A while back my biz partner (Chris Fogarty) did a blog post titled “Are job boards dead”?

Last night I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a year or so and we were talking about her current career situation – she’s somewhat happy, but would like to find something that is a better match with her life (ah…yes, the work/life balance equation). She then started to talk about her thoughts on job search, and specifically the job boards – stating that the boards are so impersonal now that it is hard to believe that posting anything there could lead to a ‘true’ opportunity vs. just a bunch of junky sales/advertising links. She went on to discuss that everything on the job boards now is so generic that it seems they are more about being anonymous and advertising (ie; earning income from google ads, etc.) than truly wanting to connect employers with candidates.

Ok – are we in reverse? The big boards were all the rage not so long ago and sure, people may still continue to post on the big board’s because not doing so would be like not adding salt to your recipe – but, truly is online job search coming of age in a more boutique fashion now – meaning that the ‘couture’ of job search is really amongst the small, specialized sites and companies, much like it used to be? Are the big boys (hotjobs, monster, careerbuilder, dice, etc.) truly going out of fashion?

What’s your take? Are you using job boards? Have you had any success? Any tricks to share?

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Are you in a job search rut? The solution just may be stimulating your mind in a different way. Take the focus off of your search for a bit and dive into new possibilities. I’ve come across this fabulous website TED – whose mission is ‘spreading ideas’. Here you can find a world of information, inspiration and creativity. From their website:

The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week.

I watched Benjamin Zander’s talk and came away with the feeling that anything is possible. What an incredible speaker and inspiring leader. His enthusiasm is infectious.

So, take a break from your rut and stimulate your vision…give your entrepreneurial genes a rush!

From Benjamin Zander ; “Imagine if Martin Luther King had said “I have a dream…but, I’m not sure they’ll be up to it”.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Came across this weekly radio show created by Diane Danielson and Anita Bruzzese of Downtown Women’s Club. This particular show is spent with Alexandra Levit who has written a new book “How’d You Score That Gig?” I haven’t read the book yet, but the radio show is great – good tips on how to find your dream career, ways for the different generations to work in partnership, etc. Lots of good information included. There are plenty of other shows to listen to surrounding career information such as; negotiating, how to use blogging successfully, networking, what to do with linkedin, and more at Blog Talk Radio.

Good stuff!

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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If you’re digging around in research mode trying to find out more about great places to apply your skills and talents you might want to take a look at San Jose Magazine’s issue on ‘50 of the best places to work’. In this issue they focus on the top companies in the Bay Area “who offer incredible benefits, great camaraderie, cool perks, free food, and even soothing onsite massages”. Now who doesn’t need that??

Yes, of course Google is in there, as are Apple and HP (we would expect those). But, there are others who get less mention in the media, such as: Lam Research in Fremont, Linear Technology Corp. in Miliptas, Fortinet, Inc., in Sunnyvale and DemandTec in San Carlos, etc. - the list goes on.

Mainly technology companies (that’s to be expected since they are measuring Bay Area companies), but there are also others such as Perkins Coie LLP, The Trium Group and SRI.

It’s worth reading to get an idea and some balance around what you’re getting now vs. what’s out there with regard to other job perks. You’ll find the article here - you may need to scroll through a few of the articles, but it is in the Nov. ‘07 issue (a few months old, but good information).

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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I was reading an article in Fast Company that referenced a site I haven’t been on before – Upcoming.org

Great site to find out what’s going on in any location you desire. I found the Women’s Wellness Forum event (see info. below) coming up in San Francisco on June 2, put on by Invent Your Future and numerous other organizations as noted.

Invent Your Future “is a professional development company that is accelerating the success of the next generation of corporate and entrepreneurial women leaders.” They have a great site with lots going on – from online events to partnering events, conferences and loads more.

