By Markey Read

If you have not already reassessed your priorities and your economic viability in the last 2 months, now would be good time to start. Since the series of events that started in 2008, we have not only seen major changes in the world order, but even in quiet Vermont we are feeling the ripple effect in our neighborhoods and families.

Some companies are reeling from loss of business, while others are struggling to keep up with new demand. Companies who have traditionally been “great employers” are not only facing staffing reductions, but they are making cuts in all the extras paid in benefits. Bonuses are disappearing quickly, corporate matching funds for retirement packages are dwindling, and the full costs of health benefits are being transferred to employees . . . leaving the people who remain wondering if the company is such a great place after all.

By Markey Read

As you scan the classified advertisements and call all the hotlines, you say to yourself, “I can do that, and that, and I always wanted to do that, and wouldn’t it be great to work for a place that makes ice-cream or teddy bears?.”

And so you apply to all of them, even though your resume only hints at the qualifications required and you know little about the companies. You justify your decision by saying, “Hey, I can always leave if it doesn’t work out.”

Then you get an interview and by some off chance, you get “the job.” You and the company have just entered into a risky relationship. Since, many have been in the position of needing a job no mater what it is; and many companies have simply needed warm bodies to fill positions, commitment to working through the kinks is often lacking. This is unfortunate, but true.

By Markey Read

Millions of people in the US suffer through jobs and professions that do not suit them and that make them miserable. And millions of people are often shocked when released from those very same jobs by their employers.

The majority of people, however, can point to the steps that resulted in the loss of the position . . . after the fact.

Some of the common signs include:

• Being late to work more often.
• Having no desire to perform the tasks/responsibilities.
• Calling in sick more often.
• Being sick all the time.
• Chronic complaining about co-workers, job, and/or the company.
• Being consistently bored in meetings.
• Oversleeping often.
• Forcing yourself to go to work everyday.
• Feeling depressed.
• Feeling like the day/week/month would never end.
• Feeling generally dissatisfied with quality of life.
• Regularly not sleeping well.
• Feeling like your situation is hopeless.
• Being placed on probation or being demoted.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you should change your job or career. It could, however, give you cause to ask some probing questions . . . and give yourself some honest answers.

Some common self-inquires to answer are:

• Is your daily work satisfying?
• Have you received any critical feedback from fellow employees, supervisors, or managers regarding your performance that you felt was unfounded?
• Is there anything you can do to improve your performance?
• Are you clear about your responsibilities?
• Are you performing your responsibilities to your highest ability?
• Are you bored with your work?
• Do you need any additional training or support?
• Are there one or more relationships in the office that are interfering with productivity – especially a manager or supervisor?
• Do you have regular (weekly, monthly, or quarterly) upsetting events that reoccur?
• Are you distracted from your job by personal challenges?

If any of these questions has led you to think that a change is in order, take some positive steps toward the change. You do not have to change everything at once. Most people report feeling greatly relieved when they take a first step toward change.

Some possible first steps include:

• Stop complaining and start talking about what works.
• Get out of the office at least once in the day for fresh air.
• Reorganize your office/work space to be more efficient.
• Complete and clean out old rotting projects that sap energy.
• Clean out computer files and filing cabinets to make room for more of what you want – release what you do not want more of.
• Inventory your accomplishments – collect examples of your work in a plain folder to put into a portfolio later.
• Make a list of why you stay and why you think you want to leave.
• Identify the true source of the feelings for a change.
• Start writing down your personal, professional, family, etc. goals.
• Talk to a friend/partner/spouse/ counselor who can help you create an action plan.
• Take one action each day that will bring you closer to your goal.
• Reduce or eliminate sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat foods – they feel good in the moment but really only postpone the obvious.

It has been said that the only constant is change itself, and yet human beings generally resist change. I’ll say that again people resist changing until the changing appears as less painful than the not changing.

There are numerous resources that can help you make positive changes in your life. Some options include: Employee Assistance Programs, community-based counseling services, private career counselors & therapists, friends, family, and professional peers. If you choose to use a friend or family member, be sure that the person selected is really available and has the skills to listen and offer positive alternatives.

