in person. (It’s obviously FAR easier to talk about them behind their back, and that’s why the majority go that route.)

2. She Reached Out To Make Sure It Was A Good Time To Talk

Since this could have been an emotional conversation (remember: she didn’t know how I would react), it was smart to make sure I wasn’t under a deadline or otherwise distracted.

3. She Approached The Call From A Standpoint Of Confusion

(“I wasn’t sure if you were talking about me”) versus accusation (“I can’t believe you said that about me.”) This subtle distinction made all the difference, i.e. rather than feel attacked, I felt camaraderie and we actually hung up the phone closer as team members than before.

4. Once She Got To Bottom Of My Issue, She Offered To Help

Can you imagine? Here she thought I was visibly disrespecting her (in front of her boss, mind you) and she ends the call by asking if there’s anything she can do to help make my life easier. Whoa!

In our reality-TV driven culture, where we are all so immersed in conflict, short fuses, and a general lack of civility, it’s nice to see some people still value and respect maturity. You would be wise to follow my colleague’s example. (And I’m not just saying that because I know she reads my blog now.)

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This nightmare happened to one girl, who accidentally sent a potential employer an e-mail attached with a scary photo of Nicolas Cage instead of her resume and cover letter.

Talk about a bad first impression.

Don’t let a careless mistake like this cause big embarrassment and missed opportunities. Here are seven common errors to check for before you hit the “Send” button:

Get Names Right

Nothing is more embarrassing than messing up someone’s name, especially if it’s your boss or potential employer. Always double check names and spelling!

Make Sure Your E-mail Address Is Appropriate

First impressions are huge. Do you really think a potential employer would respect an applicant whose e-mail handle was “sexy.beach.babe.123@gmail.com”? Probably not. Make sure you have a professional e-mail address for business-related messages.

Watch Out For Typos

We all are guilty of misspelling a word or two every once an awhile. It’s a pretty common mistake, so we tend to brush it off. However, it might not sit well with a potential employer if your e-mail was peppered with minor typos (especially after all that talk about your attention to detail in your cover letter!).

Be Aware Of Your Grammar

Double check “your” and “you’re,” “their,” “there,” and “they’re,” “than” and “then,” and “it’s” and “its.” Each of your little mistakes will reflect on your employer, no matter how small. If you can’t even write a grammatically correct e-mail, how will you represent the company?

Avoid All Caps

NO EMPLOYER WILL APPRECIATE AN E-MAIL FROM AN APPLICANT THAT DOESN’T HAVE THE COURTESY TO TURN OFF CAPS LOCK. Not only does it look like you are shouting, but it’s also incredibly annoying.

Ditch The Slang, Bro

Make sure to avoid using slang words and phrases in e-mails, especially professional ones. Even if you are sending a casual message to a co-worker, practice good e-mail habits so things like “thx,” “brb,” or “LOL” don’t slip into an important e-mail.

Try Not To Use Emoticons

Although it can be hard to convey emotion through e-mail, try not to use smiley faces in work-related e-mails. Though there are worse things you can put in an e-mail, some people find them to be annoying and unprofessional. Sorry :-(

And above all, make sure Nicolas Cage doesn’t creep into an attachment!

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1. Get Educated

It is possible to get a job in television without a media-related Bachelors degree. But if you are able to enroll in a TV or film course, it’s the most effective way to become skilled in the different areas of production, such as directing, script writing, camera operation, lighting, sound, and editing.

There are even local organizations or community colleges that offer short workshops to introduce you to video production skills. Make sure you do research to ensure the course is reputable, and you can even get in touch with professional broadcast associations to see if they have recommendations.

2. Be Prepared To Start Small

Reality television is a business where you should expect to start at the bottom and work your way up. Find out which production companies make the shows you want to work on, and call and ask to speak to the Head of Production and see if there are any freelance opportunities. There are also a number of job websites that have media listings such as Mandy.com and Entertainmentcareers.net.