Here’s information on the Women’s Wellness Forum from their site:

Join Microsoft, Sutter Health, Burke Williams Spas and Clif Bar & Company at
The Invent Your Future Women’s Wellness Forum

June 2, 2008, 12pm-6:30pm

Microsoft Conference Center
Westfield Center
835 Market Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94103

FEATURING

Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Chief Medical Editor, NBC News, Author of “Medical Myths That Can Kill You.”
Margaret Sabin, CEO, Sutter Health Partners; Vice President, New Product Development, Sutter Health
Sheryle Bolton, Brain Fitness Software Entrepreneur, Former Chairman & CEO of Scientific Learning Corporation

DISCOVER THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR SUCCESS

o Learn how to keep you and your team healthy and productive

o Foolproof ways to reduce stress at work

o Life-changing strategies to maximize brain power

Why do we need a Forum on Women’s Workforce Wellness?

o More days are lost annually for sick leave in the US than in any other country;

o “Job/career” has replaced “finances” as the leading cause of stress for most people

o The US spends more than $2 trillion on health care annually and those costs will continue to accelerate if we don’t change
the way we take care of ourselves;

o More companies are getting serious about improving the health of their workers;

o Wellness programs have measurable success, cost savings and documented outcomes;

o Women are the catalysts for disseminating healthcare information in their offices, homes and communities;

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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In Michael Watkins’ book - The First 90 Days - he states that “The actions you take during your first three months in a new job will largely determine whether you succeed or fail”. So, why do so many people go into this period of time so unprepared? Better yet, just what can one do to best prepare for their first 90 days?

For the purposes of this particular blog post let’s focus in on some tips for those who are beginning a job with a new company – unfamiliar territory.

Here are five tips to get you off to a good start:

Prior to your first day: Make sure you research your new company; its products, competitors, news releases, staff. Read up on anything and everything you can find about the company. Much like you would have done before heading in to the interview. Review all your research and any new materials you can find. If this is the first time you have performed the position you have been hired for, take more time to research information about the position and check your network for anyone who currently performs a similar position – ask questions and get informed. Don’t take on a ‘sink or swim’ attitude, leave sinking out of it all together and plan to ‘swim’ – keep your mind focused on success.

Build your network: Introduce yourself to everyone you come across in the organization – don’t isolate yourself expecting others to take the first step. You must take the first step. The sooner you get to know people the sooner you can begin to build your ‘internal network’ and gather allies to your success.

Orientation: If your company has an orientation process that’s great. Write down questions you may have come across in your research and get them answered – either by the HR team or your manager. Make sure you find out what departments you will be interfacing with and who the management teams are. Make a point to introduce yourself to these people specifically.

Image: Take time to acquaint yourself with what’s expected with regard to dress and image. Don’t make drastic changes from the ‘you’ they got to know during the interview process. Although you may not need to don a suit daily, stay on the conservative side. Let them notice your work and your success before they notice a change in your appearance.

Side note: this reminds me of the time that I was hiring an administrative assistant. She was the epitome of professional – interviewed in a conservative navy blue suit, very polite and soft spoken; a real gem. She was hired. Within the first week I was in total shock – she cut her hair into a version of a Mohawk – with one bald side and one shaggy. She came in wearing huge baggy overalls rolled up to the knee to show her multi-colored striped socks, which rose above her army boots. A real shocker – to say the least.

Listen and discover: Make sure that you are a listener and not always the one jumping in with the answers. Show respect to your team members by listening to all they have to say. Don’t take on a ‘been there, done that’ attitude. Get to know what your coworkers are doing and the challenges they face.

These are just a few tips for you to incorporate. The list is numerous and you should research and consider all the points you want to put into action during your first 90 days. Create a success plan and check list to be sure you stay on track.

Good luck!

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Well, with all the warm weather arriving I have found myself wanting a nice summer tan. I was thinking about it today and then a question came into my mind – when it comes to ‘corporate image’ how much tan is too much? Now a days with all the tanning creams they have (not to mention spraying techniques) anyone can get a tan and you don’t have to layout waiting for the sun to demolish your skin (later receiving sunspots, sun wrinkles and the worst – possible skin cancer) .

When I think about ‘how much tan is too much’, it brings to mind an old movie actor who was soooooo tan all year round that it was really disgusting (I think he’s dead now and if anyone thinks of his name, let me know). Obviously, that would be on the far end of ‘too much tan’ spectrum. And, that brings to mind my recollection of taking an island vacation where everyone is all about the sun, relaxation and tanning. I saw older ‘folks’ still basking – so dark was their tan (and so heavy were their sun wrinkles…not to mention the wayyyy out of place thong bathing suits…ugh – not exactly Rio de Janeiro models at their age) when they stood up they looked like “tan night of the living dead” stars. And as every wrinkle in the skin moved around there were white lines providing a very striped look. Please help me if I ever do that! Someone say something so I go out with dignity intact.

Now the other end of the spectrum is the milky white color of the executive who never sees the sun and whose skin looks as if it was just doused by Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. You take one look and just know that they never leave the iridescent office light. Next promotion…head of the morgue.