One of the most valuable lessons to learn from all this evaluating and changing is to remember how you got into this position. Write down the red flags that you can see in retrospect and keep the list in full view while making choices for future positions. If you find you that you land in similarly dissatisfying positions over and over, you are not paying attention to the signs.

When the signs are ignored and the same mistakes are made over and over, people tend to start job hoping and creating a history of “Bad Job Karma.” Potential employers can smell you coming and will get nervous about hiring you. Job Karma is repairable – it starts with paying attention to the signs and making new choices.

Make one change today that will improve your outlook.

By Markey Read

As you conduct a job search, communications with employers should constantly underline how you are a resource to them. Your most powerful opportunity to convey your strengths is in the person-to-person contact or an interview.

The resume is a key auxiliary aid in getting the interview. By itself, it will not get you a job. It can, however, open doors effectively, serve as a guide or point of reference in conversation, and act as a reinforcing reminder of your strengths after a meeting has concluded. For this reason, it is important to maximize the impression you make with the resume.

By Markey Read

As we wrap-up the 20th Century we are also leaving behind the massive and frequent downsizing of the past two decades. We are not entirely done with large downsizing efforts, especially within large national or international organizations. And publicly held and traded companies will always be at the mercy of the stockholders.

By Markey Read

Are you a goal setter or a goal avoider? Some people write goals for everything and find great joy in achieving them in order to cross them off the list. And others never seem to get around to writing down their goals because they don’t know what to write.

The best part about goals is that if you write them, they are in your handwriting and you can erase them, add to them, or edit them. Your goals are for you – not for anyone else.

Goal setting and achieving, however, is an art form and takes practice to really use goals effectively in your life. To practice writing goals means taking a chance and learning from your failures. For example, if you don’t meet your goal of getting a new job by October 1, 2000, this does not mean you should stop the process and it does not mean that you failed. If you keep steadily moving toward your goal of finding new work, you will eventually meet your goal. You simply need to be willing to maintain your focus in the face of obstacles and few obvious results.

Developing your career within a company takes a great deal of attention from you and your manager. With a strategy and some investment from you and your manager, an administrative assistant can become a manager; a marketing assistant can become a staff trainer; a financial analyst can become a human resources administrator, and a sales representative can become a sales manager.

Be Clear About Your Goal

First it takes being clear about your goal. To get clear, you need to explore your options and make a choice. Learn about how other departments function. Interview your co-workers, supervisor, manager, and friends about their backgrounds and responsibilities. Ask your manager for extra projects or transfer horizontally to another area to broaden your experiences.

By Markey Read

So, you are thinking about making a career change -- maybe a small one, maybe a major one -- and you don’t want to take a temporary drop in pay, start at “the bottom”, or loose your “benefits”. Hmmm . . . .Sounds suspiciously like you really don’t want to make a change.

Everyday people come into my office and tell me how unhappy they are at work, or how depressed they are to be unemployed and when I recommend that they find new employment -- most people are struck with fear and resist the idea of change. Most people are not willing to make the necessary changes to obtain their goal of happy and fulfilling employment. They are unwilling to move through a period of uncertainly and challenge in order to reap the rewards available to those who risk.

By Markey Read

Sales and marketing strategist know that when you (the consumer) see or hear a company or product name seven times, you (the consumer) will remember the name. And the theory follows that since we buy what is familiar to us, the more familiar the name (translation: the more times we have heard or seen it), the more likely we are to buy the product.

If we buy what is familiar, it makes sense that we also hire what is familiar. So, if you (the job candidate) are the product that wants to be purchased (hired), you must make yourself familiar to the hiring agent. Most individuals, however, do not have the budget or desire to develop flashy advertising campaigns and most human resource professionals do not take kindly to continually obnoxious candidates who want to “get friendly.”

By Markey Read

Tip #1

Remember that your resume is a marketing tool.  Include information that will enhance your best qualities and eliminate potentially controversial information.  Think of your resume and cover letter as paid advertising.  For each page of resume and cover letter you send you have 92 sq. in./page available.  On the average you will have 184 sq. in. to sell yourself and about 30 seconds to catch and keep the reader’s attention.  If you are aiming for a salary of $30,000, each square inch of your materials is worth $163.00; if your goal is $50,000, each square inch is worth $271.00.  This is premium advertising space – use it well.