COMPANY (not job) Search

I’ve said so many times that I may get it on a tattoo. But it’s never been more true than in today’s world. As an employee of a company, like it or not, you are a 24/7 representative. So it’s vital your values match the company’s values. Just think: if you are supporting one candidate for governor, you aren’t going to volunteer for the other guy. But, if your company is the competitor’s loudest and biggest funder, you may as well be wearing that person’s t-shirt.

For years, people have come to me, sometimes in desperation. They’ve left high paying jobs when realizing the products stunk, the company’s values clashed with theirs, and they couldn’t in good conscience work for this place. Right now, some companies have taken strong stands on many social issues. Think of Target. They’re a mega company, based here in Minnesota. They’ve been selling a lot of child LGBTQ pride clothing and items to help kids be trans. I just saw a sign at our local Target store of a boy wearing a skirt. Adults can do what they want. But children and sex don’t mix. If you agree with my beliefs, don’t apply at Target for the “perfect” job on paper. You’d be miserable.

Everyone-Instead of job openings, start reviewing companies. See where they donate. Test their products. Ask around. Look for small sign companies–not just the biggies we all notice, but the 100s of B to B businesses that may be fantastic fits. Figure out your strengths. Don’t worry about job titles, See if you can meet with HR or management. Share your strengths with them, and see if they have an opening that may fit.

Trust me–you’re better off cleaning the toilets for a company you respect than being CEO for a company you want nothing to do with.

Should jobs fulfill your soul?

Our ancestors viewed work as work.

“I DON”T FEEL FULFILLED AT MY JOB.” Since I started in the field of career development, this is probably the most common phrase I’ve heard. Today, we discuss our feelings all the time. Starting with childhood, people are frequently asked and encouraged to identify how we feel. It can be valuable to identify issues if they are negatively affecting a person. But I’m willing to suggest in some contexts, we’ve gone too far. We’re so tapped into feelings, that if some people don’t feel like they’re floating on a cloud while doing something, there has to be something amiss that needs to be changed. This isn’t true.

There are a few truths. No job will be fulfilling or lead to pleasure if you don’t feel safe, loved, and secure. You need faith, because this earth isn’t our final home.

Fulfillment comes when we help others and improve our community. When we help someone in need–often this help has nothing to do with writing a donation check–we focus on others’ feelings. It takes our brain off our own problems. Volunteering at a food shelf or getting on your hands and knees to weed an elderly person’s yard can feel better than any artificial highs or job promotions It’s vital to treat people well with respect, even if they don’t reciprocate.

Another truth to know is that most work is a means to provide for you and your family, so you can focus on others and God. Your job isn’t as important as your place of employment. A person with an old truck who lives in a trailer, and works the midnight shift at a factory assembly line can feel more fulfilled putting together widgets than a CEO who makes $500k a year and has every earthly treasure, but thinks his company is trash. I don’t mean that having a professional career or lots of cash is bad. It’s often wonderful, especially when you can make a difference in many peoples’ lives. But if you have respect for your company and their values, your job will be fulfilling.

My opinion. If you find yourself thinking about feelings a lot, and it’s negatively affecting you, go against the grain. Think of your grandparents, many of who had a tough physical life. Most spent so much time in physical action, they didn’t have a lot of time to determine if they were feeling warm and fuzzy. But if you asked them how things were going, and they had food to eat and a place to live, a family and a church home, they’d probably tell you it was great.

Good luck in your job search,

Beth Husom

Birthday Brain

Have you ever written a check or signed a document on your birthday, and instead of writing the current date, wrote your birth year? I just wrote a check “11/15/1974.” It makes sense. Birthdates are part of our core identities, are engrained in our brains, and we rattle them off hundreds of times in life. Like this, a job may be part of a person’s identity. A person thinks they ARE a CPA, teacher, interior decorator (and so on). It would be hard to even consider anything else. While job searching, they don’t think of other possibilities.