Be prepared to start off as a production assistant, which may include making photocopies and ordering lunch. The good news is as you build trust and experience, your responsibilities will grow, and you can start getting involved with more hands on tasks such as being on set, booking crew and locations, screening footage, and dealing with talent.

3. Network

Networking is an essential part of working in reality television. The more production contacts you have, the more your reputation will grow and the more opportunities will come your way. Join media organizations such as your local Broadcasters Association, or the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and attend networking events and seminars to start establishing yourself as a member of the industry. Use social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn to join professional television production groups, and engage in conversations with other producers about upcoming projects and opportunities.

4. Learn On The Job

Don’t be afraid of asking questions, remember most Producers were once in your position and are more than happy to give advice and answer questions. Watch cameramen, directors, and other crew members carefully, so you learn what everyone’s job entails. If the television show you are working on involves a cast or host, form relationships with them.

Being a good Producer means getting along with people and you want to be known as someone who is enthusiastic and efficient. If you find a producer you connect with, they may even be prepared to mentor you, make introductions, and give you insight into how to advance.

5. Understand The Industry

You cannot be a successful reality producer without being clued into what’s happening in your industry. This means being familiar with all of the top shows, checking the ratings every week, knowing which networks are commissioning new series, and what shows people are talking about. This means a combination of reading industry publications such as Variety, watching television and of course water cooler talk with co-workers. Be a person with ideas, engage in conversations, and make sure your colleagues know you as someone with knowledge and opinions.

6. Go Above And Beyond

Enthusiasm goes a long way, especially when you are starting out in the television industry. Offer to help out on weekend shoots for free, ask if you can sit in on edits. There are always postings on media websites looking for production assistants or producers to work unpaid on low budget documentaries or reality projects.

This is a great way to build experience. The more time you can spend on shoots and in the edit rooms, the more you will understand how a successful show is made. Having your own reality or documentary side projects will also help keep your creativity flowing, and it’s something you can show your boss to prove you are worthy of a Producer position.

7. Get Technical

Even if your job doesn’t require camera operation, media management or editing ability, having these skills will put you one step ahead of many other television producers. You can gain basic knowledge of how to operate a camera through completing a course, asking a colleague for some weekend tutorials, or asking your boss if you can borrow the equipment and practicing on your own. Many production companies are very eager to hire producers who are multi-skilled and can self-shoot and edit.

8. Be Bold

Reality television is competitive. Be clear about what you want, and tell people about it. Have a conversation with your boss about wanting to advance to a Producer position, and discuss what actions you need to take to make that happen.

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My goal in hiring her was very measurable and explainable: Show me how to get my son to take responsibility in the morning, get dressed on his own, make his own breakfast, and get to the bus on time.

I dreaded being the nagging mommy; the walking reminder who no longer engaged in conversation; the mommy who barked orders instead – “What do you mean you can’t find your socks!” I begged her to help me work myself out of a job in the morning!

“Achievable?” I asked her. “You bet!”  She assured me. And, during that grueling (and, in parts, enlightening) exchange in which I took lots of notes and shed a few tears (over all my previous mistakes), I had an out-of-body, “aha” kind of moment: I had to get out of my son’s way and let him do his job.

I’m an enabler. Finally, I get it.

Without knowing it consciously, my son relied on me to fill his lunchbox with a healthy mix of celery (not too much) and meringues (more than one), his cereal bowl with the perfect blend of Kix and Chex, and his backpack with his logs, goodies, and notes for the teacher. He trusted that I would get him to school on time, without letting him suffer any logical or natural consequences. The morning was inadvertently a team sport; we were mutually responsible for getting him out the door on time. And, I never let him down.

In the midst of my realization, it occurred to me job seekers often view job search in a similar way: a team sport. We hand off the job of “making our lunch” (getting a job) to others who say they will:

• Circulate our resume.
• Submit our resume to their corporate website.
• Look around for open positions for us and let us know if they see anything that looks like it would be a good match.

