Tag Archives: Self-Awareness

Fired. What Went Wrong?

July 13, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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If you’re looking for a job and don’t know why you lost your last one, pause. You have a chance to go back to square one. “I don’t want to go back to where I’ve been. I’d rather put the past behind me. If I keep thinking about why I got fired I won’t have the courage to get another job.” That makes sense. You don’t want to start second guessing yourself and as a Continue reading →

A Cautionary Tale

July 9, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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I typically dedicate this column to active job seekers, providing strategies, techniques, and best practices to enable them to reach the kind of outcomes that will be personally and professionally satisfying. I got a call last week from Alex (not even close to his real name) who asked that I tell you his story. It’s not about how he’s looking for a job. It’s about why. Alex was fired four weeks ago. He wants to Continue reading →

Basic Interviewing Mistakes

July 7, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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In life, little things can become big things. In job search, little things are the big things. Last week I described some big mistakes that job seekers make and asked you to compare them to the do’s and don’ts you’ve been practicing. Here are a few more, just to keep you thinking: What to wear: How to dress is a matter of concern to many interviewees who ask what they should wear if it’s casual Continue reading →

Killing the Interview

June 25, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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What are the mistakes that job seekers make and how do they compare to the do’s and don’t you’ve been practicing? Check these out and you decide: Smile. For some, that big bright toothy smile comes naturally. These job applicants use their pearly whites to send the message that they’re genuinely happy to be in your presence and you in theirs. As an interviewer you are easily drawn to their warm and expressive nature because Continue reading →

When All Else Fails

June 23, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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When all else fails, read the directions. Searching for a job is a big enough challenge without winging it. Rather than take a scattershot approach or sit at home and wait for the phone to ring, get out there and make something happen. Here’s how. Prepare your resume but don’t let the effort consume you. There are resources out there if you want them; libraries, bookstores, and internet sites just waiting to serve up the Continue reading →

Job Search Struggles

June 22, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Many of you struggle with your job search because you don’t know the career direction that’s best for you. If you’d like to stop spinning and start mapping, pay attention to your interests and hobbies. Do you love music and hiking? You probably want jobs that enable you to work in harmonious places and open spaces. Do you like acknowledging others and organizing social events? You’re likely to enjoy coordinating projects and activities for the Continue reading →

Change Your Behavior, Not Your Character

June 16, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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“I’m intimidating. I know it. I don’t like it. I’ve never known what to do about it. Believe me, I’ve tried. It’s my personality. My whole family’s like that. My mom’s direct and my father more so. My brothers and sisters are all competitive go-getters. We earned our stripes around the kitchen table. Every meal was a potluck of competing voices and spirited debates. We argued about everything you shouldn’t; from politics and religion, to Continue reading →

Maximize What You Do Best

June 15, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Everyone needs to know what they do best so they can match themselves to the jobs that require their skills and strengths. Before I have described someone who was struggling with this challenge and frustrated because he couldn’t figure it out. After making a series of bad career decisions he had managed to dig himself into a financial rut matched only by the dimensions of his personal funk. He had lost the heart, drive and Continue reading →

Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

June 12, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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“Don’t worry! You’ll be great! If I can do this job anybody can!” You do worry. You don’t know what you’re doing, what your boss expects, and you feel like you’re failing. You want guidance. “What are you worried about? I’d tell you if there were a problem, you’re fine!” You’re not fine. You’re making mistakes. You’ve tried to figure it out but you’re in over your head. You’ve asked for help but your boss Continue reading →

What’s Your Story

June 11, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Three people, three challenges. The names aren’t theirs, but the stories are. And many of you share them. Daniel doesn’t know how to describe his career dilemma other than to say he is, “…lost, clueless, and stuck. I can’t get started because I don’t know where I want to go. I don’t want to interview because I know I’m flat. I’ve been told I act like I don’t care if I get the job.  That’s Continue reading →