2020 is a whacky year. Maybe it’s time for a new direction—a forced change or smart choice. People have many strengths, which are a combination of skills and interests. The Department of Labor and Industry list over 8,800 different jobs. While you’re holed up at home, check out CliftonStrengths by Gallup. This started as Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. CliftonStrengths calls it “Your talent DNA.” You can do everything online, or still buy the hard copy version, which I recommend. This lists 34 strengths, 4 themes, and by taking the test, gives you all of them in order. There are webcasts, reports, explanations, and ideas, potential career and job directions, and gives insight as to feelings and actions.

This can help when a past job title is engrained on a brain. Armed with strengths information, people can start to shed past identities. “Bob the Engineer,” becomes “Bob the man who is Analytical, Consistent, Deliberative, Disciplined, and Focused,” which on a broader scale, centers around “Strategic Thinking” and “Executing.” Suddenly, those 1000s of jobs in lots of different industries start to make sense, and people know they will succeed in lots of roles. Whew!

Good luck job searching,

Beth Husom, GCDF

The 2020 Twilight Zone

Who’s ready to move on from 2020 craziness?

(I can imagine many hands are raised).

COVID-19 has changed the planet. With unemployment levels sky-high, other businesses tanking, social, family, educational, governmental and medical unrest, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.,………………..life is different for 100% of people. I have all but stopped blogging, but really want to restart. However, I wonder if I know ANYTHING about career development. Rules have gone out the window. I have told job seekers for years to visit others, attend events, reach out, reach out, study and pursue strengths, and more.

Now, my suggestions are a little different. #1: Check to see what’s open. #2: Call and apply. Try temp services, real estate offices and contractors, home-based businesses, social service organizations, online operations, delivery services, or companies that make products such as toilet paper, toys, technology devices, and more. If you need, work for a restaurant or retail operation. Because here’s the deal: The Twilight Zone won’t last. Places will open, people will start to go back to work, social distancing won’t always be necessary, we may not always need masks.

However, here’s the other deal.  Life won’t be the same. Certain changes will last long after we’ve received a COVID 19 vaccine. Online and distance buying, meetings, working, school, and more will never go away. Robots and technology will replace certain positions and alter others. Different safety rules will last.

These wheels were set in motion long before 2020. Just think: in 1900, jobs like canal digger, horse shoer, lighthouse worker, telephone operator and the like were popular. Life changes. We need to change with it. In these upcoming months, flexibility, a willingness to change, and to learn will be vital for survival.

So keep your eyes and ears open. Speak with people, see what they do, and be willing to throw “Successful Job Seeking” books out the window. I will continue to research and work hard to keep up with changes, and apprise readers of what I know and learn.

Also note: it’s OK to feel monster struggling. Based on your strengths, you may be having a very tough time with social distancing and staying at home. I know I am: this is going to be my new shirt!

 

 

 

 

Good Luck Job Seeking,

Beth Husom, GCDF

Back in the Saddle

I took a major blog break. Per the COVID19 rules, people couldn’t leave their houses. Instead of writing for small businesses and job seekers, I became an elementary school teacher and house remodeler for the home we bought for its location on a lake. I suck in both roles.

It’s time to get back to blogging. Looking around, I wonder if I know ANYTHING about job seeking and career development. Sure, I am certified and educated with over 15 years of experience. In a way, I feel like my experience ended when the world shut down. Three months ago, I was a job seeking expert, but now in some ways I feel like a rookie. This is not unusual. Businesses are beginning to open and some are getting back to work, but jobs differ.

Last year, I worked with a local company looking to franchise. They operate a certain way, but not all was written. I helped rewrite job descriptions, company regulations, expectations and more, so everything was clearly laid out for new franchisees. For years, I’ve spoken with job seekers about this. I recommend COMPANY searching, not JOB searching. In today’s world, this is vital. A couple of paragraphs can’t adequately explain what a person will do on a job. I feel there could be a market for similar projects in the future–post COVID job descriptions and company operations will probably look different than pre COVID ones. Before taking a job, get a sense of what you’ll actually do-not what it says on a job description.

