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the last time you did volunteer work? |
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by Julie Kang
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Saturday, August 15, 2009 02:21 PM |
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When Natasha told me she was laid off from IBM Consulting, I suggested that she volunteer for an organization that needed a strategy consultant. Before I could finish my sentence, she told me that she had already contacted several nonprofits and had begun working part time. This is one of the many reasons why we picked Natasha for the first HeelsConnect Career Makeover series. She is smart, tenacious, resourceful, and she gets it! And the best part? Natasha was recently offered a paid, part-time strategy consulting position by a colleague from her volunteer work.
When I suggest this to others, most like the idea, in theory, that is. Actually looking for work with no monetary rewards isn’t a priority. You find it difficult to find motivation to really look. You wish someone would call and nicely set it up for you. After all, you’re volunteering, right?... |
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is looking for a job your full-time job? |
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by Julie Kang
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009 09:56 PM |
Before I continue discussing job strategies, here’s a clarification regarding Charlotte’s situation described in the last blog. As my dear friend Kay pointed out, there is a difference between being fired and being laid off. The reason I used the two interchangeably in “do you have a job strategy?” is because getting fired or being laid-off didn’t change my point. You may prepare for an interview differently, but it is not a factor in job searching (there may be a few exceptions).
If you unexpectedly find yourself without a job, as Charlotte did, you need a plan of action with a specific timeframe. Most people look for a job right away once they recover from the initial shock. You may take a few days off, but you’re anxious to apply to companies. If this is your approach, you need a strategy to keep your SANITY – at least most of us do.
If looking for a job becomes your full-time job, it will be exhausting work. No matter how determined you are, it is generally not the most productive way to spend every day of being unemployed. You can only do so much to research companies, post resumes, and reach out to contacts, etc. If you do these things 8 hours a day, your energy will quickly deplete. In fact, your efforts may become counterproductive. I know several people – especially in this economic environment – who are burnt out from nonstop job hunting.
And it’s not really 8 hours a day. It’s every waking moment – especially if you’re not doing much else. STOP! How? Set a realistic schedule for each day of the week. Several hours one day for research, several hours the next for letter writing, then a day of phone calls, and so on. This provides two benefits: 1) it gives you structure; and 2) it gives you permission to think about other things outside of your job search schedule.
But that alone is NOT enough. The next suggestion is CRITICAL.... |
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do you have a job strategy? |
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by Julie Kang
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Monday, August 10, 2009 08:32 PM |
If you don’t, this week’s blogs are for you, including yesterday’s post to get you thinking about STRATEGY.
I recently spoke to a friend who has been looking for a job for the last 7 months. Charlotte was a victim of the financial crisis on Wall Street. Without any notice, she received a pink slip. As devastating as it is to lose a job, I think it’s a blessing in disguise for Charlotte.
Charlotte had worked in a hostile environment full of arrogant men who behaved at work as if they were in a high school locker room. Even though Charlotte is an extremely accomplished professional with two Ivy League degrees, she was often treated like a second class citizen by her male counterparts. Getting fired was a blow to her ego, but in the long run, getting out of that situation may be the best thing for her.
Still, it takes a while to realize it. Only when you find another job can you reflect back and say “I’m so glad they fired me!” During the first few months of unemployment, Charlotte was watching mindless television and eating takeout. She had enough savings to survive for 6 months without any income. Her plan was to take 3 months off to recharge her battery before starting the job search. Good plan. Or is it? Sure, if you’re emotionally strong (I mean really strong) and ridiculously disciplined. If you are, I so envy you.
In theory, it’s great to take some time off before looking for a job. In practice,... |
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by Julie Kang
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Sunday, August 09, 2009 12:44 PM |
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On the first day of business school, Professor Cathy Tinsley asked the eager capitalists hoping to double their salary after completing an MBA, “What is STRATEGY?” In general, “strategy” is not a complicated word. But only a handful of brave souls raised their hands to enlighten the class – including me. I can’t remember my response, but I do remember saying to myself ‘try to keep your big mouth shut unless you have something intelligent to say.’ It wasn’t a trick question, but there was much more to this word than how we had defined it. It was going to be critical to our learning for the next 2 years.
What does “strategy” mean to you? How does it differ from “tactic”?
Here’s a simple example.
You’re in a serious relationship and ready to take it to the next level – tie the knot. Your boyfriend, on the other hand, is very content with the current arrangement and doesn’t feel any urgency to get married. However, you’re determined to get him to pop the big question with a certain deadline in mind. What is your strategy? What are your options?
A. The ultimatum: Tell him that you need a ring by X date; otherwise, you’re moving on.
B. Absence makes the heart grow fonder: Tell him that you need to take some time to think about things. You’re hoping that when he finds himself alone (or on an awful date), he’ll miss you and realize that he can’t live without you.
C. Do nothing.
Every strategy above has inherent risks including C. Not doing anything may lead you to being miserable. You may even start to resent your boyfriend and you know how that ends.
Let’s say you choose B. You feel certain that he’ll clearly see that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You now have a strategy; all you have to do is execute it. Your plan is to cook a romantic dinner and wear something really sexy. During dinner, you’ll casually bring up that maybe it’s time to take a break and see other people. And you communicate this in a very calm, casual manner. These are your tactics in executing your strategy.
If you want to accomplish something in life,... |
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a very special staff at Bath & Body Works ... in sherman oaks fashion square |
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by Julie Kang
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009 10:12 PM |
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This past Saturday, the day before my friend Betsy’s bridal shower, I frantically ran around looking for the perfect bridal shower favors – also known as parting gifts given to the shower guests. I’m sure many of you have either given or received these. Of course, I waited until the last minute (I have been insanely busy), but I was confident I’d find something in an hour. Reality struck once I entered the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square. Not only did I have to find the perfect, economical favors, but I also had to wrap them in nice packaging acceptable to meet the bridal shower standard. Other times, I have ordered favors ahead of time so they were specialized for the occasion. Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of those times. I needed a small miracle to cross this off my long to-do list ASAP. As I ran from store to store, begging salespeople to help me, no one seemed interested in listening to my pleading for help. No one, that is, until I walked into the beautiful Bath & Body Works store. As soon as I walked into Bath & Body Works, I was greeted with a friendly welcome and refreshing scent. In response to the question “May I help you with something?” I blurted out my present dilemma. “I’m a poor, starving entrepreneur in need of 30 bridal shower favors that won’t bankrupt me. And I need it now perfectly ready to be handed out tomorrow!” Unlike the other stores, the ladies in this store actually walked around showing me different options along with creative wrapping suggestions. I was getting close! I hit the jackpot when one of the managers, Aunya, showed me how to place a hand sanitizer in a clear plastic wrapper with tissue paper, then tie a bow around it...
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