And, we wait. We wonder when “they” are going to call. We hope our friend does, in fact, have a friend who sees our resume and jumps for joy at having been handed the Holy Grail.

Unfortunately, our network isn’t always as reliable or as committed to our success as our Mommy is – no matter how hard they try.

We give others too much responsibility in our job search when we need to take control of the situation. We have to take our power back.

Next time you find yourself about to watch someone take your resume off to who-knows-where, try this instead:

“Thank you for agreeing to share my resume with your friend at [my target company]. Would you mind sharing his/her contact info with me so that I may follow up with him/her after you share my resume?”

Today, consider how you might be waiting for someone to make your lunch. Are you under functioning in the job search and hoping others will help you? Is it working? Did you give your resume to someone in hopes it would get to the “right” person. Did it?

And, in case you are curious, today (with the help of my fabulous parenting coach) my son woke up to his alarm clock, made his own breakfast, packed his own lunch, and got to the bus by 8:10 AM – without a single reminder from me… OK, maybe just one.

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I have a day job as a corporate recruiter and I conducted around 3,000 phone interviews for a number of different and diverse companies in 2010. Each day, I witness job seekers make serious errors in how they market their skills and present themselves as individuals during phone interviews–errors which knock them out of the recruitment process! Sadly for them, with proper preparation these errors could have been easily avoided. This is good news for you!

I attribute the short comings I see in job seekers as a Corporate Recruiter to a fundamental misunderstanding of: the value of a phone interview; hiring manager expectations in increasingly crowded talent pools; and the skills needed to identify and market individual, unique skills and experience.

That’s where I can help. I help my clients understand what a Phone Interview truly is and how valuable it could be if approached correctly. After spending well over 700 hours (and counting) conducting phone interviews, it is clear: A huge gap exist between the effort candidates put into preparing for their Phone Interview in relation to the career goal being sought–a job!  Interview preparation isn’t difficult and, with the right tools, doesn’t have to take too much time.

My unique position as a Recruiter, interacting with both candidates and hiring managers, has positioned me as a leader in the area of interview preparation. From my experience and observation, I have developed the REACH method of preparation for phone and face-to-face interviews. REACH is the key to closing the gap between you and the job you want!

REACH is so simple and easy to follow and it takes very little time to work through the five steps:

1. Research the Position
2. Evaluate Your Skills
3. Align with the Position
4. Channel the Positive
5. Hone Your Pitch

That’s it! No need to worry about where to start or what you’ll be asked during your interview. Just start using REACH to prepare for your interview and you’ll be covered.

Use the links below to hop over to the Intravance Blog and read on to better understand how simple it is for you to REACH for a better interview.

Explore REACH:

Research the Position,
Evaluate Your Skills,
Align with the Position,
Channel the Positive,
and Hone Your Pitch

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Although there is some overlap in the coursework for these two degrees, there is a key difference in program focus. An MBA program provides training in private sector management. The success of a private business is primarily measured by its profitably, so business schools are geared towards training future managers to make as much money as possible. The emphasis is on economics, finance, and marketing, preparing students to lead business organizations where profit generation is the goal.

In contrast, an MPA program concentrates on management of nonprofit and public sector organizations. The mission of these organizations is to serve humanity and improve the social condition. Managers in public sector organizations need to understand that the success of their organization is difficult to measure. They also must be prepared to make trade-offs between the demands of competing groups of citizens and government agencies.

Another key difference between private businesses and public sector organizations is how they obtain funding for their continued operation. In the case of private businesses, funding is a component of profit generation. Public sector organizations are usually funded by donations, foundations, and government grants. An MPA program will provide the skills needed to obtain this specific funding.

In the end, MBA programs concentrate on the economic market while MPA programs are concerned with working towards social solutions. There is a world of difference between making an individual company or corporation more profitable and leading an organization that’s trying to make the world a better place.