Interviewing Mistakes

June 10, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Sam was a candidate for the job but was flabbergasted at being removed from consideration before even getting his interview.  This is Sam’s version of what happened: Sam had a busy morning and as a result, was late getting to his interview. When he arrived, the receptionist asked him to wait for an escort to Human Resources. Several minutes passed before he was accompanied to the interviewer’s office where again he was asked to wait. Continue reading →

Asking Questions: The Key to Successful Communication

June 9, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Words, particularly value-laden words, mean different things to different people. Some interpret language figuratively and others, literally. If we were to think before we speak, clarifying our intentions to maximize the value and appropriateness of our impact, we’d have fewer misunderstandings. We may not realize the influence our body language or facial expressions have upon the communication of the words we choose to use. Some of us are highly animated and transfer more energy than Continue reading →

Never Settle for Less

June 8, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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I’m at the beach. It’s raining. Not sprinkling. Showering. Misting. Or any of the displays that suggest wait-a-minute and the sun’s bound to come out.  This is a rain that’s going to stay for a while. I better get used to it. It came advertised. I saw it on the weather channel, read it in the paper, I heard it from forecasters who added their personal and chipper “don’t bother going to the beach this Continue reading →

Finding Balance

June 4, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Balance. Who cares and what does it have to do with your job search? Several clients have called, wanting to figure it out. The call for balance used to be the province of women in the workplace.  “I’m expected to do it all,” some whispered. “I expect to do it all,” others proclaimed. And it still falls to many a woman with spouse, child, or children, to be the point person in charge of cleaning Continue reading →

Nailing the First 20 Seconds

June 3, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Many interviewers will tell you they can spot a winner within twenty seconds of meeting the candidate. Whether that’s a race worth winning is the subject of another column. Today’s column is about the belief that it’s possible.  With that in mind, how can you make your case in less than half a minute? Smile. Smile from the inside out. Smile nice and easy. “I’m pleased to be here”, your smile says, “and I’m pleased Continue reading →

Is 20 Seconds Really Enough?

June 2, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Making a great impression in the first 20 seconds of an interview could be one of the most important goals for the applicant.  On the other hand, the first 20 seconds should not discover a “winner” for the job.  This isn’t a horse race, and if it were, you wouldn’t know the outcome unless you stayed around long enough to see who’s in first place when crossing the finish line. It’s true. Some applicants start Continue reading →

Attitude: The Difference Maker

June 1, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Everyone has an attitude. How you project that attitude has enormous influence on how you are perceived. Those perceptions and interpretations by prospective employers make the difference between a winning interview, and one that doesn’t quite get it. Attitudes are influenced by events and your reactions to them. You may be a great communicator, a motivating team builder, and an all around wonderful catch, but if you’re stuck in a bad place, all those attributes Continue reading →

American Idol vs. Your Career

May 30, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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American Idol, Fear Factor, The Swan. Whoever says that today’s popular television programming isn’t educational, hasn’t been watching reality TV. Job seekers can learn plenty from watching these shows and noting the striking similarity between the would-be star’s chase for fame, fortune, and success and their own job search. Case in point: American Idol. Job seekers and Idol hunters begin the chase competing against legions of applicants, all varying in age, background, appearance, talent, discipline, Continue reading →

Costly Coaching Mistakes at Work

May 29, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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“Two months ago I had a superior performance review. Today I don’t have a job. If you asked me what happened between then and now, I’d have to tell you I don’t have a clue. All I know is that last Friday I received a voice mail telling me to meet my boss at 5 pm. I may not know much, but I do know it’s never good to have a meeting with your boss Continue reading →

Finding Your Niche

May 27, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Got a few hundred minutes? I hope so, because it’s going to take time to follow today’s advice.  Instead of focusing on job search tactics, like interviewing and networking, let’s hone in on the bigger issues, like What do I want to do when I grow up?           If you are a grownup and are still asking this question, whatever job you’ve been doing hasn’t been very satisfying.           Hmmm. Not satisfying. Some folks say Continue reading →