So let’s try this blog again, and we can maneuver this new world together.

Good luck job searching,

Beth Husom, GCDF

 

Birds Chirping

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I normally take a walk in the morning. Today, I realized something had been missing—birds singing and cheeping. Now the robins, chickadees, nuthatches and more are back from their southern winter vacations. It’s an awesome sound that increased my experience, mood, and relaxation level. In July, I’ll be used to the chirping. It will still be nice (when I pay attention), but probably won’t seem as special as those first days of Spring; the reminder snow is leaving and warm days are ahead.

Job seeking can be stressful; lots of rejection and confusion. Finances may be tight. But understand that brighter days are ahead. When I hear a client say they’ve made phone calls, talked to potential employers in person, and stepped outside that cozy “apply online” rut, it’s almost as beautiful as hearing robins sing. Once you start doing this, Spring–aka a new job–will quickly follow.

Good luck job searching,

Beth Husom, GCDF

Job scammers

Scammers may: Use posted resumes and tweak the contact info: They’ll try to get private information from companies before hire or even get hired-then steal company data, client sheets, bank account information, private documents, money and more. Some do it to get jobs they are unqualified for. If research is done, people find “Bob Thomas” has correct certifications and did work where the resume says. One problem—their name is “Benny Anderson” and they are a felon with some industry knowledge, but no degree. Usually they work for a while and go away.

Set up fake companies and/or use names of legitimate companies: They scam in many ways, usually to get information and then steal identities, but also try to get money up front. This is done pre-hire and “after an applicant lands a job.”

Scammers get new hires’ bank accounts for paycheck direct deposits. Before hire, they’ll need Social Security numbers to run background checks, send job seekers applications that require Driver’s License numbers, and/or copies of picture IDs.

For money: They’ll require applicants pay for background checks, drug tests, start-up kits, training, software program, etc. They’ll promise reimbursement after employment for a set amount of time. They may give fake websites or give the applicant class times at a local school or appointment times at a local clinic for drug tests. Schools and clinics have never heard of the applicant, and items never come. Sometimes the company “pays for things up front” and sends a cashier’s check. The applicant needs deposit it and then buy something online or send a check via Western Union to a “software company, product company, etc.,” that same day (before the fake cashier’s check bounces).

In what I consider wildly detailed scamming situations (writing all would require I turn this from a blog to a chapter book). In general, applicants start a job. After some time, the new hire realizes they have been a pawn in helping carry out some scam or scheme. Often these involve money laundering, identity theft, fake sales, etc.

Be vigilant. Before applying to jobs you find online, ensure it’s both a legitimate company and posting. Apply to jobs via company website when possible. If you don’t see a similar opening, call to ensure they are hiring. If it’s a scam, you’ll alert the company.

Offers that sound too good to be true are usually a warning sign. Don’t give personal information before they even set up an interview and never dish out money.

When possible, ask for in-person interviews. It could look like a real company is calling you when it’s really a scammer. For phone interviews call THEM. Many have gotten calls looking like real people or local companies, yet it’s a scammer from far away.

If you have a suspicion about a posting or company, or find fraud, also contact the BBB, law enforcement, and the job board itself.

Good luck job searching,

Elizabeth Husom, GCDF

Don’t be a Job-Seeking Smartwatch

Yesterday I both helped remodel a house we bought and shoveled snow for 3 hours. This morning, in relation to activity levels, my smartwatch said, “You closed one ring yesterday Elizabeth. Try for all 3 today.” This means I stood for 12 hours but didn’t get enough exercise or burn enough calories. It said I walked up 2 flights of stairs. However, I easily did 20-30 flights. My smartwatch is pretty dumb. I was ripping up linoleum the other day and got several reminders to stand.  Smartwatches recognize certain movements. However, we all know walking isn’t the only way to get fit.

Like smartwatches, some people think they are successfully job seeking if they are handing out 30 resumes a day in response to open jobs from job boards. Not true.