If you’re determined to make positive changes in the world, an MPA degree provides the skills and knowledge to make your idealism a reality. An MPA will provide the training needed to navigate through the complex nonprofit environment, as well as providing opportunities to think about solving problems with immeasurable outcomes that are faced by public sector organizations.

There are also some practical considerations to take into account when choosing between an MBA and MPA degree. PublicServiceCareers.org reports that tuition fees for MPA programs are often much lower than business school fees. Business schools rarely offer financial aid and many graduates incur large amounts of student loan debt. Financial aid and grants are available for MPA students. There are also student loan forgiveness programs that allow graduates to repay student loan debts with a few years of public service employment.

An MPA degree may also provide more career flexibility. Most business school graduates stay in the private sector for their entire career, while MPA graduates can move between public, nonprofit and private sector employment. In addition, MBA graduates who want to work in the public sector may have a harder time finding employment since their academic background provided limited exposure to public policy subjects.

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So, one weekend, after successfully navigating a very deep (and steep canyon) enroute to our campsite on Mt. Hood here in Oregon, the return trip wasn’t as lucky.

After making it all the way back down to the bottom of this monster canyon, I saw some other backpackers looking very tentative about crossing this bridgeless river. They had spent the better part of at least 10 minutes walking back and forth trying to figure out a way across.

They hesitated, so our group passed them and crossed. The other three people in my party popped right across the water; it was now my turn. Feeling cocky, I got about three steps across when my left foot slid on a wobbly rock, and I had that sinking feeling that my balance had just evaporated. Falling, I crashed hard into the water and was quickly flopping around among rocks and ice-cold glacial water, totally soaked.

Completely embarrassed and utterly humiliated, I had now just wiped out in front of a number of other hikers. Not so cool now, eh?

So, what do you do when you’ve hit rock bottom?

You reach for the nearest tools to start getting out of the situation. In my case, these were my hiking poles, which were in danger of being swept away.

I got out of the river and assessed the situation. No injuries, fortunately. Just a very bruised ego and some minor scrapes and bumps. Then, I pulled myself together, and we continued our hike back to the car.

This situation is really not so different when you’ve hit rock bottom in a job search. You can feel embarrassed, out of control, and hurt.

And it’s ok to hit rock bottom once in awhile. It reminds us that we really are human after all. But like my situation, staying there in that rocky freezing river isn’t a place to linger, so the only way out is to pull yourself together, dust yourself off, and get moving again.

But even more importantly, how you look back over your shoulder and view how you hit rock bottom matters just as much. Do you shrink or recoil from the memory?

Or, do you do what I did: Cheerfully wave at the tentative hikers still on the other side, and yell, “C’mon in, the water’s great!”

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Should you accept the sure thing, or should you risk it all for a potentially better opportunity by declining?

It might be tempting to accept an offer with the intention of backing out later if you hear back from a better company. But it’s a small world; you never know when you’ll need to cross that burned bridge.

We’ve rounded up the best advice from top career experts to help relieve some of your anxiety when you’re balancing multiple job offers:

1. Ask For More Time

You have more power than you think, says career expert Hannah Morgan, also known as Career Sherpa. Every reasonable employer expects the candidate to take some time to think about the offer. This is a huge decision – and no one expects you to jump at the opportunity.

Laura Jacobs, internship coordinator and career liaison at University of Wisconsin—Whitewater, would agree with Morgan suggests asking for more time. “Can you reasonably delay the decision until the other interviews have taken place and offers are made on those?” Jacobs suggests. Of course, this would be an ideal situation. If timing doesn’t seem to be on your side then…

2. Go For Your No. 1 Choice

You’ll never know until you try. And taking the first offer (if it’s not your number one choice) means living with that decision for the rest of your career.

“If timing isn’t in your favor and one of the upcoming interviews is with an organization you REALLY want to work for, then you have to make the risky choice to decline the first offer and hope for the best on the upcoming interview,” Jacobs says.