So, where do you want to be when it comes to tanning? I say go with the season, in spring and summer don a light to medium tan (any darker and you risk the chance of getting a reputation about your tan vs. the quality of your work – worse, if you’re running behind on projects you may be the brunt of jokes as to why they are not getting done – spending all your time in the sun, etc.).

Light to medium tan says – I’m fresh, outdoorsy, and in touch with the season. It has a spark of energy to it that the milk-toast zero tan skin just does not generate. So, best advice is go conservative with your tan in the corporate environment and be sure to check out the sans sun methods – there are a zillion of them out there now.

I was just checking with a friend who’s in sales at a high tech company and has a nice light/medium tan and she told me she uses “Fake Bake”. I picked some up at the beauty supply – hope it works on me too (no stripes – please). I think I’ll be tan my Monday.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Get a personal business card. If you do not have a business card it’s time to get one for both professional and networking reasons. You do not have to wait until you are employed with a company before you have ‘your card’. You simply choose a card, list your name, profession (the one you received your degree for or are in – ie; software engineer, administrative assistant, human resources professional, accountant, etc.). List your contact information – both phone number and email. I have also seen those who have listed specialties or knowledge areas on the backside of the card, which is like a mini-resume and a great way to showcase your value add. However, don’t get too carried away here so that the reader needs to have a magnifying glass to see what’s there. Just list a few ‘top’ talents and/or specialties.

There are many reasonable alternatives for business cards and I have found Vista Print to be one of the most efficient and cost effective methods. Vista Print has loads of choices – but, for professional reasons I suggest you stay on the conservative side with your design selection. Keep in mind the audience you will be handing this card to (i.e.; recruiters, business networking contacts, hiring managers, etc.).

Next time someone says “how can I get in touch with you?” you won’t have to rip off a little piece of paper and start writing down your information (very unprofessional). You simply hand your business card to them and let them know they can contact you anytime. And don’t forget to ask for their card too. Always continue to build your network.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Research the Company – dig deep. Before you head off to an interview you’ll need to be well prepared to answer the question “What do you know about us?” This is a common question asked of candidates for a number of reasons – the first and most important is to see how well the candidate prepared for the interview. You should be able to rattle off several details about what you know about the company, their products, customer base and who their competitors are. Additionally, you should know from your research who the top management team is and where they came from.

Don’t skip this step and think the employer will answer it for you. If you say something as unprepared as “I’ve seen your Company in the news and it looks like a good place to work”, the interviewer may bother to fill you in on more information, but more than likely it is a courtesy process out of politeness and you will not win over your well prepared competition. A second interview at this point will probably not happen.

So, where can you begin? First, of course, you will want to review the company’s website. Be sure to review the products, management team (also google each member of the management team to get even more info), philosophy, mission and press releases. Then start digging around online via news feeds, blogs, and research sites such as: Edgar Online, Wall Street Research Net, PRN News, CEO Express – for more great links visit our site.

Remember – research will set you apart from the competition…know your stuff.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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Prepare your Professional Pitch. – tell me about yourself is often the first question any employer, manager, recruiter or new acquaintance will ask you. It is just a common question and most of the time we don’t even worry about it. But, then comes the day of your interview and the question arrives and you wing it while clumsily bumping your way around the answer – starting with things like “Um, I’m from Wisconsin…blah, blah, bore”, or worse you say “Well, what would you like to know?” Yikes…your interviewer is thinking “what is this person doing wasting my time”? You’re outta there. Never make the interviewer work to pull information out of you.

Preparing your professional pitch is an important part of your interview, as well as your branding message. Employers want to know who you are and how you will add value to their organization. And they ‘expect’ you to be prepared to answer the ‘tell me about yourself’ question quickly (within 30 seconds) and succinctly, as it relates to ‘what’s in it for them’ if they continue the interview and/or hire you. Your professional pitch is your value proposition in brief. Not a history of your upbringing, hobbies and dreams (save that for a date).

So, just what should you include in your Professional Pitch?

1. Your opening statement – who you are and why you’re there.

2. Next, focus on the context of your work (or course work if new grad) and how it relates to the employer’s needs.

3. After that, point out your strengths as they relate to what you can bring to the employer.

4. Finally, end with a professional connection question.

Creating your pitch and practicing it until it flows easily and naturally is a key to networking and interview success.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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