Sending resumes is not the only way to land a new job. Most career developers agree it takes a variety of methods to get an awesome new position, and job seekers don’t always see the fruits of their actions right away.  But it doesn’t mean what you’ve done isn’t valuable. Quite the contrary. If you are making calls, keeping up a solid LinkedIn profile, learning and focusing on your strengths, researching companies, contacting hiring managers and people you know, shaking hands, opening your mind to new possibilities, and getting out in the community, it will pay off.

All activity is important. However, many exercises and activities not recognized via a smartwatch may even help you drop those pounds or cholesterol levels faster than leisurely walks around the block. Likewise, calling 10 people may help you get a job faster than blindly emailing 10 resumes.

Keep it up. Take chances. Don’t limit yourself. My two words of advice when it comes to job searching—BE PROACTIVE. I exercised yesterday, even though my smartwatch disagreed. Remind yourself; if you spent the day performing a variety of job seeking methods and planted seeds with several people, you successfully worked on improving your future.

Good luck job searching,

Elizabeth Husom, GCDF

My job search hero

I have a new job seeking hero. A few weeks ago, Dave lost his high-ranking sales job with a flooring company. He immediately started calling contacts. If someone liked his or her company, Dave asked if they’d recommend him to a hiring manager. Several did, and he had a number of subsequent conversations with HR Reps and company owners. Nothing panned out, but Dave made some great contacts that could be useful in the future.

Before leaving his past company, Dave had planned on attending a large builder’s conference / product fair in Las Vegas as their representative.  Now, he bought his own plane ticket. This conference was for contractors-not a hiring festival. However, Dave indicated it was a perfect place to meet potential new supervisors in person. One day later, he had a new sales job with a new flooring company. There will be a lot less traveling than at his previous job, he can work from home quite a bit as well as a satellite office, the pay is good, and the environment is a lot more positive than at his last gig. He said the manager originally hadn’t wanted to hire a guy from Minnesota; this company is based in Atlanta, and they wanted someone closer to home base. But after meeting Dave and building rapport, the man hired Dave on the spot.

Being proactive, using all your resources, making calls and shaking hands is the best way to get a job. Take advantage of professional conferences, industry conventions, community events, trade shows, exhibitions, business expos and product fairs to meet folks in person. If it works, don’t limit yourself to trade shows that fit your field or experience. For instance; I can’t pound in a nail, but I can write about it and help market their products. So if I was looking for a marketing position, it may behoove me to attend a large builder’s conference. Persevere if the first 10 people don’t have a job for you. And stay off your computer 12 hours a day, emailing resumes to “hiringmanager@abccompany.com” in response to job board openings, and then never following through. Instead of a 3 week successful job search, you’ll end up with a 3 month plus job search and end up at a place you may or may not like.

Good luck job searching.

Elizabeth Husom, GCDF

Answer 5 certain questions–Get a new job.

If job seekers, can answer the following questions on resumes, on LinkedIn profiles, in discussions, and via interviews, they have a great chance of getting new positions.

At prior jobs, how have you:

1. Saved your company money
2. Made your company money
3. Increased efficiency / saved time
4. Improved internal and/or customer relations
5. Solved problem(s)

Additional great information to share include: Thank yous or appreciation received / awards won / promotions or raises / specific times you went above required duties / ideas shared that were picked up and successful / times when you were a good advocate for your company / extra training and education you took without being required.

Of course executive-level applicants are most likely going to expect to have to need to answer and prove the above. Most will have examples (often because they are required parts of past jobs). However; these above questions are important for lower-level applicants as well. If you think hard, most will have examples. This doesn’t mean you need to have made or saved millions of dollars, increased you customer base by 200%, etc. It’s also worthwhile to share if you were behind items like: Found a new better and cheaper office product to buy, which ended up saving $1,000 each year. Worked with an upset client who not only continued to use the company but also recommended 3 others and gave them 5 stars on Facebook. Created and ran a work picnic that improved coworker relationships…These types of items.

Good luck job searching.

Elizabeth Husom, GCDF