While you’re faced with this tough decision, remember that the offers on the table are not the end all, be all. If you feel confident about interviewing with your number one company, then you should go all in, especially if you’re a young professional.

You’ve likely got your family as a safety net and the fewest responsibilities you’ll ever have in your life. Work hard and take the plunge.

3. Always Keep Your Word

Jacobs along with several other career experts agree that rescinding an acceptance is extremely flighty, unprofessional and just a bad idea.

They have likely “turned other candidates loose by that point, as well as invested time and money in preparing for your arrival, so reneging on your acceptance would burn that bridge to a crisp,” Alison Green, career and management advice columnist for Ask a Manager, said in an article for U.S. News and World Report’s On Careers.

So, keep your word. Above all, don’t risk tarnishing your reputation.

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In these moments, we not only clam-up, we also temporarily lose our problem-solving ability. So, in an effort to avoid looking stupid, we opt to say nothing at all as opposed to risk saying something dumb.

Makes sense, but it can also hurt your career.

Here’s why…

You Must Show Your Expertise – People Can’t Read Your Mind!

In today’s insanely competitive workplace, we all know the only way to earn respect is to be seen as a subject-mater expert.

Those who regularly prove their value and worth by showcasing extensive knowledge and talents that positively impact the business are the ones that keep their jobs and get promotions.

So, while you may think you are saving yourself from looking stupid by not talking, you are also positioning yourself as someone who is not confident in themselves or their abilities.

And that is no way to build your professional reputation!

Get Over Your Fear Of Communicating By Expecting Dumb Moments

The only way to work through this is to muster up the courage to push past these freeze moments and get comfortable with speaking your mind.

Yes, you will most likely make a mistake or two – but that’s exactly how we learn.

So, the sooner you get talking, the better you’ll get at presenting your ideas and expertise.

We’ve All Had Our Moments – What Was Your Best?

I remember when I was 28 and started working at a large company. The senior managers were really professional. I’m talking hard-core, type-As and very competitive. In my first meeting with the Senior Vice President, I thought I’d make a name for myself by speaking up and providing a suggestion.

Duh, not my best move.

I proposed a solution that had been tried and failed miserable just prior to my arrival.

Had I done a little homework, I would have learned that this Senior Vice President had been personally opposed from the start of the idea but had been convinced to try it and was now very bitter that it failed on her watch and against her better judgement.

I spent the next six months trying to prove to her I wasn’t an idiot.

I learned the hard way – do your homework before you suggest anything to an executive!

Tell Us About Your Dumbest Career Moment!

What did you learn? Whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? So, share with us your communication faux-pas and how it made your career better today in the comments below.

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Here’s what our approved career experts had to say:

Evaluate Your Relationship

“If you mean companies that previous bosses now work for, I guess that depends on how healthy your relationship with that boss was,” says Kristin Johnson of ProfessionDirection.com.

Johnson says if it was difficult, you might want to start by making amends with that specific person to avoid the possibility that they would make an effort to malign you there.

“You may want to prioritize your list so you work with your best prospects and most positive relationships first,” she says.

Look At Your Options

Dorothy Tannahill-Moran of NextChapterNewLife.com says going back to an old employer is always an option to consider.

“You know the company and they know you,” she says. “Assuming it was a mutually positive experience on both accounts, you absolutely should consider a previous employer as part of your target company list.”

Maintain Your Network

“It’s always a good idea to maintain the network you built at past employers,” says Bud Bilanich, author of Climbing The Corporate Ladder. “These people can help you with job leads and can act as references for you when you are applying at a new company.”

Bilanich says it’s especially important to stay in touch with this network if you are planning to reapply to one of these companies. The bigger your network, the easier it will be for you to find a job.

“Your network is your key to career success,” he says. “When you are looking for a job, and after you’ve landed one.”

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Whatever you think resume writing is, it is not a race! In order to overcome the challenges I mentioned above, you must mesmerize your new employer and hold their attention long enough to brew in them the desire to call you. So, before you put pen to paper, contemplate the following:

Self-Reflection Before Resume Writing

• What do I want in a job?
• How would I describe my ideal job?
• What has my career progression (or lack of) been like?
• What have I learned from my experiences?
• Who am I at work and where/how do I best succeed?
• What are my marketable skill sets?
• Why are these skills marketable?
• To which companies would I be an asset and why?
• What do I need to sidestep?

Ready for the most important question? Here it is: What benefits do I offer employers over other QUALIFIED candidates?

Please, before you rush into resume technique, layout, and race to the finish line of a completed resume―invest time in the resume prep and research process. Reflect on who you are, what you desire, and where you would like to navigate with this new resume.

Employers and recruiters will connect with the person behind the resume, if you can show them there is one! Boring, mundane, and hastily written resumes sound generic―but you are distinct! Become strategic in your job search. The result will be a targeted, well crafted, and amazing resume that attracts interview calls in a tough job market―and brings a smile to your face in the process (just an extra little benefit).

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If you are looking for work at a smaller local company, “liking” their Facebook page can often be a great place to start. Open jobs are sometimes posted there before they make it onto the company’s regular web site. Additionally, Facebook sites will often include pictures from previous events the company has held.

You Can Take A Peek At Company Culture

Viewing these gives you a sense of the corporate culture at the organization. Are the people wearing suits or are they dressed in business casual? Are the upper level managers all in their 60s? Is there room for someone younger to move up through the ranks?

You Can Get Your Name Out There

Provided (again) your Facebook profile is work appropriate, you can also use a business’s Facebook page to get your name in front of them. Just as you might use LinkedIn to send a relevant article to a specific contact, you can post a link on the Facebook page of a company if you think fans of that company might be interested.

You Can Check Out Company Events

If the company posts its community events on Facebook, it may offer you the opportunity to show up at one and meet someone face-to-face. You may also find some of your other Facebook friends are fans of a company. Who knows, maybe they personally know someone who works there.

Many people feel uncomfortable using Facebook in a professional context, and it’s OK if you’re one of them. However, with many businesses creating their own pages on the site, it’s worth at least investigating whether the company has any information you can use when sending them your resume.

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There’s an old saying first impressions count – and there is no better instance of the truth to this than the impressions made during an interview. A variety of factors are in effect. It may include the way you are dressed, how you communicate, your personality, and a number of other considerations. It takes a lot to develop a positive impression, and conversely requires very little to leave one that does not work in your favor as key decisions are made for the new talent they need to bring on.

All the time invested into planning and preparing becomes obsolete with these mistakes commonly seen with some job candidates.

1. Arriving Late

Everyone’s time is value. Show respect and do not waste other people’s time. If there is an unexpected delay, at the very least, give a call to apologize and inform your contact of your expected arrival time.

2. Jumping Into The Discussion Of Pay And Benefits

There will be a time for this discussion – generally not in the first interview, unless it is approached by the employer. You do not want to appear as though all you care about is “what is in it for me.” At the same time, approaching the topic of salary is especially risky. You may end up putting yourself in a position where you are asked to present a desired salary and fall under what the company had anticipated. Learn more about the position and conduct research before going into discussion of salary.

3. Answering A Cellphone

Show respect by letting your employer know this interview is more important than any call you have. Turn off your cell phone. If you forget and it rings, apologize and turn it off.

4. Talking Badly About Your Previous Or Current Employer

Regardless of the reality of the situation, never talk bad about your current or previous employer(s). It brings to question if you will do the same with this potential employer in the future.

5. Being Brief, Hiding From Questions, Or Talking Too Much

Just as you want to learn about the employer, the employer wants to learn about you. At the same time, you don’t want to be the only one talking throughout the interview. Learn to listen and have a balanced conversation where you both have a chance to receive information and ask questions.

6. Not Asking Questions

Regardless of how thorough the interview discussion is, when asked, “Do you have any questions for me?,” always have a question. When you do not have a question, it may come across as though you are not sincerely interested in the opportunity. For additional tips, take a look at our post on “The 4 Most Important Questions to Ask at an Interview.”

7. Dressing Inappropriately

Your appearance includes not just what you wear but how you groom yourself. Employers will not be impressed with a sloppy appearance. You need to appear and dress the part of what is expected of the position.

8. Being Unprepared

Conduct research so you have at least a general sense of the type of business the company is in and what the position you are applying for is about. You will be able to better tailor your communication during discussion and questions with the employer.

9. Lying

False information can lead to an immediate disqualification and exemplify your weaknesses.

10. Being Inattentive

Carefully listen to what the interviewer is saying and show you are attentive. You do not want to appear disinterested and come off as inattentive. It is not a desirable characteristic for any position.

Most candidates will only receive one opportunity to make an impression. Make sure the one you leave is as positive as possible by keeping these tips in mind during your next interview.

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DALE: It’s not the worst answer … that would be, “I was serving time for the attempted ax murder of my management team,” or maybe “Aliens held me in their spaceship for testing.”

J.T.: Pay no attention to Dale, Lauren. I can appreciate your desire to take some time off.

DALE: Yes, yes, me too. But I have a serious point to make: You need to assess each alternative explanation against the WPI, the Worst Possible Interpretation. Employers are skeptical of any problem with employment history, and tend to assume the worst.

Sure, you’ll meet some cheery brightsiders who will think, “That’s great that you took some time – I wish I’d done that at your age.” It could happen.

But consider the WPI: You say, “I took time for myself after being in school,” and the interviewer likely will be thinking that college is the best time of life and is a whole lot easier than working full time, so your answer will be translated as: “I found the pace of college life exhausting; I sure hope you don’t expect me to work that hard here.”

J.T.: We get your point. Which brings us to what you say instead. As with any hole in your resume‘s timeline, your goal is to find a way to make the case that it prepared you to be a better worker. In this case, did the time off allow you to …

A. Get clear on what your strengths are?

B. Identify a career path that you want to pursue for the long term?

C. Realize that there is a problem you are passionate about solving?

If so, these are ways you convince employers that you are ready to go full-time with gusto. It’s the reasons we want to work that go beyond the paycheck and benefits that get the attention and respect of employers.

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I recall my last job loss more than 10 years ago as if it were yesterday. I have always had the reputation of being the logical, analytical one doesn’t get sidetracked by the emotional aspects of life. There is some truth in that, but all changed when my employer showed me the door. I was 100% emotional!

I couldn’t look for work when it was a struggle to just get up. My husband, friends, and relatives kept trying to cheer me up and encouraged me to look for other jobs. I wanted my old job back – and I wanted the pain to go away and the grief process to end.

At a loss as to how to handle all the emotions, I decided one morning to take a walk. Doing something physical got me out of my head and away from my heart and gave me some relief.

So, I took a walk the next day… and the next… and the next.

Everyday, I added a little more distance until suddenly I realized I was walking more than four miles a day. My life began to change. Not only was I putting distance between myself and the raw emotions related to job loss, but I began to feel the stress melting away, my mind started to clear, I had more energy, and felt more positive about life in general (I even lost weight!). The endorphins were making me “high” and I felt ready to get out there and “sell myself” and start a new career.

Sometimes, when we get caught up between the heart and the head, it’s time to engage the body. In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest dealt with the heart break of loosing Jenny by running. He just started to run one day and when he reached the Pacific Ocean, he turned around and ran back to the Atlantic. He ran until he forgot why he was running, and then he hung up his running shoes and reengaged in life.

If you are struggling with job loss, consider doing something physical to comfort your heart and clear your mind. Things will eventually work in your favor, but in the meantime, you need to get up and move. When it seems that the rug has been pulled out from under your feet and you can’t think straight to find a solution, you might want to follow “Jenny’s” advice…

RUN, FORREST, RUN!

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